The Gallery Cabaret

Good dive bar. Friendly staff. Haven’t seen the comedy yet but there is enough wildlife at the bar to keep you entertained.
Fraz

Great live music on an almost daily basis is a plus, but other than that it’s just another dive bar with interesting pieces of art and hella pricey drinks. Rather just go there for the music.

This bar is pretty cool. It’s definitely a dive bar with really interesting art on the walls. The bartender is really attentive and super nice to all his customers. He was really funny and entertaining at the comments and conversations he had with the people sitting along the bar. I was there on a Friday night for the 7 – 9 open mic comedy hour. The place was pretty crowded but mostly of performers. I would suggest trying to find a seat closer to the stage because it can get quite loud if you sit in the back by the door. It was tough to hear the comedians but the ones I could hear were pretty funny.
It’s a fun place to check out for some cheap drinks and free entertainment.

My husband and I checked out Gallery Caberet on a Saturday for their 2 Hour Comedy Happy Hour. It was free and featured two hours of stand-​up from 7 – 9 with about 8 different comedians. It was hilarious– we were literally crying laughing throughout one of the sets. The bartender was super nice, there’s a great vibe throughout the place, and the Hamm’s are 2 $.

Dive all the way but awesome. Cheap drinks… friendly people and a great atmosphere to hear some live music.

I love this place! I used to go here fairly often awhile back to play open mics and its the best one in town in my opinion. I know they do open mic both Thurs and Sun but I always like the Thursday one better as it seemed more people showed up for it. What’s really cool is its all about the music at gallery cabaret! Live music for free and cheap drinks as well! Most open mics people talk thru everyone’s performance and there’s some «host» who thinks he is really great and won’t get off the stage. Not here, you get three songs or 10 min I think and then on to the next. It’s very intimate and everyone watches the performances for the most part. The sound isn’t the best but what do you expect? Another thing is that I have seen some AMAZING talent here! Sure you have some hacks but I am always blown away by at least a couple musicians every time I go. If you like free singer song writer music in a super laid back open mic environment check it out.

I’m a big fan of artsy types of places and this has it. I’ve been here for an open mic night a few times and the talent is mostly top notch. The beer prices are a little pricey but that is to be expected. There is minimal seating which is kind of a bummer but I wouldn’t flat out call this place a dive bar. It’s more unique than a typical dive bar. If you are in the area, check it out. Billy Corgan and Liz Phair used to perform here before they were famous.

Nice cheaphole in the wall bar. Nothing special really, but they do host some fun free events. It’s also off the main street which is nice; easy parking. The bar tender is crazy… okay, maybe just animated. They are a fun group.

Great bar. Excellent blues. The bartender Sandy is super sweet! Will definitely be back.

How to rate a dive bar? There are a lot of hidden dive bars in Bucktown — tiny cash only establishments with cheap PBR on draft. This place has all the «charms» of those places but with some unexpected bonuses.
First of all, free live entertainment every night is pretty great. I went on Saturday night and saw some very funny, some very not-​funny, and some SO not-​funny that it swung back around to funny stand up comedians.
Artwork — actual artwork — lines the walls. Unexpected. Nice.
And I believe they take credit cards, which in this part of Bucktown is less common in the small bars then you would expect.
I’ll be back when I’m looking for some gritty entertainment.

Free entertainment is always good.
(Although I’m not sure they pay their performers, which isn’t cool)
But the Gallery Cabaret is a nice neighborhood hangout, especially if you like live music or comedy.
The Two Hour Comedy Hour on Saturday nights is always fun.
They will have some great country swing and jazz bands play some nights.
The open mic is much more tolerable since that creepy rat-​tailed guy got fired.
The beer is as warm as it’s ever been, but whatever.
The bartenders are nice!
It’s worth a visit, just make sure to tip the performers!

Just went here for the first time after my boyfriend and his best buddy have been obsessing over it for awhile. I gotto say I’m a fan.
$ 6 Hammesons (can of Hamms and a Jamo shot) were rad and perfect for a little hole-​in-​the-​wall place like this. Then pair it with the open-​mic stuff going on, it was all in all a good time.
And when I left, the bartender gave me a hug as if she’d known me forever. Nice freaking people! I’ll be coming back here for sure.

As someone not from Chicago and popping in on an off night, I’m not sure we got the full experience this place has to offer. The place was virtually empty. However that didn’t change the price of the drinks and cheap is always great. The art was fun to check out and the band that played was hilarious and by hilarious I mean terrible. They had some overly intoxicated guy who was a groupie and kept trying to hit us up for conversation although we couldn’t understand a word he was saying. He was harmless and only added to the humor of the whole thing. We ended up leaving with smiles on our faces and great stories to tell. If that was an off night, I would love to see what an «on» night looks like. What a hoot!

Tons of entertainment for the low low price of cheap drinks. And you can buy art there!
This place has everything you could want in neighborhood bar. You could call it a dive, but I’d call it an authentic throwback to the turn-​of-​the-​century ethic bars that also functioned as gathering places for those either on the fringe in life or on the fringe in thought.
Frankly speaking, most bars in this area cater to the well-​heeled and as the neighborhood has improved (i.e. become more expensive), Gallery continues to offer a unique opportunity where you can have a good time without spending a ton. I’d come for the cheap booze alone, but then there is the entertainment.
Gallery draws a diverse collection of eclectic and interesting performers. A nightly soapbox provides artists a space for creative reflection both in comedy and music.
Fans of the creative class can enjoy this wide variety of entertainment for hours for the price of a cheap pitcher (or in my case two).
Did I mention that you can also buy art there!
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Oh so great neighborhood bar. Smooth jazz, good beer. Laid back and easy to blend into! Really enjoyed it.

Chicago is known for it’s comedy scene. We should all know this by now. What we may not know of is this little gem called the Two Hour Comedy Hour. It takes Chicago’s best local talent and mixes in some talent from other places and, from 7−9pm on Saturdays at the Gallery Cabaret, comedic magic happens. FREE comedic magic. That’s right, and there isn’t even a drink minimum. You’re able to be as cheap as your dignity (or lack thereof) will allow. You can show up and pay absolutely nothing, though I recommend you get a few drinks because the people will start to look more attractive and everyone will be slightly more hilarious if you have a few drinks in you. That’s just common sense. If you’re looking for an opportunity to be good person they do accept donations which go to the performers that night. You should probably do that because buying good karma is easier than earning it.
I once had a friend who met some girl on OKCupid and he was like «Lexie, where should I take my date this Saturday?» I said «Go to the Two Hour Comedy Hour». He got laid that night. I’m just putting that information out there, you can do whatever you want with it.

This bar sets a positive and creative boho style atmosphere. This is the best place that I have found in this city so far, to come play open mic either on their piano that they provide, or bringing in your own keyboard/​guitar. Some of the real artists (not open mic) play some of the craziest, most interesting songs. I’ve played open mic here before and brought some of my musician friends in to hear them too. It was fun! ‘
–I take it back, some of the open mic musicians were awesome. Especially the drunk ones!
There is free food set out, from what I remember, unless they changed that, and this is a very free-​spirited laid back environment. I wish it wasn’t so stuffy, and maybe a little more clean, but I guess that is because it draws in a lot of people weekends and is very crowded.

My friend the slide guitarist and blues singer Marcia Mello visited from London. She had not booked any shows in town but wanted to perform. We took her to Gallery Cabaret for the Sunday open mic. The other musicians were eclectic and enjoyable. Marcia played two covers, Shake Sugaree and Fence Breaking Blues, as well as an original, Merlin’s Cave. She sold CDs and met interesting folks such as Charlie the cowboy, who played guitar and piano and memorably covered «If you could read my mind,» by Gordon Lightfoot.

This is my favorite bar.
Ambiance: Old school dive bar, with a few extras. The bar actually does double as a gallery and modest collection of new artwork graces the walls every month. There is also a «permanent collection» of art behind the bar, including the famous black and white pictures of various authors (Whitman, Poe, Joyce, and a bald fellow whose name escapes me.). Flyers for bands and hand-​lettered signs all over the place. Televisions at both ends of the bar for watching games or TV when there is no show. During shows, in-​house cameras broadcast the bands as they play so folks in the back of the bar don’t have to strain their necks. As other reviewers have noted, an evening at the Gallery Caberet is like hanging out in someone’s living room.
Layout: This is a small bar, but they make the best of the situation with a logical layout. In addition to the bar, which runs the length of the room, the bar has two booths in the back, a shelf along with wall with stools and tables, and chairs up front. Pick your seating and enjoy.
Clientele: All types of folks come in here. Lots of musicians and starving artist types, older locals who appreciate the cheap booze and free Sunday dinner. Hipsters and even the occasional pack of Chads and Trixies make appearances. For the most part, everyone is friendly and behaves themselves.
Service: Excellent, kind service from a team of good bartenders. Just keep tipping them, please. They work hard and deserve it. Kenny, the owner, is a good guy who looks after his customers in the old-​school style.
Location: Conveniently located just a few blocks away from the Western Blue Line. Don’t feel like taking the blue line? Try the Milwaukee bus or Western buses. Plenty of cabs in the area, too.
Liquor: Fairly standard liquor offerings, good selection of draft and bottled beers. Beer specials run Sunday through Thursday nights with excellent deals on pints and pitchers. (Leines $ 6 a pitcher on Thursdays!). There is a sign on the wall that lists available beers as well as the specials, so be sure to give it a good read before ordering. Don’t miss the glögg (Scandinavian hot spiced wine), it has medicinal properties. Also, don’t miss the house sangria. It is served in a huge glass and is only $ 5. Most refreshing.
Note on Specials: Sometimes there will be a special on Friday or Saturday as well, though not always and the information won’t be publicized. Ask your bartender.
Food: This is a bar, not a restaurant. That said, they do keep frozen pizzas in the fridge for hungry patrons. $ 7 gets you your choice of pizza cooked and served to you alongside a stack of napkins, a container of Kraft «Parmesan» cheese and a rack of various spices and hot sauces. $ 1.25 will get you some popcorn. You can also buy chips, nuts, and various types of Slim Jim.
But wait, there’s more!
On Sunday nights, the Gallery puts on a free buffet. Scotty the chef comes in and cooks a full meal for the guests. (I’m talking food like your grandma made for Sunday dinner… ham, chicken, meatloaf, plus veggie sides and rolls.) Sunday is $ 7 Leine pitchers, plus two open mikes (early and late). There is probably no better deal in the city than a Sunday evening spent at the Gallery Cabaret.
Sometimes the bar does bring in free food for the patrons (think wings, chips or mini sandwiches) on other nights, but this is occasional and don’t go to the bar expecting it.
Entertainment: Now we’re getting to the good stuff. The Gallery Cabaret offers free live entertainment every night. That’s right: Every night and FREE, no cover. Best thing to do is pick up a schedule at the bar, view the schedule on the Gallery’s website or download the schedule from the Gallery’s Facebook Page. There are at least 2 open mic nights per week, sometimes more. Poetry on alternate Wednesdays, comedy on Thursdays and Saturdays. No cover, though performers can request donations.

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