Category: Irish

In the former location of a Lakeview hardware store, the Wilde Bar opened in November 2007. Featuring two full bars, authentic Irish food, and a beautiful interior, the bar would not disappoint Oscar Wilde. Were he alive today, the great gay Irish playwright would feel comfortable here eating a plate of bangers and mash, drinking whiskey in the back with a boyfriend or seated by the fireplace writing something witty.

Inside, the Wilde Bar is much longer and broader than the narrow storefront would lead you to expect. Amber and bronze chandeliers hang over the two long dark bars, the leather booths and two fireplaces with portraits of Oscar Wilde. Portraits of other Irish writers like William Butler Yeats and Samuel Beckett hang on the walls. Two stained glass windows in the ceiling show red dragonflies and Celtic knots. The décor reminds you of Wilde’s insights about aesthetics; even the tile and wood beam floor looks beautiful. Two plasma TVs silently show basketball and other sports, so you can keep up with the games and keep up a conversation at the same time. Like a pub in Ireland, the bar features some booths with walls on three sides, called “snugs”. At night you could drink privately here with a date.

The menu features old-fashioned Irish with staples like lamb, chicken pot pie, champ (mashed potatoes with milk, scallions and butter ($2.95) and the enormous savory Irish breakfast with bungers, bacon, grilled tomato, mushrooms, baked beans, two eggs, toast and black and white (sausage) puddings. Other menu items put an Irish spin on American food like the burgers with Irish chips and coleslaw or the chicken salad with Irish cheddar and bacon. Two soups are on the menu; one is always vegetarian. Desserts include a Guinness chocolate cake, sticky toffee pudding and lemon syllabub with wine sauce. For a brunch, dinner or dessert date, portions are generous and satisfying. My only complaint about the menu is that beer does not come cheap here; Guinness is $6 and Bud and Coors or $4. This would move me to skip directly to whiskey and other drinks.

Service was prompt and attentive here and the food was the best I’ve had since I visited Dublin. The Wilde Bar and Restaurant combines old-fashioned beauty with American comfort and great Irish food and drink. There are DJs here on weekends and private parties. I have nothing to declare but its genius.

Probably the most popular Irish bar in all of Chicago and sponsors of the St. Patrick's Day parade and the annual Celtic Fest downtown. The Abbey Pub is also host to live entertainment with a nicely risen stage and a good shot from just about any vantage point. The sound is fairly decent as well, with a low ceiling, wrap around balcony that allows guests to enjoy traditional Irish fare while catching a show.

The decor in the venue area is very charming, with large rounded picture windows that take up both floors and exposed brick walls, helping to justify its namesake. Couples may want to venture upstairs during crowded shows, where the dim lighting and sense of relative spaciousness will allow for a more intimate experience. In spite of the big screen TV's and other sports bar regalia, this place has a classic homey feel to it. Service can be a little on the slow side with the wait staff, but with so much going on, only seriously hungry patrons will notice. The bars however are manned by squadrons of staff, ensuring everyone gets their pints in a timely manner.

As far as the food is concerned, this place really knows how to serve up some fantastic, authentic Irish fare. Go for the fish and chips - a huge, hearty portion that is also on the all you can eat special Friday nights. The shepherd's pie is undoubtedly the best in the city, and where else would anyone want to order up corned beef and cabbage on Saint Paddy's Day? An interesting addition is the curry fries, which is covered in a wonderful gravy. Of course, standard bar grub is also available and very tasty, like burgers, cheese sticks and hot wings, but it seems almost sinful to order that sort of thing here!

So head on down to the Abbey, grab a pint of the dark stuff and check out a great band!

Located just beyond Chicago’s western boundary and next door to the dry town of Oak Park is this popular Irish pub and grub that is sure to win over any sweetheart! With an inviting country atmosphere, its large beer garden complete with its own bar and plenty of fun and friendly locals, Horan's Snug is a place where anyone is welcome, from business professionals to blue collared laborers and just about everyone in between.

The main bar is well-stocked with a large variety of top shelf libations and a nice selection of brews, hosted by very talented and knowledgeable bar staff who can concoct anything desired. Not to be seconded is its homey menu, which features nightly specials of both contemporary and traditional Irish fare. Some of the biggest requests include the shepherd’s pie, the steaks and the Big Snug, a burger so large the meek should not even consider ordering. In the summer months, people from all walks of life enjoy the charming beer garden out back, with dim lighting and delicate theme, making patrons feel as though they’re spending an evening at a good friend’s back yard.

In addition to the wining and dining is their popular karaoke nights starting at 10pm, comprising of over 35,000 song selections from every genre imaginable, guaranteed to keep the night hopping! People are known to travel from the city and outlying suburbs just to croon! Also, because Horan’s is located on Forest Park’s main strip, marauding party-goers frequent this establishment and tend to hunker down in the later hours, making last calls hard to enforce!

This combination undoubtedly makes for any kind of evening a couple could want, from a casual dinner and drinks to a wild shindig later at night. It’s little wonder Horan’s is so popular, and why I highly recommend it to all of my friends!