Progress Bar Chicago

Vacationed in Boystown & stumbled in. Music was 10/10+videos add to the scene. Drinks were killer. BF & I were having a great time before a belligerently drunk man began harassing us/threatening us. I don’t want a charge on vacation so I went to leave. Upon telling the bartender(Theo), he IMMEDIATELY swung around the bar & kicked the drunk man out. I didn’t know it, but he was watching out the whole time. We continued our night& had a blast 🙂 Special thanks to Theo. Almost had our night ruined but instead got the best service in town. Will definitely be back to Progress

Everything was great until my friend was racially profiled and removed from the club. While we may all be humans and mistakes can happen, the fact he was removed without any explanations or questions is reminiscent of the white supremacist practice of "guilty until proven innocent". This could have been easily resolved by checking his ID. Even after reaching out, my friend was not reimbursed for his drinks and entry fee, and the efforts to right this wrong were surface level at best, only benefiting the club. To invoke the legacy of social justice advocacy and activism while simultaneously acting as agents of discrimination is unappealing. I hope that one day, the management of this establishment will have the courage to live up to their aspired convictions. But who knows?

Saturday Aug 2, 2025, I was approached by security and removed from the venue without cause or explanation. I was not given a chance to speak or clarify any misunderstanding, and my friends were not notified of what had occurred. I was neither intoxicated nor behaving inappropriately and was without a doubt mistakenly identified. As a person of color, during the current political climate, I felt racially profiled. That evening, I was later informed by Rob, a manager on duty, that I was identified as someone who had previously harassed bartenders and was not permitted back. I was stunned by this claim, as I have not been to this venue in over three years and have never behaved inappropriately toward staff. Upon reviewing my ID again, Rob admitted he had made a mistake in identifying me. They offered no remorse for the humiliation, embarrassment, and trauma I experienced. I was forcibly removed without cause, separated from my party without notice, and publicly accused of behavior I did not commit. The emotional impact of that experience was real and deeply upsetting.

MUST! No cover charge like most bars do in Chicago . First time here and I love it. They play very good music r&b, rap, gossip, just a good mixture of music. The environment was nice and bright with great details. The drinks are very inexpensive I spent less then $30 and they are very good. I don’t remember the bartender name but he was African American tall he make very good drinks. He accommodate everyone very quick and efficient. They also have areas where you can sit if you find somewhere to sit. They have tables against the walls as well. Overall I recommend

Progress Bar was… alright. The music was decent, drinks were average, and the vibe really depends on the night. It can feel fun and energetic at times, but also a bit cliquey and hard to break into if you're not already part of the crowd. Staff was fine—nothing to complain about, but nothing particularly memorable either. It’s one of those spots you might pop into if you’re already out in Boystown, but probably not the place I’d go out of my way for. Just... okay.

Walked in and up to one of the men working at the bar. I was pointed to go down while him and three other patrons literally laughed me out of the bar. I was in for all of 15 seconds. The complete rudeness is astonishing and isn't something I've previously experienced.

Not really one to leave bad reviews but had a pretty shitty lil experience here. Waited in line 40+ minutes and got turned down at the door because I’m in a cast. My arms broke I can still move , just wanna have a good summer regardless. Same security dude mentioned in another review. Went to hydrate instead of an ableist place won’t be back.