Dublin's. Chicago, Illinois

1050 North State Street

Guinness Tag: $10.00 | Overall Rating: 9.45

Today's Dedicated Pint: Sir John Harington

Dublin's Curb Appeal in Chicago. North State Street

They don't make them like Dublin's anymore. I can actually say this with incredible confidence: nobody in the year 2025 and beyond is capable of opening a brand-new Irish Pub like this one. Could someone open up a better Irish Pub? Certainly. However, when you step foot inside of Dublin's, you're existing in a different timeframe. It's old-school, it's got an abundance of patina, and it blends in a marvelous touch of "America" to its Irishness. There are a few really old-school Irish Pubs in Chicago, and this sits near the top. In fact, I'd say that the only other Chitown Pub that may have Dublin's beat in the "old-school vibe" would be The Shamrock Club over on Kinzie Street (Dublin's is a way better Pub though, don't kid yourself.)

They poured their first pint of Guinness in 1991 and have no plans on stopping. They're open 18 hours a day, aside from Saturdays in which they are open for 19 hours! Many people are coming here for the food, actually, as they serve breakfast all day and keep the kitchen open extremely late for those looking to indulge past 11pm. The entire menu from food to drinks is amazingly, unreasonably expensive though, so look out!

Speaking of their menu, let's chat about the "dranks." The Guinness comes in a 16oz glass, which totally blows. When I said that this place does a great job combining the Irish and American cultures together, the 16oz pour is NOT a good representation of that. There's never a valid excuse to serve Guinness in an untraditional pint glass (unless it's St. Paddy's Day and your Pub is packed like sardines in a cramped space with a bunch of idiots, then sure... sell it in a plastic cup... but only that one time!)

Dublin's Bar and Grill has a 16oz Guinness Pour

They're not trying to impress anyone with their other draft beer selections, but they certainly get the job done. They offer enough of selections on whiskey to keep any working man happy, but there's always a Karen out there who's just waiting to complain about the absence of Killowen's Small Batch. Take it as you will, if you're not a snob then you'll be a happy camper when you claim any of these barstools.

The best thing about Dublin's is the Craic. Time doesn't really exist here, so it's easy to bend the elbows for hours longer than originally expected. As Gaelic Storm famously said, "don't go for 'the one'." Kind of like eating just one potato chip out of a freshly opened bag: it just may be impossible to go to Dublin's for just ONE pint of anything. An obvious indicator of great Craic is when you find yourself at a Pub and just can't seem to ever close out your tab. It's too easy to strike up a conversation with anyone sitting at the bar here. To be honest, if you plop your potato at Dublin's for an hour or two and don't find yourself partaking in a few conversations with the other barguests then there's probably something wrong with you. Let's not forget that Pubs originally blossomed to be where locals gathered for town hall meetings, political debates, and to find out what's going on throughout the community. Over time, and especially right now in today's day of age, many people have lost sight of that: it's actually normal to go to a Pub to meet locals, learn new traditions, and to enjoy the company of people you don't know. You're actually the abnormal one if you're the type that goes to a Pub just to sit in silence with your face buried 10 inches from your phone. There. I said it.

The people that frequent here are blue-collar, hard-working folks who are strangers to no one. It'll be hard to find anyone under 30 years old in here and you'll almost never find annoying college kids in here either. Mind you, as I always say; the best time to go to an Irish Pub is when the sun is still shining. If you decide to go to a Pub past 10pm then you better throw any of my tidbits about any particular Pub out the window because at that point, you can't judge a Pub on who walks through the door and the shenanigans that go on just before closing time.

The bartenders aren't playing any games, however, if you show them love and don't act like an idiot then they'll be your best friend. I've been here a few times before, but my bartender from today's visit mentioned that he dated a chick from Cincinnati years ago, and even though they broke up he still finds himself buying Grippo's Chips! (When I'm not writing articles about Irish Pubs, I spend my time fulfilling the role as Mr. Red, the mascot of the Cincinnati Reds. So, it's hard for me not to talk about the beautiful city of Cincinnati while I'm traveling). Shout out to Grippo's! Let's go!

The Drunken Mallard, Cincinnati, and Grippo's Chips

Shoot, I haven't even talked about the cosmetics of this place yet. First of all, the curb appeal totally works and I don't care what anyone says otherwise. It's its own building in the middle of the magic of State Street and it screams, "come have a beer with me." They have a lovely patio throughout the warmer months with greenery and shrubbery. The interior has a perfect touch of natural lighting, especially with the skylight above the bar. You'll find comfy booths, high top tables, and perfectly "worn-in" furniture. The toiletries are very tidy and... well, they get the job done. There's a jukebox for the finger snappers, TVs for the spectators, and very authentic sports decor for those who like the Cubs, Sox, Bulls, and Blackhawks.

This isn't a proper Pub, but it certainly isn't improper. You'll find yourself spending a handful of change and if your taste buds are craving a lamb shank then they can find one here. The music is good for the most part, ranging from the Foo Fighters to Frank Sinatra. The atmosphere overall satisfies the "neighborhood Pub" desires, and the vibe is always a unique one. Dublin's stays true to its word; it offers a perfect touch of Ireland in Chicago.

I'll leave you with this: You know it's an awesome spot when you get teary eyed as you leave, knowing that you may never step foot in there again. That was the case as I was closing out my tab here at Dublin's, as I have a good collection of memories under this roof and at the end of the day, this place kicks ass. I love you, Dublin's! Don't ever change. Slainte.