Gabe’s Backstage Lounge

Not sure how I’ve never reviewed Gabe’s before… I’ve been living in SoCal for over 11 years and have been coming to Pop’s since Jorge was waiting tables. Definitely some great memories and no one runs a better bar than Jorge; a truly standup guy.
This place has evolved a lot in the past several years and they had a phase a few years ago that was really not my favorite. But they’re back doing what they do best… being a neo-​classy spot in Highwood for people who care about live music and like to be over-​served. I have amazing memories of this place and I’ve never had a bad time at Gabe’s. (I still call it Pop’s)

the only place open in highwood late on christmas eve
the bartender george was great
had a good time

Great late night place in Highwood. Awesome bartenders. Loud music. Pool table. Dancing. Open late! It’s like a place in the city that’s not in the city. Very diverse crowd that coexists pretty well. Some nights, it gets flooded with people from Lake Forest College, though that’s not really a bad thing.

Gabe’s is my BF’s place. When he is happy, he goes to Gabe’s. When he’s sad, he goes to Gabe’s. He knows the bartenders, the staff, everyone.
Gabe’s is his Gatsby’s. I get it.
I like it, and I’ll continue going because my BF likes it. It’s nice to have a place near his house that’s like my favorite place near my house.

A friend of mine was celebrating her 40^th birthday and a bunch of us decided to try this place out. I live down the street and this was my first time here… low and behold, this place is a GEM!!! They are open late on Thursdays-​Saturdays and it was the sweet spot we had been looking for all along!
It’s not the biggest, but it definitely had enough room for me and my friends to sit at a table and dance right next to the 2 pool tables. Music was good, and the server was nice. We ordered a round of shots and 2 appetizer platters which were pretty on point for the price. Shortly before we left, the manager sat and talked to us for a bit and offered us a second round of shots on the house!
This is definitely the place to hang out late at night in Highwood/​Highland Park when almost everything else around is closed!
My friends and I are already planning our next night out at Gabe’s!

For years I refused to come here because I «thought» it was going to be a massive D-​Bag Fest. Well, it kinda is, but it’s a chill bar, with a great late nite scene (for HP), good music. This is the place to go in Highwood, if you want to get away from the «Highwoodians» — Good drinks, great atmosphere, open late. Very diverse crowd. Not your typical Highwood bar. I like Gabe’s.

The only good thing about Gabe’s was it’s backstage lounge, which is no more! They sold it to an exercise group and is now a spin studio. Such a loss, because they had jazz bands/​open mike nights and it was a great space. The only redeeming quality left is that it does have a decent sized patio, but Teddy’s is better if you’re interested in drinking outside.
Gabe’s thinks it is some super hip club in the city, complete with hired dancing girls, overpriced drinks, and thumping music. In reality it’s just a trashy place with pretentious and sleazy owners. If you’re looking for a place to dance to the same 4 songs over and over, it may be your spot, otherwise, wouldn’t recommend it.

Pops:
There are so many classic stories about this place. First, I was on the bouncing circuit between this place, Teddy O’s, and Flannies. Many crazy things happened over time here. Pops or Gabe’s or whatever they are calling it is a yuppie hangout. Overpriced drinks, etc. The jazz music here was alright most nights. One time Waddy Wachtel came to the door. Most people do not know this guy, but he was the composer of the song «Werewolves of London». When I asked him for his cover charge he was like, «Don’t you know who I am» (as if he were Elvis Presley or something), I was like, «No pal.»…“I’m Waddy Wachtel”, I say and «I’m Chris Kristofferson».

Tuesday night jams are a blast. Best kept secret on the north shore. Sure the quality varies from week to week, but there is usually some amazing talent sitting in.
Very comfortable place to see a band and the crowd is always friendly and laid back.
Food is good and cheap.

I have been here twice. it has two parts to it. one part is a bar and the back of the bar is a stage for bands the stage is pretty big with good sound. some nights they have open blues jams not sure when. the have a 3.50 cheeseburger and its pretty good. it a cool place i would go more but its like 40 minutes away from me

This is one of the few places in the suburbs that is a lounge/​music venue/​light-​fare eatery/​place to shoot some pool. The room is cozy– with a nice fireplace inside and an outdoor patio for warm summer nights. The drinks are not watered down and the two, pay-​per-​game, pool tables are well maintained. They have a separate room for local bands to show off their talent – although, occasionally the word «talent» is an overstatement.
Gabe’s is close to «restaurant row» in Highwood so it’s ideal for a before (or after) dinner drink and a game of eight-​ball.