5 Best Pubs in Chicago (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

By Thorne Savarin, Culinary Explorer · ✓ Data verified July 2026 · 8 min read

Chicago's pub scene spans century-old dining rooms and cocktail bars that only opened a few years ago, and the review counts here reflect just how much time each has had to build one. Between them, the pubs on this page have logged over 20,000 Google reviews, yet the highest rating on the list, 4.9, belongs to the newest name, not the biggest one.

Short answer: The top-rated pub in Chicago is Gus' Sip & Dip (4.9 stars across 3,132 Google reviews), while Timothy O'Toole's Pub carries the deepest track record at 5,975 reviews. Miller's Pub, an institution since 1935, and Exchequer Restaurant & Pub, serving since 1969, round out the list. Expect to spend roughly $20 to $50 per person for drinks and food across these venues.

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1. Gus' Sip & Dip
2. Timothy O'Toole's Pub…
3. Miller's Pub
4. Monk's Pub
5. Exchequer Restaurant &…
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How Chicago's Top Pubs Compare

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	Gus' Sip & Dip	4.9 ★	3,132	Cocktails, retro tavern feel	View ›
2	Timothy O'Toole's Pub Chicago	4.4 ★	5,975	Sports bar, deepest track record	View ›
3	Miller's Pub	4.4 ★	5,741	Chicago institution since 1935	View ›
4	Monk's Pub	4.5 ★	2,672	Beer selection, casual pub food	View ›
5	Exchequer Restaurant & Pub	4.4 ★	3,157	Deep dish pizza, history	View ›

Our top picks, reviewed

#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Gus' Sip & Dip

4.93,132 Google reviews

Gus' Sip & Dip brings a classic tavern concept to River North, built around cocktails from Kevin Beary and tavern-style dishes from Chef Bob Broskey, with walk-ins served first-come, first-served. The bar leans into a retro aesthetic, from vintage uniforms to a curated drink menu, and has quickly built the highest rating of any pub on this list.

What people praise

Highest rating on this list at 4.9
Reviewers repeatedly call out the attention to detail, from garnishes to retro decor
$12 cocktails praised as good value for the quality
Crab dip and cheese curds get specific, repeated praise

Worth knowing

No reservations, and it fills up fast, so plan to arrive early
Smaller review base than the century-old names on this list

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume3,132 · 83th

Confidencevery high

Recency4 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown92% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The highest-rated pub in Chicago on this list, built on a genuinely distinctive cocktail and food menu rather than sheer longevity. Get there early since the no-reservation policy means a wait once word gets around.

Website +1312-736-0163 Directions

51 W Hubbard St Ste 100, Chicago, IL 60654

#2🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Timothy O'Toole's Pub Chicago

4.45,975 Google reviews

Timothy O'Toole's Pub is a family-owned sports bar in Streeterville with a wall of TVs covering every major sporting event, alongside a full American pub menu. It carries the largest review count of any pub on this page, built up over years of serving both locals and visiting families, and reviewers regularly call out its friendly, family-owned feel.

What people praise

Deepest review history on this list at nearly 6,000 ratings
Extensive TV setup for sports fans, repeatedly praised
Family-friendly with a broad menu that works for kids and adults alike
Standout dishes named repeatedly, including the pretzel bread pudding

Worth knowing

Rating trails the newer names on this list at 4.4
A vocal minority of reviews mention crowded, loud conditions on game nights

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.4 / 5

Review volume5,975 · 98th

Confidencevery high

Recency2 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown63% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The deepest track record on this list and a safe bet for watching a game with a full menu behind you, though the rating sits lower than the newer, smaller venues here.

Website Book now +1312-642-0700 Directions

622 N Fairbanks Ct, Chicago, IL 60611

#3🕑 Open 7 days

Miller's Pub

4.45,741 Google reviews

Miller's Pub has served the Loop since 1935, a family-run American restaurant known for its long bar, vintage decor and a wall of photos featuring decades of visiting celebrities. It runs late, staying open into the early hours, and its menu leans into hearty American classics alongside a handful of Greek dishes reflecting its current ownership.

What people praise

Nearly a century of history in the same Loop location
Reviewers single out long-tenured staff for genuinely knowing the menu and regulars
Late-night hours, open until 2am most nights
Extensive beer selection alongside the full food menu

Worth knowing

Not currently claimed on Google, so confirm current hours directly before visiting
Rating sits at the lower end of this list at 4.4

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.4 / 5

Review volume5,741 · 93th

Confidencevery high

Recency3 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown64% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The longest-running pub on this list and worth visiting for the history and late hours alone. The lower rating reflects a mixed but still largely positive spread of reviews rather than a red flag.

Website Book now +1312-263-4988 Directions

134 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60603

#4🕑 Open 6 days/wk

Monk's Pub

4.52,672 Google reviews

Monk's Pub in the West Loop is a rustic, stained-glass-fronted pub known for one of the deepest beer selections on this list, including flights that let visitors sample widely across styles. Its food menu runs toward classic pub fare, burgers and fish and chips among them, though reviewers consistently say the beer is the real draw.

What people praise

Extensive beer list with flight options, praised as a real strength
Friendly, attentive bar service noted across most reviews
Distinctive, atmospheric building with stained glass and old-school charm
Good for a large group with advance reservations

Worth knowing

Food gets more mixed reviews than the beer selection
Limited Saturday hours and closed some days, so check before visiting

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.5 / 5

Review volume2,672 · 78th

Confidencevery high

Recency3 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown67% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The beer-first choice on this list. Go for the flights and the atmosphere, and treat the food as a solid but secondary reason to visit.

Website +1312-357-6665 Directions

205 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60606

#5🕑 Open 7 days

Exchequer Restaurant & Pub

4.43,157 Google reviews

Exchequer Restaurant & Pub has served the Loop since 1969, known for its Chicago-style deep dish pizza and ribs alongside a Prohibition-era history that includes a preserved Al Capone booth and a speakeasy, Club X, tucked behind the main dining room. It draws a mix of tourists and regulars looking for a classic downtown pub experience.

What people praise

Deep dish pizza gets consistent, specific praise as some of the best reviewers have had
Ribs and other American classics also called out repeatedly
Genuine Prohibition-era history, including a preserved speakeasy
Friendly, attentive service noted across reviews

Worth knowing

Booth seating can feel cramped for larger groups of four or more

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.4 / 5

Review volume3,157 · 88th

Confidencevery high

Recency5 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown64% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A strong pick if deep dish and a bit of Chicago history matter to your night out. Call ahead for a booking if your group is on the larger side.

Website Book now +1312-939-5633 Directions

226 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60604

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How we score

Every number on this page comes from public Google data on the date shown, not opinion or payment. Rating is the pub’s live Google star average. Review volume is how many customers have rated them, measured against other Chicago pubs. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 4.4 from thousands of reviews carries more weight than a 4.9 from a few hundred, which is why a smaller, newer name can still rank first on rating alone. Recency reflects how recently people are still leaving reviews. No business can pay to change these numbers.

How much does a night out at a Chicago pub cost? (2026)

Reviewers on this page report a fairly consistent range depending on whether you’re there for drinks alone or a full meal:

Job	Typical price
Drinks only	$10, $30 per person
Full meal with drinks	$30, $50 per person
Larger group dinner with multiple rounds	$50, $100 per person

Ranges compiled July 2026 from the price-per-person figures reviewers reported directly on Google for the pubs on this page. Prices vary by night and how much food and drink you order, so ask about specials before you sit down.

Serving all of Chicago

These pubs cluster around River North, Streeterville and the Loop, all within a short walk or cab ride of the city’s downtown core. Searching for a pub near me? Every listing below shows a live phone number and directions so you can find the closest option fast.

What to ask before you head to a Chicago pub

Do you take reservations, or is it walk-in only?
Is there a cover charge on game nights or when live entertainment is on?
How late is the kitchen open?
Do you have space for a larger group, and should we book ahead?
What’s the specialty here, deep dish, ribs, cocktails, or beer?

Frequently asked questions

How did you choose these pubs?

We started from every pub in Chicago with a public Google presence, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency, and recency. See How we score above.

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from the public Google data in the scorecard. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position on the underlying data.

How often is this updated?

The data carries a verified date (July 2026 on this page). We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.

Which pub has the best deep dish pizza?

Exchequer Restaurant & Pub gets the most specific, repeated praise for its deep dish among the pubs on this list.

Which is the oldest pub on this list?

Miller’s Pub has served the Loop since 1935, making it the longest-running name here, with Exchequer Restaurant & Pub close behind since 1969.

The bottom line

Gus’ Sip & Dip is the top-rated pick and worth the no-reservation wait for its cocktails and retro feel, while Timothy O’Toole’s Pub is the safe default if you want a proven, family-friendly sports bar with the deepest track record on this list. For history and deep dish, Miller’s Pub and Exchequer are both worth the trip.

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