Chicago Bar Boi
@chicagobarhistory.bsky.social
Local historian and barfly exploring the city's taverns, saloons, and watering holes
Wow, did not expect THIS
December 4, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Wow, did not expect THIS
Railyard in Chicago, 1943
Centrally located, the Windy City has been the master of the country's rails for over a century. Frankly, it's not a particularly close competition with over a quarter of all intermodal freight coming through Chicago. If all roads lead to Rome, all tracks lead to Chicago.
Centrally located, the Windy City has been the master of the country's rails for over a century. Frankly, it's not a particularly close competition with over a quarter of all intermodal freight coming through Chicago. If all roads lead to Rome, all tracks lead to Chicago.
December 3, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Railyard in Chicago, 1943
Centrally located, the Windy City has been the master of the country's rails for over a century. Frankly, it's not a particularly close competition with over a quarter of all intermodal freight coming through Chicago. If all roads lead to Rome, all tracks lead to Chicago.
Centrally located, the Windy City has been the master of the country's rails for over a century. Frankly, it's not a particularly close competition with over a quarter of all intermodal freight coming through Chicago. If all roads lead to Rome, all tracks lead to Chicago.
South Side of Chicago, 1974
December 2, 2025 at 7:55 PM
South Side of Chicago, 1974
Henry Kau was one of the wine kings of Chicago at the turn of the century. He hosted "kings of finance, captains of industry, merchant princes, and millionaires of all sorts." When Prince Henry of Germany visited Chicago in 1902, city leaders called upon Kau to provide the much-needed Rhine wine.
December 2, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Henry Kau was one of the wine kings of Chicago at the turn of the century. He hosted "kings of finance, captains of industry, merchant princes, and millionaires of all sorts." When Prince Henry of Germany visited Chicago in 1902, city leaders called upon Kau to provide the much-needed Rhine wine.
It makes no damn sense (and doesn't compel me)
December 2, 2025 at 6:30 PM
It makes no damn sense (and doesn't compel me)
"The Burden of Chicago"
In nearly every American city of the 1900s and 10s, saloons and reformers fought over drinking's place in society. Reformers pointed to Chicago, with over 7,000 saloons, as a prime example of how bars negatively impacted their community.
In nearly every American city of the 1900s and 10s, saloons and reformers fought over drinking's place in society. Reformers pointed to Chicago, with over 7,000 saloons, as a prime example of how bars negatively impacted their community.
November 25, 2025 at 11:04 PM
"The Burden of Chicago"
In nearly every American city of the 1900s and 10s, saloons and reformers fought over drinking's place in society. Reformers pointed to Chicago, with over 7,000 saloons, as a prime example of how bars negatively impacted their community.
In nearly every American city of the 1900s and 10s, saloons and reformers fought over drinking's place in society. Reformers pointed to Chicago, with over 7,000 saloons, as a prime example of how bars negatively impacted their community.
One of Chicago's oldest bars: Shinnick's in Bridgeport! There's been a bar here since at least 1896 when it was the Shallow Brothers' Saloon and the Shinnicks have owned the place since 1938. It's seen a lot of changes over the years, but remains the best White Sox bar in Chicago.
October 27, 2025 at 4:45 PM
One of Chicago's oldest bars: Shinnick's in Bridgeport! There's been a bar here since at least 1896 when it was the Shallow Brothers' Saloon and the Shinnicks have owned the place since 1938. It's seen a lot of changes over the years, but remains the best White Sox bar in Chicago.
When the bartender asks me how many shots of Malört I need
October 21, 2025 at 3:43 PM
When the bartender asks me how many shots of Malört I need
The Clover Bar Lounge, 172 N. Clark. In 1953, an undercover Tribune reporter went there to see if rumors of illegal gambling were true. He quickly lost $20 playing "holigan dice games." Disapproving of his form, a dice girl told him to "throw them faster." He lost another $5 and called it a day.
October 16, 2025 at 6:58 PM
The Clover Bar Lounge, 172 N. Clark. In 1953, an undercover Tribune reporter went there to see if rumors of illegal gambling were true. He quickly lost $20 playing "holigan dice games." Disapproving of his form, a dice girl told him to "throw them faster." He lost another $5 and called it a day.
Western Illinois I was not familiar with your game....
October 13, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Western Illinois I was not familiar with your game....
Different Strokes Tavern (1991), now the SoFo Tap. Clark and Argyle in Chicago's once heavily Scandi Andersonville. I dig the Viking Longship sign.
October 7, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Different Strokes Tavern (1991), now the SoFo Tap. Clark and Argyle in Chicago's once heavily Scandi Andersonville. I dig the Viking Longship sign.
Hogen's on Lincoln and Wilson Avenue, 1985. Now it's Daily Bar & Grill, which was hopping last time I was over there.
October 7, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Hogen's on Lincoln and Wilson Avenue, 1985. Now it's Daily Bar & Grill, which was hopping last time I was over there.
Fun pic of businesses across from Pullman. The company town was dry so workers had to go across the tracks to drink. Note the Pabst building on the right.
October 6, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Fun pic of businesses across from Pullman. The company town was dry so workers had to go across the tracks to drink. Note the Pabst building on the right.
From Chicago's "10 Story Book," 1922
October 6, 2025 at 6:28 PM
From Chicago's "10 Story Book," 1922
Some fun Chicago bar shots from "Tintin in America," 1931
October 3, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Some fun Chicago bar shots from "Tintin in America," 1931
Welles Park had a rather amusing moniker in 1927
October 3, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Welles Park had a rather amusing moniker in 1927
Cubs-Tigers 1907 World Series cartoon: The Menagerie is loose!
October 2, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Cubs-Tigers 1907 World Series cartoon: The Menagerie is loose!
Is this anything
October 1, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Is this anything
The only two things I want to talk about lately
October 1, 2025 at 10:17 PM
The only two things I want to talk about lately
South Chicago, 92nd and Brandon-sh, looking east. 1910 vs. Today. Almost nothing remains =(
October 1, 2025 at 10:15 PM
South Chicago, 92nd and Brandon-sh, looking east. 1910 vs. Today. Almost nothing remains =(