In a city that dyes its river green every St. Paddy’s Day, it’s no surprise to find an Irish pub on every corner. But don’t believe the O’ or Mc behind every name–some are faking it like a bad Irish brogue. We’ve spotted the ones that get it right, and the ones that aren’t so lucky.
Fado
100 W. Grand Ave. 312-836-0066
Inside: Despite being a chain, this pub gets points for authenticity. Just about everything–from the bar tops, wood and even a boat hanging from the ceiling–has been imported from the Emerald Isle.
Drinks: Props for Gaelic hangover cure Lucozade, an Irish energy drink.
Eats: Chow down on a boxty (a cross between a latke and a crepe), Irish breakfast and shepherd’s pie.
Staff: Hard not to miss the Limerick, Galway, Dublin and Kerry brogues.
Crowd: Americans and ex-pats who regularly watch rugby and football matches on satellite TV.
Music: On the CD player: The Thrills, The Frames and other modern bands along with traditional Irish music. Live bands such as U2 followers Elevation –complete with a mini-Bono– and Anish are regulars.
Rating: 4 SHAMROCKS
Celtic Crown Public House
4301 N. Western Ave. 773-588-1110
Inside: This spot’s stuffed with Irish memorabilia along with a fireplace, pool table, Golden Tee, dartboard and several TVs. “A” for effort, but it’s pretty obvious this Irish-to-order spot is a baby of Ala Carte Entertainment.
Drinks: Guinness, Murphy’s and Harp on tap along with Killian’s Irish Red and cocktails named Pot of Gold and Lucky Charm for the wannabe Irish.
Eats: Classic pub grub plus an Irish breakfast.
Staff: Some are native Irish, but others are still learning how to make shamrocks in the heads of customers’ Guinness.
Crowd: Mostly Americans.
Music: Points deducted for karaoke on Saturday nights and no live Irish tunes.
Rating: 2 SHAMROCKS
Celtic Crossings
751 N. Clark St. 312-337-1005
Inside: The owners of this ultra-authentic pub call counties Laois, Waterford and Cork home. There’s no TV, and that’s on purpose. Extra points for a cozy fireplace area and a shillelagh (Irish walking stick) displayed on the wall.
Drinks: Bet you’ve never heard of Kinsale, which is on tap along with Guinness. Irish mixers Club Orange and Club Lemon go nicely with vodka.
Eats: No food besides Taytos, a brand of Irish chips.
Staff: All Irish
Crowd: Heavily brogued.
Music: Traditional Irish music on Sunday evenings, but don’t freak if you hear Michael Jackson on the CD player.
Rating: 5 SHAMROCKS
Mystic Celt
3443 N. Southport Ave.
773-529-8550
Inside: Not a shamrock in sight!
Drinks: You can sip on green beer (say it ain’t so!) for St. Paddy’s Day in the form of Miller Lite. But this Irish standby redeems itself by offering Guinness, Harp and Smithwicks on tap along with a fine selection of whiskeys such as Middleton, Jameson, Black Bush and more.
Eats: Irish breakfast buffet on weekends, curry chips and a mixed grill available daily.
Staff: Half know the Irish national anthem by heart.
Crowd: Young professionals, families and some Irish.
Music: No live traditional Irish music. DJ spins contemporary jams on the weekends.
Rating: 4 SHAMROCKS
Keegan’s Pub
10618 S. Western Ave. 773-233-6829
Inside: Guinness signs, pictures of Irish authors and other Irish bric-a-brac dot the walls.
Drinks: Guinness, Harp and Smithwicks on tap. You’ll also find an adequate (though not staggering) variety of whiskeys –Tullamore Dew, Jamesons, Bushmillsto warm the bones.
Eats: No food.
Staff: Mostly Americans.
Crowd: A son of County Armagh opened this Beverly bar, but you won’t find many accents here, unless you’re looking for Chicago ones.
Music: Live bluegrass on Tuesday nights, traditional Irish music and a digital jukebox that plays top 40 hits.
Rating: 3 SHAMROCKS
3 more Irish ayes
The Grafton
4530 N. Lincoln Ave.,
773-271-9000
The owners are Irish-born; the ambience is alternately brooding and boisterous.
Gunther Murphy’s
1638 W. Belmont Ave.,
773-472-5139
Irish hipsters gather for a jukebox filled with cool Celtic rock.
Molly Malone’s
7652 W. Madison St., Forest Park,
708-366-8073
Brogues abound at this Irish outpost in the ‘burbs.
