Fun country bar!
Pros: Live band, open late, lots of room to dance, friendly service.
Cons: Dirty, cover charge, bathrooms are yuck.
I think I've reached an age where the dive-ey "charm" of a spot just isn't enough to sell me anymore. At least when the service is cold on a slow night, and the music's at a high enough volume to make conversation difficult. I'm sure this place can turn into a hell of a good time if you catch it on the right night, but unless I have a specific reason I probably won't be back.
Review Source:Descriptive phrase: get ready for a weird night.
Where do I even begin? $5 cover even for the ladies we came with. Dingey enterior with a long bar immediately then followed by a seating area and dance floor with stage. You know it's a classy bar when they have Red Dog beer signs all over the place.
Interesting crowd throughout the night ranging from geriatrics dressed for a ho-down to TapOut dudes to sorority girls. My friend got offered cocaine by a Latino cowboy and his extremely short sidekick. Where do these people come from?
A 4-piece country band played covers all night. Beer was more expensive than it should've been at $15 per pitcher of domestics, but service was quick. Cash only.
The appetizers I saw floating around looked absolutely disgusting. I literally saw a guy take a bite of the bruschetta and spit it back onto the plate.
I think the men's room used to be a jail cell.
I'm severly torn on how to rate this place. I would never go back, but if you want a weird night then Carol's certainly delivers.
Go to a dive if you want fancy... go here if you want your drinks with shot of fear. True dive. I was here on weekday, around 5. Place is so funny. I was nervous of ridicule for even taking out my 'smart phone'...But in a good, self depricating way. All the manliness went down my leg while I was here. So fun!
Review Source:This place rocks!
You can't beat heading here late night to listen country music and dance. The ambiance is amazing and when you walk in you can't believe you're still in Chicago, which is the beauty of it! They also have people walk around selling hot pizzas late at night. Love that!
I'd highly recommend it if you are looking for a change of pace and somewhere fun to go late night.
Two things to keep in mind: $5 cover when there's live bands and it is a cash bar.
If you go to Carol's, you have to go with an open mind and realize that it is a Country-Western dive bar. Â If I didn't live down the street, is it a place I would drive to? Â Most likely not. Â But for a place to go for a cheap drink while waiting for friends to go to a Cubs game, it is great. Â I also like to listen the band on Saturday...while I am not a big fan of Country, I actually like listening to the band.
For me, I like to be in and out of there by 9 pm before the over-served pub crawls, Cub fans, bachlorette parties, etc come in. Â Prices tend to go up and there is a cover charge. Â Will say that the bartenders on Saturday are nice and friendly. Â I have heard that people have had issues with the security, but personally I have not had any issues with the staff there.
I visited Carol's once when I was in town from Ohio. When I walked in, I was pretty sure I was back in Ohio. It felt normal, and comfortable.
The drinks were great. The prices were right. The bartenders were super friendly.
The crowd was drunk and nice. The dance floor was ridiculous, and so much fun.
Carol's. Â It's utter bobbins. Â
I can now report that the patina has completely worn off of Carol's as far as I'm concerned, exposing it as the decrepit pit it is. Â And I'm not just referring to the beyond inhumane and Worst Bathroom in the City. Â
Running the gauntlet at the door, where you'll be harangued about presenting your ID and paying your five dollar cover, is always a rude experience. Â This time, after going through the process, the moron at the door had the temerity to tell us to clear off from the area, casting us aside and further into the gutter. Â If you can figure out why these idiots have an attitude, please inform me. Â
As usual, at the latest visit, it was the same band, the same dirt, the same detritus and the same horrendously inhumane bathroom. Â The wear and tear imbued throughout the venue can no longer be missed - even if it's 4 a.m. and you're nearly into double digits on the drinks. Â
For a time, Carol's was a fun place, but I think I'm about done with it now. Â I feel cleaner already.
It's 1-1/2 stars.
Remember that scene from the Matrix where Agent Smith wanted out of the Matrix because he hated how dirty and sweaty humans were? I TOTALLY know what he's talking about.
This place is like a black hole or the Twilight Zone. Or that possessed house where you walk through one door but end up in the same room you just left. Or that ex girlfriend who just won't stop calling and somehow you wake up in the morning and she's making breakfast for you. Or that seedy bar that your friends keep dragging you back to because it's open until really late. Oh wait! It IS that place.
I usually don't remember much, because I only set foot in this place under the condition that I'm drunk and stumbling and my friends are pulling me in AND paying the cover (cough... Maria F and Megan G). Seriously? A cover? For this place? That's like paying to sleep in an alley.
The kitsch factor is enough for me to brag about the next day. The people are always interesting, and by interesting I mean, "Where the hell do these people hide during daylight hours?" Always a funny character, but it doesn't matter because it doesn't seem like anyone is out of place at Carol's. Bumpkins, frat boys, hipsters, fresh off the boat immigrants, drunk and lost Filipino guys. Oh wait! That's ME!
How did I get here? Someone tell me because I'm wasted off my ASS!
Far more crazy than "The Things We Do For Love" that English band 10cc so deftly articulated in their 1977 hit of the same name are, apparently, the things we do for friendship. Â
When I heard that my bestshe Maria F. was celebrating her birthday at Carol's Pub, I shivered. Â And not because it was feeling like winter in mid-November. Â More because country music - this dive bar's (live)stock and trade - sounds like nothing but hate and steel-tinged noise to me. Â But I also mention the slightly countryish "The Things We Do For Love" because the lyrics of the pre-chorus of the song (describing a fight) describe Carol's quite nicely...
"Like walking in the rain and snow, when there's nowhere to go."
Carol's is, quite frankly, in the middle of nowhere. Â And I think they like it that way. Â It's like going to another state to stumble upon this ramshackle old place. Â And usually when I've found myself there, it's about the time where I'm in another state - Drunkanus - as well. Â They're a 5:00 a.m. bar on Saturdays. Â 5:00 a.m. Â That's no longer late, it's early. Â Where else would one go? Â Breakfast?
"And you're feeling like a part of you is dying."
As I mentioned, country music and me don't get along so this line is fitting. Â But, shockingly, on the weekends country music isn't all they play between live band sets. Â I found myself drunkenly singing along with (my main homeboy) Billy Joel's "Piano Man." Â They even played Blink-182 if drunken memory serves. Â The band also didn't stick to strictly country. Â They played rock hits that bordered on country like the Allman Brothers' "Ramblin' Man" and Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville." Â A table of douchebags nearby really liked both. Â Sadly, I kind of think that audience has taken over this bar. Â I was almost disappointed. Â I came expected for my ears to bleed with country, not bad fratrock.
"And you're looking for the answer in her eyes. Â You think you're gonna break up, then she says she wants to make up."
They have plenty of things of things for both situations. Â Cheap pitchers of crappy beer abound to drown your sorrow - served by a saucy (vaguely attractive in a 3:00 a.m. way) waitstaff. Â And to express your "joy" they have a hopping dance floor. Â Slow dancing, square dancing, honkeytonk dancing. Â I didn't see any line dancing, but I've heard it exists there. Â And if you ever get the chance to go with Nishan P., he's quite a dancer (just saying ladies). Â I, however, am not. Â I'm too busy getting dizzy from the alcohol and the country music.
Anyway, 10cc goes on to talk about love and feelings and blah, blah, blah. Â Stuff that has nothing to do with Carol's. Â It's not a horrible time. Â But, I'll tell you what (said in a mock Texas accent). Â I'd have to be dragged (or drugged) to go there again. Â Maybe even with the promise of things done for love afterwards.
I cannot recommend this bar to anyone in good faith.
Yes, it's open late.
Yes, they serve cold beer.
It's also rowdy, unrefined and dirty. If you're with a group of guys, don't be surprised if a drunk frat boy tries to pick a fight with your crew for no reason. As others say... it really is something else. Something I'd prefer to avoid!
Just skip it and head to the Fireside instead.
Carol's is just.........something else.
Especially on Halloween night.
If you are crazy enough to do this.
That night cheap beer is still on tap, the bathroom is still slightly dumpy and out of paper, there is still a $5 cover charge, and Carol is still behind the microphone with her dudes singing country like there is no tomorrow.
Normal stuff.
But then....
Super Mario is harassing other mustachey dudes, you get felt up in the bathroom line and dance the two step with Criss Angel, and a crippled old man gets up from his wheel chair tucked in a corner to invite a 22-year old for a swing around the dance floor.
And yup, that's all true.
I left before things got really ugly and out of hand, and took my Little Red Rider in the Hood outfit to Lindo Guadalajara to eat tacos.
And I felt normal again.
Leave it to pork to restore your sanity.
LET'S STEP OUTSIDE... I WANNA TELL YOU SOMETHING...
I'm gonna be totally honest: This place is crap and we all know it.
The only reason I even bothered giving this place a star was (1) because I have to and (2) my one Miller light was like 2 dollars for some reason. Â Keep in mind that I only had ONE cheap beer because I hated the place.
This is the kinda place young white people love for the "irony". "Oh look, Chad, this place is a frickin dump!! That's so... quaint and real."
As a dive bar dude and consistent black man, I would tell you that this place is crap for not really diving. Â There is no "Irony" in a disgusting bathroom. Â A bar tender with the most severe wall-eye I've ever seen becomes some circus attraction around the yups that pour into this place. Â The place reeks of poseur-dom and the crowd is trying so hard to be cool it hurts my heart.
I've had some friends take me here a couple of times. Â We don't talk that often.
If I'm THAT desperate to do SOMETHING at 4 a.m. I will find a soup kitchen and volunteer.
No. Thank. You.
Remember that scene in the Blue's Brothers, when the band first gets back together and steals a gig at Bob's Country Bunker, there's a partial chain link fence behind them and the audience throws bottles until they play "Stand by Your Man"?
That's Carol's! Â Ok, not really, but Carol's looks really similar, dark dingy cave, and same violent country vibe. Â It's an old man bar, and you know how I love those!
So step right up little lady and dare to hang out with The Good Ol' Boys! Â The bartenders are great, the whiskey is fine, and the dancing is fun. Â Open late.
<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DOO38rf1m0FU&s=1a8b6c3d242dc4ef149f7b955052c566df9c6369081b3d9fc28d345fe0d62b16" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/w…</a>
Country music was banned from my house when I was a child. Â Seriously. Â I grew up with Jerry Vale, Dean Martin, and Pavarotti on Sundays. Â And I loved it. Â I NEVER liked country music, and to a large extent still don't, except for a few select artists.
All of that being said, I still LOVE Carol's Pub and you and you should too, because it is one of the most unique bars in the city. Â While they don't take credit card (and we know how much I don't appreciate that), it's fine by me in this case because this place is UBER CHEAP!
Monday nights see the following specials: $1.50 domestic drafts, $1 steins, and $5 pitchers. Â Seriously. Â $5? Â That's cheaper than drinking back home in Indiana.
The night I saw a band there, people were having a rollicking good time, singing along, and dancing. Â
Carol's is awesome. Â You should definitely give it a try if you haven't yet.
So finally a night arrived where the circumstances presented themselves:
1. It was late (130am)
2. I was drunk enough to want a burrito from El Ranchito (next door).
3. I was drunk enough to think Carol's was a swell idea.
4. I was drunk enough to drink Miller High Life bottles (after vodkas)
$5 cover, live music, people dancing and sweating and living up their night. I guess if I am going to be out so far past my bedtime, I'd much rather do it here rather than the other options: Tais til 4 and Nick's. So, bonus!
My suggestion is to just keep on drinking once you get in, get up and dance, forget your worries, forget the imminent hangover and don't judge. Just do it. Once. If you hate it, well...you tried :)
This place used to be the best kept secret in Uptown. Â Open late, could dance until the wee hours with nice folk who kept their hands to themselves, have a few nice conversations, and then stumble home, satisfied with the evening. Â Sweet country oasis in the midst of the superficial city nightlife.
But NOW all the late-hours Cubs fans come up from Wrigleyville, and you can barely get a beer in there, let alone a seat. Â Crowded and noisy in a bad way ("Dude! Â DUDE! Â Dude."). Â And while I don't intend to typecast everyone who lives in Wrigleyville, there seems to be some weird Cubbie mentality pervading the place once the clock strikes midnight. Â I didn't come to a country bar to debate the finer points of baseball. Â You've got a whole damn stadium and Clark Street -- isn't that enough? Â I miss the bikers and the good music and talking with the bartenders about...not baseball. Â I'm happy for the owners' success, but miss the old vibe.
But hey, if you like drunks, khaki shorts and visible thongs riding up over jeans, you'll love it here!
Ummm .. OK .. I just feel the need to review this bar ASAP -before the memory of it fades away. Â I pass this bar to/from work on the Clark bus -and always been wondering ... what it looks like inside? Â From the outside, it looks pretty shaddy. Â It looks like one of those stripper bars in the middle of no-where that you saw on a road trip. Â Last night, we had a girls night out and we went to Carol's -didn't even know that it's Karaoke night every Thursday. Â *awesome*
We got there around 9 .. pretty much empty -with another group on the corner near the bar. Â A few very unique individuals -who seem to be the regulars. Â Mostly middle aged & older patrons. Â We thought: "Hmmmm .. interesting ......." - but we decided to stay. Â
The place -is old. Â Unattractive. Â The drinks are not cheap. Â The food is, on the other hand, very cheap -we didn't try any, partly just bcoz they were so cheap we started to wonder how 'legit' they are? :P Â
After 10, different crowds started to come in. Â Younger, more yuppies -but overall fun, free-spirited group of people. Â You can tell that most of them are regulars. Â Most of them are good in karaoke-ing .. though you still have a couple of drunken-out of tunes-american idols wannabe.
It was fun!! Â I will be back -only on a Thursday night, though. Â People are very friendly here -with a few distinctive-very interesting characters. Â Fun crowds. Â What's not to like?
I slow danced to live country western music.  Yes, I just said that I slow danced to live country western music.  I cannot say that I have ever in my life danced to live country music.  Oh my Lord, I loved it.  Now, I'm not sure if I enjoyed it so much because I was a few sheets to the wind or becuause Carol's Pub was rocking my world, if only for  the moment.  Either way, I see Texas in a whole new light.
I recently moved down the street from Carol's Pub and laughed everytime I passed it becuase I had heard only the craziest things about the place. Â Prior to actually stepping foot into the establishment last Saturday night a 1:30am, I pictured it to be a tiny shit hole full of townies and drunks. Â Well, it was a large shit whole filled with townies, drunks and so much more. Â The crowd was so diverse and the vibe was free of pretention. Â I've never been in a country western bar in my life, nor have I two-stepped, but I felt so comfortable at Carol's. Â Thank you, Carol for making me feel at home.
When I got to the bar, I was at a loss for words. Â What do you drink at a country western bar? Â I certainly wasn't going to ask for my usual cider variety, so I asked for a Stella...then a Red Stripe...then I knew that it was going to be a Bud or Miller, Â so I took it back to college, man, and opted for the Miller. Â Long time, no see, Mr. Miller.
From what I understand, Carol's is pretty famous and I can see why. Â Any bar in the middle of Chicago that plays live country music and draws in the crazy diverse crowd that it does is A-OK in my book. Â Nothing special, nothing pretty, just a great time with country dancing and booz.
"What kind of music do you usually have here?
Oh, we got both kinds... country and western."
Yes folks, welcome to Bob's Country Bunker.
If you love road houses you will love this place. If men with big hats and women with big hair scare you, I recommend Lincoln Park.
I for one grew up in these kinds of places and I find it oddly comforting, right down to the drunken couples dancing to badly sung karaoke.
The only thing missing is chicken wire surrounding the stage...
Carol's Pub cracks me up! There I said it. I'm"m not a country music fan, nor do I line dance often, but just for a minute, the other night, I felt right at home. Hmm . . . could that have been the 7 drinks or so talking that we had before gracing Carol's with our presence? Maybe.
Dive bar with a bartender who instantly knows when your beer is gone? Check. Gross bathroom that looks like it hasn't been cleaned in this decade? Yep. Drunk men asking if the guy you are with is your boyfriend? Oh yeah. Women dancing with each other? In droves. Â Live country music sung by guys who seem to love what they do? Â Double yep!
Drinks were cheap. Service was good. And the music? Well- the beauty of country music is somebody always has someone else's (insert item here) wife, dog, gun, heartache, well you get the picture. It makes it easy to sing along.
Go with a song in your heart, a few drinks in your belly and a laugh on your lips and you can't help but have a good time.
I get tired of people treating Carol's like it is a country music theme park bar. Â Some guys go in there in sort of fake cowboy garb, trying to be ironic or whatever.
If people would stop hyping it up like it was some kind of god damned rodeo then maybe that would go away.
Carol's is a bar that gets crowded on the weekends, sells crappy beer in pitchers at the typical neighborhood bar price, has a dance floor, and has a house band that completely rocks. Â They play classic country and classic rock and take some requests if you put a few bucks up on their duct tape line. Â The band is completely lifeless and and not noteworthy save for one of the greatest guitar players I've ever heard. Â If you are into guitar solos, grab a seat right in front of his amp. Â You will know which one I'm talking about probably as soon as you walk in. Â The jukebox plays all your favorite crappy country gimmicks during their breaks. Â The band plays until 4 AM.
The waitresses are friendly. Â It helps to get there before 11 if you want a table.
Carol's is a fish out of water, definitely, but please stop telling your friends that it's freaking Dollywood.
HATE IT. HATE IT. HATE IT.
My friends and I used to adore this place. Â We were there every Thursday religiously, and would often find ourselves there on Saturday nights as well. Â
I realize that this place gets crowded. Â However, you'd think that when the same group of people comes to your bar twice a week, spends lots of money on drinks yet always behave themselves, AND tip generously.....they'd deserve to be treated decently, right? Â Apparently, that's not the case here. Â
I will say that the bartenders have always been very sweet. Â Unfortunately, I can't say the same for the mean old burly guy at the door or the KJ. Â We went there for a few years without any problems, and then suddenly, the door guy started hassling us every time we showed up, and the KJ suddenly decided that it was okay for him to start manhandling and saying perverted things to one of my girlfriends.
As someone who used to be a loyal patron, I'm utterly disgusted with this place. They really need to learn how to treat their regulars.
This place is a blast! Â Yes they promote their country music karaoke but they have a book of every song imaginable and it's great! Â Everyone was so nice and down to earth and our server was great! Â She was an absolute gem! Â
The only reason this place isn't getting 5 stars is because they charged me $6 for the smallest amaretto sour I have ever scene. Â While it was a strong one I just didn't understand teh $6 charge!
Also I would have to agree with Deanna M. the karaoke guy was pretty scary...him and his big fur coat! LOL
Carol's is like a girl you'll hook up with late at night, but won't call the next day.
She's cheap and a little dirty but she is awesome fun. Â And yeah, you'll tell your buddies about her, but you won't go into the details... it's far too embarrassing.
And even though you don't call her the next day, sometime soon enough, it'll be 2am and you'll be drunk and remember the good times you had... and you'll find yourself right back at Carol's... Welcome home, buddy.
As an expat I'm always on the lookout for really american places to take people when they come to visit. Â Sadly not too many of my friends have ventured across the pond yet, but the good news is that anyone I take to Carols - Americans included - has the same reaction: "what the @$@! is this".
Make sure you go late - I've made the mistake of showing up here too early and unless your drinking crew is fairly hardcore they are going to be asleep before the action starts. Â Not that it's a problem because there are often people passed out on the tables or clinging to a pillar.
I've heard mixed reviews of the karaoke, and the food... well I'm not eating anywhere that has veal cheaper than hot dogs.
However if you time it right, ensure you're properly wasted before you get in, and don't cling to the walls you're almost guaranteed a good time.
Note - the door staff don't accept foreign ID which I suppose ties in with the theme but can be a bit annoying.
This bar ALMOST earned a five star rating. Â Let me explain why, then offer up the rationale behind the star loss.
We had an AMAZING time here on Saturday. Â It was an absolute blast! Â The service was quick and the brews were on par with any other late night joint. Â The bathrooms weren't as disgusting as I had anticipated. Â And the crowd was good mix.
HOWEVER...
We went back on Sunday and the old man behind the bar took one look at the ID of a person in our group and denied him. Â Why? Â Because it was a Mexican ID, and he said he didn't "want any of that kind comin' in to this bar." Â WOW. Â Archie Bunker is still bartending? Â
To be fair, though, we didn't find out until after the fact that he was not actually the person on the ID, though he IS over 21. Â
Bizarre, yes. Â I'm still deciding if I'm going to go back, but I suspect some night after 2:00, I'll think it's a great idea.
I have never been to Carol's on the weekend, only on Tuesday nights after kickball. Â Here's what I love about this bar:
*It's such a dive bar that I feel dressed up in my kickball uniform.
*The jukebox full of country music. Â I'm a big fan of jukeboxes and a closeted country music fan, so the combo is fabulous.
*Playing flippy cup or beer pong. Â They are so laid back there, they pretty much let us do whatever we want (within reason...).
*Beer specials-$10 buckets for any combination of domestic beers.
*Willy the bouncer. Â He's my new BFF
I will probably never go to Carol's on the weekend because I don't want to ruin my love for this place. Â Good times.
Try it for the irony, come back for the sincerity.
Full disclosure: I am totally biased and my rating definitely is influenced in part by nostalgia for what it used to be. Â
That said, the beauty of Carol's is definitely in the eye of the beholder. Â
* If you are inclined to hate the LP posers who come here for ironic kicks, you will have some targets for you hate on most any weekend night. Â
* If the awkward group of Loyola '07 crunchy/nerdy seniors circle dancing like they're at a wedding reception is something you'll find annoying, be prepared to look the other way. Â It will happen. Â
* If you think real salt of the earth folks are only here for your amusement, I feel sorry for you - but you will have some fodder for your mockery. Â
I don't know that Carol's asked to be adopted by the pseudo hipster crowd or the fresh-faced 20-something professionals who come here to show each other they have a 'gritty' side. Â But it happened, and I won't fault them for capitalizing on it. Â
I'll admit, my first intro to Carol's was in 1998 as one of those 20-something professionals with a group out for a lark. Â I didn't know squat about country. Â But I did know no-nonsense folks, and if you're open to it, that's the part of Carol's that can draw you in. Â
Was it better when far fewer people would even consider going north of Irving Park for a night out? Â Maybe. Â
Do I wish the High Lifes were still $2.75 rather than $4.00? Â Of course. Â
If I could travel back in time would I delete the 'best dive bar' awards it started getting from Chicago Magazine, Citysearch, et al? Â Definitely. Â
In 2004, did I throw up a little bit in my mouth after seeing underneath their iconic 'hot sandwiches' arrow neon sign, a new Fast Signs banner promoting $4.00 Mich Ultras? Â Of course. Â
Okay, you get the idea. Â
Regardless of how you feel about the various people around you in the bar, you have to appreciate the house band, Diamondback. Â As far as I can tell, this is the same ensemble that played on my first trip in '98. Â Think about that. Â Could you say you've been doing the same gig with the same people every Wed/Fri/Sat for 9+ years?
Brilliant snippets to look for on your next trip to Carol's.
The lead guitarist / vocalist. Â
Think his name is Dave. Â At least I think of him as Dave. Â Love watching him slowly lumber back to the stage with a couple of Lites in his mitts, maybe another in his pocket. Â Then he lines them up on the speaker, plants his feet and goes about the business of playing some fine guitar. Â
The female lead / rhythm guitar player.
I started a rumor among my friends that she told me one night she is also a CCD teacher. Â Not sure if it's true [after a few High Lifes, reality and fantasy can blur a bit], but it's easy to imagine. Â Reconcile that with the bedazzled musical note patched onto her short corduroy skirt. Â You know she's broken a few hearts at Carol's over the years. Squint through the smoke, and she looks a little like Sarah Jessica Parker's C&W aunt from Tennessee. Â
The bass player
Extrapolate Matt Dillon's character from What About Mary out another 10 - 15 years. Â Could be this guy. Â
The drummer
Glad they took down the plexiglass partition they had him behind for a while, even if it means the rest of the band now wears ear plugs and/or hides off to the side of the stage. Â The experience just wasn't the same with him blocked off back there. Â
Also, I dare anyone to eat the $3.00 'Fish' sandwich you can find on the menu. Â Let me know how that works out for you.
Finally, finish the night like a champ with a burrito from El Quijote, just up the street @ Clark and Lawrence. Â You might not order anything there at 3pm, but at 3am it hits the spot.
I have always liked this place and always will like it but I gave it a 4 out of 5 because times have changed. Â If you actually want to have a good time, get there at like 7:00pm and leave at 10:00 or 11:00. Â Because once the bars start to close around it, it becomes WAY too busy. Â
On a weekend night after 12 they start hearding the people in like cattle. Â It's not very fun when you can't sit or even stand and get a drink. Â Much like what the other reviewer said, the staff is catching on and starting too raise the price of a drink.
I like the house band myself. Â It's better then hearing what you hear everywhere else. Â But trust me, don't go really late on a weekend night cause you won't get a drink unless you're the bartender.
I'm giving Carol's four stars, but I may be back to deduct one if they keep singing Sheryl Crow on the weekends. When I first discovered this place two years ago, I was madly in love.
Sadly, the band plays for tips and drunk people don't seem to care that they do the same Johnny Cash song five times a night and have no problem breaking out the twangy pop without monetary incentive.
As far as the actual bar goes - the crowd kills on Friday and Saturdays. It's fairly quiet until midnight, and gets busier and busier until 1:45 when the place is wall to wall. The great thing about the 2am crowd is that it's pretty diverse.
Beer's expensive for a 'dive.' I recommend going with the pitchers, they're pretty costly at $12, but it beats paying $4/bottle of Bud Light!
There's some talk of it becoming too yuppie and straying from it's roots, which I can understand. This was the best kept secret on Clark Street for years. But take heart - the regulars come early and will NEVER abandon Carol's. The main battle with the band is convincing them to relearn some Merle Haggard and Hank Williams.
There are two regular guys over the age of 50 that WILL make you dance with them, so give in early. They're good dancers. Even if you can't dance, they'll make you look like you can.
I love the staff here. Missy, the short little blonde cocktail waitress, will keep you entertained all night. Tell her you're single and she'll scout the room for you! The door guys, who are hillarious and really grow on you. They agree with me that the band should get back to old school Country & Western.
Just remember, it comes down to tips. YOU can make Carol's a better Honky-Tonk.
Every once in a while, I turn into a snob. Â I can't help it. Â I can't control it. Â It just happens and it happened the night that I went to Carol's Pub. Â
Maybe I had been to too many dive bars before I went to Carol's Pub and was getting a little sick of them. Â I like dive bars, but occasionally I like to be in a bar where the chairs match, the tables are clean, and I'm not afraid to use the bathroom. Â
Maybe it would have been different if Carol's wasn't a country bar. Â The second I walked into Carol's I began having flashbacks of the many years that I spend working in a country bar in Milwaukee. Â Like post-traumatic stress disorder, the memories flooded my mind. Â
Maybe if Carol's Pub opened their doors up to air the place out occasionally, I wouldn't have felt nauseous the second I walked in. Â The vile smell of stale beer and vomit almost knocked me over. Â
Maybe if the band were better I would have enjoyed myself more. Â The jam band was...well, I'm not gonna lie...they sucked!! Â I was so glad to hear the vocal styling of the most adorable, and only, African American female country singer I've ever seen. Â We even asked the waitress to get her to go back on stage to sing and she did! Â :)
The things that I liked about Carol's Pub:
The kooky waitress that "was born here." Â In a pub?? Â Well, no, not in the pub, but she's been working there for "100 years." Â She looked great for being 100!
I always say that I can have fun anywhere as long as I'm in good company, and I was in good company at Carol's Pub. Â Good conversations...fun times...lots o' beers.
I walked into this place and felt right at home. Â This 5 o'clock bar was built for comfort and not speed! Â With the live honky-tonk band playing and the cheap drink prices, I fell in love. Â It seems pretty crowded, but people are too drunk to be rude. Â Just go with the flow and you will end up in a nook somewhere with your pals. Â There is a small dance area right in front of the tiny stage. Â Now, I was told that Johnny Cash used to play here so that alone is enough to get me there. Â Cheap PBR is enough to get me drunk. Â And GIANT shots of Rumplemintz is enough to get me blind and wanting to kiss my horse! Â (not sure what that means)
See ya there!
Spend most of your time in the Viagra triangle?
Think the world ends west of Western?
Expect your bars to play top-40 music and be sparkling clean?
Don't like it when anyone who doesn't look like a cookie-cutter DePaul type so much as even looks at you?
If any of these apply to you, don't come here! Please, for your sake as well as everyone else's; stay far, far away. Please.
But, if you like an eclectic crowd, a bar that seems like it got picked up out of Nowhere, KS and dropped in the middle of Chicago, and above all else, feel like having an unpretentious, kicked-back, goofy good time, then please come here. And bring me with you.
Carols is best before the post-2 AM crowd shows up, but even then, it's hard to not have a good time at Carols. (Unless you meet any of the criteria listed above.)
Two Friday Nights ago I told my friend I would go with her to any bar/place she wanted to go because she was bummed out. Â Her choice - Carol's Pub. Â Now, being a huge anti-country music fanimal, I was a little worried. Â However, a promise is a promise.
I had a great time at Carols. Â Reminded me of something right out of my old college town (Yes you, Lewiston, ME) complete with the patrons and all. Â I did get hit on by a guy with Moobs, but most of the people there were friendly (even Moobies) and there for the same reason I was - their friends made them go. Â No, no just kidding - Â to have a good time! I will definitely be back.
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