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Local Option
1102 W Webster Ave
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-7020
United States
(773) 348-2008 | map
localoptionbier.com
Bar:
Sunday - Friday: 12:00pm - 2:00am
Saturday: 12:00pm - 3:00am
Kitchen:
Tuesday - Thursday 4pm-10pm
Friday & Saturday 12pm-11pm
Sunday 12pm - 9pm
Beers are brewed at / by another brewery.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by replacementpart:
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by StonedTrippin from Colorado
4.32/5 rDev -1.4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4.75
4.32/5 rDev -1.4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4.75
this is a weird one, usually i only review places that are breweries, but this sort of skirts the line. see, it is a brewery, as in the have a whole range of house beers that are under the local option label, but they arent brewed in house. not sure if someone from here oversees brewing operations and its just made off site or what, but this is their taproom, a really no frills beer bar, kind of punk rock dive vibe to it, chalkboard beer menu, and a killer bottle list. its smaller than expected in here, as much a hallway as a bar, which i like. mellow energy here, kind of dated, not full of beer nerds carrying on about this or that, but with a list to satisfy literally the most adventurous and discerning of tastes. they have a cool range of their own beers, brewed somewhere else but i dont know where, very little information available it seems, but the ones they make are great, and i have been enjoying them for years. some cool collaborations too, looks like they have spread their wings pretty well. the bottle list blew me away, fairly priced lambics and wilds and beers of all persuasions. attentive low key service, a diverse food menu but i didnt eat, and just chill vibes all around. a neat place to drink some next level beers when you are in chicago. id like to know more about their brewery side, sounds like a sort of gypsy brewery set up, however its arranged, the beer is awesome.
Jun 12, 2018Reviewed by West_Chester_Ale_Tester from Ohio
4.07/5 rDev -7.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25
4.07/5 rDev -7.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25
I love this place. It can be off putting if you don't like metal and the dive bar feeling this place puts off. They have a few house brews and several from others, most of which I'd never seen or would even be able to get my hands on. They dropped a case of Canadian breakfast stout right in my face, then poured me a glass. The bartenders were awesome and engaging. Told us about a great pizza place right down the street. Maybe not the best place to take the family, but a great place to hang with your dudes.
May 07, 2018Reviewed by chicagobeerguy from Illinois
4.06/5 rDev -7.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4
4.06/5 rDev -7.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4
Local option is a decent place to try great craft beers. Good music and good vibe. Definitely on the pricier side though. What you see is what you get here. Don't know if I'd go regularly but if you're in Lincoln Park and need a break from all the BIG 10 douchebag bars this is a good spot.
Jul 23, 2017Reviewed by cincysig from Connecticut
5/5 rDev +14.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
5/5 rDev +14.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
I loved this place and wondered why I went anywhere else in Chicago. Great selection of outstanding brews. Super knowledgeable and friendly staff. If you can hang with bearded dudes and doom metal, this is your spot. (Did not eat food there.)
Apr 05, 2017Reviewed by AlanFollett from California
4.63/5 rDev +5.7%
vibe: 2 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
4.63/5 rDev +5.7%
vibe: 2 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
I find the dark, goth-y ambience offputting, but their beer selection is magnificent. One of the three or four best multi-taps in Chicago, in my opinion.
Aug 21, 2016Reviewed by DoubleSimcoe from Pennsylvania
4.06/5 rDev -7.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 5
4.06/5 rDev -7.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 5
Were it not for the attitude-laden folks behind this place, this would be one of my favorite beer jawns of all time. It is a metal bar with premium beer near a Catholic university. How cool is that?
Listen to black metal while sipping on rare brews from Three Floyds, Surly, Half Acre and, of course and most of all, Local Option. Of the 19 taps, 8 are Local Option and 4 are FFF. The chalkboard has no descriptions or prices, and the unfriendly bartenders have no patience or will to explain and guide you through the menu. So do your homework and check BeerAdvocate before ordering.
8 bucks per snifter of Total Option brews is a lil' high but worth trying.
The cool (but very expensive) bottle menu has 3 Fonteinen, Jolly Pumpkin, BFM, Boon, Hoppin Frog and much more.
Aug 16, 2016Listen to black metal while sipping on rare brews from Three Floyds, Surly, Half Acre and, of course and most of all, Local Option. Of the 19 taps, 8 are Local Option and 4 are FFF. The chalkboard has no descriptions or prices, and the unfriendly bartenders have no patience or will to explain and guide you through the menu. So do your homework and check BeerAdvocate before ordering.
8 bucks per snifter of Total Option brews is a lil' high but worth trying.
The cool (but very expensive) bottle menu has 3 Fonteinen, Jolly Pumpkin, BFM, Boon, Hoppin Frog and much more.
Reviewed by MikeSchieve from Illinois
4.11/5 rDev -6.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
4.11/5 rDev -6.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
Good quality beer bar with a limited but very delicious food menu. They always have their contract brewed beers on tap which are good. Plus you can also count on some of the better local Chicago beers on tap, with a meticulously curated bottle selection. I would frequent this place more often if I only lived closer.
Mar 30, 2016Reviewed by j_nees from Washington
5/5 rDev +14.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
5/5 rDev +14.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
I love that there is an awesome beer and death metal bar tucked away in Lincoln Park where clearly a Lululemon For Pets was supposed to be. Really great beer menu featuring their house beers and a ton of guest beers, including a healthy dose of FFF and a few sours. Looked like about 25 or so draft lines. Servers know their beer. Kitchen was also on point. I had a crab quesadilla and a bacon wrapped scallop roll. Definitely recommend for beer and food.
Nov 22, 2015Reviewed by 98green from Michigan
3.63/5 rDev -17.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
3.63/5 rDev -17.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
Stopped by at 7 on a Friday. Surprisingly light crowd for the timing, easy to grab a seat at the bar. As advertised, the bartender was a bit of a dick, but no big deal to me. Don't let the "heavy metal bar" moniker intimidate, it was actually a mellow place. I won't go out of my way to go back, but if I'm in the area it is solid
Oct 31, 2015Reviewed by JNForsyth from Pennsylvania
4.47/5 rDev +2.1%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
4.47/5 rDev +2.1%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Monday night visit so barely anyone there. Bartender was knowledgable and helpful, excellent beers from a recent funk/sour fest still on. Loud, but good heavy metal/rock music, would go here all the time to hang out if I was from the area.
Oct 17, 2015
Local Option in Chicago, IL
Brewery rating:
3.84 out of
5 with
1699 ratings
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