Simon’s Tavern

Nice little dive bar. Also came for the seasonal glögg and cookie. Played some Erasure on the jukebox. Very enjoyable experience.

This is exactly what a neighborhood pub should be. Cozy and dim without going to the sketchy side. Awesome décor that gave the authentic feel. Bartenders that were fun and inviting. I of course had to have some of their Traditional Glögg. It was strong warming and delicious. So glad I stopped by this very unassuming place.

Read Unilocal reviews…
Went for the Glögg, I had me some Glögg. the glögg is good. Go get yourself some glögg from here. It’s stronger than whatever the other spots are serving.
–A guy from California

Typical dive bar but without the judgy staff/​crowd. The bartender was very friendly even though I was clearly out of my element. I tried the glugg with raisins and almonds. Can’t forget the cookie for good luck. I would definitely return!

The best glögg ever is offered. The place hasn’t changed in 40 years. Old man Roy would be proud!

Old school. Low key. Just an all around great bar.

Frozen Glugg! Get it. Awesome bartenders and divey atmosphere. I think there is a jukebox? I cant say because I was glugg-​drunk. CASH ONLY. Update: Jukebox with a legit selection from punk to soul and even 90s one hit wonders. Live Jazz some nights too!

Simon’s is timeless. They’ve been serving the same demographic of clientele for over 80 years, adjusting just enough to stay current without sacrificing their identity. I’ve seen customers of all ages rub elbows at the long bar, chit-​chatting with busy bartenders who somehow never seem jaded.
For a while I was worried that the rapidly gentrifying Clark Street strip in Andersonville would ruin this place somehow, but now I see I have nothing to worry about. So much in the neighborhood has come and gone, and still Simon’s is at least 95% of what it has always been. (If you removed the Malort from the shelves and the electronic juke box from the wall, you’d have no idea what year it was.)
Some bars are better places to start your evening, and some are great late spots. Simon’s is both, and everything in between. You can come and go and talk to your friends and strangers and drink everything from $ 3 Schlitz to beers and other liquors more fancy. And you will never be bombarded with overhead TV’s or other gimmicks.
I’d like to say that Simon’s is representative of so many old bars in Chicago have shut down, but honestly Simon’s has always been out of their league. I hope someday it gets landmark status.

I love Simon’s. I wish I lived closer to Simon’s. Or maybe I don’t, because I would probably spend too much time here.
I have yet to stumble across a better jukebox, really anywhere.
One time I was here around the holidays and the bartender gave me a bunch of these delicious gingerbread cookies to eat with my glögg.

When the bartender tells you that Malort tastes like falling off your bike and eating the dirt/​grass/​sweat combo beneath your bloodied face, you’ve got to try it. And try it we did. After that, the details get a little hazy.
We came here for 4 reasons:
#1) it’s close to home.
#2) the jukebox has a solid mix of punk staples on rotation.
#3) Anthony Bourdain gave this place a nod and well, I’m kind of a sucker for him and his shows.
#4) they serve Malort. And after going to many a Chicago bar and asking the locals if they know where to find it, I was tired of getting confused faces and «what the hell is Malort?» responses.
Pro Tip: Bring cash. You’re gonna need it.

The best part about Simon’s is the two IKEA sofas nestled into the back corner of the bar. I planned at UYE here and grabbed the sofas as soon as I saw them. The other tables aren’t made for groups of more than 4 or 5.
I wasn’t thinking straight and ordered a lemon drop. Simon’s is a dive bar, so I wasn’t surprised when the scruffy bartender, wearing track pants, wandered back to our table and asked, «exactly what is it you want?» He was super cool and accommodating. The results weren’t bad, a lemon-​y vodka drink for about $ 6.
My second drink was HORRIBLE. Again I’m not sure what I was thinking, but I ordered a Long Island. It tasted like SKOL Vodka and… that’s all.
It’s a dive bar. Stick to beer, or cocktails with no more than 2 ingredients, and you’ll be fine.
Simon’s was a cool place to hang out. As we lounged on the sofas, the soundtrack was all over the place with some EDM-​tinged tunes, but mostly it was 80s goth, new wave sounding stuff, which I’m OK with. This isn’t the best bar for large groups, as some people in our group were on the «outskirts,» which made it difficult to have a conversation. The second bartender wasn’t as friendly toward us.
I was expecting more from Simon’s, and I’m not referring to top shelf cocktails.
Cash only.
Paid street parking on Clark.

I have nothing bad to say about this place! Great bar in Andersonville. The bartenders and staff are very friendly as well as the other patrons :)
I will definitely be returning! Just make sure you have cash, but if you forget, there’s plenty of banks/ATM’s in walking distance.

Solid local spot.
Low key.
Glögg and ginger cookies.
Cash is king.
Gets packed quick, so best to send some scouts early to grab a table or the back couch area.
Juke box takes singles.
Live band takes singles.
Some married act like singles.
cheers!

This is a neighborhood bar… dive bar. Was listed on a website for visitors to Chicago as the top 10 things to see/​do during the holidays for their «Glögg». Mulled warm wine with raisins and almonds (in Germany referred to as gluhwein). It’s quite a distance from downtown. If it wasn’t for the Glögg and the very nice bartender (Jennifer) I would say don’t bother. We also were given each a circular ginger snap that you hold
in the palm of your hand and apply pressure to the center with your other index finger. If it breaks into three parts you get your wish. Nice tradition, really good Glögg (4.5 stars) but that’s it.