O'Callaghan's. Chicago, IL

29 West Hubbard Street #83

Guinness Tag: $10.00 | Overall Rating: 5.15

Today's Dedicated Pint: Ricki from Jersey City. Hey, Ricki!

O'Callaghan's Curb Appeal on a Brisk Evening in Chicago

This isn't a very good Pub but there's something about it that makes me want to cut it some slack. I still don't know what that something is, though. O'Callaghan's stays open until 4am every night after opening their doors at 11 am, giving patrons a 17-hour window to snag a Guinness. There's a bouncer (a friendly one at least) before you step foot inside the place which is never a charming asset and there's a tiny patio for the great outdoorsmen.

It lays its bones in the River North of downtown, which is an easy walk to the Mag Mile, the Chicago River, and Navy Peir. Chicago is the birthplace to the Ferris Wheel, and O'Callaghan's is the birthplace to nothing. I mean that in the sense that there's nothing unique about the place. The signage on the wall is the same signage you've seen in countless other Pubs, the bathrooms are weak, the bartenders couldn't care less if you choose to come in or not, and the atmosphere is incredibly "hey, bro." I will admit that I really like the two topless ladies that are sculpted out of wood behind the bar. I'd rather be people watching at the airport bar than spend time in here.

The music is fun, the lighting is nice (beautiful chandeliers), and there a couple of TVs for those who like to spectate. NFL Sundays might not be too enjoyable if you're trying to watch all of the games, though (if you're into that sorta thing). This is the type of place you come to if you're in the mood to hear unnecessarily loud voices and take over-priced bombs with 20-minute friends. They offer an expensive pour of Guinness but at least it's poured the right way. O'Callaghan's provides very little that leaves you with a lasting impression. They offer Magners off the tap, so that's nice, I guess?

The whiskey selection gets the job done and the furniture/countertop has a good "used and abused" feel to it (which is not a knock). There's exposed brick and dim lighting that gives off a cozy vibe which is nice, and there's a plastic swordfish on the wall to look at. Again, there's nothing really bad or ugly about the place. It'll satisfy a craving of going to a bar, but it's nowhere to close to being in the same ballpark of Butch McGuire's, The Dead Rabbit, or Patrick O'Shea's when it comes to the Irish Pub scene. It's just your run of the mill with all of the "bros." Hey, bro!

They may have sneaked away with a better score than what was earned, but I'm telling you, there's just something about the place that's makes you say "it ain't too terrible" in here. I still don't know what the hell that is, though.

Thanks for a fun time, anyway, O'Callaghan's. I'm off to a better barstool and I can't say that I'll be back (not that you care). Slainte!

Do you like Cubs, White Sox, or neither?

• Cubs
• White Sox
• Chicago sports teams can kick rocks
• I don't give a flip about sports