The Junction

They are playing horrible music full volume and not even open yet! Loud, crappy music should be considered a health code violation, especially if imposing on another space. The filthy, boring food court is bad enough, but having to listen to loud, idiotic music coming from a bar that’s not even open is unbearable.

The Junction is perfectly functional for the one thing that anybody uses it for, which is killing time waiting for your next Amtrak. Given how many other cool places to drink there are in the neighborhood, I’d probably look at you kinda funny if you told me that you went there for any other reason.
So, it’s a sports bar. A sports bar in the food court of a train station. This tells you all that you probably need about the aesthetics, but it’s also small and, predictably, cluttered with people’s luggage. There are many TV’s playing sportsball things.
There is a decent beer selection at reasonable-​ish prices ($ 6 a pint for most crafts with a $ 4 special, which, regrettably, was Guinness’ woeful attempt at a nitro-​IPA my last time in: blech). Service has ranged from slightly above to slightly below average on my three visits. I have never tried the food, which is likely something that I will continue not to do.
But the news isn’t all bad: there is free wi-​fi, which you’ll probably want after 28 internet-​less hours on a train from Texas to Illinois. Crossing paths with other travelers sparks fun conversations, and they will sell you cans or cocktails to go so that you can surreptitiously booze on the train without paying Amtrak’s ridiculous alcohol prices.
So, I mean, I’m glad that the Junction is there, because god knows sitting around a food court sober for several hours is nobody’s idea of a good time. But unless you have to be there, I wouldn’t make a point of finding it.

This bar is a life-​saver if you miss a train or just have some time to kill before one. The prices are good and it’s fun to talk to people traveling from out-​of-​state.
They will also give you a to-​go drink if you need to catch a train. Last time I came here I got a Jack and Coke to go and they put it in a cup with a lid.

Awesome place near Union Station’s food court if you are looking for flatbreads (pizzas), wraps, paninis or simply beer. They have a good selection of beers, including a few local beers (IPA Lagunitas, 312, …).
I tried the spinach and bacon flatbread with an appetizer of curly fries and it got to me in a few minutes. Very tasty.
Plenty of TVs to watch sports to relax while waiting for your train. The music wasn’t too loud either.

I discovered The Junction a few years
is located near the food court in Union Station. It is a large bar and they do not serve food. I’ve noticed it is ALWAYS busy but the service has improved. I had the best service this past saturday. The two bartenders were moving quickly and making drinks as fast as they could.
The Junction has tons if TVs and they always have your favorite Chicago team on. You can stop and enjoy a drink before you jump on the train or grab a drink to go.
Overall– great spot to grab a drink if you’re at Union Station!

Came here to watch a hockey game while waiting for a train. Made a big deal about one of us not drinking and asked him to leave. Very snippity bar tender that didn’t want to hear any excuses. Definitely leaves a bad taste in your mouth when all you are trying to do is watch the game. Tiny tiny tip for her

I’m giving this two stars out of pity. Overpriced, short beers in plastic cups with tops. Yep, Unilocal… tops. I may never trust Unilocal reviews again. Skip the beer and take the El somewhere else. Anywhere else.

Love this place! It has 3 separate areas to drink depending on your tastes. The lower level features a slew of fantastic craft beer and it’s location makes you feel less like you’re in the train station. The upper level is called the sky box and they have done an amazing job with the décor! Sports themed and HUGE lit up images of various Chicago teams venues. The main level, the «ticket bar» might be my favorite. The hustle and bustle and friendly faces is something to experience. You’ll always walk out of there with a story! Don’t miss the opportunity to check this place out!

Coolest bar in Union station! Trendy upbeat place to grab a cold one before you hit the train! Highly recommend!

Eh, I’m not impressed with this spot. First off, it’s super small. It can probably seat 10 – 15 people around the bar comfortably. I came here for a few drinks with some coworkers after work. Since the place is so small, you can’t really have a conversation without everyone hearing every word you say. That’s just a tad bit annoying, to say the least. The food wasn’t good, just your very basic bar food options (frozen pizza, chicken tenders, wings, etc). The prices were reasonable at least. But that’s not enough to make me come back. The rum and coke I had was pretty weak.
I’d say this place is mainly for those traveling from Union Station that need a quick drink. If you work in the area and are wanting to find a happy hour spot, there are many other places in the same area that are much bigger and better.

Never again. Stopped here for some drinks after work and got charged twice by the manager. He said his system was down. I dont believe he knows what hes even doing. Also saw him treating one of the bar tenders like garbage and yelling at her because he messed up. Jim was his name some short fat guy that treats women like objects. This guy is a joke. Nive place girls are nice but manager treats the girls like garbage. Please replace him and get someone with respect. Foul mouth dirty guy.

T he Junction is housed where «The Snuggery» used to be.
H oooooray, I finally got to check it out (albeit, about 6 months late)
E rrrryone in the club get tippppsy with the wonderful beer and liquor specials.
J ust kidding. Always drink responsibly, even if tallboys are 4 $.
U nderstandably, beer lovers will enjoy the approximately 30 tap beers.
N otice the various levels with different themes; they’re mighty cool.
C ripes — 8-​bit on tap, 8-​bit in tall boys, Dale’s Pale in tallboys.
T ruth… this is one of the best sports bars I’ve been to…
I ncidentally, Union Station (as well as this general area) needed such a place.
O nwards with the attentive customer service!
N ightly commuters will think this place to be a wonderful amenity.
Location: 5 out of 5
Union Station houses a lot of train lines, with many near and far commuters. Those who are going home, coming in late, and even wanting to hang out should find the somewhat Loop’esque location to be ideal.
Customer Service: 4 out of 5
I hung out in the Ticket Bar area (quick service) but admittedly, I sat there for about an hour doing some work. Not once did the barstaff say a mean word to me; instead, they were attentive to my every need, i.e., did I need another beer (s), did I need a refill on my diet soda, did I need more water? All waitstaff in Union Station have that wonderful ability of paying attention to their clients, even if they have no idea whatsoever about what he or she actually does. I-​banker? Hooray. Government worker? Yay. To cut down on unnecessary chit chat (I don’t like talking about work, and not many people care about what I do), I made tiny small talk and just enjoyed hanging out with other people. Attention seekers will enjoy the barstaff’s somewhat perfunctory responses. Bahahah.
Décor: 5 out of 5
Excellente. This place is much nice all around than what the Snuggery used to be. There are themes on the 3 levels, the place is clean and well lit, and holy cow — it FEELS like a sports bar even though it’s inside a train station. Best of all, because it’s in Union Station, there aren’t a whole lot of rowdy chirruns running about and acting a fool.
Value: 4 out of 5
Remarkably good value, when they would have an incentive and almost a right to charge more. I had a draft 8-​bit, a tallboy of Dales, and a Diet Coke for 16 $ out the door including tax and tip.
Overall: For what this place is, and more importantly, WHERE it is — 5 out of 5. Quick and attentive service, remarkably high quality HDTVs, and a fun atmosphere.

This is a truly relaxed place where commuters of every demographic gathers. I happened upon it whilst awaiting my train to Rochester after flights were canceled out of O’Hare. I am so grateful for finding this haven! You can get your food at the food court and bring it to the bar. I have enjoyed my wait here. Erica, in the lower bar, has been a wonderful, intelligent conversationalist, who has rescued me from the forced socialization of the train boarding area!