Friday 4th of June 2010 10:15:37 PM

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2008:
This location seems to get limited brews in rotation often, and has a nice list that even has beer cocktails for the more adventurous. Still fairly loud and crowded on weekends, usually i'll just stop in for one after work.

2007:
I've been to this location a few times, with varying results...

After having dinner across the street at Jerry's Sandwiches, I stopped here for an event involving my friend's art around 7:30 pm on a thursday. "Open bar" for the event was limited to well drinks, so I opted for a draft Cane & Ebel for $6. The bar was crowded, but not 2-3 deep, yet 15-20 minutes seemed to be the average wait for drinks. Bartenders weren't talkative or especially friendly, but it was busy. Later we moved outside, and the waitstaff was more friendly and accommodating.

In the past, on slower night nights, this was a good place to have a craft brew and people watch on Division. Friday and saturday nights probably aren't the ideal time to visit. After work from 5-7pm the crowd is more manageable too. Nice wood panelling halfway up on the walls, a vintage look to the bar. They have outdoor patio seating, which is a plus when an escape is needed from the noise and smoke.

They occasionally have a draft Belgian, such as Chimay white, once I had an Urthel Hop-it here. Mostly craft options, nothing too out of the ordinary. 3F Pride & Joy and Lagunitas Undercover were also on when I went. They seem to rotate a few of their taps.

The fried cheese curds with honey mustard were good, didn't try the pizza. Quesadilla was just alright.

Sunday 14th of February 2010 02:56:32 PM

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This is a tavern which has steadily moved up the ladder (or table, if you will) on the roster of 'soccer bars' in Chicago. I should have visited here before; and I certainly should have reviewed this venue before. Accept my apology.
Why did it become a soccer bar, even going so far as to apply for credentials {which it received} from the United States Soccer Federation? It might be that U.S.A. Men's National Team player _Brian Ching_ is one of its investors.
With the opening of one on Fullerton near Southport, there are now three Small Bars in Chicago. The one in Albany (Logan Sq.) is the *non*-soccer bar. All of them have superb selections of beers, both on draft, and bottled. Small Bar Division has gotten solid reviews for its poutine meal and its hamburgers.

There are a clutch of regular beers on draft (think Carlsberg & Guinness), with an extensive list of seasonal and specialty beers from both Europe and the U.S.A. A beer list is available. Ask for it. Glasses are 16-oz. Prices are average. There is a daily special, and a *special* special when a U.S.A. National Team are playing. The beers served are consistently in good condition.
The venue has both XFinity cable and DirecTV®. If you know about a soccer match on TV, and it isn't on on one of the five screens here, you can ask for it. (This sporadically occurs when a Mexican league match is on a Spanish-language channel.) The non-soccer channel which generally appears is Fuse TV.
Here does get packed when the U.S.A. Men's National Team play, so you might want to get here early on those days. Yes, this venue will be crawling with soccer fans come June. If you want to be recognized then as a regular (for whatever that may be worth), start going here now.
Small Bar Division gets a five-star rating on the combination of good beers and a soccer-positive, friendly atmosphere, something which is still limited in Chicago.

In the matter of full disclosure: The publican here is on record that he believes the poor reviews on Yelp the venue has received are from *phonies* (especially from question-mark heads [QMHs]), who may or may not be associated with Yelp, and which propagate in order for Yelp to solicit him to become a sponsor [to 'bury' those negative reviews].

Transit options: This is a venue which has been impacted by the CTA's service reductions. I think you're going to wind up walking five blocks to the Blue Line “L” at either Division & Ashland {in subway}, or Damen & North {elevated}. The #70 Division bus ceases running westbound at 10:40 pm. Eastbound = 9:50 pm weekdays, 10:40 pm Saturday, & 10:55 pm Sunday. (!) The #50 Damen bus quits going northbound at 11:00 pm. Southbound ends at 9:55 pm.

Thursday 20th of November 2008 01:02:04 PM

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This person needs 3 or more reviews on the site for their scores to start counting.

Small Bar on division is my go to bar when I am in the area. They have 22 or 23 taps and about half of them rotate frequently. They usually have selections have on tap from Three Floyd's, Lagunita's, Surly, Left Hand, Two Brother's and Allagash. A wide selection of import and domestic microbrews and bottle selection.

Because I live so close to here I have been here countless times. I am usually pleased with the friendly staff and the surprisingly good bar food. It can get crowded on Friday or Saturday nights, but never too bad.

They are a huge supporter of international soccer and also have all Chicago Fire's games on, if you are into that stuff. When soccer is not on the TV they usually play skate video's, which I enjoy.

Overall, one of the better bars in the area to to go to. Really, the only place on Division to hang out at.

Friday 20th of April 2007 03:59:57 PM

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The food menu here is similar to the Small Bar in Logan Square. Small Bar is pub food focused with an emphasis on having a solid draft selection. They do have a good brunch on the weekends.

We usually end up eating some fried cheese curds while drinking a pint from one of their 20 or more draft selections. The beers range from local/regional beers to Belgian varieties and there is a small selection of the typical imports like Guinness and Bass. The bottle selection is also varied and usually adds a few more winning selections to the mix.

They have a lot of beer events and beer releases here, make a check of their website if you're going to be in the area to see if there are any events planned.

If you're in this trendy hipster neighborhood, don't get suckered into 20 dollar plates of tapas and 15 dollar liquor drinks. Get some fried cheese curds and a draft beer!

On a nice day, this part of wicker park is not really that long of a walk from the Damen Blue Line stop. It's about a half-mile south. Don't expect to find parking very easily on Division.