Celina's Corner

Update: Oct 2008 - the place is closed! I guess losing its matriarch and the crappy economy finished the place off.

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I am surprised I get to be the first to review this place. I know there are Yelpers in the area and its hard to hide a nifty place like this. On the otherhand I am exposing this off-the-radar neighborhood bar to the world. I found this place after going to the Empty Bottle and our show was sold out, so we hit the bars along Western Avenue. First of all, there actually is a Celina and she's in her eighties. The matriarch usually sits at her table in the middle of the bar. The walls are covered with black and white pictures of by-gone events the bar sponsored such as the Polka cruise of 1966. On a Friday night visit it got a little crowded and the clientele was a microcosm of the area: Ukrainian, Hispanic, black, Polish, new arrivals to the neighborhood, and salt-of-the-earth locals. Free pool table. Juke box goes all over the place from eastern European hits to American classics and standards.

Update: April 2008 - I was saddened to see a notice posted out in front detailing the funeral services for Celina. But the business continues to be open, operated by the family. Five stars for the history of the place - an authentic Chicago corner bar and for the beer prices $2 domestic $3 import. Only complaint: on a recent visit, they were out of Zywiec beer.