GOLD STAR BAR

Old speakeasy and Al Capone hangout. Former brothel above. You can still see bulletholes in the walls! The original board that held keys to brothel rooms remains. Mikey the bartender was the BEST!! He gave us a thorough history lesson on this incredible, historical location, as well! Such a neat place!!

A good dive bar on a trendy street. Staff is friendly, it has a pool table & patio outback for private parties. I brought my military service dog & was able to relax while she took a break from walking me. The bartender was great & atmosphere chill. Sometimes you just want to get away from all the self-absorbed pompous attitudes down the street. This is a great spot to chill & just have a freakin drink!

It's whatever. Feels like a millennial trap update: since ownership responded with their own respective temper tantrum here are reasons why I didn't like it: 1. beer was expensive 2. creepy and weird clientele 3. TV's everywhere the aesthetic of the bar feels like one you would see on a ig reel of the 'top 5 dives in chicago'

The girl bartenders who work here are awesome and hysterical. And, they have a billion flavors of Florida hard seltzer! And zip lock bags of booze!

I’ve never been to a place where they charge you for a liquor drink and pour just lemonade! I saw her just squirt from the soda dispenser, charge me $12 and be really mean about it.

Cool place. I go there to play pool during happy hours. Laid back drinks reasonably rooced. Super cool bartenders

Edit: Simon reached out and corrected this within 24 hours. Thank you! Visited with friends for the St Patrick’s bar crawl. They were supposed to be offering $5 well cocktails but I was charged $12+ per drink.

If you can't hang, take a hike. How many bars in Chicago have Lone Star? Who cares!? Yeah, they are $5 bucks, so what? Just add a lime and you be on another trip... .. . Whitney always made us feel at home. Thanks.

I work in Wicker Park and always walked past here, and finally went in with a friend last night. She had been there many times before and since the renovations said that "it looks WAY nicer" and now takes credit cards. Upon walking in, it's got a dark hipster vibe. It smelled of fresh popcorn and was very clean feeling/looking (but not like those places that smell like chlorine trying to overcompensate for actually being nasty). $5 for a PBR and a shot caught our eyes, so that's what we stuck with. Outside of the $2 tap PBR, the rest of the beer prices were average for Chicago. Either way, I'd absolutely go back!

Stopped in on a Friday night and sat in the back area. They have a full bar, plenty of seating throughout with some tables at the front, and a pool table in back. I loved that they were playing a movie with sound as well, when we went it was Candyman.

Nice bar good music friendly door guy great selections I came here by myself on a Friday night and Whitney and Julian who were both rather busy at the bar, still made me feel right at home When I mentioned I was visiting and kept getting lost on Google Maps. Whitney even drew me directions to my next destination. After mentioning something about being trans, Julian asked my pronouns. In a really nice way and made it may feel way more comfortable as it is trans women alone at a bar at 1 AM. Also as I'm sober, they had a great non alcoholic menu. and didn't treat me as a second-class citizen being of the non-drinking variety all in all great place would absolutely come back/recommended

Gold star is a FIVE star bar. Arthur the bartender is always friendly and ready to serve me a drink. If there's a bar in heaven, I hope it's called Gold Star.

Cozy neighborhood dive bar with free pool, nice staff, and fairly priced drinks! Gentle reminder to visitors though: this is a NEIGHBORHOOD bar and many folks live right above it. When patrons smoke/drink out front of the bar and yell + scream late on weeknights, it's pretty disturbing to the locals. There's never an issue on weekends which is interesting because you figure you sign up for noisy weekends living by a bar, but weeknights seem to have the loudest outdoor groups for some reason. Typing this at 1:00 AM on a Wednesday night after being woken up by the noise. Would be great if the number was reconnected so neighbors that just want to get some rest could call down :/

Goldstar is phenomenal. Liz is a queen. Come to Goldstar. If you don't you suck. Just kidding you don't really suck. But go or come to Goldstar. You can get a 3 dollar beer whisky shot. That should be illegal, but it's not. I love you. Life is perfect.

I won't continue to profilgate the fetishazation of dive bars. The facts I got mixed drinks for $6 a pop. The varnish and wood on the actual bar shows years of enjoyment from customers. ATM on site. Beers on draft and bottles. I think 2 or 3 the beers has one of those dive bar prices that make you do a double take. What a time to be alive. The bar isn't doing a reinterpretation or an irony dive bar thing. It's the actual thing.

Super friendly and fun service. Great specials. Good pool table space in the back. Price is right for a date or group of friends

DISGUSTING! One of the employees was so messed up on lord knows what that he was passed out on the bar. He would wake up every so often and then slam his head back down. Eventually, he grabbed our bag of leftovers from the restaurant down the street and ripped it too shreds. He ate every last bite as we watched in horror. When we asked the staff if he worked there, they confidently replied, "Yeah he works here." When they saw what he was doing and how he was acting, they simply acknowledged with a head nod and nothing more. I told them they needed to get him help because something was wrong. No thank you. No apologies. Nothing. This place is disgusting as are the employees--not even the ones passed out on the bar eating my food without permission.

Caution: the bartender at this bar ran a tip scam on my friend and I. I came in on Wednesday night to enjoy a few beers before everything was going to close down on Friday. I got there a bit before my friend and ordered some drinks. My friend walked in later and the bartender told her that I came there all the time and never tipped. This is absolutely not true as I'd only been there one other time (with a different bartender) in the past year and I *always* tip 25%+ during covid. I had no idea about this interaction as my friend didn't mention it until after we left. At the end of the night we closed out and I decided to tip $20 on a $35 bill because I knew everything was closing down and wanted to leave more than I usually do to help the wait staff out. The bartender asked me to leave then proceeded to tell my friend that I didn't tip at all. When she asked for the receipt to see, the bartender produced it with a squiggle through the tip line despite the total being correct (FYI the tip line doesn't matter, you can charge the full tipped amount based only on the total line). She then guilted my friend into covering the tip in cash (she tipped $40 because she was convinced at the time). I was distraught and put a $20 cash tip to cover my tip. We then learned later she charged the full tipped amount on the card as well. I will never be back to this place. I couldn't believe what happened and that both my friend and I fell for the scam. Avoid at all costs, there are plenty of great dive bars in the city that don't employ scammers like this.

I have come to this bar for YEARS. I've been in this neighborhood forever. Gold Star was a great dive bar for the longest time--one of my favorites. I always brought my dog here w no problem. The other patrons loved when I brought her. This was one of the charms of Gold Star--you'd always see people w their dogs. New owners came in and they decided no dogs allowed. Clearly they don't get this neighborhood. Or this bar. I'm so disappointed that such lame, old school owners have taken over. They classed up the place which was nice. But no dogs allowed shows how oblivious they are as to what a dog friendly neighborhood this is. Hey owners--you probably should get to know Wicker Park first before you moved in. You clearly don't get it. This is not the suburbs. Head to Phyllis's Musical Inn across the street for a dog friendly place.

Only the finest of dive bars in Wicker Park. My personal local watering hole. No food but Carl is always willing to whip up some popcorn. And they never run out of Lone Star. FREE POOL and a solid jukebox. They feature artists and have the information available. Go with friends, co-workers, or by yourself! Always a good time! Cash only!

Just like any ol' Lincoln Park bar. It's nothing special. Billy C. doesn't blow winos for spare change.

It was once a reliable spot for a shot and a beer, some neighborhood conversation, and to catch a game on the single TV. Now, with much of the longtime staff canned, it is veering towards being indistinguishable from any of the other Wicker/Logan cocktail troughs that could be equally at home in Schaumburg. I was a patron for 15+ years and, at this point, can't really imagine ever returning for a visit. For a slice of what made this neighborhood desirable in the first place, you'll need to look elsewhere and not at the Gold Star.

I'm new to the area and was looking for a low key place along this strip of strollers and Karen's and Kyle's. Music was fun and eclectic. Drinks were great and service w Liz was amazing. Bringing my friends to start our new spot to go to.

Gold star bar is a little hipster-y place, that looks dive like from the outside. The atmosphere was cool, dark and quiet, yet still entertaining. Candle lit. We had an old fashion, and it was close to the best I've had. And also the bartender gave a suggestion for a cider by I believe vander-something. Both were good, and the bartender was a conversationalist, but not annoying.

A bit disappointing, to be honest. The place was so musty, I could only bare a single drink. Not to mention there were also no taps (from what I saw) which is a big no for me. The place looks run down from the outside and rather mediocre from the inside. Drink prices aren't expensive but they're not that cheap either. They're pretty equivalent to any other bar without craft beers. In my book, I tend to pass up on bars that have no taps. If I wanted to drink bottles of beer, then I would rather just drink at home. It's where I belong, anyway.

Wow nothing like it was. Dead on a Friday no jukebox which was a staple forever. A cocktail bar? Lol. This was a bar and shot place with community . Realize why people went here for years. Sad

The mood at this bar is your coworker who brags about - ... being from Naperville - ... their personal hand in saving dolphins by going strawless - ... having visited the south side once The gritty spirit of Nelson Algren was excised in the 2019 renovation. It's no longer a local bar so much as a tourist trap for out-of-towners hoping to experience an authentic Chicago dive (sorry folks, you're a little too late with this one). Now expect to be upsold a $40 Malort candle with your drink, and don't be surprised if a Gold Star Bar mention garners the same raised eyebrow from locals as spending a day on Navy Pier. To each his own but don't let the marketing/PR campaigns fool you into believing this bar is something it's so, so obviously not.

Absolutely one of the best bars in the world. Bartenders are friendly. Atmosphere is #1.

Like watching an episode of Bar Rescue in reverse. Everything that this bar used to be was "perfectly Chicago". A great jukebox, an eclectic clientele, interesting bartenders, shart stickers, etc... Now the bar looks like someone was gifted a $500 Crate & Barrel gift card and went hog wild with fake candles and lame furniture. Everything about this once great bar feels out of place. I challenge you to try to connect the dots on this new aesthetic. On a positive note the walls look nice and the bartenders don't give you guff when you pop in there to take a deuce without buying anything.

The friends I went here with on a Friday night at 8pm used to haunt this place 25 years ago. They said absolutely nothing had changed to the interior with the exception of a couple new wall decor. This is an old haunt that still has legs, if you're looking for a dive indie bar. Stepped up to three bar seats. Just came for the experience, served with kindness and cheap drinks; slight wait because the bartenders are just that social. The juke box is stacked with 50's - 80's tunes, skimmer on the 90's. Dim lit space wedged between other establishments, few windows, clean bathrooms, and all wood seating with low tables if not at the bar. The bar is lengthy, designed with a swerve. Popcorn isn't gluten free...er, the bartender's had no idea. Can't blame them. Chill place for a cocktail.

This iteration doesn't hold a candle to the old one, popped in over the weekend and couldn't believe how contrived the whole vibe felt. Drink was a drink, but nobody likes a fake dive.

It's not five stars because it's a "five star bar", but because it's a five star dive bar. The beer is cheap, the cocktails are great value, it's rarely too crowded, the staff is friendly and service is quick, no charge for the pool table, and the outdoor deck is great in the summer. You can't get more Chicago than this!

Honestly, the first time I was here since change in ownership, our group was welcomed with enthusiasm. HOWEVER.... Since then, the new owners put out a public facebook post, talking tons of shit about former owners, staff, and patrons, while still keeping the Gold Star name, and insisting they would maintain the integrity of the original bar. Well, living in the area, I refuse to support people who talk shit about patrons and people who have kept the bar going (whether or not they feel a good job was done). They have a "if you don't like what we say, gtfo" attitude which is really sad. I would have continued to go here had they had more class and maybe got a PR person to handle their social media, as they're acting immature all over social media and public reviews and I won't support businesses who's owners spend their time insulting people. I won't be going back here, or to any of their other businesses, SOLELY because of how rude and immature the owners have been. I understand they wanted to defend themselves, but there's a way to have class when responding to criticisms, and they exude NONE of it. Too bad. :/

Ventured here with some fellow yelpers after free theater night and had a pretty good time, although my previous nighttime manuevers caught up with me to the point I was about to fall asleep. First of all I think a bar that allows a dog to come and hang out is damn cool!!!! Very much a dive and they serve free popcorn while you drink your ass off of the cheap beer. Anywhere I can get Stella for $4 is okay in my book. The bartender was really nice as well I had a good laugh when I saw they serve Hamms & Schlitz in a can for $2. I have a friend that would jump all over that deal and practially move into the joint. They have pool and television in the back which is cool. As I stated in the beginning of the review, I was getting sleepy so I had to leave, but I definately would like to return

I came to Gold Star Bar on a Wednesday night with a big group of friends, almost all of whom were locals. We needed a comfortable place for about ten people, and this bar worked pretty well. It was almost empty the whole time we were there, from about 9:30 to midnight. Probably the least touristy place I've been to in Chicago, both in the good and bad ways. It wasn't the kind of place I'd go out of my way to visit. It was a dive bar with a grimy bathroom and completely nondescript decor. On the other hand, we got to sit and shoot the shit the whole time without any stress about getting in, or hearing each other, or navigating crowds for beer. Everything about it was easy and pleasant. Except for the Malort, maybe, which two of my friends bought me in two different forms during the course of the night. I had it in a shot first, and then mixed with a can of Stiegl Radler. Malort, for all you other out-of-towners, is a disgusting Chicago liquor with a bitter, rubber tire, medicinal, Four Loko taste that only gets stronger after you swallow. It's marketing campaign relies on an image of manliness, the implication being that you have to be a real man to suffer Malort for fun. It's actually easy to shoot. There's no burn going down, just a pervasive flavor that you can't scrape off your tongue soon enough. It was better with the Radler, which is another Chicago thing, a sweet, refreshing grapefruit beer. The Radler balanced the Malort out a bit, and I enjoyed the mix. I don't know when I'd go back to Gold Star Bar, but I'd recommend it if you're looking for a quiet place to hang out and drink. I had a great time, and am glad I checked Malort off my to-drink list. Probably won't be shooting that ever again.

This is the dive bar you are looking for. 5 stars for true dive bar status. Dirty, falling apart, and a warped pool table. It's truly got everything. Of course they have Malört if you hate your friends or yourself. Great music on the jukebox and cheap drinks.

My husband and I live right by Gold Star, and we love it! Cheap drinks, great service, and fun atmosphere. Oh and FREE POPCORN!! It's probably our favorite bar in the neighborhood.

Shock, and then delight filled my heart as the bartender swept into view and revealed himself to be none other than legendary film actor John Cusack. "Hey bud, we have Malort and Old Style in this fridge I bought from my brother in law." The High Fidelity star said, all but holding up a skull in soliloquy, and I was transported, as I had been transported before by Mr. Cusack's spellbinding performance in Hot Tub Time Machine, to a place that exists only in the legends and hearts of a people uncorrupted by the material, unjaded by banality of the waking world. I began to involuntarily list the infinite number of his accomplishments in a monotone voice, masterpiece after masterpiece, unable to break eye contact. Then before I could stop myself, I blurted, "What's John Malkovich like?" I cursed my impropriety, but Cusack was humble. Demure, even. He handled the interaction with a grace no doubt born from incalculable red carpet appearances. He resumed filling up a round of Hot Toddy's and then with a glint in his eye and a mastery over the music of his voice and the canvas of his own face, he replied, "I'm not John Cusack."  I was bewitched. My heart took flight, my emotions made corporeal by barking half laughs half sobs, and I applauded. His skill was almost frightening. Surely such prowess has not been gleaned since the passing of Sir Lawrence of Olivier. The next morning I woke up with all ones in my wallet. An excellent, no frills dive. If you like old punk and metal, free pool, and cheap drinks, this is the place for you. Cash only.

This is gonna be short and sweet. I love this bar because it has Shiner Ruby Red Bird. I just moved from Texas and I was afraid that I would be missing out on my Shiner. I nearly fell out of the bar stool when I saw it from across the bar. I ended up chatting with the bartender for a bit and was even more excited when I found out that they get Shiner Cheer during the holidays! I was sold! I went here for a friend's birthday It was a slow chill Tuesday night. Well it was kinda early too. I got there about 9 or 9:30. There's Random Shark Boob art everywhere but I can appreciate it. Atmosphere was pretty chill. It was nice because it wasn't too loud where we didn't have to shout at each other. It's bummer because it's cash only but oh well. They have SHINER! I'm a fan. Need to get back here soon!

Great place for a beer and a shot. Cool dark atmosphere and the bartenders are pretty cool. Kind of a dirty hole in the wall but it does the trick! I'll be back for sure if I'm in the hood!

Dive bar. Nothing fancy shmancy or full of yuppies (an upside definitely). Chill atmosphere - was kinda packed when I went but not enough where I couldn't find where to sit... was able to get a beer when I needed one - didn't have to wave down the bartender. Plus... you don't have to spend alot to get a buzz - that's always good in this time of recession. I'll be going back.

This place used to be great, we were recently here and the NEW owners were here as well. The male owner was drinking consistently, stormed out in a fit, and then came back to berate the bartender. As a customer seeing this it was entirely unprofessional. He was screaming at her in front of the entire bar. Congrats! You failed management 101. Puts a bad taste in your mouth, don't treat employees like that. Never coming back. Alcoholism is a bad look, guy. Figure your crap out and don't treat employees like shit in front of the bar.

Definitely a dive bar, but good for: - hanging out while waiting for a table at a nearby restaurant - quick, efficient service - delicious drinks - good pricing - friendly staff (sorry I was not the most helpful guest...) A nice dive in the area. I would like nothing more than to visit again when I'm not having a bad day (see not the most helpful guest above....). Thanks Gold Star!

I was at Gold Star last night for Virtually Home Chicago's Sexy Black event, which promotes awareness of the low adoption and high euthanasia rates of black cats and dogs. What a wonderful bar! The owners are animal rescuers so I got a lotta love for them right there. Anyhoo, the bar is nicely sized and very open. What surprised me was how easy it was to have a conversation there. The place was packed and music was playing and I could still easily hear and be heard by whomever I was having a conversation. The drinks were generous, well made and very reasonably priced (even beyond the specials they had to support the charity). We may have lucked out in finding parking on Division not too far from the bar. We did try the side streets first, only to learn they were zoned.

This is the Burger King of places to hit on Division street. In fact, it's the version of Burger King that is now selling tacos. It's feels contrived. Keep walking, there are great places near by.

Brutal. Used to love gold star but went into tonight and there was about 25 frats boys standing around. Bartender served all of them as I sat there for 15 minutes. The nice guy sitting next to me finally said "can she order a drink?" And I said no thanks I'll go somewhere else. And as I walked out she screamed "FUCK YOU BITCH" after me. Haha keep it classy Gold Star. I noticed all the other one star reviews since new management so clearly not the only one whose noticed how badly this place sucks now. Unfortunate

I went here in the 90s and would consider myself enough of a regular that Susan, the manager and bartender of all bartenders would often times comp me a beer. May she RIP. Since then I've only been in sporadically since I moved out of neighborhood. Recently saw the new renovations made under the new owners and I think they did a great job of upgrading it and yet keeping it's character that we so loved before...but cleaner. There are 2 types of barfly regulars...those that make you feel welcome whether it's your first and only visit, or those who make you feel like an outsider because you've dared to enter their space. I know who I prefer...

The perfect spot to take a foreigner and explain what is a dive bar. Great atmosphere, cheap drinks, free pool and popcorn! The tamale man was welcome, the door man friendly and the bar man was a generous one! The jukes tunes were random and awesome, the bathrooms clean and the joint didn't smell while we were there. The art was eclectic and if I lived here, I'd be happy to call this one of my fave neighborhood joints.

Used to be a great bar. Now it has zero character and a lot of fake furniture to make it look fancier than it is.

Popped in for a drink. The bar staff where none existent. Waited almost 10 mins to get severed. And when I was finally approached,the bar tender was reluctant to make a martini. ( it seemed that he was put out). He seemed confused that people drink other beverages than beer. I had no cash on me and tried to give him a credit card and said cash only. Not only did he not mention that they had a cash machine in the establishment. He said "$13 " then vanished and never came back to collect the money I owed him after I had left to go and get cash from a cash machine outside.The place wasn't that busy and I wasn't going to chase him down to pay. He just didn't care!

Best bar in Chicago... Well I'm biased because I like 2 dollar beers, free pool and a great jukebox. If you don't like cheap drinks, free pool, or awesome jukeboxes then you would hate it here. and actually please stay away then =) There are usually some good pool payers hanging out in the back as well...

Spin your news reel, kids: happy times are here again in the land of Gold Star. Smiles were all around when two visits on the same day renewed my adoration for this place. The evening's festivities included a mostly hipster-free happy hour and a stop through a birthday party. Raise your glass and toast "happy birthday" to who? The popcorn machine was operating at full steam, and Powers entered the picture to provide a warm welcome on future visits. Look at those bartenders go! You could sit and home and continue to piece together scraps of pantyhose. Or, you can create your own wallet relief effort by saving your ration stamps and head over to Gold Star. With discoveries of the day like $4 Dead Guy Ale, $2 Hamms and Schlitz cans, $3 Old Style (the NEW formula!), $4 Bells Winter White, and a $3 tap special on Mondays, they're sure to go far. The elusive ghost remains a mystery to be uncovered. If you're lucky, an appearance by The Tamale Guy may instead provide the perfect way to fill your sails and send you home a little more smitten. Golly.

Men In Black II: The Post Office Scene. That's pretty much what Gold Star reminds me of. Aliens and weirdos, man. I hope Biz Markie walks in one day. Gold Star, I wish I'd discovered you in my early 20s because I'd have made you my home. Something about you now though seems to have passed me by. I have a good time when I go, the music is right on the money (Fugazi and Pixies back to back), the beers are totally affordable and the bartenders are always cool. When I'm on Division in that part of town, which is almost never, I would happily make it a destination but for me, it's not a bar I'd go out of my way for.

Hipsters. If they were mice, this would be their cheese wheel. Their hole in the wall. It has all of the elements to strongly support a hipster infestation. Let's go over the basics: Dive bar - check. Cheap beer (with an option besides Bud and Miller) - check. Family owned - check. Interesting name - check. Not obvious? - check. Lawn chair seating? - check. Retro appliances and vintage bar design? - check. They come in droves, with organic clothes, odd sweaters, and granola between their teeth. They raise a Pabst to each other while debating which songwriter you've never heard of is better. Just look at the photos someone took of this place - clearly a hipster collage. Artsy picture of a Pabst. Toilet shot. I'd recognize their work anywhere. Enter at your own risk.

When I enter a bar like Gold Star, that's when I realize that I really do live in the wrong neighborhood. No, not because I'm a hipster (in fact, could be deemed the opposite, at least by appearance), but because I crave a chill, neighborhood dive bar like this one. No fancy rooftop decks or outdoor patios or scantily clad cocktail waitresses--just a no frills, dark space with a pool table (yes, one), a random assortment of seating (as in, some plastic, some wood, all mismatched), and an old school juke box. And cheapish drinks. And friendly bartenders. And hipsters--did I mention that the hipsters were friendly despite me not being of their kind? Rad. So well-done Gold Star. Though I don't live within stumbling distance, I wish I did. You're cool in my book.

It's a little comical that I'm reviewing Gold Star, as I've been a patron for the past 12 years or so. I used to frequent Gold Star a few nights a week, but now that I live quite a bit farther away, I don' t have the opportunity to swing by as often. Side note, I actually met my husband at Gold Star in 2002 (and we married 7 years later...) I digress. Ian and Susan are really, really good people and it's been a pleasure "doing business with them" for the past decade. I love that as the neighborhood has changed so drastically during that time, Gold Star remains a reliable standby!

Not every bar in Wicker Park has been updated for the lincoln park/river north crowd that is moving to WP. GOLD STAR is one of those that haven't, and god bless them for not. This place is OG. Its a dive, in every sense of the word. A dump. A place you can drink a PBR and not feel like you are trying to be cool. Want to use the bathroom? Its gross, like most bars used to be. But the people are cool, the music is as well, and they don't have sports running all night long. And if you haven't gotten your hair did, or are a bit stinky, don't worry about it. No one will judge you. Keep it real GSB. Don't ever change.