Friday 24th of April 2009 10:05:49 AM

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2017:
Much improved beer selection, plenty of quality drafts. When it's dark enough you don't notice how dingy it is.

2009: 56.7
Stopped here with a couple other Beermappers after Flossmoor's release party for Collaborative Evil. We were downtown, and in need of a beer, so we figured why not...

Inside there was dark wood paneling, exposed brick, tons of state police, firefighter,etc. patches above the bar. Tile floor, with rickety stools and a table that needed a few sugar packets to balance out. Nice wood back bar, but pretty sub par all around. Cafeteria vibe, with a closet sized restroom. The dive bar charm wore off after the first sip of beer.

Four taps were adorned with plastic cups when we walked in, limiting the craft options to either Hoegaarden or Great Lakes Eliot Ness. 3 of the 4 advertised GL taps were out. Nothing special in bottles, they did have Hacker-Pschorr and Schneider in bottles. Bar service was timely, but it wasn't busy at all. I wasn't brave enough to try the fri/sat fish fry here. Personally I never plan to return, I think better options lie nearby, including Cal's, Miller's, Rock Bottom, Binny's tasting room, etc.

Saturday 29th of March 2008 02:25:20 AM

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Stocks and Blondes is a bar of which its keenest asset {oops} is its location. It is literally and physically down a flight of stairs from the Loop “L”'s Washington | Wells station. Despite having the structure obscuring its view eastward, it is a bright, extensively windowed venue.
Its interior layout is impacted however. There are bulkheads and tight corners in some spots. The beer selection on draft is skewed toward craft brews with Goose Island and Great Lakes (Ohio) having regular handles; and the macros prevailing in bottles. Its prices are lower than other bars downtown. If you are on Wabash Ave., and finding only pricey lounges, it would be a smart move to walk west.
There are two conventional tube televisions, and I believe the venue subscribes to cable (only).
Food is available. I haven't eaten here.