Manhandler Saloon

Not sure how to start this review.
Well, I was out of work and didn’t want to go home right away. I’ve always had this place in mind but never really had the stamina to go since it isn’t as close to me as id like. I went in there at around 7pm. (Not a good idea). And at first I was skeptical to go in and I wondered around the outside for a bit before building up the courage to go inside that man cave. Once I went in, it was underwhelming. Not much to the place. It had a little bar at the entrance with a couple stools. The bartender was an older man and very very very boring and with a slight attitude that made me regret giving him a 5 dollar tip for two lukewarm drinks. It wasn’t until I was in there for like 20 minutes that I realized that the place had two tvs playing porn. And the reason I noticed is because the bartender kept peering up at the wall. What I found funny is that in replacement of bar peanuts, they had condoms inside this metal jar.
So after having my two drinks. I decided to go out back. Mind you it was early so it was practically dead for the exception of a few guys at the bar.
So I went outback and chilled at the chairs while at the same time keeping an eye out for rats (yes, they had rats in the backyard) as it started getting late, about 9pm late, that’s when more guys kept coming in. There was one guy who was so goddamn annoying and kept saying why it was so boring yet he was the one who kept wondering in and out of that creepy shed where the magic happens. It was interesting, I’ll tell you that. So then I went on grindr and spoke to someone who apparently frequents there a lot and said that the fun don’t start until 10pm and after. I left a little before 10 so I didn’t get to see what manhandler is truly about. The place has potential, I’m assuming it can be a hit or a miss. I will go back pretty soon and I’ll give an update. Until then, so long gay boys (Leslie chow voice)

Pretty hot when guys are there, pretty tragic when few guys are there. You can pretty much be guaranteed of getting your dick sucked in the back area. Drink prices are ok, bartenders are cool, especially Brian and Wayne. There’s another bartender, wears glasses, who is short with customers and can even be rude at times. Late night is best, around 10pm-​1am, later on weekend nights.

It’s a guys bar. Man’s bar. Levi bar. A country saloon feel. Not much attitude, come as you are, friendly folks from 20 – 70. Have a brew, take a stroll. Y’all cum back now, ya hear!

A fun discovery for me, being new to Chicago. Bar in front, kind of a very watered down «Cheers» feel to it, then a little courtyard with seating in a kind of Asian motif, then continue on back to the covered enclosed play space!
I’ve been 3 – 4 times now. There are all types of guys, 20s to 60s, all body types, etc. something for almost everyone. Gripes: too many smokers even though it’s «outdoors,» and way too many «Chatty Cathys» in the play space. Nobody wants to hear your school girl giggling and tee-​heeing when they’re doing pee-​pees with other guys. Boner killer!!! Go to the courtyard for your coffee klatch! This place is really fun on warm/​hot nights in summer (think: no shirts, some naked guys, etc.)

Way to over serve your customers AND THEN LET THEM DRIVE. Some drunk guy (whose car and license plate number I have reported to the police) nearly ran over me and my dogs. Completely oblivious to us yelling for him to stop he then ran over some trash cans.
Those of us who live in this neighborhood would appreciate it if you pay attention to your customers and if they have CLEARLY had too much to drink, suggest and if necessary insist they call a cab.
It wasn’t even 9:30pm when this happened. Give me a break. Some of us like to walk our dogs without fear of being run over by a drunk driver.
Get it together.

A very fun dirty bar — very (VERY!) friendly clientele. I tend to agree with other reviews of this bar that mention the unfriendly, dismissive bartenders. Why are they like that? One of them was even bitching to a regular patron about the owner, in clear earshot of everyone else. They need to restaff the place.
Otherwise, a lot of fun, particularly late night but also on Saturday and Sunday late afternoon. Don’t be put off by the façade or the front room with the bar in it – walk on through to the back patio and enclosure. Leave your inhibitions at the door, because everyone else does.
I think that we can all read between the lines of the excessively negative reviews that appear here. We’ve all had to deal with that person in a bar somewhere. The crowd is friendly, cruisey, and fraternal.

The bar is alright, the trade can be hit or miss in this place. The real problem is the bartenders the queens are ridiculous. Attitude city from two of the three bartenders that work here. If I didn’t have to deal with the recently gastric bypass bartender the bar would be decent. Don’t waste your time and hit up Steamworks or worse pay for a trick to do what you want.

Since 1980, Manhandler is a Chicago institution serving men of all persuasions.
It get’s better with age.

Nightmare is right! This is easily the most hostile, unfriendly nightmare of a bar — gay or straight — I’ve been to in 30 years. I’m a really nice guy — honest, I am! — but one guy threatened to break my neck — BREAK MY NECK — after I approached him. I’m not Brad Pitt but I ain’t exactly hard to look at either. When I tried to explain that I meant my interest as a compliment, he glaringly and loudly repeated his threat to break my neck.
Another person stopped talking to me when he found out that I’m HIV+ — as if the could catch something from my words landing in his ears. And the final straw was when some Neanderthal pushed me out of the way and into another patron. When I laughingly apologized to the man into whom I was pushed, he snarled at me and did the talk-​to-​the-​hand gesture. I’m surprised he didn’t give me the pissy «Helloooooo» along with it.
It’s sad to see gay men treat others in the community with such open disregard, insensitivity and ignorant contempt. Oh well, thankfully, I don’t have to go back to Manhandler Saloon ever again. I think I’ll spend my time and money at friendlier, more civilized and tolerant establishments from now on.

I dream for the day someone opens up a gay bar in Lincoln Park. Until then, we have this nightmare. Can be fun at 3AM, when you’re shitfaced and for whatever reason, not quite ready to go home. I think the other reviews can be used to infer what that reason might be. .. Plan on a trip to the free clinic if you do play with the natives.

This place is so great and lowdown. It’s old skool skank the way you used to love it. You go here by yourself when you are fucked up and don’t feel like going home. Some place fun you would never admit to having been to. Yes, that good!
Dark and guys lurking. The back 40 speaks for itself.