O'Leary's Public House

(312) 661-1306

541 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60610 41.8918 -87.634

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Neighborhoods: Near North Side, Central

Hours:

Mon- Sunday 11am to 2am

Last updated 12.17.09

Category:

Pubs, Bars & Clubs, Neighborhood Bars, Bars & Pubs

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Lunch Spot, Happy Hour

Bar & Club Type of Music:

Irish & Celtic

Bar & Club Special Features:

Outdoor Seating, After Work, Smoking Permitted

Smoking Permitted:

Yes

What People Are Saying About O'Leary's Public House

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – In the midst of River North, O'Leary's is a homey little place with hardwood paneling, an old mahogany bar, and plenty of draft beer choices like Guinness, Bass and Harp. The Irish pub's menu spans the Atlantic with classics like Irish stew and includes American classic bar fare as well. Burgers are the easy choice--half-pound and served with crisp fries (or pasta salad). In the summer, O'Leary's outdoor patio provides prime people-watching.

ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. Beer banners and TVs broadcasting sports contrast with the refinement of the huge dark-wood bar, but the disparity sets O'Leary's comfortable tone.
  2. The food is delicious, and their happy hour is a lot of fun without being stuffy or over crowded.
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. There's a good selection of draft beers, prices are reasonable, and the jukebox plays songs most folks know.
  2. Beer banners and TVs broadcasting sports contrast with the refinement of the huge dark-wood bar, but the disparity sets O'Leary's comfortable tone.
  3. The drink prices are pretty average and the food is not bad--the chicken Caesar salad is surprisingly tasty.
  4. My girl friends and I went to O'learys after work last week and found that the drinks were not over priced, the bar was busy but not over crowed, and the food was really good.
  5. This is a perfect spot for just hanging out and having drinks--not a scene place or typical of any particular type of crowd, it's more upscale than a dive, but not as uptight as a hipster haven.
food quality
75.0% positive
  1. The food is delicious, and their happy hour is a lot of fun without being stuffy or over crowded.
  2. The drink prices are pretty average and the food is not bad--the chicken Caesar salad is surprisingly tasty.
  3. My girl friends and I went to O'learys after work last week and found that the drinks were not over priced, the bar was busy but not over crowed, and the food was really good.
  4. That wouldn't have bothered me if the food hadn't been totally disgusting.
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. There's a good selection of draft beers, prices are reasonable, and the jukebox plays songs most folks know.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. This is a good place for lunch or after work.
  2. am normally a very low-maintenance patron, but have eaten at some other great Irish places in Chicago (Garrett Ripley's) and was disappointed we stumbled into this place.
service
100.0% positive
  1. The service was nice and prompt.
value
100.0% positive
  1. There's a good selection of draft beers, prices are reasonable, and the jukebox plays songs most folks know.
  2. The drink prices are pretty average and the food is not bad--the chicken Caesar salad is surprisingly tasty.
  3. Beer banners and TVs broadcasting sports contrast with the refinement of the huge dark-wood bar, but the disparity sets O'Leary's comfortable tone.
  4. My girl friends and I went to O'learys after work last week and found that the drinks were not over priced, the bar was busy but not over crowed, and the food was really good.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/04/10

HAPPY HAPPY Hour!

by newgirl1 at Citysearch

I love this Irish Pub. The food is delicious, and their Happy Hour is a lot of fun without being stuffy or over crowded. My girl friends and I went to O'learys after work last week and found that the drinks were not over priced, the bar was busy but not over crowed, and the food was really good. The fried Mac and Cheese rocked!

  • Pros: great food and drinks
  • Cons: nothing
2 Star Rating: Below Average

02/03/07

Do not eat here

by megancoughlin at Citysearch

My mom and I went in to O'leary's on a dead Sunday afternoon. There were 3 other people in the bar. The bartendress was chatting on the phone with her friend and set it down just long enough to take our order. That wouldn't have bothered me if the food hadn't been totally disgusting. My mom ordered a burger and said she had never before seen hamburger that looked like that. I had a tuna melt that was cold in the middle. Also, the diet coke was flat. I am normally a very low-maintenance patron, but have eaten at some other great Irish places in Chicago (Garrett Ripley's) and was disappointed we stumbled into this place. If you were just looking to have a beer at the bar, this would be a fine choice.

  • Pros: No wait for a table
  • Cons: Food
4 Star Rating: Recommended

05/22/02

Perfect after-work bar

by robyngalbos_citysearch at Citysearch

I love the sidewalk patio and the big open windows in the summertime. The drink prices are pretty average and the food is not bad--the chicken Caesar salad is surprisingly tasty. It's a great after-work hangout.

3.5 Star Rating: Average

05/20/02

Fine times

by MauraYork_Citysearch at Citysearch

This is a perfect spot for just hanging out and having drinks--not a scene place or typical of any particular type of crowd, it's more upscale than a dive, but not as uptight as a hipster haven. Beer banners and TVs broadcasting sports contrast with the refinement of the huge dark-wood bar, but the disparity sets O'Leary's comfortable tone. The bartenders tend to be older men, which may give an initial impression of an old boys' club, but they are equally attentive to both male and female patrons. The menu is fairly straightforward--sandwiches and bar munchies--and satisfying. There's a good selection of draft beers, prices are reasonable, and the jukebox plays songs most folks know.

3.5 Star Rating: Average

05/15/02

Good pub

by nathanstull_citysearch at Citysearch

This is a good place for lunch or after work. The food is basic, but not greasy. The service was nice and prompt. Sitting outside is fun, and the crowd is basically office folks on their way in one direction or another. I will be going back.

The Details on O'Leary's Public House

Place Categories:

  • really good food
  • prompt service
  • big open windows
  • love sidewalk patio
  • perfect spot
  • happy hour
  • surprisingly tasty chicken caesar salad
  • flat diet coke
  • good place
  • comfortable tone
  • great afterwork hangout
  • love irish pub
  • reasonable prices
  • huge darkwood bar
  • great irish places
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