Quenchers Saloon

Quenchers SaloonQuenchers Saloon
Quenchers SaloonQuenchers Saloon
Bar, Eatery

2401 N Western Ave
Chicago, Illinois, 60647-2011
United States

// CLOSED //

Closed 6/18
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.25
Reviews:
16
Ratings:
43
pDev:
8.71%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 3.62 by Eman17 from Illinois

Apr 28, 2018
 
Rated: 4.32 by cryptichead from Illinois

May 28, 2017
 
Rated: 3.91 by Gambyt20 from Illinois

Jun 29, 2016
 
Rated: 4.38 by Hopfarts from Texas

May 12, 2016
 
Rated: 3.93 by kylehay2004 from Illinois

Apr 25, 2016
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Reviewed by BradMacMullin from Massachusetts

4.55/5  rDev +7.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
My wife and I were walking and came across this place. Walked in and the place looked a bit like a biker bar and an old western saloon. Complete throw back, and I loved it. Bartender was a tough looking guy who could not have been more nice. The crowd was funny......it was a quiet Saturday afternoon and a bachelor/bachelorette party was there organizing for the day and starting with some beers for the bus ride. When they left all that was there was about 10 older fellows who looked like regulars. Completely random crowd. A lot of beer here! They had cans of Pipeworks I was having trouble finding so that was a treat. Didn't try the food, but looked like your basic comfort grub.
Great place....hope to be back
Mar 28, 2016
 
Rated: 4.32 by Purified from Illinois

Jan 19, 2016
 
Rated: 3.4 by Gorf_Minor from Illinois

Jan 08, 2016
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Rated by april333 from Illinois

4.6/5  rDev +8.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 3.5
The only thing bad about this place is my ex boyfriend being there all the time. I miss this awesome beer bar.
Mar 04, 2015
 
Rated: 4.1 by Barnoloid from Illinois

Mar 01, 2015
 
Rated: 4.16 by 30MinutesSouth from Indiana

Feb 20, 2015
 
Rated: 4.1 by MaximumYuks from Oregon

Feb 19, 2015
 
Rated: 4.3 by misternebbie from Pennsylvania

Feb 04, 2015
 
Rated: 4.5 by Flabbyjandro from Illinois

Dec 11, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by TheRealPour from Illinois

Nov 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by waitwhatamidrinking from Illinois

Nov 13, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Nuggetz from Texas

Nov 06, 2014
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Rated by WestHam973 from Illinois

5/5  rDev +17.6%
Laid back place to drink great beer at a great price very few douches in here
Oct 24, 2014
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Reviewed by matjack85 from Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +11.8%
Located on the northeast corner or Western Ave. & Fullerton, Quenchers is one of my all time favorite beer bars. It's divided into 2 large rooms plus an outdoor beer garden. The main room houses a large bar, popcorn machine, and several tables, while the second room is used for live entertainment.

Every bartender here is beer savy and they all enjoy talking beer with you. They have close to 300 bottled beers here, many from smaller countries that you don't usually see at other bars. I've had an Isreali beer here, beers from Peru and Argentina, and even a beer from Singapore. They also have an impressive list of Belgians, Germans, and American domestics. They only have about a dozen taps, but they rotate monthly and there is always something new to try. They also offer beer flight samples if you want to try several beers in one visit without having to down a full serving of each. And this is not a snob place either. While they have $10 snifters of craft Belgian beers, they also carry $2 cans of iced cold Genesee Cream Ale along with Blatz and PBRs. It's a friendly bar no matter what your taste or budget. Also check their website for special promotions such as their Euro beer fest, stout week, etc. etc.

As for food, they do have a limited menu of items, but they only offer them after 4pm, so don't come here for lunch if you're coming to eat. Some of the favorites here include Earl's famous chili, and tater tots, and the popcorn is always free.

It can get pretty crowded on nights when they have live entertainment, but any day before 6pm is usually wide open. I've been there at 2pm and was the only one in the place. They don't have their own parking lot, so you either have to find your own street parking, or take either the Fullerton #74 bus or the Western Ave. #49 bus, both of which have stops right there at the corner.

I can't think of any reason why you wouldn't have a good time here.
Aug 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Keelin from Illinois

Aug 13, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by MinisterCurry from Illinois

Jun 26, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Halfbrother83 from Illinois

Jun 25, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by cadaugherty from Illinois

Jun 14, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Jordanmtate from Illinois

Jun 12, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Tex_hex from Illinois

May 03, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Jordy777 from Illinois

Apr 07, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by PopnLoads from Illinois

Feb 27, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by JIMTRK16 from Illinois

Feb 26, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by HereforBeer from Washington

Dec 15, 2013
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Reviewed by Fluffheady from Illinois

4.03/5  rDev -5.2%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
This place is really dingy looking with a small sized room attached with a stage for music acts. They have a huge international selection in bottles displayed in a cool wooden cooler. Their draft list has a lot of special things on it. It’s super neighbor-hoody, friendly, and charming, but it’s not a place I would take a girl on a first date.
Nov 24, 2013
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Reviewed by AleWatcher from Illinois

4.7/5  rDev +10.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
So we got bored at the Maproom and decided to head here by suggestion... I love it.

This place is like Three Floyds-- only bigger, and in Chicago. It's got a total biker bar feel-- sawdust and peanut shells vibe with wood everywhere. I fucking love it here.
There is a stage in back for bands to play-- I want to see a show here!

The bar had two sours on tap, and several more in bottles. I talked with the bartender for a while and he was great. Very cool guy with tons of knowledge and friendly advice. We split a bottle Cuvee De Ranke by his suggestion and I liked it quite a bit.

The taplist was huge! I certainly plan on coming back here! Prices were good.
Sep 05, 2011
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Reviewed by elginirishpunk from Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -3.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 5 | food: 5
This is definitly one of the best hidden secrets of Chicago's beer scene. Down the stret from the legedary Fireside bowl and right down the street from the EL.

From the Interenational beer list on the chalkboard above the coolers, or the Craft list on the ajacent side. If you can't find a good beer here you need to keep looking. All beer is priced very affordable unlike many other bars/pubs in the area.

Food is ideal for a great night of good beer drinking. Sandwiches and Tator tots anit nothing wrong with that.

Definitly has a punk/hipster feel but great staff and even better selection.
Jun 13, 2011
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Reviewed by hawks10 from Illinois

3.86/5  rDev -9.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
Been to Quenchers a couple times now, figured it was time to add a review...

Usually there on a Friday or Saturday night, can get kind of crowded, one of those beer bars where you might actually have to stand (gasp!) for most of the night...good mix of people that is pretty much typical of any Chicago beer bar...inside is fairly dark with the normal wooden/old look that so many Chicago bars have...bar area itself is fairly large and their is a big chalk board with their taps and some (most?) of their bottles listed...

Had a lot of taps, with a few things that I rarely see on draft...also had a large array of bottles (like 200+ I believe), but since I only get draft when at a bar, this had no bearing on my rating...

A few little TV's, this is definitely not the place to catch a game, more likely the place to catch some crappy local band, but sometimes those are the most fun!!

Overall a pretty good bar with a relatively crappy location (busy intersection) as parking can get rough and it is pretty loud/busy outside...will definitely be visiting again though...
May 21, 2010
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Reviewed by RTrain12 from Illinois

4.22/5  rDev -0.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 5 | food: 3.5
Very awsome place!!! Its about about a hour north of my house. So if were in the area we usually stop at Quenchers.

Very clean place with alot of room to move around. They also have a stage for band to perform. There was music playing in the background when we were there. They also have a instant photo booth if you want to take a pic.

I have only been there twice and there is usualy only one guy working the bar. I think he might be the owner. Very cool guy tho. Later in the night you might have to wait alittle longer for a beer.

If you cant find a beer you like in this place there is something wrong with you! They have well over a 100 beer and I think about 20 taps. Last time I was there it was stout fest. And they had 20 stout taps! So being a stout fan I was happy!

I havent ate here but my brother inlaw had a turkey club sandwich and he said it was good.

Prices are reasonable for chicago area. Overall I really like this place and plan to visit it again!
Feb 17, 2010
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Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
2018: RIP Quenchers (1979-2018)
I got the chance to talk to Earle the owner for awhile before it closed, and he was an endearing guy. Almost 40 years is a near infinite lifetime for a beer bar, and his place was one of Chicago's first. In the early days, he mentioned friendly competition with a nearby bar (Theresa’s Red Door) over who had the most beers. Respect and best wishes to Earle in retirement.

It's a shame this iconic bar couldn't go on, or be repurposed for a brewery/brewpub/etc. It's being gutted and turned into a doctor's office. The city is changing, and sadly unique places like this will soon become a thing of the past if they aren't saved.

2009:
Currently an IPA fest is underway for the month of June... 30 IPA's rotating, order 5 from the punchcard, get 1 free.

Ever expanding selection of bombers, including Flossmoor, Port/Lost Abbey, New Holland. Michigan had it's own chalkboard, and the micros were listed by state. There's still the random lager from every country, but the gems have definitely improved here.

Service was excellent, Bob the beer guy gave the rundown on the IPA fest, and chatted when there was free time. Looking forward to going back this month for a few more IPA's... Also, CASH ONLY!

Original review: 02-26-2008

Decided to check out Quencher's for lunch today, hadn't been in there for quite awhile. My choice meal was Frito pie and a Hamm's, purely for nostalgia's sake. The bill was a whopping $6.

I've seen pizzas come out of the kitchen, and they looked good. To their credit, there's a creative list of sandwiches, pizzas, and salads, and it's all very affordable.

The daytime/after work atmosphere of Quencher's is pretty relaxed...a well worn L-shaped wooden bar, wood-lined cooler doors, several breweriana signs scattered around, and a huge chalkboard for the beers. A small tap chalkboard was at the far left end of the bar, in an awkward place, but several were also listed on the bottom of the big board. Ed Fitzgerald was $5, and Lagunitas Lumpy Gravy was also on tap.

There was a photo booth, pinball, and cd jukebox along one wall when you walk in. In the side room, bands play nightly on a small stage, and there are cases full of vintage glassware on the walls. Glad to report the ratty couches of yesteryear have been removed. The crowd is mixed, you will get hipsters, tourists, and local barflies on any given night. Invariably there are people standing right in front of the door, who are waiting at one of two bus stops.

Selection-wise, there are many standby options, especially Belgian/German/UK imports, though nothing too obscure. The US craft selection is more interesting: 3F, Lagunitas, Ommegang, GI Reserves, and a couple from Founders. The bottle count on the lower right corner of the board was at 266 as of 1/08. Admittedly, half of these are crappy lagers from every far flung country in the world, so that whittles it down to only 150 or so worthy options. Random sampling: Aventinus, Orval, Abt. 12, Dupont, Matilda, Boon Kriek, Lagunitas Gnarlywine.

Maybe not my first choice destination with Map Room nearby, but Quenchers has a respectable selection and unique vibe.
Jun 10, 2009
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Reviewed by boralyl from Oregon

4.41/5  rDev +3.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
I was in Chicago for business and ended up at this place on a friday w/ about 15 other people who were around for the conference. We got there around midnight and had to wait roughly 10 minutes to get in. The inside has 2 rooms. They are both about the same size. The back room had a band playing, which was nice considering there was no cover charge. The beer selection is on a chalk board above the bar. They have many beers from many countries. During my visit I had a ST Unearthly on draft, Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial porter on draft, a ginger beer from Japan and a PBR to cleanse the pallette. The prices were reasonable, and they had some pretty good us microbrews on tap, and in bottles. Their selection of imported beers is larger than the us brews, although about 1/3 of them are crappy lagers/pilsners. The crowd was a mix, a lot of people listening to the band were going for the cheap $3 beers. I had some popcorn, but can't really rate their food. I had a blast there, the band was punk/screamo which I enjoyed. Certainly worth a visit. About 4 blocks aways is a 24 hour mexican restraurant for the munchies, and one more block down is the train.
Mar 29, 2009
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Reviewed by Getinthevan from Illinois

4.58/5  rDev +7.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
Without a doubt one of the best kept secrets in Chicago, Quenchers Saloon has it all! The first time I went here, my band played a show in the back room. The staff were warm, friendly and very accommodating. They treat everyone here nicely and offer various beer options to different people. Whether you're into hefeweizens or pale ales, the staff have great knowledge on all of their beer.

While it is quite a ways from any of the major train stops, it only adds to the beauty of it. Nestled on Fullerton & Western, Quenchers doesn't look like much from the outside, but the inside is awesome. There's a table-top Ms. Pac-Man machine in the back, a killer jukebox and plenty of room to stand and drink. It's a very comfortable atmosphere and yeah, there's so many types of beer its ridiculous.

Definitely becoming one of my favorite spots in the Windy City!
Mar 21, 2009
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Reviewed by stevehousebeer from Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
Cool rock bar, just off I90 with parking.

They have a nice bottled beer list devided by country and routateing taps. When I say country I mean from America to Ukraine. The mean price for a beer is about 4 bucks.

I found the staff to be both freindly and they know good amount about beer. The staff also has a nice knowalge of the well stocked liquor shelf.

They have a stage but I've never been in for a show, I know they serve food but I have yet to sample it. Overall I like this bar its comfertable and a good place to bring beer fans and your non beer buddies for a fun night out.
Apr 20, 2007
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Reviewed by dotlikeimpact from Illinois

3.55/5  rDev -16.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 2.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.5
Quenchers is very close to my house so I end up there quite a bit.

Loud, noisy, smokey, this is a dive bar with a good beer selection, do not come here for the ambiance or the 'dedication' to good beer. There is absolutely no attitude about 'good' beer here.

Selection: How many macro lagers can you fit on one board? they seem abcessed (yeah I meant to spell it that way) with having beers from lots of different countries that ll taste the same. Stick to the american craft scene, (anderson, victory, etc.) and you will do well.
They seem to rotate about 15 taps through, although this is not a place I would trust a tap line in.

You will have to bug them for a glass.

You will not pay a lot for your beer.

Go here to enjoy beer that you already know and love, there is no horizon expanding to be found, just comfort.
Nov 25, 2006
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Reviewed by 4thoseabout2bock from Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
This worthy destination is, I believe, the first of the better beer bars in Chicago, operating with that goal since 1979.

The beer selection is one of the best in the city, only eclipsed by a few places. On last night's visit they had Capital AUTUMNAL FIRE, Maudite, Chambly Noire, Edmund Fitzgerald Porter, Spaten Oktoberfest, BBK Pils, Summit Oktoberfest, Bells Oberon, Allagash White, Mad Hatter IPA, Fat Tire, Czechvar, Guinness, Smithwicks, Fullers ESB and Newcastle all on tap. In other words, nice range -- dark, malty, belgian, german, british and hoppy. Something for everyone. I had the Autumnal and it was malty sweet and perfect for a crisp Fall evening.

Quenchers has started serving food at night sometime within the past year. This includes their own pizza menu, which lists a chicago italian beef pizza that has giardinera on it and is pretty darn good for dive bar food. There is also free, salty popcorn (also good with the complimentary hot sauce).

This is a nice place with a neighborhood dive feel. The main entrance opens into the main bar room, with the arcade games now along the front wall, and the L shaped bar at the rear with an extensive bottle collection listed on chalkboards. Beeraphenilia lines the ceilings and walls. Beer history and extensive beer list in one. The back room has a stage (music has started to come back) but also a number of tables including a sitting area with comfy chairs/couches around a tv.

The weak point if anything are the bartenders who can be a bit distant. But, its a relaxed place that usually doesn't get too crowded. And of course it has the added advantage that the Map Room is a nice, between-beer walk away at Armitage and Hoyne.
Sep 30, 2006
Quenchers Saloon in Chicago, IL
Place rating: 4.25 out of 5 with 43 ratings