Most of the stars are for being open late :) There's nothing better than finding a haven where you can keep your all-night party going. It's a typical Irish bar with your typical irish beers... Overall things were average/cheap. APPETIZERS: awesome. Getting drunk food while still at the bar? excellent! The baxed ravioli and nacho cheese pretzel beadsticks were my favorite. The pizza was also good. My last 2 trips to Chicago have involved this bar several times. It almost feels like my friendly, neighborhood bar now! I even dozed off and they didn't kick me out :) My friends and I have several fond memories of this place and we'll be back! read more

Today's date is 2018 August 18th I have 12 people ready to have a great time and drink some beer the bouncer refuse to let us in because one of our friends did a little yell. Refuse to let him in and as a wolf pack we will not go in because one of our packs isn't allowed that one bouncer just caused 12 people to not invest in this establishment read more

This bar was in the midst of several night life establishments and bars. We popped in and had a few beers - standard bar stuff. The staff was outstanding, even the bouncers were polite when they told us the outdoor seating area was closing. The waitress helped us move inside, and we were lucky to find a group that was leaving. We hung around a lot longer and enjoyed chatting with our waitress. I'd go back again. This is a good place to just hang with friends. read more

One of the best bars in River North. Not only are the drinks strong and reasonably priced, but the food is awesome too! The servers and bartenders are great too. If you want to go out in this area and not be overwhelmed by some of the stuffiness or being in the "scene" this is a good spot to go to. It may not be the clubs that are down the street, but its always busy (not too crowded) and always a good time. Id recommend it 100% read more

Stopped in for a couple drinks during a trip to Chicago. This place has a good overall vibe with excellent service, (Meg was a standout). Very good selection of draft beers w/ local favorites. Food was above pub standards from what I could see...I had the hummus plate which was very good. Exactly what a pub should be... read more

Bartenders we're extremely rude, we asked the server if we can have another round of shots and she openly says" I mean I could give you one but you guys aren't tipping us" then completely ignored us after that...I attempted to go to the bar and no one looked me in the eye...mind you bar was completely empty then finally I tell the young man if he can serve me proceeds to say " I'm not your bartender" when I finally got the bartenders attention he just looked at me. I've never experienced anything like it. Extremely disappointing we bought music for the juke box and didn't get to use our credits because we felt extremely uncomfortable. $55 for 5 Vegas bombs, 20% of that is $7 and was very disappointed that we only tipped 5 dollars. If she wasn't so rude and let us spend our money she would've got at least $30 after about another 9 rounds which was our intention. There's no way someone is gonna tip you $20 9 times for walking over shots. Sorry. After reading everyone's comments it's a shame this restaurant is still the same even 2 years later. Glad I only spent $60 and walked out of there. read more

Great pub for eats prior to a Cubs game. The pretzels were excellent. The reuben is awesome. Our waitress was really nice too. A washing of Bell's Oberon did things right. read more

Would give zero stars if I could. Rude staff where they let others cut in front of you at the bar. Bartender was ignoring my group the entire time. Once we were served, we left a little tip because we always tip, and the bartender sarcastically shouts "yeah thanks" Because he was not satisfied with the tip amount. Also, they harass you at your table to keep ordering, or else they will kick you out. Even though the place was dead. Saw an employee not wash their hands either. Disgusting read more

I love this place. This is a prime spot to hit up if you are doing happy hour on Hubbard. It's the only pub on this street that isn't over-hyped and over-priced. It is filled with people who like to drink and live in Chicago (not a suburb of). They have a good selection of beers on tap and they give you a basket of pretzels with mustard (rather than... nothing?). Believe it or not, this has saved me from getting completely obliterated during happy hour on days when I come in on an empty stomach. I know there's an upstairs - but I never really have a desire to go up there because it's fine as it is downstairs. I'm assuming there's dancing upstairs - because when I go to the bathroom (at the very end of the bar where the stairs going upstairs is), I can hear the music and it's definitely dancing music. You will undoubtedly leave here drunk. That's just from my own personal experiences. If you're lucky, you might see a fight - or accidentally get pulled into one. If you think you won't get into one because you're a girl, you are very wrong and you better start learning how to throw a punch. This is the reason why I can't give it the full 5 stars. I love this bar but I have 2 complaints: 1) Why do the doormen make people wait outside of the bar? I understand the capacity problem - but I hardly believe it requires a line. This isn't Howl at the Moon. You're making people who specifically went there to avoid lines and just have a happy time drinking... wait in line. It makes no sense. It's a pub. 2) Don't hire scary waittresses. Especially one who pick fights with female customers just because her idiot boyfriend tried to hit on them. If I'm going to "take it outside", I'm going to get into a cab and go home. That's all. 4 stars because I truly do enjoy myself when I go there. Not 5 for the two reasons listed above. Oh and I hear the food is not awesome. But really, why would you go there to eat? You go there to drink. Dur. Eat the pretzels and call it a day. read more

I can not reveal too much about the secrets of this bar. But for those who are in the know understand how fun and dangerous a night at oc's can be read more

After a long day of "touring" Chicago (we were on business...shhhh) and a great dinner my buddy and I needed a place to just sit back, sip on some Grand Marnier and where do we go? To an Irish pub of course. When you think Grand Marnier, you think Ireland, no? :-) Well our intentions were to just go somewhere low key (this place was definitely low key), not too busy (it was a Wed so place had a few people but not crowded) and where there wasn't loud music playing (bingo). So we sat at the bar, greeted by a friendly bartender and just BS'd about the days events. We didn't look at the menu nor order any food. GM is pricey no matter where you go but here it wasn't too bad. The place was well kept and there was plenty of room to meet a bunch of friends for happy hour or dinner or hang out time. The crowd (mind you it was later in the evening) was mixed. Older and younger conversing over a pint of beer. read more

Stopped in for a drink on a Friday, early evening. The downstairs bar was crowded so we ended up in the less-appealing upstairs bar. Nothing to get excited about. Update: I had originally noted the entertainment of seeing what we thought was someone stealing tips. It was odd enough that we mentioned it to the bartender. Didn't mention any name or description in my review but the owner took care of that for me in his nasty response. As the place is camera'd up the wazoo I'm going to assume we were mistaken and regret that I mentioned it in my review. In summation, I might have returned for the downstairs only but now knowing the sort that runs this place, uh...no. read more

Don't let the name fool you--this isn't a cheesy fake Irish pub, but rather a normal bar in an area replete with annoying chain/themed/trendy ones (e.g. Rock Bottom/Rockit/Cabaret, respectively). If I'm in this "'hood" (after a movie or something) just drinking beer or maybe a shot I'll go to Rossi's, but if I want something to eat and/or a decent martini, O'Callaghan's is the move. As others have noted, free pretzels with mustard are pretty nice as well. Update: Waitaminute $5 for a Miller Lite draft? read more

Oh ending up here is usually the result of a bad decision night. And, the last time was no different - but it was fun, as always! We just didn't want the night to end even though it was a school night and we very well knew it should have. Ah, well. It's def not one of those bars you PLAN to go to...but it's fun. It's super chill with a very mixed crowd that's usually on the same page, especially if you roll in after oh say, 2am. Eek. BUT, they serve food, so bad decisions can easily be drowned out with grease and hopefully send you on your much needed way home. Fingers crossed. :) Last time we were here was one of "THOSE" nights where you go out for "A" drink and end up taking shots all night until you end up here with a basket of chicken fingers and fries some creepy dude bought you. Yep, that about sums it up. Just make sure you don't lose your friends and enjoy! You're only young once, after all. hehe. read more

Grabbed a drink and loved the atmosphere. Always recommend a Guinness in an Irish pub

Love, love, love this place! 2 story bar with 2 different scenes. Upstairs, our big group was able to get a table in a relatively quiet place away from the crowd and catch up. Downstairs it was packed and crowded, but a fun vibe. So depending on what kind of mood you're in, this place has it all! read more

Everything was pretty great. Would've been a 5 star if servers had some energy. They strictly did their job (and did it well) but were not friendly at all while serving. read more

Great place to grab a drink or food after 2am. Good vibe and the music isn't is fantastic.

I was seeking out a different bar that I had been to before, but couldn't find it. It totally didn't have anything to do with my nearing Blackout Island when I was at the bar in question last time... Enter: O'Callaghans. I was looking for a simple beer and a chance to sit down for a few minutes. It was Thursday, around 7:30pm, and fairly quiet - perfect! Belly up to the bar, and service was immediate. I ordered a Guinness - it wasn't poured quite right, so it came out within a minute. That being said, it was pretty darn tasty nonetheless...some of the better I have had in the city (however Fado, nearby, has some of the best in the country). I only had the one drink, but I did take not of a lot of things here: 1) The music was great. Largely classic rock with a few other things...awesome. 2) The liquor choices were really great. They had Three Olives bubble gum vodka...damn, I didn't even know they made that. Actually, a bubble gum vodka press sounds kinda tasty...next time. 3) The feel of the place was nice. Comfy, clean, and welcoming. read more

I love this bar! Its on Hubbard St but its not as snobby and ritsy as some of the other places, its just a chill irish pub. We were able to get a table here on a Saturday night which was awesome because we could watch the long line of people waiting to get in across the street. the drinks are pricey but our waitress was awesome at checking on us frequently read more

O'Callaghan's - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

You know you can hang when you are a girl in the catering department of a hotel but would seldom be found out drinking with your staff. No, you throw down with the entire engineering staff. Every Friday night. That was my life for 10 years, and O'Callaghan's was the scene. Was back the other night/morning and little has changed. I will say, I much prefer the 4pm - 10pm crowd as opposed to the 2am - 4am crowd. A little too heavy on the boobs, bronzer and doucheness. read more

Really dig this place. Great beer selection, the staff is friendly, and the fish and chips were delicious. I spent a solid 6 hours here while waiting for the rest of my party to arrive in town, and couldnt have picked a better spot. read more

Not gonna lie, but I went here because I needed to use the bathroom. Also, it was a nice of bar hopping around the city, so me and my friend picked this block where it seemed like a happening spot. I think the crowd here is what really started to wear on me... it was more of the after work crowd. Dudes in button up shirts just kind of chill and talking about whatever. Not what we were looking for that night, so of course we ended up finishing our one beer and then heading across the street to Howl at the Moon. I'm sure I would love this place on a night when I just want to go to a place to talk to my friends over a couple of beers. However, the night I went was not that night. read more

Nice atmosphere, casual dining/drinking. Food is fire and if Jewels is at the door you're guaranteed to have a great time. He's first class all the way, professional and friendly. 10/10 would recommend to a friend. read more

I wasn't too hungry so when I went here for lunch I just got a small order of chicken dumpling soup for $2.95 or something. My beer cost more. There are 4 tables outside and we got one of them! satisfied. read more

I think the little saying after the rating sums up my views on this place, Yay! I'm a fan. O'Callaghan's is your average Irish Pub. I like that there is a low key place in this area, considering some of the places are a little too posh/expensive. The bar is pretty big, you should be able to find a seat depending on what time it is. I've only drank here....so no comments on the food. It's a good place to pre-game or chill out after work, lots of business people but none of the bs. read more

It was a great night until the bouncers decided to accuse my friends of walking out on the tab when they left half the group at the table to grab a friend who was up by the front of the bar. The other workers then made a huge scene and wouldn't give us space to pay the tab (as we intended to from the start) and continued doing things that made it seem like we were all going to walk out without paying. read more

Fun late night hang out place. A large selection of beer. The pretzels and cheese are AMAZING. Music was old school and not too loud. The place is clean and the service was friendly and fast. If you're looking for a quick bite after midnight this definitely fits that description to a tee. Enjoyed it. read more

So my friend and I are planning on going to Wicker Park/Bucktown to hang out and grab some drinks. Turns out the blue line is closed. FML. He got off the blue line at Clark and Lake and started walking, and called me to tell me it was closed, and I got off the brown line at the Merch. Mart. and met him a couple blocks away. We start walking down Hubbard and I remembered I'd been to O'Callahan's once a few months ago and it was decent. The bartenders were great. Really amusing and VERY conversational (which is a MUST if you're going to work in the service industry). They had a "Mount Gay Rum" rubber bar mat on the bar which I immediately KNEW would be mine by the time I got home that night. They made us way too many Jamaican 10 speed shots, and comped quite a few of them. they put up with us as we sat there for almost EIGHT hours and were semi obnoxious. I can't say anything about the food, but god bless the booze at this place. It was a TAD on the pricey side. And by a "tad," I mean that our bar tab for TWO people came out to over $200. For a Sunday. In O'Callaghan's defense, we WERE there for almost eight hours, but still. This was AFTER they comped some drinks. However, I got a sweet bar mat out of the deal that is now sitting in my kitchen looking awesome, right beside my "F-Word" magnetic poetry on my fridge :) (They actually gave my friend permission to take it for me!) Moral of the story: Don't close down a 4am bar when you both have to work the next morning, and one of you has a 1:30 meeting that you want to actually make it to. read more

I like that this bar doesn't seem as touristy as some of the other bars in the area. When walking in, the bouncer told us that there was a bar upstairs if downstairs was too crowded.... nice tip. My girlfriend and I just wanted to have a few and chat without having to scream over the music and that upstairs bar was perfect! Stiff drinks, good atmophere... I'll be back. read more

First, the pretzels with the mustard? WIN. Second, good beers on tap? WIN. Finally, a sweet upstairs party room for no-hosts and the like? WIN. I always get excited when I get invited to no-hosts here because I know that the party will have its own bar, and its own little area for people to socialize. I tend to forget about this bar, but I shouldn't. It's a solid pub for happy hours, and it's in an area that needs it desperately. read more

This place is my idea of a perfect Chicago bar. It's very much a hole in the wall. The service is exceptional, and the food is better than many of the same style of establishments in the Loop. I rode and walked 30min to get to this place, and it has been worth it every time. My first night in Chicago, I stumbled onto this little pub on accident. I was in the area, and it seemed inviting, so I walked in. The bartenders (Sam and Matt) were very relaxed and struck up a conversation with me while I relaxed with an incredible left hand stout. It was nice to come in from the sub-zero temperatures and warm up with such friendly staff and refreshing beer. Both of them recommended good places to get a taste of the real Chicago, and we're very friendly in a natural way. At the end of the day, I felt happy to have come here, and I came back as much as I was able. I thought places like this only existed in TV. When I move to this city, this little pub is going to become my regular bar. read more

This is a great pub in downtown Chicago. The atmosphere is great for coming in and having a few pints of Guiness. The staff was very friendly and prompt when getting my beer order. Stop in and say hi! read more

Embarrassing is an understatement. Served one drink in an hour timeframe and apparently that was enough to be cut off by a sever. We had some drinks before arriving, but absolutely were not out of control by any means. We were in a corner minding our own business with a small group of friends (5 people total). Not once asked to quiet down or told that we were a problem. Will not be coming back, extremely unhappy. read more

Looking for something different then my usual haunts. Something that wouldn't get me fired for my expense report. Reading some of the reviews of the whiny sorority pack (and Philip's replies) I figured this place was for me. I was right. I liked the character of the place and the beer selection was good (although most of what I asked for on tap was out.) That being said, Meg the bartender was a delight. Good neighborhood bar at a decent price with decent food. I'll be back. read more

I like the idea of an Irish pub in the middle of the River North club scene. OC's can get crowded and lose its pub atmosphere, but it's usually easy to get at least a corner of a table and service at the bar. I've been to OC's a few times, and although I prefer the nearby Shamrock Club, I'd go to OC's again. read more

The staff is always friendly and happy to see me or my friends. Food is great. Perfect afternoon pub for me.

Peter- my female friend was in the bathroom same time as your waitress (leaving her name off so she doesn't get in trouble) was at the sink washing her hands, your waitress came out of a stall walked past her and out into restaurant without washing her hands. No she did not go behind the bar and wash her hands. Lave sus manos!! My comment is not stupid regarding a 14oz pour and 16 oz. if you wanna skim then skim and call it what it is. 14oz is not a pint of beer friendo. read more

Definitely one of my favorite spots, a must visit everytime im back home in Chicago. Pete's a legend, matty is top notch behind the bar! Give it a shot! read more

Pretty solid bar food and friendly staff. Very accommodating when I came with a group after work and our server made sure we had a great experience. Keep up the great work! read more