Corcoran's. Chicago, Illinois

1615 North Wells Street #99

Guinness Tag: $9.00 | Overall Rating: 9.25

Today's Dedicated Pint: Rachel Dury

Corcoran's Pub has given me an incredibly long-lasting impression since I left. This is my 99th official Pub rating since starting this whole thing (Stepping foot inside every Irish Pub in America).

When I originally came up with the idea of being the first person to step foot inside literally every Irish Pub in the United States, it was just a sidepiece that I was hyped up on for a few months as I worked as Mr. Red (the mascot of the Cincinnati Reds). As I was approaching closer to my 100th Pub visit of all time, I looked at how fun it has been, how much I've learned, and how much I've developed since my first official Pub visit at Hap's Irish Pub in Cincinnati. There has been a lot of people tuning in on some of these recent articles and I'm now more motivated and passionate than ever to take this thing to the finish line.

My wife, Rachel, is into bookstores. Just recently she "bookstore crawled" to 22 bookstores in the greater Cincinnati area. She was with me during my trip here in Chicago as I tackled 22 Irish Pubs in two and a half days. It's now a contest on who can manage to break the record of 22 stops in under three days, regarding our individual interests. I'm at the disadvantage of course, as I'm drinking Guinness at every stop while she sips on Coca Cola. I'm going to smoke her, though. She doesn't know about this contest yet.

We were leaving a bookstore down the street from Corcoran's called Slant of Light. I didn't know Corcoran's even existed until we accidentally stumbled upon it along our way to Declan's Pub down the street. It was an unexpected Pub visit, and the best part about it is that the Pub kicks ass.

Before I get to the Pub's pleasant curb appeal, I want to address my favorite thing about the place: the staff. Our bartender was phenomenal. He had jokes, he acted as if he wanted us to spend time there, he was eager to pour us drinks, and he was constantly laughing and smiling throughout the hour visit that we partook in. I never wrote his name down, and if I did then I would have added him to my "Best Bartender Tracker" on my website's homepage. He made my wife a terrific mule, he poured me one of the best pours of Guinness throughout our trip to Chitown, and he made fun of the TV show "Wipeout" with us as it was playing on TV. One of my favorite memories growing up was watching the show called MXC on Spike TV with my sister. That show was the most politically incorrect show of all time, and it would certainly be banned throughout the planet if it aired today. It was hilarious, and it makes "Wipeout" look like a total piece of brown stuff.

As you approach Corcoran's you'll notice an incredibly inviting entryway. It offers blue and gold colors with nice lettering for its signage. It has a small patio out front and a large beer garden in the back. When you step inside, you witness the Pub's true beauty: the light fixtures, the bronze ceiling tiles, the signage, the notable furniture, and simple Irish touches throughout. This place kicks ass.

The Craic is predominantly coming from the behind the bar, which I love. Sometimes Pubs have such a good base of regulars that they tend to rely on them to develop the Craic as the shift goes on rather than establishing it themselves. When that happens on a consistent basis, then the Pub will eventually lose its magic: it's inevitable. PSA to all Pub owners: never stop producing the Craic from behind the bar. Once you lose it, you're fucked.

I typically don't admire marble slabs as countertops when I bend my elbows at a bar, but Corcoran's did it the right way by adding a wooden elbow rest to accompany it. It gives you a new age look with a classic feel.

The latrines are clean and worthy, and the floorboards throughout the place work well. As you swivel around on your barstool you are abutted with beautiful colors and wall decor that fit into place. Sometimes Pubs will explode every square inch of wall space with decor, and other Pubs have essentially no decor whatsoever. Corcoran's provides a perfect touch of wall space and decor. The colors and stained wood really give the place a good pop.

The draft beer selection works, and the tap station is gorgeous. They provide an impressive whiskey selection as well as decent happy hour pricing. Corcoran's is great. Is it the most memorable place I've ever plopped my potato in? Definitely not, but it surely makes me want to promote the crap out of the establishment.