Jimmy's really needs no review. If you live in Hyde Park, you know it's the only good bar in the neighborhood. If you don't live in Hyde Park, it's a trek (Red or Green line to the 55 bus.) Really the place to meet friends for beer and fries, or have a quiet drink -- the bar is mostly straight guys like me unwinding after a long week, and you're out of luck if you're looking to find a mate: this is not a single's bar by a long shot (although if you're just looking for conversation, people are friendly.)

Getting served (contrary to grumpy people reviewing here) is not hard -- if it's crowded you'll have the usual problems but they're not understaffed.

After moving to Chicago only a few weeks ago, I've been looking for a neighborhood bar in which to share time with friends and classmates. Thankfully, my search has ended at the Woodlawn Tap bar just down the road from my apartment. I visited there last Sunday evening with my girlfriend, and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. The bar, while not empty, wasn't filled to the brim with thirsty customers (which I appreciated greatly. There's nothing worse when you go out than not being able to get a drink or find a seat in a bar!). I loved the decorum of the bar -- old, black wood makes up the majority of the surfaces in the bar, giving it a comfortable, almost cave-like quality, and while music was playing (a mix of mid 90s and rap music), it didn't disturb conversation. The staff was friendly and the drinks were stiff and cheap (I got a boiler-maker (a beer and a shot of bourbon), for about 6 dollars). They have a pretty good assortment of bar foods in large quantities for really reasonable prices. In the next room, a live band played jazz and blues for attentive patrons. I will definitely return to the Woodlawn Tap soon, and if you're ever in Hyde Park, I would recommend you make a visit!