This place is really a great spot! Dog friendly, really great beer specials(especially for a lincoln park spot!) all around totally chill. They have live music on Fridays which can be hit or miss but is always a welcomed change from the top 40 hits at the other bars if you ask me. On Sundays for football they even have FREE all you can eat bacon baskets and full meals at bears game start! None of the other bars in the area can boast that!
I used to go to Betty's years ago to see live music so when I saw an ad in The Chicago Reader that they had live bands on Thursdays I met up with a couple of friends and we went this past Thursday. 2 bands played from 9:45pm to about 12am (not a huge fan of the 2nd band, but the 1st band "Some Years Later" was really good). Great sounds, crowd was fun, played Bags in the beer garden with some fun random biker guys, and really had a good time. I also found out they have a Bags Tournament every Monday for cash and half price drinks...count me in! We were talking to some people in the bar and learned that Betty's had changed for the good over the last few months (as the guy mentions in the review before mine). Even though I haven't been to Betty's in awhile and couldn't imagine it getting so "ghetto" (as the person described it) it didn't matter to us because we had a great time listening to live music and just chilling. My only suggestion at this point is start serving some bar food or sandwiches......drinking + food = happier people who don't have to leave earlier than planned so they can eat.
The chicken basket rocks. I think it is huge for amazing food, and finding singles. There are a lot of younger people eating it up. In fact that is where I found my husband. HOT DAWG!!! It's amazing.
The have great acoustic music in the back on Friday & Saturday night. Some of the best up & coming singer/songwriters. the staff is great - friendly and attentive.
Stopped by for lunch today (free tasting menu!) and was very impressed. Beautiful place, the staff was GREAT, especially my waitress, and the Cuban pork sandwich that I got was a) not "smaller sized" like I was told and b) DELICIOUS. I'm going back tomorrow.
Great room. It's is nice to be able to order food and be entertained at the same time. The staff was very efficient and friendly. Menu is casual salads, sandwiches, appetizers. The prices were very reasonable.
The Heartland Cafe reminds me of the cool old coffee houses I used to hang out in when I lived in the Bay Area. Wholesome food, good music, friendly staff. I have been here many times, love it! If you are looking for a fine dining experience, this is not the place. If you enjoy an outdoor cafe with a great vibe, this is the place
Wow! I remember going to this place in the late 60's. It was a wild ride for a kid under 17. One concert I got to go backstage with some friends to see Led Zeppelin (didn't talk to them because I didn't want to be seen as a groupie) and was able to sit right on stage for the concert. If my parents had known what went on there I wouldn't have got out the door.
My lady and I were in Chicago for the weekend and had the pleasure of making it to a show at Jokes and Notes. We were impressed with the setup of the club and how professional and courteous the staff was. Lil Rell hosted the show and Shawny D was the headliner. Next time we visit Chicago we MUST return!
The Heartland Cafe is a Chicago landmark, a gathering place, a radio show, a place for breakfast on the outdoor patio in the summer, and a venue for great music in the winter. The service is friendly and the food is wholesome. There are some sour pusses out there, possibly disgruntled competitors, but visit the Heartland for yourself, it is a great place.
I love music from Texas and some Nashville country. Joe's is the only place in Chicago and even areas of the midwest that regularly books this type of music. Cross canadian Ragweed is one of my favorite bands and they love to play at Joe's. I have not had any problems there that are not found in other bars, waiting for drinks isnt any worse than it is here in small town Michigan and the price (for beer) is the same. Ticket prices for country music concerts is a steal, usually averages 10 bucks at the door. It can get very crowded depending on what band is playing. I have not eaten there yet, someday when i have the time to relax i might try it. As a live country music concert photographer I am at Joe's almost once a week.
- By concert photographer
(Sunday 3/1/09 10:20 AM)
I come to Chicago every couple of months for fun and I always stop in at Fado's. To me it is what an Irish Pub should be. It's a great place to get together with friends, have some good food and beers, and enjoy the great surroundings. Fado's does have live music, I think, on Friday and Saturday nights. I'm not sure of their schedule. The last time I was there it was a small three piece group playing Irish music. Very good! It was also pretty fun when one of the local rugby teams came in...
I have been going to this cozy and sophisticated club on Irving for just about a year now. Katerina makes absolutely scintillating food (and a great Martini too!!). Lately she has been featuring vocalists and strings. I was pleasantly surprised on the first Wednesday of December by a new jazz-mediteranean trio called "Guitars of Fire": TOP NOTCH, technical and soulful. They sound like six musicians with tight arrangements, mesmerizing soloing and a fine polish to the music. Definitely a group to watch as they return every month to share the stage with Guitarra Azul (another phenomeon: The Steve Edwards Orchestra). I was able to buy their demo which will soon be replaced by a formal releaase. The leader of the group directed me to myspace (followed by guitarsoffire). Check it out. I also adore the gypsy sound of Alfonso Ponticelli and have been out to see the exotic beauty of the Ivanonic-Kapsalis duo. Superb stringwork all around.
ive been to spot six many times and lots of other places, although small, its 2 story and i always find myself going back just because its unique in its own way. always good music and bars cheap. never had issues. try it out...its worth it!! make sure you go on the WEEKENDS>