River Shannon

Come here and chill. Dugan's is a good hangout. It's pretty simple and there's nothing fancy about…read moreit. About the biggest action that happens here is darts. The participants get quite competitive with their dart throwing. Besides the darts, people come to drink. It has a very basic selection of beer and liquor. The prices are pretty good for around here mostly. It's $8 for Jameson. There's a pretty limited amount of beers, but there's a few craft selections. As for food there's almost nothing. There's free popcorn. It's thoughtful of them to have it plain without butter. There's a bottle of butter so you can choose whether or not to have it. Good place for fun and games. It also has live music. They also have free stuff.

Sorry guys, I love a good pub, but this place sucks…read more Night one, bartender could not be bothered with us(group of 10) but we stayed and spent $400.00 Night two, a colleague who is 30, but admittedly looks 15, shared her ID and got pressed so hard, including the bartenders sharing the ID with regulars to scan. A conversion to plastic cups bc they don't want to wash glass was questioned and we were told to "get the f@ck out", which we were happy to do. We spent $600.00 the following day someplace else. So many other choices, take the manager's suggestion and go someplace else.

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Celtic Crossing Irish Pub

4.8(33 reviews)

1.6 mi•Near North Side

Celtic Crossing is a great Irish bar to stop by and grab a pint. Properly poured Guinness, crisps,…read moreand other Irish beers. It's also a full bar; what more do you need? The vibe is welcoming and unpretentious. Grab a pint, settle in, and suddenly you've been there longer than planned. The bartenders are welcoming, and the atmosphere feels like a real neighborhood pub, not a place trying too hard to be Irish. If you're a local or visiting in Chicago and craving a proper pint with some character, this place is worth a stop.

No food, just good brews, proper pours, good fun, great service and music. Sometimes simple is…read morebest. BTW, you may be able to bring your own food? A true Irish pub.

2.1 mi•Noble Square, West Town

Bar

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The Irish Nobleman

4.2(206 reviews)

Came to the Irish Nobleman Pub during the latest bout of below freezing temps in Chicago…read moremid-polar-vortex. First, we were just so happy they were even open! We were getting a little stir crazy, so we walked over. Shawn greeted us at the door and since it was so cold he seated us in front of the cozy fireplace the rest of our time here was excellent. Shawn read us the specials, let us know his recommendations, and they were spot on! He stopped over plenty of times to make sure we had absolutely everything we needed and was so lovely to chat with. The pub is such a cornerstone of the neighborhood, and people like Shawn and the wonderful food will keep us coming back for years to come.

Came to this bar a few times for drinks but this was my first time grabbing some food. Nice Irish…read morestyle bar with great happy hour deals and a fun food menu. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for a solid beer and food menu!

1.9 mi•River North, Near North Side

Halloween decor

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Quiet Time after St.Patrick Extravaganza @ The Irish Nobleman Pub by Night. N Noble/W Erie St, Chicago, IL

Fado Irish Pub

4.0(800 reviews)

We stopped at Fadó after dinner at Maggiano's. My partner ordered a Teeling Single Malt neat, which…read morehe really enjoyed, and I had a Tito's with Sprite. Of the three Irish pubs we visited during our trip, Fadó had the strongest dive-bar feel. That is not necessarily a criticism. The crowd was lively, the music was good, and we had a fun time before heading back to our hotel for the night. This is not where I would go for a polished cocktail-bar experience, but it worked well for an unfussy drink, good music, and an energetic crowd. We enjoyed ourselves and were glad we stopped in.

Great vibe. Great spot for a pint…read more Kitchen closed 10 minutes before I got there so cannot comment on the food but wish I could've tried something

2.7 mi•West Loop, Near West Side

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Strawberry mule

Green Street Local

3.7(258 reviews)

We rented the upstairs space at Green Street Local for a private party, and it exceeded our…read moreexpectations! From the very beginning, the staff was incredibly organized, responsive, and attentive to every detail, making the entire planning process completely stress-free. On the day of the event, everything was set up beautifully and ran so smoothly. The team checked in throughout the party to make sure we had everything we needed, and their professionalism and attention to detail made us feel so well taken care of. They truly went above and beyond to ensure our guests were comfortable and that the event was a success. Great sports bar and amazing food!!

This is a solid restaurant/bar in West Loop. I stopped here for dinner the other week and enjoyed…read moremy chicken Caesar sandwich. The beer list is extensive and it's a nice place to relax after work. The bartender who took care of me was very nice. I'll be back!

2.4 mi•West Loop, Near West Side

$22 Taco Taco

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MANNY'S MOZZARELLA, SWEET CHILI WINGS, SWEET POTATO FRIES; unreal food!!

Lone Wolf

3.4(370 reviews)

We had a great experience. The bartenders were lovely. The drinks were phenomenal. It was a very…read morefun atmosphere.

A really large bar that is made for a pre-table ready drink…read more - surrounded by so many it-girl returns Tobi's the perfect place to come in and grab a beer, cocktail, or glass of wine before your table is ready - the place is huge with tables and booths all around the outside and a large circular bar. even though the bar was crowded, the bartenders worked fast and we had drinks in a blink of an eye - I got the "thyme" drink and it was interesting. sweeter than I expected but had the unique herbal flavor promised. it was about 50% ice which was not great for a $16 price tag in chicago - the beers are a good deal though and they have a solid selection. with the Olympics on, it's a great place for a few beers.

Lychee martini

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Exterior

Miller's Pub

3.8(1.7k reviews)

2.7 mi•The Loop

This spot has been around forever, and as I'm visiting Chicago for the first time, I try to hit all…read morethe staples and iconic locations, so we went to Millers for lunch. Dark, grungy, feeling like a German Octoberfest Pub with beer signs and signed pictures on the walls, I love it. At first we were seated in a small table next to a family who was letting their kids run wild in the restaurant, slamming plates and glasses, so that wasn't going to fly. Asked the host to move us, he said no problem, and we got a much better table away from said family, and it was great, totally changed the experience for the better. Our server was friendly, helpful, talkative, and was prompt with delivering food. I got the Chicken Pot Pie, which wasn't like any other I've had, super creamy, nicely filled with trimmings, light bread crust, and warm to the soul. My girl got a Chicken Sandwich and she liked it as well, a filling lunch and a cozy spot. Love it.

When a restaurant is 90 + years old, you know they are doing something right. Turns out they do…read moreeverything right. The decor looks historic with dark wood walls, beautiful molding, and of course antique sports memorabilia. It is in Chicago after all!! The menu items that were highlighted was the prime rib, while supplies last and the ribs. I tried to go with the prime rib but at 7:30 it was sold out. The bartenders suggested the French dip sandwich with shaved prime rib but went with the ribs instead. Smoked daily the ribs were tender and moist with a very sweet homemade BBQ sauce. I prefer my sauce on the spicy side but it was delicious, the shrimp were fried and crispy, served with fresh cocktail sauce. I opted for the fries and side salad but were good. The Greek vinaigrette dressing was delicious. The bartender was super engaging and knowledgeable. I hat his signature Ole Fashion and a glass of cab from their list. Both were great You need to eat here!!

Interior Bar

Extra crispy flavorful fish and chips!

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Virtue mitten fennville, mil, burbon barrel aged apple cider

O'Callaghan's

3.5(323 reviews)

2.0 mi•Near North Side

I've got to say, O'Callaghan's is easily one of the busiest bars at night, but Kevin somehow makes…read morebartending there look effortless. He's absolutely amazing at what he does. I usually sit at the bar, socialize, and people-watch, and it's honestly entertaining watching Kevin work. He'll make hundreds of drinks throughout the night while still being incredibly attentive to everyone at the bar. No matter how busy it gets, he stays on top of everything and makes sure his guests are taken care of. Kevin has definitely become my go-to bartender, especially when I'm craving an ice-cold, frosty, perfectly poured Guinness. If you stop by O'Callaghan's, do yourself a favor and grab a seat at the bar with kevin!

Came in for drinks and watch the Fifa World Cup game. First floor bar was packed. Went to the…read moresecond floor and found several seats at the bar. Bartender was attentive and nice and spent sometime chatting with us. Went back the following day for some drinks early in the afternoon right after opening. Staff was nice and helpful as we bought some merch and had a drink before venturing off for sightseeing.

2.0 mi•River East, Near North Side

Dining Room

Smokehouse Burger with tots

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Timothy O'Toole's Pub

3.7(1.5k reviews)

My brother and I were in town from AZ and wanted to watch a Chicago Bears game. As they were out…read moreof town when we visited we chose a bar that looked like a fun and comfortable place to watch. Drinks were excellent, staff were fast with orders and friendly the entire time we were there. Eventually there was standing room only but everyone was having a great time. Great snack good also. Recommend to anyone looking for a fun bar downtown to watch football.

I was just hanging out drinking a couple of beers while waiting for my family. Great service and…read morefriendly, despite not being a regular customer.

2.4 mi•West Loop, Near West Side

Love the whole atmosphere

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Mocktail breeze

Fox Bar

4.2(110 reviews)

Tucked upstairs at The Soho House in the West Loop and sitting behind a set of saloon doors, Fox…read moreBar is an absolute unexpected speakeasy vibe for cocktails and a good time! We wandered in after dinner nearby and wanted a chill cocktail, we got the cocktail, not so much the chill...and that was 100% okay with us once we realized what we came upon at the top of that staircase. While small, they have all the goods for classic cocktails and even several house curated drinks. You can basically get dealers choice, which is a rotating house cocktail and it will run you around $13, which is the price that most cocktails came in at. The drink menu is seasonal and changes often, but they still sling all the classics and really anything you can think of. My partner went with a house cocktail, but I was after an espresso martini...and honestly, this doesn't seem like an espresso martini place, but they came through and it was a delightful nightcap for sure! Service was stellar, the bartenders were chill, engaged, friendly and efficient. Overall, solid spot for a cocktail in the West Loop - Definitely worth the trip in and up those stairs!

Been to Fox bar several years in a row (first encounter was back in 2018), and it usually doesn't…read moredisappoint. The staff is friendly and helpful (even got a free glass of champagne to celebrate my friend's birthday). It's an easy spot to walk into and, if you're lucky, plop down on one of the seats until closing. The bar's a little hidden in the SoHo house building, and once you're inside behind the swinging saloon doors you're welcomed by a cosy dive bar setting. If there are three things that made the experience this time around less optimal: the bar seemed to have attracted some rowdy/intrusive drunks (we got harassed a few times), the bar area itself had a puke-y smell going on, and the time it takes to get a drink can be quite long.

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Mezcal Offering #7

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29 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Julie N.

321

7 years ago

Absolutely the best bar in Chicago. I have never had such the time of my life out at a bar. Staff was so friendly. Guests were amazing. Drinks off the charts. Vibe unreal. They had DOGS AND TOUCH TUNES. If you are looking for the night of your life PLEASE LOOK NO FURTHER than ravors shins. It is a one stop shop for all your bar and friend making needs. I have made life long friendships here. I don't think I'll ever be able to call another bar home like Paul revere Shane's. I just want to shout out the owners Ivanna lickasak she is the mother I never had. She listened to all my problems and was by my side by every drink. And her husbands hairy lickasak and suka lickasak brought me in and let me pick the the touch tunes. I can't say I'll ever have a connection like this one. I'm sobbing. Thank you Chicago. This is my home and Ronald's shames is my bar. read more

S M.

12 years ago

We visited here on a Sunday night. We were supposed to join some friends somewhere else and they bailed so we opted to try this place out. We arrived around 10:00 PM and couldn't help but notice that this place pretty much empty for like a few people sitting at the bar. So we decided to order a few drinks. Service was pretty bad for being so slow in there. We tried chatting with the bartender for a little but the bartender seemed to interested in the cell phone and was having no time for a conversation. Not somewhere I would make a special visit to anytime soon. Could be a cool place to come with a group. read more

tracy m.

19 years ago

It's looks to me that the people who wrote negative comments (Melissa, Michelle, and Mike) probably work at either gamekeepers (disgusting bar) or stanleys and is afraid of a little competition. I don't go in to river shannon as often as most of their regulars, but every time I do both bar managers are very nice and polite to me and my friends. This bar has a great atmosphere and there isn't any falling down drunks like most places on lincoln. You can't beat the free hotdogs on Saturday and Sundays!! Love this place! read more

Alex C.

3 years ago

Homophobic Bar. A couple came the other night and immediately they seemed to be treated differently. The bartender made them a drink and gave them a price. She came back and she upcharged the price. For the prices here, they're the same as the John Hancock. At least there is a view at the Signature lounge the only view here is the she hulk broken armed bartender and helpless Dupaul dropout Snow White. You're pest on your first night; after that, you're just homophobic. Me and my husband left shortly after. read more

Cordell L.

5 years ago

I didn't plan on coming here but I did and honestly, the bartender Becky was so chill that it made me want to stay longer. I think it was the manager or something came over and introduced himself as Preston and he was so cool and helped me choose a beer that I wasn't sure about. Becky made sure we had drinks and kept us up on everything. I will be sure to come back if ever come back to the area. read more

Hanna R.

13 years ago

Such a great neighborhood bar! I visited here with friends that live down the street and we had such a good time. They had popcorn cooking in the back, which was good to snack on throughout the night. There was giant jenga that is noisy and fun to play, especially after a couple drinks! Come here for a friendly atmosphere without any non-locals. read more

Mike C.

19 years ago

I was at this bar on a fairly slow night playing life size jenga with a small group of friends (what bar has life size jenga? that rocks!) and the bartender brought us over a free pizza! She just brought it over and said it was on the house. Now that was almost better than them having life size jenga! I would go back to this bar for sure! read more

Sara K.

12 years ago

Wow, I did not expect to have so much fun in here. It's right around the corner from me The atmosphere was very nice. Everyone seem so happy and chill. The bartenders are also very happy and friendly. Wish there was good to order but oh well. Would definitely love to go again. read more

Brian F.

5 years ago

Went in to have a drink and the bartender was great at asking if I needed another one. The manager came over and talked to me for a while and I truly enjoyed our conversation. Preston was his name and he was joy to conversate with. It was a great experience and very relaxed. read more

jeff c.

19 years ago

I don't go to this bar that often because I don't live close, but everytime I do I have a great time!! I always get great service and the staff is the friendliest in town. It seems to me that the 3 people who wrote bad comments may work at Stanley's or Dirty Gamekeepers. read more

Kelly K.

19 years ago

I love this bar!! Every time I go here I have a blast! They have a HUGE selection of liquor to choose from, it's not full of college students, and the staff is extremely nice. Great old school feel. Disappointed that they don't serve food! read more

Jane J.

10 years ago

The door man was rude as hell. He was soooo sexist. He questioned my birth place. So, I am never going back to this place. Hey, but if you're trying to feel like you're awesome, go there l!!! It's going to be crushed in a minute read more

Dave R.

1 year ago

I have stopped going there. The prices are ridiculous and the Happy Hour are things most people don't drink. Want a local go to Marque, the store, Ravens...in all honesty drink at home! read more

Michelle M.

19 years ago

I saw the funniest ordeal at this corner bar - the bar manger was yelling at a customer and called her the dreaded "c__t" word - what in God's name is the matter with these people? read more

Maura D.

18 years ago

I love the Riv! Small but great place to go to for a beer. Ask the bartender for the giant Jenga. What better way to meet people than by playing 2ft high Jenga in the bar? read more

Chris A.

213

413

21 years ago

Another mediocre bar...nothing too special, but it doesn't really have any negatives either. They have some good specials at times. A nice alternative to gamekeepers. read more

Melissa C.

19 years ago

This place is a joke. The girl who calls herself the GM is rude and always drunk - and yes, that may be acceptable in her line of work so is professionalism! read more

Mike D.

5 years ago

I love this bar! One of the few bars that allows dogs inside. Always a fun spot and great bartenders. They don't serve food but you can order food in. read more

Marjorie P.

17 years ago

Nice place for a few drinks with an older more sophisticated crowd if thats your schtick...service was good and the drinks reasonably priced. read more

Reid S.

192

5 years ago

This bar literally goes out of its way to give every patron covid. No protections in place and has distaste for every customer that enters

River Shannon - irish_pubs - Updated November 2026

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Tapster is such a cool concept! They offer all different types of beers (lagers, cider, sour) and…read morethen you serve yourself. Similar to an arcade you receive a plastic card when you first walk in and to turn the machines on you have to put the card in. As you fill your glass, the price goes up and you'll close out with the cashier at the end. I love this format because you can refill as you please. It also allows you to try a little of any beer you want. This spot is very chill with board games, jenga, and free popcorn! This is a great spot especially for groups, but really anyone.

Tapster is definitely for some people, just not for me…read more Pros: you can sample drinks before pouring yourself a full one, bring your own food, and play one of the many board games they have. Cons: it's pricy. Can't speak for the beers, but the cocktails are $2.75 per ounce. An aperol spritz is typically 7 oz, and if you pour that here it is $20 before tip. Speaking of, the folks working are friendly, but it does feel a little crazy to have suggested tip amounts of 18, 20, and 25% when all they do is charge your card and grab empty glasses.

Weeds Tavern

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Stopped by this bar yesterday for a birthday and anniversary celebration for a friend of a friend,…read moreand it turned out to be a great place for a celebration. It's close to, if not technically in, the Lincoln Park area, and this place absolutely reeks of neighborhood-bar personality, in the best possible way. Nothing felt overly polished or forced. It just felt like the kind of local spot where people actually know each other and genuinely enjoy being there. And then there's the owner. He might be one of the most genuinely nice guys on the planet. He's one of those people you find yourself smiling at simply because he's smiling. You can tell he's genuinely happy to meet you and happy that you're in his place. That kind of energy spreads quickly. The staff was amazing, and the pours were HEAVY. Nobody was measuring those drinks with fear in their heart. They also had the grill going for hours, which only added to the neighborhood cookout feeling of the whole night. But let me leave you with the most important piece of information from this review. If you ever get the opportunity to try the owner's lamb chops, SAY YES. Don't ask questions. Don't overthink it. Just take the lamb chop. You can thank me later.

Was overcharged for beer (bought 8, charged for 11) and then a few days later got hit with another…read morecharge of $24.

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Quick drink in the open air windows while taking a break from packing my neice for a move…read more Nice, no-nonsense bartender, and the nice bouncer joked with us and asked us "old folks" for our licenses to prove we were over 35 (bless his heart). My niece in her twenties fit right, as this place was her call. My sister and I are older, and our hanging out in bars time is in our rear view--so needless to say we ordered our Sauvignon Blancs and they came in a can but it was good!!! What can I say--a little day-drinking out of a can never hurt anyone!!

There was a man in this bar yelling horrible things at me and my friend walking by so my friend…read moreconfronted the people. Then the bouncer (i dont know his name) tall, black, long hair, maybe 350 pounds, comes over to us yelling at us to get away or hed call the police, then he started calling my friend fat, ugly, prostitute, etc. So not only do they have security protecting men yelling terrible things at us but security that then proceeded to join in on harassing us and then threaten to call the police on us. Mind you we never once entered the bar, just stood outside and called out the guy that thought it would be funny to yell disgusting things at us. Whoever the bouncer was last night on 10/13/26 needs to be fired.

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Absolutely immaculate Irish pub. Cheap beers and a good vibe all around. Came for Thursday karaoke…read moreand will definite be back!

Hahahha I didn't know what I was walking into, and that's on me. It's a karaoke bar on a Friday so…read moreit's this cute in between of comfy irish pub and lively karaoke bar. I like it. The prices are unbeatable. I would come back, but I would be prepped for karaoke!

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(60 reviews)

This place is very similar to the next door bar Halligans. They actually have the same owner and…read moreyou will see the same bartenders working both locations, there is even a secret door that connects both bars. You can have some fun with it since from the H&L side it looks like a normal door, and once you cross into Halligans the door is perfectly blended in with the wall so you can't see it. I always send a friend through and see how long it takes them to figure it out. As far as drinks, pretty much identical to Halligan but they are more expensive. I only come here when Halligans is packed and I don't mind paying extra but to get a seat and quicker service.

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