Monday 28th of June 2010 09:40:19 PM

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Quencher's is in my neighborhood and the first thing you notice are the massive chalk boards that hang above the bar, breaking each beer they serve down by country. I like taking guests from out of town there and play 'Risk'. We declare which country we are going to invade and drink all the beers from that country. Then move on to the next. It's a fun game when you have no idea what kind of beer you just ordered (or what size bottle it will be delivered in.)

There selection is extensive and it's a real laid back kind of place. From time to time there has been free popcorn as well. Keep in mind, it is cash only, so make sure to hit the ATM before arriving. The do have bands play late night, so keep that in mind if loud music disturbs you.

Tuesday 26th of February 2008 02:20:18 PM

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Revisit: 06/2009 IPA Fest underway, 30 IPAs rotating for the month of June. Keep your punchcard, buy 4 in a group, get 5th free. Selection has improved since Bob the beer guy took over here. Founders, 3 Floyds, Half Acre Daisy Cutter & Dreadnaught on tap. Good stuff!

Original review:
Decided to check out Quencher's for lunch today, hadn't been in there for quite awhile. My choice meal was Frito pie and a Hamm's, purely for nostalgia's sake. The bill was a whopping $6.

To their credit, there's many other food options available, soup/salad, personal pizzas, sandwiches, all at affordable prices. Some of the pizzas sounded pretty creative from the menu list.

The daytime/after work atmosphere of Quencher's is pretty relaxed...a well worn L-shaped wooden bar, wood-lined cooler doors, several breweriana signs scattered around, and a huge chalkboard for the beers. One tv had msnbc on, and the bar conversation had a political flavor due to the current primary elections. In the side room, bands play nightly on a small stage, and there are cases full of vintage glassware on the walls. Glad to report the ratty couches of yesteryear have been removed. The crowd is mixed, you will get hipsters, tourists, and local barflies on any given night.

Selection wise, there are plenty of old standby imports from Belgium (Dupont, Orval, Abt. 12), Germany (Aventinus, Schlenkerla), and the UK (Sam Smith line). Plenty of US craft brew too, although nothing especially esoteric. I noticed Ommegang, L'Amalthee, and Lagunitas Gnarlywine on the small glass shelves above the bar. Yes, there are crappy lagers from about 40 other countries too. A tally on the bottom right board was at 266 bottles as of 1/08. The bartender was quick, and answered a couple of my beer questions. Your mileage may vary on a busy evening.

Tuesday 7th of August 2007 01:24:01 AM

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Quenchers is a tavern with a superb selection of beers. It gets higher ratings because, by all appearances (I haven't asked anybody there this - but I will next time - "How long has this venue been a tavern?"), it has been a licensed establishment for scores of years. It wouldn't surprise me if it was an 'unlicensed establishment' in the 1920s. It opened under its current ownership in 1979. The authentic breweriana spanning a half-century can appeal to those not especially interested in beer. The venue also has live entertainment six nights a week (in the north room off the main bar).
Quenchers is another tavern in Chicago in which you can play the 'pot luck' beer game: i.e.: Tell your bartender you want to take a chance on the cheap beer. He | She will reach down into the bucket of orphaned cans and bottles and pull one out for you.
The beers on draft are solidly from craft breweries, from North America and beyond.
I've only had the homemade chili here. It was good.
The #74 Fullerton bus runs until 12:50 am westbound. The #49 Western bus runs 24 hours a day.
And it has free popcorn. Is that enough to qualify it as 'family friendly'?

Sunday 29th of July 2007 06:36:29 AM

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I had been hearing about Quenchers for a while now and I finally made it over here. The building sits on a corner and does not appear to be anything exceptional from the exterior.
The interior is antique. Antique wooden bar and large wooden glass fronted deli stlye coolers where the beer bottles are stored. The back wall is dominated by chalkboards listing the countries of the beers and the brands. American craft beers are listed on a separate wall. They claim 213 bottles, 17 taps and 38 others. I’m not sure what they meant by “other”.
I saw and tried numerous craft beers that I had never seen or even heard of before. I was shocked by the selection here. I could easily spend several days here and not get bored with my beer options. This place is a true jewel in the up and coming Bucktown neighborhood.
There is a second room here that backs the bar. There is a small stage setup for live music, tables, and an antique wooden phone booth (not quite Dr.Who, more like the Adams Family).
The bartender saw how impressed we were with the selection and invited us attend an event they hold around Thanksgiving. For $50 you get a Quenchers Passport. This entitles you to a shirt, 3 beer glasses and beers from 15 European countries. My understanding is that you get 8 days to make it through all 15 countries and you get your passport stamped each time. Sounds like it could be fun.
Food is available here,but we did not try on this visit.
One additional important thing to mention: THIS IS A CASH ONLY ESTABLISHMENT.