Yard House

Yard HouseYard House
Yard HouseYard House
Bar, Eatery

1880 Tower Dr
Glenview, Illinois, 60026-7783
United States

(847) 729-9273 | map
yardhouse.com

Sunday - Thursday: 11:00am - 11:30pm or later
Friday - Saturday: 11:00am - 12:30am or later
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.72
Reviews:
15
Ratings:
33
pDev:
10.48%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Northsider:
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Reviewed by Northsider from Illinois

3.85/5  rDev +3.5%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4
This place is famous for its massive tap selection. Indeed, it IS massive and wraps nearly around the whole restaurant. With 100+ taps to choose from, it's hard to be picky. As many have mentioned, many of the taps aren't that unique, but so what I say. I'm sorry, if you can't be happy with such a huge selection, well...

Food is decent enough, nothing special. Typical burgers and fries sort of joint. Family friendly, tons of kids and adults. what do you expect, it's the suburbs.

Service was average. Price was good.

Overall worth a trek if anything to see the largest tap selection I've seen anywhere so far. Good crafts to choose from, despite previous reviews. If you are in the suburbs, this is worth a visit.
Jun 16, 2011
More User Ratings:
Photo of TMoney2591
Reviewed by TMoney2591 from Illinois

3.59/5  rDev -3.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.75
After seeing a wide tap list for some time, I finally decided to use some down time on the weekend to check out a Yard House. Nestled in a rather upscale outdoor mall - which is itself nestled within a multi-use park/living/shopping area that caters almost exclusively to wealthy folks (though, admittedly, it does look nice) - the place is a corner unit that reminds me an awful lot of the Alter Brewing location in St Charles: mostly open, vaguely loft-like space dappled with tables, everything surrounding a central bar; plenty of stainless steel/chrome accents, local art on the walls, lots o' screens (at this time playing the Cubs-Braves game and the NFL Hall of Fame enshrinement). The beer menu may look expansive, but it mostly comprises the same things that any given 4 or 5 nearby bars would have on offer, just consolidated for your convenience. Fret not: flights are available, including of their "house" collabs with other breweries (none of which were anything to remember). Not gonna lie, the highlight for me was the Hacker Pschorr dunkel, 'cause that one doesn't regularly pop up around these parts. The servers knew the standard line about the beers re: if you like hoppy things or light things or what-have-you, you would enjoy this. I'll usually take it when it comes to chains like these. The food is mostly chain pub/restaurant fare: I ordered the spicy edamame, which was fine, take from that what you will. Overall, it's not a bad place, but it does seem to be located in the proper place: this is for those with some money to go and try out the craft scene. In the Year of Our Lord 2023. It is what it is.
Aug 20, 2023
 
Rated: 4.11 by Archfiend from Illinois

Oct 04, 2020
 
Rated: 4 by Davit from California

Feb 13, 2017
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Reviewed by Hopheadjeffery from Illinois

3.36/5  rDev -9.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.75 | food: 3.5
Tons of beer on tap. The problem is, for me anyway, is that it always seems to be the same. It's like they have a tap list they know sells well and they stick with it. Food and service are ok. Not bad, not great.
May 14, 2016
 
Rated: 3.48 by dexterk1 from Illinois

Jan 10, 2016
 
Rated: 4.19 by cathomae from Illinois

Dec 24, 2015
 
Rated: 2.95 by writewood from Illinois

Sep 06, 2015
 
Rated: 4.03 by brandoman63 from Illinois

Mar 23, 2015
 
Rated: 4.41 by slasich from Pennsylvania

Jan 27, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by TheRealPour from Illinois

Nov 19, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by bcm75 from Illinois

Nov 10, 2014
 
Rated: 4.36 by Trooper92292 from Illinois

Sep 23, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Docrock from Illinois

Aug 08, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by beersdmf17 from Illinois

Jul 28, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Kyle1986 from Illinois

Jul 05, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by BeerLover99 from Illinois

Mar 13, 2014
 
Rated: 4.09 by NappyB from Illinois

Feb 27, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Sparky44 from Illinois

Dec 15, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Kempski from Illinois

Oct 19, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by blue-dream from Virgin Islands (U.S.)

Oct 09, 2013
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Reviewed by BEERchitect from Kentucky

3.55/5  rDev -4.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
A climb through the Chicago rush hour traffic leaves me with a short stint at the hotel and a thirst that only beer can quench. A quick search of the Beer Advocate BeerFly section and www.beermapping.com tells me that the Yard House is the best choice in the vacinity. Giddy-up!

A charge into the semi-new urbanist neighborhood carries a sense of charm and newness that's somewhat quaint and somewhat grotesquely pristine. I've always found it odd to see these compact, all-inclusive designed neighborhoods out in a prairie or a cul-de-sac ridden subdivision. Stay on topic Kevin, stay on topic.

Diagonal parking a block up the street was no problem on a lazy Tuesday night, but the view of parking garages around suggests that parking in the area can be cumbersome at times. Past an ice cream joint, a steak house, and a few night life venues, here's the Yard House at the anchored corner. A step inside conveys a send of warehousey minimalist architecture with exposed ceiling joists, duct work, and pendant lighting. It's not too much off of the look and feel of Buffalo Wild Wings anywhere. The large bar sits smack-dab in the middle of the joint with a large racetrack oval arrangement. I'm guessing 50 patrons can belly up along the wood and glass bar. Although the menu clearly spelled out the beer offerings, it took a couple laps for me to decide.

Round one led me to the stalwart Yard House Pale Ale, and then on to Two Brothers Resistance Ale, Big Sky Moose Drool, and Timmerman's Strawberry Lambic. Though the evening kept the vast restarurant half full, the bar staff was fairly friendly, albeit a tad pretentious and knew their products reasonably well but probably over-sold their beer knowledge a little. But a peruse of the beer menu gives about 50 options that range from a few industrial lagers to a wide array of higher craft options, but nothing earth shaking. Three Floyds, Two Brothers, Half Acre, and Goose Island seemed to be the finest of their ales.

Since dinner was in our rear view mirror, we couldn't resist dessert. The fresh baked brownie with mint chocolate chip ice cream was certainly more than I could handle, but I ate it anyway.

The bar overall has an Applebee's-ish feel to it and I never really got comfortable with the polished and overly sculpted pretend-old look, nor with the classic rock music that might have appealed to me more in the 1986. Regardless, my thirst has been quenched and my nerves are settled. Time for bed as I have a full trip of beer-related activities planned for the short week in the windy city.
May 31, 2012
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Reviewed by soju6 from Missouri

3.88/5  rDev +4.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Place is a large room with an oval bar in the center with over 100 beers on tap. Most of the beers are from domestic and international Macro breweries. This is great for the average uninformed beer drinker. They do have a sampler platter but they choose the beers or you can order a yard of beer but that is for the young and foolish. There are a few good craft beers available. I had the Three Floyds Alpha King which hit the spot. Their menu has a large selection most of which are well prepared. Nice place to check out but I wouldn't go out of my way for.
Mar 08, 2012
Photo of Vdubb86
Reviewed by Vdubb86 from Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +6.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
Took the trip out to Glenview to see what this place was about. My girlfriend wanted to treat me at a "beer haven", and this counts as my belated Christmas gift from her. So first of all this is located in what appears to be a trendy pedestrian mall. The atmosphere of this place fits with that trendy vibe. You can see into the kitchen and the back room. Everything is centered around the ovular bar with 50 taps on one side and 50 on the other. It seems that everything is of quality at this place. The beer selection follows more strongly the concept of quantity over quality, but that doesn't mean there aren't some winning options on the menu. I suppose with 100 choices you're bound to get a handfull of winners. The food was decent, but it really wasn't anything special. I enjoyed my spicy chicken sandwich and my girlfriend enjoyed her food, but for the price we paid for it, it was just okay. An interesting place, nice if you live in the area, but nothing to seek out at distance.
Mar 05, 2011
Photo of jsulko
Reviewed by jsulko from Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -2.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
Reviewing after my second trip there. First was a company going away party.

Went on New Years Eve Eve. Not very crowded, sat at the bar. Tap list appears huge at first until you realize it is more macro and big micro than craft. They do have Three Floyds, Bell's, Great Lakes, and other locals such as Daisy Cutter. Seasonals are Bell's, Sam Adams, and new Belgium. Price is a bit high on both food and beer but then again you are in Glenview. 1/2 price appitizers during happy hour. All the food I had was very good. I was able to enjoy many beers that I had not previously had but there isn't much special. Bartenders not very interested on my second trip, much more attentive the first time. All in all a good place to hang out and have a beer but it is not a destination for a craft lover.
Jan 03, 2011
Photo of robbyc1
Reviewed by robbyc1 from Illinois

3/5  rDev -19.4%
vibe: 2 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 2 | food: 4
Yes, this is your corporate idea of a beer focused gathering place. Given it's location in the new downtown of Glenview, it attracts all kinds. Strangely U shaped bar seats dozens, and these are usually filled with suburban hipsters. Tables and booths hold the groups and families, have been here several times with groups and the spouse, never alone that should tell you something. Seems to be the place for divorcees or single parents to take the kids for an outing, they cater foods choices for kids, serve kiddy drinks, and the adult can feel like a choice king with the over 100 taps.

I've not had an off beer here, someday that will come, but they seem to have the tap management ergo quality down pat. That said my continuing beef is all beer is kept at the same temperature which of course sucks.

Service is good, the waitress and delivery folks are attentive and fairly knowledgeable.

The selection is nothing short of disappointing. Find every macro in existence, mix in some mixed tries and a few solid micros (Sam's seasonal and Two Hearted stood out). Yes there are a handful of premium Belgians, and you pay for them. Overall among the hundred I found 10 or so worth consideration.

The food is surprisingly good, that's not to say it's a value, but well prepared, large portions. Overall value is weak for the money. In a pinch or with a family, group not bad, looking for a beer bar in the suburbs, this is not it.
Mar 30, 2010
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Reviewed by chetripley from Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +6.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
When I first found out about this place I was thinking it would be small without much variety being in a higher class section of the suburbs, expecting an overload of wines and vodkas, but I was presently surprised to see 100 beer taps that include lots of Three Floyds, many German beers and Bell's varieties. I think I can understand why the beer prices are high here but they at least try to give you a variety that is otherwise not available in this area of town.

I have been here a few times and never had the same thing twice. As the name implies they will serve you your favorite in a yard glass (actually only in a half-yard, since due to too much breakage they don't serve the yards anymore). I did not have one, just opting for the 20 oz pints, and while the couple I observed being sold were local macros, I did see something that warmed by heart-a petite girl looking about 25 yrs old ordering a half-yard of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

The food is pretty good. I have tried various appetizers and a burger, and all were cooked to my liking.

The only drawback is the service, which is hit or miss. On a Friday night there are many bartenders present and they are knowledgeable, but they tend to hang out with each other a little too much for my liking, and what is funny is that the girls know more about the beers than the big guys there, which may be just a coincidence for the nights I have been there. But on afternoons you might be hard pressed to be served promptly-the bartenders always seem to be busy somewhere else.
Oct 30, 2009
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Reviewed by Florida9 from Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +4.8%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
The Yard House is a corporate chain restaurant with a beer related theme and a focus on upscale American food. For one, its corporate and it feels corporate, but at the same time they do offer an incredible selection of beers and the food is better than average.

Simply put, there are a shit load of beers on tap here and if you know what you're looking for, there are some relative bargains. For example, they have both 60minute and 90minute on tap. 60 minute costs $6/pint, while 90 minute only costs $0.25 more. There are 100+ beers on tap here, and while at least 50 of them are macro crap, in all honesty, how many other places are you visiting that have 40 or 50 quality craft and import beers on tap? On my last visit, there were 6 Bavarian hefe's, 2 US hefe's, 9 wits, 6 IPA's, another 6 APA's, and quite a few strong ales, brown ales, red ales, stouts and a porter. And this is just the ales. In all reality, if you can't find something you like on tap here, then you must be an overly persnickety prick. I had a GL Edmund Fitz and a Rogue Hazelnut Brown while the wife had a Anderson Valley IPA and Bell's Two Hearted. The average craft beer runs about $6/pint.

For the most part, food is pretty good for a chain restaurant. There menu is heavy on bar foods: burgers, fries, nachos, pizza and sandwiches, but there are also a number of other items, including dinner salads, and grilled items (like seafood, steaks and chicken). You'll be better off, if you stick with the burgers and appetizers.

Service is competent, though you better look like you have money. If you look like you just dragged yourself from a Phish concert, you might as well be invisible, because no one is going to give a shit that you're there. Servers tend to know a decent amount about beer and are capable of making suggestions. Suggestions I may not agree with, but, for the most part, they can talk the talk and can hold their own in a conversation about beer.

Prices are high, but this is Glenview. Those townhouses to the North of the Yard House start at $900k. The single family homes down the street run $1.5-$2M. The whole city is expensive and the Yard House is no different.

The one major downfall for the Yard House is the atmosphere. Its all corporate. This brings in a ton of families, and a surprising number of people who don't even drink beer. With that said, its also a great place to take the kids and sneak in a few quality beers without feeling like a deadbeat for taking your kids to a bar.

If you're looking for someplace like the Maproom or HopLeaf, I suggest going to the places. You're not going to find that type of atmosphere here and I'll say they are superior bars, but, then again, those places aren't going to let you in with your kids in tow, either, so you've got to accept the trade off.
Aug 30, 2009
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Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois

2.9/5  rDev -22%
vibe: 2 | quality: 3.5 | service: 2 | selection: 3.5
Never been in the area before, but it was weird. Imagine a shopping center laid out as an imitation "village square" for an upscale suburb, halfheartedly trying to resemble little cottages, but in reality an outdoor brick-laden mini-mall, with a parking garage more cramped than O'Hare airport. Coupled with the Stepford-esque indigenous peoples, I was almost ready to leave as I walked in the door.

Do you like to eat at mall food courts? How about drinking at a bar in one? Huge airy cafeteria-style dining room, oval shaped island bar surrounded by tables full of families. I was one of 3 people at the bar, yet there were maybe 60+ patrons in the place. Something about that speaks to the low priority beer has here. It's pretty much just a gimmick for this chain bar. But look at all those taps and fancy yard glasses. There are 50 different martinis too, not really impressed. Excess is billed over quality and craft.

It took about 10 minutes after walking in and sitting at the bar to get the sole bartenders attention, he was too busy talking with the waitstaff. There were only 2 other patrons seated at the bar, with maybe 25 chairs on the front side. I don't have leprosy... Gumballhead was $6, and the seasonals were all variations of pseudo-macro. Blue Moon, Sam Adams, etc. I'd say 2/3 were pseudo-macro vs. real craft beer. To their credit, there were 3 Three Floyds beers, a few decent Belgians and Germans, and Belhaven Scottish Stout. 2012 update: More craft beers, but sadly still no craft seasonals. The grating atmosphere didn't really lend itself to appreciating beer, with the family cafeteria vibe and piped-in Sheryl Crow songs. Won't be returning to this sterile cookie-cutter chain restaurant. Classic case of a mediocre place with a good selection. This place is also nothing like Yard House locations in CA, for those familiar.

Better alternatives would be Prairie Moon in Evanston or Firkin in Libertyville... both roughly 20 min. from here, and prime examples of beer-focused restaurants that actually "get it". Glenview House and Hackney's are nearby places with better beer selections and atmosphere. Or even head down the road to the no-frills Meier's Tavern at 235 E. Lake Ave. for some genuine local character and a sandwich under $10, washed down with a half liter of DAB.

According to a sad judgmental individual, only a "persnickety prick" or dirty Phish fan would have any issue with this place. Really? Wow. "You better look like you have money." Entitled elitist douchery at it’s finest. Maybe some of us just have taste and don't waste their time hanging out at the Applebee's of suburban beer bars, it's that simple.
Jul 20, 2009
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Reviewed by rhoadsrage from Illinois

2.95/5  rDev -20.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3 | food: 2.5
Driving into the planned suburbia that reminds me of Stepford a found the Yardhouse with the same facade as every other building in the strip mall. Inside it has a nice open warehouse feel with a large oval wrap-around bar in the middle. There were taps lined up the along the a wall behind the bar. I was about the only man note in dark slacks and a button up shirt.

With 100 taps, I figured they would have one or two exciting beers but no such luck. They had Matilda and Robert the Bruce as the most interesting. As I do at most of these large generic beer bars I go for beers that are common and local but I haven't tried, or don't want to buy a whole 6 pack. I was surprised that they didn't have any real dark beers except Guinness and Shiner Bock as it was a chill fall day and that sounded nice.

They have 1/2 of the appetizers from 3-6, so the bartender said if I wait I can order of that menu. That was 10 minutes away. Seriously I had to wait 10 minutes to put my order in? That wasn't a big deal cause I just wanted a beer or two anyway. Most of the food was pub grub fancied up with a Asian inspired sauce. I had some the onion rings which came stacked on a metal stick with some Parmesan sprinkled on top and a chipotle dressing. They had no flavor or salt but it was still fried food, so they were not to bad.

I'm not sure I would go back to this place not because it was bad just because it was a bit boring in terms of beer selection and food.
Nov 21, 2007
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Reviewed by JeffKrenner from Minnesota

3.68/5  rDev -1.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
This place has 110 taps, all impressively running overhead from the kegroom into the tap island. Unfortunately, most of the taps are your normal fare. Miller Lite is their best seller according to the bartender and he said it isn't even close. There are some gems in here (Bell's, Anderson Valley, Delirium, Victory, FFF), but there just isn't too much here that you can't find elsewhere. Service was good and the food was above average, but you do pay for it. Worth a stop if you are in the burbs since there isn't much else out this way.
Jun 22, 2006
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Reviewed by Herrless from Illinois

3.55/5  rDev -4.6%
vibe: 2 | quality: 4 | service: 2.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
When you visit local beer bars like Sheffields, Map Room, The Firkin and Hop Leaf, they have a very large selection of beers because they are genuinely interested in beer and offering a variety to their customers. The Yard House in contrast is a beer bar that has a lot beers because is it a gimick to get people in. The staff, with the exception of a couple, do not know the beer they pour. They are reciting from the cue cards that the corporate office gave them on their first day of work (just a guess).

The atmosphere is cold and univiting. A large cavernous space with lots of tv's. Not a place that you feel like hanging out and enjoying a pint.

Since there are not any other bars like this one in the area it has become somewhat of an oasis. They have American, Belgian, German, English micro brews as well as many others. They usually serve the beers in the correct glass even though it is not uncommon to get a Belgian Ale in a pint glass.

The food is good, but pricey. But after 10 P.M. they have half price appetizers which is a good deal.

Overall, it's not worth the trip if you are close to any of the other places that I mentioned.
May 20, 2006
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Reviewed by jackndan from Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +0.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
The Yard House, Glenview: A brand new place that is an oasis in an area lacking any beer bars to speak of. The space is in the new quasi-downtown area that has sprung up in the Old Glenview Naval Air Station. Bizarre, what was a runway a few years ago is now covered with restaurants, shops, coffee houses and movie theaters.

As for the Yard House, it is a big box, with a large corner entrance facing a sizable oval bar, with a brushed steel counter top. The inside of the bar is ringed by beer taps. Above the taps are dozens of half yard and full yard glasses. Despite being a Wednesday night, the place was packed, and it was over an hour wait for sitting outside. There are dozens of tables for dining surrounding the bar, with sizable booths lining the walls.

We located the only seats available at the bar, and I sat down to review the beer menu. The Yard House in Glenview has at least 120 beers on tap. All the kegs are stored behind a glass wall located at least 60 feet away from the bar. The lines run through several ducts that run along the ceiling and feed into the bar in the middle. The beer came out cold, with a reasonable amount of head, which is a testament to the engineering involved. However, some of those lines have to be at least 120 feet long, and for slow moving beers, that seems like an awful long time sitting in the lines.

The selection was heavy on midwest micro’s, including Bell’s, Goose Island, Summit, Great Lakes, Three Floyds, a Sprecher tap. However, several worthies were missing, including Lakefront, Two Brothers, and the rest of the Sprecher line up. Craft brewers like Sam, Sierra Nevada, Pyramid and Roque were represented. There are a hand full of Belgians, and a few decent imports. However, there are numerous taps devoted to Bud, Miller, Coors, LaBatts, Pabst, Old Style and Euro Macro imports like Heineken, Becks, and the like. No real ale or beer engine! Other than seasonals, it does not appear that there will be many revolving taps, if any.

Service, particularly at the tables was very good and accommodating, the bar tenders were cheery and tried to be helpful. I spent more than a few minutes looking over the menu (looking for something I had not seen before) and the bartender was at my elbow, trying to help, asking “well, the best place to begin is for you to tell me what kind of beers you like, and to go from there.” I can see that this would be very helpful for someone looking to branch into something new, however, for a grump like me, I told him that I had had virtually every beer they had, and was searching for something I had not seen before.

The food was very tasty, but it was expensive. Well worth a stop, but as far as real selection, it can’t hold a candle to The Map Room, Hop Leaf, or Clark Street, just to name a few.
Jul 29, 2004
Yard House in Glenview, IL
Place rating: 3.72 out of 5 with 33 ratings