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Booth - 1959 Kitchen & Bar, Chicago, IL

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1959 Kitchen & Bar

4.1

4.1

288 Reviews

$30 and under

American

Top Tags:

Valued Guests,

Unfortunately, due to the Coronavirus/COVID-19 developments and Governor Pritzker's decision to close all Illinois restaurants other than carryout and delivery through March, and Second City's postponing of performances, 1959 Kitchen & Bar will be closed until further notice.

We hope you are safe and we hope to return to business once we are allowed to.

Thank you,

Management

With its sleek retro vibe that pays homage to The Second City’s rich history, 1959 Kitchen & Bar features a little something for everyone. Emphasizing sustainable, certified humane, organic regional ingredients, the menu ranges from savory pub fare to more specialty dining options. Drink-wise, choose anything from the latest craft beers and cocktails to the Chicago staples. Whether it’s a pre-show warm-up or post-show nightcap, 1959 is the perfect complement to one of Chicago’s greatest treasures.

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Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American, Gastro Pub, Tapas / Small Plates
Hours of operation
Mon–Fri 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sat 5:00 pm–12:00 am Sun 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Kitchen Hours Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–12:00 am Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(312) 337-3992
Website
http://www.secondcity.com/1959
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Sean Sheaffer
Private party facilities
Parties of any size can be accommodated within in the building. Parties of 16 to 125 can book 1959 Kitchen & Bar for their function.
Private party contact
amiller@secondcity.com: (312) 662-4539

Location
230 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60610
Neighborhood
Old Town
Cross street
N Wells St
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
Red & Brown line are 2 blocks away. (Sedgwick Stop)
Entertainment
Karaoke every Sunday nightDragCab'59- A live drag cabaret show the last Sunday of each month.Live Theater available every night in the building
Additional
Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Late Night, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 288 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.1

4.1 based on all time ratings

3.9Food
4.1Service
4.1Ambience
3.8Value

Noise • Moderate

5
4
3
2
1

288 Reviews

CM
CMHvinolover
Columbus
21 reviews
vip
3.0
21 reviews
Dined on March 9, 2020
overall3food3service3ambience3
Nothing special. Limited menu but convenient to Second City stages. Would Tru neighborhood places if we go back to SC.
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PJ
PirateJenny
Chicago
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on March 8, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
I've been here several times and am always impressed by how good the food is. I had the honey chicken with the feta cheese fries, which were to die for. The drinks are great too.
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JM
JasonM
Columbus
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 29, 2020
overall3food2service2ambience3
Pros, it's very convenient if you are seeing a show at Second City, which we were. We were almost 30 minutes late for our reservation, but were still seated immediately, which was great. Our food was brought to us very quickly. Cons, our server was slow and inattentive, and seemed inconvenienced by having to wait on us. My fries were fine, but the black bean sliders simply didn't taste good. Convenience is the only thing really going for 1959. I would recommend making almost any other arrangement for dinner, even if it means having a late dinner after an 8 o'clock show, or going to a later, 10 o'clock show.
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F
Firelanesiren
New York Area
37 reviews
vip
4.0
37 reviews
Dined on February 22, 2020
overall4food4service5ambience4
Great location to grab a drink and bite to eat before a Second City performance! The Cauliflower Caesar and Baked Brie are too appetizers that make for a full meal!
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DB
DebbieB
Chicago
30 reviews
vip
3.0
30 reviews
Dined on February 22, 2020
overall3food3service2ambience4
Friendly bartenders and barback. Half off appetizers and drinks was a nice deal, however when I got home and checked my receipt, the bartender put a 15% student discount instead of the 50%. A little irritating. Moved to a table with the rest of our group. Server was adequate at best.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 16, 2020
overall4food4service5ambience3
Great location next to Second City. Really geared to a small bite before a show and delivers well. Shared apps were delivered promptly as well as entrees. Quick in the service- they know you’re on the clock
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MG
MarcG
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on February 16, 2020
overall4food4service4ambience4
Nice place to hang out with friends and have a few drinks before the comedy show. Food was good.
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SC
SandraC
Chicago
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 16, 2020
overall4food4service4ambience5
We stopped for drinks before a show at Second City...only there for a little bit, but we really liked the atmosphere n drink choices. Didn’t try any food, but would definitely come back to hang out n eat also. We loved the atmosphere n that it wasn’t loud - perfect for conversation.
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ES
EmilyS
Las Vegas
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 15, 2020
overall4food3service4ambience3
Met up with some friends for drinks prior to a show on Valentines Day. Drinks were good. Service was decent. Menu (their normal, non-holiday menu) was very limited. We got a couple things to share. Would go back just for drinks, and leave the food out next time.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Unspecified
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 9, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
We went to 1959 before a show at Second City, and were treated to a fantastic meal! We each got a cocktail, and got the Cheeseburger Sliders and the Lemon-Parsley Chicken to share. Both were tasty, but the chicken was DIVINE. I would highly recommend it! Our server was kind and attentive, and had us seated in a super comfy booth. I’ll 110% be back ahead of another Second City show!
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ZR
ZacharyR
Chicago
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined on February 9, 2020
overall3food2service4ambience4
We went for dinner before a Second City show. Servings were small; especially for the price. And the dishes were just OK. We enjoyed our drinks, although those were also overpriced. Coming in for a pre-show drink, or even a snack, would be fine. But if you want dinner, I'd head to one of the many other local restaurants instead for better food and better value. Our server was really nice, though.
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AY
AmandaY
Chicago
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on February 7, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was convenient, tasty, and fun. I'd love to see more vegetarian options on the menu that are gluten free. The menu is limited but the fries were delicious.
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m
mikeb
Chicago
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on January 29, 2020
overall3food2service2ambience2
Would suggest a different restaurant w/better selection & overall service.
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SC
SunniC
Chicago
27 reviews
vip
4.0
27 reviews
Dined on January 26, 2020
overall4food4service4ambience3
Food was good, but VERY small portions. Service was good. I was under the impression that we could enter the second city show from the restaurant, but since we had general admission tickets they forced us to leave the building, go outside to another door to enter. That was definitely a draw back since we chose this restaurant for convenience, other than that is was fine. However, with all the fantastic restaurants in Chicago we will probably chose a different one for our next trip to second city.
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m
mick
Chicago
5 reviews
1.0
5 reviews
Dined on January 25, 2020
overall1food1service2ambience2
I booked a table since it was in the same building as Second city, but it was overall disappointing. Food was overpriced and mediocre. Chicken was barely cooked, not seasoned and the server had the nerve to bring it out to with a large slab of ice cold butter sitting on top of one large chunk of chicken skin. Lazy service/lazy kitchen, terrible food. Overpriced to boot. Would never recommend this to anyone.
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P
Poor
Chicago
2 reviews
1.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 24, 2020
overall1food1service1ambience1
They called me 8 minutes before my reservation to cancel because they had a private party. The said they would move my reservation to a restaurant next door and by our first round of drinks. When I arrived to the restaurant they moved us to, they had no reservation on file and no idea what I was talking about!
2 people found this helpful
L
Litprof
San Diego
4 reviews
1.0
4 reviews
Dined on January 24, 2020
overall1food1service1ambience1
We flew from St. Louis to Chicago to go to 2nd City on Thursday night, and we book reservations at the 1959 Kitchen and Bar because it is in the same building. We were sent an email to confirm our reservation, and we confirmed. When we showed up at 6:30 for our dinner, there was a sign on the door stating that the restaurant was closed for a private function. We knocked on the door, and a young women came, and we showed her our reservation. She said, "Sorry, but there's a private party, and the restaurant was not open." We showed her the confirmation email, and she said there was a restaurant called Root around the corner, and maybe we could eat there. We told her that we had flown in from St. Louis, but she didn't seem to care. She closed the door in our faces and said, "Have fun!" We went to Root and met the Manager, Eric Fritszche, who will soon be taking over as manager of the 1959 Kitchen and Bar, and he gave a meal free of charge, and gave us his card for the next time we visited. Great guy, and a real asset to the people who run the restaurants. We'll sure to eat there the next time we are in Chicago if Eric is the manager.
1 person found this helpful
TM
TMur4911
Chicago
4 reviews
1.0
4 reviews
Dined on January 19, 2020
overall1food1service1ambience1
I made the reservation for my parents 51st Wedding Anniversary, as we had been there the previous year and everything was wonderful. A repeat performance was definitely NOT what we got this time. Our reservation was for 6 adults and we were seated in a cramped cocktail table in the back of the bar. It took 15 minutes to just get drinks.. They forgot my husbands drink and after waiting 1/2 hour we had to go to the bar and get it ourselves. My Dad and I ordered the same white wine (Pinot Grigio) and it was skunked... So we had to go to the bar again to get that replaced. It took a good 45 minutes to get our food.. and when my husbands food came, I almost went through the roof. He ordered the "Fried Chicken" which when it came out looked like a burned piece of breading. There was literally NO actual chicken meat... just burned breading... And there were supposed to be 2 pieces, yet we only received one... For the price of $14.00... Total RIP. So, I'm not really sure what happened to the restaurant from the last time we were there, but clearly it's gone downhill in all aspects. We will not be returning.
1 person found this helpful
SN
SheilaN
Chicago
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on January 18, 2020
overall3food3service3ambience2
We liked the restaurant but wished it was not so noisy and that we could be seated at a normal not high top table. The food is fun.
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L
Lulu
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 17, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
The service is good, the food is great but small portion size. Awesome ambiance
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Detroit
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 12, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great choice. Everything was awesome
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 6, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everything was great!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on January 5, 2020
overall4food4service5ambience5
Food was fine. Price was fine. Ambience was really nice. I would go again.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Atlanta Metro
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 4, 2020
overall4food4service5ambience5
Ok food, just traditional bar food. Good drinks. The draw is definitely the proximity to Second City (within the same building) Would return again if I were going to a show at Second City.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Indiana
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on January 4, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Really enjoyed this! Great before a second city show! Cheap 5 beers for 15 bucks at the bartenders choice on Friday and Saturday! And I loved my steak Tacos!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on January 3, 2020
overall4food4service3ambience4
Good restaurant for a meal before the 2nd city show. It seemed like everyone there was going to the show. When people were done, they sat at their tables playing games or chatting until the theater doors opened. Downsides were that the menu was limited in scope and the staff was distant.
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BH
BrianH
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on January 2, 2020
overall3food3service3ambience4
If you want to be close by for a Second City performance it's an okay spot. Better for drinks than dinner.
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FN
FoodieNM
San Francisco
21 reviews
vip
3.0
21 reviews
Dined on December 22, 2019
overall3food4service2ambience3
Very convenient place to eat before a Second City show as it's right next door without going outside. However, our waiter was very inefficient and not very attentive. We waiting too long for 2 glasses of wine. My sister saw the wines sitting on the bar for a while and was tempted to just go and get them herself. Also, when our appetizers came, our waiter brought it to us and hurried away. We thought he was going to get us silverware, napkins and plates for them but that didn't happen. We eventually had to get up and ask for it. When he did bring it, he only brought 4 settings for 5 people. That's pretty bad. Then 4 meals came and the 5th didn't come. We had to wait another 10 minutes for it. Please train your wait staff appropriately!!
1 person found this helpful
B
Baaaad
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on December 20, 2019
overall3food2service3ambience4
I would recommend my friends to sit at the bar not a table. We had reservations hostess took us to our table and we waited 10 minutes for a waitress or anyone to acknowledge us finally I went to the hostess and asked if we needed to order drinks from the bartender.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 14, 2019
overall2food4service2ambience3
The inexperience of the waiter made us very concerned about making on our show on time. He was unresponsive and under-trained. Probably a good guy but not as a professional
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J
Jill
Chicago
18 reviews
vip
3.0
18 reviews
Dined on December 14, 2019
overall3food3service2ambience2
Meh. We made a reservation but were seated on a couch with 2 chairs not a regular table. The restaurant was busy so flagging down staff was a challenge. In their defense none of them were standing around doing nothing just understaffed. Food was good but menu is very small.
1 person found this helpful
K
Kevin
Chicago
22 reviews
vip
4.0
22 reviews
Dined on December 9, 2019
overall4food4service3ambience4
Convenient to Second City with very small but good food menu Greeter was annoyed because we were early.....Odd They were not bust and our booth was ready with a reserved sign
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WH
WayneH
Manitoba
5 reviews
vip
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on December 5, 2019
overall4food5service4ambience3
Excellent food, friendly service but very loud.
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K
Ksbyaya
Chicago
28 reviews
3.0
28 reviews
Dined on December 5, 2019
overall3food3service2ambience3
Good place to get a bite to eat before a 2nd City show or grab something after a performance. Food was good - the double fried chicken sandwich was very good - burger was ok. The brussel sprouts were terrific. What saved our visit were the bartenders who jumped in for our waitress who seemed pretty out of it.
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ME
MelindaE
Chicago
23 reviews
2.0
23 reviews
Dined on November 29, 2019
overall2food2service4ambience3
We were headed to a play at A Red Orchid Theatre, so this seemed like a great option. However the food and drinks were not good. I tried the Strawberry Fields cocktail which did not taste at all like Strawberries. In fact it was the most flavorless cocktail I have ever had. My grilled romaine salad might have been good, but it was swamped with blue cheese dressing and half of the lardons were rock hard. I think that next time I will look for other options in the neighborhood.
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MR
MichelleRose
Chicago
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on November 17, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great service, delicious food! We saw 1959 on the "Hidden Gems" episode of the Chicago's Best. This is definitely a hidden gem! Online reviews recommended the burger which was also featured on the Chicago's Best. They were right, it exceeded our expectations. We also had the brussel sprout appetizer and they were the best I've ever had. A shout out to our server, Derwin, he was attentive and very good at his job. I highly recommend 1959!
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B
Brucec
Greater Boston
74 reviews
vip
4.0
74 reviews
Dined on November 14, 2019
overall4food4service4ambience3
Great location when in Chicago and visiting the Second City Comedy Club. Dark bar with many tables. good but limited menu. Fair wine list. We had a good burger and fries.
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S
Sherri
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 5, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great Atmosphere wonderful service and delicious food! We were visiting from Florida But if we lived locally we would make it a habit to dine here!
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PJ
PeeJay
Columbus
9 reviews
4.0
9 reviews
Dined on November 1, 2019
overall4food4service4ambience4
We were watching an 8 PM show at Up Comedy and arrived at the restaurant around 6:30. We didn't really need to make a reservation as the place had quite a few empty tables. The drinks selection was great, the food was tasty, and the service was amazing! Would recommend this place.
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v
vday
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 26, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wait staff was great. We were treated like family right away
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FAQs

1959 Kitchen & Bar is rated 4.1 stars by 288 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

Google Map for 1959 Kitchen & Bar

230 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60610

Additional information

Cross street
N Wells St
Neighborhood
Old Town
Hours of operation
Mon–Fri 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sat 5:00 pm–12:00 am Sun 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Kitchen Hours Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–12:00 am Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American, Gastro Pub, Tapas / Small Plates
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
Red & Brown line are 2 blocks away. (Sedgwick Stop)
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Sean Sheaffer
Entertainment
Karaoke every Sunday nightDragCab'59- A live drag cabaret show the last Sunday of each month.Live Theater available every night in the building
Additional
Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Late Night, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.secondcity.com/1959
Phone number
(312) 337-3992
Private party facilities
Parties of any size can be accommodated within in the building. Parties of 16 to 125 can book 1959 Kitchen & Bar for their function.
Private party contact
amiller@secondcity.com: (312) 662-4539

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