Bar: The Green Door Tavern
Location: 678 N. Orleans St, Chicago, IL 60654
Score: 9.1/10
In the heart of Chicago, Illinois you have one of my favorite bars within the city. The Green Door Tavern has been in its current location since 1921. Being over 100 years old, this bar has some character and most importantly, some history. The Green Door Tavern is one of the last remaining buildings in Chicago with a wooden frame. This building was built shortly after the Chicago fire, and a city-wide ordinance was put in place shortly after the construction of this great bar.
Immediately when you approach the bar, you just know it is special. The green façade of the building makes it stick out like a sore thumb along a street of otherwise plain buildings. When you enter the Green Door Tavern you simply become amazed at all the old wooden features that the bar has and the plethora of signage the bar includes. From wooden floors, tables, bar top, and seats, this bar is full of aged wood, adding to the character of the bar. From the outside of the bar, it does not appear to be the most massive bar by any means, but boy you’d be wrong. This bar has so much seating throughout the bar it is unreal. From seating at the bar, in a side room adjacent to the bar, and seating downstairs, there is plenty of room at this bar, allowing Chicago patrons and tourists to pile in at all times of the year.
Now to the signage, if you have read our blogs to this point, you know signage is a big part of the review. Signage gives the bar character and gives you something to marvel at while you are enjoying a cold Old Style. Every inch of the walls was covered with signage. Not just your shitty handout signage by beer distributors, but signage that is likely over 50 years old. Some of my favorite signage and lights include the Budweiser Carousel, the 70’s Hamm’s light/clock, and finally the massive High Life tin sign hanging from the ceiling in the room adjacent to the bar. Seriously, out of all the bars I have encountered that would be the one sign I’d love to have, it’s incredible.
Beyond the signage and the history of this bar, the staff is awesome. Some of the best service I have received for a bar that gets this much traffic. I have visited 3x now and every time feels memorable. They do a great job at making it an experience and leaving you with a story to tell your friends about. So if you happen to be in Chicago, Illinois, skip the shitty-trendy cocktail bar you are getting dragged to and audible to this one instead. You will not regret it.
Decor: Very aged wood along with a ton of signage.
Price: Fair prices for the area. Paid $5 for a 16oz Old Style.
Service: A+ service, they strive in this category by getting you drinks quickly.
Atmosphere: I personally enjoyed the atmosphere. Mixed ages of patrons during all my encounters.
Cleanliness: Spotless. Very clean bar.
Bonus points: No bonus points awarded.