Welcome to Navigator Taproom
At Navigator Taproom, located in the heart of Chicago, a unique experience awaits every visitor. This innovative self-pour bar allows patrons to sample a diverse selection of beers, wines, ciders, and seltzers at their own pace. The inviting atmosphere is perfect for gatherings, whether casual after-work meetups or vibrant private events. Complementing the drink selection is the mouthwatering pizza from the on-site Paper Plane, enhancing the communal vibe. With friendly staff guiding novices through the self-serve process and an array of games to keep the mood lively, Navigator Taproom not only quenches thirst but also creates memorable moments.
- 2211 N Milwaukee Ave #100, Chicago, IL 60647, United States Hotline: +1 773-687-9135
Welcome to Navigating New Flavors at the Navigating Taproom, a true gem located at 2211 N Milwaukee Ave #100, Chicago, IL. This innovative self-pour establishment is redefining the drinking experience, offering an impressive selection of craft beers, cocktails, ciders, seltzers, and even non-alcoholic options on their unique TAP Wall.
As you step inside the Navigator, a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere envelops you. With spacious seating, multiple TVs for entertainment, and a plethora of board games, this is more than just a place to grab a drink—it's a venue for memorable gatherings. Whether you're unwinding after work or hosting a lively private event, the Navigator sets the perfect backdrop for social connections.
One standout feature of the Navigator Taproom is its self-serve pour system, allowing patrons to fill their glasses at their own pace. As echoed by satisfied customers like Brent Enarson and B L, the convenience of pouring drinks without waiting for a bartender is liberating. Try out a tasting flight, exploring different brews without committing to a full pint, making it ideal for adventurous drinkers and casual sippers alike.
The delightful additions to Navigator's offerings include a permanent pizza popup, Paper Plane, serving mouthwatering pies that perfectly complement the drink selections. Patrons like Nick Anastasiades have praised these pizzas as a delicious enhancement to their fun nights out, making the Navigator a well-rounded destination for food and drink lovers.
- A Versatile Drink Selection: From whimsical cocktails to locally crafted beers, there's something for everyone, making each visit a chance to explore new flavors.
- A Warm and Inviting Atmosphere: Customers appreciate the friendly staff and the relaxed vibe, with many returning for both casual outings and special occasions, as noted by Renee Yadav.
- Flexibility for Events: The Navigator Taproom is an exceptional venue for hosting events. With attentive service and customizable packages, it's an ideal choice for private gatherings, as highlighted by BaoTran Le.
- Effortless Checkout Process: The innovative card system allows you to enjoy your evening without the hassle of waiting to settle the bill, a thoughtful detail appreciated by many.
If you're seeking an exciting night filled with tantalizing tastes, engage with friends, or simply enjoy a moment alone with a diverse selection of drinks, Navigating Taproom is your go-to spot in Chicago. With its dynamic environment, delicious food, and innovative pouring concept, your experience here is bound to be memorable. Visit today and take part in the new wave of drinking culture!

Tons of different beers, but I enjoyed the cocktails on tap. Self pour keeps you at your own pace and gives you opportunities to try new things.

Such a fun place! Host was very warm and welcoming. I loved having so many beer options to choose from. Great place to grab a drink after work! Will be back!

Always a good time with DIY pours and a spacious seating area with TVs, games and more. They also just introduced a permanent pizza popup Paper Plane which is delicious and a great addition to the concept. We’ve come here on random weeknights as well as booked events and always have a blast.

We had an absolute blast! Awesome concept for a bar, you can try dozens of new beers without having to buy a whole big pint (they also have cocktails and wine on draft) and you can fill up whenever you want. The staff was super helpful showing my family and I how the draft system works and grabbing empty glasses, etc. You can order food from the deli next door which was great. They have a huge collection of board games you can play. Checking out was a breeze, just dropped the pour card in the checkout bin on the way out, didn't have to hold up our uber ride. We will definitely be back!

This place has a great vibe. We had a party for 30 ppl and the food at Paper Plane pizza was delicious. The atmosphere was great also. It was relaxed and they had a variety of games to play. I highly recommend visiting even with children.

This place is AMAZING!! I absolutely LOVE going here! The Navigator is the perfect hangout spot for when you want to meet up and actually talk to people! They (co-)host events like Drink & Draw with Artbuilds (pics), corporate meet-ups, or private parties. Their staff is always so friendly and their customer service is top-notch. 1. Bring your own food, Get a drink card 2. Choose from their Tap Wall - which is NOT just a beer wall! It's 100% a TAP Wall because it has Wine, Beer, Ciders, Seltzers, AND Non-Alcoholic drinks to choose from. 3. When you're done - Check out with staff or drop off your card at the door (taxtip to be added and charged at the end of the night) If you tap the screens - it shows you more about each drink When finished with pouring each drink - the screen shows how much your SUBTOTAL When you're done for the night - either check out with the staff and leave your own % tiptax or you have the convenience of dropping the drink card off in a drop-off box, where tax and an 18% tip is automatically added to the bill at the end of the night. I really LIKE this option, especially when I never carry cash, and I don't want to do math after a couple of drinks. I like that I can just leave when I want to, and not have to wait around to pay for the bill. FYI, there are 1-2 stars reviews based solely on tipping. Don't be an entitled ass and leave a review just based on tipping alone. Don't bring down their rating over such a small thing, especially when there's so much more about the Navigator to leave a review about. And there IS a sign ON the drop-off box. Some people just don't read or think that 18% tip is a little much, but those people don't appreciate what the Navigator has to offer. Yes, it's self-serve, but how many times do you still tip 18%, or more, at an actual bar where you've had to wait what feels like forever for the bartender/staff to get back to you with your drink order? Whereas at the Navigator, you can just get up and immediately fill your own glass. And where else can YOU choose exactly how much you to have of any drink, anywhere from 0.5 oz to a full pint? And what would happen to the tip if you ordered from the bar? Seriously, it's safe to assume that those reviewers assumed they would have only been charged just their drink (sub)total when they dropped the card off. So I question if those reviewers even left a tip in the tip jar at all? TLDR: Cheapskate reviews suck. But the Navigator, I recommend everyone to visit.

Self-pour is great. Awesome for people like me who enjoy time alone. Multiple TVs for entertainment, or just people-watch. Some street parking available for a cost, otherwise residential if you're willing to walk. Great pizza, and quick.

Navigator taproom is one of the best places to host a private event! Our group was able to recently have a New Year’s Eve private event with them, and they couldn’t have made the process easier. From decorating the venue, to creating a space for the DJ and dance floor, and even to their wide variety of beers, mixed drinks, wine, and shots offered at the bar—they were able to do it all. We could’ve even brought catering in ourselves, or had food with them if our group was interested. The best part was their ability to create a private event package unique to our group, and their ability to be accommodating for our group throughout the entirety of the event. We loved the ease of hosting with them, and how generous and accommodating they were. We’d highly recommend anybody interested in hosting a casual fun event, or even visiting for a fun evening, to hang here; we know we’ll be coming back!