The Galway Arms. Chicago, Illinois

2442 North Clark Street

Guinness Tag: $8.00 | Overall Rating: 9.30

Today's Dedicated Pint: Kelly LaRegina

Galway Arms of Chicago Curb Appeal

This is a Pub that delivers the duty on all of the things you think about when it comes to an Irish Pub. It certainly has the eye candy, it offers live Celtic music and live Celtic sports, it's cozy, there's Craic, and there's always Guinness. When I say that the place has eye candy, I really mean it. Let me explain.

The Pub was placed in the alleyway of two brick buildings. So, you have a couple of dining rooms inside the buildings and the bar counter itself in the middle of them. When you sit at the bar and look up, you'll see an old fire escape and the sky through a skylight. They enclosed it, of course, so everyone stays dry and warm. It's truly remarkable, impressive, unique, and all of the sort. I promise you that you've never seen anything like it and when you come in person you will certainly say something along the lines of "holy sh#t, this is amazing." (Especially if you're a Craic Addict".

The place as a whole is incredibly cozy with dim lighting, two lit fireplaces, beautiful light fixtures, very authentic decor, and acoustic music. There's a booth behind the bar counter that lays in the alley as well and it holds a lot of magic. When sitting in the booth you are surrounded by exposed brick, a classic Magners sign, an etched-out window, an overhanging lamp, and an immaculate view when you look directly above. I'm telling you; this place is truly unique.

It sits inside Linkin Park, the second most visited park in the United States, named after Abraham Lincoln. It's a short walk away from the Linkin Park Zoo, which is a free Zoo and a good one at that, and it's easily attainable by the CTA's Red Line train.

The craftsmanship at the bar is stunning and the red paint over the plaster near the bricks provides a very nice touch to the vibe. The place has a great touch of that "used and abused" feel to it, whereas the furniture and countertop has more charm and history vs new and patina-less. There are a few TVs to appease the sports fans but there aren't too many of them which is nice. It's always a bad touch (in my opinion) when Pubs tend to throw a TV on every wall and every corner, as if they're trying to be the next Buffalo Wild Wings. The bathrooms are clean with good signage.

The bar has an impressive whiskey selection from across the pond (Writers' Tears) and the draft beers are giving patrons everything they need. The Guinness is served in a traditional pint glass (thank God), and the pour is average at best. There's Craic coming from both behind and in front of the bar, as you can tell right away that the bartenders have their regulars and they are quite the inviting group of people. Let's just say that it's really easy to stir up some conversation around here. We had a lovely chat with a local businesswoman along with the bartender about potatoes.

If you come during the warmer months then the patio is going to be your best friend, as it offers a great amount of shade with a good outdoor vibe. The curb appeal during the spring will tickle your fancies as well, giving you greenery and shrubbery.

At the end of the day, The Galway Arms is a treasure. I can't stress enough how unique the place is. You should definitely take it upon yourself and stumble into this place because to be Frank; my words don't do the Pub justice. Thanks for the lovely time, Galway Arms. You can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be back again!

Slainte.