Chicago's Best Irish Pub

Wrigleyville pub praiseworthy for its charmingly authentic furnishings, entertainment, food and drinks.

Reviews:

• “Best Corned Beef Sandwiches!”
• “You kiddin’ me???”
• “Cool”
• “drink up”
• “None Better in Wrigleyville!”

Tips: Days and early evenings are good for grabbing a pint and a bite to eat, but weekend nights are the hot times if you’re looking for rowdy crowds.

The Irish Oak or email The Irish Oak

A regal Lincoln Park pub that glows with Celtic charm.

Reviews:

• “Best food, hospitality & Irish song by PADDY HOMAN”
• “Great place for drinks and a bit to eat”
• “Pleasantly Surprised”

Tips: Sundays are popular for the live Irish music session from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. Wednesdays feature an open mic with performers who span musical genres.

Galway Arms

Business-casual types stop by for tasty hamburgers and after-work cocktails and at this cheery Irish pub in the Insurance Exchange Building.

Reviews:

• “I’m a hamburger guy. Can’t beat that hamburger ANYWHERE!”
• “Solid place”
• “Love It! Food – Love it! cost- Love it! Clean Bathrooms”
• “Love this place”
• “Great place to meet after work …”

Tips: The bar’s hours reflect its business mindset, so it’s open solely on weekdays, and then only until 9pm, when good executives go home and go to bed.

Poag Mahone’s

Dart-throwing, whiskey-drinking good times for Roscoe Village singles.

Reviews:

• “Coldest Beer Chicago”
• “If you like darts, guinness, jameson, and all the sports in the world on tv…”
• “great pint of guinness”

Tips: Mulligans is usually happening after Cubs games be sure to stop in for a post game brew.

Mulligans Public House

Authentic, wood-heavy Irish pub serving hearty one-pot dishes and smooth, refreshing brews.

Reviews:

• “asinine attempts to draw people in…”
• “Smart and clean Irish pub”
• “Lucky to have Found this Place”
• “EXCELLENT BAR/SERVICE”
• “Worst irish pub I’ve ever been to”

Tips: Beyond its basic taps, the restaurant serves a mean snakebite (Magners Irish cider, Harp and black currant) as well as Guinness, Smithwicks, Bass and Harp.

The Kerryman Bar & Grill

Irish pub with a crackling fireplace and good cheer attracts River North professionals and savvy city-visitors.

Reviews:

• “Best Guinness in Chicago”
• “Old School Fun”

Tips: For the full pub experience, drop in for live Celtic music from 10pm until 1am or 2am on Saturday and from 5pm to 8:30pm Sunday.

Celtic Crossings

Pub with new-school looks and the energy of young Dublin sticks to straightforward offerings.

Reviews:

• “Great Bi-sexual Place!”
• “Great Spot!”

Ta’Too

Elegant North Center restaurant creates imaginative upscale fare by tweaking Irish standards.

Reviews:

• “Consistently Good Food, Great Atmosphere”
• “irish food ? "
• “snvolt is a liar”
• “Ireland would not approve!”
• “A perfect 10! Excellent food, service, and atmosphere! "

Tips: The gorgeous bar, crafted from African teakwood, is worth a separate visit as much for its congeniality as its great draft and bottled beer choices from Ireland, Britain, Belgium and various American microbreweries.

Mrs. Murphy and Son’s Irish Bistro or email Mrs. Murphy and Son’s Irish Bistro

The grand old man of Division Street clubs, this joint still dishes up strong drinks and tasty sliders.

Reviews:

• “Great food, great drinks, great atmosphere!”
• “Best bar on Division”
• “Classic Pub”

Tips: If you want more quiet, sit in the adjoining dining room—there are still TVs to watch your favorite game.

Butch McGuire’s

Chicago outpost of a national bar franchise with Celtic charm and one of the best Guinness pours around.

Reviews:

• “good place”
• “Just like Ireland”
• ""
• “bad experience”
• “Cracking good spot”

Tips: Soccer fans come here to catch their favorite team on TV, and there is often a line out the door during the World Cup Soccer tournament.

Fado Irish Pub or email Fado Irish Pub

Religious-themed River North pub popular for after-work dinner and drinks.

Reviews:

• “Great lunch or after work spot”
• “ALL AROUND GREAT”
• “Good Irish Hospitality”
• “Best Beer and Bar Food”
• “Always a ton of fun!”

Tips: Unlike most bars, this one has defined sections for non-smokers and smokers—saints up front, sinners at back. This means the coveted booths accommodate Wells Street people-watching, but not cigarettes. On the upside for puffers: Their seats are closer to the bar and the bathrooms.

Pepper Canister