Bim Bom Lounge

Reviews & Tips

• 0

  8 dollar pitchers and an amazingly friendly staff!

  Review Source:

  Posted on 12.20.12 J. Michael E.

  • Report
• 0

  went in there for happy hr fri expecting to have a quick beer before i met a friend for dinner down the block. well that one beer turned to 2 with 2 shots. this place is still got it going on for fun times. can't beat Zwiec and Okocim on tap.

  Review Source:

  Posted on 02.17.10 Jeff G.

  • Report
• 0

  I'm as Polish as the dead pope, but I still get treated like a leper here. Not that I mind -- I'm used to being the pariah of my people, hahah.
  
  That being said, I'd totally reccomend coming here for a laugh, it's a bit of a novelty. Cheap drinks, surly, judgemental old Poles and plenty of obnoxiously aggressive CDs on the jukebox make for an interesting combination. I never thought I'd witness a Polish couple in their 40's slow dance to Marilyn Manson's "Dope Show" but well, there you go. Their decor is VERY misleading, by the way; you'd think a place that looks so edgy and modern would welcome a younger generation of drunken delinquents! I haven't been back since my first experience there because it WAS a bit awkward (and I kind of got sassy with some folk towards the end...) but I wouldn't mind returning sometime with a larger posse and fighting over the jukebox selections again. Oh yeah, I can actually understand when they're talking shit about me to their pals, too. That always helps.

  Review Source:

  Posted on 11.12.09 Anjee J.

  • Report
• 0

  This place is pretty sweet.  This place is a dive bar, but may I say it's the nicest dive bar I've ever been too.  The exterior is absolutely breathtaking for a dive bar in the middle of Polska town.  And the interior is nothing to scoff at either.
  
  The inside isn't very big, but they have a pool table (free on wednesdays, otherwise $1.00) and a foosball table ($0.75 per play).  They also have a somewhat ghetto dartboard.
  
  When I was there they had two Polish beers on tap.  Zywiec and Okocim.  They are both Pilsners, both very clean, light, and crisp.
  
  They had the tv on HBO, we watched Tropic Thunder and the Terminator 2...kinda interesting to watch at a bar.
  
  The interior is surprisingly clean, as is the bathroom.  Speaking of the bathroom...WOW.  I'm no pervert, but for some reason my bladder had the strong urge to go three times.  I hope that's not some sub-conscious sexual pull.  I've never seen such dirty things in such a clean bathroom.  I wonder what's in the girls bathroom.
  
  But yeah, when I was there it was kinda dead.  Met some Polish dudes.  This Polish dude asked where I was from.  I told him Korea.  He's asked North or South  For the record, that question can be offensive.  If you did your homework, you'd know Northerners that try to leave the country get shot on sight.  Furthermore, he said he wanted to visit a "poor country."  Him being from Eastern Europe is certainly having the pot call the kettle black.  I kindly informed him that Seoul is actually larger and more metropolitan than the city of Chicago.
  
  But yeah, it's just a very gitchy bar to hang out at.  A dive bar at it's finest.  I recommended it, it's quite unique

  Review Source:

  Posted on 08.08.09 Aloysius T.

  • Report
• 0

  I love to travel.  However, when I can't afford a plane ticket to some far off country, I go to Bim Bom.  I am not from the neighborhood and I am not Polish.  Regardless, Bim Bom reeks of international authenicity no matter what culture.  It reminds me of places I went to in the Kruezburg area of Berlin.  This place has a certain vibe about it that is perfect.  I love taking friends here.  They always say "where the f---- are we going?"  Once there, they agree that this place is special.  Also, by far the best bathrooms in Chicago!

  Review Source:

  Posted on 07.23.09 Howard A.

  • Report
• 0

  The stories I could tell.
  
  This is my happy place in Chicago. I've never had a bad time here. Most people dog me for making the hike. Though everyone that has eventually tagged along has pretty much agreed with my assessment that this is one of the most fantastic bars ever.
  
  Let's start with the checklist:
  
  Divey, yet fun eurotrash decor...check
  Great local Polish patrons...check
  foosball table...check
  pool table...check
  silverstrike...check
  $4 22oz Ockocims...check
  great bartenders...check
  great juke...check
  unknown to all...check
  aesthetically pleasing bathrooms...check
  
  Ok, one story...
  
  On one of my first experiences at the bim bom was classic. I went w/ my old roomie TW. I believe it was my 2nd time there and it was her first. We get there early and get comfy. We start sucking down some drinks. As we get we get our drink on, TW eventually sneaks off with Edita (bartender) for a smoke. When they come back, TW signs me up for a foosball game with some locals which I'm very excited about. Being out of practice, I was schooled pretty early and often. But it was fun and I was happy to just be playing foosball again.
  
  As the night progressed we kept meeting new regulars. At one point, this very beautiful Polish girl corners me during a smoke. She tells me that if I am going to hang out at the Bim Bom, I better learn the language. Thus, she begins to tutor me in some fun Polish 4 letter words.  Most words I butcher b/c I can't roll my R's.  Though, for 20 mins, she made me practice rolling R's.  All too comical when your blotto.   I only remember one word that was taught to me and I keep it close by in times of necessity.
  
  Later in the evening, the same girl corners me and wants to discuss my culture vs hers. She was really diggin' my vibe, but awkwardly, she was with her toolbox of a boyfriend. I'm not just saying that because she was taken. He was just a tool.
  
  At one point, out of the blue, anxious that she cornered someone familiar w/ English, she asks me what the word rape means. I'm puzzled by this and didn't like where this is going. So, I gently explained the meaning, which she responded her F***ing A**hole BF would tell her he raped her after casual sex. Afterward she gave him a nasty glare and we actually shared a chuckle about it.  Strange, I know.  After awhile, her boyfriend was getting annoyed w/ me, so I backed off, though looking back, I should of went in for the kill. Another day I guess.
  
  Anywho, the night gets fuzzy from here on out. I remember talking rally racing with a guy for what seemed like an hour. This is too funny, b/c I don't really know anything about rally racing.  Later, his belligerently faded buddy asks me if I spoke Polish, which I answered no.  So he wanted to start a fight w/ me.  He ended up starting a fight with the buddy I was talking rally with and was eventually was thrown in a car and taken home.
  
  Shots kept flowing and I did many w/ the patrons. Finally, TW and I were kicked out at 2am, where we stumbled for burritos a block away.  
  
  I'm sure I'm missing about  six other key events that took place that night, but maybe it's better left not remembered.  It was a crazy night, but truly fun and exciting. The Bim Bom has never missed a beat since.
  
  Cheers!

  Review Source:

  Posted on 02.23.09 Matty O.

  • Report
• 0

  Where can you go for cheap drinks, smutty bathrooms, a fantastic jukebox,  one of the coolest bartenders in town, and a minimum of three (3) awesome brawls every night? Bim Bom.
  
  Edyta is a great bartender, always fun. And she introduced me to cherry cordial shots, which is now the ritual for every time I go there with friends.
  
  I too am tempted to keep Bim Bom a secret because I don't want any punks in there, but hey.. far be it from me to deny anyone what is sure to be a legendary night.

  Review Source:

  Posted on 02.01.09 Kelly H.

  • Report
• 0

  Szczliwego Nowego Roku!**
  
  I am tempted to give this place 1 star just so people won't realize how cool it is, but alas I will be honest and give them the 4 stars they deserve.
  
  I was a little hesitant to come here for New Year's considering the hike it is from my house, but I'm glad I got over it. The outside of the bar reminds me of a place that would belong in a Tim Burton movie; curled, textured sheet metal adorns the outside which has one small, funky shaped window. The inside of the bar is one big room and very basic: foosball table, pool table, an awesome jukebox, Silver Strike bowling, and a long bar with bar stools that passed worn out about 6 years ago.
  
  Our instructions for the evening were simple: eat beforehand, no food service; bring lots of cash, as BB is cash only and has no ATM; and bring our bus trackers (aka BlackBerry's). With this in mind we went to BB, which my sources tell me is a first generation Polish bar.
  
  We were the first to arrive and immediately wondered if we were being punk'd; the only people there were the bartender and 3 Polish guys, who seemed like regulars. They turned and gave us a once over before returning to a Polish variety show - think Queen songs in Polish with no subtitles. Despite our hesitation we ordered a couple of Miller Lite's and settled in for the night..
  
  Drinks are cheap! Our Miller's were $2.75 each; Captain and Coke $4ish and 22 oz's of O.K. beer (Polish draft) only $4; at those prices I definitely didn't need to worry about running out of cash. Eventually, our friends filtered in and some more regulars too; we all started playing pool, video bowling, foosball and cranked up the tunes on the jukebox. The box had an impressive assortment of tracks ranging from Oasis to the Scorpion's Wind of Change to pop/rock standards to death metal.
  
  The vibe in the place was laid back and friendly. It's the kind of place where the bartender didn't have any qualms about going out for a quick smoke leaving the bar and tip jar unattended. By the end of the night there were probably around 30 people at BB; the bartender was awesome, she was friendly, fast and efficient making sure no ones glass ran dry.
  
  Somewhere during the course of the night they put out some party trays, warm food items along with hats, headbands, silly string and noisemakers. Not too shabby for a place that didn't charge a cover on NYE. As the night went on I acquired an admirer, I like to call him "my Polish boyfriend"; he likes to call me May-ree. Between you and me I think he was a little disappointed that he had to settle for a kiss on the cheek at midnight.
  
  Bottom line: This place is a relatively undiscovered little gem. Getting there on a night other than NYE would probably be easy when cabs and buses aren't such a hot commodity, and it's well worth the trip.
  
  TIP: Ladies, when you're there visit the restroom, even if you don't need to. I don't think you'll be disappointed; the only thing I couldn't quite figure out was how Newt Gingrich fit into the whole motif - if you figure it out let me know.
  
  TIP: Get a shot of mad dog while you're there; don't worry it's not the nasty stuff you used to drink when you were in high school (or so I've heard). ;-)
  
  ** Happy New Year!

  Review Source:

  Posted on 01.01.09 Mary T.

  • Report
• 0

  Really cool place, love the decor. Cool crowd, not too crowded. Good for pool, cool juke box. Great bartenders, good beer selection. One of my regular places.

  Review Source:

  Posted on 12.29.08 Scott C.

  • Report
• 0

  OK I have a love / hate relationship with this place. I used to be a regular here, so I have sentimental feelings about the place. Then I became a mommy so I haven't been there in years. But I'm sure nothing much has changed.
  According to a post below Edyta still works there so the service is great.
  It really is a place where you just get to know the regulars and sooner or later you become one.
  Its a dive bar ,Polish rock/biker bar with very interesting bathrooms.
  Ahh I gotta go to the Bom for a shot of "wsciekly pies" ( angry dog) Which is Edyta's specialty. Its vodka with raspberry sauce and Tabasco. Its surprisingly good!

  Review Source:

  Posted on 03.11.08 Nuna D.

  • Report
• 0

  I will start with the positive. Absolutely awesome and friendly bartender bought me a shot on my birthday. She is the best thing about this place.
  
  I got the sense that the regular clientele didn't want us there, so that was disappointing.

  Review Source:

  Posted on 02.03.08 Kera E.

  • Report
• 0

  Ok, Mark, sorry it took so long to post a review of this place.  I haven't Yelped much recently.
  
  I met Mark S. at a Yelp event and we agreed to hang out sometime, since we both live kind of in what most people consider "no-man's land" (west of Pulaski).  I figured I could learn a thing or two from this dude, he seemed to know what's up.
  
  So the first time I headed over there, I wasn't too sure what to expect.  I got off the bus and headed into what looked like something out Beetlejuice; or, if you are architecturally inclined, you could think of it like a Frank Gehry-designed outhouse.
  
  In any case, I entered a smoky room with jovial Polacks playing foosball (pilkarzyki - pronounced Pook-ar-zshek-ee) and imbibing some alcohol.  Edita, the bartender Mark introduced me to, was really nice.  The Polvision on TV was playing a soccer match.  I saddled up and we had a few: OK and Zywiec for me.  I think they were around $4-5 for a giant bottle.
  
  The night takes another turn: we start buying shots.  Mark opted for some cherry vodka (I forget the name) and I introduced him to Zubrowka - Bison Grass Vodka.  (If you've never had it, head to your nearest Polish liquor store right now and buy some.)  
  
  This is where it gets a little blurry.  I remember (sucking at) foosball, which brought me back to my junior high, when we had foosball tables in our cafeteria.  But that's about it.  Suffice it to say that when this bar closed, we decided to keep going.  Two bars later I was riding on the back of Mark's motorcycle, like some kind of homoerotic, Żubrwka-fueled Easy Rider.
  
  More recently, I hitchhiked here with my friend (I live about 1.5 miles down Belmont from Bim Bom).  Again, Mark S was fulfilling his duty as the ambassador to all things pilkarzyki - make those German parents proud, Mark!  Edita's birthday was that night and they had tons of good food (surprisingly nothing Polish that I saw) for all the patrons.  Too bad a couple of dumbasses ended up plowing one another into the foosball table in a bar brawl.
  
  I digress.  When I heard about this place, I pictured a place like one my friend had told me about in Europe.  That bar was supposedly modeled after an American rock club (called something like Warhol's or something hilarious) and played all-American rock classics like the Red Hot Chili Peppers new album.  
  
  Bim Bom isn't like that at all.  It's very authentic; it is what it is.  It's basically a gathering place for first- and second-generation Polish immigrants, but in a hip way for young people.  It's not some stodgy old dive; the girls are pretty and the music is hip.  It's got a good punk aesthetic to it, and there is a surprising amount of good Polish punk rock on the juke.  
  
  I highly recommend this place, whether it's for the foosball; or to get a taste of another culture without all the weird white trash vibes at a lot of the dive bars; or simply just to go relax with some genuinely good people that you will have a good time with.
  
  Na zdrowie!

  Review Source:

  Posted on 10.05.07 Timothy M.

  • Report
• 0

  OK, I've become a serious regular at this place- I've never had such feelings for any bar before, but this place is just perfect!  Yeah, guys drink so much they fall on the floor, but there's always someone ready to pick 'em up!  The cast of super friendly characters here is really something special- you just have to check it out to understand...   Here's what ya do:
  
  Walk past the sheet-metal facade outside and into Portage Park's, friendliest, mostly Polish, Punk/Rock/Metal bar!  Inside, you'll find an awesome English speaking bartender (Edita or Anja) who'll happily serve you your drink.  The fancier Polish folks might be drinking German beer.  As a US born, opt for a Polish beer on tap- Ockocim, OK for short.
  
  Next head over to the jukebox and sift through the eclectic mix of vintage punk rock compilations, the cult, the cure, Judas Priest, the Doors, ahh, embrace the sonic diversity!
  
  Note the Polish contractor grade light fixtures above the foosball table- composed of 2x4s, framing brackets and spraypaint!  But if you're no good- you might want to avoid the urge to play!  See, there's a scene of regulars at the bar waiting for somebody to play- including a Foosball Olympic champion, and the Harley riding owner of McDuffy's on the south side!  So you might want to use the pool table instead, although I personally LOVE foosball, and this is my place for it, and the regular guys are very nice about kicking a rookie's ass- everyone is here for fun!  Ask for Stashu if you need a partner, he's always looking to get in on it and even though he doesn't speak any English, none of the Polish guys can ever understand what he's saying in Polish either!
  
  Finish your beer and hit the best toilets in any bar I've ever been in, anywhere!  Both the Men's and (I understand) the Women's bathrooms are completely covered in Heterosexual appropriate Porn!  How have I not seen this decorating theme before?  Most interesting are the spots where you can see some drunk creep peeled the porn off the wall to take home- isn't new love grand?
  
  Yup- THIS IS MY FAVORITE BAR OF ALL TIME!  The only bar where I ever met somebody wearing a t-shirt with the bar's name on it and found out the guy made the shirt himself!  They don't sell any, and he wanted a BimBom shirt, so he took a picture of the sign and had Walgreens make him one- that's how much we regulars LOVE this place.  I'm gonna get myself a t-shirt made, just you wait and see...

  Review Source:

  Posted on 07.18.06 Mark S.

  • Report