This isn’t just a bar—it’s a quest hub with a tap list.
DMen Tap in Chicago takes game night and kicks it out of the basement, straight into a room packed with dice rolls, raised tankards, and epic side conversations. The vibe hits fast: fantasy on the walls, strategy at the tables, and beer flowing like a well-earned loot drop.
This is where Dungeons and Dragons fans gather to roll, argue, laugh, and stay for one more round. Games stretch long into the night, friendships form over character sheets, and strangers bond mid-campaign.
Even if you’ve never played, the energy pulls you in. Watching a table celebrate a clutch roll is half the fun.
The drinks are serious, the crowd is welcoming, and the nights feel electric. Come for the theme, stay for the chaos, and leave with stories that sound suspiciously like legends.
Game night didn’t just level up—it found its home.
Overview and Vibe: Your Neighborhood Fantasy Tavern
Walk through the door at 2849 W Belmont Ave and a wave of curry, grilled meat, and late night energy hits right away. DMen Tap blends a neighborhood bar heart with playful Dungeons and Dragons nods, never overwhelming, just right.
Think friendly bartenders, movie nights, and a back room where campaigns, card decks, and synth shows share space.
The room feels compact and lived in, like a tavern where regulars actually know your class and alignment. You will spot pinball, retro consoles, and board games, plus a soundtrack that swings from metal to chill.
It is approachable, inclusive, and unpretentious, perfect for pregame, mid quest, or last call.
Pricing stays wallet friendly for Chicago, with the menu focused on street food classics done crisply. Reviews shout out the 4.7 star vibe and consistent service.
Expect a good range of beers on tap and bottles, with specials rotating.
Hours run late most nights, opening at 4 PM weekdays and noon on weekends, stretching to 2 AM or 3 AM Saturday. It is closed mid day, so plan accordingly.
Call +1 773-961-8757 or browse dmentap dot com before rolling out.
Food Focus: Doner Kebab Done Right
The star at DMen Tap is the doner kebab, and it earns the hype. Chicken or beef is sliced tender and stacked with crisp greens, bright sauces, and just enough heat.
Order it wrapped or over fries for a proper post raid feast.
Reviewers rave about juicy chicken, balanced spice, and freshness that outperforms typical bar grub. The kitchen keeps it quick, even late, so you can snag a hot plate between Magic rounds.
Pro tip, add extra hot harissa if you like a kick.
Portions lean generous without turning sloppy, and the fries stand up to saucy toppings. The meat has that satisfying char that pairs perfectly with a cold IPA.
Vegetarians and vegans can swap in house made seitan and still get the full experience.
Prices sit at the friendly end of Chicago casual, though food costs everywhere have climbed. If you feel spendy, double the meat and split fries with a friend.
Either way, it is the kind of sandwich that makes you plan a return visit.
Currywurst, Poutine, and Late Night Comforts
Beyond doner, the kitchen leans German and Canadian comfort with a Chicago soul. Currywurst arrives sliced, coated in tangy spiced sauce that clings without drowning the snap.
Poutine hits rich and salty with squeaky curds and gravy that stays silky.
These are gamer fuels, made for long sessions and shared baskets. Order a round for the table between pinball turns, or pair curry fries with mead for a sweet spicy twist.
A small menu means dialed consistency, not scattered experiments.
Vegetarian options thread through the lineup, and you can often spot a vegan alternative. The kitchen treats late hours seriously, keeping quality steady until close.
That reliability is why locals bring out of town friends here.
Prices remain fair for the portions and late night access. If you want extra crunch, ask for fries well done.
On busy nights, your move is to order at the bar, grab a number, and post up near the back.
Craft Beer, Mead, and Smart Suggestions
Drinkers are well covered, from approachable lagers to rotating craft heavies. If you love hops, ask about a strong local DIPA like Ninja vs Unicorn when available.
Mead fans smile big here, with options that play nicely against spice and char.
Bartenders know their lineup and will steer you kindly without pretense. It is the kind of spot where a quick description gets you the perfect pour.
Expect seasonals, collabs, and the occasional surprise can in the cooler.
The beer list balances familiar names and nerdy finds, making mixed groups easy to please. Non drinkers have NA options and sodas that still feel considered.
Pair a crisp pils with currywurst or a tart cider with poutine for contrast.
Prices land squarely in the budget friendly zone for Chicago. Tip well, ask for a taste if you are unsure, and try something new.
With mead on the menu, you can toast like a fantasy party without leaving Avondale.
Games and Events: From DnD to Synth Nights
DMen Tap’s calendar makes weeknights feel like weekends. Regular DnD sessions, Magic tables, and community meetups flow through the back room.
You might show up for dice and stay for a goth or heavy metal night.
Monthly hardware synth events bring live energy without crushing conversation. Expect a respectful crowd, space to hang, and TVs or projectors rolling movies.
It is a bar where hanging out is the main attraction, not just drinks.
Pinball and retro consoles keep quick hitters going between bites. Bring your group, claim a table, and settle in without pressure to move along.
Staff keeps things friendly and flexible, even when it gets busy.
Check Instagram or the website for schedules and sign ups. Arrive early for popular nights, especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
If you are hosting an intimate gathering, the back room can fit your party well.
Vegan and Vegetarian Wins
Plant based eaters are not an afterthought here. House made seitan stands in confidently for doner, soaking sauces and crisping at the edges.
Vegan currywurst and thoughtful sides make it easy to order without compromise.
Reviews consistently shout out the vegan options and the team’s care. You can bring mixed diet friends and everyone leaves happy.
Portions are generous enough to share, or keep it all to yourself and call it a critical hit.
Ask about adjustments, extra veg, or heat levels to suit your mood. Extra hot harissa is a fan favorite, and it sings with seitan’s texture.
If you want lighter, consider a bowl build without fries but keep the sauces.
Prices remain friendly for specialty options, which is rare late at night. Weekends get busy, so order early, then enjoy the games.
You will not miss meat, and that is the point.
Hours, Logistics, and How to Plan
Plan around the schedule so you catch the kitchen hot and the vibe humming. DMen Tap opens 4 PM to 2 AM Monday through Thursday, noon to 2 AM Friday and Sunday, and noon to 3 AM Saturday.
It is a true late night refuge in Avondale.
Call +1 773-961-8757 or hop to dmentap dot com for updates. Some events need early arrival or a quick sign up.
Street parking can be hit or miss, so consider rideshare on peak nights.
Grab a two top up front for conversation, or slide to the back if you are rolling dice. Music volume can rise later, so earlier hours suit chatty hangs.
Bring cash and card, but expect standard bar payments.
Weeknights feel relaxed, weekends feel lively. If you are post Ignite Gaming or neighborhood exploring, this is a perfect anchor stop.
Check that kitchen hours match the bar if you plan a very late bite.
What Locals Say: Review Highlights
Local buzz backs the 4.7 star rating across hundreds of reviews. People love the relaxed energy, friendly staff, and consistent food.
The smell of curry at the door gets mentioned like a welcome spell.
Regulars call out mead, IPA suggestions, and the delight of a proper hummus plate. Visitors from festivals and markets track the food truck lineage to this permanent roost.
Even those expecting heavier fantasy decor still rate the divey charm.
Some note music volume or prices creeping with the times, fair critiques in the city. The owner replies with humor and clarity about the menu’s true focus.
That transparency only builds more neighborhood trust.
Highlights repeat: doner over fries, currywurst with extra sauce, vegan seitan, and lively events. Pinball, retro games, and back room gatherings seal the deal.
It reads like a bar people happily recommend to friends.
Pairing Guide: What to Drink With What You Eat
If you crave balance, start simple. Doner wrap plus a hazy IPA gives citrus lift and soft bitterness against char and sauce.
Currywurst loves a crisp pilsner that rinses spice without stealing the show.
Poutine is rich, so try a tart cider or a light, snappy lager for contrast. Extra hot harissa plays beautifully with chilled mead, sweet meets heat.
Non drinkers can ride a seltzer and lime to keep flavors clean.
Ask the bartender for a half pour if you are testing. You can work through pairings across a table and share bites.
Save heavy stouts for dessert style sipping once fries are gone.
Temperature matters, so drink cold and eat hot for best texture. If you split plates, refresh napkins and keep sauces on the side.
It is more fun to treat this like a mini tasting than a rushed refuel.
First Timer’s Itinerary: A Perfect Night Out
Start around 6 PM on a weekday to avoid the later rush. Grab a table, order a chicken doner over fries, and ask for a mead sample.
While you wait, scout the back room for game sign ups or open tables.
Round two is currywurst to share and a bartender recommended IPA. Hit a few pinball rounds or a retro game between bites.
Keep water on the side so spice stays friendly.
By 8 PM, join or watch a tabletop session and soak the vibe. If there is a synth or theme night, linger for a set.
The room shifts to lively without losing conversation.
Close with a sweet sip of mead or a final lager. Tip your crew, clear your trays, and jot a note to return Saturday.
You just turned game night into a night out, and it felt effortless.
Quick Facts and Contacts
Address: 2849 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60618. Neighborhood: Avondale with easy access from main roads.
Coordinates for the map inclined: 41.9391723, -87.6997368.
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 4 PM to 2 AM, Friday 12 PM to 2 AM, Saturday 12 PM to 3 AM, Sunday 12 PM to 2 AM, Monday 4 PM to 2 AM. Kitchen generally follows bar but check late night timing.
Price tier: single dollar sign friendly.
Phone: +1 773-961-8757 for quick questions or group planning. Website: dmentap dot com for menus, events, and updates.
Socials often post specials and sign ups first.
Type: Bar and grill with DnD inspired personality, not a theme park. Popular topics include doner, currywurst, poutine, mead, pinball, and retro games.
Closed during daytime on some weekdays, so plan your quest accordingly.