Twisted Spoke

20s / 30s / 40s / Artsy / Bar / Beer / Beer Lovers / Bikers / Brunch / Burgers / Casual / Country / Couples / Debaucherous / Dinner / Easygoing / Eclectic / Groups / Hard Rock / Hipster / Jeans / Lunch / Mid 20s / Patio / Punk / Regulars / Restaurant / Rock / Rooftop / Sandwiches / Specialty Beer / Steak / T-shirts / Vintage / Whiskey / Whiskey Lovers / Young Professionals / Yupster
Twisted Spoke Biker décor, a massive beer and whiskey selection, and porn are probably among the first details regulars would use to describe the Twisted Spoke, though that's not all this popular West Town hangout has to offer. Chicago United States 41.891316 -87.658578
3.75 8
Twisted Spoke - Bar | Restaurant in Chicago.
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4 User Reviews
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Ratings:
Lucas
Adriana
Jonah
Emma

Party Earth Review Biker décor, a massive beer and whiskey selection, and porn are probably among the first details regulars would use to describe the Twisted Spoke, though that’s not all this popular West Town hangout has to offer. Opened... ... read full review

  • Neighborhood:

    West Town

  • Address:

    501 North Ogden Avenue
    Chicago, IL 60642

    Get Directions

  • Hours:

    M–F 11am–2am, Sa 9am–3am, Su 9am–2am

  • Recommended as:

    • Day Spot
    • Night Spot

Party Earth Twisted Spoke Review

The Scene

Biker décor, a massive beer and whiskey selection, and porn are probably among the first details regulars would use to describe the Twisted Spoke, though that's not all this popular West Town hangout has to offer.

West Town, Chicago –

Biker décor, a massive beer and whiskey selection, and porn are probably among the first details regulars would use to describe the Twisted Spoke, though that’s not all this popular West Town hangout has to offer.

Opened in 1995 as an ironically self-proclaimed “family biker bar,” the venue sports a rusted metal façade featuring a skeleton riding a vintage motorcycle, with more bikes buried in a planter box by the entrance.

Inside, biker paraphernalia from piston blocks to complete Harleys adorns the walls, while literally hundreds of beer and whiskey options await behind the long curved bar.

Tattooed hipsters and casual young professionals sidle up for a few snorts of rye, or move to the large rooftop patio, where grizzly retired bikers and wannabe wanderers dirty the myriad picnic tables with remnants of their cheese steaks and sloppy Joes.

Weekends see young couples and easygoing groups gathering for the popular and heavily garnished Bloody Marys and brunch, or dropping in late Saturdays for Smut & Eggs, a weekly showing of X-rated films along with more brunch fare.

Hardcore and a little quirky, Twisted Spoke is sure to satisfy anyone in the mood for world-class whiskey, hearty grub, motorcycle mayhem, and broadcast boobies.

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Tip from Jonah:

Look out for The World’s Best Manhattan at the top of the cocktail menu. This outrageous beverage costs $125, and is said to be made with the last remaining bottles of the ‘best bourbon ever made.’ Maybe you can be one of the few who gets to taste this masterpiece.

  • Crowd

    Eclectic mix of young professionals, tattooed hipsters, artsy types, some yuppies, and older regulars, mid-20s to 40s+.

  • Entertainment / Music

    Radio playing hard rock, blues rock, punk, and country. Porn on Saturdays at midnight.

  • Food / Miscellaneous

    Bar food including sandwiches, burgers, steaks, and sloppy Joes. Brunch served weekends until 3pm.

  • Prices

    Brunch menu $6.50–$12, soups and salads $4–$8, sandwiches $8.75–$10.50, entrées $11.25–$16. Beer $5.50–$10, cocktails and whiskey $7–$13+, Bloody Marys $8.

  • What to Wear / Dress Code

    Casual to biker gear: jeans, vintage t-shirts, leather jackets, heavy boots.

  • Hot Nights / When to Go

    Weekends for the popular brunch, Saturday nights for the pornography, or anytime to sample the extensive drinks list.

  • Close By

    Undoubtedly one of the smallest bars in town at barely three feet at its narrowest point, The Matchbox (770 North Milwaukee Avenue) offers homemade pineapple- and ginger-infused vodkas to all who manage to cram inside.

Tags:
20s30s40sArtsyBeerBeer LoversBikersBrunchBurgersCasualCountryCouplesDebaucherousDinnerEasygoingEclecticGroupsHard RockHipsterJeansLunchMid 20sPatioPunkRegularsRockRooftopSandwichesSpecialty BeerSteakT-shirtsVintageWhiskeyWhiskey LoversYoung ProfessionalsYupster

Twisted Spoke User Reviews

Average rating:
One of the best biker bars this side of the Mississippi
Craig B.
Craig B. Dec 12, 2012
Twisted Spoke has the best bloody mary’s in Chicago, nay, the world. And it’s not ridiculously expensive! And the grub is actually pretty darn good, especially the breakfast/brunch options. Unfortunately, I never got to visit the upstairs patio (Chicago has two seasons, and I always ended up at Twisted Spoke during the frozen one), but the inside is pretty sweet. And while the theme may feel tacky at times (the outside and inside of Twisted Spoke are replete with rusted metal husks), they do get groups of bikers now and again and it’s always fun to see the seasoned road warriors grit their teeth and gingerly sip their drinks.
Incredible Bloody Marys!
Christina W.
Christina W. Dec 9, 2012
This place has hands down the BEST bloody marys in Chicago. Absolutely. And I’m not just saying that. I feel very strongly about my bloody marys, and a weak or watery one is just not going to cut it. At Twisted Spoke, the marys are strong, flavorful, and spicy. And with each one you basically get a meal on a stick! Salami, peperoncini, olives, you name it. Oh, and did I mention that their brunch portions are heaping? The food is really good, even if that’s not the main reason to go. On top of everything, it’s a biker bar! I mean, it’s “dressed up” like a biker bar, but it sort of is in reality as well. There are plenty of leather-clad hog riders who settle up at the bar for one of the Spoke’s nightly whiskey specials. And on Sunday nights they show porn! It’s totally hilarious, and definitely worth checking out.
Half Price Whiskey Wednesday!!!
Richard H.
Richard H. Oct 4, 2012
Twisted Spoke is my absolute favorite restaurant in Chicago. Great “Biker Bar” theme, A whisky selection that will blow your mind, and some of the best food in town. I ate brunch here almost every Sunday during my 5 year stint in the Windy City. Most people I know consider their bloody maries to be the best there is (in fact they bottle their mix so you can enjoy them anywhere) and the mimosas are huge, in a pint glass with ice for the hot summer days on their outstanding roof deck.
Great rooftop brunch
Chris M.
Chris M. Sep 17, 2012
Twisted Spoke is a biker bar, they show porn on the TV often, they have a lot of whiskey and are famous for Smut & Eggs, but they have a rooftop brunch that is as fitting for any Chicago yuppie as anywhere else in the city. I've only been the original location for brunch (I went to the now-closed Wrigleyville location for drinks many times). The brunch is fantastic but make sure you get a seat on the roof, even if you have to wait. It is a perfect rooftop spot with views in every direction. Not breathtaking views, just real city views of a great city. The bloody marys are epic and complicated and too much for me, but people love them. The Chilla Killas are the go to plate for brunch, though the steak and eggs is pretty good as well. If you are ready for beer, the selection is gigantic and good as well. The only problem is that in the busiest brunch hours you need to keep ordering food and drinks or you might feel a little rushed as they try to get a few more table turns with the brunch crowd. Understandable for them but I just want to sit on the roof all day.
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