Saturday 28th of November 2009 06:57:37 PM

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I was just in Delilah's last week, and continue to visit fairly regularly. It's a pretty underrated place, even though it's been around forever. The atmosphere is very unique, and maybe not everyone's cup of beer. It's dark with local artist's work on one wall, a lit-up Oerbier sign on another, and a couple tv's often playing cult films or oddball stuff like Tim & Eric. Upstairs there's a little more light from the front windows, and a pool table, also a 2nd smallish bar. DJ's regularly play punk rock, rockabilly, there's also a dedicated Morrissey night. It's comfortable and a great place to relax and have a beer (other than fri-sat nights, it gets packed).

The beer list is extensive, and you'll find things here that you won't find elsewhere. Imports are wide and varied, organized by style and country of origin. Delilahs has the widest selection of Lambic & Gueuze in town. The beer festival events can be fun, but do often get crowded. Bourbon selection by far the most extensive in town, the owner is a collector, and even has an annual batch of single-barrel house bourbon. Overall it's a unique spot that holds its own, and I hope to keep visiting for years to come.

Saturday 28th of November 2009 11:35:24 AM

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Delilah’s is definitely a whiskey bar. However, they usually have some hard-to-find beers available. Staff knowledgeable.

This is a true dive. Typically there's a retro, B-grade movie on the TV. Lots of locals there enjoying the daily whiskey specials.

For a more beer-friendly visit, check out the holiday beer tasting they have every December. For $20 you get 20 2oz. samples of the over 200 holiday beers they've collected. The most interesting part is comparing the different vintages of each brew. (The 07 Anchor Christmas is better than the 05.) It’s crowded, but a good way to sample a variety of holiday ales.

Tuesday 7th of August 2007 03:02:00 AM

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Where to start here? I guess back at the beginning.
Most of the events of 1988 are in a prominent place in my memory. It had to do with Chicago hosting the soccer booster convention, losing one team, and gaining another team (due to the popularity and the fervor of the soccer booster convention). Then Chicago soccer legend (and U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame member) Karl-Heinz Granitza opened a *new* fine-dining, casual restaurant called "Cocorico" at 1960 N. Clybourn Ave., about two blocks up the street from something relatively new to Chicago, a "brewpub" called Goose Island [a|k|a Lincoln Park Brwy., Inc.].
But somehow, at the end of August 1988, I wound up at Delilah's. I bought the Fifth Anniversary T-Shirt.
_I do not remember this_. I must have had a superb time.
But since then, I have been here scores of times. I met Kristie Alshaibi {nee Drew} for the first time there one evening. On one summertime visit, in the early evening, I entered the bar in time to observe [the late] Wesley Willis scribbling on an artist's pad and bellowing coherently. (That is not a typo.)
I was in one Sunday evening in October 2005 when then-Chicago FIRE soccer goalkeeper Zach Thornton recognized me and asked if I was going to that upcoming Friday's home playoff match?
Delilah's is, for me, *the* third place about which Michael Jackson [the Beer Hunter] has scribed in numerous magazines and books. Every time I go here, I have a great time. For me, it is insufficient if I only receive when I am there. I am driven to *do something* for it while present. People sometime ask what is in my satchel? Any number of items, but what is typically present when I go to Delilah's is *another* video from my library (albeit usually softcore). If they want to put it on, they put it on. [If only we could figure out how to change the region code setting on Delilah's DVD - VHS combination player.]
Delilah's does not have food. As for transit: Again, I have an advantage here. The #76 Diversey bus quits running at 11:00 pm (8:00 pm on weekends). But I have staggered the five blocks north on Racine Ave. to Belmont Ave. on numerous opportunities; and in all kinds of weather. (The #77 Belmont bus runs all the time to my stop, even at 2:30 am.) The "Diversey" Brown Line “L” stop is closed for renovation until late-2008. You would have to use "Wellington" and walk another two blocks south in addition to the five blocks west.
Delilah's is a hard-drinking bar. But it's not as hard as you think. To borrow from another tavern in another city, Delilah's has "no crap on tap". If you want to delve really deeply, ask for the "vintage beer" menu. But if you *do not* want to dig deeply, look at the chalk board for the daily ('cheap') specials. On Mondays, you can have a 12-oz. can of American brand beer (from the beleaguered Pittsburgh Brwg. Co.) for one dollar.
Since then, Delilah's has gotten tremendously strong in its whisky selections. I dare state that Delilah's has a part in the resuscitation and revival of rye-based whiskies. What you will *not learn* from Mike Miller (the proprietor) is where he found a source for Delilah's own house whiskies. You will also find, and this must count as a 'go figure' attribute, a fascinating display of "outsider art" on the walls here; and which is available for purchase.
Upstairs is a smaller bar with less selections, and a billiard table and a pinball machine.
Somebody reported about a perceived 'elitist' attitude here. As somebody who has been extruded from any number of organizations (and even effected a shutdown of a *public* weblog community because some other members did not want to interact with me), I have never encountered this attitude at Delilah's. If you have a problem with Delilah's, I believe I would have a problem with you.
In my capacity as a journalist, I will impart this information to you which perhaps some people would not like disseminated: You can _usually_ scarf a copy of "The Malt Advocate", "Beer Advocate", and perhaps even "Modern Drunkard" magazines, here _for free_.
In conclusion: Delilah's is the *_most incredible_* beer (and whisky) bar in Chicago. If it did not already exist, and Mike Miller wanted to open it today in its location, one of two things would happen:
1) It would not be allowed to open.
2) If it was allowed to open, the alderman who allowed it to open *would lose his re-election bid*. And then, the people living here would try to vote the precinct dry. This is a *gem*, period.

Sunday 1st of July 2007 03:27:36 PM

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From notes of 08/06/06 visit.

Remembering to look for the flat black façade and the contrasting yellow lettering is perhaps the easiest way to find Delilah’s. The interior is modest in size and dimly lit.
What caught my eye immediately were the sixteen taps and numerous handles I wasn’t familiar with. Quite a few of the tapped beers were things I have only seen in bottles or cans before.
The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable. The atmosphere was actually kind of quiet except for the music and a few casual conversations nearby. Other reviews have mentioned excessive smokiness in the bar. That was not the case on my visit. Sunday afternoon was not overly busy.
I was in awe of the glass fronted coolers behind the bar. Each of them could easily be my beer cellar fantasy. The cooler to the right is loaded with Belgians, too numerous to name.
The left coolers are heavy with German and English Ales. They have an excellent selection of English Ale in cans.
I enjoyed my visit and will definitely be back here again.

Saturday 26th of May 2007 06:14:09 PM

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I like Delilah's but I don't seem to visit very often. I have found in my few visits that it can get very smoky and loud. I have heard others say that this bar can develop an elitist atmosphere, but I haven't witnessed any of that.

There are usually some good beers available on tap. On a few occasions I have seen a beer or two that I wondered how it was made available to Delilah's (like a Flossmoor beer or a Rock Bottom beer) but I didn't ask any questions, I just ordered.

The bottled beer cellar must be large because there are always aged beers available if you know what you are looking for. I'm pretty sure that Delilah's had Westy 8's and 12's for about 2 years after everyone else had sold their stock. Deliah's also holds a few tasting events often focusing on aged or strong beers.

Delilah's is 4 or 5 blocks west of the Diversey Brown Line stop. In a pinch you could get off at the Fullerton Red Line stop and walk about half a mile north.