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Local Option

Local Option

Bar$$$$
North Side, Chicago
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8.3/10
261
ratings
  • Stars
  • Tips
    Manbque
    "Very great beer selection here, pop in and check it out."(16 Tips)
    C R.
    "beer lovers want with a side of metal"(5 Tips)
    Pam P.
    "Fantastic and large selection of craft beers on draft!"(7 Tips)
    Narayan V.
    "Friendly vibe and great selection on tap!"(6 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon67 Tips and reviews
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  • metal
  • crab cakes
  • sandwiches
  • casual
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  • C R.heart icon on user image
    C ReyJanuary 31, 2016
    Been here 10+ times
    Literally the BEST local beers on tap anywhere. Unpretentious, unapologetic, and real. This beer bar delivers what beer lovers want with a side of metal and love. Get some wings. Crispy and delicious.
  • Jenny
    JennyJune 29, 2012
    This place is my idea of heaven. The guys who work here guide you through the insanely awesome beer list to find what meets your beer taste. The food isn't too shabby and the atmosphere is super solid
  • Doug W.heart icon on user image
    Doug WamplerJune 3, 2015
    Been here 5+ times
    If you know good craft beer, you know this has the best beer list in town. Enjoy the metal or get out. That's the way they like it.
  • ben m.heart icon on user image
    ben mOctober 28, 2014
    Been here 10+ times
    Fantastic rotating beer selection. Ask the bartenders what's new, tell them what you like and taste new beers. Bartenders are always happy to talk beer.
  • Redeye Chicago
    Redeye ChicagoAugust 3, 2014
    Beer nerds and metal heads will want to zero in on Local Option, where a huge chalkboard lists the day's tap offerings, likely to include lesser-known styles and tough-to-find brews. Read more
  • Nastasia T.
    Nastasia TebeckJune 19, 2014
    the steak tacos are on point. soooo good! They look like burritos but hey! more delicious food to be had.
  • The Daily Meal
    The Daily MealJune 23, 2011
    The staff is both friendly and knowledgeable (a rare combination among notoriously snobby beer bars), so don’t be afraid to belly up to the bar and ask for a recommendation. Read more
  • Bobby K.heart icon on user image
    Bobby KennedyMarch 29, 2015
    The beer they brew on site is great, but for some reason they just give you the names, not the style unless you plead for that info.
  • Todd B.
    Todd BernierMarch 7, 2015
    Great beer selection. Very understated place. Should be more popular than it is, which is fine with me.
  • Beth B.
    Beth BlantonAugust 11, 2012
    Excellent beer selection! The food is good. The layered grilled cheese with avocado is a personal favorite.
  • Steve ‘Pudgy’ D.heart icon on user image
    Steve ‘Pudgy’ De RoseJune 7, 2012
    Been here 5+ times
    The bar is a standing testimony to the depths which neo-prohibitionists will stoop in order to re-criminalize beer. Trying to vote the precinct dry by claiming this would be a 'gay punk metal bar'?!
  • Paul C.heart icon on user image
    Paul CarecciaOctober 13, 2015
    Place is a mecca, david was great and really enjoyed having a few beers, will be back
  • Narayan V.
    Narayan VAugust 22, 2013
    Metal music. Need I say more? Friendly vibe and great selection on tap!
  • Jake G.heart icon on user image
    Jake GuidryJune 1, 2012
    Been here 10+ times
    Most underrated beer bar in the city. Best tap list, always. Also, great steak tacos.
  • Dan N.heart icon on user image
    Dan NSeptember 7, 2014
    Incredibly attentive & helpful service. The beer and food leave nothing to be desired. That's a good thing.
  • Casey W.
    Casey WintersDecember 3, 2011
    Been here 5+ times
    The food's actually pretty good. The sauteed spinach is great (never thought I'd say that about sauteed spinach).
  • Untappd
    UntappdAugust 24, 2012
    Looking for a beer adventure? Local Option has you covered with Rare Beers that you can't get anywhere else.
  • Pam P.heart icon on user image
    Pam P.February 21, 2015
    Fantastic and large selection of craft beers on draft!
  • Susie J.
    Susie JendroApril 2, 2014
    Try a few of their house brews- you won't be disappointed.
  • Andy S.heart icon on user image
    Andy SwindlerOctober 26, 2017
    Catfish tacos and sautéed spinach!
  • Monika M.heart icon on user image
    Monika McMahonJune 13, 2014
    1) they have no cider 2) they have no tequila 3) they charge $3 a drink for 'rox' aka ice 4) they don't take Amex. Thanks Local Option!
  • Zach S.heart icon on user image
    Zach Solomon-BeloinDecember 30, 2014
    Great beer selection, but wasn't the friendliest service I've had in the city.
  • Matt T.
    Matt TeafordOctober 28, 2014
    Excellent Craft Draft selection!
  • Manbque
    ManbqueJanuary 7, 2013
    Very great beer selection here, pop in and check it out.
  • Shannon J.
    Shannon JeropkeJune 6, 2017
    Runner up for Best Beer Bar at the 2017 Time Out Chicago Bar Awards.
  • Jimmy
    JimmyDecember 16, 2012
    Sit at the bar and the bartenders will take care of you.
  • Joey N.heart icon on user image
    Joey NowakMay 27, 2015
    Pricy, but good food and awesome beer.
  • Evelyn S.
    Evelyn Samayoa-TothJuly 11, 2014
    Super friendly bartender if u know ur beer shit
  • Rohit H.
    Rohit HarshvardhanJuly 31, 2014
    The good = Bunch of good beer. The Bad= One if the worst service ever.Totally aloof and worthless server/bartender. Such a shame for a place with good beer list
  • Christopherheart icon on user image
    ChristopherMarch 14, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    Brews before bros before fros!
  • John F.
    John FrancisDecember 24, 2013
    Best wings in the city, hands down
  • Corbin B.
    Corbin BlankensteinMarch 29, 2012
    The chips of the chips and guac are sooo damn good
  • BetsyM
    BetsyMNovember 16, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Bartenders and servers all have gnarly bad-ass beards.
  • Joe S.
    Joe SousaJuly 25, 2015
    Real beer and great atmosphere.
  • Danielle C.
    Danielle CherisseJuly 19, 2014
    Awesome food and great beer selection
  • Christopher J.heart icon on user image
    Christopher JonesSeptember 14, 2014
    Legendary beer bar
  • Mike F.heart icon on user image
    Mike FApril 18, 2017
    Been here 5+ times
    Awesome craft beer
  • Meg E.
    Meg ElzeaFebruary 21, 2010
    Been here 5+ times
    ask the bartenders to put on the burt sugarman midnight special dvd or pure 80s. fantastic drunk tunes.
  • Bear D.
    Bear DohringSeptember 12, 2010
    Sample shots of brew - everything but belgians are fair game
  • Jennifer T.
    Jennifer TurnerMarch 17, 2012
    The crab cake sandwich is amazing!
  • Joe S.
    Joe SteinkampDecember 25, 2014
    https://www.beermenus.com/places/1255-local-option
  • Jaye J.
    Jaye JalsoApril 15, 2012
    That fella with the ponytail is Dox. It should be a nickname for doctor. He's got the hook up.
  • Annamarie R.
    Annamarie RussowAugust 10, 2013
    Get the Justin Blaeber! Fruity.
  • Leah N.heart icon on user image
    Leah NicoleOctober 27, 2014
    Awesome beers
  • Adam C.heart icon on user image
    Adam ChannellFebruary 15, 2015
    Meh. They've got some good stuff on draft. Service was prickly ("what ipa's do you have?" "We have a few." Ok...)
  • Valerio S.heart icon on user image
    Valerio SoldaniOctober 14, 2014
    Great beers!
  • Alexa P.
    Alexa PorgesJanuary 1, 2012
    Best chips and guac I've ever had!
  • Bleu C.
    Bleu CaldwellAugust 16, 2011
    Been here 100+ times
    Outstanding beer selection! Read more
  • Jackson H.heart icon on user image
    Jackson HenggelerMarch 9, 2016
    All the beer.
  • Alison
    AlisonOctober 30, 2010
    Unpretentious, with a great beer selection
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