Bar: J&M Tap

Address: 957 N Leavitt St, Chicago, IL 60622

Score: 9.4/10

From the outside of J&M Tap it does not reveal how awesome the inside of the bar is. Since I have not been to this bar, I was reliant on Apple Maps to lead me to the promised land that is J & M Tap. When it said I arrived, I did not see a sign, just two lovely neons in the windows of the bar. The brick exterior left a level of mystic of what the inside would entail. I went to go into the bar and had to buzz in, this was a great touch, probably a safety thing since it was late at night. When I walked into J&M Tap it was a dark abyss of a bar. It played all the hits from wood paneling to drop ceilings. But something was different about this bar, it had the one thing that one cannot simply buy. The bar had a community feel about it that was so present compared to all the other bars that I visited in Chicago. It was the only bar that was absolutely packed and it was only 5pm at the time. Now this may contradict my last sentence, but the only “flaw” that the J&M Tap may have had was its lack of seating, but I truly don’t mind this. It gives that cozy, tight knit community feel during the brutal winters of Chicago. 

For the prices, J&M Tap excelled in this category. $4 for a Miller Lite was music to my ears after paying upwards of $7 for the same beer in other so-called “dives” throughout the city. Other than this, J&M tap is pretty much as definitive of a dive as it gets, cash only and has a pool table as well. No thrills, but does all the basics right. Definitely worth the visit, just keep your eyes out for it or you may walk right past this glorious establishment. 

Price: $4 for a Miller Lite, beer prices as they should be.

Decor: Solid decor, I was more drawn to the lighting more than anything.

Service: Server was slinging out the finest pilsners consistently during my visit.

Atmosphere: Great crowd of people, lots of talking, minimal scrolling. 

High Life Bottle?: Yes.

Bonus Points: Cash only.