Cj’s Lounge

This is a small town bar that serves a bustling community. The beer is relatively cheap, though the selection is limited. There are a lot of craft breweries in the area, but this bar is more s bud light crowd. Fun, cheap, but not very deep.

A cool Rockford bar where you can watch the Blackhawks or Ice Hogs on television if you don’t want to go to the arena down the street. This is a old downtown building offering a realistic dive bar experience something that the cruddy exoburb s of Chicagoland can never offer. They have a pool table and a pinball machine next to many slots in this unique bar with a carry out food ordering up to the kitchen. A cool place to get drunk and fat

I visited CJ’s one afternoon for lunch with a friend of mine. We sat down at the bar and stared in marvel at the awesome dive-​barness that is CJ’s. Do you love old movies? Are you big into 50’s actors? You’ll love the décor in here. The walls are adorned with pictures of old actors and movie head shots. I don’t know if they did this intentionally, or they just have never updated the décor… neither would surprise me. The fact that when we were there they had TVs on, but they were so old they were distorted and had a funky coloring to them that made it hard to watch means I won’t be there to watch any games. The place… smelled… of what I can only describe as mold, stale beer, old cigarettes and the tears of patrons lamenting past decisions that left them sitting here alone. Okay, that was kind of mean, but there were a handful of people there alone when we went sitting at the bar starring into the beers.
The food was okay, it was standard bar food. I had a burger and fries. It was, to quote Unilocal,Meh. Nothing special about it, a little greasy for my liking, not a whole lot of flavor. It basically served its main purpose of providing nourishment. The fries were standard as well. Nothing really to write about there. The beer was okay, but I don’t know if the lines needed cleaning or if they needed to wash the glassware better, because it had a funky taste to it.
Overall, yes I would go back… but only because I do love a good dive bar. If that’s not your seen, you’re looking for fine dining or a great atmosphere; this is not your place.

Visit this establishment for your dive bar pub crawl. Otherwise avoid it like the plague unless your a hipster & think that empty bars that smell like nursing homes are cool. When we walked in there were two girls dancing to blurred lines on a stage by the window actually flashing their T&A. So, consider it good for a laugh & or for amateur strippers as well possibly. I see no reason that I would ever return but I will never forget the free show.

Some would say this is a dive bar — and honestly, if it is, that’s ok! I LOVE CJ’s. It’s got just about every aspect of a bar, without the typical jerks. There’s pool, video gambling, darts, live music, karaōke, juke box, friendly faces & open atmosphere. You never feel like you’re being crowded in CJ’s. Great place to chill and hang with your friends. The owner is so friendly — will remember your face and welcome you when you come in. Family owned & friendly, I’d definitely recommend if you’re looking for something away from the average bar that’s too loud and crammed with people. It’s a must!

A typical bar – not a lot about which to write home, but has live music from interesting bands on occasion. The few tap beers were priced cheaply and the bottled-​beer selection could use some better choices IMHO (but I have seen worse selections elsewhere). Has three «rooms» for drinking and a jukebox for music when bands are not playing.

Freaky crowd, lots of heavy drinking, but that’s OK with me. If you like great original music and a friendly environment, check this place out.

Honestly for a dive bar this place ain’t bad. Drinks are priced nicely and staff is awesome. Doesn’t look like much but definitely decent spot for a drink and food is typical bar food and mediocre.

Unpretentious. The staff was really nice.

I’ve had a lot of fun at this bar in the past, but lately it has let me down. The beer on tap tastes awful and ever since smoking has been banned inside bars in Illinois the place only smells of urine. Every now and then there is a good showing of bands on a Saturday night but that is usually not enough to get me excited about going to CJ’s. It used to be the place to hang out a few years ago but now it is just the place I might end up if I’ve had one to many.

SOME of the best times of my life have been had here. Too bad I can’t remember any of them. ;P Except maybe remembering random details about someone and having her think i’m psychic when i happily accost her in the bathroom to tell her things about herself. That seems to be my sole actual MEMORY here hahahahahahahaha… at least I’m PRETTY sure it happened there – aren’t you glad I’m so good at reviewing things? oh hey it’s the sincerity that counts ;P