Vice District Taproom

I love breweries, I love beerpubs, I love taprooms. The closer I can get to the source of the beer, the better. So I was so sure I would enjoy this place. Local, large beer list, all originals? I sure fire hit!
Unfortunately I left disappointed, as did everyone with me. Disappointed, not mad or unhappy. I really liked the atmosphere of the place. It is small, for sure, and they don’t serve food, but there are plenty of delivery options. They have board games, so I was able to show off my impressive jenga skills. The deck of cards even had almost ALL of the cards, impressive in a bar. There are a number of large tables, and maybe 10 or so seats around the bar. Two TVs, each set to the NFL when I was there (be wary during the regular season, not enough TVs for all the games).
Service was OK, although there was only one bartender and the place seemed a bit busy. When you pay you need to use an Ipad, and it is slow, so make sure you leave enough time to close your tab if using a card. One of the girls I was with had a lot of help choosing beers for her flight — one of either the employees or regulars was a bit too touchy feely with her, and we had to stand someone between them while she waited on her beer. Can’t really mark that against the bar unless we know he was an employee.
Really though, it comes down to the beers. They are quite often out of the beers that they have listed on the menu. That’s fine, they are a small brewery, but they don’t remove them from the chalkboard either! Makes it hard to know what’s available. I only like 2 out of the 5 beers. IPA’s are my favorite, but the IPA and Double IPA I had here were horrible. They tasted very soapy. I don’t know if that’s the beer or if they just didn’t clean the lines well, but it left a bad taste in my mouth, literally. I may get pulled back here again by coworkers, but I am not so sure I will drink.
They allow dogs, so that’s nice.

Who is the IDIOT that built this bar! The only person that can sit comfortable at is a NBA player… seriously WTF!

came in here as part of my brothers bachelor party and it was pretty damn sweet. they took care of us even though we came in unannounced. The drink selection was pretty good and, if i remember correctly there were games for guests to play, such as jenga, minoploly, uno and the like.

I really do enjoy that south Michigan Area! We had our Christmas party here and I enjoyed the location. Plenty of street parking! The bartenders were very friendly and helpful. I loved the décor, exposed brick, prohibition era photos. Since it is a brewery I wanted to try the beer and I opted for a light beer called Liquid Gold. Love the name and the flavor. I would love to come back on a regular night.

Went on a weekday just to check it out. Good beer selection. There’s just something with the height of the bar and the stools. Maybe the bar is too high (good for standing) and stool is too low. Anyways, it was not too crowded when we came. Bar tender was very attentive. Bring your own food if you’re hungry but you can check yheir website for food truck schedule.

I would describe this place as the Halfacre taproom vibe with DryHop décor and Rockbottom Brewery/​Dry Hop-​like beer. And my experience as bizarre.
I was reading the reviews on here regarding the poor service and to be completely honest, I wouldn’t say the service was «poor» but rather very strange.
This place just celebrated their first anniversary of opening, and being still relatively new, it would have been nice if their bartenders bothered asking if it was our first time, etc. — hell, it’s a brewery! Most breweries take pride in their brewmasters and their in-​house brewing!
…Instead we were kind of rough-​handled (for the lack of another word) at the bar. They had signs (chalk-​written signs) in addition to their menu and since it was easier to read than flipping through their menu (which the bartender didn’t bother introducing… and probably should have considering there was a variety of hard alcohol on there [ps they don’t have mixers], they don’t serve food etc.), I looked to the chalkboard. Anyhow, we wanted a flight each (5 for $ 13) and the bartender kept trying to convince us to share a larger flight to try everything. Now, sometimes places offer larger flights for a better price — and her pushiness would have been appreciated. But, there was no deal here and it was just weird and to be honest, kind of rude. We were pretty insistent that we wanted to choose our own beers — she was pretty insistent to try everything. Anyway, after this back and forth for what seemed like forever, we stuck to our guns and got our own flights.
There was a chalk-​written sign, so I thought I was safe ordering from there. (I mean, when most places sell out of something, they simply cross it out or wipe it off.) Anyway, I ordered my first beer of the flight. She snaps at me «we don’t have that.» …um.OK… So I order my second choice (technically my first now). «We don’t have that either. We only have what’s written on the board.»
…Read your own frickn board. I’m only following what you put out to me. Anyway, she then proceeds to yell across the bar to some guy «Yo, why the hell are there things on the board we dont have?»
…it was just abrupt and awkward/​could have been handled a lot better.
We finally order our beers and they aren’t bad.
A guy plops down to me, orders a stout/​porter (didn’t pay attention, just saw her pour) and finally can’t take it and says to her, «Can I just teach out a better way to pour?»
…
And then, all of the sudden her attitude toward us changed!
I don’t know if it was embarrassment or what — she started introducing the brewery, etc.
…only like an hour too late.
We had 3 rounds and left. I will say that while their beers generally were mediocre (they aren’t «terrible» like some here have said), their INFUSED beers are actually quite good.
Truthfully, I probably won’t be back — despite the nice décor, there are a plethora of breweries with better service + brews north of the South Loop.

Location? Right on Michigan Ave. Perfect. Looks cool inside. Except what the fuck is up with bar stool choice? If I’m going to park my ass to drink some beers give me a decent place to park. The beers? Not good folks. «Cluster, damn near killed her» beer sounded like it was going be awesome. But no. It left a taste like I had licked the concrete on Michigan Ave. I think it was the first time I left beer I drank at the bar…

Good beers.
The tender was inundated with customers and seemed preoccupied. We had a flight and enjoyed a number of tastes. But did not stay for another round.
My wife and I would definitely go back. It was hot with the doors and windows open. A very good local craft brew place.

My taste buds did not like this beer. Watery and blah. Three others I was with agreed. Not from the neighborhood but visiting friends in town staying in south loop and came here based on reviews.
First sat at bar. Stools too low so went to a very available table on a Friday night. Service was good. Beers not so much. I live around Begyle and Half Acre so this place didn’t even come close.
Also thought the beers were expensive! $ 13 for a flight of 5. 6.75 for a regular beer. Whaaat. Just didn’t add up.
Wish you all the best because I support local. But wouldn’t go back if you were in our neighborhood. Save you tastebuds from watery beer!

Quentin and Curtis, the owners, are wonderful! This place is very welcoming and has a good vibe. There are games to play at you leisure and a good selection of beers. I do not drink but everyone in my large party enjoyed their selections. You can bring your own food or order from a local restaurant. I will come back… to play a game or two and hangout.

Good craftbeer and lots of choices to choose from. Good places to park and a just a block to walk to. Atmosphere is chill with good friendly people. The downside: one rude waitress, who was about to clock out and forced me to close out my bill so she can get her ‘tip’ before she left

This place is great! I love the name, a throwback to the area around the turn of the century, when it WAS the Vice District. I turn you now to a book called «Sin in the Second City» for that history.
The guys who own it and work her are incredibly enthusiastic about their beer and this taproom. I was here with a big group, and several of us found ourselves in the back room (hey, now!) gazing at the giant tanks where the magic happens.
The beer was great too. Worth a trip to this area of Michigan — which is rapidly picking up with cool stuff.

Vice District is a nice addition to the South Loop! I went solo last week and bellied up to the bar. My biggest and probably only issue with VDT — I’m a 5’5″ lady and I found the bar stools to be way low! I had to stretch to reach up and it was pretty uncomfy. I talked to some others who have been there and over 6′ and they still had the same issue. So pretty please, Vice District get some new taller bar stools!!! This is muy importante if you want solo beer drinkers like myself to come back & chill out at the bar.
You can get a flight of 5 brews for $ 13 which is a great deal or get glasses of various sizes ranging from $ 2.75 for a 5 ozs sample size to $ 8.25 for a 20 ouncer. The price for most 16 oz pint pours was $ 6. I always get flights when I go to new breweries so that’s exactly what I did here. One improvement I’d like to see is some kind of labeling for flights. My first fight she told me which beer was which… but my second flight was just dropped off so I wasn’t completely sure which was which and had to deduct it myself based on beer type.
Beer wise I found everything to be palatable though there was only one brew that was good enough to warrant me inquiring about a growler. Standouts for me were the South Town Small (porter), Metrosexual Chocolate (stout) and the Hideout (hefeweizen) was the growler-​worth-​best-​beer with some banana notes, warranting 4 bottlecaps from me on Untappd.
I loved the bartender and found her to be really personable & fun to talk with. Also, she immediately gave me water when I sat down which was much appreciated. They had two ladies working the bar and I think they could have used a third because at some points in the evening, they were completely tapped out. Also, I heard them talking some smack about another customer which wasn’t amazing to witness, but it happens.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the 90s hip hop that was playing. I Got 5 On It! Plus I was down with the food truck outside, even with the guy hitting on me hardcore who was serving up grub. I was very thankful for the food to balance out all the suds.
I’ll definitely go to Vice District again, but please get taller stools! I think their brews are good for a brewery just a year into production and am excited to see what they have in store for the South Loop!

I always mistakingly think this place is called Vice City. Because I’m clearly stuck on Playstation 2 games from 2003.
Vice District was opened up by a couple of brothas. It shows because their bar is about neck-​high to people of average height. So if you’re a 6’7″ NBA player, you’d be real comfortable sitting at this bar.
I like Vice District. I don’t love it.
I almost said «I like VD», but that sounds wrong. Nobody likes that shit. I reckon.
I want to go back, but not necessarily anytime soon. Clearly my feelings are mixed. They had a couple of good beers. Nothing spectacular. The service was unorganized, slow, but for the most part, friendly.
Kind of a quirky place, but worth a try if you’re into drinking beer from the source and trying to accrue the number of breweries visited.

My very own local brewery and taproom hangout.
I love this place. I love these guys. I love the beer.
It’s an a-​typical startup brewery. Vice hasn’t been afraid to go out there with their brew recipes. Also they’ve been busting their asses by making a LOT of different beers throughout the year. Both of these points I feel differs from a lot of small breweries who tend to play it safe and be all things to all people, which results in uninteresting beer. All of Vice’s beer is good, because they don’t expect each person to like each beer. But they will have a beer that you like. For sure.
Vice is socially focused. The TVs only go on when there’s a game, or on Movie Night. There are lots of board games to play, AND BATTLESHIP! Plus fresh popcorn, or if you’re looking to eat, it’s BYOF. Or a lot of nights there will be a food truck outside.
My favorites:
Initiation — session IPA
Habitual — Black IPA
Cluster — Double IPA
??? — IPA, (I can’t remember the name), I had it last week before it came out and it’s great.
(If you want to have the new beer before it comes out too, become a member.)

I love supporting local businesses and this might be my favorite one in the South Loop. A craft brewery is *exactly* what we needed! Vice District is a great spot and a tremendous asset to the neighborhood. I’m as picky about beer as I am about wines and I love the selection offered at Vice. The beer flight is a winner and I’ve found that while the service can sometimes be spotty, the servers are very knowledgeable and patient with helping the beer-​challenged make good selections.
It’s like a real English pub in many ways — community seating, no frills, board games, loudness and revelry! What’s not to like? I must also give a special shout out to the owners, Curtis and Q, who are always there and really help create an environment that is warm and welcoming to everyone. There’s always a good, cosmopolitan crowd here. There’s no food, but you can bring your own, and they keep the old-​fashioned popcorn machine going so a warm bowl is never far away. My diet will not allow the copious consumption of alcohol, so I don’t get to Vice as often as I’d like, but when I do, it’s always a great time. I hope this business lasts in the South Loop for a long, long time.

I am in love! I’m not really much of a beer person (certainly no expert), but everything about Vice District was spectacular!
First, the way the place is arranged is really conducive to groups of all sizes. The long, community tables allow customers to socialize, and sure do help out when you’re playing one of the games Vice District allows you to try out!
When my group of 6 was there, 9 beers were available. The menu very clearly spelled out the attributes of each brew, which was perfect for a novice like me. Big shout out to the South Town Small Porter!
Staff was super friendly and accomodating. Everyone seemed like they genuinely enjoyed working there, which always helps the ambiance of a business.
The real kicker — customers can bring their dogs inside!!! I can totally get my dog fix without having to adopt one of my own!
Vice District Taproom really knocked it out of the park in my book. I can’t wait to go back. Bravo!

I absolutely loved this taproom /​brewery. It’s very simple on the inside — just the bar and a ton of long wooden tables. The beer was amazing. I tried everything except the IPA’s (not a fan) and there was only 1 beer I didn’t care for. The Porter and the Metrosexual Chocolate were so delicious that I was dreaming about them last night. If you like dark /​coffee tasting beers, try these for sure.
They do not serve food here, but they have a binder with various delivery menus from restaurants in the area. So, you can pretty much eat whatever you want. This also leaves them more time to focus on beer. Win Win!
We went on a Sunday afternoon and the vibe was very low key. They were playing hip hop until someone brought their kid in at which point they switched to more classic soul type music. I pretty much liked everything they played.
There are various board /​card games to play if you are in need of some entertainment. There were some good ones in the pile — Heads Up, Taboo, Cards Against Humanity, Monopoly, etc.
I live on the way north side and made the trek down here on a Sunday and had a blast. I’m only sad that it’s a haul from my house, but I will be back here for sure. It is well worth the time spent getting there and home.

This has quickly become my new favorite watering hole in the neighborhood, not just for their great beers, but for the friendly service, engaging owners, and laid back atmosphere.
I’m not THE biggest beer girl in the world, but the Oregon-​raised microbrew snob piece of me says that these are the real deal. Make sure to sample all with a flight — I’m a huge fan of the Pleasure Trip, and Everleigh, but the Porter takes the cake in my book.
You want growlers? You got growlers. Reasonably priced (the growler itself is $ 5 for a 64oz, refills are $ 18ish), it’s an excellent way to take Vice with you.
TVs have gone in, providing a great spot for Sunday football. No food (aside from some jerky and a popcorn machine), but you can bring in your own.
Perhaps it’s because it takes me 3.2 seconds to get there from home, but this place rocks.
Now if they could just fix those too-​short bar stools (or too tall counters, whatever you prefer)…

New brewery in the South Loop is a great place to catch a Bears game or just catch up with friends over a good brew. This place has a welcoming, neighborhood feeling where all the staff is welcoming and genuinely wants to get to know their customers. They don’t serve food, but allow you to bring in your own from local restaurants. I got the beer flight, which was great for a beer newbie like me. One of the owners came over and explained all the different brews to me and what made each one unique. I liked 5 of the 6 and was so glad I got the flight so that I knew which one I liked most and would order again. The bar had great picnic table seating and a bar area. It also had tvs everywhere, which was perfect for watching a football game. When I went the weather was great out, and the folding windows helped bring the great weather into the bar.
Definitely a great addition to the neighborhood and I’ll be back!