Nothing hits quite like a subterranean dive bar, especially one like downtown Chicago’s Streeter’s Tavern that lives in a structure so old that what is today the bar's basement was once ground level before the city of Chicago started raising streets around the late 1800s. Though a few rounds of renovations have softened some of the once sharper edges within this Magnificent Mile-adjacent location, the underground setting and unique bathroom setup ensure Streeter’s Tavern retains its dive bar status.

Streeter’s Tavern is the current incarnation of a space that has long been a bar, running through names like Checkers, McNasty’s and Clover Leaf Club before settling as the self-proclaimed “Greatest Bar Below Earth” in 1984. The bar is owned by Lodge Management Company, owner of a number of Chicago bars that range from dives like Streeter’s Tavern and The Lodge to more upscale and even tourist-friendly spots like nearby Pippin’s Tavern.

Renovations took place at Streeter’s Tavern in 2020, extending the footprint into an adjacent lot next door and adding a handful of fresh surfaces to replace aging fixtures. Thankfully, the updates did not include touching the signature dive bar experience found at Streeter’s Tavern, the two-way mirrors found in both the men’s and women’s restrooms. The men’s view is particularly noteworthy thanks to the orientation of the bar’s urinals in such a way that someone utilizing the fixtures looks out over the adjacent bar space while doing so. The restrooms have earned the nickname “Pee & See” for obvious reasons.

The front door to Streeter’s Tavern is easy to miss at first glance, the below ground location requiring only a slender doorway and set of steps. A surprisingly expansive (and above ground) front patio stretches across the Chicago city sidewalk just outside this small portal into the bar downstairs, a large set of tables and accompanying umbrellas available for slightly more illuminated surroundings. When in doubt, look for the giant hand pointing down the Streeter’s Tavern steps.

The interior layout of Streeter’s Tavern is standard by dive bar expectations, a long bar on one side of the room supported by tables, chairs and bar games distributed through the rest of what is a fairly large space. The current layout differs greatly from the last bar to inhabit the space, the Clover Leaf Club, where the bar was shaped like a four-leaf clover and patrons sat in the center of the petals were too far to be served directly and had to have beers passed to them by seat neighbors.

The long row of stools that runs along the bar counter sit under a smattering of dollar bills stapled to a short ledge that traces the outline of the bar. Two rows of televisions can be found here, one for those sitting at the bar and one for those inhabiting the rest of the space, making for easy viewing. Chicago sports of all varieties draw crowds here, as do periodic community events like an annual New Year’s Even party. Notably, drink specials can be found here almost every day of the week, largely focused on discount beer pitches and select cocktails.