Late Bar

Rude staff and management/owner. Got a bad drink, got charge 18$ for martini, even tho the round before was 22$ for two martinis, I do not mind paying, I just think prices should be consisten, at least for the same day/hour of service. I hate going out to places when bartender giving you a favor by making you a drink, what is happening to hospitality. Keep your customer happy and they will be back, guess what, not here.

Im so so so sad to say, this bar has really gone down hill, been coming here since 2012 and its been a staple for my friends and I. But the girl bartender that was working the night of 7/6/24 was really awful. Super mean and was more worried about counting her tips then helping guests. I have been in the service industry for 16 years and I have not encountered such a rude person. I really hope this can change for the better. I dont think I would be ever coming back. The music has also not been the same since Dave has left us. Breaks my heart to write this review... but its just not the same.

The atmosphere is great, the dance floor is aces on Saturdays (deep cuts and great energy), but they have some serious ironing to do when it comes to the bartenders and my review is weighted to reflect that. As others have said, their bedside manners aren’t the greatest; I would agree with the assessment of other reviewers who have labeled them “rude.” It’s a new crew, and a new owner also I believe, and the entire enterprise deserves some time to handle their wrinkles (depending on what vibe they’re going for, I guess). There are two primary categories of service attitudes: welcoming and connective, and ‘I don’t enjoy my job/people and I want this night to be over’ and they’re definitely nailing the latter and it makes me more inclined to just pregame elsewhere. Also, there used to be no cover, and now it’s $10 between 10 and 2 and that’s a lot for what you get. A happy medium of $5 all night would way more chill.

Always a great time in spite of the worst bartenders the industry has to offer. Every time, they’ve been drunk and sloppy. Not worth going anymore after being specifically targeted and harassed by the bartender this time. Gotta treat people better. Not to mention way overpriced drinks and a cover for an empty bar.

Went here with my Wife for the first time on the night of May 18th. We sat at the bar and service was pretty terrible. The female bartender would rather stand around and talk with her coworkers rather than serve drinks. This was the second place my Wife and I went to that night, she was a little more inebriated than she intended to be and I believe the bartender took advantage of that and charged her for our drinks while I was in the bathroom, after I had already paid. We each have a charte on our credit cards, for $20 and $30 respectively, when we had a combined 3 drinks. We werent there for more than 40 minutes and we wont be going back again. Charges will be disputed.Overall, do not recommend. 0/10

Great mix of goth/alt/dark music! Friendly staff and great atmosphere! 🖤

Pretty damn nice. Good tunes and videos, classic rock was what we heard. Plus, they have white russians. Im there! Cash only!

Late bar is THE LOCATION to dance and have a wonderful time dancing to Nuwave soul funk punk whatever you like to dance to. They have different themed nights -Saturday night is something not to miss. New Wave Punk all night long as well as videos. The environment At Late Bar is wonderful and is inclusive of all ages and genders, cultures, and ethnicities.The cocktails are amazing, staff is wonderful the dancing is great. It reminds me of The Artful Dodger, but as the sophisticated older sister. Artful Dodger was a Neighborhood joint in old town wicker park back in the day that had a great dance floor and wonderful DJs.

The bartenders are so so so so rude. A shame because otherwise it seems great! I will be extremely hesitant to come back.

Disappointing, the bartenders were rude, especially one of the males. He had his back turned and when I asked him something he sounded as if he was bothered and also answered in a sarcastic way. The energy of the place was not good plus they did not have sports game on tv despite having more than one tv. The rudeness is what really got to me. I am not going back to that place.

The best dance club in Chicago. So good. Everyone is crazy nice. I’ve been a dozen or so times (usually for new wave on Saturday’s) and I meet nice, genuine people every time. Happy that they require proof of vax to this day. Come and dance as you are or want to be in real life. This is truly a judgement free space.

Its so beautiful in here and girl powered all the way! Each night has its own theme except Sunday when its closed. The interior is beautiful black, purple, leopard, white accents throughout. The detail is superb. I had my birthday here a few years back just loved it! Music is mixed genre, depending on the day you land. The owner is extraordinary!

Editing, used to be cash only but they take cards now. I believe the happy hour is gone on Saturdays. The dance floor is worth checking out on Saturdays late at night. $10 cover, unless you are there before 10 pm then its $5. Worth.

The best!Im hesitant to write this review because I dont want all the normals to ruin this amazing bar. Its fantastic. So weird, in the best ways. Drag queens, old punks, people who seem like they stepped out of a David Lynch movie... Great music - old punk, new wave, old industrial, old school rock. This bar is a must see. So bizarre and awesome. Cash only. Enjoy.

Great cash only bar, safe area, plenty of free parking and great people who work there! Been there plenty of times usually on Saturday nights for the New Wave night. Dave spins some great tunes with Lisa and Dann behind the bar pouring or cracking open the drinks. Get there early enough and get $1 PBR’s and no cover! Give the special punch of the night a try, usually pretty tasty! Other nights they spin all sorts of other music on different themed nights.

$10 cover fee for a hole in the wall. There are bars downtown that charge less than that. Absolutely a rip off

Home away from home. Love this place. Great for drinks and dancing. Friday and Saturday happy hour from 8 to 10 for $1 PBR and $3 well drinks. I like the remodel. Cash only bar. ATM on site. Mens bathroom is only one stall and no door, reminds me of Neo (RIP) Older crowd but fun and definitely worth checking out for David Bowie nights or 80s nights.

Charges cover after a certain and who enjoys that? Its got a lot of old goth/new wave photography on the walls and similar music/videos. Not a good last call bar, its for if youre out for the long haul and staying out late. Fair enough beer and cocktail variety.

Wish I saw how old the other reviews were. *Cash only* and $5 cover (we were before 10) and it was dead. Wasnt posted on the outside and they just laughed when we commented on our way out. Pretty standard prices for the area and music wasnt really noteworthy yet. Plenty of other bars near by

This place is a hole in the wall. They charge $10 to enter. It is just a bar with a small dance floor, terrible 80s music, and no ambiance. The drink prices were ok.

I am shocked and appalled by the fact that we were asked for vax cards in 2023 at the door and denied entrance because one of my friends did not have it on her.Considering we do not need to show at work or schools anymore this was shocking and disappointing.

I like the place, but its small place and can get cramped during there busy times. The only have one bathroom for both men and women, so be prepared to wait . The bartenders are decent and the drinks are good.The DJ. needs to play more mainstream 80s music, like Depeche Mode, New Order, The Cult, The Cure, and Love and Rockets. Unfortunately, the D.J. plays really obscure 80s music, while its still good music, its definitely not dance music.

I really wish I had more information about the inside of this bar- prices, music, etc.- however the horrific troll of a human manager was called out to the front door by the bouncer, because the bouncer was unfamiliar with the type of Florida ID my Guatemalan friend had. The bouncer only asked for the managers input because he was uncertain (totally understandable) but when the manager came out he began racially profiling my friend. He stated that the ID was fake- it is not, it’s an official Florida ID card that was issued to him through the proper channels.- my friend is over the age of 35, and it was apparent that the manager had some sort of personal and political vendetta towards those he perceives to be illegal Immigrants.He proceeded to tell us that my friend could not have his ID back- we had already accepted the fact that we weren’t going inside, but the fact that he wouldn’t give back the property of my friend was all just too much for us to accept.This manager said that he was “obligated by law to confiscate the ID and send it to ICE” which is absolutely not a thing. He refused to give it back and went on and on while on this bizarrely warped soap box rant. So my friend grabbed his OWN ID back from this man and he proceeded to attempt to place my friend in a headlock..?! As he were performing some sort of citizens arrest. This whole time the actual bouncer was pleading with the manager to give the ID back and drop it. You could tell that the bouncer had not intended for any of this, he was only doing his job.. but the manager was writhed with intense and improperly channeled rage.The whole exchange was very jarring and frankly quite frightening. I would advise any Hispanic POC to steer clear of this establishment unless you want to see first hand what Trump era racism looks like.

I’ve been here a few times at all different hours and there’s never been more than 10 people. I can’t believe they charge to get in this place what happened to the night culture?

Best little hideaway fun place to dance when you want to remember high school and youre in your 40s/late 30s. Knowledge and appreciation for late 70s early 80s new wave, synth pop, and similar genres. Bring your mascara and put it on in the middle of the dance floor. Not super crowded so that youre holding your arms in at your chest to wade through the bodies, but enough people to give the place legitimacy. Dont tell anyone about this place. Enjoy it for yourself. And maybe one other person.

Perfect mix of thoughtful ambiance, djs with an encyclopedic knowledge of goth/industrial/punk/new wave/soul and related genres. Amazing bartenders, good people who look out for you like family, amazing drinks and prices that cannot be beat.

Dave Roberts, owner and Saturday night DJ at Late Bar is a true legend in Chicagos punk and new wave music scene. I have been a fan and friend of Dave for 25 years and followed him from club to club. Late Bar which he opened some 7 years ago feels like home. Saturday nights early 80s alternative nights are incredibly fun. One of the best parts is the age range that shows up. The regular patrons range from 25 to 65. Few places can claim that. Late Bar is a perfect name as this 10 pm to 4 am club picks up well after midnight.

Stopped by to do a jumpstart @qroadside

This, for us, was one of those spots that you just luck into - friendly, funky, great tunes, interesting crowd, dance crowd. The night we were there was all British New Wave (and the pop that followed), all videos. Small cover, but worth it.

Seen an event poster never been so thought Id check it out invited friends and all just to find out they are one of the only bars still requiring vac. Proof which wasnt stated on the event poster waste of time,and gas

The bouncer at the door was rude and dismissive. Music was good but overpriced with a cover charge to boot. Try ohs tap roon instead a dive bar great music friendly staff no covet

The wonderful life lived by its founder Dave, reflected in the staff and DJs who carry on his tradition here at Late Bar ❤️

Just tried to go here, owner turned me and my GF away because we had a fake id... Im 25. Shes well over 21.Honestly, that would be fine. You have to be careful about these things.Then the owner chased us into the street screaming and cursing at us as we calmly left... Really? Thats how you treat people? Total BS. If they had been nice about it I wouldnt have even bothered to write a review.

My FAVORITE bar in Chicago. No one cares how bad you dance and everyone is super nice and fun. Awesome music. Kick ass drinks. 80s & 90s music never gets old. $1.00 pbrs on fridays and saturdays until 10 pm. And honestly.. Even of they didnt have those specials this place would still be awesome.

Place is terrible.. sat there for 45 mins and didnt recognize one 80s song they played. Everyone was standing around waiting to dance but these songs were terrible. Cash only!! Its 2016 people!! And had a $5 cover charge.. for what?

The bouncer guy at the door was super rude. Because I couldn’t parallel park my car properly, he assumed I was drunk and would not let me in. But I think it’s hard to put parallel park in Chicago considering I did not grow up in Chicago, and I did not learn how to drive in Chicago. I came from the south, where the roads and conditions are completely different. So my bad if I didn’t know how to parallel park up to your standards

Heck yeah. This is the place to be if you want to hear ska, soul, punk, riot grrrllll, EDM, Nick Cave dedications, you name it. Besides the eclectic music, youll find daily drink specials, a rotating list of great draughts, and friendly bar staff ready to help you get in the mood. Do not miss the Saturday night dance explosions, you may find yourself with a vampire or Debbie Harry (or some such version). Totally worth the trek to Avondale.

If youre sick of the normal bar experience, Late Bar is the place to go. Offering a unique and invigorating atmosphere, it is truly my favorite bar in Chicago. Definitely stop by some time!

My friends and I used to come here a lot, but sadly this place has gone downhill pretty fast these past several months and we havent been back anymore for a few weeks or so. For a while we would usually come here most often on Wednesdays, but hardly at all anymore now. One of the main reasons is especially ever since theyve had this terrible DJ Corporal joke of a DJ working there. The worst part is when everyone is outside having a cigarette, watching this guy pretend to be everyones good buddy to their face, and a second later when they walk back inside, he starts cutting them down with worst kind of awful and very offensive smack - everything from the most vile racism to homophobic slurs and ridiculous petty gossip imaginable. Luckily there are still plenty of other similar places to go within this same genre of bars that you can still count on for having a good time out with great music, people, and staff, without having to put up with big-mouthed disgusting people working there bringing you or your friends down with their loud and offensive BS.

Great mix of music. 80s, punk, ska, rock, blah blah blah...lots of good tunes. Every day a pretty good special. Tons of people are here on Saturdays. Every other day is hit or miss.

Cool and fun place but $7 cover on Saturdays and cash only :/ Not full or anything, just a cover for...fun? Good 80’s music and music videos.

Love this place Saturday nights. Great music and music videos. Dave is awesome playing your music request.

This bar is awful. There website says no cover before midnight. We showed up at 10:30pm and charged a $5 cover. Did not explain it was cash only. No wonder theyre losing business.

1/7/23 you need a vaccination card to get in and it’s $5. Just so y’all know

Small place but really good prices. Jack Daniels 7 bucks my favorite drink. Good music too.

I made out with my wife here once. Would recommend. Good tunes.

Great music accompanied by videos on the TVs and very kind workers. Definitely missing it since the pandemic began.

Charged me 40$ for 2 martinis , good music but over priced for the drinks that they only take cash for . Over priced 🤷🏻‍♂️, would go back but they treated me and my friends differently.

Great atmosphere. Dj was on point. Drinks well priced. People dancing till close.

Saturday night is New Wave night: for all of you who have always wanted to go dancing in the 80s, here, you can.

Favorite place is the world! Greatest music spinning in Chicago

Great drinks, great alternative music!Its worth a visit

Saturday night at Late Bar is best club night in Chicago, If you like this sort of music (how can you not?).

Great place to grab anything from a PBR to a fancy cocktail. Cute bar, great music, really good mix of people.

Lots of good nights, with lots of variety. Friendly, good balance of seating and dance floor. Can get crowded on good nights.

Meh.... I had a friend buy me a cider beer....... I didnt like it and the bar tender wouldnt switch my drink out....! FFS!

Always good music, people, and staff! Especially there weekly special punches.

Loved the dark decor and great cuts from industrial, goth, 80s, and synth pop.

If you like new wave music with a smattering of post punk, ska, and industrial this place is for you

Still requiring vaccination for some reason despite literally no where else requiring them at this point..

Lovely place, Planet Earth on Saturday’s is legendary! Great memories

Amazing Room! Classic Chicago underground feel in the middle of a booming neighborhood.

Love the people, love the cocktails and beer selection, and their events are great

Thursday and Saturday nights are great for the ones who livre the 80s & 90s

Amazing space that transports you to a different time and place!

Not busy at all its so small bar its look crap

Good drinks and music, awesome place to hang out with friends.

Open till 5am on weekends!music videos projected.cash only.

Cash only$11 for a shot of makers mark after a $7 cover.

Hopping place for 80s and 90s new wave dance music and videos

It was a lot more goth than I was thinking but had fun

Love it.. havent been here in a few years

The place says open-it was not open.

Loved the music, the mood and the dance floor.

Nice toilets. porceilin i believe.not too sure. ttyl.

Terrible service. Staffed by holier than thou hipsters and overpriced.

Definitely a crowd for the LGBT/BDSM crowd!

Great alternative goth bar open late!

Wouldn’t let us in for no reason. Tough.

Saturday nights, 80s music, Dave Roberts..... nuff said!!

Music! Dance! Scotch!

Not for colored folks 😂😂

A warm welcoming place for anyone and everyone

Fun bar, dance floor is happening!

Sound system needs more BASS

Its basically the new NEO on weekends.

Cool alt scene vibe. Love love love

Great 80s alternative scene

Saturday night is always 80s night

Open late. Events most nights.

Eric is a great guy.

Clean your toilet

Nice dive

Great 4am bar!

Классная музыка(Translated by Google)Cool music

Pretty good scene

80s Dance music.

Wonderful bartender!

Interesting little bar.

They are not working!!!

Hostile aggressive doorman

Not working at alll

Wasn’t open

Please reopen

Music. Dj on point

Night club

We went with high expectations from Downtown. It was a Thursday around 11 PM and the place was completely empty. The music quite disappointing. Its not bad for a beer if youre in the area, but its definitely not a place worth going to specifically.

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