0 Followers
Alulu Brewery and Pub
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Alulu Brewery and Pub
8.0
Vibes:
Brewery & Beer Garden Republic
Happy Hour Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
A Pilsen brewpub built around house beer and a food menu that goes beyond bar basics, with Filipino-influenced touches showing up alongside burgers and shareable plates. It’s strongest when you treat it like a long hang—one burger, one snacky side, then work through a couple pours. The room and patio energy skew social, making it an easy default for groups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Longanisa burger, Beef burger with pickled onions, Cheese curds
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: House-brewed beer depth paired with Filipino-leaning pub-food swings.
Who should go: Beer crews and casual burger seekers
When to visit: Happy hour or warm nights on the patio
What to order: Longanisa burger, beef burger, cheese curds
Insider tip: Order one burger and one shared side, then build the rest around beer.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in the surrounding Pilsen blocks; availability is hit-or-miss, especially evenings and weekends. No dedicated lot.
Dress code: Casual and brewery-appropriate—jeans, sneakers, and relaxed tops are the norm.
Noise level: Moderate to lively; conversation is easy at off-hours but gets louder during peak beer-and-group times.
Weekend wait: 20–45 minutes during peak hours without a reservation, shorter if you’re flexible with patio or bar seating.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or a very short one.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetarian-friendly sides and at least one solid main option, though the menu isn’t fully veg-forward.
Vegan options: Limited—mostly sides or modifications; best to check current menu details before going.
Gluten-free options: Limited—some items can be adapted, but beer and buns dominate the menu.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-pressure first date than an intimate one—the brewery energy is social and relaxed, but not quiet or romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially if you’re open to bar or patio seating. Peak weekend hours can mean a short wait, but walk-ins are common.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes earlier in the day—families show up during daytime and early evening, but it skews adult-focused later at night.
Best For
Better for: Long hangs with beer-focused groups, casual burgers with a twist, and social patio sessions.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, a food-first destination, or a menu built around dietary restrictions rather than beer.
Alulu Brewery and Pub
8.1
Vibes:
Brewery & Beer Garden Republic
Happy Hour Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
A Pilsen brewpub built around in-house beer and a chef-driven menu where “The Burger” is a centerpiece rather than filler. Come hungry, treat it like dinner (not bar snacks), and let the burger + curds do the heavy lifting while the tap list handles the rest.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Burger, Beer Cheese Curds, Charred Chicken Wings
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: A brewpub where the house burger is built with real kitchen intent.
Who should go: Beer drinkers who want a serious burger
When to visit: Weeknight dinner for a calmer room
What to order: The Burger, Beer Cheese Curds, Charred Chicken Wings
Insider tip: Watch for the burger-and-beer deal nights—best value path here.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking in Pilsen; generally manageable on weeknights, more competitive on weekends and during events. No dedicated lot.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual — jeans and sneakers are fine; no need to dress up.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — easy to talk at dinner, louder later in the evening as the taproom fills.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several vegetarian-friendly dishes and sides available.
Vegan options: Limited — some dishes can be modified, but not a fully vegan-focused menu.
Gluten-free options: Limited — gluten-free options exist, but beer-centric menu means cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially if beer is part of the plan. It’s lively but not chaotic, and the food gives you something to anchor the experience beyond just drinks.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weeknights or earlier evenings; weekends are busier, so expect a wait or arrive before peak dinner hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes during daytime and early dinner hours, but the brewery atmosphere skews adult later in the evening.
Best For
Better for: Pairing a serious burger with house-brewed beer in a polished, modern brewpub setting.
Skip if: You want a quiet, intimate dinner or a traditional burger-joint experience without the brewery energy.
Alulu Brewery and Pub
8.0
Vibes:
Brewery & Beer Garden Republic
Trendy Table Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
Happy Hour Hotspots
A modern brewpub that blends house beer with a Filipino-leaning menu, landing in the sweet spot between dinner and a long hang. Best ordered like a regular: one beer flight (or a crisp lager) plus a snacky fried item and one hearty handheld.
Must-Try Dishes:
Longanisa burger, Lumpia, Cheese curds
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: House beer plus Filipino touches in a modern brewpub.
Who should go: Beer people who also want a real meal.
When to visit: Weeknight happy hour into dinner.
What to order: Longanisa burger, lumpia, cheese curds.
Insider tip: Start with a small pour/flight, then pick a full pint.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on surrounding Pilsen blocks; usually manageable early evening but tight after 7pm. No valet.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual—jeans, sneakers, and brewery-ready fits are standard.
Noise level: Moderate-lively—easy to talk at the table, but the room hums during peak hours.
Weekend wait: 30–45 min during peak hours without a reservation; faster if you arrive early.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or minimal wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several shareables and sides work, though not a deep bench.
Vegan options: Limited—options exist but require menu scanning or light modifications.
Gluten-free options: Limited—some items can be adjusted, but cross-contact is possible in a brewpub kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially for low-pressure dates—the beer list gives you an easy icebreaker and the food is familiar but interesting without being fussy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weeknights or early evenings; weekends fill quickly, but bar seating and shared tables turn over steadily.
Is it kid-friendly? Earlier in the day, yes—families do come through. Later evenings skew adult and beer-focused.
Best For
Better for: Balancing house-brewed beer with food that feels like a real dinner, not just bar snacks.
Skip if: You want a quiet, intimate meal or a deep, fully vegetarian/vegan-friendly menu.
Alulu Brewery and Pub
8.2
Vibes:
Happy Hour Hotspots
Brewery & Beer Garden Republic
Group Dining Gatherings
Outdoor Dining Oasis
A brewpub that earns its happy-hour slot by pairing house beer with kitchen food that’s more than bar filler—crispy fried sides and hearty plates that actually match a pint. It’s best as a patio or early-evening stop where you order one beer flight (or one flagship) plus one crunchy snack and keep the rhythm moving.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beer cheese curds, Wings, Zucchini frites
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: House-brewed beer with a real, scratch-cooking pub menu.
Who should go: Beer-first crews who still want food quality
When to visit: Weekdays 3–5pm for happy hour
What to order: Beer cheese curds, wings, a house lager
Insider tip: Go snack-heavy—fried sides shine more than over-ordering mains.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on surrounding residential blocks; generally manageable on weekdays, tighter during weekend evenings and events.
Dress code: Casual brewery attire—jeans, sneakers, and layers are all fine; no need to dress up.
Noise level: Moderate—lively during happy hour and weekends, but conversation is still easy at a table or on the patio.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes during peak hours without a reservation, shorter earlier in the evening.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait; seating usually available.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple vegetarian-friendly sides and plates.
Vegan options: Limited—some sides and salads can work, but choices are few.
Gluten-free options: Limited—some naturally gluten-free dishes; beer menu is not gluten-free focused.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want something casual and low-pressure—the beer, patio, and shareable snacks keep things easy without feeling stiff.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes, especially on weekdays or earlier in the evening; weekends may require a short wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes during daytime and early evening, with casual seating and food options, but it’s more adult-focused later at night.
Best For
Better for: Pairing house-brewed beer with food that’s actually satisfying, especially for groups and patio hangouts.
Skip if: You want a quiet, intimate bar or a destination-level beer list beyond the in-house brews.
Alulu Brewery and Pub
8.2
Vibes:
Brewery & Beer Garden Republic
Happy Hour Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
Outdoor Dining Oasis
A neighborhood brewpub that earns its happy-hour wings slot by actually taking the wings seriously—charred, sauced, and built to pair with a pint or a flight. Come for a fast, social round (beer + wings) and treat anything after that as a bonus.
Must-Try Dishes:
Charred Chicken Wings (Lola’s marinade), Beer Cheese Curds, Spicy Chicken Sandwich (The Marco)
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: Charred wings designed to pair with house beer, not fight it.
Who should go: Beer-first groups that still want food quality
When to visit: Weekday happy hour for the quickest ordering flow
What to order: Charred wings, beer cheese curds, a flight
Insider tip: Ask for the wings special—some days it’s a different build than the standard.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on surrounding residential blocks; usually manageable before 6pm, tighter later in the evening.
Dress code: Casual and brewery-appropriate—jeans, sneakers, and relaxed after-work attire fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate to lively—easy for group conversation, slightly loud during peak happy hour.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes during peak hours without a reservation
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetarian-friendly bar snacks and some mains available.
Vegan options: Limited—options may be available but are not a menu focus.
Gluten-free options: Limited—some items can be modified, but cross-contamination is possible in a brewpub kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual first dates or low-pressure meetups—the beer-and-wings format keeps things social, but it’s more lively than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially on weekdays; weekends may require a short wait, but bar seating often turns over quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes during daytime and early evening, though it skews adult and beer-focused later at night.
Best For
Better for: Beer-paired wings with real char and structure, plus space for groups and patios when weather cooperates.
Skip if: You’re looking for ultra-crispy fried wings, a quiet date-night atmosphere, or a menu built heavily around dietary restrictions.