Bar: Sky Ride Tap 

Address: 105 W. Van Buren St, Chicago, IL 60605

Score: 8.8/10

Last week we reviewed a bar that had a great outside sign, Butt’s & Betty’s in Baltimore, MD. Today, we will review another bar with incredible signage on the outside, Sky Ride Tap in Chicago, IL. Located right underneath the train tracks, Sky Ride Tap manages to be somewhat incognito in a very populated city. I have been to many places near this bar and I can honestly say I have never seen the Sky Ride Tap. While visiting another beloved dive, the bartender recommended that I check out Sky Ride. Boy, am I glad he gave me that recommendation. From the moment I saw the sign, I knew it was something special. The sign reads “Sky Ride Tap” in blue lettering and then “Sandwiches and Packaged Goods” right underneath it. You absolutely cannot miss this sign when you are street level. 

Also from the outside you notice the bright Chicago sports neons that appear in the window, or what I consider Christmas lights for all Chicagoland dive bars. The bar itself is right underneath one of the trains in the city, which brings in a lot of the traffic to the bar. When I walked in I was greeted by the bartender and quickly found myself in the middle of a conversation with two fellow patrons that both got off work and got to Sky Ride, by means of the train. Pretty neat business model that has been successful since 1971. 

Walking into Sky Ride Tap was like walking into a Time Machine as it was about as mid century as can be. The bar top itself had to be one of the longest-odd-shaped bars we have encountered. The bar top was a really unique glossy wood all around the bar, which has been very well kept. All the walls featured Chicago sports decor and more of that unique glossy wood that was on the bar top. The tables themselves were as equally as old and I knew they would have some stories if they could talk. 

The floors and ceilings were also relics, but added to the character of the bar. Drop ceilings along with a red and black floor, very fitting for the rest of the bar. 

One of my favorite parts of this bar was the commeratory from the patrons while I was there. Everyone knew each other. Even though I was the outlier, I was greeted with open arms and slid right into the conversation. Some of the conversation featured bitching about the White Sox (Jerry Reinsdorf specifically) and the Chicago landlords, both insufferable topics I imagine for Chicagoans.

While I was here I even got a beer bought for me on behalf of a patron. I was served the wrong beer by accident and I drank it anyway because beer is beer, she kindly offered to pay for it, making the ice cold lager even better.

The beers ran you $4, which is a good price for the area, go a few streets down and that same beer is easily $6+. I also learned what a “packaged good” bar was as well, I predominately see these in Chicago and never stopped to ask what it means. Essentially the bars have the right to sell beer to-go. Another great feature to save you the trip from having to go to the gas station or store after leaving the Sky Ride Tap. 

Overall, I am glad to stumble upon this place from a recommendation. This place had a certain charm about it that is hard to reproduce. Not many bars have been around for 50+ years, these places need to be visited and cherished for years to come. One final note, what’s up with the sandwiches? Did they do away with the sandwiches? Would love to find out the status of the sandwiches, let’s pray that I did not just miss them, that surely would be tragic. 

Decor:  The worst category for the bar, but still above average with Chicago decor. 

Price: $4 beers

Service: Service is what you’d expect, very welcoming and offered conversation.

Atmosphere: Even though I went at an odd time, the atmosphere was positive, it would be great to experience around 5pm.

Cleanliness: Very clean

Bonus Points: Cash Only