Visited prior to attending a Blackhawks game during the holidays. The bar is decked out in floor to ceiling Christmas decorations giving it an extremely festive feel. Combine the Christmas decor with a plethora of music memorabilia and Chicago memorabilia and it all feels a bit, well, chaotic. Overall, this chaos seemed to work. The food was good. I expected a bit more Irish fare given the name, but my family seemed to enjoy the eclectic variety of sandwiches, salads and burgers. I had a Reuben, again trying to get my corned beef fix in, the sandwich was wonderful and I love the hand cut fries. My older son had the chicken sandwich with guac and he liked it, albeit, he did say it was a tad spicy for him. The chili was strange... Very "tomatoy." Wendy's has better chili, so this was a pass for us. Of note, there's only 2 entree options on the menu, ribs and fish, if my memory serves me right. Overall, it was a solid dining experience on a busy Sunday afternoon. Here's where my demerits come in though. Watch the receipt charges. They apply a small "administrative fee" with no explanation of what that is. Tip is calculated by INCLUDING the taxes, which in my opinion is not ethical. Illinois and Cook County already have some of the highest taxes in the nation, so to tack extra tip on the taxes just seems shady to me. read more

Butch McGuire's - Christmas decor - Irish Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

We stopped in for a quick lunch, while on our way to the fiver for our boat tour. There was 4 of us in our group. We walked in and grabbed a hi top table. With in a few minutes we were greeted and our drink order was being taken. Upon the arrival of our drinks, we ordered a couple of apps and the rest of our food. We ordered the Irish Egg Rolls and Cheese Curds, to start with. Both items arrived pretty quickly, but they were hot and tasted fresh. The egg rolls, were exactly as described and tasted better than you'd imagine. The cheese curbs were also very tasty. For my main entree, I split the two Chicago Dog plate with another person in our party. This was my first true Chicago Dog. I gotta say I really enjoyed it. It had all the ingredients a Chicago Dog is supposed to have, and it all tasted fresh. The fries that accompanied the dog, were perfectly crispy and hot. Our server keep checking in with us and making sure we were doing great and had everything we needed. I would come back. Great little pub with a nice menu and beer selection. read more

Butch McGuire's - Cheese Curds - Irish Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Come here at Christmastime!!! The place is DECKED out! We were seated right away and had a nice view of a massive TV to watch the football games. Drinks were fun and came out quickly. Food was solid Irish pub food. Nice walk from the Drake hotel (where we stayed). Reuben's were great! read more

See all

Fun spot for HH and Christmas vibes!! Came with coworkers on a Tuesday for a couple drinks. Got here around 5 and was able to snag a large table for us all. I'd recommend the espresso martini or a G&T. Quesadilla was pretty good too. I'd definitely come back next year for the Xmas vibes. read more

Came to find this spot because our server raved enthusiastically about it... It's open late, which is great if you're looking for something to do... but bring your own vibes because when I went, there wasn't any to be found. Bartender just serviced us and was just barely polite enough. There were a few other groups of folks in the bar, but idk the vibes were just not it. I went to the restroom and I swear a man came out right before I went in... oh is that why the gal I passed up while going towards the restroom had a funny face... hey bar things happen. I just happened to be too sober not to notice! The good thing that came out of this visit was experiencing "Maplewood Son of Juice" on tap and it was delicious! read more

Butch McGuire's - Decor - Irish Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My new favorite Christmas bar of the year. This bar is filled with festivity and bigger than life decorations dropping from the ceiling. Oooh and two trains that run in opposite directions up in the ceiling, stacked on top of another. But I digress. We landed on a Wednesday afternoon completely famished having only snacked on tiny bags of pretzels for a meal on the plane. As we were pulling in on the long Uber ride due to the traffic, we scoured the area and found Butch just a corner away from our hotel. I must have salivated at every item on their menu; I then hastily placed a to-go order for their mini Reuben's. Luckily it wasn't too busy during mid week. My bartender was quick to secure my sandwiches, and I rushed them back to the hotel where my husband was waiting. The mini Reuben's came in a troop of 3, perfect little bite sized sandos packed with flavor, creamy tangy Thousand dressing making the corned beef strips sing. Both my husband and I returned several days later during the weekend to relive that Reuben glory; while slightly dismayed at how crowded it was, we were still seated quickly by our gracious server. And to make sure the first time with our Reuben's was not some sort of fluke, we ordered their full Reuben sandwich with waffle fries this second time around. A full sandwich costed $2 more than the mini Reuben plate. Hmm-hmm good- repeat bites were still just as delicious as we remembered. From what I recall their prices are reasonable, likely reflecting current inflation. Most items are $16+ and interestingly though - a chicken Cesar wrap costs more than their prime rib steak. So, don't get chicken, I guess. I hear they also get all decorated out for St Patrick's. That would be so swell to check out. Until next time, I long for my next visit. read more

Butch McGuire's has a fun vibe, and plenty of seating. We had dinner there and the waiter was pretty good. We all thought the food was decent, but this was yet another place that brought our appetizers out at the same time as our entrees. We went from nothing to nosh on, to a table full of loaded waffle fries, Irish egg rolls, three plates of burgers, a prime rib sandwich, and two Chicago dogs. Try eating all that while it's still hot. read more

Such a fun place to be during the holiday season! This spot is decorated to the nines. Getting a drink is easy and staff was incredibly kind. This is the place to be when it comes to a Saturday night out. They did have a small cover later into the night, but it quickly wasn't a thing. Line was a bit long--but that speaks to its festive nature. Overall, will be coming back!! read more

I was at Butch McGuire's nursing what had to be my fourteenth Brandy Alexander, wondering how things could have gotten so out of hand. Everyone was there: Schwebach, Lombardo, the Minnix Brothers, Duby, Chuggers, Squanto, Crabgrass, Horseleg Johanson, Soup, Bunter, Tim Creed--the whole gang. They were all dancing and clapping each other on the backs, stricken with the same fervor that burned in my own chest. Or at least I prayed it was fervor. At that point I'd had so many damned peyote buttons I think I had more mescalin in my body than blood. I got the drugs from Chris Collins, who'd come across them while plying his trade: jerking off punks on lower Wacker for $10 a man. I looked around the room. Jon Lynch was pounding a pint glass of straight gin, his hand held under his chin. Collins was deep in conversation with a guy that could only be the Devil. Pat Cotter was just screaming at the top of his lungs. When the bar started rapidly filling with black oil I decided it was time to get the hell out of there. I stumbled out into the alley behind the bar. Overhead, the moon cracked open like a raw egg. Wolves howled in the distance. A dozen chittering rats watched me from the fire escape. One was smoking a cigarette. It flipped me the bird as I walked by. Fine. Whatever! I just kept going in my drunk man's dance into the night. The next thing I knew I woke up in the yard, hungover, soaking wet, my pockets heavy with ten dollar bills. I love this place. Classic Chicago dive. Make sure you bring the family around Christmas time, the decorations are a WOW! read more

TL; DR: Holiday spirit, quick service, great decorations Visited on a Tuesday night on December 17th and it was PACKED! Great stop for holiday spirit and a drink. The decorations were amazing and definitely got me into the holiday mood. I just ordered from the bar and it was pretty quick and then stood by the wall with a little ledge to hold my drink. Would recommend if you want to celebrate the holidays read more

Butch McGuire's - Irish Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

My annual birthday visit did not disappoint! We love the decor and the whole vibe of Butch McGuire's. Everyone is festive and happy enjoying their favorite people and food. read more

Always busy in here, even on Monday nights! Staff is friendly and it's very fun around the holidays- one of the best decorated Christmas bars in town! I've only ever had beer here, no food, but it's a fun pre or post dinner hangout spot read more

Nice, neighborhood pub with decent food and they do a great job with holiday decorations. read more

See all

Perfect stop for beer and bar food after work. The patio counters make it great for people-watching too! Our server was either high or drunk but she was still kind and easy to work with. Friendly and casual ambience for happy hour. Will be back! -AT read more

Butch McGuire's - Irish Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Crazy crowded on the weekend. Brightly lit neon throughout the bar. Lots of seating, yet so busy you better grab a seat if you see it. Bathrooms were typical for that kind of bar. Our group had a good time. read more

Great environment, friendly staff and cold beer! Music ain't bad either!! stop in when you're in Chicago read more

Butch McGuire's - Irish Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I had some friends fly in from out of state and we chose this spot due to the hype and good reviews online. However, the drinks were a disappointment as the holiday drinks were extremely watered down. We got 2 rounds of drinks, 7 in total. We also felt rushed as the waiters kept coming back to ask us if we needed anything else even when we still had drinks we were still consuming. We paid and left. When I got home I checked the receipt and I had been charged for 4 additional drinks that I did not order nor receive at our table at all. I tried calling the business 4-5 times with no answer just looking to get a refund. Sad to say my guests were not satisfied with this experience like myself. There is an additional charge as well now for $53 that is not on the receipt. read more

The flimsiest excuse is enough to get me to go to Butch's, doesn't matter when. Have been here a few times now for games and other events and it never fails. Solid pub food, good drink selection with Irish classics, friendly staff, and one of the most entertaining interiors you will find in a bar. read more

See all

Always a great time. Always dangerous . Must go to in Chicago . No one has ever cried at butches.

A popular dive bar on a block known for its dive bars. It can be particularly fun around Christmas when the bar is decorated. Bartenders are nice, though I've seen bouncers being rude to people without any good reason. read more

This place just STANK! I entered the place and I immediately wanted to vomit. It smelt like pure must and armpits. I went to the bathrooms and they were disgusting and just very dirty. The floors are sticky The food was mid. I can't remember what I got but I know it wasn't nothing that good. My server was drunk so my order took a while to come. The beer was flat. I don't know why people come here or gloat so much about this place It's nasty. read more

Came in the other night for drinks with coworkers! Such a fun place. Love the atmosphere and the bartenders were super fast when ordering drinks. Will come back for sure!! read more

Butch McGuire's - Irish Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We showed up just before 9am to grab a table for eight with friends that also have kids. There was a line, but as soon as the doors opened, they were able to seat us. The whole place is decked out in Christmas lights and decorations and is so festive! There are two trains that also rotate around the restaurant. Our server was so kind and thoughtful especially about the kids. The blood Marys are top notch, and drinks (lemonade, juice, hot chocolate) come with the kids' meals. We had the kids pancakes - you can choose from plain or chocolate chip, kids French toast, chorizo skillet, and corned beef hash and eggs. Everything was delicious! They also sell ornaments and the proceeds all go to Mercy Home. We left with full bellies and full of Christmas spirit! A must do holiday tradition for the whole family! read more

Butch McGuire's - Kids French toast - Irish Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It is what it is - the Christmas spirit is out of control which is why we stopped in. But the post holiday party crowds were a little too plentiful. read more

Absolute classic bar - great drinks and they always have super fun decorations up. Best time to go is around Christmas time.

We stopped in here twice, once on Saturday looking for a spot to watch the game (March Madness) but there was no room for us. It was very lively and festive inside, made me want to come back. We came back again on Sunday night around 9pm, it was dead in there, a few people at the bar and 2 other tables had people at there, plus us. There was a musty smell inside, not sure if it always smells that way. The drinks were fine, the service was fine. I loved how decorated and fun looking the decor was to me. read more

See all

Great first time Christmas experience. The seating was very efficient. The food was good. Go early! The waiters unbothered by the noise and crowd.. very attentive read more

Came on a Sunday morning around 11 for brunch and had about a 30 minute wait for 2. Unfortunately there wasn't really a place for people to wait so it was quite crowded. It's definitely more of a bar vibe than restaurant. Glad we waited though, The food was amazing and the drinks were great as well. Prices were great too. The Christmas decorations and ambiance was also super fun and cute, but could be a tad overstimulating for some. Overall was a great place but would recommend going early. read more

Had the best drink at Butch McGuires. Mel recommended the black velvet with triple jam; it may be the best drink I've had in my life. Ive been to a lot of bars and I know what I'm talking about when it comes to drinks. If you want a good one, go to butches and ask for Mel. If ya know, ya know. read more

Came here for the singles night for the first time! Very crowded so it was kinda hard to mingle and most people stayed in their little groups. I would say though this singles night was more fun than others I have been to! I will come back next month! Love the decorations in the bar as well read more

This Irish pub is a gem! Their black bean burger was pretty good - cheesy with avocado on top, and fries! Lots of history here too, cool atmosphere. Definitely a spot I'd hit up again for food and drinks read more

Butch McGuire's - Spicy black bean burger - Irish Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Service was good. Drinks were OK. But the decor is AMAZING!! Well worth my annual visit to see all the Christmas decorations. Check it out! read more

This is a pretty awesome place. Cool location, foods good. Service is good. Cool looking place. Actually the overall atmosphere is awesome. The only thing keeping it from a 5 is the price. It's an expensive place, and I realize it's river north. But there no need to be so pricey, so just be prepared to spend a few extra bucks! read more

I remember coming here in my 20s, and it's still great for those in their 20s. Friend of a friend wanted to go here, and it was a nostalgic return (though this might have been the soberest I've ever been there). It's a staple of the Irish dive bars. Surprisingly, as busy as it was we had an amazing server that braved the crowds at the bar for us. She was the true hero of the night. Thanks for the trip back down memory road. read more

Jingle all the way! If you like sitting on laps telling people if you've been naughty or nice ...jule love this spot! One of the top Christmas bars in Chicago. Jolly Jell-O shots, festive fireball, and cheerful cocktails. The butch Mac elves work hard to make this a merry Litmas to all and to all a good night. read more

Hands down the best place to stop in Chicago for a drink around Christmas. This place has the best decorations for ALL holidays but the Christmas ones are great. We stopped in on Sunday around 10 to do some pre-gaming for the Bears! It was pretty packed but we scored the last seats in the house. Da Bears! read more

See all

Forget the pop ups and hit up the original Christmas bar in Chicago. Get yourself and Irish coffee and squeeze in. Experienced bar goers will do well here and those who are meek and timid may have to wait to get a drink if they are not successful at getting a bartenders attention. But don't get me wrong the bartenders are pros and can serve it up swiftly. Perfect to take in the decorations and the crowd as well as this destination is on the docket for many a holiday crawl. Cheers! read more

See all

Came while visiting Chicago for the holidays and got to stop in over Christmas. Very fun, very decorated, casual spot. The nachos and spicy tortilla soup were great as well as their hot cocktails--Irish coffee and hot toddy. read more

Butch McGuire's - Bar area - Irish Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is a must-visit during the holiday season! The bar is beautifully decked out with tons of Christmas decorations. It's a popular spot, so there might be a line to get in and a $5 cover charge. We arrived around 7 pm on a Saturday and only waited about 5 minutes to get inside. The drinks and atmosphere were a whole vibe! read more

Love coming here during the holidays! They really do it up. But it gets so crowded that it's hard to be there unless you have a table, even if you get there super early it's hard to get a table. Great service, servers are super nice, attentive and helpful. Super expensive, probably would only come here for 1 drink if ever again. read more