This is the closest I will get to Boystown and still have fun. Â I come for the darts and non pretentiousness. Â I like that there is a mixed clientele; it's not your standard Boystown bar, thankfully. Â It's a great place to chat with friends, play some darts, play some pool, and meet some down to earth people. It's not trendy. Â It's not fancy. Â Bartenders range from super friendly and helpful to just average. Â People don't go there for the customer service. Â LOL!
Review Source:The bartender that was there was so messed on something,that it was ridiculous. He couldn't even get the order right and had to ask me twice to get the order right.
This is not the first time this has happened in this bar. The bartenders drink or whatever behind the bar way too much, its way too hard to get a cocktail. I will never be back and would not recommend this place to any one.
There was also a stench in the bar that is unexplainable, it smelled like a dead body was under the floor and a urinal exploded ... Â GROSS!!
Prices are way too high for what you get in this place, there are plenty of other bars down the street that have good staff and that dont smell ..
I don't typically like sports bars. Honestly, I don't. Never a fan of Roscoe's in Phoenix, didn't bother with the GYM in West Hollywood. Just not my thing. Somehow, this one works though. The crowd is pretty good looking for Chicago, the drinks tasty, and cheap. It's a decent place. Drinks could've been stronger, so four not five stars.
Review Source:So, what's a nice girl like me doing in a SPORTS BAR..and a gay one at that??!! Â I am far more comfortable in a gay bar than a sports bar,so..a gay sports bar evens things out! I digress...
I was here last night for a comedy open mic run by the nicest guy in Chicago Comedy..Darren Marshall. He runs an open mic here the first Thursday of the month. It is no cover and drinks are reasonable. This was a very welcoming place, I felt at home here,along with my fellow funny people. There was a Dart League at the same time as the open mic,but, they had their own space, we had ours,so it was fine. The stage is atop the pool table..so...be careful,if you are planning on going up..do not get too tipsy,or getting down off the stage will be tricky!! Comics got 10 minutes last night,which is a LOT of time at an open mic. It will vary,depending on how many comics are signed up. Next open mic is March 1st....get there early to sign up and make with the funny! Bartenders were great,attentive and sweet,just the way I like 'em!!
It seems like The North End is a place that most people frequent in Boystown, especially if you are a sports fanatic. I have been here several times. I love the big glass mugs on tap, especially the local beer 312. There are several pool tables and darts to keep you entertained. However, most people are glued to the television screens. I like this place because you feel like you are right at home drinking and watching all your favorite sports teams.
Review Source:Oh honey child! Â I am no stranger to gay bars and with the amount of gay friends that I have, I might as well just open one myself! Â If I did, it would probably be like The North End. Â
The North End is a great sports bar, but I could see it also being a great dance club. Â The patrons weren't twinks or what I like to call "gays of the bitchy variety", like you would see at other gay bars. Â They were just nice folks hanging out at a bar. Â
The bartender was my favorite. Â He guessed that I was from Milwaukee by my beer selection (which was NOT Leinenkugel's or Miller, btw.)
Went there after brunch at F O'Mahoney's. Very nice bartender, great set up to view the games and lovely, lovely Hacker Pschoor Weiss on tap in a fantastic frosted mug.
They even had hot dogs and chips with all donations going to BEHIV. Again, if friends want to go and I'm up for the ride south, I'm there. Had a great time and if I lived in Lakeview I'd definitely frequent it more often.
What? You have a problem with me? Â You actually want to fight right now?! Â How about this? Â Follow me to North End, hit the punching bag game and if it says I'm stronger than you, let's fight! Â
Okay, I'm definitely not a fighter, but where else can you go to hit a punching bag to show how strong you are?! (Or in my case, not strong; just don't tell anyone my secret)
This is definitely my favorite chill bar in Chicago! Â There are pool tables that aren't broken, dart boards with all the pieces, TVs everywhere, and great drinks! Â
I may live farther South, but traveling to the North End is no problem for me when I know how wonderful a time I will have!
Step back Crew... Â The North End has the classic, grungy sports bar feel, and you just simply don't! Â [Stepping back away from being a bitchy gay.]
The North End has plenty of TVs, pool, darts, sometimes karaoke and everything you'd want from a social straight bar, yet it's gay.
For those who are new to "the scene" it's a good starter bar where you can go comfortably without intimidation. Â The bartenders are down-to-earth and will actually chat up a conversation. Â Another plus is the bathroom isn't too nasty and has a door which closes *phew*.
Note: If you're there at closing time, they will throw your beer down the drain so you better chug it.
The only "sports bar" where you will hear dudes singing the female parts of showtunes. Â Bartenders have been less than attentive, and while I love playing pool, I'm not all that down with coin-operated tables. Â I've never understood the thinking behind them, just get some clocks, take some ids, and charge and extra couple of bucks an hour for renting the table. Â That way you don't have people constantly asking you for quarters, and you don't have to ignore them.
Review Source:As an out-of-towner visiting for the week, I was looking for a friendly, non-intimidating, down-to-earth bar to spend a Friday evening (and worth a trip up from Hyde Park).
My bartender that night, Chris, was unbelievably friendly and helpful. Being unfamiliar with the CTA during late-nite, he was quick to offer advice on how to safely get myself back to Hyde Park at that hour. Beyond that, Chris was up to making conversation and making a newcomer welcome. (It definitely doesn't hurt I was comped a drink, too).
The same can be said for the crowd, everyone was amiable and well worth having an actual conversation with (completely unlike any other bar I've been to). Mind you, I was the youngest person there that night. . .
Thanks to the guys at North End for a fun and friendly nite up Boystown. I cannot wait to go back whenever I'm in Chicago again.
Having perused the various locations in the Lakeview/Boystown area The North End is probably the easiest to handle. The bartenders are courteous and personable, the prices are average, and they are not campy/trashy like a few more well traveled watering holes in the area.
Cons: the noise level can get to an obnoxious level for no apparent reason, regardless of the TV/sound system. While Karaoke is fantastic, the few times I have been to TNE for it the volume on the microphones was deafening. I'm not totally interested in a screeching rendition of Womanizer by Britney's tone-deaf drunk twin.
North End is easily one of my LEAST favorite bars in Boys Town. The only time I will step foot inside is when we are required to play there for our dart league. Otherwise, I avoid it like the plague.
The bartenders are usually friendly... and there are a couple jerks that work there too... but they are SO STINGY. We'll be there a couple hours for league night and never get anything free. On top of it, they measure one shot into their $6 drinks. INSANE. We were there last week because of the dart league and they had run out of Miller Light on tap... the only cheap-ish beverage you can get there.
Are the dudes cute? Not any cuter than any other bar on Halsted. Do yourself (and your wallet) a favor by going elsewhere.
I love getting a bulls-eye -- don't you? Well, that's exactly what you're gonna get when you go to this gay bar in Chicago. It has dart boards, pool tables, and other games to keep you content and hap-hap-happy for hours. It is located on Halsted St. -- on the north end (get it) of the bacon strip we like to call BOYS TOWN.
Speaking of bacon, this bar is meaty. The mensssss inside the joint come in every shape and form. A lot of the local gay sports clubs meet  up here after their games -- all schvity and dewy from some man-on-man scrumming. Oh my. Just the other day while I was enjoying a drink with some friends -- a rugby team ran naked thru the bar and beer got poured on them. That sounds like my kind of Saturday night.
I kid --- i would rather that happened on a Tuesday night.
And if you are a sports-minded gay, they play sports games all da damn time. You would be in heaven. I don't give two shizzits about sports, but I like the laid-back vibe of this  place. And I love darts.
So give it a chance. On Friday night, the next door bar - Bobby Love's - has Karaoke. You couldn't ask for a more exciting time. Give them a looksies.
If you're a pool player, go to this bar. Â Don't waste your time at any other bar in boystown or wrigleyville. Â If you have a friend, or if you're alone-- you'll find others at this bar. Â Also three dart boards, very tall beer glasses and a laid back unimposing atmosphere also raise this bar on the scale. Â Not the typical gay bar-- it's very straight-friendly as I have found on fridays and saturdays. Â The barstaff is hit or miss-- the cute ones are the slowest servers, while the average-joe types are the nicest and fastest to serve you. Â The best ones there right now are Chad, Frank, and George. Â
Also, they'll put on any game you wanna watch. Â During the day this is a GREAT hiding spot if you just want to sit, drink, and watch a game.
I really like North End! Â I'm the "Illini football season ticket holding, Cubs game going, Cardinals hating" kind of gay guy so drinking cold cheap beer in a laid back gay sports bar a couple of blocks from Wrigley (and a world away from Roscoe's) is my idea of a good time. Â I have been to North End on many occasions and I've never had a bad time. Â My favorite nights are when it's not completely packed (this can happen on some weekends) and you can actually get a bar stool and enjoy a conversation with the bartenders. Â
North End is also close enough to Charlie's that by the time the rest of the queens have hauled it down Halsted from Sidetrack and Roscoe's you'll already be inside the bar before the cover charge while the cowboys are still line dancing. Â It's also right next to Buck's which is also a GREAT time. Â I'll take the NORTH END of Halsted anyday!
I came here the day after memorial weekend....right before the prop 8 rally. Â It was pretty mellow. Â The beer (draft) comes in a solid frosted mug! Â The proper way to serve a drink and the bartender is simply adorable...
Great conversation and great company. Â What else can a gal ask for...
Oh the ladies room had this slight vibration when entering, *wink* when you are feeling a bit tipsy with all these hot men around...what more can I ask for right?
Another cold beer waiting for me!!!
*woot*woot*
After reading some other reviews I am wondering if I have been going to the same place. Â There are more drug dealers, prosititutes and porn actors here than most of the places people are "scared" of. Â They tend not to kick the obvious pick-pockets and dealers out, at least during the week. Â
Weekends have always been fun... a little more low-key than most of the other Halsted bars.  Like the pool and darts.  Lots of the "I have sex with men, but I am not gay" types here.  They let you fuck them and then want to beat you up when the  guilts set in.
Another count -your- change place. Â They go through bartenders here like water...and consistently attract scammers. They have advertised drink specials in the gay rags, but act like they don't exist. Â You have to ask very specifically for what you want. Â Bartender will play dumb then accomodate you.
OK, so this past Saturday night, was a night of many first for me. Â (All of which, I really enjoyed!) Â My first experience at a gay sports bar (nothing at all like the gay bars I'd visited in DC). Â My first encounter with Hacker-Pschorr; and what a sweet encounter it was (just refer to review below). Â And lastly my first sports obsession, the World's Strongest Man competition - this blows my mind. Â
Anyhow, back to the actual review.  I had a fabulous time here.  The bartenders were very friendly.  The mugs were tall, frozen and  filled to the top with fresh beer on tap.  Fun music, plenty of visual stimulation and most importantly great company. So a big thank you to my buddy Justin and to The North End for helping me experience my many firsts!
So, it's a gay bar, but not the kind that your thinking of. Â I have never, nor will I ever, been inside a place more unique without even trying to be. Â It is what you make of it. Â Daytime is mellow, shows the 'game' usually, and serves up big, cheap beers. Â Nighttime picks up. Â There is pool and darts and usually someone to play with if you show up alone. (Take that as you will) Â It's not generally full of "queens" or "bears" or any other attempt to categorize it, but don't EVER be think you won't be suprised by who walks in the door next. Â It's friendly, relaxing, and just the kind of place for the gay man who just happens to be that way... Â I think if you are in the area, you need to at least pop in for one beverage. Â It may just become your favorite. Â Miss ya NE.....
Review Source:There is nothing I love more than when a bartender handles the following statement with aptitude and zeal.
"I don't know what to have. . . you pick".
Bookended by my husband and our favorite gays, we were on a fairly explicit mission as part of "Emily D., Acting Out 2009, Sponsored by Grey Goose". I've taken to falling in love with shots again. We did several. Jaeger, Red-Headed Sluts and Hottie Bartender's specialty: Washington Apple. I inquired if it had Pucker in it, which is clearly rhetorical.
He thought I was cute, but here I still have to pay.
We could have easily gone the way of oblivion and karaoke'd to several showtunes but opted to hop to the next location. I want to come back and introduce myself to the bar hop wearing the "I Love My Penis" shirt. There's more to that shy soul. He really needs to come out of his shell. Tragic.
I love the North End. That's what she said.
This place is fabulous. I'm a sports bar kind of gal, so I'm always open to the type of atmosphere The North End offers. Saturday night my beau and I ran into a few of my friends who were headed out. Am I ever glad we joined them!
I just love the, dare I say, head bartender, George. He's been there for about 17 or so years (I was drinking when he told me so I might be a year or two off), which in my world makes him a staple in the community. He's just fabulous, caring and hilarious. Although his job is to keep the drinks flowing, he makes the experience fun and memorable, which to me, makes The North End a new favorite.
Pool tables are a plenty considering the bar size and I do believe I spied a dart board, or two, I can never be sure. And from what I hear, the specials are pretty decent, but I'll have to get back to you there.
I think this may well be the first true gay sports bar I've ever been to... Seriously, if it weren't for the (gay) crowd, you'd think yourself in just any other sports bar: big screen TVs... showing sports, pool tables, darts boards etc etc. I'm not usually into sports bars (or should I say... into spectator sports), but I had a pretty good time there. I even played pool (which happens maybe once in a quarter century or so!). The crowd was very mixed, the drinks reasonably priced. Still I must say this isn't exactly my kind of place.
Review Source:I was here with David S., Sean K. and my friend Scott thanks to the great reviews this place got and can I say, I did not think it would be like a real sports bar! It was really laidback and refreshing in all honesty and not usually my kind of place but I really enjoyed myself. I had a huge beer (sooo manly, I know), played pool and darts and even watched a little sports, all in one night! How great is that! There was a healthy and rather varied crowd, and I bet it's a lot minglier on a big sporting day. I'd love to be here during the US Open or something.
Review Source:This place is actually fun. Â It's strange that I had walked by hundreds and hundreds of times having never gone in... a few weeks ago we decided to give it a whirl. Â we stayed for awhile... went back this weekend.
It seems to be a pretty laid back crowd, slightly older (30-60 seems average) crowd. Â A lot of the "I'm 38 wearing abercrombie still" crowd too.
They recently upgraded their TVs and now have nice huge 60" LG plasmas throughout. Â It was a fun social place to watch the Grammys...
did someone say... porn star bartender with his own dildo named after him?
Not classy never crowded which is what you need sometimes. Â A good gay bar to watch sports if you don't want to travel to Cru. Â It's laid back and cheap. Â I love playing pool and there's a bar right there for me. Â Sometimes have free food which is great if you're brave...but it's clean, no worries. Â When you don't feel like yelling to have a conversation and drink, this is a good place to go!
Review Source:This is the gay bar for all of you gay men out there who would rather not deal with all the typical crap that goes down at gay bars. Â I'd list all of that, but if you are looking to avoid it, you know what I am talking about.
The North End is your gay Cheers. Â It's cozy and laid back. Â The bartenders are friendly. Â The clientele is respectable. Â It's a great place for grabbing a beer with your friends. Â It's a little detached from your typical gay fare, but that works in its favor.
If you are looking for you next favorite gay bar, this is it.
So why not five stars? Â I hate when gay bars get big heads.
This is my favorite gay bar in the city. Â People here are (mostly) so laid back and unpretentious that you'll almost forget that you're hanging out on Halsted.
Don't get me wrong; the place is filled with gorgeous guys. Â (And, unfortunately, the random straight guy who is so lame that he's unable to pick up women at a hetero bar.) Â And they play a lot of Madonna. Â And you will get air kisses from the (sometimes shirtless) bartenders if you're a regular. Â
But there's pool tables and darts and the beer is cheap and there's free popcorn and it's usually not TOO crowded and everyone is pretty down-to-earth and friendly. Â Love this place!
Hands down the best gay bar in Chicago, or at least that I have found thus far. Â Here are four important reasons why:
1. Â I am always greeted with a friendly hello by the bartender(s), and served promptly.
2. Â The DJ is respectful and polite in taking requests.
3. Â The staff is curteous, consistently checking up on tables and counters to make sure they are clear.
4. Â The operators will go out of their way to make a special accomodation if they're able to.
If you're a bar/tavern owner and reading this, I suggest using this as a model for operating your own establishment. Â It will keep people coming back. Â Trust me.
North End is a gay bar without the attitude. Â I'm not much one for primping and posing at the trendier bars on Halsted, so The North End is a nice option for hanging out in a relaxed, low-homo-pressure environment.
My experience here has been drinking beer and throwing darts with friends. Â Check out the pool tables, dart machines, and popcorn machine.
Everyone is friendly and you'll feel welcome as a newcomer.
Very cool.
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