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Theory
9 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
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Em
Review №1

So much fun - great for groups. Make sure you take advantage of the special version of Jenga. Food is good, creative and shareable. Our waitress (Kat) was attentive and sweet, which is a rare compliment to give when youre there with such a large group. All in all, I had a great time and will come again.

Je
Review №2

The service was good, the food was okay but that bloody mary was trash. If you like just tomato juice, tobacco and vodka in your bloody, then this place is for you. They further classed things down by using disposable plates, glasses and cutlery. I would definitely not recommend this place for brunch, you can do better at Perkins.

Ga
Review №3

We went here today for brunch and I can confidently say this one was one of the best brunch experiences I’ve had in a while. The Bloody Mary and “Martini’s Mule” were delicious, and the omelette was absolutely amazing. I got it with bacon, mushrooms, and cheddar cheese and it was soft, fluffy, and incredibly flavorful. The best part is that the owner, Joel, is an incredible host and extremely welcoming. He made sure we were taken care of the entire way and his team was attentive and friendly. If you’re looking for a sports bar with good vibes, great food, and delicious drinks you need to come check it out! Definitely not your average sports bar!

Co
Review №4

Theory is one of the finest establishments in River North. The food is amazing and the drinks are exceptional. The staff is very professional and the ownership (who will likely stop by your table) is outstanding. They care very much about their patrons and always extend their appreciation for supporting them. Theory is a locally owned establishment and it shows. Be sure to stop by for some unbelievable pretzels and queso.

Da
Review №5

Very good burgers. I especially like the Hole in One which has an egg over easy and avocado.

Ma
Review №6

WOW We were pleasantly surprised with this place.Wish we could give extra stars for being a IOWA bar.We stopped in here as we were visiting a friend next door but saw it was a IOWA bar so we decided we had to stop in for 1 drink to check it out.The vibe was cool and not the River North vibe I was expecting.Staff was super nice.Food looked delicious but we never tried any.Will definitely check this place out again and make a day of it there.

Vi
Review №7

Owner welcomed us and sat us right away, he was very sweet. The salsa was amazing and we even got some extra shots for our team getting touchdowns. Great time.

De
Review №8

We’ve been visiting this bar for the past year from out of town and the service and hospitality is phenomenal. The owner and staff are so personable and offer the “neighborhood bar” atmosphere that is uncommon is this area. Blem and Joel truly make your entire experience and I highly recommend popping in for a game and a good time!

An
Review №9

Top spot in Chitown. In from St. Louis last year and the owner bent over backwoods to get us a table on football Sunday. A year later I’m back in town and back to Theory because of the hospitality from “Joel” the owner. Once again the hospitality and service is amazing, even with the precautions in place the service has been amazing. Joel once again got us in on a busy Friday night. Emily(Blem) the bartender is amazing, excellent service and very friendly. Everyone just makes you feel at home and guarantees you a good time. Customer for life!!

pe
Review №10

We originally came to Theory for the brunch menu and the bottomless mix & match, but we found it to be way more than that. The atmosphere, the customer service, and the food itself was beyond amazing. Come early and youll beat the rush. The turkey wrap with a side of Mac n cheese & the flatten the curve burger were so delicious. Bottomless mimosa/sangria/bloody Mary were also amazing and the food came out quick. $5 32 oz beers were a winner as well. The owner takes the time to come and chat with you while social distancing. I feel like Im at home while at this place. Come check it out.

Ch
Review №11

Ordered the rice bowl vegetarian, came with chicken. Asked for more water, bartender got distracted and didn’t get to it until 10 min later. Not crazy busy, and had 2 ppl behind the bar. Cool atmosphere but just got everything wrong

Jo
Review №12

Always a great time. Joel is awesome and I love coming here.

ma
Review №13

The service was mediocre, drinks were overpriced and did not taste good. It is the worst bar in Chicago that I have gone to in my last trip.

De
Review №14

Food with real quality ingredients. Definitely worth a return visit.

Ju
Review №15

Good location to grab a drink and catch the NCAA games on Saturday

La
Review №16

I admit to visiting toward the end of the night during a pandemic, but I wasnt super happy with the taste of my drinks. Front door staff was very friendly and I was happy with the music.

ta
Review №17

Great spot! My favorite spot in Chiago so far. As soon as we walked into the restaurant the hostess greeted us and made us feel at home the server 《aubrey》 was awesome and started with the awesome 3$ beers 《1 litre》specials. Overall, the great food, variety of daily drink deals, amazing customer service and the awesome atmosphere made the perfect spot for me and my friends. We will be back again.

Re
Review №18

Theory is a wonderful chill spot with great customer service

Ma
Review №19

Good vibes! Good food! Friendly staff! They thanked me just for walking in! Very cool place. Will be back!

To
Review №20

I thoroughly enjoyed the AIDS Foundation - Chicago Volunteer Bingo Event hosted at Theory! Aside from the delicious food the staff was very pleasant and attentive! I was so am a that there were so many television screens, all playing at once, showing different programs; yet, depending on where one sat it is an easy feat to concentrate on one particular screen!

ca
Review №21

I had the shrimp mac n cheese, it was phenomenal. Friendly service, nice atmosphere, great food.

Te
Review №22

We were in Chicago from Kansas City & were hoping to find a place to watch our home football team game on Monday night. We looked online for a sports bar near and found Theory. We called to see if they would be showing our game and they said they would make it work for us. Our expectations were low, but we decided to give it a try. OMG! They blew us out of the water and our night at Theory became the best part of our whole trip. They went out of their way to make us feel special and by the end of the night, it felt like we were friends with the staff. Georgia was the most amazing & fun server and Sam continually checked in on us and made sure we had everything we needed (& more!) We will definitely be back to our new favorite little Chicago bar! Theory, you & your staff, rock!

Ad
Review №23

All around an amazing experience from beginning to the end. We were greeted by the owner who was extremely gracious and thankful we were there and made us feel welcome the minute we walked through the door. As a huge Patriots fan it was the warm welcome of a Chicago bar that will bring me back game to game to game. Great drinks, food and service!

Ma
Review №24

Absolutely awesome! Went in on a Monday and they had 3$ 32 oz beers! It was great before going to a concert at the house of blues. We had the nachos, the queso and the cookie for dessert. It was such good food and such a great price.

Jo
Review №25

Omg the wings here are everything! I had the kill bill and honey sriracha and the killbill shrimp. These were easily the best wings I’ve had in a long time. If you’re having a wing craving, you will not be disappointed. Our waitress was actually perfect. She didn’t hover and annoy, and was there when we needed anything. Good place to watch sports, good vibes, amazing food.Pros:Food is on pointStaff is friendly and attentiveHigh energy vibes for sports gamesCons:Bathroom was ugly

Mi
Review №26

Fun and lively sports bar. Lots of TVs and party music. Because the bar is more narrow and it’s usually packed on weekends, it tends to feel a little more intimate. Big Iowa football bar. Food and cocktails were great!

Ma
Review №27

Easy to find. Nice service

Ne
Review №28

Theory was a cool sports bar to spend a Thurs night just having drinks and watching a football game. The wings were tasty and the buffalo sauce was actually hot. But the fries were the star of the show. I wanted to return just to have the fries again.

Li
Review №29

Best Patriots bar in Chicago!!! Food is great!! Atmosphere is awesome! Owner is a tremendous guy! Staff outstanding! Love it! Definitely the place to be on game day!

K8
Review №30

Go Pats! The staff is really personable and I love the new menu items they added for the reopening

Co
Review №31

This bar is a great place to hang out. Great service and great food! Plus the staff was accommodating so we could watch Thursday Night Football.

Ke
Review №32

Over priced but service, food and drinks were good

Mi
Review №33

I have been going to theory for over four years. Brought a friend that never been there. We were going for their great burgers. Food to me is always good. But...this visit we given warm water out the facet. My friend did not complain but every guests had ice cold water. When I brought it up to a manager there. They said what do you want me to do about it?. I stated to treat all guests the same. We spend money just like everyone else and desire the same service. Sorry, Joe! Your server fell short.

Ra
Review №34

Good atmosphere and drinks

Ma
Review №35

Amazing staff! Didnt have reservations for a big game and they kept us in the loop on a cancellation and got us a table. Fast and friendly service plus TVs everywhere, hard to miss a play here (even in the bathroom). Food was good, better than standard bar fare but the bbq pulled pork was a bit of a miss.

ST
Review №36

Found this place by accident while walking through the streets of Chicago. The staff was caring and knowledgeable about food allergies.They offer gluten free buns for $1 more so I ordered a classic Cheesburger. The buns did fall apart immediately but the chef is not to blame as this is due to the missing sticky protein in gf buns. Beer selection was good too – I enjoyed it!

Ca
Review №37

Amazing atmosphere, amazing brunch... Lovely service. Went for brunch during March Madness loved it so much we came back after dinner. Super accommodating...made sure we had a table to come back too on a busy night. Dont miss out on this gem!! We will be back for sure.

La
Review №38

A friend and I visited this bar for his birthday (and to watch a basketball game) and we absolutely loved this place! The staff were friendly, helpful and attentive- and, the drinks we had were fantastic! I highly recommend the Angry Nerd (the shorter drink pictured).

Pl
Review №39

This is what it looks like cut into

An
Review №40

Theory,Practically one of those places where you ll never gret disappointed.Be it food, ambience, atmosphere, music , service.They ace in every area. My experiece was really really good here. Located in the heart of hubbard street theory is one of the greatest gastro pub I have ever been to.Group of people on a friday night wants to hangout, this is the place to be.We tried old fashioned cocktail, spicy marg, cherry mule they were all lovely.In the food section I loved the kill bill wings (appropriately cooked and tenderness).In terms if price they are reasonable. All in all I will rate 5 out of 5.

C.
Review №41

Always a good place to go for good music & drinks w/ no cover.

Mi
Review №42

Im visiting from Arizona. I was looking for a fun, good place to eat. This place is awesome. I had the buffalo chicken sandwich that is one of the best Ive ever had. It was Monday and I had an old fashion that was one of the specials, one of the best Ive had. A bonus is that they use clear ice cubes. Im making this a stop at least one night of any future visits.

Ti
Review №43

Great folks focused on good service. Fun place!

Cu
Review №44

Very accommodating. Found us the game we were hoping to watch, and really didnt have to. Went well out of their way. Pricey drinks, but still a great sports bar.

Tr
Review №45

Great drinks and bar tenders! Will be back again on my next trip to Chicago

Mi
Review №46

Good food and beer in a prime location. Whats not to like? Vibe and atmosphere was on point as well.

Ki
Review №47

Great food and drinks, excellent service, good happy hour specials and very accommodating to groups!

Em
Review №48

Though we came in a large group the food came out promptly and delicious. The chicken tenders were very crisp while tossed in a nice sauce. The drinks were also pretty tasty and there was a nice special the day we went.

GO
Review №49

Best game watch site in the loop area hands down.

An
Review №50

The manager and staff went beyond and above to commode us. We were 8 and my mother, she is 84. And she was so happy and like the food and she enjoy the new experience of having brunch in a bar. So if i could 10 stars for the manager!

St
Review №51

Outstanding service, great food, and can’t say enough about Sam and Georgia who made the experience the best! Definitely stopping in on my next CHICAGO trip!

Ja
Review №52

Great staff

br
Review №53

Absolutely awesome experience. Great food, great atmosphere. Cant wait to come back for a Patriots game!

Mi
Review №54

The owner was very nice to us. He got us at a table in a very crowded bar of us Hawkeye fans. Food was really good and service was very good from our waitress Georgia. Bartenders were alright. I wanted to get a tee shirt, but tbe owner left before In could ask. We will be back.

Ch
Review №55

Great atmosphere. The new waiter mistakenly gave us someone elses food in addition to ours. No complaints.

ma
Review №56

Excellent spot, cool atmosphere, food and friendly staff.

Wa
Review №57

Tho....an out of state visitor...treated like old friends...very welcoming....set us up in back room to watch game....ENJOYED THOROUGHLY....!!!@@

Cr
Review №58

Great bar, great staff. The food and drinks are great.

Ed
Review №59

Amazing place!! Was there visiting from Houston and went to watch the Astros Yankees game 6 and although 99% of the crowd was there for Penn St v Michigan Sam and our waitress didnt hesitate to find us a spot where we can enjoy our game. Atmosphere was great people were friendly and sam and our waitress kept making sure we were taken care of and eventually we got to get sound and the game full size view. Anytime Im in Chicago you best believe in will go visit this place

Jo
Review №60

This is an awesome bar right across from our hotel. Came here for food and a beer and found out it is a Green Bay Packer bar! How awesome. Cara is a great bartender who treated us well. Food was great too. We are here for day two now.

Ka
Review №61

Being successful sometimes comes down to the simple act of just being nice. Joel (owner) genuinely thanked us for our business on several occasions and made us feel as if we were at home. Jason (bartender) provided consistent service behind the bar. I will strongly recommend this place to anyone I know who will be visiting Chicago.

Re
Review №62

This place is amazing. Came for brunch on a Saturday and it was delicious. Breakfast nachos. Enough said. Staff was great, food is great, atmosphere is great. Do yourself a favor and go here!

Mo
Review №63

I hosted a fundraiser at Theory and the staff was great. Super easy and very accommodating. Id definitely have an event here again.

be
Review №64

Wings were delicious.

Ja
Review №65

This is normally a great place and our go to spot when everything else fails but Saturday night I dont know what happened it was a ghost town

Tr
Review №66

This place is pretty awesome. I didn’t come here for food and drink but the lounge scene was great. Look forward to coming again!!

Ol
Review №67

Great place, great food nice staff and the owner is 1 of the best people in the world.

Ma
Review №68

The owner is delightful, I only counted 27 TVs of the 35 so definitely going back to find the ones I missed!

Sq
Review №69

Very racist staff. My Hispanic family and I came to eat here and the staff was just so impatient with my poor old uncle he wasnt very clear with his order because of his accent he didnt deserve them rolling back their eyes and you can sense the attitude. The food was so so nothing to hype over. Enjoyed the beer tho. Wont be returning.

Sa
Review №70

Awesome environment, the place was packed for a Wednesday--the food smelled and looked amazing unfortunately we had other dinner plans so we werent able to order anything.

Da
Review №71

Been here twice. Nice place. Not a lot of cocktails to select from but overall nice food, great and friendly staff, good music. There was even a live band the last time I was in there. Will surely be back there again

Ma
Review №72

Best Patriots bar in Chicago! Limited menu, unlimited spirit.

Ma
Review №73

Great place to watch a game and grab a beer. The staff is extremely friendly and attentive and the food is excellent. After 9 they play great music and you always have a lively crowd. Highly recommend if you’re looking for an unpretentious place to have fun on Hubbard. The owner is a truly caring person who goes out of his way to make sure you enjoy yourself. It’s also a great place to host events and fundraisers.

Ha
Review №74

Lots of TVs. Friendly staff with attentive service. Good food & selection. Would come back again.

ga
Review №75

Great place to watch the Iowa Hawkeyes while in Chicago but go early, it fills up quick!

Sh
Review №76

Good place. Clean, for the most part. Bathrooms were a little tossed. Good staff. Chill, upscale sports bar during the day that turns into more of a club-like atmosphere at night. Especially on Friday and Saturday nights.

Ri
Review №77

I flew up to Chicago from KC to see Hamilton, we decided to go Frontera Grill for dinner on Tuesday night. We knew the Kansas Jayhawks basketball team was playing so we looked up KU Bars in Chicago and less than two blocks away was a KU Watch Bar named Theory. The staff could not have been more accommodating. I Love This Place

Al
Review №78

1st Time there. This Place is Amazing

Ge
Review №79

Good drinks. TVs everywhere. Good service and good food. Chairs a little uncomfortable (after being seated for 4hrs... We were there watching the Soccer World Cup). Overall 100% recommended.

An
Review №80

Great atmosphere and courteous staff

Za
Review №81

Came with a group of friends on a Thursday for a get together. We started off with some creative and tasty appetizers. I really enjoyed the loaded tots! For my meal I had to order the Chicago Dogs because I love Chicago! The buns were toasted which complemented the warm dog and flavorful toppings nicely.Overall - the prices were fair and the servers were so polite!

Je
Review №82

Great atmosphere, good food. Was there to watch the NCAA basketball national championship. Lots of TVs. During commercials they played great music.

Ma
Review №83

Owners very involved! Awesome time

Kr
Review №84

Great place to chill, get away, eat some good food. had a sister come into town and asked me to take her here again. it has an awesome feel to it.

Da
Review №85

Its a must try!Gem of a place with incredible food and drinks. Come with an empty stomach - leave with a full heart, stomach and smile. Not only does Theory have great food, but an unbeatable atmosphere as well.Go ASAP! You deserve it!

Mi
Review №86

Great atmosphere and even better food!

Jo
Review №87

Joel is legit the best bar owner in Chicago!

To
Review №88

Great atmosphere. Tons of screens. A little cramped but the bucket and bucket deal waa a steal.

Ji
Review №89

The carne asada sandwich is the bomb. Delicious.

Ty
Review №90

Theory is a great place to drink, dance, and simply hang out. My wife and I were in town for a weekend and we met up with friends. We got some drinks and had a great time.

Vi
Review №91

Had a blast good people excellent service

Aa
Review №92

A Lunch Fave! Great food and staff in a loose comfortable space. Easy to get a seat and the patrons are friendly , too. Tons of TVs to see whatever you need. Say Hi to Joel since hes bound to welcome you in personally.

El
Review №93

We had a great experience here. Music is jumpin. Great food. The honey sriracha wings are amazing. Marty the security guard was super personable. You can tell he keeps the place in order and really cares for everyone, but also very engaging and play a part in the experience. Service from Aubrey was great. Very knowledgeable about the beers and gave great recommendations. Will come back again.

Ra
Review №94

Crazy expensive drinks but were tasty

Os
Review №95

I was in town for the weekend, and asked various folks the best place to watch a Final Four game. I was pointed to Theory and they were right. So glad we went, it was perfect. The owner goes around and talks to nearly everyone to make sure things are good and get feedback, and they treated us very very good. Great staff, great food, great atmosphere!

Ry
Review №96

Best sports bar in River North. Period.

An
Review №97

The staff is super friendly and accommodating. The food is regular bar food but with an extra Midwestern (read indulgently unhealthy) spin to the menu.

La
Review №98

Watched the world cup here. Thanks for opening early. Perfect. Plenty of tvs, good food and beers

Su
Review №99

First time at Theory and was very happy with the entire experience. The owner Joel was in that day and was extremely humble and kind to everyone. The food was excellent and our waitress Megan and the entire staff were great! We will go back our next wkend get away to the city! Oh and you must try the chicken nachos :)

Mi
Review №100

Great spot to catch any game and listen to some 90s 2000s jams. Very good food menu as well. Bartender Michelle is always amazing!!

Information
100 Photos
100 Comments
4.4 Rating
  • Address:9 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
  • Site:https://www.theorychicago.com/
  • Phone:+1 312-644-0004
Categories
  • Night club
  • Bar
  • Restaurant
  • Sports bar
Working hours
  • Monday:3–11pm
  • Tuesday:10am–11pm
  • Wednesday:10am–11pm
  • Thursday:4–11pm
  • Friday:Closed
  • Saturday:Closed
  • Sunday:4–11pm
Service options
  • Delivery:Yes
  • Takeaway:Yes
  • Dine-in:Yes
Highlights
  • Fast service:Yes
  • Great beer selection:Yes
  • Great cocktails:Yes
  • Quiz night:Yes
  • Sport:Yes
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair-accessible car park:Yes
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance:Yes
  • Wheelchair-accessible seating:Yes
  • Wheelchair-accessible toilet:Yes
Offerings
  • Alcohol:Yes
  • Beer:Yes
  • Cocktails:Yes
  • Dancing:Yes
  • Food:Yes
  • Food at bar:Yes
  • Happy-hour drinks:Yes
  • Happy-hour food:Yes
  • Spirits:Yes
  • Wine:Yes
Amenities
  • Toilets:Yes
  • Wi-Fi:Yes
Atmosphere
  • Casual:Yes
Crowd
  • Groups:Yes
  • Tourists:Yes
Planning
  • Transgender safe space:Yes
  • LGBTQ-friendly:Yes
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