I love neighborhood bars. I've always loved neighborhood bars. The last place I lived actually didn't have anything worth walking to so I used to drive everywhere (which probably isn't the smartest thing I've ever done).
That being said, I was originally skeptical of any bars in the neighborhood because Albany Park doesn't have much of a bar scene to begin with. I live in the neighborhood and when I found out this place was within walking distance, my wife and I decided to try it out with the idea that if we didn't like it or it was unwelcoming, we would just have one beer and walk back home.
We walked in and were immediately greeted by Fernando behind the bar. It was such a friendly greeting and relaxed atmosphere that I immediately turned to my wife and whispered to her that we should stay for a while.
And stay we did. We've been going as often as we've been able to for a few months now and living within walking distance makes it even better. Every bartender we've met (which by now has to be almost all of them) has been extremely friendly and welcoming. The specials are absolutely amazing and there is something for everyone at least once a week, due to the fact that they have specials ranging from dollar Miller Lite and Coors Light drafts on Friday to three dollar craft beer bottles/cans on Thursday to $2.50 premium drafts on Sunday.
On top of that, they have Green Line on draft, which makes them the only place I've been to carry it on draft (Most places don't carry it at all.) and seeing as how it's my favorite Goose Island, that scored points immediately.
This is hands-down the best neighborhood bar I've been to and I could keep writing all of the things I like about it, but I'm probably getting to the point where people won't want to take the time to read it. If you're in the area, do yourself a favor and swing by for some drinks. I promise you won't regret it.
I love this bar!! We just moved to the area, and were so happy to discover this place. They have a lot of really, really good beers here (which.. I dont always necessarily expect at a dive bar) and it's cheap! Really good cheap bar food here too. They make a grilled cheese that doesn't skimp on the cheese, and when you add bacon to the situation, it.. really is the best thing ever. Every single one of the bartenders here are super cool and super friendly. The atmosphere is cozy and perfectly dimly lit. I truly hope this place stays around a long time.
Review Source:Great bar. Â My 3 buddies and I decided to check this place out when I was in town. Â The bartender there got my girl to try Jameson (a feat I have yet to accomplish) Â He bought us a round of drinks and is a real nice guy. Â They have a updated jukebox and cheap drinks. Â What more could you ask for?!
Review Source:A cozy little dive bar with food after 7 and daily specials. Â There's TV's (but not overwhelmingly so), squishy stools, dart boards, and people who all know each other. Â Everyone was so FRIENDLY. Â There were sports on, and the place was full but it wasn't super loud.
The menu is full of bar nibbles and sandwiches. Â We opted for assorted nibbles. Â Wings are cheap every day ($5.50 for 10, but we got 11, because we are so awesome.) Â We also got the biggest basket of cheese fries ever for $3.50, and a decent portion of fried cheese cubes for $4. Â They have GOOD beer specials (meaning both the specials and beers are good.) Â For example, $2.50 for bottles of Two Brothers (and for those of you who don't like good beer, $1 cans of Miller Lite & Coors Light on Fridays.)
With drinks and tax, our bill was under $25. Â And the food was good. Â It's not gourmet, but for bar food, it was very well-prepared (even if the wings were a little small.)
My only gripes: Â
1.) I'm particular about my ranch and the ranch they serve is sub-par. Â Not a fan.
2.) They seem a tid bit understaffed. Â It was busy in there but there was a single bartender and one guy cooking, so things took a little bit. Â You don't always want to be in and out of somewhere in a hurry, so it's not a huge deal. Â But my advice is to not come by if you're in any sort of rush.
This is my favorite dive bar in the city! This is one of those places where you always feel welcome. The bartenders are super friendly, the drinks are strong and cheap and the food is tasty.
Gill's really only serves bar food, but it's good nonetheless, especially when you're getting your drink on. I usually like to order the Cheese Cubes and Chicken Tenders. Their Grilled Chicken Sandwich is also tasty if you're in the mood for a sandwich. They also serve Tater Tots, which take me back to my elementary school hot lunch days. It's hard to find places that serve Tater Tots, so that's a plus. There are daily drink specials too.
Gill's has two dart boards, a large wrap-around bar, tables with stools and an area toward the back that can be used for private parties. Gill's is always throwing its own parties and events, as well. I've been there for a Halloween party, a pumpkin-carving party, a St. Paddy's Day party and a bunch of other parties that I can't remember. It's a truly fun place!
The women's bathroom is clean and modern, which is unexpected for a dive bar. I've heard the men's restrooms aren't that nice, but that's not my problem.
There's a small parking lot out back, or there is always ample street parking in front.
It's also important to note that Gill's does NOT accept credit cards. There is an ATM, but those things always have ridiculous transaction fees, so I suggest getting your cash ahead of time.
Overall, Gill's is a great place to hang out. Fridays are definitely the happening day there since they have dollar domestic drafts that night. Stop in for a couple drinks and some food the next time you're in the neighborhood!
Dive. Dive. Dive.
Yes, it's a dive bar.
Went here for a birthday party not to long ago and it was a real good time! The food was tasty and had good portions for the prices. The tater-tots and wings are my FAV!
I'm in love with the fact they have: Fat Tire, Blue Moon  and Guinness all on tap and they also have $1 drafts on Fridays!
Music, food, drinks and darts; everything that makes me happy =]
Can't get sweeter than that baby!
So we walked in and it was freezing cold inside. Â Wheel of Fortune blaring on the televisions and the most GODAWFUL randomized crap playing on the jukebox. Â Smelled exactly like what it was--a sad, old dive bar. Â Bartender poured half of my husband's Guinness, then left it to settle (which was fine) for TEN minutes (WTF?) while she vanished to parts unknown. Â We'd gone in intending to get dinner, but the cold, the smell, the awful noise, and the unfriendly reception had us hurrying to finish our beers and go somewhere less...well...horrible.
(By the way--one Yelp review mentions that they take plastic. Â They don't.)
Good basic bar food (tater tots!), inexpensive, and the beer selection isn't half bad for a neighborhood joint. Â People are friendly, and my husband and I often go here on weeknights for a beer, darts and some burgers. Â As far as sports bars go (I'm not a huge sports fan), it's not obnoxious at all (i.e. not overrun by huge TVs or douchebags in baseball caps).
An update to this review--they have a delicious rib special on Thursdays served with cole slaw and (awesome) potato salad.
Now this is a dive bar. Love it. Perfect for winter Sunday afternoon drinking days. Met friends to watch the Olympics, play some darts (they both kinds of boards) and pound back some drinks. $10 for five domestic bottles is a deal! I also like being able to em up, making everyone happy. TVs are pretty old and hard to see, but after a few drinks. no one watched  anyway. Inexpensive bar food, but ask first, because their menu is not up to date. And neither are the specials listed on the menu. Not crowded is an under statement, but that's left us room to be obnoxious without offending or bothering too many people. Hopefully they wil let us come back!
Review Source:Back in December I stopped in McGills and saw some people ready to throw down for no reason and it was time to give McGill's a second chance. What was I looking for last night?
Blackhawks Game: Check
Bulls Game: Check
Darts: Check
Food: Check
Drink Special: Check
I got into McGills and felt guilty because I needed the TV changed to Blackhawks, the lights by the darts turned on, a food menu, and chalk for the darts. In a short amount of time the employees were hospitable and accommodating and hooked me and my friend up. By the time my other friend came through we were three dart games deep, a bucket on our table and watching the Bulls game and I got in an order of food.
The dartboard is in good condition as it's not often used and appears to be of proper dimensions. The lights pointing to the board are clutch as is the proper scoreboard right next to it. One of the managers commented that they used to have dart teams play out of the bar but not many play anymore. It's a shame since McGills has everything a darter needs.
The food came out quickly and the spicy BBQ wings were well sauced with a decent degree of crisp. Tots were terrific and I was happy to see wings and tots cost me all of $8.50! At around 9pm, it was either ladies' night / a birthday party and a DJ started to haul in speakers and DJ equipment and we the way of party setup. The manager politely let us know we probably couldn't play darts much longer since a party was going to start.
We eventually moved all of our stuff to the other section of the bar and started checking out the Blackhawks game. Much to our surprise, the manager dropped us a free round of beer for asking us to move. I really appreciated that gesture because he didn't have to do it and it wasn't his fault it was time for a birthday party.
All in all a good night at McGills with affordable food, beer, and plenty of entertainment. What was also cool was that at no point did the Jukebox ever stop and this time no ghetto fighting, thanks, McGills!
I hang out down the block from here and whenever we get a chance, this is our neighborhood bar. The owners are very accommodating , funny, and want you to have a good time. Once you have been in there a few times, they give you a hug and kiss like you were family upon arrival. They run drink and food specials everyday. This isn't your regular bar fare, this stuff is good! Seating is plentiful and the bartenders are very attentive. This is a place for regular joes like you and me to sit down with an old friend and catch up. The patrons of this bar are one of a kind. They are all friendly which is surprising for Albany Park. Real surprising. Â They have other cool stuff like beer pong, RockBand, jukebox, free touchscreen games, and darts.
Writing this is making me thirsty! See you guys at McGills!
I liked it....cool little neighborhood joint, with super-cheap daytime (lunch til 7?) specials, like $5 pork chops, fried chicken, etc.
Cielings are a little low, lending to that divey feel, but that's OK...the actual floor and seating space are larger than you'd think from outside. Â Prices are cheap, staff are friendly, they take plastic and also have food and drink specials EVERY day, even weekends. Â I'll be back.
Awesome place to have a party for free!
I had a birthday party for my best friend here a couple of weeks ago and things couldn't have gone any better. Â The owner and the staff were completely accomidating. Â They allowed me to bring my own DJ and hooked me up with drink specials for my entire party. Â
The only thing I ate from here were some cheese fries and they were yummy.
I recommend McGill's for people looking for a private party feel without the cost.
Good divey neighborhood bar. Â Friendly staff, passable food, and reasonable drinks. Â
The setup is a little awkward if you're there to watch a game but not it's not too terrible. Â The ribs I had on special were OK and some of the other food didn't look too bad either. Â Friendly clientele as well.
I love a decent hood pub.
The food here is edible, and there are daily specials. Â Colleen is the 'chef' - a nice Irish lass who fries a mean fry.
Decent beer select, Anchor Steam even.
Live music, I am told. Â Boppers on the weekend apparently don't over-run the place.
We had beef sams -- not so great, but fair.
A nice place to go for a cold one after a hard day.
Cops dig this place as it's just down the road from a station.
FREE photohunt.
Yes, that's correct - it's FREE.
Kristina B. and I suffer from severe ADD. Â However, on Friday night at McGill's, we were intently staring at the screen, trying to determine the differences between the two pictures. Â (Shadows, what?) Â We kept losing, so when we made it up to Level 7, we were impressed with our ability to stay focused, for once.
Friday specials - $1 MGD bottles and $3 appetizers.
Low key, definite lack of folks with any sort of collared shirts, super friendly people. Â Bigger than it looks from the outside. Â Ladies' restroom is super clean! Â Outside is cute and tidy, little flowerpots in the parking lot and a very courteous rain shelter for the smoking crowd. Â Nightly specials are practical instead of "let's dump last week's old stuff before the weekend." Â A++ would buy again!
Review Source:I have a good time whenever I'm here. Every. Single. Time. Period.
The food -- typical bar food. Wings, fries, tots, burgers, cheese sticks, etc. It's all pretty dang good (and believe me, over the past two days, I've had QUITE the array in front of me). There's a daily special; I have yet to try any of them. I keep ordering regular food items. I think I'm trying to mentally check them all off first before hitting up the specials.
The drinks -- cheap and strong! LOVE IT! There are also daily drinks specials; the only one I remember off hand is $2.50 Coronas on Tuesday nights.
The staff -- awesome. Everyone there is super friendly. It's hard to find that at some bars nowadays. Most people don't want to seem too inviting and warm because they're busy trying to get as many people taken care of as possible. These people are great, though.
Things to do -- jukebox, darts, drink, socialize with the staff and regulars, bitch about horrible things in life, stuff your face, dance, sing, party hard -- woot!!!!
Personal experiences -- Halloween was awesome! The place was decked out in holiday decor and almost everyone wore a costume (staff included). Good times! They also had an 80s themed party once and again, everyone was decked out in 80s attire. What fun! I love themed parties when people ACTUALLY participate.
Two thumbs up. Fine holiday fun.
This place used to be Murray's Pub and Grill, but changed over maybe a year ago? Â Not sure! Â But I used to pass by this place all the time and never went in until a friend had a birthday party there. Â Now i frequent the place since I lost my favorite bartender on Division St.
So now I stay in the neighborhood. Â Family owned business with smiling friendly faces. Â Everyone knows everyone. Â Good food. Â Specials everyday. Â Only complaint is they close early on some nites you want to stay out later....but understandable since it is a neighborhood joint.
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