Billy Goat Tavern Chicago
Billy Goat Tavern Chicago Information
Quick Facts
- Billy Goat Tavern in Chicago is a Windy City drinking establishment that has been around since 1934.
- Chicago Billy Goat Tavern is located in the Near North Side neighborhood.
- The Chicago Billy Goat Tavern was featured on a Saturday Night Live skit.
Info
Location:
430 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
View Map
Phone:
312.222.1525
Nearest Transit:
Grand-Red (Red Line), State/Lake (Brown Line, Green Line, Orange Line, Pink Line, Purple Line), Randolph/Wabash (Brown Line, Green Line, Orange Line, Pink Line, Purple Line)
Hours of Operation:
Mon.- Fri. 6am- 2am, Sat.- Sun. 10am- 2am
Billy Goat Tavern Chicago Events
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User Average Review
Overall: Music: Ambience: Crowd: Price:Based on 1 review
Rating Distribution
100.0% recommended it
Billy Goat Tavern Chicago Reviews
*Some images shown above are not actual photos from the venue, but category representations. Visit the venue's web site for actual photos.
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Billy Goat Tavern Chicago
Do you agree?
Billy Goat Tavern is a Chicago Tourist Landmark Bar and Restaurant
Located in
North Side
Streeterville
Price Range:
Pricing Guide
Cost of cover charge
$- Inexpensive
$$- Moderate
$$$- Expensive
$$$$ - Ultra High End
Summary
Features: Billy Goat Tavern in Chicago has a nostalgic atmosphere thanks to its long Windy City history. The comforting eats on the menu will please the visitor craving flavors reminiscent of their grandpa's cooking or their childhood classic favorites.
Why We Go: Chicago Billy Goat Tavern serves comforting favorite foods and alcohol in a dive-bar atmosphere.
- The Ambiance: The subterranean location makes this place feel like a speakeasy with its secret-looking entrance. Guests love hanging out and enjoying the cool vibe in the dark interiors.
- The History: Billy Goat Tavern Chicago's rich history is full of interesting anecdotes. When the 1944 Republican Convention was in town, for example, the tavern posted a sign that read, "No Republicans Allowed". Hordes of Republicans swarmed into the Billy Goat Tavern in Chicago demanding that they be served. This garnered huge public attention, and proved to be a great marketing move on the part of Billy Goat Tavern.
- The Drinks: Guests love to come here for a shot and a beer with their friends. The drinks are fairly priced here.
Inside Knowledge: Billy Goat Tavern in Chicago, originally called Lincoln Tavern, got its name in an interesting manner. A goat that had fallen off a passing truck wandered into the pub in 1934. William Sianis, the tavern's owner, took the goat under his wing, began sporting a goatee and earned the nickname "Billy Goat". Subsequently, this was inspiration to change the tavern's name.
Do's and Don'ts:
- Do Try The Double Cheeseburger: This cheesy, meaty goodness will fill you up when you're so hungry you could eat a Billy goat.
- Do Bring Cash: The Chicago Billy Goat Tavern is a cash-only establishment, so be sure to bring paper bills.
- Don't Forget Where To Pay: Pay for your food at the dedicated food counter, and pay for your alcohol at the bar. Guests can eat and drink at any seat or table inside.
- Don't Skimp On The Pickles: You can add as many pickles as you'd like to your burger. Known for having especially tasty pickles, The Chicago Billy Goat Tavern ensures that guests can have their perfectly personalized burger. In addition to unlimited pickles, you can add your desired amount of relish, chopped onions, ring onions, mustard and ketchup from the condiment station.
Venue Amenities
- Bar Food
- Full Bar
- Jukebox
- Near Public Transit
- Small Atmosphere
Sort Reviews By: | | |
Nightlife Review : Billy Goat Tavern Chicago
Jason Bushey
(Site Editor)
Nov 14, 2011
at 10:35 am
Joined: April 2011
xxx.xxx.244.242
Would recommend to a friend
Date of visit: 11/11
Went with: alone
Went for: quick drink
Cover Charge: not required
Billy Goat Tavern - Cheap food, cheap beersm no judging
The Billy Goat is an old standard in the Chicago Loop area. I went there for breakfast and there was already 7 or 8 people doing "work" at the bar. (i.e. Drinking wine, chatting it up, etc.)
I popped in to this Chicago dive bar on a rainy Thursday morning and enjoyed a cheap, hearty breakfast at the bar. The Billy Goat was a welcome refuge from the cold, not that the bartender or the ambiance was particularly warm.
The Billy Goat Chicago has an open kitchen, and their breakfast sandwiches are big and delicious, especially for $3. (I’d recommend the ham, egg and cheese on a Kaiser roll.)
If you’re there after dark, drinks are cheap and the clientele matches the bar itself in age and character. Looking around, I would say that I was the youngest in the bar by about 10 years, and I'm 24.)
The Billy Goat is worth checking out for its huge collection of Cubs memorabilia behind the bar, as well as the billy goat head that jets over the bar. After all, this Chicago bar is named after the supposed “curse” of the Chicago Cubs – a billy goat, of course. (It’s a long story.)
To sum it up, I wouldn't go out of my way to visit the Billy Goat (everything about this place is old), but if you're looking for a quick bite and a cheap drink, it definitely does the trick.
This review was made by the www.chicagotraveler.com site editor based on personal experience. Chicago Traveler was not paid for this review, but we may receive compensation for placement of this travel provider advertisements on our site.