The other reviews & reviewers have truly overrated this establishment. Â If you can get past the glassware (which is far from clean), improper & unsanitary food serving methods, self-righteousness of the regulars and narcissistic bartenders this may be the place for you. Â Bottom line = there are far better "dive" bars in this neighborhood, Â do yourself a favor and keep walking.
Review Source:I had the pleasure of Jacqueline's a few times on my last trip to Chicago, thanks to one of my friends who frequents this amazing establishment on the regs. Being from out of town, I had some reservations walking up to this bar that oozed 'neighborhood bar' that Thursday night, I know that some of my regular haunts can be a bit hard on new people. All of my fears were smashed as soon as the door opened. The bartender, Jason, greeted us with a welcoming grim and sassy wit that immediately let me know I was in the right place. Drinks and conversation flowed, everyone was welcoming and inviting, and the music was great. It was a place that you feel comfortable and welcome in, regardless of it being your first time, or your 50th. We also visited for New Year, it was after midnight, and people were in great spirits. We were able to find room to join the celebration, welcomed with open arms, and encouraged to enjoy some of the amazing food that Jason had made for the bar. Jacqueline, who is as beautiful as she is personable, was in the bar welcoming all, being a most gracious hostess (dressed to the nines of course). Prices are great, selection is wonderful, and music selection is brilliant. Anytime I can crush Chumbawamba under the boot heel of Metallica and the masses are pleased, well then, that is an amazing time to be had. I can't wait to go back!
Review Source:I loathe Lakeview, but love the hell out of Jacqueline's. Why? Because I get the best of the town assembled here, as opposed to everywhere else where drunken frats and young professionals are puking in rainbows.
It's a no-nonsense easy-come, easy-go, down to earth bar with loud people willing to make friends and drink together. Greg is about the most knowledgeable bar-tender I've ever had (he defined entropy to a scientific journal-quality [why I asked this I don't remember {I'm beginning to think I was being lame/drunk}]) and can make drinks out of a dive's usual suspects. When asked "Sweet, Dry, or Perfect" I shed a tear of relief. It may be small here, but the occasional shoulder-to-shoulder style atmosphere isn't ever cluttering or uncomfortable.
The people make this Dive though, they're down to earth and come from every background and every life style and are a riot. Most of the time they're yelling at the TV, or each other, or just cracking jokes. Case-in-point, it's easy to make drinking buddies here. Last time here, they had the Bears game on and it came with a free buffet of Chili and Hot-Dogs brought in by the regulars. Talk about community right?
Make a point of coming here, because it's not only free of any douche-baggery, it's just simple fucking fun.
I have walked past Jacqueline's hundreds of times and have never walked in until recently. My mistake.
This Friday night, I was not looking for frills. I did not want to throw on a pair of heels and get eyeballed by some just became legal kid with a popped collar and a fake bake. I wanted a cold drink, a comfy seat, some good music, and no nonsense. I got all of that just from walking around the corner from my place to Jacqueline's.
I got there early, so there was only a handful of people around. As the night goes on, it got busier, with people popping in and out, as some would leave, more would come in. This place attracts a diverse crowd, young and old, gay and straight, dressed up and dressed down. A lot of the people there are regulars. That always intimidates me as a newbie, but everyone was very friend and I had plenty of good conversation going.
And let me not forget: the price was definitely right. My tab was $15 for about 4 drinks. I can dig it.
I won't be as close to Jacqueline's as I am now, moving apartments again, but I certainly plan to take the few blocks' trip to return.
This is the best neighborhood bar around!
My coworkers and I come here all the time to see our favorite bartenders: Greg and Jason! They're friendly (yet sarcastic when called for) and make great drinks. I call Greg Google because he knows a bit about EVERYTHING (seriously, anything) and Jason has a special place in my heart because he always makes food to share with the bar and sometimes will cater to my crazy vegan diet!
I love going to a bar where you're guaranteed to see some familiar faces and can just unwind with your friends.
P.S. Jason makes the best-- bar none, the absolute BEST Bloody Mary you'll ever have in your life. I've had many a Bloody-- and not one comes close to Jason's! Seriously. Order one.
A neighborhood mainstay
Greg is one of a kind
Great juke box
Cheetos and/or Fritos always available to accompany your beverage of choice
Would be 5-star but for the occasional unfortunate aromas that waft through the place (e.g. when someone can't hold their liquor and taints the bathroom w/ vomit; or someone's dog can't hold its pee and squeezes a bit out onto the floor, etc., the usual stuff).
when i lived in this neighborhood, this was my favorite hangout. greg and jason are awesome bartenders, and make perfect drinks!! a great place to hang out with all sorts of people- you'll never find a more diverse crowd, which i love. always some friendly to talk to in there! and being a dog lover, i i love that they allow them in there!
moved to the burbs and don't get there as often as i'd like anymore but i miss it!
Only reason this is a 4 vs. 5 is my personal favorite bars include top notch music (live or juke box), no TVs, and comfy seating (vs barstools...I'm short, barstools are painful).
J is the BEST bartender - he greeted us on our 1st visit as if we were regulars, and treated us like gold. Â And he makes great drinks btw ;-)
I've walked past this place daily for the 9 months I've lived here, but never entered. Â Several times regulars at the bar have stopped me and my dog to chat and mention the bar lets dogs inside. Â So...last week, after working 60hrs in 3 days, I agreed to grab a drink with a friend on the condition we go to Jacqueline's since my dog had been cooped up inside so much that weekend. Â My dog was allowed to roam freely, was handed dog bisquits throughout the evening, and low and behold, 1 drink turned into several until 2am.
So much fun - J also is a great cook who likes to bring in his latest masterpiece for the customers to enjoy. Â I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a low-key, friendly place to grab a drink, chat with a friend, run into a neighbor, and share with their dog.
While walking down Broadway on a lazy Sunday afternoon, I spotted the Pride flag in Jacqueline's window and decided we should stop in for a drink. Â As soon as we stepped in it started a downpour, so it must have been fate. Â The day we were there they had a Meatloaf contest to benefit an AIDS charity. Â Lots of regulars there and they were very nice to the visitors. Â Jacqueline was sitting next to us and it was great to chat with her- very gracious. Â Super-friendly bartender whipped up his custom bloody mary (not from a mix!) and it was delicious. Â We will seek it out next time!
Review Source:This is one of those bars to go to if you just need a place to relax and grab a quick drink with friends. Â I have been here a couple of times with friends. Â We came here when the bars were too crowded on Halstead. Â The drinks are good, the bartenders are friendly, and located in a great location. Â There is really nothing exciting about this place, but it is a good place to unwind and have a cocktail or two.
Review Source:i loooove this bar! its the perfect little dive in lakeview! me and my boyfriend love to play darts and just chill out and jacquelines is the perfect bar for that! We also think that Greg is a faaabbbulous bartneder! so if you want a chill evening to throw a couple darts or watch the game you wont be disappointed!
Review Source:I popped in here two Sundays ago. It was late and rainy....I walked in and the bar was completely empty! I was hoping for a hot half naked burnette....but what are you going to do? a few min later another guy popped into to the bar..He seemed to be a regular...I practiced my dart game as I slugged my Heinkeen. I did ask the bartender...For hearing so much about this place where is the lively crowd? He said they were tired from a busy week. C.S.I. Â Special Victims unit played on the tv as the bartender and the regular discussed various issues. The bartender was nice and he was quick with the drinks...but there was no lively crowd or hot half naked burnet...what a let down..I'll be back!
Review Source:Jackie's is a great place to grab a drink with your friends. Â It used to be my neighborhood bar when I lived around the corner and I could be found in there any night of the week. Â I have met a ton of great people at this bar and have developed many great friendships.
The bartenders are fantastic! Â Some of the best I have met in Chicago (and I am an ex-bartender myself). Â Friendly, intelligent, witty, and attentive. Â The jukebox has a good mix of Country, Pop, Alternative, and disco/show tunes.
There's a video poker/slot machine in the back and an electronic dart board. Â Greg is a mean Cribbage player too and will deal a game if asked. Â Please keep this in mind when going to Jackie's (esp. on Thursday nights): THIS IS A DART BAR! Â This bar participates in the WCAA dart league on Thursday nights so the board will most likely be taken by the League from 7pm until the wee hours of the morning. Â If you want to throw darts come on another night or expect to wait until 10pm or so before you get a turn. Â Always someone there willing to throw a game so don't be shy!
The crowd is pleasantly mixed: gay, straight, single, married, young, middle-aged, locals, and strangers. Â Not the typical flaming gays or the obnoxious drunk breeders; no guys hovering over single women showering them with whatever knucklehead pickup lines they learned that week. Â Just good, genuine people from the neighborhood or, like me, formerly from the 'hood coming back to enjoy a brewski with the crew.
Tell Greg "The Cowboy" sent you.
So crazy...this place looks like a little trinket shop from a short glance from outside--at least that is what I thought the millions of times I walked by it on Broadway. Perhaps it's also the pleasant name "Jacqueline's" that gave me that vibe.
All that aside--I found this dive bar to be quite charming. On a weekday it's not crowded at all, but that is to be expected. The locals, jukebox, cheap drinks, and entertaining bartender made my experience worthwhile.
What bar gives you an olympic rating on your burps?! This one! What bar hosts the perfect mix of crazy locals bantering with bartenders about politics...you got it, this one! The best part was that none of it made me feel uncomfortable.
It really is such a chill place to grab a drink and relax. These types of bars are what make Chicago the city it is, forget all that nightclub crap!!
Fantastic bartenders. The kind that will learn your name and your drink, and have one ready when you start getting low. Very chill scene, just neighborhood folks that know each other and don't seem to get too rowdy. Got to take my picture with a patron's pet parrot! He even let me put him on my shoulder! Not that this is particularly useful information, but thats the kind of place this is - friendly...comfortable...always an interesting time.
Review Source:Truly a bar where it feels like everyone knows your name.
Greg is a great bartender who has a heavy pour.
Play darts? Â Great place to throw. Â 3 Bulls or Ton80 = free drink.
Overall a great neighborhood bar with friendly regulars
Pros: stiff drinks, a bartender who knows how to tend the bar, I have a trophy on the wall, clean bathrooms
Cons: I stopped drinking
Nice little bar located near...or in Boys Town. I used to frequent this establishment back in the day. My friend Greg is the bartender...one of the best in the city! I worked there for about a month, and he showed me the ropes on how to serve drinks and get the ladies drunk, haha. Jackie is really nice, and the regulars are all very cool...except for one a-hole, Bruce. Just an angry old fock with a sh*tty disposition. Besides him, kudos to Jacqueline's!
Review Source:This is my neighborhood dive! Friendly faces, affordable drinks, and an atmosphere that reminds me of my family's old bar.
They have an "all-occasions" tree that they keep up year-round. How awesome is that.
I haven't met "Jackie" yet, but I've heard she's a doll.
This place is a hidden treasure.
A great corner watering hole...
This has become my local neighborhood place to hang. Â Why? Â Here are some reasons:
- Stiff drinks at good prices. Â Large bottled beer selection and just about every liquor you've ever heard of - and then some. Â Their well vodka is Svedka, at other places you'd pay a "premium" price for this...and the martinis are large and perfect.
- Friendly staff. Â These folks really really go out of their way to be nice. Â If you go more than a coupla times you'll most probably be considered a regular...
- Nice and varied crowd.  Everyone is welcome - all ages, all sexual persuasions.  You may get a fairly straight yuppie crowd, a sports crowd, a dart - playing crowd, or a gay crowd.  Junkies, judges, Trixies, drag queens, frat boys, all are welcome as long as you behave yourself.  It can be a drunk tank or a place to stop by for a quiet drink on the way to or from the opera or a play or dinner  - you "call the shots", so to speak.  A lot of gay guys stop by here for a few pops before hitting the busier bars a block away on Halsted.  And this is one place that is refreshingly free of attitude, it has that friendly Midwest "ethos"...it reminds me of places in Iowa or Wisconsin.
- There really IS a Jacqueline - and she's a doll. Â The owner is very "hands - on" management - wise, very friendly and approachable. Â For Christmas day and Thanksgiving she caters big holiday spreads; these are not rinky - dink affairs but lavish buffets with all the trimmings, including turkeys and such cooked on their outside BBQ grills. Â On summer holiday weekends there are always mongo big cookouts, with lotsa catered vittles (plus food brought by the patrons); there are also birthday cookouts and parties as well...all are welcome to partake (and the food is all free).
In short: Â EVERY nabe should have a Jacqueline's...it's just a perfect place for what it is.
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