Like! This review is based on a November and december visit. Last Saturday I returned to Glunz for dinner. We ordered the pork chop, the sausage (brat+thuringer) plate and the ham and gruyere spaetzle. That spaetzle with the creamy gruyere, a smoky ham was the winner of the evening- perfect! I also liked our entrees (although I like my brats in beer, grilled with onions - the boiled prep at Glunz isn't my favorite). Very good selection of brown spirits- they have the anchor steam Old Potrero which for me, can make a spot an instant destination... The staff is super friendly and fun which also makes the evening more enjoyable. I rarely venture into Old Town but this bar is a good reason to do so. Note- the chef may want to consider adding the maple glazed nuts with pork back to the menu. This was available the week of thanksgiving but was removed by 12/21. That was a great bar snack!
(4)
Jen M.
Gorgeous decor. And most of it is borrowed from classic Chicago establishments. The large mirror hails from the Pump Room. And the bar is from the Ambassador West hotel. Original tray ceilings. The owner was all too eager to tell us they're were the first location to bottle Schlitz beer outside of the brewery. Cool backstory. This is a GREAT place to sip and enjoy classic cocktails. The Old Fashioned is reportedly a favorite but I opted for the bourbon cocktail whose name escapes me (guess I had too many). Great place.
(5)
Danny D.
Best chill atmosphere in old town - hands down and for that it gets extra points. I've been here many times and the menu seems hit or miss. (I've had the gnocchi and it was outstanding, but the beet salad was maybe 20% beets and the burger - which apparently Glunz does well - was requested to be pink in the middle - and it was, but it was charred on the outside as was the bun.) They have a decent enough selection of beers, but it wouldn't hurt if they added a few additional ones in the mix. Ohhh yeah - if you told me one of the the wait staff was a serial killer I'd have trouble narrowing it down as to which one it could be. Just saying - this place has character.
(4)
Will S.
This is a very fun place to have some drinks and food with friends. Their food is top notch and their drink menu is built to pair with their food perfectly. The service staff is attentive and are great at making useful and relevant suggestions. They're well trained and cover for each other well. I highly recommend their pretzel with the dunkel beer!
(4)
Nikul S.
This place is as good as it gets in Old Town. The Glunz Tavern maintains class, respectability, and quality without pretension. The interior is warm and inviting. The bartenders are extremely knowledgable, hilarious, and professional. Unlike many of the other restaurants and bars on Wells in Old Town, the price of food and drink actually reflect the quality and portion of what you get as opposed to the typical slop that many restaurants pass off as food at a cost of $14-$20 per. We ordered the charcuterie plate, glunz tavern salad, gnocchi, and schnitzel. All dishes were excellent. As for drinks, they make a great Old Fashioned. Make sure to ask for it with Bulleit Rye as opposed to regular Bulleit. This is a great date place too. The atmosphere can be intimate, warm, and perfect if you are trying to get to know someone. Added bonus, I didn't see a single "bro" in there. Just regular guys and gals politely and tastefully having a good time.
(5)
Mia C.
Not a good place for vegetarians. Food was greasy and portions are way too small and expensive. Ambiance is nice and service is good tho.
(2)
David R.
Glorious. Real, legitimate history and old-fashioned service: countless places try and fail to evoke this ideal but it cannot be faked. In look and feel, Glunz Tavern is a genuine early 20th-century throwback. It was originally founded in 1888 by a forebear of the proprietors who re-established it in 2012, and I can't imagine it being any better in 1888 than it is today. Although now I would happily sit here for hours enjoying beer and soaking in the atmosphere, the purpose of my original visit was to scratch a gustatory itch. Something intangible about the onset of serious autumn this year made me long for a big Bavarian pretzel. Then looking through the photos of a trip sparked a hard craving for German food in general. Finally, a piece in TimeOut previewing 2013 restaurant trends gave me a concrete target--Glunz Tavern. "[Its] menu includes a warm pretzel with Düsseldorf mustard; Thuringer sausages simmered in Bavarian-style sauerkraut with potatoes; and späetzle überbacken, a spaetzle gratin with Black Forest ham and Gruyere." SOLD! I ate all of those things, and ironically the pretzel was dry and disappointing. Everything else, however, was outstanding. I started with the beet salad, with mache greens, shallots, pistachios, goat cheese, and caraway and sherry vinaigrette--a practically perfect version of one of my favorite dishes. The späetzle überbacken is essentially German macaroni and cheese, but it obliterates all but the very best of its American cousins. Between ham, gruyere, and caramelized onions, this dish is almost impossibly rich and should be shared...or taken home to eat as leftovers to stretch out the pleasure over multiple meals. For the sausage dish, I requested one of each, the bratwurst and the smoked Thuringer; of these I far preferred the latter, but the best thing on the plate was the sauerkraut--far, far superior to the sour, stringy stuff from a can that gets thrown indiscriminately onto various sausages in this town. I am sorry that it took me until March to come in, because there are many more tantalizing items on the menu, as well as thoughtful and compelling daily specials. Besides a small but satisfying selection of imported draft beer, they offer a classic cocktail menu, and their bar staff is as adept at crafting these drinks as the kitchen staff is at the food dishes. From excellent food and drink to gracious, good-humored service to the unique history and atmosphere, I just love this place. Dare I say that Glunz Tavern is my new favorite bar/restaurant in Chicago? Yes, I dare.
(5)
Amelia B.
If you read my review of House of Glunz ( yelp.com/biz/house-of-gl… ), you'll know that I absolutely adore this space and the people that own it and work there. Same goes for the waitstaff and bartenders at the attached bar, Glunz Tavern. Extremely knowledgeable, extremely friendly. And the space still rocks. 5 stars all around there. But the food underwhelms. I take that back - it's pretty good, just very spendy for the portion sizes and what you get.* Maybe that's the upscale vibe Glunz is going for, but I just don't think it fits. Drinks are also on the extreme high end - $11 for a "well" drink? (yes, yes, at a place like this I should be ordering the $90 Pappy Van Winkle, I get it). I had high hopes for this as a neighborhood place, but it's much more upscale than I expected. So go for the history, for the beautiful building and knowledgeable staff. Not sure I'd make a full meal of it though. That said, still worth checking out. *the saddest part? highly disappointing Bavarian pretzel. If you are going with a German-food bent, at least get the pretzel and mustard right.
(4)
Jeff C.
Limited menu, but what they do is good German fare. Deviled eggs and huge pretzel are great appetizers to share. Schnitzel and Riesling chicken were tasty, generous portions. Outdoor seating, without an obnoxious sports-bar crowd, makes for a relaxing experience on Wells.
(3)
Darryl P.
The burger had potential to be great, but both the bun and beef were extremely over-cooked, to the point it was actually burnt. Had to cut off the burnt areas just to make it edible.
(2)
Gary R.
Best place to go for drinks before or after dinner in Old Town! These guys know how to make a Bourbon Old Fashioned.
(5)
Nina V.
My new favorite bar in the city! New favorite bar is an understatement -- the service and drinks were great. Super nice people and I will be back quite often. The staff here really go out of their way to make sure patrons enjoy their visit here. I didn't eat anything while here, but next time will definitely sample the food.
(5)
Jon H.
Awesome joint. They have one TV which is usually off so that's a nice change. Bartender was awesome, super friendly and energetic. Food was pretty decent as well. Chatted with the owner for a bit, very cool guy. Nice quaint bar with quality drinks and good food.
(4)
Brian L.
In addition to being a classic, low-key gem in Chicago, this place actually serves red wine at the proper temperature. Tired of other wine bars serving red wine at room temperature. #shutupwinesnob. What's with the music though? Breeders. Social Distortion. Hard punk. All for that when I go to a hipster dive bar. Tatted up bartender using Glunz as the stage to crank her own music interests. Know your audience.
(4)
Carol K.
I'm giving Glunz, the benefit of the doubt . . . .for while the night started very well- there were a few service hiccups along that way that put a small question mark in my mind. So time will tell . . . . The night started off so great! Karl, the bartender, was terrific, mixing our martinis with vigor and making sure that we were comfortable at the end of his bar. This place is lovely inside with stained glass windows, an old style wooden bar, high tops in the front windows and a small dining area in the back. Just the kind of place you would hope to find as a neighborhood place! When it came time to eat- we were seated at a great little table right in the front window allowing us to watch the activity as Old Town came alive on this warmish night. Not sure if our table wasn't "officially" in the server's section or if he thought others were taking care of us but getting any service once we moved to the table was a bit of a challenge. We finally flagged down Karl again and he brought us menus from behind the bar. At that point the server came over and took our orders. But that was the last we saw of him. And the drink orders given to Karl were wrong. What the heck? And when the manager (owner?) came over and asked us how things were- we mentioned the service challenge and suddenly Karl was back in place taking care of us from behind his bar. So I'm going to assume that Karl was our server for the remainder of this review- thus the 4 stars- for if it was for the other server- it would be less! I had the brick chicken which was quite good but my friend had the pork chop which was definitely the better of the two. Also- we had a chance to taste the deviled eggs as well as the cheese and chacuterie plate. While the eggs were good- the chacuterie was a bit on the slim side - definitely not anything to rave about. If you drive- street parking is pretty easy right on Wells or you can park in the new parking garage just north of the location which will run you about $14. All in all- I liked this spot to connect with friends and enjoy a drink. But if you go- be sure to sit at the bar for Karl will take excellent care of you!
(4)
Allen B.
If you want to experience Chicago, this is the place!! Glunz is not a sports bar (the one TV at the bar has the volume and brightness down). Glunz does not look modern on the inside (no neon signs). But Glunz is 125 years old, and in that time has built up more charm and style than any chain could *ever* hope to have! Our waiter knew the history of the place even though he's been there less than a year. He was also better informed about the menu (pre-prohibition era drinks, wine, and food) than some professors I've had. Most importantly he was FUN!!! The staff at Glunz will be subdued if you want subdued. But joke with them and they roll with it and then some. When a repeat customer walks in, they're greeted warmly but not at the expense of other guests. No one puts on airs - everyone is welcome. This isn't a place looking to cater to the trends, it's a place looking to please it's extremely varied customer base. And the FOOD is AWESOME!! The hot pretzel appetizer is big enough for three to share!! The fish and chips special I had was the best I'd had anywhere (and that's quite a feat)! The chicken was juicy and flavorful. The cheese board had great range. Lastly, the apple strudel was phenomenal! We'll be going back!!!! Here's to another 125 years!!!!!
(5)
Ian B.
We come here almost every Sunday night. Wonderful food, and great service. An underrated gem.
(5)
Emann B.
I had attended a wine tasting at House of Glunz several years ago and really enjoyed the experience. I had been meaning to try The Glunz Tavern ever since it opened and had the opportunity on a sunny Saturday. My best mate and I stopped in around 5:30pm and as expected it was pretty empty, save for a gaggle of boozy cougars who apparently thought my stylin' companion and I were musicians. Not quite accurate, but I'll take it as a compliment despite their inebriated state. All the bartenders were very friendly, informative, and Colin was full of entertaining stories of the supernatural kind. Drinks were amazing and they really take care to make them right. I had more than a couple mouth-puckering sidecars. We felt a bit peckish and ordered the cheeseboard: Three wonderful cheeses, nuts n' jelly, and perfect grilled bread. Perfect, delectable snack. I'll definitely return!
(4)
John S.
good food - but service was slow. we weren't in a huge hurry, but i had to approach bar to order dinner. would go back for drinks and maybe food if not in any rush.
(3)
Wes Cole C.
One of my favorite brunch places in Old Town. The staff is friendly, the food is great, and I love the old school vibe. The accompanying wine store is rated the best wine store in Chicago. My mommy likes it there. And my daddy likes the bourbon. Me? I like the scrambled eggs and milk.
(5)
Jon H.
Our experience here was a wild ride from start to finish. First, (after seating ourselves) our waiter eventually came over, but was completely confused. He didn't understand the meals that we were trying to order (it seemed like he didn't even understand the menu itself), and then simply walked away after taking our order (which were burgers - he didn't bother to ask how we wanted them) without removing our menus. After about 10 minutes of waiting with no drinks or any other service, we finally had to ask for water. Which he brought over in paper disposable cups. Like something from a fast-food restaurant. Eventually the manager came over and saw how strange our service was, so she replaced our cups with actual glasses with ice water and tried to apologize. Then the meal came. Luckily, the burgers were very, very good. However, they were supposed to come with a side of fries which were forgotten, except when we finally got these fries (after we had finished the burgers), they were half-raw and tasted rubbery. All in all, this was a very strange meal. I see all these positive reviews, but our experience was completely different from them.
(2)
Sarah Y.
This is an example of a place with great service, delightful cocktails, and a cozy interior that serves up German comfort foods, but the pricing is outrageous. $11 for the beet salad, which consisted of 6 small slices of beets hidden in about 3 cups of over-dressed greens mix. $25 schnitzel, while delicious and a big portion, is in my opinion outside the price range for a working man's food. The steamed mussels and chorizo is a star dish here, but the 20 small and delicate mussels won't do too much to quell the hunger. After spending almost $100 (including tip and tax) for 2 beers, 1 cocktail, 1 entree to split, and 2 apps, I just don't have the money to dine here another time, or rather would take that money to somewhere with bigger and better portions or much better food. I would've given it 2 stars, indicating I've experienced (much) better, but since it is merely that the prices are too high for decent food, 3 stars it is.
(3)
Cindy M.
I went to Glunz Tavern for a cocktail. My friend and I both ordered a drink off of their drink menu. I ordered an old fashioned. I watched the bartender carefully measure the shot and a half of bourbon into the glass. This made for an extremely weak drink. I feel ripped off for paying $12 for this cocktail. Between parking, 2 cocktails and tip, we spent about $35! No thanks Glunz Tavern! There are way better places to get a cocktail. I definitely will not be going back.
(2)
Alexandra S.
Wonderful! Delicious food - I'm so glad I found this place, I can't wait to go back and get a another HUGE pretzel.
(5)
Cooper C.
Super cool joint where you can have a great bite to eat and enjoy some good conversation.
(5)
Rachel M.
My own little neighborhood time machine. LOVE GLUNZ , the staff, the family and everything about this place. It makes me feel like I am enjoying a cocktail with my grandparents who are no longer with us. The bartenders are a HOOT! We (my boyfriend and I) always sit at the bar for nice conversation, unless we have people joining us. They know EVERYTHING about the cocktails, beers and wines that they serve. And dont be afraid to ask for something that is not listed on the cocktail/wine list. The family also owns the space next door (obviously House of Glunz) and will pick out something of your liking. Food is undeniable, everything spot on and TOP NOTCH!
(5)
Brian F.
Gorgeous old town bar with an olden-time look. The beer selection is phenomenal and the staff is friendly.
(4)
Marie O.
The food was ok, not great. Very heavy, salty. We were enticed by a little blurb on Eater Chicago, which mentioned a special deal-- of which the waitress knew nothing when we arrived. The space itself was charming, with many original features.
(2)
Jaye J.
Just came back from dining there-and I'd like to review now but will take the option to edit later: I've heard good thing things about the place, and, on a whim, Mr. J and I decided to stop there today (Sunday) late afternoon about 3. I've wanted to try the place fora while now, as I've happily shopped at House of Glunz wine and spirits for years and dined at places where the sommalier or selection of wines was selected by Glunz. When we arrived, there were 2 people at the bar and one other two top when we arrived. Later, a 4 top showed up. The place looks cute, with warm cozy wood and stained glass everywhere and lots of old fashioned signs. A lovely old wood bar lines half the front area where there are high top tables and in the back is a small dining room. Our server came over immediately, left us menus, and let us know they were out of the meatloaf and corned beef. This was disappointing on its own account, but as they only serve brunch on Sunday, that was rather limiting. Mr J ordered the burger and I ordered the corned beef hash. I had to ask about how the eggs were served-so I assume had I not, I would have gotten the eggs...? anyway, our server, who never introduced himself, went off to place our ouders, only to return several minutes later (too long, imo) to inform me that there was no corned beef for the hash (which, had I thought about it, that is not a surprise), and leave me with a menu again and a promise to return with our drinks. When he did, I wanted to order the salami sandwich...and he told me they were out of that too. This was getting annoying. I ordered the steak sandwich, and Mr J and I enjoyed our drinks, which were well made prohibition era cocktails. After w rather long wait, our food arrived, and Mr J's burger was juicy and actually quite delicious. It came with hand cut fries and a spicy ailoi and was a real treat. I, on the other hand, had an overdone steak on a hard bun (not toasted, hard), with a chunk of bone that was nearly 1/3 the total size of the steak. Biting into that was an unpleasant surprise. It came with a nicely dressed arugula salad. In the meantime, Mr J ordered a "waiter's choice" gin cocktail that was, frankly, not very well made. It was a rifff on a Moscow Mule, but it jsut didn't turn out very well. I'd ordered the Founders Oatmeal stout which was exactly what one would expect. Our server, who had ONE other table checked on us 0 times. Mr J did mention to our unnamed server that his cocktail was underwhelming, and he took off 50% of the cost. Overall, the good parts were good, the bad parts were bad, and it seemed as if the whole thing jsut missed the mark. Since we'd heard great things about this place from others and it was kind of close to getting it right, this left us thinking that we'd maybe give the place another shot...sometime...not too soon. We exited through the wine shop, and ran into Christopher (whom we later found was the grandson of the original Glunz) who invited us to try the wines opened for the earlier tasting. It happened we found one we quite liked and was quite charming, as he's always been whenever I've been in shopping. He asked us how we liked the meal and we sort of hemmed and hawed and eventually gave him an abbreviated and hopefully less stinging review than the one above. He then apologized profusely, thanked us for our honesty, and explained that the day before, on a Saturday, their head chef just walked out. Just like that, left them high and dry and they had been scrambling through the Saturday dinner service and Sunday brunch with the sous-chef and staff trying to work out how to run things. This definitely explained the mis-steps we'd experienced, and I don't think he could have been more genuine in his explanation. I completely understand-sometimes someone just puts the screws to you. We also said we were happy to come again and figured we'd just hit a bad time. He then generously simply GAVE us the bottle of wine were intended to purchase, which more than smoothed over my dissatisfaction. During the conversation, we started talking gin drinks, and ended up purchasing a bottle of nice gin too. So, not the best experience, but I understand they'd hit a rough patch, and the problems all seem minor and fixable, and we look forward to returning.
(4)
Katie V.
Outdoor seating? Hooray! Solid Bloody Mary? Oh hell to the yes. Cabbage soup with haricot verts and pancetta? Bowl-licking good. Now open most days for lunch!
(4)
Katherine C.
Came here on a Wed night for HH with coworkers and stayed from 5:30-7:30. The beginning of our night here was positive. Good selection of wine, hard liquor, and some beers on draft, though on the pricier side. Same for food. Overall, not bad and the waitress was attentive. Around 7:00, a live band set up by the door and played ear blasting jazz. While it's nice to have live music, it's wayyyyy to early to start blasting it at 7 pm on a wed night with only a handful of patrons to play to. It became so loud that we couldn't even hear the person across from us and we decided that it was high time to leave, even with unfinished drinks. I recommend lowering the volume of the band or playing much later when people are ready to just sit back and enjoy the music. Instead we left expensive drinks unfinished in our hurry to escape to a quieter bar.
(2)
Michael B.
Housed in one of the first brick buildings built in Chicago after the fire, the building is awash in original detail and/or historic artifacts. Built in 1883, from the original tin ceilings, wood floors, imported German stained glass windows and other fun stuff, the place has the authentic cham of yesteryear Chicago while being a comfortable, contemporary community treasure. Tuesday is half price wine night. Oh and BTW, the family owned House of Glunz Wine shop, also a treasure, is the oldest continually operating spirit house in the nation, so they have a great selection of interesting and reasonably priced wine (and beer). The food blew us away. Best described as a contemporary twist on classic German food as well as some hearty salad and fish options, everything, and I mean everything, was sensational. The food had a real authentic home style taste that only pride, talent and slow cooking can achieve. We had the roasted brussel sprouts, a beet, goat cheese, pistachio and caraway seed salad, sauteed red sauerkraut, and s salmon vegetable fish dish that were as home style delicious as it comes. The home made strudel was the final blew that brought the much sought gustatory orgasm we all desperately seek in our dining experiences. My final bit of advise, listen to Stephanie and order whatever she says. She's delightful and knows her stuff.
(5)
Emily S.
I went here for a first date one Tuesday and we had such a good time. Neither of us had been here before, but it was a convenient location to meet up. The decor and atmosphere was really nice and homey. It was quiet, our waitress was sweet/attentive/made great suggestions and was just overall really friendly and fun. We had the pretzel, burger and creme brulee and each was really great. Would definitely come here again!
(4)
Lauren P.
Glunz is a very charming bar/restaurant with great drinks. The menu is unique and the food is incredible! There is a spacious outdoor patio and the inside is cozy, yet has a fun vibe. We came on Friday night with live acoustic music. Definitely put Glunz on your list if you are in Old Town!
The Gluntz Tavern is a great place to go for drinks. They also have an extensive beer list, including Leffe, which I appreciate as it's one of my favorites. They are always consistent in their service - top-notch - and are friendly, helpful without being overwhelming. There is no bad seat in the house and the ambiance makes this place a complete package - tin ceilings, original bar. Classy but not stuffy.
(5)
Val W.
This place deserves the highest review that I could possibly leave. The night I came was a little unique (which made my experience probably more memorable than others might be), but throughout it all, the quality of the service, the food, and the atmosphere all deserved 5 stars. Highlights: they have a great wine shop (with a super helpful staff), let you try beers before you take your pick, have an excellent and delicious menu, and are overall very attentive! First, as we wandered in on a Wednesday evening before a Second City show, we were told that the dining area was reserved for a special event, but the bar and some tall tables around the bar were available. We took a tall table, which was situated right next to the dining area. and asked our exceptional waiter about what was going on. It was an Austrian wine night, so they had an Austrian wine expert come in, talk about 5 different wines which people got to try, and had a special multiple course dinner to go along with the wines. We were close enough to hear the first talk by the expert (which we super enjoyed), and our waiter showed us the wines and menu they were eating. We asked if there was extra of the entree they were having, and while our waiter checked with the chef, we wandered into the wine shop (the oldest continuously running wine shop in the country... I think they said!). While the lady in the wine shop was showing us around, answering all our questions (and even letting us try some of the wine that was open), the chef came out personally to let us know the status of our dinner (since we wanted to special order what the Austrian wine lovers were eating). I won't keep this saga going forever, but essentially we got everything we wanted and more, with the help of an amazing crew! Thank you!
(5)
Juan C.
Friendly place. It's a 125 years place so it's must be good place to be open that long and survived prohibition. Kitchen closes at 10.
(5)
Nick P.
Hidden gem in Old Town! Great cocktails, wide beer selection, and a variety of meat. Get the burger... one of the most underrated ones in the city. Very good upscale tavern without loud, blaring TVs everywhere.
(5)
Elizabeth S.
Wonderful food but the service was a disaster. We came in after the wells street art fair and there was one server and one bartender. We sat ourselves and managed to order but they were clearly understaffed. Our waitress did the best she could but the bartender in charge was surly and by the end of the night, multiple tables walked out without being served. I really enjoyed our food but the service was so bad I likely would not return.
(2)
Scott F.
Great tavern burger and amazing cocktails. Great atmosphere reminiscent of the 19 century when it was originally open.
(5)
Jet S.
Good place, good decor. They try to be a little different with their menu and they offer quality standbys for bar food. Fair prices for the area. Would recommend.
(4)
Renessa F.
A friend and I were looking for a bar to watch the Bears game on Sunday but less crowded and we stumbled upon Glunz Tavern. As I debated on hair of the dog, I watched Daren the bartender make a few bloody marys and his attention to detail convinced me to order one. The drink went great with the HUGE pretzel and the eggs benedict my friend and I shared. I enjoyed this place because the staff was welcoming and the history of the tavern is great. The Glunz Tavern was established in 1888, closed during prohibition for 90 some years and reopened in 2012. The tin ceiling, wooden floors, and bar are the original. There are other tales Daren can share so I won't take all of his stories. I went back to Glunz for dinner and to my surprise they have live music on Wednesday evenings starting at 7:30 pm. The ambiance, candle light, and music made for an unintended but very nice romantic dinner. We ordered gnocchi without the corned beef, Schnitzel, and pretzel bread pudding. Daren came to the rescue once again. Since they did not have the Chianti Classico I wanted he offered another great red. They have a very wide selection of spirits since The House of Glunz is attached to the tavern and you can just walk over to browse the store. Great place for food, drinks, and good company.
(5)
Yvonne B.
Drinks = top notch! Our server took us both on a wonderful libation journey that included Sazerac, Horse's Neck, The Bronx Cocktail, and Champs Elysee. Oh - and then M ordered a bottle of wine. She drank half of it, recorked it, and brought it home. And I loved our server. He was perfectly charming, flirtatious, and gosh darn easy on the eyes. He was adept at choosing my drinks and helping me narrow my food options. He was initially very attentive but that TLC waned as the tavern became busier. The food was good. M absolutely loved loved LOVED it. I just thought it was okay. We got charcuterie, pretzel, deviled eggs, and gnocchi. I tried all of the charcuterie nibbles and then let M conquer it all. We decided that the pretzel was just a means of delivery for the scrumptious mustard dipping sauce. I liked the deviled eggs and M wasn't as much of a fan. I thought the gnocchi was good but too salty whereas M was completely blown away and said it was even better than what was served at the now closed Maison Brasserie. Our bill with tip came to about $175. We really liked the old school spirit of The Glunz Tavern. Besides the one flat screen television by the bar (and it was turned off the whole time) everything else about the place was old. Like, antique and not worn down or out dated. It's a family business and there were members of the Glunz family working that evening. Besides the girl who toppled her stool and fell on the floor the place was quiet. Not awkwardly quiet or anything like that. It was just good for conversation and being chill. We'll go again and definitely when we want to unwind.
(4)
Meredith H.
Amazing service! Glunz staff rocks!! Food is sooo good and the best bloody Mary's in the city! Naomi makes the best!!! Stephanie rocks with her awesome service and friendly fun demeanor. Keep up the awesome job all. Love the environment immaculately clean bathrooms too. Love love love house of glunz!! Lovely wine selection too, what u like, they will have! Thanks staff of Glunz!
(5)
Mickey A.
I met with a coworker for dinner, drinks, and non-work conversations. Two out of three isn't bad because we ended up talking about work 80% of the time. Anyway, I've been wanting try this place after seeing it on my way out of Plum Market. My coworker had never heard of it. It was great place for a last minute decision and for not having reservations on a Friday night. I can't say that happens all the time, but it was just our luck. We started off with the cheese platter and the french fries. My friend also got an order of the pretzel, which was bigger than the ones you get at a sporting event. In fact on our check, it even said "pretzel, huge". Insert your jokes here. For my entree, I ordered the gnocchi with roast beef and egg. I've been on this kick lately for ordering a meal with an egg - not sure what that's about. It wasn't a big portion (think small plates) but after chowing down on the fries and cheese and downing a glass of Malbec, I wasn't too disappointed in it. I enjoyed it and probably would get it again. Also, the entrance is right before the liquor store (if you're facing north) next door. I walked past it thinking it was part of the dining area and not the actual entry door. Duh.
(4)
Ben A.
Sausages were DELICIOUS. Service a little slow, but who cares when the decor is so much fun to look at and talk about?
(4)
Kirsten G.
I want to give more stars, but my Old Fashion was weak and I needed a strong one and the beet salad did not have Arugula or much taste. Burger was Awesome though . Fries were good , but nothing to write home about. Server was very nice. So... I would go back, but stick to wine or Beer and not get Beet Salad or Deviled Eggs.
(3)
Lily B.
Do you consider yourself a person with good taste? Do you like awesome people? Are you awesome? Does delicious, succulent, killer food make you close your eyes and feel God? Do you like a strong old man cocktail? Are you into good stories and historical, magical ambiance? Well if you are and if you do, GET YOUR SWEET BUTT TO GLUNZ.
(5)
Mary G.
So fortunate for us that we discovered Glunz Tavern. Very comfortable, great bartenders, good food, beautiful room with many original features - easily the best place to come for a relaxing dinner amidst all the craziness of Wells Street just a little further north. Schnitzel was delicious. This is a hidden gem (I almost didn't want to write this review to share the secret). Glunz is a very authentic, neighborhood tavern and restaurant, family run, that does what it does very well.
(4)
Ben T.
This place is great and serves one of the best burgers I've ever had. Order it medium rare and wash it down with a liter of German beer.
(5)
Amy C.
Went to this place last night and I'm not exaggerating when I say I think I waited over twenty minutes for a draft beer. After waiting probably fifteen minutes, (after we had already waited a considerable amount of time to be acknowledged and given menus and had our drink orders taken) the rest of my table got their drinks and when I told the server I was still waiting for my beer he went back to the bar (I thought to get my beer) and continued running drinks to his other tables for several more minutes. The bummer part for the server is that I probably would have ordered at least three of those pretty expensive beers, but instead I had one. I thought the food was fine but the service was slow, unapologetic and unfriendly. Won't be going back.
(1)
Aaron L.
Just got back from having drinks and some appetizers at Glunz Tavern. The space is terrific and I could have stayed longer. The bartender, Colin, made a terrifc Old Fashioned and couldn't have been nicer. He used to own Red Lion, a pub in Lincoln Park that closed several years ago. As of now, the beer selection is rather limited, only 5 or 6 and none on tap. However, I'm told there will be a rotating selection of draft beer in the near future. As for food, I tried the truffle fries, beet salad, and pretzel. All were good and the guy next to me raved about the burger, which I'll probably order next time.
(4)
Elaina T.
Decor and location were the best things here. Hashbrowns smelled bad and the corned beef sandwich had too much fat on it. Thoroughly disappointed.
(2)
Kelley B.
My husband and I stepped into the newly opened Glunz Tavern after work on a Friday night. It was early, around 6 p.m., and the small tavern was about half full. We chose to sit at the bar. We ordered two glasses of wine (not a huge variety of wine by the glass, considering their great variety of wine in their adjacent House of Glunz liquor store). The wines were excellent. Their beer menu is limited but their cocktails looked great. I'm definitely going to have to try one next time I'm there. We started the night with their small cheese and meat platter, with fresh bread. We also split the gnocchi for our entree. It was a huge portion compared to other gnocchi entrees I have gotten elsewhere. The dish was so rich, it practically melted in your mouth. I would highly recommend this dish! We left very full but eager to come back to Glunz Tavern. By the time we left, the place was starting to get crowded and every table was occupied. The service was a little slow but it had only been open for a couple of weeks and it was packed. Can't get mad when you have a longer time to sip a delicious wine! Overall, it's a great spot for a date night.
(4)
Adrienne N.
Beautiful bar, excellent bartender.
(4)
Matthew M.
I went here after dinner one night and really enjoyed its authenticity. They have the original bar from the Pump Room which is pretty cool. They also sport a really good liquor list.(three different aged bottles of PAPPY VAN WINKLE which is impressive) Our bartender was very funny and knew his stuff. The cocktails he poured were excellent. Overall this place is perfect for a quiet cocktail and conversation without the River North vibe. A hidden gem. I can't believe people don't come here all the time!
(5)
Karen S.
I came here a few months ago with a group of four. It was a Tuesday and they have half price bottles of wine! I had the Thüringer and Smoked Thüringer which came with sauerkraut and potatoes. Simple dish that was plated well and very tasty. The others had duck or the schnitzel and all enjoyed. Service was good. An enjoyable night.
The $12 cremant seemed kind of pricey, but then I'm cheap and have my sources for $5 martinis in lovely places, AND I have friends in Alsace so I get to guzzle the stuff in the friendly dive bars of Strasbourg, where it's sort of like the house wine and doesn't cost much. The space is beautiful, atmospheric, and reminiscent of when Old Town had a major stained glass thing going on (in my childhood), where every other bar or restaurant seemed to have Victorian stained glass all overthe place. So now I have somewhere besides Orso's and Bond Chapel for my stained glass fix. Prices for beer, a drink which generally mystifies me, seemed pretty reasonable.
(3)
Wolf Z.
Pleasant, relaxed atmosphere, pre-war music, great German beer selection, awesome burgers. Ja!
(5)
Sue B.
Have been to The Glunz Tavern 3 times in the last 4 months. I can't say a bad word about the place. Beer and wine selection is great. Bartenders and staff excellent. Burger and brussel sprouts are the best! Not kidding! Can't wait to try all the other entrees. Smallish menu, which is always nice, since you know everything will be tasty. Highly recommend.
(5)
Tanya K.
We had dinner here last night and we are so pleased to have such great German/French options in the neighborhood. I had the Coq Riesling and my husband ordered the wiener schnitzel. Both were perfectly prepared. We also enjoyed the potato leek soup and the house salad. There is a great wine list (This is Glunz!) and a good selection of beers. Our server was knowledgeable and efficient. The owners stopped by to seriously inquire how we were enjoying our meal and graciously gave us a bit of history behind the tavern. The decor is really lovely and the atmosphere is inviting. The bartenders greeted us as soon as we entered. This is a small room and I hope we will be fortunate in finding a table when we return with our adult kids.
(5)
Peter M.
We were walking through old town having not been before and decided to stop for a few drinks. The refinery was empty, the old town burger saloon looked so so, and gluntz was pretty empty but charming looking. Boy did we make the right choice. The bartenders were amazing in how they crafted the drinks. I had a rye Manhattan that while potent went down smooth as glass. The food was great as well, black truffle mayo with fries! We will definitely be going back again.
(5)
Lois B.
Amazing! I'm glad that we arrived a little before 6:30 and walked right in for a table four 4. The wait staff answered questions with the kind of enthusiasm for the food that was only matched by the food itself. The best beet salad I have EVER had (and I like beet salad) and the most amazing gnocchi. Every single one of us was delighted with our drinks, our wine, beer and our food. Dessert? We meant to stick to the apple struddle, but decided to go for the hot chocolate as well. I am so glad that we had both because I wouldn't want to choose.
(5)
Kimberly M.
Happened to stop by here and truly felt like we walked into an Irish pub. Excellent corned beef, soda bread, baileys cookies, and amazing beer selection (3 floyds, founders, etc). You could tell everything was home cooked. Will definitely be back here! Recommend the corned beef. We are from the east coast where corned beef is everywhere, and this was the best we have had. It was juicy, tender, melts in your mouth corned beef.....phenomenal!!
(5)
Jeff K.
What a great spot in the old town/gold coast area. What a great addition and am so glad to have found it. The space was great! Rustic, warm, and inviting. The cocktail I had was subpar and way over priced. If I am paying $14 for a cocktail (it sort of tasted soapy and I think it was the glass, but am not totally sure) I am going to Sable. Regardless, I loved the wine selection and beer selection. I just will not have a mixed drink here, problem solved. The food was great. The pretzel would only have been better if there was a cheese sauce with it in addition to the mustard. The sausage plate was meaty and smoky and tasty. The piece de resitance was the Spaetzle Uberbacken. I would and will come back here just for this! It was hard having to split this item with my date after having the first bite, but unfortunately we made the agreement in ordering. I will not offer to share this item with him next time. Over all I look forward to returning. It was a great Wednesday date night location.
(4)
EH B.
Ambience is wonderful and food preparation was top notch. Menu could provide more choices, but everything we selected was quite good and priced fairly. Old Town neighbors -- support this place! It is a little gem.
(4)
Daniel S.
I live about a block away and have been here twice. Food is excellent, nice atmosphere and slower service. Wiener schnitzel and the hamburger are outstanding!
(5)
R D.
We were so happy that the family that owns House of Glunz decided to reopen the Glunz Tavern. We went early on a Friday evening and by 6p.m. almost every table was filled, including the bar area. The bartender and staff are very friendly, welcoming you at the door. We only ordered apps and drinks and both were very good. I look forward to returning for dinner.
(5)
M T.
Incredible makeover from former rustic liquor store. Cozy tavern, the bartenders understand how to make a drink, and the few small plates that we tried were great (the cheese selections were fantastic).
(5)
Edward A. S.
It's Friday, and I've just come in from having had dinner at The Glunz Tavern. My head still hurts and my ears are still ringing from the racket in the place. Also, the Sazarac I ordered was less than mediocre. If there were two shot glasses of anything in that silly little glass, then I would be surprised. Took nearly fifty minutes to be served dinner which I have to say was good (burger). However, our waiter never asked if we wanted another drink, did not ask how the food was, hardly attended to the table. I wanted to like this place, but I was TOTALLY unimpressed by it -- except for its physical charm. The operation seems to need some serious fine-tuning -- esp in the service category where there seemed to be a lack of experience. Instead of having a busboy constantly refilling the water glasses, they need to remember that a successful restaurant sells drinks as well as food. In any case, I won't be returning.
(2)
Megan F.
The Gluntz Tavern is a great place to go for drinks. They also have an extensive beer list, including Leffe, which I appreciate as it's one of my favorites. They are always consistent in their service - top-notch - and are friendly, helpful without being overwhelming. There is no bad seat in the house and the ambiance makes this place a complete package - tin ceilings, original bar. Classy but not stuffy.
(5)
Mickey A.
I met with a coworker for dinner, drinks, and non-work conversations. Two out of three isn't bad because we ended up talking about work 80% of the time. Anyway, I've been wanting try this place after seeing it on my way out of Plum Market. My coworker had never heard of it. It was great place for a last minute decision and for not having reservations on a Friday night. I can't say that happens all the time, but it was just our luck. We started off with the cheese platter and the french fries. My friend also got an order of the pretzel, which was bigger than the ones you get at a sporting event. In fact on our check, it even said "pretzel, huge". Insert your jokes here. For my entree, I ordered the gnocchi with roast beef and egg. I've been on this kick lately for ordering a meal with an egg - not sure what that's about. It wasn't a big portion (think small plates) but after chowing down on the fries and cheese and downing a glass of Malbec, I wasn't too disappointed in it. I enjoyed it and probably would get it again. Also, the entrance is right before the liquor store (if you're facing north) next door. I walked past it thinking it was part of the dining area and not the actual entry door. Duh.
(4)
Will S.
This is a very fun place to have some drinks and food with friends. Their food is top notch and their drink menu is built to pair with their food perfectly. The service staff is attentive and are great at making useful and relevant suggestions. They're well trained and cover for each other well. I highly recommend their pretzel with the dunkel beer!
(4)
Nikul S.
This place is as good as it gets in Old Town. The Glunz Tavern maintains class, respectability, and quality without pretension. The interior is warm and inviting. The bartenders are extremely knowledgable, hilarious, and professional. Unlike many of the other restaurants and bars on Wells in Old Town, the price of food and drink actually reflect the quality and portion of what you get as opposed to the typical slop that many restaurants pass off as food at a cost of $14-$20 per. We ordered the charcuterie plate, glunz tavern salad, gnocchi, and schnitzel. All dishes were excellent. As for drinks, they make a great Old Fashioned. Make sure to ask for it with Bulleit Rye as opposed to regular Bulleit. This is a great date place too. The atmosphere can be intimate, warm, and perfect if you are trying to get to know someone. Added bonus, I didn't see a single "bro" in there. Just regular guys and gals politely and tastefully having a good time.
(5)
Mia C.
Not a good place for vegetarians. Food was greasy and portions are way too small and expensive. Ambiance is nice and service is good tho.
(2)
Allen B.
If you want to experience Chicago, this is the place!! Glunz is not a sports bar (the one TV at the bar has the volume and brightness down). Glunz does not look modern on the inside (no neon signs). But Glunz is 125 years old, and in that time has built up more charm and style than any chain could *ever* hope to have! Our waiter knew the history of the place even though he's been there less than a year. He was also better informed about the menu (pre-prohibition era drinks, wine, and food) than some professors I've had. Most importantly he was FUN!!! The staff at Glunz will be subdued if you want subdued. But joke with them and they roll with it and then some. When a repeat customer walks in, they're greeted warmly but not at the expense of other guests. No one puts on airs - everyone is welcome. This isn't a place looking to cater to the trends, it's a place looking to please it's extremely varied customer base. And the FOOD is AWESOME!! The hot pretzel appetizer is big enough for three to share!! The fish and chips special I had was the best I'd had anywhere (and that's quite a feat)! The chicken was juicy and flavorful. The cheese board had great range. Lastly, the apple strudel was phenomenal! We'll be going back!!!! Here's to another 125 years!!!!!
(5)
Ian B.
We come here almost every Sunday night. Wonderful food, and great service. An underrated gem.
(5)
Emann B.
I had attended a wine tasting at House of Glunz several years ago and really enjoyed the experience. I had been meaning to try The Glunz Tavern ever since it opened and had the opportunity on a sunny Saturday. My best mate and I stopped in around 5:30pm and as expected it was pretty empty, save for a gaggle of boozy cougars who apparently thought my stylin' companion and I were musicians. Not quite accurate, but I'll take it as a compliment despite their inebriated state. All the bartenders were very friendly, informative, and Colin was full of entertaining stories of the supernatural kind. Drinks were amazing and they really take care to make them right. I had more than a couple mouth-puckering sidecars. We felt a bit peckish and ordered the cheeseboard: Three wonderful cheeses, nuts n' jelly, and perfect grilled bread. Perfect, delectable snack. I'll definitely return!
(4)
Brian L.
In addition to being a classic, low-key gem in Chicago, this place actually serves red wine at the proper temperature. Tired of other wine bars serving red wine at room temperature. #shutupwinesnob. What's with the music though? Breeders. Social Distortion. Hard punk. All for that when I go to a hipster dive bar. Tatted up bartender using Glunz as the stage to crank her own music interests. Know your audience.
(4)
Danny D.
Best chill atmosphere in old town - hands down and for that it gets extra points. I've been here many times and the menu seems hit or miss. (I've had the gnocchi and it was outstanding, but the beet salad was maybe 20% beets and the burger - which apparently Glunz does well - was requested to be pink in the middle - and it was, but it was charred on the outside as was the bun.) They have a decent enough selection of beers, but it wouldn't hurt if they added a few additional ones in the mix. Ohhh yeah - if you told me one of the the wait staff was a serial killer I'd have trouble narrowing it down as to which one it could be. Just saying - this place has character.
(4)
Carmen B.
Like! This review is based on a November and december visit. Last Saturday I returned to Glunz for dinner. We ordered the pork chop, the sausage (brat+thuringer) plate and the ham and gruyere spaetzle. That spaetzle with the creamy gruyere, a smoky ham was the winner of the evening- perfect! I also liked our entrees (although I like my brats in beer, grilled with onions - the boiled prep at Glunz isn't my favorite). Very good selection of brown spirits- they have the anchor steam Old Potrero which for me, can make a spot an instant destination... The staff is super friendly and fun which also makes the evening more enjoyable. I rarely venture into Old Town but this bar is a good reason to do so. Note- the chef may want to consider adding the maple glazed nuts with pork back to the menu. This was available the week of thanksgiving but was removed by 12/21. That was a great bar snack!
(4)
Jen M.
Gorgeous decor. And most of it is borrowed from classic Chicago establishments. The large mirror hails from the Pump Room. And the bar is from the Ambassador West hotel. Original tray ceilings. The owner was all too eager to tell us they're were the first location to bottle Schlitz beer outside of the brewery. Cool backstory. This is a GREAT place to sip and enjoy classic cocktails. The Old Fashioned is reportedly a favorite but I opted for the bourbon cocktail whose name escapes me (guess I had too many). Great place.
(5)
David R.
Glorious. Real, legitimate history and old-fashioned service: countless places try and fail to evoke this ideal but it cannot be faked. In look and feel, Glunz Tavern is a genuine early 20th-century throwback. It was originally founded in 1888 by a forebear of the proprietors who re-established it in 2012, and I can't imagine it being any better in 1888 than it is today. Although now I would happily sit here for hours enjoying beer and soaking in the atmosphere, the purpose of my original visit was to scratch a gustatory itch. Something intangible about the onset of serious autumn this year made me long for a big Bavarian pretzel. Then looking through the photos of a trip sparked a hard craving for German food in general. Finally, a piece in TimeOut previewing 2013 restaurant trends gave me a concrete target--Glunz Tavern. "[Its] menu includes a warm pretzel with Düsseldorf mustard; Thuringer sausages simmered in Bavarian-style sauerkraut with potatoes; and späetzle überbacken, a spaetzle gratin with Black Forest ham and Gruyere." SOLD! I ate all of those things, and ironically the pretzel was dry and disappointing. Everything else, however, was outstanding. I started with the beet salad, with mache greens, shallots, pistachios, goat cheese, and caraway and sherry vinaigrette--a practically perfect version of one of my favorite dishes. The späetzle überbacken is essentially German macaroni and cheese, but it obliterates all but the very best of its American cousins. Between ham, gruyere, and caramelized onions, this dish is almost impossibly rich and should be shared...or taken home to eat as leftovers to stretch out the pleasure over multiple meals. For the sausage dish, I requested one of each, the bratwurst and the smoked Thuringer; of these I far preferred the latter, but the best thing on the plate was the sauerkraut--far, far superior to the sour, stringy stuff from a can that gets thrown indiscriminately onto various sausages in this town. I am sorry that it took me until March to come in, because there are many more tantalizing items on the menu, as well as thoughtful and compelling daily specials. Besides a small but satisfying selection of imported draft beer, they offer a classic cocktail menu, and their bar staff is as adept at crafting these drinks as the kitchen staff is at the food dishes. From excellent food and drink to gracious, good-humored service to the unique history and atmosphere, I just love this place. Dare I say that Glunz Tavern is my new favorite bar/restaurant in Chicago? Yes, I dare.
(5)
Amelia B.
If you read my review of House of Glunz ( yelp.com/biz/house-of-gl… ), you'll know that I absolutely adore this space and the people that own it and work there. Same goes for the waitstaff and bartenders at the attached bar, Glunz Tavern. Extremely knowledgeable, extremely friendly. And the space still rocks. 5 stars all around there. But the food underwhelms. I take that back - it's pretty good, just very spendy for the portion sizes and what you get.* Maybe that's the upscale vibe Glunz is going for, but I just don't think it fits. Drinks are also on the extreme high end - $11 for a "well" drink? (yes, yes, at a place like this I should be ordering the $90 Pappy Van Winkle, I get it). I had high hopes for this as a neighborhood place, but it's much more upscale than I expected. So go for the history, for the beautiful building and knowledgeable staff. Not sure I'd make a full meal of it though. That said, still worth checking out. *the saddest part? highly disappointing Bavarian pretzel. If you are going with a German-food bent, at least get the pretzel and mustard right.
(4)
Nina V.
My new favorite bar in the city! New favorite bar is an understatement -- the service and drinks were great. Super nice people and I will be back quite often. The staff here really go out of their way to make sure patrons enjoy their visit here. I didn't eat anything while here, but next time will definitely sample the food.
(5)
Cindy M.
I went to Glunz Tavern for a cocktail. My friend and I both ordered a drink off of their drink menu. I ordered an old fashioned. I watched the bartender carefully measure the shot and a half of bourbon into the glass. This made for an extremely weak drink. I feel ripped off for paying $12 for this cocktail. Between parking, 2 cocktails and tip, we spent about $35! No thanks Glunz Tavern! There are way better places to get a cocktail. I definitely will not be going back.
(2)
Alexandra S.
Wonderful! Delicious food - I'm so glad I found this place, I can't wait to go back and get a another HUGE pretzel.
(5)
Cooper C.
Super cool joint where you can have a great bite to eat and enjoy some good conversation.
(5)
Rachel M.
My own little neighborhood time machine. LOVE GLUNZ , the staff, the family and everything about this place. It makes me feel like I am enjoying a cocktail with my grandparents who are no longer with us. The bartenders are a HOOT! We (my boyfriend and I) always sit at the bar for nice conversation, unless we have people joining us. They know EVERYTHING about the cocktails, beers and wines that they serve. And dont be afraid to ask for something that is not listed on the cocktail/wine list. The family also owns the space next door (obviously House of Glunz) and will pick out something of your liking. Food is undeniable, everything spot on and TOP NOTCH!
(5)
Brian F.
Gorgeous old town bar with an olden-time look. The beer selection is phenomenal and the staff is friendly.
(4)
Marie O.
The food was ok, not great. Very heavy, salty. We were enticed by a little blurb on Eater Chicago, which mentioned a special deal-- of which the waitress knew nothing when we arrived. The space itself was charming, with many original features.
(2)
Jaye J.
Just came back from dining there-and I'd like to review now but will take the option to edit later: I've heard good thing things about the place, and, on a whim, Mr. J and I decided to stop there today (Sunday) late afternoon about 3. I've wanted to try the place fora while now, as I've happily shopped at House of Glunz wine and spirits for years and dined at places where the sommalier or selection of wines was selected by Glunz. When we arrived, there were 2 people at the bar and one other two top when we arrived. Later, a 4 top showed up. The place looks cute, with warm cozy wood and stained glass everywhere and lots of old fashioned signs. A lovely old wood bar lines half the front area where there are high top tables and in the back is a small dining room. Our server came over immediately, left us menus, and let us know they were out of the meatloaf and corned beef. This was disappointing on its own account, but as they only serve brunch on Sunday, that was rather limiting. Mr J ordered the burger and I ordered the corned beef hash. I had to ask about how the eggs were served-so I assume had I not, I would have gotten the eggs...? anyway, our server, who never introduced himself, went off to place our ouders, only to return several minutes later (too long, imo) to inform me that there was no corned beef for the hash (which, had I thought about it, that is not a surprise), and leave me with a menu again and a promise to return with our drinks. When he did, I wanted to order the salami sandwich...and he told me they were out of that too. This was getting annoying. I ordered the steak sandwich, and Mr J and I enjoyed our drinks, which were well made prohibition era cocktails. After w rather long wait, our food arrived, and Mr J's burger was juicy and actually quite delicious. It came with hand cut fries and a spicy ailoi and was a real treat. I, on the other hand, had an overdone steak on a hard bun (not toasted, hard), with a chunk of bone that was nearly 1/3 the total size of the steak. Biting into that was an unpleasant surprise. It came with a nicely dressed arugula salad. In the meantime, Mr J ordered a "waiter's choice" gin cocktail that was, frankly, not very well made. It was a rifff on a Moscow Mule, but it jsut didn't turn out very well. I'd ordered the Founders Oatmeal stout which was exactly what one would expect. Our server, who had ONE other table checked on us 0 times. Mr J did mention to our unnamed server that his cocktail was underwhelming, and he took off 50% of the cost. Overall, the good parts were good, the bad parts were bad, and it seemed as if the whole thing jsut missed the mark. Since we'd heard great things about this place from others and it was kind of close to getting it right, this left us thinking that we'd maybe give the place another shot...sometime...not too soon. We exited through the wine shop, and ran into Christopher (whom we later found was the grandson of the original Glunz) who invited us to try the wines opened for the earlier tasting. It happened we found one we quite liked and was quite charming, as he's always been whenever I've been in shopping. He asked us how we liked the meal and we sort of hemmed and hawed and eventually gave him an abbreviated and hopefully less stinging review than the one above. He then apologized profusely, thanked us for our honesty, and explained that the day before, on a Saturday, their head chef just walked out. Just like that, left them high and dry and they had been scrambling through the Saturday dinner service and Sunday brunch with the sous-chef and staff trying to work out how to run things. This definitely explained the mis-steps we'd experienced, and I don't think he could have been more genuine in his explanation. I completely understand-sometimes someone just puts the screws to you. We also said we were happy to come again and figured we'd just hit a bad time. He then generously simply GAVE us the bottle of wine were intended to purchase, which more than smoothed over my dissatisfaction. During the conversation, we started talking gin drinks, and ended up purchasing a bottle of nice gin too. So, not the best experience, but I understand they'd hit a rough patch, and the problems all seem minor and fixable, and we look forward to returning.
(4)
Katie V.
Outdoor seating? Hooray! Solid Bloody Mary? Oh hell to the yes. Cabbage soup with haricot verts and pancetta? Bowl-licking good. Now open most days for lunch!
(4)
Amy C.
Went to this place last night and I'm not exaggerating when I say I think I waited over twenty minutes for a draft beer. After waiting probably fifteen minutes, (after we had already waited a considerable amount of time to be acknowledged and given menus and had our drink orders taken) the rest of my table got their drinks and when I told the server I was still waiting for my beer he went back to the bar (I thought to get my beer) and continued running drinks to his other tables for several more minutes. The bummer part for the server is that I probably would have ordered at least three of those pretty expensive beers, but instead I had one. I thought the food was fine but the service was slow, unapologetic and unfriendly. Won't be going back.
(1)
Aaron L.
Just got back from having drinks and some appetizers at Glunz Tavern. The space is terrific and I could have stayed longer. The bartender, Colin, made a terrifc Old Fashioned and couldn't have been nicer. He used to own Red Lion, a pub in Lincoln Park that closed several years ago. As of now, the beer selection is rather limited, only 5 or 6 and none on tap. However, I'm told there will be a rotating selection of draft beer in the near future. As for food, I tried the truffle fries, beet salad, and pretzel. All were good and the guy next to me raved about the burger, which I'll probably order next time.
(4)
Elaina T.
Decor and location were the best things here. Hashbrowns smelled bad and the corned beef sandwich had too much fat on it. Thoroughly disappointed.
(2)
Kelley B.
My husband and I stepped into the newly opened Glunz Tavern after work on a Friday night. It was early, around 6 p.m., and the small tavern was about half full. We chose to sit at the bar. We ordered two glasses of wine (not a huge variety of wine by the glass, considering their great variety of wine in their adjacent House of Glunz liquor store). The wines were excellent. Their beer menu is limited but their cocktails looked great. I'm definitely going to have to try one next time I'm there. We started the night with their small cheese and meat platter, with fresh bread. We also split the gnocchi for our entree. It was a huge portion compared to other gnocchi entrees I have gotten elsewhere. The dish was so rich, it practically melted in your mouth. I would highly recommend this dish! We left very full but eager to come back to Glunz Tavern. By the time we left, the place was starting to get crowded and every table was occupied. The service was a little slow but it had only been open for a couple of weeks and it was packed. Can't get mad when you have a longer time to sip a delicious wine! Overall, it's a great spot for a date night.
(4)
Adrienne N.
Beautiful bar, excellent bartender.
(4)
Matthew M.
I went here after dinner one night and really enjoyed its authenticity. They have the original bar from the Pump Room which is pretty cool. They also sport a really good liquor list.(three different aged bottles of PAPPY VAN WINKLE which is impressive) Our bartender was very funny and knew his stuff. The cocktails he poured were excellent. Overall this place is perfect for a quiet cocktail and conversation without the River North vibe. A hidden gem. I can't believe people don't come here all the time!
(5)
Mary G.
So fortunate for us that we discovered Glunz Tavern. Very comfortable, great bartenders, good food, beautiful room with many original features - easily the best place to come for a relaxing dinner amidst all the craziness of Wells Street just a little further north. Schnitzel was delicious. This is a hidden gem (I almost didn't want to write this review to share the secret). Glunz is a very authentic, neighborhood tavern and restaurant, family run, that does what it does very well.
(4)
Ben T.
This place is great and serves one of the best burgers I've ever had. Order it medium rare and wash it down with a liter of German beer.
(5)
Karen S.
I came here a few months ago with a group of four. It was a Tuesday and they have half price bottles of wine! I had the Thüringer and Smoked Thüringer which came with sauerkraut and potatoes. Simple dish that was plated well and very tasty. The others had duck or the schnitzel and all enjoyed. Service was good. An enjoyable night.
The $12 cremant seemed kind of pricey, but then I'm cheap and have my sources for $5 martinis in lovely places, AND I have friends in Alsace so I get to guzzle the stuff in the friendly dive bars of Strasbourg, where it's sort of like the house wine and doesn't cost much. The space is beautiful, atmospheric, and reminiscent of when Old Town had a major stained glass thing going on (in my childhood), where every other bar or restaurant seemed to have Victorian stained glass all overthe place. So now I have somewhere besides Orso's and Bond Chapel for my stained glass fix. Prices for beer, a drink which generally mystifies me, seemed pretty reasonable.
(3)
Wolf Z.
Pleasant, relaxed atmosphere, pre-war music, great German beer selection, awesome burgers. Ja!
(5)
Sue B.
Have been to The Glunz Tavern 3 times in the last 4 months. I can't say a bad word about the place. Beer and wine selection is great. Bartenders and staff excellent. Burger and brussel sprouts are the best! Not kidding! Can't wait to try all the other entrees. Smallish menu, which is always nice, since you know everything will be tasty. Highly recommend.
(5)
Tanya K.
We had dinner here last night and we are so pleased to have such great German/French options in the neighborhood. I had the Coq Riesling and my husband ordered the wiener schnitzel. Both were perfectly prepared. We also enjoyed the potato leek soup and the house salad. There is a great wine list (This is Glunz!) and a good selection of beers. Our server was knowledgeable and efficient. The owners stopped by to seriously inquire how we were enjoying our meal and graciously gave us a bit of history behind the tavern. The decor is really lovely and the atmosphere is inviting. The bartenders greeted us as soon as we entered. This is a small room and I hope we will be fortunate in finding a table when we return with our adult kids.
(5)
Jeff K.
What a great spot in the old town/gold coast area. What a great addition and am so glad to have found it. The space was great! Rustic, warm, and inviting. The cocktail I had was subpar and way over priced. If I am paying $14 for a cocktail (it sort of tasted soapy and I think it was the glass, but am not totally sure) I am going to Sable. Regardless, I loved the wine selection and beer selection. I just will not have a mixed drink here, problem solved. The food was great. The pretzel would only have been better if there was a cheese sauce with it in addition to the mustard. The sausage plate was meaty and smoky and tasty. The piece de resitance was the Spaetzle Uberbacken. I would and will come back here just for this! It was hard having to split this item with my date after having the first bite, but unfortunately we made the agreement in ordering. I will not offer to share this item with him next time. Over all I look forward to returning. It was a great Wednesday date night location.
(4)
EH B.
Ambience is wonderful and food preparation was top notch. Menu could provide more choices, but everything we selected was quite good and priced fairly. Old Town neighbors -- support this place! It is a little gem.
(4)
Daniel S.
I live about a block away and have been here twice. Food is excellent, nice atmosphere and slower service. Wiener schnitzel and the hamburger are outstanding!
(5)
R D.
We were so happy that the family that owns House of Glunz decided to reopen the Glunz Tavern. We went early on a Friday evening and by 6p.m. almost every table was filled, including the bar area. The bartender and staff are very friendly, welcoming you at the door. We only ordered apps and drinks and both were very good. I look forward to returning for dinner.
(5)
M T.
Incredible makeover from former rustic liquor store. Cozy tavern, the bartenders understand how to make a drink, and the few small plates that we tried were great (the cheese selections were fantastic).
(5)
Edward A. S.
It's Friday, and I've just come in from having had dinner at The Glunz Tavern. My head still hurts and my ears are still ringing from the racket in the place. Also, the Sazarac I ordered was less than mediocre. If there were two shot glasses of anything in that silly little glass, then I would be surprised. Took nearly fifty minutes to be served dinner which I have to say was good (burger). However, our waiter never asked if we wanted another drink, did not ask how the food was, hardly attended to the table. I wanted to like this place, but I was TOTALLY unimpressed by it -- except for its physical charm. The operation seems to need some serious fine-tuning -- esp in the service category where there seemed to be a lack of experience. Instead of having a busboy constantly refilling the water glasses, they need to remember that a successful restaurant sells drinks as well as food. In any case, I won't be returning.
(2)
Val W.
This place deserves the highest review that I could possibly leave. The night I came was a little unique (which made my experience probably more memorable than others might be), but throughout it all, the quality of the service, the food, and the atmosphere all deserved 5 stars. Highlights: they have a great wine shop (with a super helpful staff), let you try beers before you take your pick, have an excellent and delicious menu, and are overall very attentive! First, as we wandered in on a Wednesday evening before a Second City show, we were told that the dining area was reserved for a special event, but the bar and some tall tables around the bar were available. We took a tall table, which was situated right next to the dining area. and asked our exceptional waiter about what was going on. It was an Austrian wine night, so they had an Austrian wine expert come in, talk about 5 different wines which people got to try, and had a special multiple course dinner to go along with the wines. We were close enough to hear the first talk by the expert (which we super enjoyed), and our waiter showed us the wines and menu they were eating. We asked if there was extra of the entree they were having, and while our waiter checked with the chef, we wandered into the wine shop (the oldest continuously running wine shop in the country... I think they said!). While the lady in the wine shop was showing us around, answering all our questions (and even letting us try some of the wine that was open), the chef came out personally to let us know the status of our dinner (since we wanted to special order what the Austrian wine lovers were eating). I won't keep this saga going forever, but essentially we got everything we wanted and more, with the help of an amazing crew! Thank you!
(5)
Juan C.
Friendly place. It's a 125 years place so it's must be good place to be open that long and survived prohibition. Kitchen closes at 10.
(5)
Nick P.
Hidden gem in Old Town! Great cocktails, wide beer selection, and a variety of meat. Get the burger... one of the most underrated ones in the city. Very good upscale tavern without loud, blaring TVs everywhere.
(5)
Elizabeth S.
Wonderful food but the service was a disaster. We came in after the wells street art fair and there was one server and one bartender. We sat ourselves and managed to order but they were clearly understaffed. Our waitress did the best she could but the bartender in charge was surly and by the end of the night, multiple tables walked out without being served. I really enjoyed our food but the service was so bad I likely would not return.
(2)
Scott F.
Great tavern burger and amazing cocktails. Great atmosphere reminiscent of the 19 century when it was originally open.
(5)
Jet S.
Good place, good decor. They try to be a little different with their menu and they offer quality standbys for bar food. Fair prices for the area. Would recommend.
(4)
Renessa F.
A friend and I were looking for a bar to watch the Bears game on Sunday but less crowded and we stumbled upon Glunz Tavern. As I debated on hair of the dog, I watched Daren the bartender make a few bloody marys and his attention to detail convinced me to order one. The drink went great with the HUGE pretzel and the eggs benedict my friend and I shared. I enjoyed this place because the staff was welcoming and the history of the tavern is great. The Glunz Tavern was established in 1888, closed during prohibition for 90 some years and reopened in 2012. The tin ceiling, wooden floors, and bar are the original. There are other tales Daren can share so I won't take all of his stories. I went back to Glunz for dinner and to my surprise they have live music on Wednesday evenings starting at 7:30 pm. The ambiance, candle light, and music made for an unintended but very nice romantic dinner. We ordered gnocchi without the corned beef, Schnitzel, and pretzel bread pudding. Daren came to the rescue once again. Since they did not have the Chianti Classico I wanted he offered another great red. They have a very wide selection of spirits since The House of Glunz is attached to the tavern and you can just walk over to browse the store. Great place for food, drinks, and good company.
(5)
Yvonne B.
Drinks = top notch! Our server took us both on a wonderful libation journey that included Sazerac, Horse's Neck, The Bronx Cocktail, and Champs Elysee. Oh - and then M ordered a bottle of wine. She drank half of it, recorked it, and brought it home. And I loved our server. He was perfectly charming, flirtatious, and gosh darn easy on the eyes. He was adept at choosing my drinks and helping me narrow my food options. He was initially very attentive but that TLC waned as the tavern became busier. The food was good. M absolutely loved loved LOVED it. I just thought it was okay. We got charcuterie, pretzel, deviled eggs, and gnocchi. I tried all of the charcuterie nibbles and then let M conquer it all. We decided that the pretzel was just a means of delivery for the scrumptious mustard dipping sauce. I liked the deviled eggs and M wasn't as much of a fan. I thought the gnocchi was good but too salty whereas M was completely blown away and said it was even better than what was served at the now closed Maison Brasserie. Our bill with tip came to about $175. We really liked the old school spirit of The Glunz Tavern. Besides the one flat screen television by the bar (and it was turned off the whole time) everything else about the place was old. Like, antique and not worn down or out dated. It's a family business and there were members of the Glunz family working that evening. Besides the girl who toppled her stool and fell on the floor the place was quiet. Not awkwardly quiet or anything like that. It was just good for conversation and being chill. We'll go again and definitely when we want to unwind.
(4)
Meredith H.
Amazing service! Glunz staff rocks!! Food is sooo good and the best bloody Mary's in the city! Naomi makes the best!!! Stephanie rocks with her awesome service and friendly fun demeanor. Keep up the awesome job all. Love the environment immaculately clean bathrooms too. Love love love house of glunz!! Lovely wine selection too, what u like, they will have! Thanks staff of Glunz!
(5)
Ben A.
Sausages were DELICIOUS. Service a little slow, but who cares when the decor is so much fun to look at and talk about?
(4)
Kirsten G.
I want to give more stars, but my Old Fashion was weak and I needed a strong one and the beet salad did not have Arugula or much taste. Burger was Awesome though . Fries were good , but nothing to write home about. Server was very nice. So... I would go back, but stick to wine or Beer and not get Beet Salad or Deviled Eggs.
(3)
Lily B.
Do you consider yourself a person with good taste? Do you like awesome people? Are you awesome? Does delicious, succulent, killer food make you close your eyes and feel God? Do you like a strong old man cocktail? Are you into good stories and historical, magical ambiance? Well if you are and if you do, GET YOUR SWEET BUTT TO GLUNZ.
(5)
Jon H.
Awesome joint. They have one TV which is usually off so that's a nice change. Bartender was awesome, super friendly and energetic. Food was pretty decent as well. Chatted with the owner for a bit, very cool guy. Nice quaint bar with quality drinks and good food.
(4)
Carol K.
I'm giving Glunz, the benefit of the doubt . . . .for while the night started very well- there were a few service hiccups along that way that put a small question mark in my mind. So time will tell . . . . The night started off so great! Karl, the bartender, was terrific, mixing our martinis with vigor and making sure that we were comfortable at the end of his bar. This place is lovely inside with stained glass windows, an old style wooden bar, high tops in the front windows and a small dining area in the back. Just the kind of place you would hope to find as a neighborhood place! When it came time to eat- we were seated at a great little table right in the front window allowing us to watch the activity as Old Town came alive on this warmish night. Not sure if our table wasn't "officially" in the server's section or if he thought others were taking care of us but getting any service once we moved to the table was a bit of a challenge. We finally flagged down Karl again and he brought us menus from behind the bar. At that point the server came over and took our orders. But that was the last we saw of him. And the drink orders given to Karl were wrong. What the heck? And when the manager (owner?) came over and asked us how things were- we mentioned the service challenge and suddenly Karl was back in place taking care of us from behind his bar. So I'm going to assume that Karl was our server for the remainder of this review- thus the 4 stars- for if it was for the other server- it would be less! I had the brick chicken which was quite good but my friend had the pork chop which was definitely the better of the two. Also- we had a chance to taste the deviled eggs as well as the cheese and chacuterie plate. While the eggs were good- the chacuterie was a bit on the slim side - definitely not anything to rave about. If you drive- street parking is pretty easy right on Wells or you can park in the new parking garage just north of the location which will run you about $14. All in all- I liked this spot to connect with friends and enjoy a drink. But if you go- be sure to sit at the bar for Karl will take excellent care of you!
(4)
Michael B.
Housed in one of the first brick buildings built in Chicago after the fire, the building is awash in original detail and/or historic artifacts. Built in 1883, from the original tin ceilings, wood floors, imported German stained glass windows and other fun stuff, the place has the authentic cham of yesteryear Chicago while being a comfortable, contemporary community treasure. Tuesday is half price wine night. Oh and BTW, the family owned House of Glunz Wine shop, also a treasure, is the oldest continually operating spirit house in the nation, so they have a great selection of interesting and reasonably priced wine (and beer). The food blew us away. Best described as a contemporary twist on classic German food as well as some hearty salad and fish options, everything, and I mean everything, was sensational. The food had a real authentic home style taste that only pride, talent and slow cooking can achieve. We had the roasted brussel sprouts, a beet, goat cheese, pistachio and caraway seed salad, sauteed red sauerkraut, and s salmon vegetable fish dish that were as home style delicious as it comes. The home made strudel was the final blew that brought the much sought gustatory orgasm we all desperately seek in our dining experiences. My final bit of advise, listen to Stephanie and order whatever she says. She's delightful and knows her stuff.
(5)
Jeff C.
Limited menu, but what they do is good German fare. Deviled eggs and huge pretzel are great appetizers to share. Schnitzel and Riesling chicken were tasty, generous portions. Outdoor seating, without an obnoxious sports-bar crowd, makes for a relaxing experience on Wells.
(3)
Darryl P.
The burger had potential to be great, but both the bun and beef were extremely over-cooked, to the point it was actually burnt. Had to cut off the burnt areas just to make it edible.
(2)
Gary R.
Best place to go for drinks before or after dinner in Old Town! These guys know how to make a Bourbon Old Fashioned.
(5)
Emily S.
I went here for a first date one Tuesday and we had such a good time. Neither of us had been here before, but it was a convenient location to meet up. The decor and atmosphere was really nice and homey. It was quiet, our waitress was sweet/attentive/made great suggestions and was just overall really friendly and fun. We had the pretzel, burger and creme brulee and each was really great. Would definitely come here again!
(4)
Lauren P.
Glunz is a very charming bar/restaurant with great drinks. The menu is unique and the food is incredible! There is a spacious outdoor patio and the inside is cozy, yet has a fun vibe. We came on Friday night with live acoustic music. Definitely put Glunz on your list if you are in Old Town!
One of my favorite brunch places in Old Town. The staff is friendly, the food is great, and I love the old school vibe. The accompanying wine store is rated the best wine store in Chicago. My mommy likes it there. And my daddy likes the bourbon. Me? I like the scrambled eggs and milk.
(5)
Jon H.
Our experience here was a wild ride from start to finish. First, (after seating ourselves) our waiter eventually came over, but was completely confused. He didn't understand the meals that we were trying to order (it seemed like he didn't even understand the menu itself), and then simply walked away after taking our order (which were burgers - he didn't bother to ask how we wanted them) without removing our menus. After about 10 minutes of waiting with no drinks or any other service, we finally had to ask for water. Which he brought over in paper disposable cups. Like something from a fast-food restaurant. Eventually the manager came over and saw how strange our service was, so she replaced our cups with actual glasses with ice water and tried to apologize. Then the meal came. Luckily, the burgers were very, very good. However, they were supposed to come with a side of fries which were forgotten, except when we finally got these fries (after we had finished the burgers), they were half-raw and tasted rubbery. All in all, this was a very strange meal. I see all these positive reviews, but our experience was completely different from them.
(2)
John S.
good food - but service was slow. we weren't in a huge hurry, but i had to approach bar to order dinner. would go back for drinks and maybe food if not in any rush.
(3)
Katherine C.
Came here on a Wed night for HH with coworkers and stayed from 5:30-7:30. The beginning of our night here was positive. Good selection of wine, hard liquor, and some beers on draft, though on the pricier side. Same for food. Overall, not bad and the waitress was attentive. Around 7:00, a live band set up by the door and played ear blasting jazz. While it's nice to have live music, it's wayyyyy to early to start blasting it at 7 pm on a wed night with only a handful of patrons to play to. It became so loud that we couldn't even hear the person across from us and we decided that it was high time to leave, even with unfinished drinks. I recommend lowering the volume of the band or playing much later when people are ready to just sit back and enjoy the music. Instead we left expensive drinks unfinished in our hurry to escape to a quieter bar.
(2)
Peter M.
We were walking through old town having not been before and decided to stop for a few drinks. The refinery was empty, the old town burger saloon looked so so, and gluntz was pretty empty but charming looking. Boy did we make the right choice. The bartenders were amazing in how they crafted the drinks. I had a rye Manhattan that while potent went down smooth as glass. The food was great as well, black truffle mayo with fries! We will definitely be going back again.
(5)
Lois B.
Amazing! I'm glad that we arrived a little before 6:30 and walked right in for a table four 4. The wait staff answered questions with the kind of enthusiasm for the food that was only matched by the food itself. The best beet salad I have EVER had (and I like beet salad) and the most amazing gnocchi. Every single one of us was delighted with our drinks, our wine, beer and our food. Dessert? We meant to stick to the apple struddle, but decided to go for the hot chocolate as well. I am so glad that we had both because I wouldn't want to choose.
(5)
Kimberly M.
Happened to stop by here and truly felt like we walked into an Irish pub. Excellent corned beef, soda bread, baileys cookies, and amazing beer selection (3 floyds, founders, etc). You could tell everything was home cooked. Will definitely be back here! Recommend the corned beef. We are from the east coast where corned beef is everywhere, and this was the best we have had. It was juicy, tender, melts in your mouth corned beef.....phenomenal!!
(5)
Sarah Y.
This is an example of a place with great service, delightful cocktails, and a cozy interior that serves up German comfort foods, but the pricing is outrageous. $11 for the beet salad, which consisted of 6 small slices of beets hidden in about 3 cups of over-dressed greens mix. $25 schnitzel, while delicious and a big portion, is in my opinion outside the price range for a working man's food. The steamed mussels and chorizo is a star dish here, but the 20 small and delicate mussels won't do too much to quell the hunger. After spending almost $100 (including tip and tax) for 2 beers, 1 cocktail, 1 entree to split, and 2 apps, I just don't have the money to dine here another time, or rather would take that money to somewhere with bigger and better portions or much better food. I would've given it 2 stars, indicating I've experienced (much) better, but since it is merely that the prices are too high for decent food, 3 stars it is.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
Carmen B.
Like! This review is based on a November and december visit. Last Saturday I returned to Glunz for dinner. We ordered the pork chop, the sausage (brat+thuringer) plate and the ham and gruyere spaetzle. That spaetzle with the creamy gruyere, a smoky ham was the winner of the evening- perfect! I also liked our entrees (although I like my brats in beer, grilled with onions - the boiled prep at Glunz isn't my favorite). Very good selection of brown spirits- they have the anchor steam Old Potrero which for me, can make a spot an instant destination... The staff is super friendly and fun which also makes the evening more enjoyable. I rarely venture into Old Town but this bar is a good reason to do so. Note- the chef may want to consider adding the maple glazed nuts with pork back to the menu. This was available the week of thanksgiving but was removed by 12/21. That was a great bar snack!
(4)Jen M.
Gorgeous decor. And most of it is borrowed from classic Chicago establishments. The large mirror hails from the Pump Room. And the bar is from the Ambassador West hotel. Original tray ceilings. The owner was all too eager to tell us they're were the first location to bottle Schlitz beer outside of the brewery. Cool backstory. This is a GREAT place to sip and enjoy classic cocktails. The Old Fashioned is reportedly a favorite but I opted for the bourbon cocktail whose name escapes me (guess I had too many). Great place.
(5)Danny D.
Best chill atmosphere in old town - hands down and for that it gets extra points. I've been here many times and the menu seems hit or miss. (I've had the gnocchi and it was outstanding, but the beet salad was maybe 20% beets and the burger - which apparently Glunz does well - was requested to be pink in the middle - and it was, but it was charred on the outside as was the bun.) They have a decent enough selection of beers, but it wouldn't hurt if they added a few additional ones in the mix. Ohhh yeah - if you told me one of the the wait staff was a serial killer I'd have trouble narrowing it down as to which one it could be. Just saying - this place has character.
(4)Will S.
This is a very fun place to have some drinks and food with friends. Their food is top notch and their drink menu is built to pair with their food perfectly. The service staff is attentive and are great at making useful and relevant suggestions. They're well trained and cover for each other well. I highly recommend their pretzel with the dunkel beer!
(4)Nikul S.
This place is as good as it gets in Old Town. The Glunz Tavern maintains class, respectability, and quality without pretension. The interior is warm and inviting. The bartenders are extremely knowledgable, hilarious, and professional. Unlike many of the other restaurants and bars on Wells in Old Town, the price of food and drink actually reflect the quality and portion of what you get as opposed to the typical slop that many restaurants pass off as food at a cost of $14-$20 per. We ordered the charcuterie plate, glunz tavern salad, gnocchi, and schnitzel. All dishes were excellent. As for drinks, they make a great Old Fashioned. Make sure to ask for it with Bulleit Rye as opposed to regular Bulleit. This is a great date place too. The atmosphere can be intimate, warm, and perfect if you are trying to get to know someone. Added bonus, I didn't see a single "bro" in there. Just regular guys and gals politely and tastefully having a good time.
(5)Mia C.
Not a good place for vegetarians. Food was greasy and portions are way too small and expensive. Ambiance is nice and service is good tho.
(2)David R.
Glorious. Real, legitimate history and old-fashioned service: countless places try and fail to evoke this ideal but it cannot be faked. In look and feel, Glunz Tavern is a genuine early 20th-century throwback. It was originally founded in 1888 by a forebear of the proprietors who re-established it in 2012, and I can't imagine it being any better in 1888 than it is today. Although now I would happily sit here for hours enjoying beer and soaking in the atmosphere, the purpose of my original visit was to scratch a gustatory itch. Something intangible about the onset of serious autumn this year made me long for a big Bavarian pretzel. Then looking through the photos of a trip sparked a hard craving for German food in general. Finally, a piece in TimeOut previewing 2013 restaurant trends gave me a concrete target--Glunz Tavern. "[Its] menu includes a warm pretzel with Düsseldorf mustard; Thuringer sausages simmered in Bavarian-style sauerkraut with potatoes; and späetzle überbacken, a spaetzle gratin with Black Forest ham and Gruyere." SOLD! I ate all of those things, and ironically the pretzel was dry and disappointing. Everything else, however, was outstanding. I started with the beet salad, with mache greens, shallots, pistachios, goat cheese, and caraway and sherry vinaigrette--a practically perfect version of one of my favorite dishes. The späetzle überbacken is essentially German macaroni and cheese, but it obliterates all but the very best of its American cousins. Between ham, gruyere, and caramelized onions, this dish is almost impossibly rich and should be shared...or taken home to eat as leftovers to stretch out the pleasure over multiple meals. For the sausage dish, I requested one of each, the bratwurst and the smoked Thuringer; of these I far preferred the latter, but the best thing on the plate was the sauerkraut--far, far superior to the sour, stringy stuff from a can that gets thrown indiscriminately onto various sausages in this town. I am sorry that it took me until March to come in, because there are many more tantalizing items on the menu, as well as thoughtful and compelling daily specials. Besides a small but satisfying selection of imported draft beer, they offer a classic cocktail menu, and their bar staff is as adept at crafting these drinks as the kitchen staff is at the food dishes. From excellent food and drink to gracious, good-humored service to the unique history and atmosphere, I just love this place. Dare I say that Glunz Tavern is my new favorite bar/restaurant in Chicago? Yes, I dare.
(5)Amelia B.
If you read my review of House of Glunz ( yelp.com/biz/house-of-gl… ), you'll know that I absolutely adore this space and the people that own it and work there. Same goes for the waitstaff and bartenders at the attached bar, Glunz Tavern. Extremely knowledgeable, extremely friendly. And the space still rocks. 5 stars all around there. But the food underwhelms. I take that back - it's pretty good, just very spendy for the portion sizes and what you get.* Maybe that's the upscale vibe Glunz is going for, but I just don't think it fits. Drinks are also on the extreme high end - $11 for a "well" drink? (yes, yes, at a place like this I should be ordering the $90 Pappy Van Winkle, I get it). I had high hopes for this as a neighborhood place, but it's much more upscale than I expected. So go for the history, for the beautiful building and knowledgeable staff. Not sure I'd make a full meal of it though. That said, still worth checking out. *the saddest part? highly disappointing Bavarian pretzel. If you are going with a German-food bent, at least get the pretzel and mustard right.
(4)Jeff C.
Limited menu, but what they do is good German fare. Deviled eggs and huge pretzel are great appetizers to share. Schnitzel and Riesling chicken were tasty, generous portions. Outdoor seating, without an obnoxious sports-bar crowd, makes for a relaxing experience on Wells.
(3)Darryl P.
The burger had potential to be great, but both the bun and beef were extremely over-cooked, to the point it was actually burnt. Had to cut off the burnt areas just to make it edible.
(2)Gary R.
Best place to go for drinks before or after dinner in Old Town! These guys know how to make a Bourbon Old Fashioned.
(5)Nina V.
My new favorite bar in the city! New favorite bar is an understatement -- the service and drinks were great. Super nice people and I will be back quite often. The staff here really go out of their way to make sure patrons enjoy their visit here. I didn't eat anything while here, but next time will definitely sample the food.
(5)Jon H.
Awesome joint. They have one TV which is usually off so that's a nice change. Bartender was awesome, super friendly and energetic. Food was pretty decent as well. Chatted with the owner for a bit, very cool guy. Nice quaint bar with quality drinks and good food.
(4)Brian L.
In addition to being a classic, low-key gem in Chicago, this place actually serves red wine at the proper temperature. Tired of other wine bars serving red wine at room temperature. #shutupwinesnob. What's with the music though? Breeders. Social Distortion. Hard punk. All for that when I go to a hipster dive bar. Tatted up bartender using Glunz as the stage to crank her own music interests. Know your audience.
(4)Carol K.
I'm giving Glunz, the benefit of the doubt . . . .for while the night started very well- there were a few service hiccups along that way that put a small question mark in my mind. So time will tell . . . . The night started off so great! Karl, the bartender, was terrific, mixing our martinis with vigor and making sure that we were comfortable at the end of his bar. This place is lovely inside with stained glass windows, an old style wooden bar, high tops in the front windows and a small dining area in the back. Just the kind of place you would hope to find as a neighborhood place! When it came time to eat- we were seated at a great little table right in the front window allowing us to watch the activity as Old Town came alive on this warmish night. Not sure if our table wasn't "officially" in the server's section or if he thought others were taking care of us but getting any service once we moved to the table was a bit of a challenge. We finally flagged down Karl again and he brought us menus from behind the bar. At that point the server came over and took our orders. But that was the last we saw of him. And the drink orders given to Karl were wrong. What the heck? And when the manager (owner?) came over and asked us how things were- we mentioned the service challenge and suddenly Karl was back in place taking care of us from behind his bar. So I'm going to assume that Karl was our server for the remainder of this review- thus the 4 stars- for if it was for the other server- it would be less! I had the brick chicken which was quite good but my friend had the pork chop which was definitely the better of the two. Also- we had a chance to taste the deviled eggs as well as the cheese and chacuterie plate. While the eggs were good- the chacuterie was a bit on the slim side - definitely not anything to rave about. If you drive- street parking is pretty easy right on Wells or you can park in the new parking garage just north of the location which will run you about $14. All in all- I liked this spot to connect with friends and enjoy a drink. But if you go- be sure to sit at the bar for Karl will take excellent care of you!
(4)Allen B.
If you want to experience Chicago, this is the place!! Glunz is not a sports bar (the one TV at the bar has the volume and brightness down). Glunz does not look modern on the inside (no neon signs). But Glunz is 125 years old, and in that time has built up more charm and style than any chain could *ever* hope to have! Our waiter knew the history of the place even though he's been there less than a year. He was also better informed about the menu (pre-prohibition era drinks, wine, and food) than some professors I've had. Most importantly he was FUN!!! The staff at Glunz will be subdued if you want subdued. But joke with them and they roll with it and then some. When a repeat customer walks in, they're greeted warmly but not at the expense of other guests. No one puts on airs - everyone is welcome. This isn't a place looking to cater to the trends, it's a place looking to please it's extremely varied customer base. And the FOOD is AWESOME!! The hot pretzel appetizer is big enough for three to share!! The fish and chips special I had was the best I'd had anywhere (and that's quite a feat)! The chicken was juicy and flavorful. The cheese board had great range. Lastly, the apple strudel was phenomenal! We'll be going back!!!! Here's to another 125 years!!!!!
(5)Ian B.
We come here almost every Sunday night. Wonderful food, and great service. An underrated gem.
(5)Emann B.
I had attended a wine tasting at House of Glunz several years ago and really enjoyed the experience. I had been meaning to try The Glunz Tavern ever since it opened and had the opportunity on a sunny Saturday. My best mate and I stopped in around 5:30pm and as expected it was pretty empty, save for a gaggle of boozy cougars who apparently thought my stylin' companion and I were musicians. Not quite accurate, but I'll take it as a compliment despite their inebriated state. All the bartenders were very friendly, informative, and Colin was full of entertaining stories of the supernatural kind. Drinks were amazing and they really take care to make them right. I had more than a couple mouth-puckering sidecars. We felt a bit peckish and ordered the cheeseboard: Three wonderful cheeses, nuts n' jelly, and perfect grilled bread. Perfect, delectable snack. I'll definitely return!
(4)John S.
good food - but service was slow. we weren't in a huge hurry, but i had to approach bar to order dinner. would go back for drinks and maybe food if not in any rush.
(3)Wes Cole C.
One of my favorite brunch places in Old Town. The staff is friendly, the food is great, and I love the old school vibe. The accompanying wine store is rated the best wine store in Chicago. My mommy likes it there. And my daddy likes the bourbon. Me? I like the scrambled eggs and milk.
(5)Jon H.
Our experience here was a wild ride from start to finish. First, (after seating ourselves) our waiter eventually came over, but was completely confused. He didn't understand the meals that we were trying to order (it seemed like he didn't even understand the menu itself), and then simply walked away after taking our order (which were burgers - he didn't bother to ask how we wanted them) without removing our menus. After about 10 minutes of waiting with no drinks or any other service, we finally had to ask for water. Which he brought over in paper disposable cups. Like something from a fast-food restaurant. Eventually the manager came over and saw how strange our service was, so she replaced our cups with actual glasses with ice water and tried to apologize. Then the meal came. Luckily, the burgers were very, very good. However, they were supposed to come with a side of fries which were forgotten, except when we finally got these fries (after we had finished the burgers), they were half-raw and tasted rubbery. All in all, this was a very strange meal. I see all these positive reviews, but our experience was completely different from them.
(2)Sarah Y.
This is an example of a place with great service, delightful cocktails, and a cozy interior that serves up German comfort foods, but the pricing is outrageous. $11 for the beet salad, which consisted of 6 small slices of beets hidden in about 3 cups of over-dressed greens mix. $25 schnitzel, while delicious and a big portion, is in my opinion outside the price range for a working man's food. The steamed mussels and chorizo is a star dish here, but the 20 small and delicate mussels won't do too much to quell the hunger. After spending almost $100 (including tip and tax) for 2 beers, 1 cocktail, 1 entree to split, and 2 apps, I just don't have the money to dine here another time, or rather would take that money to somewhere with bigger and better portions or much better food. I would've given it 2 stars, indicating I've experienced (much) better, but since it is merely that the prices are too high for decent food, 3 stars it is.
(3)Cindy M.
I went to Glunz Tavern for a cocktail. My friend and I both ordered a drink off of their drink menu. I ordered an old fashioned. I watched the bartender carefully measure the shot and a half of bourbon into the glass. This made for an extremely weak drink. I feel ripped off for paying $12 for this cocktail. Between parking, 2 cocktails and tip, we spent about $35! No thanks Glunz Tavern! There are way better places to get a cocktail. I definitely will not be going back.
(2)Alexandra S.
Wonderful! Delicious food - I'm so glad I found this place, I can't wait to go back and get a another HUGE pretzel.
(5)Cooper C.
Super cool joint where you can have a great bite to eat and enjoy some good conversation.
(5)Rachel M.
My own little neighborhood time machine. LOVE GLUNZ , the staff, the family and everything about this place. It makes me feel like I am enjoying a cocktail with my grandparents who are no longer with us. The bartenders are a HOOT! We (my boyfriend and I) always sit at the bar for nice conversation, unless we have people joining us. They know EVERYTHING about the cocktails, beers and wines that they serve. And dont be afraid to ask for something that is not listed on the cocktail/wine list. The family also owns the space next door (obviously House of Glunz) and will pick out something of your liking. Food is undeniable, everything spot on and TOP NOTCH!
(5)Brian F.
Gorgeous old town bar with an olden-time look. The beer selection is phenomenal and the staff is friendly.
(4)Marie O.
The food was ok, not great. Very heavy, salty. We were enticed by a little blurb on Eater Chicago, which mentioned a special deal-- of which the waitress knew nothing when we arrived. The space itself was charming, with many original features.
(2)Jaye J.
Just came back from dining there-and I'd like to review now but will take the option to edit later: I've heard good thing things about the place, and, on a whim, Mr. J and I decided to stop there today (Sunday) late afternoon about 3. I've wanted to try the place fora while now, as I've happily shopped at House of Glunz wine and spirits for years and dined at places where the sommalier or selection of wines was selected by Glunz. When we arrived, there were 2 people at the bar and one other two top when we arrived. Later, a 4 top showed up. The place looks cute, with warm cozy wood and stained glass everywhere and lots of old fashioned signs. A lovely old wood bar lines half the front area where there are high top tables and in the back is a small dining room. Our server came over immediately, left us menus, and let us know they were out of the meatloaf and corned beef. This was disappointing on its own account, but as they only serve brunch on Sunday, that was rather limiting. Mr J ordered the burger and I ordered the corned beef hash. I had to ask about how the eggs were served-so I assume had I not, I would have gotten the eggs...? anyway, our server, who never introduced himself, went off to place our ouders, only to return several minutes later (too long, imo) to inform me that there was no corned beef for the hash (which, had I thought about it, that is not a surprise), and leave me with a menu again and a promise to return with our drinks. When he did, I wanted to order the salami sandwich...and he told me they were out of that too. This was getting annoying. I ordered the steak sandwich, and Mr J and I enjoyed our drinks, which were well made prohibition era cocktails. After w rather long wait, our food arrived, and Mr J's burger was juicy and actually quite delicious. It came with hand cut fries and a spicy ailoi and was a real treat. I, on the other hand, had an overdone steak on a hard bun (not toasted, hard), with a chunk of bone that was nearly 1/3 the total size of the steak. Biting into that was an unpleasant surprise. It came with a nicely dressed arugula salad. In the meantime, Mr J ordered a "waiter's choice" gin cocktail that was, frankly, not very well made. It was a rifff on a Moscow Mule, but it jsut didn't turn out very well. I'd ordered the Founders Oatmeal stout which was exactly what one would expect. Our server, who had ONE other table checked on us 0 times. Mr J did mention to our unnamed server that his cocktail was underwhelming, and he took off 50% of the cost. Overall, the good parts were good, the bad parts were bad, and it seemed as if the whole thing jsut missed the mark. Since we'd heard great things about this place from others and it was kind of close to getting it right, this left us thinking that we'd maybe give the place another shot...sometime...not too soon. We exited through the wine shop, and ran into Christopher (whom we later found was the grandson of the original Glunz) who invited us to try the wines opened for the earlier tasting. It happened we found one we quite liked and was quite charming, as he's always been whenever I've been in shopping. He asked us how we liked the meal and we sort of hemmed and hawed and eventually gave him an abbreviated and hopefully less stinging review than the one above. He then apologized profusely, thanked us for our honesty, and explained that the day before, on a Saturday, their head chef just walked out. Just like that, left them high and dry and they had been scrambling through the Saturday dinner service and Sunday brunch with the sous-chef and staff trying to work out how to run things. This definitely explained the mis-steps we'd experienced, and I don't think he could have been more genuine in his explanation. I completely understand-sometimes someone just puts the screws to you. We also said we were happy to come again and figured we'd just hit a bad time. He then generously simply GAVE us the bottle of wine were intended to purchase, which more than smoothed over my dissatisfaction. During the conversation, we started talking gin drinks, and ended up purchasing a bottle of nice gin too. So, not the best experience, but I understand they'd hit a rough patch, and the problems all seem minor and fixable, and we look forward to returning.
(4)Katie V.
Outdoor seating? Hooray! Solid Bloody Mary? Oh hell to the yes. Cabbage soup with haricot verts and pancetta? Bowl-licking good. Now open most days for lunch!
(4)Katherine C.
Came here on a Wed night for HH with coworkers and stayed from 5:30-7:30. The beginning of our night here was positive. Good selection of wine, hard liquor, and some beers on draft, though on the pricier side. Same for food. Overall, not bad and the waitress was attentive. Around 7:00, a live band set up by the door and played ear blasting jazz. While it's nice to have live music, it's wayyyyy to early to start blasting it at 7 pm on a wed night with only a handful of patrons to play to. It became so loud that we couldn't even hear the person across from us and we decided that it was high time to leave, even with unfinished drinks. I recommend lowering the volume of the band or playing much later when people are ready to just sit back and enjoy the music. Instead we left expensive drinks unfinished in our hurry to escape to a quieter bar.
(2)Michael B.
Housed in one of the first brick buildings built in Chicago after the fire, the building is awash in original detail and/or historic artifacts. Built in 1883, from the original tin ceilings, wood floors, imported German stained glass windows and other fun stuff, the place has the authentic cham of yesteryear Chicago while being a comfortable, contemporary community treasure. Tuesday is half price wine night. Oh and BTW, the family owned House of Glunz Wine shop, also a treasure, is the oldest continually operating spirit house in the nation, so they have a great selection of interesting and reasonably priced wine (and beer). The food blew us away. Best described as a contemporary twist on classic German food as well as some hearty salad and fish options, everything, and I mean everything, was sensational. The food had a real authentic home style taste that only pride, talent and slow cooking can achieve. We had the roasted brussel sprouts, a beet, goat cheese, pistachio and caraway seed salad, sauteed red sauerkraut, and s salmon vegetable fish dish that were as home style delicious as it comes. The home made strudel was the final blew that brought the much sought gustatory orgasm we all desperately seek in our dining experiences. My final bit of advise, listen to Stephanie and order whatever she says. She's delightful and knows her stuff.
(5)Emily S.
I went here for a first date one Tuesday and we had such a good time. Neither of us had been here before, but it was a convenient location to meet up. The decor and atmosphere was really nice and homey. It was quiet, our waitress was sweet/attentive/made great suggestions and was just overall really friendly and fun. We had the pretzel, burger and creme brulee and each was really great. Would definitely come here again!
(4)Lauren P.
Glunz is a very charming bar/restaurant with great drinks. The menu is unique and the food is incredible! There is a spacious outdoor patio and the inside is cozy, yet has a fun vibe. We came on Friday night with live acoustic music. Definitely put Glunz on your list if you are in Old Town!
(5)Italian F.
WOW. absolutely delicious food. I had salmon, my son had prime rib,& my husband had the Cornish hen. Truly exquisite food. They have so many options that are gluten free, including a delicious gluten free beer. Their creme brûlée was the best I've ever had. I love the atmosphere of this small tavern! We'll definitely be back!
(5)Megan F.
The Gluntz Tavern is a great place to go for drinks. They also have an extensive beer list, including Leffe, which I appreciate as it's one of my favorites. They are always consistent in their service - top-notch - and are friendly, helpful without being overwhelming. There is no bad seat in the house and the ambiance makes this place a complete package - tin ceilings, original bar. Classy but not stuffy.
(5)Val W.
This place deserves the highest review that I could possibly leave. The night I came was a little unique (which made my experience probably more memorable than others might be), but throughout it all, the quality of the service, the food, and the atmosphere all deserved 5 stars. Highlights: they have a great wine shop (with a super helpful staff), let you try beers before you take your pick, have an excellent and delicious menu, and are overall very attentive! First, as we wandered in on a Wednesday evening before a Second City show, we were told that the dining area was reserved for a special event, but the bar and some tall tables around the bar were available. We took a tall table, which was situated right next to the dining area. and asked our exceptional waiter about what was going on. It was an Austrian wine night, so they had an Austrian wine expert come in, talk about 5 different wines which people got to try, and had a special multiple course dinner to go along with the wines. We were close enough to hear the first talk by the expert (which we super enjoyed), and our waiter showed us the wines and menu they were eating. We asked if there was extra of the entree they were having, and while our waiter checked with the chef, we wandered into the wine shop (the oldest continuously running wine shop in the country... I think they said!). While the lady in the wine shop was showing us around, answering all our questions (and even letting us try some of the wine that was open), the chef came out personally to let us know the status of our dinner (since we wanted to special order what the Austrian wine lovers were eating). I won't keep this saga going forever, but essentially we got everything we wanted and more, with the help of an amazing crew! Thank you!
(5)Juan C.
Friendly place. It's a 125 years place so it's must be good place to be open that long and survived prohibition. Kitchen closes at 10.
(5)Nick P.
Hidden gem in Old Town! Great cocktails, wide beer selection, and a variety of meat. Get the burger... one of the most underrated ones in the city. Very good upscale tavern without loud, blaring TVs everywhere.
(5)Elizabeth S.
Wonderful food but the service was a disaster. We came in after the wells street art fair and there was one server and one bartender. We sat ourselves and managed to order but they were clearly understaffed. Our waitress did the best she could but the bartender in charge was surly and by the end of the night, multiple tables walked out without being served. I really enjoyed our food but the service was so bad I likely would not return.
(2)Scott F.
Great tavern burger and amazing cocktails. Great atmosphere reminiscent of the 19 century when it was originally open.
(5)Jet S.
Good place, good decor. They try to be a little different with their menu and they offer quality standbys for bar food. Fair prices for the area. Would recommend.
(4)Renessa F.
A friend and I were looking for a bar to watch the Bears game on Sunday but less crowded and we stumbled upon Glunz Tavern. As I debated on hair of the dog, I watched Daren the bartender make a few bloody marys and his attention to detail convinced me to order one. The drink went great with the HUGE pretzel and the eggs benedict my friend and I shared. I enjoyed this place because the staff was welcoming and the history of the tavern is great. The Glunz Tavern was established in 1888, closed during prohibition for 90 some years and reopened in 2012. The tin ceiling, wooden floors, and bar are the original. There are other tales Daren can share so I won't take all of his stories. I went back to Glunz for dinner and to my surprise they have live music on Wednesday evenings starting at 7:30 pm. The ambiance, candle light, and music made for an unintended but very nice romantic dinner. We ordered gnocchi without the corned beef, Schnitzel, and pretzel bread pudding. Daren came to the rescue once again. Since they did not have the Chianti Classico I wanted he offered another great red. They have a very wide selection of spirits since The House of Glunz is attached to the tavern and you can just walk over to browse the store. Great place for food, drinks, and good company.
(5)Yvonne B.
Drinks = top notch! Our server took us both on a wonderful libation journey that included Sazerac, Horse's Neck, The Bronx Cocktail, and Champs Elysee. Oh - and then M ordered a bottle of wine. She drank half of it, recorked it, and brought it home. And I loved our server. He was perfectly charming, flirtatious, and gosh darn easy on the eyes. He was adept at choosing my drinks and helping me narrow my food options. He was initially very attentive but that TLC waned as the tavern became busier. The food was good. M absolutely loved loved LOVED it. I just thought it was okay. We got charcuterie, pretzel, deviled eggs, and gnocchi. I tried all of the charcuterie nibbles and then let M conquer it all. We decided that the pretzel was just a means of delivery for the scrumptious mustard dipping sauce. I liked the deviled eggs and M wasn't as much of a fan. I thought the gnocchi was good but too salty whereas M was completely blown away and said it was even better than what was served at the now closed Maison Brasserie. Our bill with tip came to about $175. We really liked the old school spirit of The Glunz Tavern. Besides the one flat screen television by the bar (and it was turned off the whole time) everything else about the place was old. Like, antique and not worn down or out dated. It's a family business and there were members of the Glunz family working that evening. Besides the girl who toppled her stool and fell on the floor the place was quiet. Not awkwardly quiet or anything like that. It was just good for conversation and being chill. We'll go again and definitely when we want to unwind.
(4)Meredith H.
Amazing service! Glunz staff rocks!! Food is sooo good and the best bloody Mary's in the city! Naomi makes the best!!! Stephanie rocks with her awesome service and friendly fun demeanor. Keep up the awesome job all. Love the environment immaculately clean bathrooms too. Love love love house of glunz!! Lovely wine selection too, what u like, they will have! Thanks staff of Glunz!
(5)Mickey A.
I met with a coworker for dinner, drinks, and non-work conversations. Two out of three isn't bad because we ended up talking about work 80% of the time. Anyway, I've been wanting try this place after seeing it on my way out of Plum Market. My coworker had never heard of it. It was great place for a last minute decision and for not having reservations on a Friday night. I can't say that happens all the time, but it was just our luck. We started off with the cheese platter and the french fries. My friend also got an order of the pretzel, which was bigger than the ones you get at a sporting event. In fact on our check, it even said "pretzel, huge". Insert your jokes here. For my entree, I ordered the gnocchi with roast beef and egg. I've been on this kick lately for ordering a meal with an egg - not sure what that's about. It wasn't a big portion (think small plates) but after chowing down on the fries and cheese and downing a glass of Malbec, I wasn't too disappointed in it. I enjoyed it and probably would get it again. Also, the entrance is right before the liquor store (if you're facing north) next door. I walked past it thinking it was part of the dining area and not the actual entry door. Duh.
(4)Ben A.
Sausages were DELICIOUS. Service a little slow, but who cares when the decor is so much fun to look at and talk about?
(4)Kirsten G.
I want to give more stars, but my Old Fashion was weak and I needed a strong one and the beet salad did not have Arugula or much taste. Burger was Awesome though . Fries were good , but nothing to write home about. Server was very nice. So... I would go back, but stick to wine or Beer and not get Beet Salad or Deviled Eggs.
(3)Lily B.
Do you consider yourself a person with good taste? Do you like awesome people? Are you awesome? Does delicious, succulent, killer food make you close your eyes and feel God? Do you like a strong old man cocktail? Are you into good stories and historical, magical ambiance? Well if you are and if you do, GET YOUR SWEET BUTT TO GLUNZ.
(5)Mary G.
So fortunate for us that we discovered Glunz Tavern. Very comfortable, great bartenders, good food, beautiful room with many original features - easily the best place to come for a relaxing dinner amidst all the craziness of Wells Street just a little further north. Schnitzel was delicious. This is a hidden gem (I almost didn't want to write this review to share the secret). Glunz is a very authentic, neighborhood tavern and restaurant, family run, that does what it does very well.
(4)Ben T.
This place is great and serves one of the best burgers I've ever had. Order it medium rare and wash it down with a liter of German beer.
(5)Amy C.
Went to this place last night and I'm not exaggerating when I say I think I waited over twenty minutes for a draft beer. After waiting probably fifteen minutes, (after we had already waited a considerable amount of time to be acknowledged and given menus and had our drink orders taken) the rest of my table got their drinks and when I told the server I was still waiting for my beer he went back to the bar (I thought to get my beer) and continued running drinks to his other tables for several more minutes. The bummer part for the server is that I probably would have ordered at least three of those pretty expensive beers, but instead I had one. I thought the food was fine but the service was slow, unapologetic and unfriendly. Won't be going back.
(1)Aaron L.
Just got back from having drinks and some appetizers at Glunz Tavern. The space is terrific and I could have stayed longer. The bartender, Colin, made a terrifc Old Fashioned and couldn't have been nicer. He used to own Red Lion, a pub in Lincoln Park that closed several years ago. As of now, the beer selection is rather limited, only 5 or 6 and none on tap. However, I'm told there will be a rotating selection of draft beer in the near future. As for food, I tried the truffle fries, beet salad, and pretzel. All were good and the guy next to me raved about the burger, which I'll probably order next time.
(4)Elaina T.
Decor and location were the best things here. Hashbrowns smelled bad and the corned beef sandwich had too much fat on it. Thoroughly disappointed.
(2)Kelley B.
My husband and I stepped into the newly opened Glunz Tavern after work on a Friday night. It was early, around 6 p.m., and the small tavern was about half full. We chose to sit at the bar. We ordered two glasses of wine (not a huge variety of wine by the glass, considering their great variety of wine in their adjacent House of Glunz liquor store). The wines were excellent. Their beer menu is limited but their cocktails looked great. I'm definitely going to have to try one next time I'm there. We started the night with their small cheese and meat platter, with fresh bread. We also split the gnocchi for our entree. It was a huge portion compared to other gnocchi entrees I have gotten elsewhere. The dish was so rich, it practically melted in your mouth. I would highly recommend this dish! We left very full but eager to come back to Glunz Tavern. By the time we left, the place was starting to get crowded and every table was occupied. The service was a little slow but it had only been open for a couple of weeks and it was packed. Can't get mad when you have a longer time to sip a delicious wine! Overall, it's a great spot for a date night.
(4)Adrienne N.
Beautiful bar, excellent bartender.
(4)Matthew M.
I went here after dinner one night and really enjoyed its authenticity. They have the original bar from the Pump Room which is pretty cool. They also sport a really good liquor list.(three different aged bottles of PAPPY VAN WINKLE which is impressive) Our bartender was very funny and knew his stuff. The cocktails he poured were excellent. Overall this place is perfect for a quiet cocktail and conversation without the River North vibe. A hidden gem. I can't believe people don't come here all the time!
(5)Karen S.
I came here a few months ago with a group of four. It was a Tuesday and they have half price bottles of wine! I had the Thüringer and Smoked Thüringer which came with sauerkraut and potatoes. Simple dish that was plated well and very tasty. The others had duck or the schnitzel and all enjoyed. Service was good. An enjoyable night.
(4)Jamie P.
How did I not know this existed? Glunz Tavern is such a gem in the neighborhood! I held a private event in the tasting room behind the wine shop, and everything was perfect. The room is such a unique, intimate space for a small dinner party (comfortably seats up to 12 people). They only book one private event per night, so the room was ours for the evening. It was very clear that the staff knew what they were doing, and they are very knowledgeable when it comes to suggesting wine/beer pairings. For appetizers, the deviled eggs were a hit and the charcuterie & cheese platters were generous with fantastic cheese selection. For main entrées, the veal schnitzel topped with a sunny side egg was the biggest seller in our group. When our main entrées arrived, Barbara (the original owner's granddaughter) joined to tells us about the tavern's history. Such a cool piece of Chicago history!
(5)Suzanne E.
The $12 cremant seemed kind of pricey, but then I'm cheap and have my sources for $5 martinis in lovely places, AND I have friends in Alsace so I get to guzzle the stuff in the friendly dive bars of Strasbourg, where it's sort of like the house wine and doesn't cost much. The space is beautiful, atmospheric, and reminiscent of when Old Town had a major stained glass thing going on (in my childhood), where every other bar or restaurant seemed to have Victorian stained glass all overthe place. So now I have somewhere besides Orso's and Bond Chapel for my stained glass fix. Prices for beer, a drink which generally mystifies me, seemed pretty reasonable.
(3)Wolf Z.
Pleasant, relaxed atmosphere, pre-war music, great German beer selection, awesome burgers. Ja!
(5)Sue B.
Have been to The Glunz Tavern 3 times in the last 4 months. I can't say a bad word about the place. Beer and wine selection is great. Bartenders and staff excellent. Burger and brussel sprouts are the best! Not kidding! Can't wait to try all the other entrees. Smallish menu, which is always nice, since you know everything will be tasty. Highly recommend.
(5)Tanya K.
We had dinner here last night and we are so pleased to have such great German/French options in the neighborhood. I had the Coq Riesling and my husband ordered the wiener schnitzel. Both were perfectly prepared. We also enjoyed the potato leek soup and the house salad. There is a great wine list (This is Glunz!) and a good selection of beers. Our server was knowledgeable and efficient. The owners stopped by to seriously inquire how we were enjoying our meal and graciously gave us a bit of history behind the tavern. The decor is really lovely and the atmosphere is inviting. The bartenders greeted us as soon as we entered. This is a small room and I hope we will be fortunate in finding a table when we return with our adult kids.
(5)Peter M.
We were walking through old town having not been before and decided to stop for a few drinks. The refinery was empty, the old town burger saloon looked so so, and gluntz was pretty empty but charming looking. Boy did we make the right choice. The bartenders were amazing in how they crafted the drinks. I had a rye Manhattan that while potent went down smooth as glass. The food was great as well, black truffle mayo with fries! We will definitely be going back again.
(5)Lois B.
Amazing! I'm glad that we arrived a little before 6:30 and walked right in for a table four 4. The wait staff answered questions with the kind of enthusiasm for the food that was only matched by the food itself. The best beet salad I have EVER had (and I like beet salad) and the most amazing gnocchi. Every single one of us was delighted with our drinks, our wine, beer and our food. Dessert? We meant to stick to the apple struddle, but decided to go for the hot chocolate as well. I am so glad that we had both because I wouldn't want to choose.
(5)Kimberly M.
Happened to stop by here and truly felt like we walked into an Irish pub. Excellent corned beef, soda bread, baileys cookies, and amazing beer selection (3 floyds, founders, etc). You could tell everything was home cooked. Will definitely be back here! Recommend the corned beef. We are from the east coast where corned beef is everywhere, and this was the best we have had. It was juicy, tender, melts in your mouth corned beef.....phenomenal!!
(5)Jeff K.
What a great spot in the old town/gold coast area. What a great addition and am so glad to have found it. The space was great! Rustic, warm, and inviting. The cocktail I had was subpar and way over priced. If I am paying $14 for a cocktail (it sort of tasted soapy and I think it was the glass, but am not totally sure) I am going to Sable. Regardless, I loved the wine selection and beer selection. I just will not have a mixed drink here, problem solved. The food was great. The pretzel would only have been better if there was a cheese sauce with it in addition to the mustard. The sausage plate was meaty and smoky and tasty. The piece de resitance was the Spaetzle Uberbacken. I would and will come back here just for this! It was hard having to split this item with my date after having the first bite, but unfortunately we made the agreement in ordering. I will not offer to share this item with him next time. Over all I look forward to returning. It was a great Wednesday date night location.
(4)EH B.
Ambience is wonderful and food preparation was top notch. Menu could provide more choices, but everything we selected was quite good and priced fairly. Old Town neighbors -- support this place! It is a little gem.
(4)Daniel S.
I live about a block away and have been here twice. Food is excellent, nice atmosphere and slower service. Wiener schnitzel and the hamburger are outstanding!
(5)R D.
We were so happy that the family that owns House of Glunz decided to reopen the Glunz Tavern. We went early on a Friday evening and by 6p.m. almost every table was filled, including the bar area. The bartender and staff are very friendly, welcoming you at the door. We only ordered apps and drinks and both were very good. I look forward to returning for dinner.
(5)M T.
Incredible makeover from former rustic liquor store. Cozy tavern, the bartenders understand how to make a drink, and the few small plates that we tried were great (the cheese selections were fantastic).
(5)Edward A. S.
It's Friday, and I've just come in from having had dinner at The Glunz Tavern. My head still hurts and my ears are still ringing from the racket in the place. Also, the Sazarac I ordered was less than mediocre. If there were two shot glasses of anything in that silly little glass, then I would be surprised. Took nearly fifty minutes to be served dinner which I have to say was good (burger). However, our waiter never asked if we wanted another drink, did not ask how the food was, hardly attended to the table. I wanted to like this place, but I was TOTALLY unimpressed by it -- except for its physical charm. The operation seems to need some serious fine-tuning -- esp in the service category where there seemed to be a lack of experience. Instead of having a busboy constantly refilling the water glasses, they need to remember that a successful restaurant sells drinks as well as food. In any case, I won't be returning.
(2)Megan F.
The Gluntz Tavern is a great place to go for drinks. They also have an extensive beer list, including Leffe, which I appreciate as it's one of my favorites. They are always consistent in their service - top-notch - and are friendly, helpful without being overwhelming. There is no bad seat in the house and the ambiance makes this place a complete package - tin ceilings, original bar. Classy but not stuffy.
(5)Mickey A.
I met with a coworker for dinner, drinks, and non-work conversations. Two out of three isn't bad because we ended up talking about work 80% of the time. Anyway, I've been wanting try this place after seeing it on my way out of Plum Market. My coworker had never heard of it. It was great place for a last minute decision and for not having reservations on a Friday night. I can't say that happens all the time, but it was just our luck. We started off with the cheese platter and the french fries. My friend also got an order of the pretzel, which was bigger than the ones you get at a sporting event. In fact on our check, it even said "pretzel, huge". Insert your jokes here. For my entree, I ordered the gnocchi with roast beef and egg. I've been on this kick lately for ordering a meal with an egg - not sure what that's about. It wasn't a big portion (think small plates) but after chowing down on the fries and cheese and downing a glass of Malbec, I wasn't too disappointed in it. I enjoyed it and probably would get it again. Also, the entrance is right before the liquor store (if you're facing north) next door. I walked past it thinking it was part of the dining area and not the actual entry door. Duh.
(4)Will S.
This is a very fun place to have some drinks and food with friends. Their food is top notch and their drink menu is built to pair with their food perfectly. The service staff is attentive and are great at making useful and relevant suggestions. They're well trained and cover for each other well. I highly recommend their pretzel with the dunkel beer!
(4)Nikul S.
This place is as good as it gets in Old Town. The Glunz Tavern maintains class, respectability, and quality without pretension. The interior is warm and inviting. The bartenders are extremely knowledgable, hilarious, and professional. Unlike many of the other restaurants and bars on Wells in Old Town, the price of food and drink actually reflect the quality and portion of what you get as opposed to the typical slop that many restaurants pass off as food at a cost of $14-$20 per. We ordered the charcuterie plate, glunz tavern salad, gnocchi, and schnitzel. All dishes were excellent. As for drinks, they make a great Old Fashioned. Make sure to ask for it with Bulleit Rye as opposed to regular Bulleit. This is a great date place too. The atmosphere can be intimate, warm, and perfect if you are trying to get to know someone. Added bonus, I didn't see a single "bro" in there. Just regular guys and gals politely and tastefully having a good time.
(5)Mia C.
Not a good place for vegetarians. Food was greasy and portions are way too small and expensive. Ambiance is nice and service is good tho.
(2)Allen B.
If you want to experience Chicago, this is the place!! Glunz is not a sports bar (the one TV at the bar has the volume and brightness down). Glunz does not look modern on the inside (no neon signs). But Glunz is 125 years old, and in that time has built up more charm and style than any chain could *ever* hope to have! Our waiter knew the history of the place even though he's been there less than a year. He was also better informed about the menu (pre-prohibition era drinks, wine, and food) than some professors I've had. Most importantly he was FUN!!! The staff at Glunz will be subdued if you want subdued. But joke with them and they roll with it and then some. When a repeat customer walks in, they're greeted warmly but not at the expense of other guests. No one puts on airs - everyone is welcome. This isn't a place looking to cater to the trends, it's a place looking to please it's extremely varied customer base. And the FOOD is AWESOME!! The hot pretzel appetizer is big enough for three to share!! The fish and chips special I had was the best I'd had anywhere (and that's quite a feat)! The chicken was juicy and flavorful. The cheese board had great range. Lastly, the apple strudel was phenomenal! We'll be going back!!!! Here's to another 125 years!!!!!
(5)Ian B.
We come here almost every Sunday night. Wonderful food, and great service. An underrated gem.
(5)Emann B.
I had attended a wine tasting at House of Glunz several years ago and really enjoyed the experience. I had been meaning to try The Glunz Tavern ever since it opened and had the opportunity on a sunny Saturday. My best mate and I stopped in around 5:30pm and as expected it was pretty empty, save for a gaggle of boozy cougars who apparently thought my stylin' companion and I were musicians. Not quite accurate, but I'll take it as a compliment despite their inebriated state. All the bartenders were very friendly, informative, and Colin was full of entertaining stories of the supernatural kind. Drinks were amazing and they really take care to make them right. I had more than a couple mouth-puckering sidecars. We felt a bit peckish and ordered the cheeseboard: Three wonderful cheeses, nuts n' jelly, and perfect grilled bread. Perfect, delectable snack. I'll definitely return!
(4)Brian L.
In addition to being a classic, low-key gem in Chicago, this place actually serves red wine at the proper temperature. Tired of other wine bars serving red wine at room temperature. #shutupwinesnob. What's with the music though? Breeders. Social Distortion. Hard punk. All for that when I go to a hipster dive bar. Tatted up bartender using Glunz as the stage to crank her own music interests. Know your audience.
(4)Danny D.
Best chill atmosphere in old town - hands down and for that it gets extra points. I've been here many times and the menu seems hit or miss. (I've had the gnocchi and it was outstanding, but the beet salad was maybe 20% beets and the burger - which apparently Glunz does well - was requested to be pink in the middle - and it was, but it was charred on the outside as was the bun.) They have a decent enough selection of beers, but it wouldn't hurt if they added a few additional ones in the mix. Ohhh yeah - if you told me one of the the wait staff was a serial killer I'd have trouble narrowing it down as to which one it could be. Just saying - this place has character.
(4)Carmen B.
Like! This review is based on a November and december visit. Last Saturday I returned to Glunz for dinner. We ordered the pork chop, the sausage (brat+thuringer) plate and the ham and gruyere spaetzle. That spaetzle with the creamy gruyere, a smoky ham was the winner of the evening- perfect! I also liked our entrees (although I like my brats in beer, grilled with onions - the boiled prep at Glunz isn't my favorite). Very good selection of brown spirits- they have the anchor steam Old Potrero which for me, can make a spot an instant destination... The staff is super friendly and fun which also makes the evening more enjoyable. I rarely venture into Old Town but this bar is a good reason to do so. Note- the chef may want to consider adding the maple glazed nuts with pork back to the menu. This was available the week of thanksgiving but was removed by 12/21. That was a great bar snack!
(4)Jen M.
Gorgeous decor. And most of it is borrowed from classic Chicago establishments. The large mirror hails from the Pump Room. And the bar is from the Ambassador West hotel. Original tray ceilings. The owner was all too eager to tell us they're were the first location to bottle Schlitz beer outside of the brewery. Cool backstory. This is a GREAT place to sip and enjoy classic cocktails. The Old Fashioned is reportedly a favorite but I opted for the bourbon cocktail whose name escapes me (guess I had too many). Great place.
(5)David R.
Glorious. Real, legitimate history and old-fashioned service: countless places try and fail to evoke this ideal but it cannot be faked. In look and feel, Glunz Tavern is a genuine early 20th-century throwback. It was originally founded in 1888 by a forebear of the proprietors who re-established it in 2012, and I can't imagine it being any better in 1888 than it is today. Although now I would happily sit here for hours enjoying beer and soaking in the atmosphere, the purpose of my original visit was to scratch a gustatory itch. Something intangible about the onset of serious autumn this year made me long for a big Bavarian pretzel. Then looking through the photos of a trip sparked a hard craving for German food in general. Finally, a piece in TimeOut previewing 2013 restaurant trends gave me a concrete target--Glunz Tavern. "[Its] menu includes a warm pretzel with Düsseldorf mustard; Thuringer sausages simmered in Bavarian-style sauerkraut with potatoes; and späetzle überbacken, a spaetzle gratin with Black Forest ham and Gruyere." SOLD! I ate all of those things, and ironically the pretzel was dry and disappointing. Everything else, however, was outstanding. I started with the beet salad, with mache greens, shallots, pistachios, goat cheese, and caraway and sherry vinaigrette--a practically perfect version of one of my favorite dishes. The späetzle überbacken is essentially German macaroni and cheese, but it obliterates all but the very best of its American cousins. Between ham, gruyere, and caramelized onions, this dish is almost impossibly rich and should be shared...or taken home to eat as leftovers to stretch out the pleasure over multiple meals. For the sausage dish, I requested one of each, the bratwurst and the smoked Thuringer; of these I far preferred the latter, but the best thing on the plate was the sauerkraut--far, far superior to the sour, stringy stuff from a can that gets thrown indiscriminately onto various sausages in this town. I am sorry that it took me until March to come in, because there are many more tantalizing items on the menu, as well as thoughtful and compelling daily specials. Besides a small but satisfying selection of imported draft beer, they offer a classic cocktail menu, and their bar staff is as adept at crafting these drinks as the kitchen staff is at the food dishes. From excellent food and drink to gracious, good-humored service to the unique history and atmosphere, I just love this place. Dare I say that Glunz Tavern is my new favorite bar/restaurant in Chicago? Yes, I dare.
(5)Amelia B.
If you read my review of House of Glunz ( yelp.com/biz/house-of-gl… ), you'll know that I absolutely adore this space and the people that own it and work there. Same goes for the waitstaff and bartenders at the attached bar, Glunz Tavern. Extremely knowledgeable, extremely friendly. And the space still rocks. 5 stars all around there. But the food underwhelms. I take that back - it's pretty good, just very spendy for the portion sizes and what you get.* Maybe that's the upscale vibe Glunz is going for, but I just don't think it fits. Drinks are also on the extreme high end - $11 for a "well" drink? (yes, yes, at a place like this I should be ordering the $90 Pappy Van Winkle, I get it). I had high hopes for this as a neighborhood place, but it's much more upscale than I expected. So go for the history, for the beautiful building and knowledgeable staff. Not sure I'd make a full meal of it though. That said, still worth checking out. *the saddest part? highly disappointing Bavarian pretzel. If you are going with a German-food bent, at least get the pretzel and mustard right.
(4)Nina V.
My new favorite bar in the city! New favorite bar is an understatement -- the service and drinks were great. Super nice people and I will be back quite often. The staff here really go out of their way to make sure patrons enjoy their visit here. I didn't eat anything while here, but next time will definitely sample the food.
(5)Cindy M.
I went to Glunz Tavern for a cocktail. My friend and I both ordered a drink off of their drink menu. I ordered an old fashioned. I watched the bartender carefully measure the shot and a half of bourbon into the glass. This made for an extremely weak drink. I feel ripped off for paying $12 for this cocktail. Between parking, 2 cocktails and tip, we spent about $35! No thanks Glunz Tavern! There are way better places to get a cocktail. I definitely will not be going back.
(2)Alexandra S.
Wonderful! Delicious food - I'm so glad I found this place, I can't wait to go back and get a another HUGE pretzel.
(5)Cooper C.
Super cool joint where you can have a great bite to eat and enjoy some good conversation.
(5)Rachel M.
My own little neighborhood time machine. LOVE GLUNZ , the staff, the family and everything about this place. It makes me feel like I am enjoying a cocktail with my grandparents who are no longer with us. The bartenders are a HOOT! We (my boyfriend and I) always sit at the bar for nice conversation, unless we have people joining us. They know EVERYTHING about the cocktails, beers and wines that they serve. And dont be afraid to ask for something that is not listed on the cocktail/wine list. The family also owns the space next door (obviously House of Glunz) and will pick out something of your liking. Food is undeniable, everything spot on and TOP NOTCH!
(5)Brian F.
Gorgeous old town bar with an olden-time look. The beer selection is phenomenal and the staff is friendly.
(4)Marie O.
The food was ok, not great. Very heavy, salty. We were enticed by a little blurb on Eater Chicago, which mentioned a special deal-- of which the waitress knew nothing when we arrived. The space itself was charming, with many original features.
(2)Jaye J.
Just came back from dining there-and I'd like to review now but will take the option to edit later: I've heard good thing things about the place, and, on a whim, Mr. J and I decided to stop there today (Sunday) late afternoon about 3. I've wanted to try the place fora while now, as I've happily shopped at House of Glunz wine and spirits for years and dined at places where the sommalier or selection of wines was selected by Glunz. When we arrived, there were 2 people at the bar and one other two top when we arrived. Later, a 4 top showed up. The place looks cute, with warm cozy wood and stained glass everywhere and lots of old fashioned signs. A lovely old wood bar lines half the front area where there are high top tables and in the back is a small dining room. Our server came over immediately, left us menus, and let us know they were out of the meatloaf and corned beef. This was disappointing on its own account, but as they only serve brunch on Sunday, that was rather limiting. Mr J ordered the burger and I ordered the corned beef hash. I had to ask about how the eggs were served-so I assume had I not, I would have gotten the eggs...? anyway, our server, who never introduced himself, went off to place our ouders, only to return several minutes later (too long, imo) to inform me that there was no corned beef for the hash (which, had I thought about it, that is not a surprise), and leave me with a menu again and a promise to return with our drinks. When he did, I wanted to order the salami sandwich...and he told me they were out of that too. This was getting annoying. I ordered the steak sandwich, and Mr J and I enjoyed our drinks, which were well made prohibition era cocktails. After w rather long wait, our food arrived, and Mr J's burger was juicy and actually quite delicious. It came with hand cut fries and a spicy ailoi and was a real treat. I, on the other hand, had an overdone steak on a hard bun (not toasted, hard), with a chunk of bone that was nearly 1/3 the total size of the steak. Biting into that was an unpleasant surprise. It came with a nicely dressed arugula salad. In the meantime, Mr J ordered a "waiter's choice" gin cocktail that was, frankly, not very well made. It was a rifff on a Moscow Mule, but it jsut didn't turn out very well. I'd ordered the Founders Oatmeal stout which was exactly what one would expect. Our server, who had ONE other table checked on us 0 times. Mr J did mention to our unnamed server that his cocktail was underwhelming, and he took off 50% of the cost. Overall, the good parts were good, the bad parts were bad, and it seemed as if the whole thing jsut missed the mark. Since we'd heard great things about this place from others and it was kind of close to getting it right, this left us thinking that we'd maybe give the place another shot...sometime...not too soon. We exited through the wine shop, and ran into Christopher (whom we later found was the grandson of the original Glunz) who invited us to try the wines opened for the earlier tasting. It happened we found one we quite liked and was quite charming, as he's always been whenever I've been in shopping. He asked us how we liked the meal and we sort of hemmed and hawed and eventually gave him an abbreviated and hopefully less stinging review than the one above. He then apologized profusely, thanked us for our honesty, and explained that the day before, on a Saturday, their head chef just walked out. Just like that, left them high and dry and they had been scrambling through the Saturday dinner service and Sunday brunch with the sous-chef and staff trying to work out how to run things. This definitely explained the mis-steps we'd experienced, and I don't think he could have been more genuine in his explanation. I completely understand-sometimes someone just puts the screws to you. We also said we were happy to come again and figured we'd just hit a bad time. He then generously simply GAVE us the bottle of wine were intended to purchase, which more than smoothed over my dissatisfaction. During the conversation, we started talking gin drinks, and ended up purchasing a bottle of nice gin too. So, not the best experience, but I understand they'd hit a rough patch, and the problems all seem minor and fixable, and we look forward to returning.
(4)Katie V.
Outdoor seating? Hooray! Solid Bloody Mary? Oh hell to the yes. Cabbage soup with haricot verts and pancetta? Bowl-licking good. Now open most days for lunch!
(4)Amy C.
Went to this place last night and I'm not exaggerating when I say I think I waited over twenty minutes for a draft beer. After waiting probably fifteen minutes, (after we had already waited a considerable amount of time to be acknowledged and given menus and had our drink orders taken) the rest of my table got their drinks and when I told the server I was still waiting for my beer he went back to the bar (I thought to get my beer) and continued running drinks to his other tables for several more minutes. The bummer part for the server is that I probably would have ordered at least three of those pretty expensive beers, but instead I had one. I thought the food was fine but the service was slow, unapologetic and unfriendly. Won't be going back.
(1)Aaron L.
Just got back from having drinks and some appetizers at Glunz Tavern. The space is terrific and I could have stayed longer. The bartender, Colin, made a terrifc Old Fashioned and couldn't have been nicer. He used to own Red Lion, a pub in Lincoln Park that closed several years ago. As of now, the beer selection is rather limited, only 5 or 6 and none on tap. However, I'm told there will be a rotating selection of draft beer in the near future. As for food, I tried the truffle fries, beet salad, and pretzel. All were good and the guy next to me raved about the burger, which I'll probably order next time.
(4)Elaina T.
Decor and location were the best things here. Hashbrowns smelled bad and the corned beef sandwich had too much fat on it. Thoroughly disappointed.
(2)Kelley B.
My husband and I stepped into the newly opened Glunz Tavern after work on a Friday night. It was early, around 6 p.m., and the small tavern was about half full. We chose to sit at the bar. We ordered two glasses of wine (not a huge variety of wine by the glass, considering their great variety of wine in their adjacent House of Glunz liquor store). The wines were excellent. Their beer menu is limited but their cocktails looked great. I'm definitely going to have to try one next time I'm there. We started the night with their small cheese and meat platter, with fresh bread. We also split the gnocchi for our entree. It was a huge portion compared to other gnocchi entrees I have gotten elsewhere. The dish was so rich, it practically melted in your mouth. I would highly recommend this dish! We left very full but eager to come back to Glunz Tavern. By the time we left, the place was starting to get crowded and every table was occupied. The service was a little slow but it had only been open for a couple of weeks and it was packed. Can't get mad when you have a longer time to sip a delicious wine! Overall, it's a great spot for a date night.
(4)Adrienne N.
Beautiful bar, excellent bartender.
(4)Matthew M.
I went here after dinner one night and really enjoyed its authenticity. They have the original bar from the Pump Room which is pretty cool. They also sport a really good liquor list.(three different aged bottles of PAPPY VAN WINKLE which is impressive) Our bartender was very funny and knew his stuff. The cocktails he poured were excellent. Overall this place is perfect for a quiet cocktail and conversation without the River North vibe. A hidden gem. I can't believe people don't come here all the time!
(5)Mary G.
So fortunate for us that we discovered Glunz Tavern. Very comfortable, great bartenders, good food, beautiful room with many original features - easily the best place to come for a relaxing dinner amidst all the craziness of Wells Street just a little further north. Schnitzel was delicious. This is a hidden gem (I almost didn't want to write this review to share the secret). Glunz is a very authentic, neighborhood tavern and restaurant, family run, that does what it does very well.
(4)Ben T.
This place is great and serves one of the best burgers I've ever had. Order it medium rare and wash it down with a liter of German beer.
(5)Karen S.
I came here a few months ago with a group of four. It was a Tuesday and they have half price bottles of wine! I had the Thüringer and Smoked Thüringer which came with sauerkraut and potatoes. Simple dish that was plated well and very tasty. The others had duck or the schnitzel and all enjoyed. Service was good. An enjoyable night.
(4)Jamie P.
How did I not know this existed? Glunz Tavern is such a gem in the neighborhood! I held a private event in the tasting room behind the wine shop, and everything was perfect. The room is such a unique, intimate space for a small dinner party (comfortably seats up to 12 people). They only book one private event per night, so the room was ours for the evening. It was very clear that the staff knew what they were doing, and they are very knowledgeable when it comes to suggesting wine/beer pairings. For appetizers, the deviled eggs were a hit and the charcuterie & cheese platters were generous with fantastic cheese selection. For main entrées, the veal schnitzel topped with a sunny side egg was the biggest seller in our group. When our main entrées arrived, Barbara (the original owner's granddaughter) joined to tells us about the tavern's history. Such a cool piece of Chicago history!
(5)Suzanne E.
The $12 cremant seemed kind of pricey, but then I'm cheap and have my sources for $5 martinis in lovely places, AND I have friends in Alsace so I get to guzzle the stuff in the friendly dive bars of Strasbourg, where it's sort of like the house wine and doesn't cost much. The space is beautiful, atmospheric, and reminiscent of when Old Town had a major stained glass thing going on (in my childhood), where every other bar or restaurant seemed to have Victorian stained glass all overthe place. So now I have somewhere besides Orso's and Bond Chapel for my stained glass fix. Prices for beer, a drink which generally mystifies me, seemed pretty reasonable.
(3)Wolf Z.
Pleasant, relaxed atmosphere, pre-war music, great German beer selection, awesome burgers. Ja!
(5)Sue B.
Have been to The Glunz Tavern 3 times in the last 4 months. I can't say a bad word about the place. Beer and wine selection is great. Bartenders and staff excellent. Burger and brussel sprouts are the best! Not kidding! Can't wait to try all the other entrees. Smallish menu, which is always nice, since you know everything will be tasty. Highly recommend.
(5)Tanya K.
We had dinner here last night and we are so pleased to have such great German/French options in the neighborhood. I had the Coq Riesling and my husband ordered the wiener schnitzel. Both were perfectly prepared. We also enjoyed the potato leek soup and the house salad. There is a great wine list (This is Glunz!) and a good selection of beers. Our server was knowledgeable and efficient. The owners stopped by to seriously inquire how we were enjoying our meal and graciously gave us a bit of history behind the tavern. The decor is really lovely and the atmosphere is inviting. The bartenders greeted us as soon as we entered. This is a small room and I hope we will be fortunate in finding a table when we return with our adult kids.
(5)Jeff K.
What a great spot in the old town/gold coast area. What a great addition and am so glad to have found it. The space was great! Rustic, warm, and inviting. The cocktail I had was subpar and way over priced. If I am paying $14 for a cocktail (it sort of tasted soapy and I think it was the glass, but am not totally sure) I am going to Sable. Regardless, I loved the wine selection and beer selection. I just will not have a mixed drink here, problem solved. The food was great. The pretzel would only have been better if there was a cheese sauce with it in addition to the mustard. The sausage plate was meaty and smoky and tasty. The piece de resitance was the Spaetzle Uberbacken. I would and will come back here just for this! It was hard having to split this item with my date after having the first bite, but unfortunately we made the agreement in ordering. I will not offer to share this item with him next time. Over all I look forward to returning. It was a great Wednesday date night location.
(4)EH B.
Ambience is wonderful and food preparation was top notch. Menu could provide more choices, but everything we selected was quite good and priced fairly. Old Town neighbors -- support this place! It is a little gem.
(4)Daniel S.
I live about a block away and have been here twice. Food is excellent, nice atmosphere and slower service. Wiener schnitzel and the hamburger are outstanding!
(5)R D.
We were so happy that the family that owns House of Glunz decided to reopen the Glunz Tavern. We went early on a Friday evening and by 6p.m. almost every table was filled, including the bar area. The bartender and staff are very friendly, welcoming you at the door. We only ordered apps and drinks and both were very good. I look forward to returning for dinner.
(5)M T.
Incredible makeover from former rustic liquor store. Cozy tavern, the bartenders understand how to make a drink, and the few small plates that we tried were great (the cheese selections were fantastic).
(5)Edward A. S.
It's Friday, and I've just come in from having had dinner at The Glunz Tavern. My head still hurts and my ears are still ringing from the racket in the place. Also, the Sazarac I ordered was less than mediocre. If there were two shot glasses of anything in that silly little glass, then I would be surprised. Took nearly fifty minutes to be served dinner which I have to say was good (burger). However, our waiter never asked if we wanted another drink, did not ask how the food was, hardly attended to the table. I wanted to like this place, but I was TOTALLY unimpressed by it -- except for its physical charm. The operation seems to need some serious fine-tuning -- esp in the service category where there seemed to be a lack of experience. Instead of having a busboy constantly refilling the water glasses, they need to remember that a successful restaurant sells drinks as well as food. In any case, I won't be returning.
(2)Val W.
This place deserves the highest review that I could possibly leave. The night I came was a little unique (which made my experience probably more memorable than others might be), but throughout it all, the quality of the service, the food, and the atmosphere all deserved 5 stars. Highlights: they have a great wine shop (with a super helpful staff), let you try beers before you take your pick, have an excellent and delicious menu, and are overall very attentive! First, as we wandered in on a Wednesday evening before a Second City show, we were told that the dining area was reserved for a special event, but the bar and some tall tables around the bar were available. We took a tall table, which was situated right next to the dining area. and asked our exceptional waiter about what was going on. It was an Austrian wine night, so they had an Austrian wine expert come in, talk about 5 different wines which people got to try, and had a special multiple course dinner to go along with the wines. We were close enough to hear the first talk by the expert (which we super enjoyed), and our waiter showed us the wines and menu they were eating. We asked if there was extra of the entree they were having, and while our waiter checked with the chef, we wandered into the wine shop (the oldest continuously running wine shop in the country... I think they said!). While the lady in the wine shop was showing us around, answering all our questions (and even letting us try some of the wine that was open), the chef came out personally to let us know the status of our dinner (since we wanted to special order what the Austrian wine lovers were eating). I won't keep this saga going forever, but essentially we got everything we wanted and more, with the help of an amazing crew! Thank you!
(5)Juan C.
Friendly place. It's a 125 years place so it's must be good place to be open that long and survived prohibition. Kitchen closes at 10.
(5)Nick P.
Hidden gem in Old Town! Great cocktails, wide beer selection, and a variety of meat. Get the burger... one of the most underrated ones in the city. Very good upscale tavern without loud, blaring TVs everywhere.
(5)Elizabeth S.
Wonderful food but the service was a disaster. We came in after the wells street art fair and there was one server and one bartender. We sat ourselves and managed to order but they were clearly understaffed. Our waitress did the best she could but the bartender in charge was surly and by the end of the night, multiple tables walked out without being served. I really enjoyed our food but the service was so bad I likely would not return.
(2)Scott F.
Great tavern burger and amazing cocktails. Great atmosphere reminiscent of the 19 century when it was originally open.
(5)Jet S.
Good place, good decor. They try to be a little different with their menu and they offer quality standbys for bar food. Fair prices for the area. Would recommend.
(4)Renessa F.
A friend and I were looking for a bar to watch the Bears game on Sunday but less crowded and we stumbled upon Glunz Tavern. As I debated on hair of the dog, I watched Daren the bartender make a few bloody marys and his attention to detail convinced me to order one. The drink went great with the HUGE pretzel and the eggs benedict my friend and I shared. I enjoyed this place because the staff was welcoming and the history of the tavern is great. The Glunz Tavern was established in 1888, closed during prohibition for 90 some years and reopened in 2012. The tin ceiling, wooden floors, and bar are the original. There are other tales Daren can share so I won't take all of his stories. I went back to Glunz for dinner and to my surprise they have live music on Wednesday evenings starting at 7:30 pm. The ambiance, candle light, and music made for an unintended but very nice romantic dinner. We ordered gnocchi without the corned beef, Schnitzel, and pretzel bread pudding. Daren came to the rescue once again. Since they did not have the Chianti Classico I wanted he offered another great red. They have a very wide selection of spirits since The House of Glunz is attached to the tavern and you can just walk over to browse the store. Great place for food, drinks, and good company.
(5)Yvonne B.
Drinks = top notch! Our server took us both on a wonderful libation journey that included Sazerac, Horse's Neck, The Bronx Cocktail, and Champs Elysee. Oh - and then M ordered a bottle of wine. She drank half of it, recorked it, and brought it home. And I loved our server. He was perfectly charming, flirtatious, and gosh darn easy on the eyes. He was adept at choosing my drinks and helping me narrow my food options. He was initially very attentive but that TLC waned as the tavern became busier. The food was good. M absolutely loved loved LOVED it. I just thought it was okay. We got charcuterie, pretzel, deviled eggs, and gnocchi. I tried all of the charcuterie nibbles and then let M conquer it all. We decided that the pretzel was just a means of delivery for the scrumptious mustard dipping sauce. I liked the deviled eggs and M wasn't as much of a fan. I thought the gnocchi was good but too salty whereas M was completely blown away and said it was even better than what was served at the now closed Maison Brasserie. Our bill with tip came to about $175. We really liked the old school spirit of The Glunz Tavern. Besides the one flat screen television by the bar (and it was turned off the whole time) everything else about the place was old. Like, antique and not worn down or out dated. It's a family business and there were members of the Glunz family working that evening. Besides the girl who toppled her stool and fell on the floor the place was quiet. Not awkwardly quiet or anything like that. It was just good for conversation and being chill. We'll go again and definitely when we want to unwind.
(4)Meredith H.
Amazing service! Glunz staff rocks!! Food is sooo good and the best bloody Mary's in the city! Naomi makes the best!!! Stephanie rocks with her awesome service and friendly fun demeanor. Keep up the awesome job all. Love the environment immaculately clean bathrooms too. Love love love house of glunz!! Lovely wine selection too, what u like, they will have! Thanks staff of Glunz!
(5)Ben A.
Sausages were DELICIOUS. Service a little slow, but who cares when the decor is so much fun to look at and talk about?
(4)Kirsten G.
I want to give more stars, but my Old Fashion was weak and I needed a strong one and the beet salad did not have Arugula or much taste. Burger was Awesome though . Fries were good , but nothing to write home about. Server was very nice. So... I would go back, but stick to wine or Beer and not get Beet Salad or Deviled Eggs.
(3)Lily B.
Do you consider yourself a person with good taste? Do you like awesome people? Are you awesome? Does delicious, succulent, killer food make you close your eyes and feel God? Do you like a strong old man cocktail? Are you into good stories and historical, magical ambiance? Well if you are and if you do, GET YOUR SWEET BUTT TO GLUNZ.
(5)Jon H.
Awesome joint. They have one TV which is usually off so that's a nice change. Bartender was awesome, super friendly and energetic. Food was pretty decent as well. Chatted with the owner for a bit, very cool guy. Nice quaint bar with quality drinks and good food.
(4)Carol K.
I'm giving Glunz, the benefit of the doubt . . . .for while the night started very well- there were a few service hiccups along that way that put a small question mark in my mind. So time will tell . . . . The night started off so great! Karl, the bartender, was terrific, mixing our martinis with vigor and making sure that we were comfortable at the end of his bar. This place is lovely inside with stained glass windows, an old style wooden bar, high tops in the front windows and a small dining area in the back. Just the kind of place you would hope to find as a neighborhood place! When it came time to eat- we were seated at a great little table right in the front window allowing us to watch the activity as Old Town came alive on this warmish night. Not sure if our table wasn't "officially" in the server's section or if he thought others were taking care of us but getting any service once we moved to the table was a bit of a challenge. We finally flagged down Karl again and he brought us menus from behind the bar. At that point the server came over and took our orders. But that was the last we saw of him. And the drink orders given to Karl were wrong. What the heck? And when the manager (owner?) came over and asked us how things were- we mentioned the service challenge and suddenly Karl was back in place taking care of us from behind his bar. So I'm going to assume that Karl was our server for the remainder of this review- thus the 4 stars- for if it was for the other server- it would be less! I had the brick chicken which was quite good but my friend had the pork chop which was definitely the better of the two. Also- we had a chance to taste the deviled eggs as well as the cheese and chacuterie plate. While the eggs were good- the chacuterie was a bit on the slim side - definitely not anything to rave about. If you drive- street parking is pretty easy right on Wells or you can park in the new parking garage just north of the location which will run you about $14. All in all- I liked this spot to connect with friends and enjoy a drink. But if you go- be sure to sit at the bar for Karl will take excellent care of you!
(4)Michael B.
Housed in one of the first brick buildings built in Chicago after the fire, the building is awash in original detail and/or historic artifacts. Built in 1883, from the original tin ceilings, wood floors, imported German stained glass windows and other fun stuff, the place has the authentic cham of yesteryear Chicago while being a comfortable, contemporary community treasure. Tuesday is half price wine night. Oh and BTW, the family owned House of Glunz Wine shop, also a treasure, is the oldest continually operating spirit house in the nation, so they have a great selection of interesting and reasonably priced wine (and beer). The food blew us away. Best described as a contemporary twist on classic German food as well as some hearty salad and fish options, everything, and I mean everything, was sensational. The food had a real authentic home style taste that only pride, talent and slow cooking can achieve. We had the roasted brussel sprouts, a beet, goat cheese, pistachio and caraway seed salad, sauteed red sauerkraut, and s salmon vegetable fish dish that were as home style delicious as it comes. The home made strudel was the final blew that brought the much sought gustatory orgasm we all desperately seek in our dining experiences. My final bit of advise, listen to Stephanie and order whatever she says. She's delightful and knows her stuff.
(5)Jeff C.
Limited menu, but what they do is good German fare. Deviled eggs and huge pretzel are great appetizers to share. Schnitzel and Riesling chicken were tasty, generous portions. Outdoor seating, without an obnoxious sports-bar crowd, makes for a relaxing experience on Wells.
(3)Darryl P.
The burger had potential to be great, but both the bun and beef were extremely over-cooked, to the point it was actually burnt. Had to cut off the burnt areas just to make it edible.
(2)Gary R.
Best place to go for drinks before or after dinner in Old Town! These guys know how to make a Bourbon Old Fashioned.
(5)Emily S.
I went here for a first date one Tuesday and we had such a good time. Neither of us had been here before, but it was a convenient location to meet up. The decor and atmosphere was really nice and homey. It was quiet, our waitress was sweet/attentive/made great suggestions and was just overall really friendly and fun. We had the pretzel, burger and creme brulee and each was really great. Would definitely come here again!
(4)Lauren P.
Glunz is a very charming bar/restaurant with great drinks. The menu is unique and the food is incredible! There is a spacious outdoor patio and the inside is cozy, yet has a fun vibe. We came on Friday night with live acoustic music. Definitely put Glunz on your list if you are in Old Town!
(5)Italian F.
WOW. absolutely delicious food. I had salmon, my son had prime rib,& my husband had the Cornish hen. Truly exquisite food. They have so many options that are gluten free, including a delicious gluten free beer. Their creme brûlée was the best I've ever had. I love the atmosphere of this small tavern! We'll definitely be back!
(5)Wes Cole C.
One of my favorite brunch places in Old Town. The staff is friendly, the food is great, and I love the old school vibe. The accompanying wine store is rated the best wine store in Chicago. My mommy likes it there. And my daddy likes the bourbon. Me? I like the scrambled eggs and milk.
(5)Jon H.
Our experience here was a wild ride from start to finish. First, (after seating ourselves) our waiter eventually came over, but was completely confused. He didn't understand the meals that we were trying to order (it seemed like he didn't even understand the menu itself), and then simply walked away after taking our order (which were burgers - he didn't bother to ask how we wanted them) without removing our menus. After about 10 minutes of waiting with no drinks or any other service, we finally had to ask for water. Which he brought over in paper disposable cups. Like something from a fast-food restaurant. Eventually the manager came over and saw how strange our service was, so she replaced our cups with actual glasses with ice water and tried to apologize. Then the meal came. Luckily, the burgers were very, very good. However, they were supposed to come with a side of fries which were forgotten, except when we finally got these fries (after we had finished the burgers), they were half-raw and tasted rubbery. All in all, this was a very strange meal. I see all these positive reviews, but our experience was completely different from them.
(2)John S.
good food - but service was slow. we weren't in a huge hurry, but i had to approach bar to order dinner. would go back for drinks and maybe food if not in any rush.
(3)Katherine C.
Came here on a Wed night for HH with coworkers and stayed from 5:30-7:30. The beginning of our night here was positive. Good selection of wine, hard liquor, and some beers on draft, though on the pricier side. Same for food. Overall, not bad and the waitress was attentive. Around 7:00, a live band set up by the door and played ear blasting jazz. While it's nice to have live music, it's wayyyyy to early to start blasting it at 7 pm on a wed night with only a handful of patrons to play to. It became so loud that we couldn't even hear the person across from us and we decided that it was high time to leave, even with unfinished drinks. I recommend lowering the volume of the band or playing much later when people are ready to just sit back and enjoy the music. Instead we left expensive drinks unfinished in our hurry to escape to a quieter bar.
(2)Peter M.
We were walking through old town having not been before and decided to stop for a few drinks. The refinery was empty, the old town burger saloon looked so so, and gluntz was pretty empty but charming looking. Boy did we make the right choice. The bartenders were amazing in how they crafted the drinks. I had a rye Manhattan that while potent went down smooth as glass. The food was great as well, black truffle mayo with fries! We will definitely be going back again.
(5)Lois B.
Amazing! I'm glad that we arrived a little before 6:30 and walked right in for a table four 4. The wait staff answered questions with the kind of enthusiasm for the food that was only matched by the food itself. The best beet salad I have EVER had (and I like beet salad) and the most amazing gnocchi. Every single one of us was delighted with our drinks, our wine, beer and our food. Dessert? We meant to stick to the apple struddle, but decided to go for the hot chocolate as well. I am so glad that we had both because I wouldn't want to choose.
(5)Kimberly M.
Happened to stop by here and truly felt like we walked into an Irish pub. Excellent corned beef, soda bread, baileys cookies, and amazing beer selection (3 floyds, founders, etc). You could tell everything was home cooked. Will definitely be back here! Recommend the corned beef. We are from the east coast where corned beef is everywhere, and this was the best we have had. It was juicy, tender, melts in your mouth corned beef.....phenomenal!!
(5)Sarah Y.
This is an example of a place with great service, delightful cocktails, and a cozy interior that serves up German comfort foods, but the pricing is outrageous. $11 for the beet salad, which consisted of 6 small slices of beets hidden in about 3 cups of over-dressed greens mix. $25 schnitzel, while delicious and a big portion, is in my opinion outside the price range for a working man's food. The steamed mussels and chorizo is a star dish here, but the 20 small and delicate mussels won't do too much to quell the hunger. After spending almost $100 (including tip and tax) for 2 beers, 1 cocktail, 1 entree to split, and 2 apps, I just don't have the money to dine here another time, or rather would take that money to somewhere with bigger and better portions or much better food. I would've given it 2 stars, indicating I've experienced (much) better, but since it is merely that the prices are too high for decent food, 3 stars it is.
(3)