Ethyl’s Party

Ethyl’s Party is where your Grandfather drank afterwork every day, and passed out on the couch at 2am reeking of cigar smoke and stale whisky.
So you can see why Grandpa came here all the time?
Wide, open floor, plenty of seating space, high ceilings and a tame jukebox. It’s dark, it’s somewhat noisy, and theres always someone bringing in food for whatever reason, yup, it’s and old school bar, full of old school people.
Come in, they’re friendly, they’ll buy you a drink and bust your nuts, but it’s a great time here. They’ll make you one of there own, and the bartenders know how to pour too liberally. It’s easy to make friends here and scratch backs with others. Just make sure to eventually buy-​back a drink for someone.
It’s a tough spot to get too, technically this is Armor Square Park, don’t let this discourage you, it’s right off the highway between two exits and underneath a highway as well, just for that sandwich effect. It’s worth the trip, even if you’re light in the wallet.
Was it the booze that killed Ethyl? I think it was Ethyl that killed the bottle actually.

After hitting Chinatown overload, we took a big group here for a few beers before heading back. We expected a dive bar, but we found a great locals bar with a quirky past.
The regulars were the same sort you’d get any neighborhood bar, and they were hesitant to see 10 new faces. But the place was big enough for us to find our own space and let them be. Once they realized we weren’t there to do anything but drink and catch the basketball scores, they let their guard down.
The bartender was amazing, telling us the story of this haunted funeral home turned bar. When a bottle of whiskey went dry, she sent a friend out to grab another. I don’t think it’s inappropriate to say I love her.
They best way to enjoy Ethyl’s, is to follow the advice I was given with my first round: «Don’t bitch about anything, and just have a good time.’

I’m a fan because they were super nice! Bar is along the route of the Chicago marathon and I stopped in hoping to charge my phone. Had a bloody mary and they were passing out ice and water for the marathoners who were at about mile 23 of their 26.2 mile race.

My 2 girlfriends and I came here once. We went to our usual neighborhood bar, but it was crowded so we came here. At first we felt a little out of place, but these people are nice. Some guy even bought us a round of drinks. Owners are very nice guys too!
You can tell the people are just here to drink and have a good time.
I use to work around here and delivered food to a customer here — what does he tip me with… a drink… at like 11am… lol!

While pretending to be tourists in order to find an underground Chinese karaōke place from the guy who did tattoos in his basement we wound up here. Strange ya, but great. Local neighborhood bar. The kind of place where you get to know people, drink cheap and have a great time. There were not many other people there and they ended up closing early but we made some freinds i will definitely be back very often.
… if a bartender named Beth is working ask for the giddy-​up, shot or drink form you will be happily surprised.

You have to check out this old Italian funeral home that has been transformed into a neighborhood bar.
Ethyl’s Party (hmm…do you think someone named Ethyl had their last party here, if you get my drift?) is supposed to be haunted but we saw none of that type of «spirit» during our visit. Rather– we saw some cheap, cold beers, friendly locals, and games on the TV’s.
The large room has the original hardwood floors (boy, I bet those floors could tell a story or two) tables scattered about and a place for a DJ at the front of room which used to obviously be the coffin «viewing» area for the deceased. The bartender even told me that the old embalming room is now the kitchen that serves up some free snacks throughout the week! No wonder tour buses searching for haunted Chicago drive by this place in the Summer!
There are art deco touches throughout this place and on the façade and the hallway that you have to go through to get to the restrooms will send your mind reeling with what went on here before.
Check it out. But know if you go, that that light touch on your shoulder may not be the person next to you. Rather a «reach out» from one who passed through Ethyl’s Party during it’s former life!