Grace & Leavitt

This is one of my favorite neighborhood bars. We love the atmosphere here; there’s always good music, good company, and popcorn! My husband and I love this place so much that we actually booked the bar for our wedding after party. Our guests absolutely loved the space and the service was fantastic! Special shoutout to Sean - he’s always a ray of sunshine and makes sure you’re taken care of.

Grace and Leavitt is such an amazing cozy neighborhood bar that I have loved going to since moving to the neighborhood. I also had my 30th birthday there and working with Simon was such a breeze and he helped my vision for my 30th happen. There’s so much you can do with the space! Sean and Ryan, the bartenders for the night were so incredibly accommodating, attentive and FUN! Highly recommend for any event needs and of course as a stop for a drink whenever!!

We recently hosted a private "Galentine's Gathering" for 50 moms of high school sophomores at G&L. The team at G&L was extremely accommodating with drink specials, music requests and room arrangements. The bar staff was exceptionally attentive to our needs during the event to insure all had a fantastic experience. Many of our guest were commenting on coming back since it was their first time inside the remodeled space. We would definitely host another private event at G&L given the positive experience we had with John and Simon. Thanks for a great night out for the gals!

It was my first time back since they’ve revamped and it was so gorgeous and chic. Preston was a really fun bartender. He really does make the best cosmos. The decor is so cute. The ambiance is class!!! Great drinks!

I was hired as a Elvis tribute artist. My name is Dave Stovall from Pekin Illinois to do a vowel renewal for a couple name Kyle and Katie 10 year anniversary party. I could not have asked for a more accommodating, beautiful couple and crowd very nice atmosphere. Very nice upscale Bar thank you everyone.

G&L is a really great place. Excellent cocktails, unique selection of draft beers, a cool vibe, and a friendly staff. We're coming back soon!

What a renovation/update this is, completely new and unique rebrand, actually had to double check to make sure I was at the right place. Great new cocktail menu, local draft beers and entirely new environment and decor. Great service, Preston was killing the bar, can’t wait to come back!

A hidden gem with a whole lot of history. If you live within the area Bartenders have taken the time to remember your name and drink! Though they don't serve food, they do allow for you to order food and great beer selection! Most importantly veteran friendly.

A very gorgeous intimate bar!! My personal trainer told me about this place and it did not disappoint, it's a true neighborhood gem that I'm happy I came into! It's dog friendly for good pups ( amazing) and they even gave him a pup cup! The bartender Sean was so attentive and so friendly and they had tvs and darts! Like cool enough we were like umm we want to be his friend ( give SEAN a raise ) This is really really non pretentious and beautiful spot! I can't wait to come back!

Grace and Leavitt is the neighborhood bar I've always dreamed of. It's become my "Central Perk" from Friends, or "MacLarens" from How I Met Your Mother." Each time I walk in and I see another neighborhood friend that I've met here and over time we've all gotten close. The ambiance is just right. Low lighting. Always a good 90s or 00s movie on the TV. Great decorations and great music selections. The service is also outstanding. The bartenders are always willing to try and make you any drink you'd like, but the cocktails on their menu are also *chef's kiss*. They've also always got a pup cup and love for every dog that comes in the bar. You can't go wrong with this spot. I mean it!

While management/bartenders were supportive, friends were accosted by other customers to the point that they had to leave while the one yelling at them was allowed to stay. Bold and poor choice on G&L's part

Cozy cocktail bar instead of the typical sports bar in the neighborhood. Lighting, decor is great. But ruined by terrible terrible music. Vibe is set up for a cocktail bar and only play rap? Read the room. Ever think why people only have 1 drink and leave? On top of that, staff drops a drink and 1) doesn't clean the table if you can believe it and 2) if you got drinks on a guest the least you can do is comp the drink. But neither happened. Get better staff and maybe I'll give it another shot.

Perfect neighborhood bar!! The drinks and vibe are great and there's free popcorn, which is never unappreciated when drinking.

Went there for an event and bartender was very rude. The bartender even flipped off someone in our party after he tried ripping him off. We are older people, not kids, and never experienced anything like this. The bartender is either the owners son or just a terrible employee

Back in town for business and wanted to stop by my old haunt to catch some old friends by surprise, but was devastated instead to see a completely different place. I have no words for what I'm feeling now. They took a neighborhood institution and kicked it to the curb in favor of hotel bar. Shame on those responsible. What an absolute shame. And what kind of bar closes so early??

I was at the party on 4/4/25 that had been reviewed on two separate occasions, both negative. It was an engagement party and had out of town guests attending. Being that I enjoy bourbon I invited a fellow guest to join me for a very rare bourbon. I asked the bartender first the cost of a pour and was quoted a price then I ordered two. The bartender poured it then came back and said he had bad news and informed me the price was much more, after he poured it of course. Disappointment was expressed and a negotiation ensued, (which the bartender was unable to perform basic math) with an agreement being reached. I received the bill which I paid and we finished our drinks. I decided to review the bill and noticed the bartender charged me for the 15year instead of the 10year. I brought this to his attention and he said "yeah I know" I asked if he could correct the bill and charge me the first quoted price. He grabbed the bill from my hand and refunded me the full amount and proceeded to flip me off then walk away. Not to mention i was ignored by him for the remainder of the short time I stayed there when attempting to order a drink. Feels like he knew exactly what he was doing and tried to get a little extra scratch for himself by trying to be slick. Unfortunate experience and he acted like a real jerk when he got caught.

I've been to G&L semi-regularly over the past few years and am a fan of the renovations and updates made in early 2022. The atmosphere is classy and cozy, with flexibility to turn into party-mode with relative ease (I see you, disco ball). The rotating beer and seasonal cocktail menus are a nice touch to keep things fresh. Digressing to the cocktails - I'm particularly happy with the selection of strong classics and popular faves along with more chic options where the bartenders bring their own twist and flavor to complete the variety. What keeps me coming back, and much of which contributes to the atmosphere, are the bartenders. All are welcoming, attentive, and charming in their unique styles and skillsets. Their personalities shine through wonderful music selections - may be jazz, indie rock or even Taylor Swift, and they're open to recommendations - or use of the TVs for ambience - sports, images of Monet paintings or psychedelic cartoons - which make for an enjoyable experience on every visit. The consistent thread I've experienced among them are the perfect Guinness pours, excellently crafted cocktails, and stellar customer service to regulars and new patrons alike. Kudos to the owners on their hiring selection!

Grace and Leavitt is a great place to hang out, have drinks and enjoy a good time. Preston is a great bartender and really takes care of everyone that walks in the door. His mastery at making cocktails and keeping the vibe up is unmatched. He has an uplifting demeanor that really lights up the mood. The vibe inside is great, very inviting. The patio outside is relaxing as well, tucked away in the quiet neighborhood of north center. Again, the service here is a high point. The staff take care of everyone that walks in the door. Nothing better than this neighborhood bar.

Visited on our walk and it did NOT disappoint. The atmosphere is absolutely beautiful and the drinks are very unique and interesting. Preston, our bartender, was so personable and wonderful - we can't wait to make this our go-to spot. Tried the Clover Club because I'm a sucker for a cocktail with egg white. 8/10 - refreshing and not overly sweet.

Cozy mood and a very nice bartender. The cocktails were tasty but pricy, which is common at most of bars though.

An awesome dog friendly cocktail bar! Clean and upscale with a great drink menu and free popcorn!

Hosted a ladies night out with about 20 women this past week and WE LOVED IT. Music requests were granted which was a ton of fun. Cocktails were delicious and the whole vibe was just perfect! They didn't even seem to mind our impromptu dancing as the night carried on...ha ha ha. Since they don't have a kitchen they allowed us to order pizzas in...which we appreciated and made things so easy for all of us. I've lived here 20 years, I know the former spot was a beloved neighborhood old school fave... but times have changed and I think this is exactly what we needed in the hood. Bartenders were friendly, attentive and super accommodating. Oh and your sweet pooch can even sit at the bar with you....what's better than that? We will be back!

Super cute place with fab decor, great cocktail menu, and extremely personable and professional staff :) In response to a negative review left by Brad S. regarding the evening of 2/25/23 - that reviewer was extremely drunk/sloppy and was leaning on me so inappropriately he was practically on top of me. Two other women sitting near me were also extremely uncomfortable because of him. The bartender handled the entire thing professionally and respectfully and all three of us felt our safety and concerns were prioritized. As a woman in a city full of creeps, that is not the case at every bar. It was deeply appreciated. Customer for life!!

Outstanding vibe, the refresh of this place is incredible. Exactly where I want to be on a casual night out. Preston was an amazing bartender - mixed up a terrific mezcal old fashioned. First time here but we will definitely be back soon.

Neighborhood fixture blemished by the individual behind the bar the evening of 2/25/23. Territorial to an extreme. It's a shame because the redesign is out of this world and as a resident of the neighborhood I've enjoyed going here for the past decade.

Use to love this bar. It would be the neighborhood place to be. After Covid and their renovation- it turned into a wannabe cocktail bar. I do miss their popcorn machine. A patron tried took a photo of a queer couple and when we approached him asking why, he denied having done it,, but then got him to delete it. Use to be a place to grab a beer and have a convo. Asked the bartender if the neighborhood was receptive to the new place. He said no - but that's not who he wants coming. Last thing - in 2021 Illinois law says any single stalled restroom has to be gender neutral. They have always have had single stalled restrooms and I called this out when the law passed and they said, "we tried it but the older clientele didn't understand". I'm sorry, I'm pretty sure that's not how the law works. So even after renovation, it's gendered. Honestly was a a big fan. Now, not so much. In 2022, I thought we would move pass this shit. Still miss the popcorn machine. Lol

Primary bartender (bearded hipster who always wears a hat) is super pretentious and oblivious to the market. The first time I came my kids weren't allowed inside or to draw with chalk on the patio (we were 50% of the clientel at the time) and the 2nd time I came in I couldn't order a cocktail 45 minutes before close because he already dumped juices, etc. He seems annoyed with the level of service needed for the local patrons and disconnected entirely from the demographic. Staff has no regard for customer service or any awareness of the area they are serving. A cocktail bar could do just fine but not with self-serving arrogant approach to the neighborhood.

My fiancé and I recently hosted our engagement party at Grace and Leavitt and loved every bit of it! It was a perfect venue for our private event of ~50 people. We received many compliments from our guests on the space and cocktail menu. The bartender Jenna was also super helpful and friendly. Would highly recommend G&L!

We have been so excited for this place to reopen! They did a really great job with the remodel- it looks beautiful and the new cocktails are very tasty. However- the bartender who normally wears a Sox hat (i say this as a Sox fan not a knock just an identifier) is completely and unnecessarily unfriendly and pretentious. We were there one night without our kiddos but there was a group there with a few kids and he seemed completely annoyed by them and well.....also kind of by everything. The kids were being fine, every patron seemed fine and yet this guy seems completely miserable. This isn't river north- it's a family neighborhood. If you don't want to serve the neighbors it's a short stroll to friendlier bars like Odonovans, Roscoe village pub or Village Tap. I struggled between giving 3 & 4 stars bc I still love/want to love this spot but he BRINGS IT DOWN. Side note- we have been 2 other times and the younger female blonde bartender is lovely! Very friendly and sweet.

Yeah this is for Natalie B: Your dog barked every 15 mins and nobody appreciated it. It's a dog bar. Not a dog park. The bartender was as nice as her could be but enough is enough To say that it barked a few times is laughable. I bring my own dogs into the bar and I take them out once they become annoying. Also, the bartender was exceptionally patient. From the time the person brought the dog in with a squeaky toy and lost a customer because of it to 2 hours later when he was trying to get them to respect the other people. Yeah, those people can stay away

Not really sure what to think of this place...I give it 3 stars for the beer selection alone. This place reminds me of that Goldie's place on Lincoln Ave in North Center where the one guy was the bar tender, door man, all purpose everything person. Well, I had a similar experience here. My friends were having a gathering and the special was from 12:30-3PM. I made it there around the 2:45 mark, said my hellos and headed for the bar around 2:54. The woman behind the bar took so long to get to me it was a couple minutes past 3 and she would not allow me to take advantage of the special. You would think that the fact she saw me standing there waiting on her slow service that she would have at least let me have my first drink @ the special rate. Luckily it was only a dollar difference between the actual cost. I waited quite awhile for my final drink as she decided to go outside and socialize without making sure the two handfuls of people in the joint was taken care of. I'm sure this place is a gem to the people in the area, but I probably will not return as it is quite a trek for me to wait long periods of time for a drink in a bar that isn't even crowded. As I mentioned they have a great beer selection and I had a great time with my friends. If you have a dog, you can bring it inside FYI

Great atmosphere, great prices and a great time! I never knew this bar existed, but I visited recently for a friend's party and had a blast. Clearly there are some regulars here, but they seem pretty welcoming, so I imagine that newbies are invited, too! If only this spot had food! However, I think you can bring food in from other spots, so that is a plus. Definitely a cute spot in a cute neighborhood!

I was driving down Grace yesterday morning and made mental note to come to this bar. I didn't think I would actually make it that same night. So glad I did. This little dive, for some strange reason, smells like Big Red cinnamon chewing gum (maybe a one-time deal, I don't know), which brings back so many good memories for me that it put me in a happy place from the moment I walked in the door. And no, it was not just some Glade air freshener. I am convinced they were pumping out pure Big Red. Aside from that comes that laid-back crowd and friendly bartenders I love on a lovely tree-lined street. Found street parking easily. Played Magic Touch for a while. They also have a (digital) jukebox. I'll definitely be back.

Waitress was rude, and screams get the fuck out repeatedly to customers. Said only regulars are allowed. Will not be back

Our experience started out really well. We befriended a young lady with her dog. The dog was so stinkin' sweet and let out, perhaps a max of 3 barks throughout our 1 hour duration. One if the "patrons" complained about the dog's "excessive barking" (there was no excessive barking) and was incredibly rude! Th bar tender sided with this patron, instead of trying to balance the opinions of both parties (note: the bar was EMPTY with a max of 8 people). This was incredibly disappointing and we will not be back. Also note the lady with the dog has been a regular patron for 4 years... I think you have lost her business.

John Leydon hit it out of the park with this remod!! I'll tell ya, theres a ton of neighborhood bars in Chicago, but G and L accentuates this new center neighborhood beautifully. This place is outstanding!! From the cozy garden patio to the historic Chicago bricks inside that could definitely tell u a story or two if only the walls could talk. The marble bar is gorgeous and the decor embraces u with such a comfortable vibe as if u were sitting down grabbing a cold one after a long day at the office in your own living room. The energy here is vibrant a breath of fresh air from commonalities of the dungeon dive bars of the city's norm. The bartenders, or mixologists I should say, Preston and Chris are freaking magicians!!! The top notch service and positive vibes they give in their old school bar aprons gives u a profound sense of community and takes u back in time to an old tavern or speak easy. This is a date night must and meet and greet gold mine!!! Do yourself a favor and request the John Leydon Playlist and turn that shit up and dance your ass off all night under the disco ball!!!!

Love this neighborhood bar! Have been a few times and will definitely go back. Was taking a walk one day after craving a chocolate martini (I know...) but they made a fantastic one and didn't judge me for it. Dog friendly and have popcorn. Will go again.

I'm a big fan of G&L. They have a great selection and I love the neighborhood vibe. Service can be a little hit or miss if you are not right at the bar hence the missing star. But otherwise it's a great neighborhood spot, divey but nor dirty, interesting decorations, etc.

This is a good neighborhood JOINT-- First thing you need to know is that they open at 7:00 AM EVERY day except Sunday..Alcoholics Paradise! They always have great domestic beer specials and I have never even seen anyone order a cocktail in this place. Gotta be careful who you talk to or what you say because a lot of these "Locals" bite especially if they don't know you! Lots of Firemen, Retired Firemen, Retirees, Etc. and most have a strong opinion on just about any topic. Actually, it's fun to sit in there and interact-everyones really cool! They even watch Jeopardy religiously every day...GTFJD

T-bone nuff said. Also Tuesday Trivia is awesome. Great chill corner tavern! Beer is cold and the gummy bears are top notch!

Poor communication with their pre-COVID staff. They reopened with an all new staff, didn't communicate it, held a T-shirt fundraiser for staff and did not distribute the funds until being publicly called out on social media. They also deleted my comments about the situation AND disabled comments on their Facebook page. Look, if you made a bad decision on communicating and reopening, admit it and pledge to do better. The staff that worked here were amazing and the height of hospitable. Management does not reflect that. Luckily for me, they can't have my review on Yelp deleted.

Great corner bar. Places like this is why I love Roscoe Village. Genuine people, friendly faces, great beer selection. A true neighborhood gem.

Amazing and super friendly bar. A lot of locals as other reviews point out, but we're friendly so feel free to say hi. Never had a bad time at G&L, and as my dad said on his first time there today...this place is really neat, very cool.

Chicago has many bars. The G & L is one you have to go to at least once. A true neighborhood bar with a great location. Right on the residential corner of Grace and Leavitt this place is surrounded by apartments on all other corners. Imagine having a sweet, old school, friendly, amazing bar right next to your apt. The G & L is that. A good selection of beers on tap, lots of room for groups of friends, awesome staff and a guaranteed good time. Go Here...I do.

Ok so i was going for a walk in st. bens hood on an apartment hunt...and what did i find... G & L Fire Escape!! Ok so you know how on the northside..you'll often come across what almost looks like an old store front (or an old neighborhood bar) that went out of business in the early 80's and has since been rehabbed and into a fab new apartment for a couple of yuppies?? yeah well G & L is that bar and they didn't go out of business in the early 80's. Holy crap there is even a wider area of sidewalk in front of the bar!! You know what that's really called--a brawl patio!! EEEE!! I am very happy that a place like this still exists... An absolutely genuine Chicago neighborhood bar.

lisa was so sweet. knew the beer list well and made us feel right at home, even as new customers! thank you!!

I had this reviewed under Grace and Leavitt Liquors a long time ago: http://www.yelp.com/biz/grace-and-leavitt-liquors-chicago Figured I should move it and update the review. First off, this is a classic Chicago old-man bar and not a dive. Old-man bars are a dying breed in Chicago and typically are corner neighborhood taverns on quiet streets. The original clientele of these bars were working-class families that used the tavern as their social gathering spot. Typical hours were from 7 AM to Midnight so the tavern could serve the regulars who worked both the day and night shifts. As neighborhoods changed in the 1970s-1980s, these taverns slowly went away as did their customers. Mayor Daley's home rule law let local neighbors vote many of them out of existence as well. The few that are left are clean, well-kept, and still serve as neighborhood gathering spots. G&L fits this bill as it is still home to the many City of Chicago workers who live in the St. Ben's neighborhood. The locals and bar staff are all friendly and great to hang with. Dives are great places as they tend to be more run-down, in out-of-the-way locations, and with more hard-luck characters that bring the edgy vibe. G&L is more like the place your grandparents went when they were young. My grandparents used to go to their neighborhood tavern back in the depression and pre-DCFS years and would leave my mom, then a baby, home alone after she fell asleep. When my mom found out about this when she was an adult, she confronted my grandmother with the question, "who was watching me when you and dad were at the tavern?!" To which my grandmother replied, "God was!" All in all, a great place to drink when you're looking for the kind of place to have a conversation, play some games, and get your shine on for a minimum amount of cash.

Tried it once again after me and the girls decided to duck out of a party last night. We regret that. The place has so much upside potential, but some of the little things they do wrong just ruin the experience. We love the beer selection, but hate tripping over dogs all the time. The one thing that drove us out last night is the same bald guy with the gravely voice who is constantly making crude comments to and about women. We're not prudes by any stretch of the imagination, but this guys just ruins a great night almost every time we go in. Maybe the bartender needs to quit pouring him shots! We'll go back, but just head over to O'Donovan's if this guy is around.

This is our go-to neighborhood bar. It has that classic Chicago tavern feeling, but every since the new owners purchased it about a year ago, the beer and wine selection now is as good as the atmosphere. The customers and bartenders are chatty, contributing to a neighborhood feeling. This is a great place for old timers and newcomers alike. Also, there is often "Food Truck Fridays" which bring food trucks to the bar for a family meal. Check those out, too!

Horrible, amateur service from the bartender. Save yourself the trip and go to another neighborhood dive bar.

Great local hangout for watching Bears games, even if the Bears absolutely suck. Complimentary jambalaya when I was there a few weeks ago. Friendly staff, friendly patrons, overall felt like home-away-from-home.

Ever since moving to North Center, one thing i'll admit is that the area has a knack for some sweet dive bars. And G&L definitely falls under that umbrella. When I first walked in, my first impression was that it was a neighborhood joint with a clickish clientele. But as far as the latter goes I was wrong. The locals are quite nice and welcoming, and the bartenders are great and drinks are pretty cheap. And who is a sucker for a local dive with inexpensive booze? This guy. This place is one of my favorites in the hood, and if you check it out im sure you'll agree.

Old school tavern smack dab in the middle of two-flats, apartment buildings, bungalows & single family homes in the North Center neighborhood. Even is this place sucked it would be awesome! By the way, it doesn't suck...not in the least. Beer...good. Servers...good. Patrons...the best part.

After last nights experience, I will say I am never coming back to this bar. Rude service from the miserable bartender. Girl, take that attitude downtown.

Cute, calm, clean-ish, charming, casual....nice little neighborhood spot. Conveniently named for it's cross streets Grace and Leavitt. Easy on the Uber, right? Bartender (sorry - I forgot your name) was welcoming and attentive to the 10 customers that were in and apparently they do to-go. Always nice added perk. I imagine we'd go back if for no other reason than to hang out in the funny little kissing booth/gazebo they have in front.

This place was such a gem in our neighborhood. Tim and Artie were the best. They made it fun to be there and always kept the place going. Unfortunately, the new owners cleaned house and have turned it into a place that certainly isn't true to the original blue collar firemen crowd that made that place so special. It's a shame that they ruined something so special to so many. I tried to share my thoughts in a nice way with the owner, but she was far too drunk to hold an intelligent conversation. The kids running around, especially on the weekends, were the last straw for me.

Always a fun time. Only drawback is there's no kitchen but you can order food in. Had a great miskatonic brew on draft. Friendly and attentive staff.