Johnny’s Tavern

Probably one of the last places to go to that not many people knew or were aware of, like the The Hideout 10 years ago.
Johnny opened that bar every night at 9 and closed it at 2 am, and I swear the place was open 52 weeks a year. I would sometimes see him on the train at night, getting on at Wellington and getting off at Paulina.
Johnny was full of stores, especially growing up in Europe during the war and what the bar had been like over the years.
The songs on the jukebox, never, ever changed. I’ll always remember Sinatra sing «The Summer Wind» and think of that place.
Bye, Johnny.

I can’t believe I never reviewed this place.
Johnny’s will always have a special place in my heart. I stopped by when I could when I lived in the neighborhood and it was a special place. Like others have said, stepping into a time warp is a good way to describe this joint.
Johnny was a special character. I made him tell me about his history, about how he worked at a factory on Irving Park back in the «golden days» of America and how he bought the bar. Truly a piece of Chicago history that will be missed as more and more soulless condo buildings and yuppie bars open all around the city.
This place was special because it hearkened to a time when getting a beer, was… getting a beer. Having random banter with the bartender about your day, or whatever. The American Dream truly was palpable at this place.
Thanks for the beers, Johnny. You made my best friend’s bachelor celebration of us 5 friends infinitely memorable by welcoming us and pouring a few shots and a few beers. Tanya, also, thanks for your memories of your childhood, it’s so cool to hear more about this fascinating man.
It’s times like this when Unilocal becomes more than compliments and «funny» or «cool» badges and can make you feel like you were part of something special. Cheers.

I had no idea this happened. I drove by a couple times and saw that it was closed and wondered what happened to Johnny. Found out on Unilocal.Miss you Johnny, you were amazing. Great little spot on a busy street that always served as a hideaway when I just wanted to enjoy some beers with some good friends. RIP Johnny.

As a nearby resident, I’m kicking myself for never having tried this place. The reviews were pretty solid, and Johnny sounds like I guy I would have gotten along with right well.
Cheers to Johnny. Sorry I didn’t make it in.

Man, this place was one of a kind. I wish that there was a place like this in every city, especially my own (Dallas). But in reality, it would be so hard to pull off. Why? Because, there’s only one Johnny!
Anyone who comes in here soon realizes the awesomeness. From the buzz-​in entry from Johnny, to the Samson beer he graciously served, to his crazy stories that lasted well past closing time… this place will be missed. «Ooookay Ooookay! $ 14.50!»
There’s a captain in all of us, right? No, no… there’s a Johnny in all of us!
My thoughts are with you, your family, and all your fans.

R.I.P. John
We’ll miss you. :’(

Johnny’s was the greatest bar that Chicago has ever had and will ever have. John was the hardest working man in the business and also one of the most intelligent people around. I’ll miss talking to him about Chicago politics and hearing all the stories from his nearly 90 years of life. Chicago has lost a legend, but he will always be remembered by his loyal regulars.

It is with a heavy heart I inform you that my Uncle John passed away on October 23, 2009. He was 87 years old. Thanks for the memories John.

I’ll miss you, Johnny. Your bar was my favorite place to go to.

Johnny has owned the joint for 42 years.
Order a Samson.
Dive of dives.

I’d like to imagine Johnny was once married to Rose of Rose’s Lounge. After many blissful years of running a neighborhood bar, things started to go sour and what were once gazes of affection became listless stares of discontent. After going their separate ways, each went on to open their own bar which they operated in a manner that befit them best.
If Rose’s is how an 80 year old woman would run a bar, Johnny’s is how an 80 year old man would.
After being buzzed in, you’ll note the place is a notch above «well furnished garage». Next to the lone lopsided pool table, you’ll find a whole corner filled with an assortment of junk he never bothered to throw away after decades of neglect. There’s a stack of chairs lined up against the wall and lurking in the shadows is a pile of Hustlers. Seriously.
Always donning an ill-​fitting and sporadically stained suit, Johnny still pours with the best of them. If you’re at a place like Johnny’s that’s probably all you really care about.
Johnny is the type of man dapper enough to wear a suit and tie every day, but also the type of man who likely passes out drunk in that same suit. One could probably work out a weak metaphor that relates this to his bar. I’ll leave that task to you.
This is a good place to go if… you’re into porn and pool.

This place is really something. Yeah it might take a while to get your drink but so what?! Johnny is a one of a kind human being and being in his presence is well worth the wait.
When you turn 80-​something and can still «hang» I’ll go to your bar too… but for now, Johnny’s place is the read deal dive. He doesn’t have to try… he’s tragically hip.

RIP Johnny — you’re the best!

This is a real dive bar, despite all the yuppies and students who mingle around here. It’s run by Johnny himself, a Yugoslav who refuses to let anyone else tend the bar (at least thats the way he used to be), so it opens and closes as he feels like. The door is locked, so you ring a buzzer, and the prices are fine. A place where some of the former factory workers who haven’t been gentrified out of the neighborhood still like to congregate.

Johnny’s is laid back – really far back.
When you get buzzed into Johnny’s you are getting buzzed back into time. I have the notion that this place is a time capsule. From the old beer signs, to the jukebox that hasn’t been changed since the late 80s, to Johnny himself. You will find strong Czech beer, great old stories and a decent pool table, but you won’t find any attitude.
Did I mention that Johnny sells pumpkins and christmas trees in the lot next door? Or that he is open 365 days a year?
If you are gelled out-​spiky-​hair kind of guy who likes techno, sunglasses at night and girls who don’t know how to count to ten, then Johnny’s is NOT the place for you. This also applies to girls who are looking for sugar daddies, a plush bathroom or a bartender who will buy your drinks.

This is the kind of place I wouldn’t have written up a year ago– it was a friend’s top secret favorite place. But, Timeout wrote it up, I see it written up on other sites, I hear Jonathan Brandmeyer mentioned it on his show, and the last time I was there the crowd had «discovered» it to a point. The good news is that «the crowd» can’t handle it and won’t stick around for long, so here goes.
The rules– this place has only a Hamms sign hanging on it. It’s called Johnny’s because he runs the place. Johnny is 80-​something, generally wears a tie, and mows the grass on the Christmas tree lot next door with a weedwacker. Johnny will be the guy to buzz you in when you ring the bell– make sure to stick your face in the window so he can see that you’re OK to let in– he’s 80-​something, and doesn’t let in strangers unless some familiar faces are inside already.
So what we have, once inside, is a Classic, with a capital C, dive bar. The jukebox is weird. Classic country, NKOTB, 80s rock, BelbivDevoe– take your pick. But watch those quarters– it’ll steal ‘em!
There’s a pool table too if you have to. But the right way to enjoy Johnny’s is to sit at the bar, have him set you up with your glass for the night, and start drinking. You’ll note that the big Croatian beers are strong and popular here. He’s got all kinds of liquor too– but not cheap considering the décor. Take your time, drink, and chat with the nicest bar owner in town. Ask youself, when you’re 80something, what will YOU be doing?