Side Street Saloon Chicago

Dive bar with pizza

Sophie from Chicago

"Side Street Saloon in Lakeview is the perfect no-frills dive bar with a cozy Italian vibe in back, great pizza, pool, and a quirky neighborhood charm."

I don't think there's a more quintessential dive bar than Side Street Saloon in Lakeview, Chicago. It's one space that juxtaposes two very common Chicago spots; there's a dive bar in the front and an Italian restaurant vibe in the back. Side Street Saloon, as its name implies, is a corner bar in a residential neighborhood. It's oblong and houses a pool table, jukebox, bar stools, and booths to chow down on cheese curds, affordable thin-crust pizza (that may be my favorite pizza ever), or "beer buddies" aka stuffed potato skins.

This bar has no frills but draws in all kinds of people looking to relax after work or on the weekend. It's a quirky space where you may find a pumpkin-flavored beer on the menu in July or a group of friends playing Connect Four at the table during the winter. At Side Street Saloon, you won't find "Instagramable" moments, but rather it's a great spot to unwind, put your phone away, and chat with locals or whoever you may be sitting with!

If you're here in the fall, consider stopping by to watch a Bears game and order their consistently succulent pizzas that easily wash down with a cold pint.

Bars

Buy one, Give one!

Share your 💚 this December

*on all products

Chicago Spotter Sophie

About me A proud Chicago native and past Fulbright scholar, I hold a BA in English and Spanish from the University of Iowa and an MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing from Columbia College Chicago. It was during graduate school I really started exploring many of Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. I occasionally teach English classes but am primarily a copywriter. I also host an open-mic reading series in Lincoln Park (and on Zoom), write essays, and travel in my free time. I'm on the pursuit for the best cup of brew and have been to over 150 different coffee shops in Chicago. ...

About this spot

1456 W George St

Beer:

USD

7733271127

Social

Nov 10, 2025

Our Chicago City Guide

Find your way with 116 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Chicago guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Chicago

aliveOne

Cozy music bar

aliveOne in Lincoln Park offers rock vibes, local music, a cozy atmosphere, pool, comfy couches, and the perfect spot to unwind or dance the night away.

Bars

Sophie

Amado

Dec 13, 2025

Dearborn Denim

Made in CHI, custom-tailored jeans

"Dearborn Denim" in Chicago has real, American-made denim jeans. They even lack the hems so you can have final stitches done on-site and custom for you!

Shopping

Erin

Stevens

Dec 4, 2025

Chicago Magic Lounge

Serious magic... & cocktails

"Chicago Magic Lounge" is in a large theater, but here they also do magic right at the bar! I recommend staying for several sets: you too will be stumped!

Art & culture

Bars

Theaters

Erin

Stevens

Dec 4, 2025

Lickity Split

Perfect treats!

"Lickity Split" in Chicago is my idea of perfect. If your favorite dessert is ice cream, as it is mine, you absolutely have to come get a 'concrete'...

Snacks

Claire

Conway

Dec 2, 2025

Hopleaf

Beer enthusiast's delight

"Hopleaf" in Chicago started out as a tiny, dark tavern reminiscent of Belgium. They now also have a patio & restaurant, but beer still is the focus...

Bars

Erin

Stevens

Dec 2, 2025

Int'l Museum Surgical Science

Medicine then & now

"Int'l Museum Surgical Science" in Chicago sounds a little creepy at first. It makes you grateful to be alive in the most recent era of modern medicine...

Art & culture

Erin

Stevens

Dec 2, 2025

Bar Roma

Authentic Roman cuisine

"Bar Roma" in Chicago is my favorite Italian restaurant in the area hands down! This is kind of a big deal, since Italian isn't even my favorite cuisine...

Bars

Restaurants

Erin

Stevens

Dec 2, 2025

Sacred Art

Local art lover's paradise

"Sacred Art" is a 100% local art shop with paintings, jewelry, ceramics, dioramas, photography and more. I love how the owners are almost always there...

Art & culture

Shopping

Erin

Stevens

Dec 2, 2025

Marty's Martini Bar

MAR-teeny-tiny bar

"Marty's Martini Bar" in Chicago is the kind of bar where you know you're among adults. The atmosphere's great but what's even greater are the drinks...

Bars

Erin

Stevens

Dec 2, 2025

Cone Gourmet Ice Cream

Specialty ice cream shop

"Cone Gourmet Ice Cream" is a Chicago boutique ice cream parlor with truly unique flavors, known for its soft serve, hand-scooped ice cream sandwiches...

Snacks

Sydney

Epstein

Dec 2, 2025

La Scarola

Cozy local Italian favorite

"La Scarola" Chicago: a hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant with some of the most flavorful & filling authentic fare in the city. Fancy some limoncello?

Restaurants