Lemmings
1850 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL, 60647
Lemmings Menu
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Address :
1850 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL, 60647 - Phone (773) 862-1688
- Website https://www.lemmingstavern.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :4:00 pm - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Late Night
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Music : Juke Box
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : No
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
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Morganne B.
Updating my review to add that I couldn't love this place any more. Cameron the bartender is an awesome guy and my friends and I love him. They seem to always have Zombie Dust too! Be sure to try one of their many types of jerky and play a board game or two. Free pool on Tuesdays!
(5)Joshua N.
Is this the least-douchey bar in Bucktown? I believe that it is. PROS: Most laid back bar in the area. You can usually get a table. Friendly, attentive bar staff. CONS: I don't know. I feel like this place is missing something. Can't quite put my finger on it. Good place to stop in and meet friends on your way to somewhere else. I seem to have been doing that a lot lately.
(3)Jill S.
Laid back atmosphere that always has Gumballhead on tap. Local art displayed for sale. Awesome staff! Go on Friday to meet Chris.
(5)Bao L.
Any bar that offers board games deserves a thumbs up in my book. This is a super chill, laid back bar that has a very neighborhood-y feel to it. 3 of my friends and I ended up here, where we imbibed numerous Schlitz + Fireball specials (yes, it was that kind of night...) and played numerous games of Jenga. The bartender was super nice and we all had a great time. Definitely a good spot to go if you're looking for something chill
(4)David C.
One of my favorite neighborhood joints. Not as busy as maproom on the weekends so a good place for a conversation with buddies or a date. Dark, cozy, and candle-lit. Free pool makes it a lovely pregame or low key night spot as well. Oh.. And $3 schlitz. Can't go wrong!
(4)Sarah C.
Lemmings is a great bar in Bucktown. You walk in to a beautiful old bar that doesn't have lighting that makes you go blind, but you also don't need to squint. There's no crazy theme or loud decorations because there's no need for them. It's simply a good bar with good selection and a bartender who can make a great gin and tonic. One great thing is that the pool table is free. When you walk in, keep walking after you get your drink because there's a back room that has two pinball machines and then a pool table. Occasionally the ball will get stuck in a pocket, but free is free and that's good with me.
(4)Sue N.
Dear Lord, how I loved it here. The bartender couldn't have been nicer. Gave us samples of beer, and genuinely seemed proud of the place (turns out he's the manager). Great beer selection. Totally unpretentious. Great selection of music playing. If you are a West Coast hophead, you'll find some IPAs to your liking (Bells Two Hearted, Lagunitas, Founders All Day). No food other than exotic jerky and Zapps chips, which is fine. I would bring a sleeping bag and move in here if I could. Neighborhood seems kind of douchebaggy so this is a welcome respite.
(5)Sean L.
Afraid to give this place a shining review, because I like that it doesn't ever get way too packed during a Hawks game. I stopped here on a Saturday afternoon with a few friends and it was awesome. The bartender is a cool guy, pool table is free, and there was a taco truck parked in the alley the last time I came by. My favorite dive.
(4)Christopher M.
Look up "neighborhood bar" in a dictionary and you'll see a photo of Lemmings. It really is everything you expect in a neighborhood place: a certain musty smell, quality craft beers at affordable prices, solid whiskey selection, never crowded, and not necessarily a dive, but not crazy nice, either. If you find yourself in Bucktown in need of a beer or a Four Roses neat, come on over to Lemmings. 123/365
(4)Daniela M.
Great beer selection, great staff. Feels very welcoming. Will be coming here often!!
(5)Chad E.
When I want a mellow spot to relax with a good beer, this place delivers. There's always regulars here having a great time, but also somehow always plenty of room for you at either the bar or a high top. Wood, candles, low light, but truly a neighborhood bar with no ego. You can easily make a new friend here, or just as easily hide in the corner with a book and no one will bother you. Or you can roll in with all of your friends and start a party. I mean, follow your dreams.
(4)Frank Z.
This is a classy neighborhood bar, lots if wood, good beer on tap and most importantly awesome pinball machines. Actually the pinball machines are in pristine condition, two of my favorite titles, monster bash and ac dc, totally great. I've been in this place around the same time each time I've been there, around 6 or 7pm so I'm not sure what the T n A prowl is like in the wee hours of the morning, I'll betcha tho that if you hit Dracula five times in a row, well let's just say that you ain't going home alone buddy!
(5)Candice G.
Holy Schlitz! That's a thing here, apparently. That's not why I came, but I thought it was worth mention for that schlitz fan out there. Lemmings. What can I tell you about Lemmings that hasn't already been said? Hmmmm... How 'bout, it was one of my fave computer games back in the green screen days on the old Hewlett Packard. Mmmmeeemmmmmories! Now, about the bar? The art, I'm going to assume gets swtiched out every so often because I've been here before and don't remember whose paintings on the wall. On my last visit, they were stick odd paintings of people who were either holding guns or looked like they had been shot in the face with a gun. Normally, this kind of art would be right up my alley but something about these ones just made me feel a bit queer. It was the day after my birthday, so maybe my ballz are just getting to old for this kind of edgy ish. The beer- they had a decent-ish selection, but it wasn't really anything special. Still a fantastic place to have as a neighborhood bar. The crowd- I wasn't thinking this was a sports bar, but apparently any bar with at least one tv on a march madness weekend is a sports bar. Lots of cheering about things I don't understand or care about. I felt confused... another sign of my elder age. Overall, I like Lemmings and I know I'll be back... even though it was damn hard to get a drink here. Stupid Final Four!
(4)Angie M.
Quite honestly, I didn't spend a huge amount of time at Lemmings last Friday night. But based on my three hour stint at this bar, I can tell you this: IT'S HOT AS BALLS IN LEMMINGS. Dress accordingly. Drink prices aren't offensive, but aren't cheap, either. The good news is that the bartender will give you a tall cocktail instead of a shortie for the same price. I'm fairly certain you get the same amount of alcohol, but I feel less like a lush when I don't pound down my cocktail in 2 minutes, which is what normally happens when I have a short glass. And they have a pretty heavy pour, so that's good. Aside from that... HOT. My God. It's not a good thing when your friend comments that your boobs are damp when she adjusts your cleavage for you. (Don't ask.)
(3)John K.
The same night when I had to wait for 40 miserable minutes in a dark small room with 10 other people at the Violet Hour, this place comes to mind. I was only there for an hour or so because my friends were finishing up their sumptuous meal at Takashi. I only had a beer and spoke a few words with the bartender. I liked the place :) :) It was just a good place to chill when it was starting to become pretty cold outside. I m going to go back again soon and pay more attn when I get there, but Lemmings...was...chill
(4)Gfiddy F.
Fan!
(5)Desirae K.
Have a shot of Malort. No, seriously. Do it. You'll love it. I promise. Call it a dive bar. Call it a neighborhood bar. Depending on who you talk with, it could be defined as either. No matter how you define it, Lemmings is a comfy, non-pretentious bar with plenty of room a few TV's, a pool table, music and a pinball machine. Count on Lemmings for real 16oz pints (no cheaters). 3 Floyds Gumballhead = $6 Pabst = $2.75 Cheap beer? Busch Cans = $2.50
(3)Coale S.
I used to come here somewhat regularly. Great beer selection, fair prices and great, friendly and knowledgeable staff. Sometimes they have free pool (bonus star for that!) Seriously, if you like a nice, clean, friendly neighborhood bar, stop waisting your night reading yelp reviews and go check out Lemmings!
(5)Deeps G.
Lemmings is one of the finest bars in all of Bucktown. Varied beer selection, stiff drinks, killer tunes, friendly barmen, board games, pool, pinball, and potato chips. Saddle up and log some time, you won't regret it.
(5)Abe R.
I can only afford an Olympian at a place like this, because even the Oly' will cost you more than it should. That said, the place is cool and the bartenders are really nice and play some good music most of the time. They have a pool table and 2 video games in the back for some wholesome fun... Enjoy Suckas'!!!
(4)Joshua M.
I like Lemmings. I have a couple of friends who ARE regulars here, and it's definitely the sort of place where you'd walk in and have everyone shout your name a la Norm from Cheers... If you were a regular. If not, you'll still be treated like a valued customer. Like a lot of Wicker Park bars, there's no food. Don't come here looking for a meal (Although Claudio the Tamale Guy frequents this place, so be sure to grab some tamales if/when you see that famous blue cooler). The people are friendly, and this is the perfect type of place to go to get a beer after work during a weekday where you can sit down and know that the music won't be oppressively loud, and the beer selection will be fantastic... And you'll be able to play pool... Guaranteed. I've never seen the pool table packed for more than an hour at a time. It's a great little hole in the wall... A great place to get a great beer (or even a Schlitz). Stick around, and everyone might know your name some day. And you want to go where everyone knows your name (I admit it's corny, but the correlation is definitely there).
(5)Kathleen C.
Well.....what to say. Lemmings is a typical bar that you'd find on a college campus...and like. Don't get me wrong, Lemmings is ok. The drinks are reasonably priced. I just didn't love the atmosphere. It is quite dive-y which is ok, but what I was more annoyed about was that the night I was there, we had a relatively large group and there was no where to go. Now, it's not that the bar was overly crowded - because it was not. It's just that, aside from the bar area, there was nowhere to sit. We could stand near some tables, but all of the tables were pushed against the wall. It was fine, but required our group to split into mini-groups to talk which wasn't really what I had had in mind. Also, the spot is a bit dingy, which I suppose is ok for a dive. In general, this spot was just ok. It didn't have really any supreme stand out qualities, but it didn't have any huge detriments, either. I'd probably go back, but wouldn't necessarily seek the place out.
(3)John H.
Lemmings might be a more appropriate name for some warehouse bar in Wrigleyville, with the name of the rodent redolent of mass suicide and stupidity. I first stumbled upon Lemmings when in search of a bar with the following criteria: good craft beer choices, few hipsters, not too crowded, and not a dive. Lemmings was the winner. I'm still getting acclimated to this bar, and it's deserving of a much longer and detailed review, but initial observations are very positive. A recent highlight was a Two Brothers Northwind Imperial Stout at the extremely reasonable price of $6.50. That's a 9.1 ABV beer, so while the beer itself is something to sniff at, the price is not. The same offering was $10 at Northside just a few blocks south. Looking forward to many return visits here.
(4)Renee E.
Oh, I love Lemmings! We've been together through Bloody Mary soaked Sundays to after work drinks with my only sibling to birthday celebrations with friends. This last trip to Lemmings brought it all together with a Summer-Friday, late-afternoon, post-work, sibling-bonding happy hour. Bartender Chris whipped up a truly delicious bloody mary with a wee beer chaser for me and a whiskey, with a side of rocks for the sib. Nice touch, that. The service was fantastic, the music was great and by the 3rd round, we'd all made a few new friends. Yay Lemmings!
(4)Andrew T.
After watching our beloved Illini shoot the lights out against evil Gonzaga, Lemmings was the spot for celebration, of sorts. It seems to have a pretty cool vibe - when we arrived, still early in the evening, it was dark, not too loud, with also not so loud music playing, and ample tables. We found a spot, set up shop, and got drinks. The general consensus seemed to be that the drink selection was good, with lots of craft beers on tap, plus the standard PBR and Schlitz. Even as a non drinker, I can't wait until the hipster beers go back out of style. This place, by the way, celebrates Schlitz's entire catalog. Everything in the place (with the exception of a busty mannequin torso, wearing bandoliers of large caliber ammunition) seemed to be Schlitz paraphernalia of some sort. As the evening wore on, it got a little louder - and the music was very eclectic, ranging widely. Kind of out of place for what I thought was a little more of a low key joint with art for sale on the walls. I'm waiting for the day when I can go to a bar and not yell my voice out, but I don't think it will ever happen. This is better than most though. What made it was pushing in to the 11PM hour, when a DVD of what I think was a collection of trailers for 50s and 60s slasher films and bad softcore porn made it's way on to the TV above the bar. Scenes of topless women, awoken by frightening noises, jumping out of their beds and in to the beds of other topless women (for safety in numbers, I assume), someone feeding a fist full of hot dogs, one by one, to a monster that lived in a wicker basket (the movie was "Basket Case" and is totally on my Netflix queue), and plenty of over the top fake gore were endlessly entertaining. Some of the reaction quotes were real gems...but not really reprintable. I can't pull my "will I go back" thing, because I don't really do the bar thing on purpose, but this place had a good vibe and wasn't too annoying - plus good...bizzare...entertainment. So...A-OK.
(3)Aaron T.
Great beers, one of the few places you can get a bottle of Racer 5. The bartenders are the best!
(5)Colleen C.
From Wikipedia, [with slight additions by yours truly]: "The behavior of lemmings is much the same as that of many other rodents [Bucker Parkers] which have periodic population booms and then disperse in all directions, seeking the food [tamales] and shelter [4am bars] that their natural habitat [Lemmings Pub] cannot provide [after 1:45am]." Of course, the beer selection hits that oft sought after "balance" between domestics (PBR, Miller Lite) and crafts (Rogue, Bells, etc), keeping the hipsters happy at any price point. And, the general population as well...of course. Bartenders were busy but smiling, the bar is cleaned up well, the bathrooms didn't scare me off, and there is a pool table in the back... Bonus points for juke box selections: End of the Road (Boyz II Men) and Regulators (Warren G). Billie Jean for good measure. Cheers to whomever had the guts to play that trifecta. There is a $25 min on credit cards....which shouldn't be too hard to hit. The price is right, the vibe is chill, and you may just look up when the lights go on and think "Wow, is it time to go already?" This rarely ever happens to me, so I attribute partially to Lemmings, and to the company of good people. Cheers! ps. Does anyone else things Bell's Oberon smells like cotton candy?
(4)Stasia J.
Very cozy neighborhood bar! Bartender is attentive. I came on a Monday after noon and the customers greet each other like family. Pretty cool that they have board games to play! Gumball Head beer is delicious!!
(4)Michael M.
Super legit, in an I-can't-quite-explain-why-I-like-it sort of way. Kind of like Map Room without the beer selection, but way more fun to hang out at. Also, re: my beer comment, Lemming's beer selection is perfectly fine and changes frequently, but is not the largest you have ever seen. That's OK, there is no way you will get bored with it. Really pleasant place to hang out, and they have board games. Crowd ranges from pretty empty to very packed, but is a good time whatever the situation. The sort of place you could spend hours.
(4)Andrea R.
Sometimes you just need a chill bar...where everyone knows your name. No one knows my name at Lemmings, but I have a feeling that if I was a regular they would. My party of 4 headed here after a delicious dinner at Blu Coral cause we weren't quite ready for our night to end yet. And my friend's sister was throwing her friend a bday party at Lemmings so we thought this may be the perfect spot to end our night. Why is it that I'm always going out to celebrate random peeps bdays? We made our way to the bar to get a few drinks and then my hubby robbed me of all my quarters when he discovered the pinball machine in the back. That pinball machine kept the boys occupied for at least 20 minutes while my friend and I found ourselves a table for some girl talk. My husband and his friend made their way back to us after pinball, but it's worth noting that there is also pool here and apparently board games as well. I heard a fun game of Operation was played after I left at midnight in fear of turning into a pumpkin. I usually prefer lounge type atmospheres, but if you just want to grab a few beers in a laid back atmosphere Lemmings is your place.
(3)Eden S.
LOVE THIS PLACE! It is away from the Wicker Park hipsters, but close enough to my heart to drink some Founders and enjoy company. Never too loud here, pinball in the back, and pool. The bartender is attentive and never rushes anyone out.
(4)Corinne M.
Love the bartenders, love the music, love the environment, love the cheap drinks. Bartenders are always super friendly. I'd suggest a weeknight, from 5-9. Sometimes, it can get pretty damn crowded on the weekends. Finer point of this place: Never, ever full of hipsters and/or snobs. Great place to have a conversation with a stranger.
(5)Helena B.
It's official - I love this place! I recently celebrated the dawn of my 28th year of life (yes, a belated "Happy Birthday to me") at Lemmings. I had people coming in from all over the city and suburbs (yes, I'm that cool) so I wanted a place with the following: 1. Solid beer selection 2. An easy walk from the El 3. Assured cab-access for rides home (I want my birthday party-goers to be safe, yo!) 4. Space (you know, to mingle with my posse) Lemmings provided all that and more. What more, you ask? Champagne! That's right - a little birdie told the bartender the cause for our celebration. He immediately got out a bottle, many glasses, and popped open champagne in my honor. Swoon!
(5)Jenna S.
Great Wicker Park bar! Even on a Friday or Saturday, not very crowded. Great beer selection (including small microbrews) and decent prices. Nice TVs for any sporting event and they even have board games! I love a bar with board games (a few versions of Trivial Pursuit and Scrabble and such). Good snack food (albeit a bit pricey) and a pool table in the back. This is a great spot in Wicker Park considering all the other places are insanely packed.
(5)Jim C.
Great neighborhood bar with relaxed vibe. Cool game room with a pool table and pinball. The bartender that is there on Sundays makes a kick ass Bloody Mary IMO.
(5)Kevin N.
While I'd love to report that I followed others in here and proceeded to order exactly what they did, that's not really the case: Lemmings is a fairly benign pub featuring a variety of brews, including, on this night, a fairly delightful kolsch number that my buddies and I devoured relatively at will. It was the perfect bar to teeter into at late-thirty, and we stayed for a few rounds before we wound down for the evening. There may be few surprises in store for you at Lemmings, but then again, I find that it's only occasionally amusing to surprise the tipsy anyway. We saddled up at a nearby table and kept the cold ones coming. And say what we will about leaders vs. followers, I can't imagine that it would have been anything other than fun to reminisce with some old friends here, which, come to think of it, is precisely what happened. Thanks Lemmings, I'm sure I'll get back one of these days. Perhaps even on my own.
(4)Ela G.
I'm not a big dive bar fan, so I was surprised that I liked this place as much as I did. It is just comfortable, completely unpretentious, and easy. We rolled in on a Friday night, quickly got a seat at the bar, and the bartenders were friendly and attentive. Played a little Connect Four, which got more complex the more we drank... "dammit stop playing these mind games!!!" I think there's a pool table in the back? Bonus! All in all, great people, great local bar.
(4)jenise r.
I walk by here all the time. And always smile at the witty stuff they have written on their outdoor chalkboard. So after the yelp winterscape I decided on grabbing another beer here. As I walked in I realized what a nice size this place was. I was a bit inebriated already and didnt wanna scope the plce out so I sat at the bar to see what they had on tap. Hello Gumballhead. If a place has that on tap that's what I'm drinking. Had one... Or maybe more? The bartender was nice, very laid back place. I'll be there again soon. I think I saw a pool table in back too :)
(4)Jacob J.
It's a beer drinkers bar, a place with selections not commonly found everywhere. With that said to drink good beer and beers that have travelled as far as breweries in California, there's an associated cost. The bar.. well it looks to be an all about oak type of setting. Nothing fancy here, just good beer and a place to drink it with good friends you've brought with you. Not much to expect and not somewhere I'd go out of my way to be at. It seems composed of many which are localites and some restaurant industry people that often meet up here.
(3)Kris R.
i think that lemmings is your average neighborhood bar. the staff is really cool and their bar is warm and inviting. i can't explain how though - there's something about the ambiance that is so laid-back and homey. i always end up here more on the earlier side, like 8p, on weekend for some reason. if you're hungry, dont come here. for thirsty people only. if you have a pizza from next door, they welcome that. they only really have chips and popcorn. drinks are super cheap. i wouldn't say it's too divey, kinda like danny's.
(4)Steve M.
This place was great for an uncrowded Tuesday night. Free pool, huge pours, good music, and a super friendly bartender. The atmosphere is pretty laidback, which is exactly what I love. I'll definitely go back!
(4)Kyle B.
Connect 4. Beer. Jenga. Beer. Trivial Pursuit. Beer. Just an average night at my old Bucktown favorite Lemmings. And it's not just a name. You head into this delightful favorite and people will follow. Oh yes, people will follow. Excellent beer selection, bar tenders are generally nice, pool table and pinball in the back and a wonderful selection of Zapp's potato chips (which 3 pints in start to taste like gourmet french fries....awesome.) This is a great place to go any night of the week if you want to drink with some friends at a friendly establishment. Lemmings you have my heart.
(5)Erika G.
It's been ten years since I was here last, and the place has not changed. Maybe the price of a can of Schlitz went up .50. Relaxed, friendly bar. Very chill and attitude-free, in the midst of oh-so-trendy Bucktown. The lose a star from the shit that was smeared on the TP in the women's room. Ew. Horrified by that.
(3)Jesse A.
I come here for the ART. sigh. I don't have a problem with the bar - it's generic, inoffensive, it has schlitz ... but oh! those paintings? I know they probably change which artist is being crucified on the wall on a regular basis, but these were like... the visual equivalent of fingernails on a blackboard. Save us!
(2)Kevin A.
CALL THE APOSTROPHE POLICE! Unless a lemming actually owns this bar, in which case, false alarm. I really like this place. They've got a respectable selection of beers including Left Hand, Rogue, and the ever popular Schlitz, the atmosphere is laid-back and social, and they've got a decent selection of board games. It's like Guthrie's South.
(4)Ryan P.
From Detroit and came across this place on a walk. So glad we stopped in. Excellent bartender and the best music I heard while in Chicago. Comfortable and clean. We ended up staying a long time! We'll be back for sure.
(5)Kim W.
this is a true neighborhood bar and i fucking love it. the spacious billiards room warrants this place 4 stars alone. and the fact that they have free pool on certain days? shit, son.
(4)Maura S.
Great selection of beer, with many on tap that you don't see other places. Relaxed atmosphere, friendly bartenders, and a pool room in the back.
(4)Robin W.
Wow I shouldve stopped in here sooner- i guess i just assume everything on damen above north is for looloos. Anyway, it was totally empty n a Saturday night, and I love that. Great playlist, exposed brick, pool, just fills your basic needs of "i need a bar that isn't full of douches that all of my friends can find a table at." good good.
(4)Wendy G.
Good tap selection. Ms Pacman in back... awesome!
(4)Jess V.
Solid bottle and draft beer selection. Pool table in the back, chill atmosphere, bartenders you expect to see at a semi-dive bar in WP/Bucktown. I will come back when in the area.
(4)francisco r.
I discovered this place when they turned BORDERLINE (north and damen) into one of those yuppie jock sports bars. If you don't wanna deal with the bullshit and you just wanna have some beers this is the place to go.
(5)Jess S.
Was out of the hood for awhile and now I'm back and Lemming's is in my "rotation," even on the weekend - I have no problem coming here on a Saturday - the crowd is manageable and there doesn't seem to be a trickledown of Cans patrons (thank god). Table by the window is my favorite. Not a destination bar by any means, but a great neighborhood joint.
(4)Daniel L.
Good stuff this "Lemmings" place. Fine selection of brews I seem to recall, good atmosphere and laid back. Nice interior decoration going on, quite timeless. Pretty smart looking really but still quite a relaxed little oasis amidst the mean, and ever changing, streets of Bucktown. I also do appreciate the board games on offer. No complaints!
(4)Gene W.
This may be my new favorite place to hang out. The beards aren't as serious as the Green Eye but the drink selection doesn't suffer. All the employees were really friendly. Strange thing, to see hipsters smile. Good to know some people aren't totally concerned with cool (ala trying to look unconcerned). Lemmings has all the symptoms of a relaxed evening- good music at an unobtrusive level, exposed brick, a pool table, a chalk bored that lists beers AND prices, plenty of seating, plenty of candles. It would appear that Chinaski's being closed and forcing me to go someplace else turned out to be a good thing.
(4)Joe M.
Okay, Okay, Okay... I so wanted to hate this bar. I never like places w/ board games. Or at least I thought I never liked places w/ board games. I guess that was then and this is now. They have SO much more than just board games. They have a pool table and a huge beer selection. The bar tenders are fast and friendly. The place just feels like the type of place that you want to be a regular. MONEY
(4)Matt R.
Eight words: Crazy light show set to music at closing. Oh, and such a fun bar. You might miss it surrounded by all the other Bucktown/Wicker Park establishments. But seriously, don't miss it.
(4)Kortney M.
Tis ok. They have gumballhead on tap. Weird atmosphere in there though.
(3)Dred H.
If this place were just a few blocks further south, it would not be nearly as good. Not its fault - how could Lemmings know the Bucktown neighborhood would become such crap around it? As others have said, good music, board games, good weekday crowd. I will add: good Scotch selection and free WiFi.
(4)Carrie S.
We stopped at Lemmings as our last stop on our Wicker Park Halloween pub crawl. Walking in here, I knew this place was laid back and relaxed. All of us found seats at one corner of the bar. They have a great beer selection and board games! Hello! Board games. The mister and I would easily return here for a night of board game fun with some brews! Since it was about 2a.m. or so (really can't remember), the bartenders were very laid back and awesome. One of them offered me a taste of their Halloween fun for the night: dum dum flavored vodka. They stuck a dum dum in some vodka and let it chill for the night. I took a sip of their fun little concoction! Good times! This is one of those great neighborhood bars just to hang out with friends and drink some beer. I prefer bars like these without pretenses or anything gimmacky. They just want to serve their clientele and have a good time. My kind of bar despite the weird name.
(4)Ron R.
I cant knock this joint. Went here on a Saturday night (big mistake for most places). There are few things I look for in a nightspot. 1. Music. Probably one of the most important things to me. It seems I cant find a place in the city that plays good music...most of the stuff played here was bad. There were a few songs I liked, but it was all popular stuff from the past 10years or so. 2. The seating situation. I love being able to sit and have an actual conversation. Even better if the place has really comfy seating. No comfy seating here, but on a Saturday night we were able to grab a table and talk under the dim light (love the lighting in the place) 3. Beer selection. Gotta give at least 3stars to places that have good beer. Sipped on a pumpkin ale that made me feel like it was actually fall. When I was 16 the purchase of eggs made me feel like its fall, but now pumpkin ale does the trick. Wow that last sentence was random Random things: there is also a little back room w/ a pool table. And my friend the Tamale guy (see review) made an appearance. I'm more interested in checking this place out during the week...when the douche bag factor is lower.
(4)CJ M.
I met some friend here last month. Drank a lot of Stella and Stiegel. Enough that i should have been in bad shape the next day. Don't know what happened but there was barely any hangover. Maybe Lemmings has the freshest kegs, or maybe they have the cleanest lines... cant really say for sure but whatever it is I REALLY appreciate it and will be going back next time I have some heavy drinking with old friends to do.
(5)Madelyn H.
lemmings is one of the better bars in bucktown. it's super laid back and has a good selection of beer. you can usually find a seat which is also crucial in my opinion. they have pool tables. only downside is no food so if you get hungy, head somewhere else.
(4)Bobby K.
The Bucktown equivalent of the Sheffield's model of beerpub. Which means it's dirtier, darker, more open space, no food and louder. My cousin worked here years ago, long before I was 21, and said the guys who started it used to work at Sheffield's and stole their chalkboard beer list idea. It's a great solid dive for a beer at off-peak times. Came on a Monday once and had the place to ourselves and great conversation with the bartender. A week or so ago my brother and I stumbled in after midnight on a Friday and while we could still get a seat, we couldn't hear ourselves talk over the music and the trashed wedding party guests. That's the give and take with the up-and-come west side, I suppose.
(4)Leang E.
How could I have lived in the neighborhood for 2 years and just have been here for the first time?! I have passed by so often during the day, and seem to forget to stop in. It's definitely one of those bars that a regular might stop in, and the bartenders know who you are. It's not a very large bar, so I'm surprised that there's a pool table here. This adds to my desire to come back here. There's quite a good selection of beers here. I wanted to be adventurous, but had a craving for an orange slice so I just went for a Blue Moon. I love the art work on the walls, and it makes me appreciate the bars taste in decor. The bartenders are super nice, and they actually seem like they rush to get your order and to the people who haven't been served yet. The prices are average, but it's such an awesome chill laid back bar.
(4)Joyce P.
Beer selection for everyone and the only "bar" in the Damen/Milwaukee/North Avenue area.
(4)Billy S.
Lemmings is a great neighborhood bar. The layout is welcoming, and the decor is generally pub-style. I usually have a great time here! I will say when I went with a group of friends last night, they were literally playing some weird type of 70's porn. And it wasn't really innocent or humorous stuff- it was disturbing. All the girls we were with were grossed out, and we ended up downing out drinks just so we could get out of there before it killed our good moods. Big fail for a generally good bar.
(3)Sarah H.
Always seem to have a good time here! It is laid back.. not too noisy or smokey.. but still a great time! There is a good beer selection and they even have dice and cards available behind the bar for your amusement. The bartenders are just great! I have to say though.. one of my favorite parts might be their chalkboard sidewalk sign. I love walking home and seeing what witty thing they cooked up that night!
(5)John M.
good Lord, I love this place. Went here for NYE and had a complete blast. They have some of the tastiest beers in the hood. Gumball Head and Rogue Dead guy ale... It was a good mix of girls, indie rock dudes and a girl in a red dress and moon boots. sweet look btw. Can't remember if they have a jukebox, but the i-pod mix someone had only ONE Social D song. the rest was some emo garble..c'mon bro..we wanna rock! laid back..be yourself atmosphere. friendly bartenders, pints we're 5 bones. From the outside it looks like a Old man bar with the Schlitz sign. You can't judge a book by it's cover. Damn, I should have checked out this place long long ago....
(4)Megan M.
Lemming's is a perfect neighborhood bar. Great beer, awesome bartenders, good music and a diverse, laid back crowd. This is my go-to spot for a quiet night on the town with friends. I always end up chatting with interesting people here...it tends to be a friendly crowd. Bonus points for being a White Sox friendly bar!
(5)Pickle P.
Cool bar, long-Chicago style which I love, pool, somewhat of an older crowd (not filled with post-college yuppies, etc.), off the beaten track on Damen, so more neighborhood people around. Really enjoy this place. One time a bartender was sarcastic and a little rude toward us (we are younger than the average customer) when we asked if there were any specials on said day, and that was a bit off-putting, but haven't had that guy since. :)
(4)Ray A.
Great place! Really friendly low-key staff, laid back atmosphere, drinks are well-priced, there's pool in the back and a pacman arcade, a range of board games, and they play great music and don't judge you when you do ridiculous dancing competitions in the back. Keep in mind that when you open a tab, it will automatically charge $50 on your card, which will get readjusted once you settle your bill, but it might take a few days for the correction to show up on your account. I recommend this place!
(4)liz s.
I love this bar. It is wonderful. It is never that crowded. It has a good vibe and mix of people. It is close to my house- whenver I get a say in the evening's activities, it usually ends up here!
(5)matt b.
Lots of good beers on tap (*and* in bottle), pool table that is never really packed (and sometimes free)...(tradeoff is that sometimes it's not very competitive), and bartenders that are polite, friendly, and fast.
(5)Miriam R.
I really enjoy this place: The people are usually very chill and it has a nice selection of drinks. Most importantly, it is a haven from the types that love Cans and are slowly infiltrating Wicker Park / Bucktown ;)
(4)Melissa W.
Chill but not a dive. Good selection of beers, people not pretentious, tv's but not obnoxiously a sports bar. Went on a Tuesday night so can't speak to how it is on a weekend, but able to chat comfortably and enjoy a decent beer. parking's not great - but that's the area. but i was able to snag a free non-restricted parking on a nearby street.
(4)Timothy M.
Nice place: decent vibe, decent selection, same feel as other bars in the family, as noted by other reviewers. Just nothing really special about it, except maybe the cool bartenders from Green Eye & Underbar. Generic Bucktown pub: nice, but nothing really special; kind of hip, but not pretentious; the crowd is laid back and not super self-obsessed, like in Wicker Park. People tend to keep to themselves. I'd say this is a great bar to have a drink with a friend and a good discussion.
(2)Joscelyn M.
Beer + boardgames = great neighborhood bar!
(4)Kristin C.
One of my favorite mellow bars in Bucktown or in all of Chicago for that matter. The scene is always laid back and the barstaff is just plain awesome - super friendly and helpful. They have a nice selection of beer here so don't just stick with a Miller Lite. I cannot say enough good things about Lemmings. I just wish I lived closer so I could go more often!
(5)Ronnie S.
This place was awesome! Good music, good beer, pool table, and video games! Most of the clientèle were really cool too. Some idiots got way out of hand, but the staff politely kicked them out just in time. It does not seem to get too crowded, but at the same time you need to get there early if you want to play any games.
(4)Benjamin B.
This place is a breath of fresh air from the stank raunchiness of the Wicker Park usurper crowd. Come sit down at the bar in here and enjoy a nice glass of bourbon with a bunch of regulars who range from the bizarre to the frighteningly normal before it's too late! They have billiards which is always a huge plus and I believe on Thursday nights before 9:00 the pool table is free for anyone who wants to come on down rack a game or two. They usually have decent music playing (Pixies, Sonic Youth, Rockabilly, etc.). Their prices on bourbon are on the high end of average, so this is a good place to start out for a couple of drinks before moving on to a more cost-effective alternative such as The Beachwood. Consider it four stars well-earned for the folks down at Lemmings, keep up the good work and I might just make it five stars!
(4)Liz K.
If you hate pretense, you'll love it here. Cheap drinks? Got it. Ambiance? Eh, not so much. In fact--strike that--It's non-existent. If you're looking for a somewhat-quiet place that's not your apartment in which to get drinks, and you really don't care about the crowd, this is your place. My boyfriend thinks this joint is one of the only worthwhile bars in the neighborhood, while I yank out my mobile to check in with my friends in case there's something better going on. At our apartment we've got a fully stocked bar (albeit running into the "almost-cashed" territory these days), and I'd pretty much rather stay at our apartment and serve up the super-cheap drinks with an entire personalized library with multiple smart playlists at our disposal. I think the only reason I'll go back here is if one of our friends is potently allergic to dogs. :-)
(3)Tanya M.
i've only been here once but i dug it. we went on a friday night and it was busy but not crowed and we didn't have to wait long for the bartenders to notice us. the bartenders by the way are hilarious. very funny and entertaining. good beer at fair prices. they also have a pool table in the back room.
(4)Bryan D.
I used to hang out here a lot more when I lived in the hood but not so much anymore. Still a great bar with a great vibe. Good beer & game selection too.
(4)Seth F.
Nice selection of beers. Honestly, that's the most important thing when it comes to a bar for me. Prices aren't too high either, typical of most places in the city in with a decent amount of microbrews and imports. I can't recall if there was a jukebox or just a bartender playing music through the house system. Either way the musical selections were all over the place, sometimes good, sometimes bad. Chill place, good size that allowed a small party to gather without feeling squished into a table and yet we didnt dominate the bar with our antics either.
(4)Delv O.
most ill bar in chicago. go sox
(5)Jen B.
Lemmings has a wierd-and-illegal $25 credit card minimum. We were probably going to spend that much anyway (and in fact we surpassed it by $15) but being forced to do so makes it less fun. Also, I had to sign a credit card slip twice, once when I opened my tab and again when I closed it. I didn't really understand the system, so when I opened my tab, I thought the bartender would hang on to my card (as per usual). Turns out I was supposed to wait for my card back and when I didn't, the bartender screamed my name and pretended he didn't know whose card it was, even though I was standing, like, two feet away. Other than the aforementioned tab/payment issues, Lemmings was fine. They had a decent drink special ($6 for a beer and a shot) and the atmosphere was chill. They were way overwhelmed with the amount of people that showed up (law school event), but I guess the organizers seriously underestimated how many would be coming so I can't fault them for that. I'm guessing drinks don't normally take 30 minutes to order under normal circumstances. Would go back.
(3)Jennifer C.
I did not feel like a herd of small rodents about to commit mass suicide by jumping off a cliff into the sea below, so that's good.
(5)Jonathan A.
Lemmings is one of the few bars I can think of where nothing about the place offends me. It's got a real authentic old neighborhood tavern feel. It's unpretentious and laid back. No one is trying too hard. You can have a conversation or play pool in the back.
(4)Justin R.
I enjoyed the place at first but was put off by the staff. We were playing pool and spending plenty of money but when the pool table somehow trapped the cue ball they claimed they would fix it but decided not to and then refused to give us our $ back for the game. They were quite rude and didn't seem to care about our patronage. I will not be going back there and recommend that you don't subject yourself to their snobby attitude.
(1)Becky W.
Went on a saturday night. We got there at about a 11:30, and at first there were no seats, but quickly some opened up that we vultured our way onto. Its a cool place, decent crowd. The bartenders are fun. But the price for beer was a little high to me. $2.50 for Schlitz in a can, $2.75 for Pabst on tap. Seems a little high for slumming beers. But fine no less. The bathrooms were seriously trashed. A broken lock on one stall and the other one covered in tp. That's my only negative.
(4)Melissa B.
Good bar, good beer, good games. Not too crowded. Laid back atmosphere. Great bartenders!! I like it.
(4)kelly c.
There are few bars in this general area that I really enjoy going to. I love this bar. They have cheap beer, and they have a good selection of nicer beer. This bar is also shaped very well. I like long bars; they're intimate.
(4)Ed S.
Lemmings is the most 'regular' bar in the city of Chicago. The crowd sitting around bar does not change. The bar tenders serving the drinks have been there for years. This is one comfortable place to drink! If you looking for a bar in Bucktown on the weekends that you can get a seat and relax, this is what your looking for. This staple is for those in the neighborhood that need a break from the 'fight you way to the bar and stand around all night' taverns that are all over Bucktown.
(4)Sophie D.
I'm a former Lemmings barfly, so this place gets my official drunken seal of approval. If Matt or Chris are working the music's excellent. Pool table in the back, sometimes free, and nice regulars peppered about. Oh, and go on a Sunday afternoon for one of Matt's bloodies. I swear it's one of the best in the city. One day my friend and I drank 5. Each. No joke. I try to stay away from the place weekend nights b/c it gets a little claustrophobic, and i prefer a seat at the bar, but it's great at almost all other times. My only real complaint is that the price of drinks has gone through the roof. Or maybe it's just that I don't go enough anymore to get them for free...
(4)Drucilla D.
Though I promised my Lemmings escort that I wouldn't give it the 2 stars that I felt it deserved, I never told him I wouldn't bash it in the actual content of my review... I was just so disappointed! I love the neighborhood and I can't think of a bad bar experience anywhere in the 'hood prior to my couple of hours at the Lemmings. The guy at the door wasn't the most pleasant, the aisles were crowded by the straight from the office crowd with oversize bags and their winter overcoats bumping into everyone who attempted to walk by, and the bartender obviously wasn't concerned with the tips that he would or wouldn't be receiving. Though I had prime positioning to place my drink order (with my credit card in hand and extended over the bar in front of me), the guy blatantly ignored me when there wasn't anyone else placing an order at the same time. He actually went up to the people on either side of me (who already had their drinks) and asked them if they needed anything else before finally sauntering over to me. And I'm so not intimidating! Anyhow, when he finally made it over, he was WAY too sarcastic. Now I have experienced the lady servers at Club Foot and this guy was WAY ruder than them... I asked if I could get a Red Bull/vodka and he just said "No." With a smile I asked, "Because you don't have Red Bull?" And he simply said, "correct" and then stared at me. I asked if they had any other kind of energy drink and his response was "cola." Okay, fine... If he had said it with a smile, I would have had an appreciation for his short, no frills responses. But the guy looked at me like I was a huge idiot that was wasting his time. Now that just sucks. Anyhow, rude service aside AND the fact that they didn't have my Red Bull, there wasn't really anything that redeemed this place. Seriously, the only really positive/fun thing about my Lemmings experience was that I was in really good company - with the person that I went with. I don't think I'll ever go back and I know they won't miss me. And what was up with the pig-tails on both of the male bartenders? Interesting...
(3)A.S. V.
One of the cool things about this bar is they feature special nights with cult movies and Japanese anime. It's good to see a bar establish some sort of character with an affinity for geeky film culture.
(4)Steve R.
A nice laid back tavern. There's a decent selection of taps, decent juke, and a generally unpretentious crowd. It's pretty chill. It's more of a weekday place really, but still very good. If it's the same owner as Green Eye he's got a great thing going.
(4)vitas z.
for a neighorhood tap, they've got a decent selection of beers on tap and in bottles, but nothing that can compete with the selection with hopleaf or map room. though, it's not about quantity of selection with this place. it's about great bartenders, good music, and a decent crowd. yeah, sometimes it can feel like you're an outsider. that's because the regulars are die-hard. i'm only a semi-regular, so i get the outsider vibe meyself, but that's only until you dive into some of the conversations. overall, it's a pretty welcoming spot. one thing that does get on my nerves... they only have guiness in a can. can't stand that stuff. would it be too much to have it on tap?
(4)Andrew P.
Is there another Lemming's (see official bar name)? Decent bar for the area. Like the Schlitz stuff (including the cheap cans of beer), and you can usually get a pool table here. I always feel comfortable here even though the crowd is often not my type. If you're north of the underpass on Damen, give it a try. Bonus: Witty sayings on sidewalk sandwich board.
(3)Amanda G.
I love Lemmings. It has a super laid back atmosphere and you can almost always get a seat. This is truly my neighborhood bar. And my friend has a crush on one of the waitresses...maybe that's why I'm there so often!
(5)Neil K.
My friend made me walk a half-mile to this crappy bar in the cold so I could drink a schlitz. I should probably give my "friend" one star, not this bar.
(1)Natalie R.
Lemmings is one of those places that I like to think will never change. I hope it doesn't. People would cry.
(5)maeve P.
I love this bar. Its a pretty low key neigboorhood bar. The people there are really friendly and you don't usually have to deal with massive amounts of people. You can get $2 cans of American. I have grown to love this good cheap beer. I don't know of anywhere else in Chicago you can get it but I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather go to have one.
(5)booby d.
Everyone needs to go here just to play the "shut up and drink" game. Make sure you ask for it. Then you can play the others such as battleship and operation etc. They gots a pool table which people like to hog and list of drink prices. Drinks are of course pricey but totally norm for the area. I think the board games are a nice touch. Good drinkies.
(4)Mike P.
good drinks, good prices, good crowd and lemmings go together like "hand" and "job"
(5)Brad C.
I wish I could make it here more. Definitely my favorite bar to go to. They have a pool table too.
(5)Rory B.
this place is pretty cool as long as it's not the weekend when all the bucktown d-bags get wasted to unwind after a week of sucking souls.
(4)L. L.
Great casual neighborhood bar with an excellent selection of beers. Don't miss playing a game of pool in their backroom, it's FREE which is unheard of in Chicago. Tip: Stick with beer, we asked the bartender to make a sazerac and hands down, worst drink ever (the bartender improvised in his enthusiasm) but the experience was so comical and fun we didn't mind. Lemmings definitely has a friendly Bucktown vibe without the Wicker Park attitude.
(5)