The Lodge Tavern. Chicago, Illinois

21 West Division Street

Guinness Tag: $8.00 | Overall Rating: 8.95

Today's Dedicated Pint: That one guy who got tazed at a Reds game while doing a backflip in Left Field

"Twas a woman who first led me to The Lodge, Chicago. I never did write to thank her."

Holy smokes, guys, this Pub is special. We were walking along Division Street after enjoying a Guinness at Dublin's Pub just a few blocks away, when we stumbled across the Lodge. We were heading to Butch McGuire's which is located directly across the street, but we noticed this charming little spot with the Irish flag out front and said "well, we gotta step foot inside this joint!" It was an unexpected Irish Pub visit, which typically always turns out to be some of the most enjoyable and best Pub visits, being the spontaneity.

As you approach the place from the curb, you're instantly gravitated toward the door with its greenery, shingles, and incredibly inviting charm. It looks too cozy not to go in. Once you walk in? Oof. Trust me when I say that this is not only one of the coziest Pubs in Chicago, but it just may be one of the coziest Pubs in America! (It's not the coziest, but it's up there). The perfectly, dark stained wooden panels alongside the professionally dim-lit ambience provides one of the best environments in American Irish Pub history.

I know some people hate a bunch of lacquer on a bar surface, but I love it. The Lodge Tavern? It's got enough lacquer to cover Rosie O'Donnell's ass. I don't know what it is; but an unnecessary amount of lacquer on an extremely old bar counter just hits different. It allows you to be a little reckless with your glass and add to the patina.

Alright, no more lacquer talk. They poured their first pint in 1957 and apparently it hasn't changed much. They give you peanuts to crack open and leave the shells wherever you please, although unlike others, I can't throw shells on the floor for someone else to pick up later, even if the staff says to do it anyway.

There are no TVs behind the bar, only behind the barstools, allowing patrons to fully embrace a social conversation amongst one another. Friendly chatter is never absent here as locals are constantly coming in and out. We had to have met at least 4 or 5 different people who not only rave about The Lodge, but have been regulars for years. This Pub certainly has a great reputation to uphold every day.

Again, everything about this place is so nice on the eyes. The walls are covered with old photographs, art, and boobs. Yes. You'll find a pair of boobs in here if you pay slight attention. The floorboards are creaky and remind me of a bowling lane. The barstools aren't your "run of the mill" and the light fixtures are gorgeous, giving off a warm, amber glow. The ceiling beams "are a 'beaut, Clark," and the mirrors along the walls definitely make the place feel bigger than it is.

The latrines are small and functional. The bathroom ceiling tiles? 8 outta 10. The bathroom water pressure? 10 outta 10. They're not too stinky and your shoes don't stick to the floor, so you can rely on the Lodge for a satisfactory experience while you plop the potato. Although, holy smokes; that water shot out of that faucet like it wanted to hurt me.

They pour their Guinness the right way, inside a traditional pint glass alongside a great head. The whiskey choices are a little pathetic, but they do provide a worthwhile selection of draft beer. You'll find a plethora of police badges by the liquor shelves and a Keurig machine near the POS system... can't say I've seen many of those behind any bars before.

One stinker about the place is that they don't accept cash, so there's no anonymity here. A great follow up to that, though, is that unless you look like a total scrub: they won't require a card to start a tab, so they treat you like a trusty friend rather than a sketchy stranger. You have to appreciate that type of hospitality, especially in such a heavily foot trafficked part of town.

This place would be one hell of a place to throw some darts in. A few hours worth of Guinness gulping, Paddy's sipping, and Steel Tip throwing would surely make for a notable, lovely day with a good friend. I do wish that I could frequent here, as I certainly would had I lived nearby.

At the end of the day, this place is definitely worthy of being called a staple. It has a fairytale feel to it, inside and out. The nice lady sitting next to me said "it's a place that Hansel and Gretel would probably enjoy from time to time," and I have to agree with her, although I never did write to thank her. Aside from the Irish flag out front by the door, there's not much of an Irish touch to it anywhere else. With that, I can't give it a rating over a 9, but I'm happy to give it the best score underneath that!

A Beautiful Set of Boobs at The Lodge in Chicago

Thanks for an unforgettable experience, The Lodge peeps. Slainte!