Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery

Rock Bottom Restaurant & BreweryRock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
Rock Bottom Restaurant & BreweryRock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
Brewery, Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

1 W Grand Ave
Chicago, Illinois, 60654-4806
United States

// CLOSED //

Closed down in January of 2023
BEER STATS
Average:
3.69
Beers:
480
Ratings:
3,263
Linked Beer Listing
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.78
Reviews:
73
Ratings:
124
pDev:
15.87%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by rhoadsrage:
Photo of rhoadsrage
Reviewed by rhoadsrage from Illinois

3.05/5  rDev -19.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3 | food: 3.5
Rock Bottom is in the near north side which means that is it is located very close to all the shopping trendy parts that tourist love to hit part of town. Take a cab or expect to valet part cause you won't find a parking spot unless you are a local and you now the secret prime locations. When you get into RB they have your typical sports bar/ brewpub schlock on the walls like "olde time" beer signs and giant TVs play any sports that are on at that time.

They usually have the standard 4-5 beers on tap with 1 seasonal and they are all are within style guidelines but still appeal to the masses. If I'm in the area I usually stop in for the seasonal but I don't go out of my way for the usual suspects.

They wait staff is used to dealing with high volume so they are really good at getting what you need and moving on. They always seem nice but they never stay around to answer questions.

The food is typical pub grub and if also appeals to the masses so you are pretty safe with anything you order.

It is a fun place to go if a company has rented out the private rooms and they foot the bill but with so many choices in Chicago it is not one of my typical hangouts.
Mar 24, 2005
More User Ratings:
Photo of TMoney2591
Reviewed by TMoney2591 from Illinois

3.21/5  rDev -15.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.25 | service: 3 | selection: 3.25
Just after 1pm on a Friday. this place was surprisingly empty. I mean, I don't know how things go north of the river, but in the Loop I would expect a few more bodies, is all I'm saying. Place is very typical chain restaurant/brewpub sort o' thing, plenty of hardwood/laminates, kinda feels like a brighter version of Bennigans back in the day. There is a patio up on the second floor, where the bathrooms are as well (based on the sign discouraging non-patrons to not use said bathroom right inside the door, I would cynically guess that this choice was made to further cordon off the toilets from those pesky homeless (and non-patronizing folks in general, for that matter, those bastards)), but I hit the bar, which sits right in front of some brewing equipment and a couple ESPN-bearing screens. Bartender wasn't much of a talker (except for his lunch-eating friend at the end of the bar, that is), but he did warn me that the Tenure RIS was barrel-aged, something the chalkboard sign that informed me of the existence of said beer also spake, when I ordered it, so that was something. RIS wasn't bad, a bit rough with the barrel, but the kolsch was missing any kolsch character whatsoever, feeling more like a standard lager or what-have-you. Didn't have any food, but it was, again, the standard chain stuff, mostly burgers and such. All told, I would certainly not go out of my way to return here, but if I found myself here with a group outing or something, I wouldn't be incredibly upset or anything. It's bland and unassuming, end of the day.
May 02, 2022
Photo of eppie82
Reviewed by eppie82 from Illinois

3.46/5  rDev -8.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3.75 | selection: 2 | food: 4
Typical corporate/commercial food first-'good enough beer' type of establishment. This particularly location is very big, and the roof deck is the best part. A bar up there is very convenient with plenty of outdoor space. Quality is good, as you would expect with most of the clientele being young professionals around downtown businesses. No one is driving to this spot for beer though, lets be clear about that. The selection is small and below average. Food is descent though.

I've still been here multiple times though because it's convenient to meet up with friends after work, and have that nice roof top deck to drink and hangout during the warm weather months.
Aug 03, 2020
 
Rated: 4.14 by Ice_Cream_And_IPAs from New York

Jul 01, 2019
Photo of slee196
Reviewed by slee196 from Illinois

3.19/5  rDev -15.6%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 3.25 | service: 3 | selection: 3.25 | food: 3.25
Central River North location and thus a lot of tourists and generally just packed. I've probably been here three times with friends. First and the second time, I'm gonna be honest, I didn't even realize that it was a brewery. It legit felt like a typical River North bar/ casual restaurant. My third time, I ordered two of their IPAs and they were actually quite decent. If you live around the area, it's good for a workday hang-out spot to grab a bite and drink some fresh brew. If you don't live around here, it's not special enough to travel.
Mar 28, 2019
 
Rated: 2.54 by Eman17 from Illinois

Mar 07, 2019
 
Rated: 3.99 by Rubezahl from Pennsylvania

Jul 30, 2018
Photo of Harrison8
Reviewed by Harrison8 from Missouri

4.17/5  rDev +10.3%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
Large open space just off the street. Brewing equipment sits behind glass at the center of the restaurant allowing customers to see the brewing equipment being loaded from nearly any direction, but to where they can't hear the brewer's cussing. The bar staff was very friendly. Stopped in after walking over from Binny's. Bar staff was friendly and attentive, offering up in-depth explanations on their beers. They got the beer out fast as well. Selection is all Rock Bottom beers which span a wide array of styles, with the limited seasonal offerings tailored to that season. The beers were of average to good quality, but nothing mind blowing. Great stop though between the friendly staff and quick service.
Apr 10, 2018
 
Rated: 3.76 by cryptichead from Illinois

Dec 26, 2016
Photo of Suds
Reviewed by Suds from Missouri

3.6/5  rDev -4.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.25 | food: 4
At the end of a family vacation to Chicago, I stopped into this place with my family. It was a Saturday night, and the place was absolutely packed, yet the wait wasn't quite as long as we expected. They have an open rooftop bar with a city vibe. The restaurant is fairly large, with plenty of seating. The service was prompt and friendly. We had the sampler, which was tasty and well-made. but not particularly interesting or outstanding. The food was also solid. I had an entree of beef tips that were very enjoyable.
Jul 21, 2016
 
Rated: 3.43 by REVZEB from Illinois

Jul 20, 2016
Photo of DMcGirr
Reviewed by DMcGirr from Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75 | food: 3.75
Brewery chain that turns out decent food and good beer. Nothing really outstanding here, but not a bad place to hang out. Vibe would get a higher score if Chicago had a longer summer; the rooftop can be pretty nice.
Jan 25, 2016
 
Rated: 2.88 by Gorf_Minor from Illinois

Jan 08, 2016
 
Rated: 3.8 by jschott75 from Illinois

Dec 23, 2015
 
Rated: 3.6 by NateDyk47 from Michigan

Nov 29, 2015
 
Rated: 3.84 by Monkeyknife from Missouri

Nov 13, 2015
Photo of 98green
Reviewed by 98green from Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
Stopped in at 8pm on Halloween Saturday. Was the only place that wasn't completely packed, so that is a plus for me. The beer is fine but not spectacular.

July 2019 revisit. I think the vibe here is pretty solid. It was maybe 75% full on 4th of July evening, but it was still a chill space. I sat at the east end bar, which was well lit (the west end less so).

Service was quick and attentive. Sure it is a chain in a tourist location, but I like this for what it is rather than always chasing the hip new beer spot that is cramped and overpriced
Nov 01, 2015
 
Rated: 4.03 by Boone757 from Virginia

Oct 14, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by paulish from New York

Oct 13, 2015
 
Rated: 3.56 by The_Kriek_Freak from Pennsylvania

Sep 22, 2015
 
Rated: 3.68 by Kegatron from Pennsylvania

Aug 14, 2015
 
Rated: 3.95 by plaid75 from New York

Jul 17, 2015
Photo of McAfee85
Rated by McAfee85 from Kansas

2.75/5  rDev -27.2%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 3 | service: 2.25 | selection: 2.75 | food: 2.75
Nice place for an afterwork beer...food is just ok.
Jul 17, 2015
 
Rated: 3.59 by JDoHo from Michigan

May 30, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by 31Sam13 from New Hampshire

Mar 16, 2015
 
Rated: 3.65 by 30MinutesSouth from Indiana

Feb 20, 2015
 
Rated: 3.73 by ovaltine from Indiana

Jan 31, 2015
 
Rated: 4.06 by poppollutesminds from New Jersey

Jan 23, 2015
 
Rated: 3 by baybum from Pennsylvania

Nov 17, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Jas45678 from Michigan

Nov 15, 2014
 
Rated: 3.72 by bowzer4birdie from Illinois

Nov 02, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by spycow from Illinois

Nov 01, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by irish6174 from Michigan

Oct 31, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by fthegiants from California

Oct 31, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by AndyEdgar from Illinois

Oct 16, 2014
Photo of BigRizz62
Rated by BigRizz62 from Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%
Nice selection of their own brands
Sep 30, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by yemenmocha from Arizona

Sep 27, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Irishace9 from Illinois

Sep 07, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by birdsellam from Indiana

Sep 03, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by reebtaerG from Maryland

Aug 18, 2014
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery in Chicago, IL
Brewery rating: 3.69 out of 5 with 3263 ratings