This spot is unique. Even on their website they don't mention what they have hidden downstairs.

Half Sour is a lovely bar in South Loop, settled on a corner of a fun artsy neighborhood.

In terms of quality, it sits right in the admittedly boring middle between over the top, and a total dive.

The bar is fine, but it's sort of a standard place on first glance. I went with a friend, we got an order of fries, and talked about art.

But on Thursday nights you cross over from the bar side to the restaurant side of the establishment through a door in the back, (it was empty when I went) and find a staircase that goes down.

There are bathrooms there, but you'll also hear bursts of laughter - there's a secret, free comedy show in their little underground speakeasy room every week!

I normally don't enjoy comedy shows - for instance at the laugh factory, it's usually a hit or miss group.

But I was super impressed with Half Sour's show. Maybe 25 people fit inside, and the comedians are all local. It was a diverse group putting on a show, and since it's so quiet and intimate of a space, there's a lot of crowd work. It was hilarious - I loved it.

I've heard old Saturday Night Live members show up sometimes - so you know the quality of the comedians is high.

Overall, the bar upstairs was fine, but it hid a fantastic little secret, and I'll be back! :)

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You can check out their website here: https://halfsourchicago.com/