Underground Wonder Bar

Address:	710 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
Phone:	+1 312-266-7761
Site:	undergroundwonderbar.com
Rating:	3.7
Working:	4PM–4AM 4PM–4AM 4PM–4AM 4PM–4AM 4PM–4AM 4PM–5AM 4PM–4AM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 13

Cynthia F

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. I have been going there since the late 90s. And it never gets old. It is seriously my favorite bar on earth. The (LIVE) music is always awesome. Especially Lonnie Walkers Big Bad Ass Company Band. There are a few guys on horns...there are 2 percussion sections--and sometimes 3 even. There is a bass guitar-and sometimes a bass cello, a guitar, a grand piano,and tambourines and shakers. AND they JAM! Funky bluesy jammy acid jazzy I dont even know how to describe it. But there is no other place in Chicago that dishes up live music like this. The sound system is fantastic too. And yes, there is usually some dancing going on too! The drinks are decent. And the crowd is fun and eclectic. I have never had a bad time there. Always ALWAYS a blast! OH--and did I mention the snacks?? I finally got around to trying the vegan ruben sandwich last night...it was SOO good-I swear I would not have known it wasnt corned beef if no one told me. Like the best vegan sandwich Ive had...is at a late night bar in Chicago --Who knew?? oh, and we also had the mexican layered dip and that also hit the spot (at 3am)! Warning--spicy. Seriously people--if you have not ever been to the little gem--get over there!! (I recommend after 11pm on a weekend so you can catch Lonnies band--but again--it is ALWAYS a great time. All the music is fantastic there.

Arindam Bose

Been here for a couple of times now. The first time I visited here because of live music. I saw reviews in yelp and it said they play really good live music and I am happy I found one good place. First of all they have $10 cover charge and its reasonable compared to other nearby bars and quality of music. Its the place of Lonie Walker and her Big Bad Ass Company Band. They are fabulous, just awesome. One you have heard them you gotta love them. They guy in saxophone and bass guitar are really awesome. Once I heard african tribal music there and it was mind blowing. Rock, Jazz, Blues, Soul you wouldnt miss anything. The only problem is the space is too little to accommodate many people, you might have to stand while enjoying music. You can sketch if you manage to sit, they provide crayons and papers for you to give your imaginations a color. You can join the music too, Lonie sometimes distributes some musical instruments to the crowd if you want to contribute to the live music. So the point is, you wont get bored, I bet. Please visit them if you are in Chicago.

tiffany a

We stayed at the hotel across the street so this place was very convenient. We walked over and asked what time they closed, they told us 4am! Lol They also wanted to charge us $5 to get in, i said no thanks well be back later.... We tried the place on the next block which was chill. After we had 2 drinks there we decided to go back to the underground. All of a sudden they didnt have a cover charge. Friendly bartenders Awesome band. Its an original bar, apparently theres a hand full of bars that are allowed to stay open until 4am if they had a liquor license before a certain date. This place has history. Jazz Drinks Friendly staff Descent drink prices Excellent location, if you are staying around there. Located next to food! Also open late!

Hindi Velasco

The star of only for the music... Got a drink with a pube in it tonight, politely asked our bar tender, "Max", for another drink with trying to keep discrete, he rolls his eyes and goes behind the bar... I then ask for a refund due to his response after purchasing a prior drink and leaving a 20%tip, and he continues to react rudely, and slaps my receipt on the counter... I approach him afterwards about his behavior and that I was trying to just get a drink without a pube and not make a big deal, and why he had to have such an attitude... His response... "Because I dont like you!" Ha! If I were the owner, I wouldnt want rude bar tenders in my bar...

Andrew Dekker

This is a place that most will love and a handful will hate. The music is amazing and different. Unlike anything youve ever heard live. In my opinion Lonie is ECCENTRIC and a genius while others might think shes a bit nuts. I would rate this spot as one of the most unique, inclusive and one of my all time favorites. A true musical gem that stands out in a world full of plastic, manufactured and cookie cutter / more-of-the-same venues. Keep it Rocking Underground Wonder Bar :)

Tammy Smith

It sucks, service, the Reggae guy could only strum 3 cords,10 dollars for a person cover, really. THEN YOU get to go down stairs, I thought I had to be high, to watch the stupid light show, and weird music, my daughter didnt even know the music. $40.00 dollars later plus one round of drinks, we were out of there. It was April 30th, it stuck, I like the show Bar rescue, but those people didnt listen to John what so ever, wont go Back

Antonia Asimis

A very eclectic group of blues,R&B, and jazz musicians so worth walking into, you wont believe how lRe it is when you leave. We met the owner LonI Walker who plays piano and sings with an awesome house band!! She solidifies what the chicago music scene has always been and continues to be. Weve scene so many new acts and old acts here that if live music is youre scene youll be amongst family.

Tommy Means

The tromboner alone is enough of a reason to come here (pun intended). But for real; the Bad Ass Company Band is phenomenal. The trombone player astounded me. After seeng several shows from Austin, TX to NYC I have never heard a trombone player rock like this guy. Keep it up. Cool place. Cover was a little surprising but as long as it goes to the band its well worth it.

WavePositive

Never again. Some old hippie lady had to desperately be the center of attention, it was very annoying. i cant stand people like that, i only stayed for 30 minutes and then went to the Redhead Piano bar which had an old and relaxed feel to it, friendly people, and good drinks (W. Ontario st.) I stayed there for over 3 hours.

Michelle Faraco

"Never a dull moment" describes this place perfectly. Everytime I have been I have always walked out wanting to come back so much more, each time I have not known who is playing and I am always pleasantly surprised. It takes me back to what a jazz bar in Chicago might have been back in the day. Service is also impecable.

Maxwell Andrle

Depressing. Maybe we just went at the wrong time but everything about this bar was below average or bad. Poorly decorated, very poor drink selection, dull and depressing atmosphere. The only plus about the situation is if a good band was playing but other than that - awful. Oh, and there was a cover charge as well.

Eric Roberts

The name embodies everything right about the Underground Wonder Bar. I love River North and am in love with the free spirit, unconventional atmosphere and awesome music that lives in this establishment... Definitely worth stopping by when youre around the area, especially after midnight when it REALLY heats up!

Meredith K

This place is exactly what I imagine Old Chicago to be- a quaint little jazz club with stiff drinks and great entertainment. The food, not so much. Come here to drink and stay a little longer to see the singer/band, or come here to see the band and stay here a little longer to drink. Great people.