Willie Lill's Spirits & Kitchen

I came here for the bourbon bacon cheddar burger and let me tell you it was absolutely delicious! The waffle cut fries are crispy and complement the burger extremely well! Some friends got the sheet nachos with pork and they absolutely devoured them as well! This is our second time back and we will definitely be there for a third time! I’m not sure what day it was exactly that we went but they had board games available for you while you waited for your food! We played some classic battleship and operation, but the food came out relatively quickly! Great atmosphere, and we will be back again!

Love coming here for the great food, drinks, and bingo night on Tuesday. But they charge a 4% service charge which sucks, got told by my bartender Maggie it’s for gratitude. I mean I guess, but I rather just tip an actual good amount instead of having to tip less because of the service charge. Take away the service charge!!!

I love coming here! It’s always an amazing time and Tori is the best bartender ever! She is so sweet and attentive you should definitely stop by to see her! Not to mention she’s beautiful!😍

Nice spot for drinks and watching sports In the process of killing time I strolled into Willie Lill's to check them out. I couldn't resist seeing that they're fairly new to the neighborhood. I had the pleasure of working with Lexi who mixed me up a yummy Cracker Peppercorn Watermelon Martini. I don't know who's smile was brighter, her's when she greeted me or mine after I took my first sip of this amazing drink. This place feels so cozy with the woodsy bar feel. There's indoor bar, table tops and patio seating. It's well lit and certainly great for groups. Thanks for the cocktail and great service Lexi of Willie Lill's!

Great food and cocktails, friendly and welcoming staff. Too many TV’s make it difficult to connect with your party.

I love this place. The service and staff are friendly and easy on the eyes. ( especially Tori and Jess lol)Great times to be had. Just warning you though, it's a packers bar in the heart of bear country so be nice.

We came here on a Wednesday afternoon for some good old fashioned day beers and Willie Lill's did not disappoint. Friendly staff, cold drinks, clean bar, cool atmosphere, great patio, fantastic music. I'd absolutely return. We did not try any of the food, so can't comment on that. My only complaint, and the only thing keeping it from 5 stars is that there are no physical menus. You need to pull your phone out and scan one of I think 4 QR codes depending on what you're after (food, beer, cocktails etc.). Also, you can't just scan 1 QR code and see everything, you need to physically scan the beer code in order to see beer, scan the food code to see food. I understand that some people like this, but I dislike this practice. I get that it can save time and money for a bar or restaurant not having to print and laminate menus. I also get that it can make it easier for staff because they don't have to handle or clean menus. That being said it makes for a pretty terrible guest experience. I just want to see everything in one place and not have to read it off my phone.

I’m from Ohio and came across this establishment. Great food awesome atmosphere. I will come back when I come back to Chicago in 2 weeks.

We came here on Labor day for dinner. A relative lives nearby and we have wanted to try it for a while. Two people in my family have similar names so it's really fun to pronounce. We sat outside after the poor waitress Melyssa (?)working ALONE told us to sit wherever. SO ironic when someone is overworked on Labor day! But she was in good spirits, so that was cool. There are so many tvs here it was crazy, I wanted to watch all the sports! I got a loaded iced tea by her suggestion. It was good, kinda sweet, and I can't remember the name of it! I got cajun poutine, and my party got shrimp and grits. The place is cajun/southern with burgers and ribs as well. The topping on the waffle fries were good, but the fries were salty! The shrimp/grits were good, but the grits were kinda bland! They have a trivia night that I'd like to return for. Probably better hurry before MLB playoffs!

Came here for drinks on Monday the 30th. We entered their lottery drawing during the Iowa game. A member of our group won a yeti cooler. However, we weren't wearing Iowa gear so they said we couldn't have the cooler. Nowhere on the lottery card does it list this as a requirement. From a legal standpoint, this is an illegal lottery. Service was good though.

Went here last Saturday with a large group. We loved the vibe. My gf kept joking that she was going to move in. I wasn't feeling what I ordered for food (no specific reason just wasn't in the mood) and they were overly apologetic and offered me a free shot. Server was 10/10 and constantly kept checking on us.

We've been awaiting the opening of this neighborhood bar and eatery to open for awhile so we were excited to give it a try. It was a warm night so we opted to eat outside on patio. I started off with a cool and refreshing cucumber mojito. It was light and delicious and will become a summer favorite. My husband disagrees but the deep fried cheese curds rival any cheese curds from Wisconsin. They were light, airy and came with two delicious dipping sauces. My avocado toast was very good. At first I didn't think I'd like the greens on top of the toast but I was surprised at how much the texture of the greens and pepitas added a nice crunchy texture. My husband had the smash burger and waffle fries. The smash burger was okay but there are many other options to choose from. Ambiance - friendly vibe. Our server skate was helpful, knowledgeable and friendly as was the hostess. We will definitely be back. Inside seating looked cozy and plentiful.

Good drinks and nice vibes. Burgers have been good in the past. Thursday night (2/7), I had the worst taco salad of my life! Upcharged chicken for protein. Salad arrived looking as beige as possible. Cold bland boiled unseasoned chicken piled on top. No seasoning and no tortilla chips as noted in the menu. I've had decent food there previously, but I haven't been here since summer. So I'm giving it three stars based on 2023 and hoping this isn't there new normal for their food.

Nice spot for drinks and watching sports In the process of killing time I strolled into Willie Lill's to check them out. I couldn't resist seeing that they're fairly new to the neighborhood. I had the pleasure of working with Lexi who mixed me up a yummy Cracker Peppercorn Watermelon Martini. I don't know who's smile was brighter, her's when she greeted me or mine after I took my first sip of this amazing drink. This place feels so cozy with the woodsy bar feel. There's indoor bar, table tops and patio seating. It's well lit and certainly great for groups. Thanks for the cocktail and great service Lexi of Willie Lill's!

My roommate and I live super close and saw this place open recently and had to try it with their adorable patio. It gives Rainey street vibes if you've ever been to Austin. They sat us immediately and the service was very friendly and hospitable. The food was great and the drinks are even better. My strawberry mojito wasn't even on the menu, but I asked them to make this for me, and they did with ease. Their syrups are homemade and absolutely delicious!! Whether it's for a drink or for lunch, highly recommend this new found gem. The heart of lincoln park is an unbeatable location, two blocks from the lake. We'll be back!

Great bar great food great service, Camilla crushed. We had a great time. Would recommend.

Today I went back with my neighbors Dave and Ingrid, as well as my former roommates Mike and Matt (I did not live with them at the same time). Mike just moved back from Austin and I was like dude you're going to love this bar want to go and he was like I'll meet you there in 30. So we met there and I HAD THE FOOD AND THE SMASH BURGER IS SO GOOD. The waffle fries and cheese curds are also top tier. Our bartender Raven was great and we hope she will become friends with us.

If I could rate this place any less than one star I would. Food, drinks, atmosphere - you name it - it was awful. And worst of all is management. Staff seems like they wake up in their own personal hell everyday and management is extremely unfriendly and unkind. I've heard of others having a terrible experience and recently heard of an individual getting hurt at the bar and not a single person helped them. I don't normally take to online platforms to be so blunt but I believe this is helping humanity overall. Take your business elsewhere and spare yourself a bad day.

Horrible service. We had to wait so long for pitchers of beer and water and had to remind our server. This has happened more than once too

Great bar with great people. Great place to watch sports. Lots of different beers and whiskeys.

This bar was great for a drink and some quick, delicious appetizers. It has a super fun atmosphere. I thought the pretzel was cooked super well. No complaints!

I know it is a GB bar, they played at noon. Even though the Bears played the late game they would not put the sound on for us. Pretty rude and arrogant for a bar that is in Chicago.

Whether you're dining indoors or out on the patio, the ambiance of this restaurant is always a vibe. The energy is contagious and always puts me in a great mood! If I can give this place 6 stars I would. Food is amazing, my daughter & husband loved eveything we tried. Shoutout to their GM Jessica for making our dining experience truly memorable and made us feel like valued guests. Will be coming back!

I have stopped in for lunch and weekend games. It's a university of Iowa sponsor bar which has been fun for woman's hoops. Gets loud during games. Bar staff is very attentive and friendly. Big beer selection. They can mix a good drink also. Better than average bar food. Good burger (add pork belly), avocado toast, shrimp po boy and salads. Convenient to lake and walking distance from park, golf driving range.

Surprisingly high quality beer and grub in this Lincoln Park-adjacent sports bar at least on my first visit there..... excellent draft choices including oft -ignored fruity sours..my smashburger was legit, and braised greens were a delish upgrade from fries. Very nice crew. Will be back.

Maryssa was the best, great service !! We had the Buffalo wings and they were fire ngl!!

Love this spot! Great service. Jessica is the best. Ambiance is awesome. Honestly forget to go home and that's becoming a problem but overall always a good experience. Also.... Won trivia on my first go! Amazing experience!

Servers are all so nice! The outdoor area is so wonderful in the nice weather and there are plenty of tvs to watch games. the food is good too!

I never do this but this bar had 3 tables total and our server was so inattentive. I called her out and she still was horrible. Don't go here

This manager is the most unwelcoming to his guests. Highly do not recommend this place due to him. And yet the server continued to apologize on his behalf for his behavior. He was so incredibly rude to us. Our first time in and we will not be back due to his rude behavior.

Had the chicken sandwich, Caesar salad, and the soft pretzel tonight and they were all super delicious! This is our third time here and we've had the same waitress, Goda, each time and she is awesome. Highly recommend checking out the new place.

I moved into the area and thought I'd give this place a try. I have to say the food is excellent. I usually get a martini. When I was there last and asked for one, the waitress, who I think was new, asked if I wanted vermouth in it! Wait! What? That's how you make a martini!!! I did get charged extra for it. The service wasn't so good. I had to try to make eye contact with her to get her attention. Even when training, you keep an eye on your only customer. I waitressed myself, so I know. The bartender Kate is the best!!! She made the perfect martini. I'm going to go in only when she's working. She's a sweetie too. Waited on me and other guests with no problem at all. Like I said, the food is excellent. They're changing up their menu soon. Looking forward to that.

The food was just ok, had a chicken Caesar salad for a second visit and it was just as bad as the 1st visit! The chicken was little chopped up pices not a real chicken breast, the dressing was out of a bottle I think. I asked for a little extra dressing and they charged me an extra $1.00 on the bill! Really! Plus they add a $3.99 service charge to the total bill for paying with a card! The waiter was decent! Also I guess it was a manager sitting at the end of the bar, dressed in all black with a winter wool hat on, not a good look if you ask me! Try another spot like Duffy's across the street, they are much better!

Stopped in, checked the menu and left. Obviously vegetarianism it's not a thing at Willie Lill's. Unless you want one of two salads, there are no sandwiches or entrees without meat.

Me and my girlfriends went to Willie Lill's after a girl dinner for their advertised deal of "1/2 off bottles of wine". Upon arrival we waited 20 minutes to be approached and then once we finally got our order in - the waiter, Calvin, came up to our table every 10 minutes asking when we were leaving. Then once we wanted to check out our receipt was ripped in half and appeared to not reflect the wine deal. When I clarified about the price, Calvin was dismissive and told me we had to pay the full price. Overall I felt overlooked and scammed from going here. Would not recommend.

service was great, Jessica was genuinely amazing, i loved the vibes at night, and it has a really cute patio.

Minus one star because it was to loud Minus one star because it's a bar that serves mediocre bar food Minus one star because I was expecting a Restaurant that has a bar and served good Food and I got a bar that serves mediocre Food.that I could get at most bars not what I was looking for. You also want to sit at a table with chairs not high tops they are not restaurant tables they are bar tables. And the menu was lite on everything just not a good restaurant menu Just not what I was hoping for just another BAR. Sheet nacho's fake cream and no cheese at all very lacking

Great addition to east lakeview! Service, food and drinks were all awesome- will definitely be back!

The shrimp po' boy was very delicious. Service was exceptional. The host and team was very kind to me. I really enjoy the classic posters advertisements. Music was also very vibrant while I was there. Some new stuff mix ed with some older popular songs.

We love this local bar/restaurant. The food is amazing!!! Gotta try the burgers!!! The atmosphere is very laid back and warm. The staff are super friendly.

Live in the area, finally checked it out tonight. It did not disappoint. The food, ambience, and service were great. We got the cheese curds, sheet pan nachos, burger, wings, and chicken & biscuits. Chicken & Biscuits and burger were stand outs. Nachos were good, but huge portion so best for larger groups. Service was outstanding. They consistently checked on us, brought things out in a timely manner, and were very polite. I highly recommend this spot.

Very good vibes here. We especially enjoyed the outdoor patio with nachos and mac n cheese! Will be coming back!

Great bar for iowa games. Went the other day. Had a great server. She was very friendly and helped me pick out a good order. Excited to come back with more people!

Great food, and a great environment. The two negative comments are to be ignored. People don't understand slight hiccups with new places opening. This place is awesome and should thrive. Food is 10/10, service is awesome, and it's priced fairly.

Went to Willie Lill's on a whim, opening night! Fabulous service and atmosphere. Plenty of TVs for watching games with friends. Country hits playing in the background, which can be hard to find in the city! We shared the nacho platter, smash burger, and chicken sandwich. Fresh ingredients all around. I was pleasantly surprised by the chicken sandwich; it was so flavorful! Looking forward to coming back to try some of their signature drinks. Would recommend!

Service was very slow and rude. Wait staff kept forgetting to bring things like utensils, napkins, drinks, condiments, food, etc. The food itself wasn't good either, we had the chicken caesar salad, the nachos, and the cheese curds. The only thing worth ordering in our experience was the fries. The music was too loud and you'll want a coat inside the restaurant because it gets pretty cold in there at night.

Management and staff were so accommodating and friendly. Amazing food... Smashburger and Nachos w/pork are hands down the best. Great selection of craft beers and a whiskey and tequila list that rivaled any spot I've been to in the city. Iowa football games are insane here. Loads of fun!!

Really good food but ungodly putrid service. I've been three times and it's been the same thing. They had to refund me last time for three ordered mojitos because someone with me kept ordering them and they just never showed up. The waitress was miserable to be there. Would not go back.

Undisclosed 4% service charge. Please stop doing this. The bartender and food were good enough though.

Terrible service, went there when 2 other tables were there, took 20 minutes for a round of drinks which were all wrong, later ordered drinks, took 20 minutes again while our server was eating food. DO NOT GO HERE

Was excited for this to finally open as it's always good to see empty storefronts become thriving biz'. All that being said, my first thought vibe wise? Though everything is new.. it still felt like the overall concept menu /vibe was a bit dated like 1990s suburban mall. The cocktail was a watermelon something or another was supposed to have cracked pepper (garnish) it wasn't anywhere in sight. The cocktail itself was a 4 out of 10 for me because it was quite a upper tier level cost for such a mediocre cocktail. The pimento burger w the waffle fries was probably a 6 of 10 for the $. So pretty decent. The po'boy? 2 out o10. Just not executed well. I've had every type of po'boy on the planet and this wasn't remotely worth the $18 bucks. It was so gloppy fell apart, wrong type of bread/ not the right seasonings. The best part of that sandwich was the waffle fries. We seem to be running into this thing where PRICEY mediocre is the norm? Service was friendly but forgot stuff /wasn't busy.. I'd happily spend this somewhere the food /cocktails /service are executed to command these prices. This place fell short for ask/ for the price of a few of their entrees'.. I do think the bar vibe is decent and they have an outdoor patio that will open at some point ? so I think if you come here and order beers, apps etc you can walk away with a decent overall experience for the $.

For a first time opening, excellent service, great food, the vibes were so awesome (great music-variety was perfect) this is the perfect game day vibe, chill after work drinks, all of the above!!

Great service, food, ambiance, and vibes! Came opening night. Staff was very friendly.

We live down the street so we've been twice since it's opened! Food and drinks are always good I will say the service was a little off. They gave off a vibe that this was their first serving job. Everyone was super nice but kept checking on us WAY too much or asking odd questions about our food and drinks. When we first sat down our server came over and made us move to a different section after we were told to sit anywhere. There's definitely some service stuff to work on but i know it's still really new!