The Ould Sod

Spencer

Turning into one of my favorite spots for an after work drink. Cocktails always executed perfectly, bartenders always friendly (shoutout to Jasmine, Shayne & Eileen), and free popcorn to munch on. They also have a great happy hour!

Gabby Sausele

Love the vibe, it's cozy and retro with well priced drinks and a good happy hour. They sometimes have live music on the weekends (website says every Thursday but we were there on a Saturday night and they had a band playing.) The patio out back is great too!

Joshua White

Quant little bar with an old Western flare. Friendly upgrade service and a get DJ in the house in this night. Nice patio in back and I love the wallpaper in the bathroom. Very impressed with the quality of their popcorn. A must try.

israel gold

A cozy cabin with a delightful patio and signature drinks that tie it all together! Despite the rush and limited staffing, drinks still came out quickly and to the highest quality.

Steve Lemish

Fun place to go. Great drinks and service. Had fun playing music trivia bingo.

Yo Av

Updated for 2022: the pandemic didn’t touch this neighborhood gem. Still charming, old-fashioned but laid back bar. No dress code, low prices, and cheesy movies on the screen. An easy recommendation.

Alex Melendez

A+ bar in normal heights. Sometimes the music can get so loud it’s hard to have a conversation, but still a really fun atmosphere. Street parking only.

Sarah Wright

Great cocktails, friendly service, quality cocktails, some fun games (if that’s your thing), and super cool homey vintage vibe. Cocktails are $3 cheaper on average than, say, Polite Provisions. Give this place a go! PS— free popcorn!

Jack Lee

Just had a couple of beers there, nice venue with some arcade games, much more peaceful than Rabbit hole

Great happy hour that runs every day from 5-7. Cold beer and fast service. When Eileen plays music it takes the bar to another level. Thank you !

I absolutely love the atmosphere here! 😍✨ The whole place has such a cozy, retro vibe that instantly makes you feel comfortable. It’s the kind of spot where you can relax, unwind, and just enjoy the moment. The drinks are reasonably priced, which is always a bonus, and their happy hour deals are definitely worth checking out. 🍹💸 They also host live music from time to time, which adds so much character to the experience. 🎶 The website mentions shows every Thursday, but when we visited on a Saturday night, there was a band playing and the energy was fantastic! It made the evening feel even more special and lively. Another highlight is the patio in the back — it’s a great space to hang out, especially when the weather is nice. 🌿🌙 Whether you’re inside soaking in the retro charm or outside enjoying the fresh air, this place has a vibe that keeps you coming back. I’d happily return again! 💛

It's perfect, don't come here! Great dive and cocktail bar mix. Great crowd and amazing bartenders! Order a beer on tap or an espresso martini, the range is top tier here!

Just moved in to the neighborhood Justin kp Eileen made feel home! Can’t wait to be back

The best cocktail bar in Normal Heights, hands down. Fantastic, friendly staff always make it a fun night.

Stopped by Sycamore Den for a quick drink, and I have to say, it didn’t disappoint. The vibe was laid-back with great music, and the place had just the right energy—not too loud, not too quiet. I started with a Whiskey Sour, which was perfect, and followed it up with a Wolf Ticket—smooth, easy to drink, and made just right. The bartender was on it, making sure my glass didn’t stay empty for long. It’s little touches like that that make a place stand out. If you’re looking for a spot with solid drinks and a chill atmosphere, Sycamore Den is worth a visit!

One of the few bars in SD with consistent, amazing service. Everyone is so friendly and attentive, very refreshing. Great atmosphere and drinks as well :)

I just recently moved to the area and had been to some other places on Adams. Last night was my first time at the Syc and I had a great time. Danielle was my bartender and she was polite, friendly and professional. The service was absolutely top notch and worth every bit of the $3 tip I left. Even the bartender who clocked in to relieve her was on point. She clocked in and literally turned around and asked if I needed another drink. She was ready. I will definitely be back often and see myself being a regular here. Atmosphere was very chill. I was alone so that’s what I was looking for. They had live music which was very entertaining and fun to watch. I love this place! P.S. I was kidding! I did not leave a $3 tip. Please spare me 😭

John Jorgensen (JJ)

The best cocktail bar in Normal Heights, hands down. Fantastic, friendly staff always make it a fun night.

Raul Rodriguez

It's perfect, don't come here! Great dive and cocktail bar mix. Great crowd and amazing bartenders! Order a beer on tap or an espresso martini, the range is top tier here!

Keila Marrero

Good times on Thursday for sure!!! Small, hipster spot. Super nice!

mosa mottaghi

One of the few bars in SD with consistent, amazing service. Everyone is so friendly and attentive, very refreshing. Great atmosphere and drinks as well :)

Jon Hornblower

Great happy hour that runs every day from 5-7. Cold beer and fast service. When Eileen plays music it takes the bar to another level. Thank you !

Sean S

Stopped by Sycamore Den for a quick drink, and I have to say, it didn’t disappoint. The vibe was laid-back with great music, and the place had just the right energy—not too loud, not too quiet. I started with a Whiskey Sour, which was perfect, and followed it up with a Wolf Ticket—smooth, easy to drink, and made just right. The bartender was on it, making sure my glass didn’t stay empty for long. It’s little touches like that that make a place stand out. If you’re looking for a spot with solid drinks and a chill atmosphere, Sycamore Den is worth a visit!

AJ

I just recently moved to the area and had been to some other places on Adams. Last night was my first time at the Syc and I had a great time. Danielle was my bartender and she was polite, friendly and professional. The service was absolutely top notch and worth every bit of the $3 tip I left. Even the bartender who clocked in to relieve her was on point. She clocked in and literally turned around and asked if I needed another drink. She was ready. I will definitely be back often and see myself being a regular here. Atmosphere was very chill. I was alone so that’s what I was looking for. They had live music which was very entertaining and fun to watch. I love this place! P.S. I was kidding! I did not leave a $3 tip. Please spare me 😭

David

Hipp Hipp hipster. I loved it. Cocktails were amazing! Two entertainers were great! Very kitchy

Only walked in to check out more options in the neighborhood. Was super busy and live music playing when I was there...which added to it's ambiance. I'm willing to give it a try.

Anita Neff

Only walked in to check out more options in the neighborhood. Was super busy and live music playing when I was there...which added to it's ambiance. I'm willing to give it a try.

I ordered a Moscow mule and then took a sip. It was bitter and contained no alcohol. I asked the bartender if she put alcohol in it and she looked me in the eye and said yes. Epic Fail

D F

I ordered a Moscow mule and then took a sip. It was bitter and contained no alcohol. I asked the bartender if she put alcohol in it and she looked me in the eye and said yes. Epic Fail

Place is terrible now compared to what it used to be. So sad. UPDATE/EDIT: The owner’s response asked for specifics, so here they are: I’ve visited this bar many times over the years and it used to be great, but the quality has shifted. One of my specific issues was being charged for a double that I personally watched the bartender free-pour, fill with mixer, and end up being weaker than a standard single. When a customer pays a premium for a double, it isn't “berating” staff to expect the basic effort of a measured pour to ensure they get what they paid for. If management’s first instinct is sarcasm rather than addressing consistency behind the bar, it confirms my original point: the place just isn't what it used to be.