O'briens Restaurant & Bar

(312) 787-3131

1528 N Wells St (North Avenue)
Chicago, IL 60610 41.9099 -87.6349

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Neighborhoods: Near North Side, Central

OBRIENSRESTAURANT.COM

Years in business

Established in 1981

Hours:

Mon-Fri 11am-10pm

Sat-Sun 11am-12am

Price:

$$$

Last updated 8.16.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Outdoor Dining, Private Rooms, People Watching, Lunch Spot, Date Spot, Group Dining, Live Music, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

Steakhouse

What People Are Saying About O'briens Restaurant & Bar

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – O'Brien's exudes old-school elegance with a copper-topped bar, teak outdoor furniture and live piano music. On weekends, well-heeled locals mix with young scenesters, and during the summer, O'Brien's beer garden is packed. The continental menu highlights steak and seafood. Options include a starter of paper-thin pizza with smoky chicken and mushrooms; Caesar salad prepared tableside; Chilean sea bass; and a fillet with sauteed mushrooms. Lunch entrees include burgers and grilled tuna sandwiches.

Editor's Tips

Parking:
O'Brien's offers complimentary valet.
When to Go:
Patio seating is coveted and more easily obtainable during the week; weekend nights are packed.
Know Before You Go:
There's live music Tuesday-Sunday in the bar starting around 7:30pm.
The Extras:
The restaurant shows its Irish heritage during a huge St. Paddy's Day celebration, with live entertainment, a corned beef and cabbage buffet and more.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. Great location but unless they pay better attention to food & service I don't think too many people will keep coming back.
  2. Great food and atmosphere
  3. The atmosphere and surroundings are fantastic.
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. traditional standbys like shrimp cocktails, caesar and iceberg salads, steaks and seafood.
  2. THe wait staff was excellent and the bartender mixed great (ie potent) drinks and was hilarious (however, those without a sense of humor or insecure may not laugh).
  3. unique, historic dining room is pleasantly separate from the also-friendly piano bar area.
food quality
92.8600025177002% positive
  1. live in Old Town and this place runs hot & cold: food can be inspired or insipid, service can be downright awful or attentive.
  2. The food (we had fish, pork, lamb, and steak at our table) was excellent, and well complemented by a variety of bread.
  3. The food was very good (we ordered mainly burgers and chicken).
  4. traditional standbys like shrimp cocktails, caesar and iceberg salads, steaks and seafood.
  5. Good food and great outdoor seating.
  6. Great location but unless they pay better attention to food & service I don't think too many people will keep coming back.
  7. Great food and atmosphere
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. The food (we had fish, pork, lamb, and steak at our table) was excellent, and well complemented by a variety of bread.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. great restaurant, wonderful outdoor dining
service
71.4300012588501% positive
  1. The hamburgers were excellent and the service was superb.
  2. Our server was very attentive to our needs, and our glasses were always full.
  3. Great location but unless they pay better attention to food & service I don't think too many people will keep coming back.
  4. live in Old Town and this place runs hot & cold: food can be inspired or insipid, service can be downright awful or attentive.
  5. unique, historic dining room is pleasantly separate from the also-friendly piano bar area.
  6. went there last night and the bartender was unbelievably awful.
  7. THe wait staff was excellent and the bartender mixed great (ie potent) drinks and was hilarious (however, those without a sense of humor or insecure may not laugh).
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/01/06

Great food and atmosphere

by sundayafternoons

A unique, historic dining room is pleasantly separate from the also-friendly piano bar area. The food (we had fish, pork, lamb, and steak at our table) was excellent, and well complemented by a variety of bread. The calamari fritti appetizer was also exquisite. Our server was very attentive to our needs, and our glasses were always full. Creme brulet and ice cream were beautifully presented and delicious.

The dining room would be suitable for quiet children with "restaurant manners," but there is also an outdoor patio (with bar), which was still open at the end of September. The main dining room would be a perfect choice for a business dinner.

Overall, this is perfect neighborhood restaurant, and we greatly appreciated the free valet.

  • Pros: Several different, special dining areas; patio open at least through September; food and desserts
4 Star Rating: Recommended

09/30/06

Good food and great outdoor seating.

by marydiperro

The food was very good (we ordered mainly burgers and chicken). THe wait staff was excellent and the bartender mixed great (ie potent) drinks and was hilarious (however, those without a sense of humor or insecure may not laugh).

We will definitely go back!!!!

  • Pros: Great outdoor seating and good food
  • Cons: None
1 Star Rating: Poor

08/21/06

arrogant little bartender

by bigred123

who is the little napoleon-esque punk who tends bar here? tina? tony? the service here.....TERRIBLE. the prices here......TERRIBLE. if it weren't for the free-parking and great outdoor patio, obrien's would be GONE. somebody gonna get b!tch-slapped

  • Pros: outdoors
  • Cons: little punk who bartends and has a big mouth
1 Star Rating: Poor

08/17/06

WORST BARTENDER SCAM EVER

by biscuitsandwillies

I went there last night and the bartender was unbelievably awful. Not only did he throw a bottle cap at my face (I am a girl!) but he overcharged us for drinks and wouldn't take them off our bill. The worst part came this morning when I checked my bank account and saw that he had taken my credit card slip and tipped himself an extra $20. It was truly unbelievable that this guy works in the service industry. I'm going today to see about getting my money back. Tony the bartender is a real piece of work...

  • Cons: Service is TERRIBLE
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/11/05

User review by tromalaura

by tromalaura

great restaurant, wonderful outdoor dining

best deal in town

we eat there often

The Details on O'briens Restaurant & Bar

Place Categories:

  • very good food
  • superb service
  • great neighborhood restaurant
  • fantastic atmosphere
  • like traditional standbys
  • nice oldtown original
  • excellent hamburgers
  • unique historic dining room
  • very attentive server
  • great location
  • fantastic surroundings
  • best heated patio
  • unbelievably awful bartender
  • great outdoor seating
  • excellent the wait staff
  • exquisite calamari fritti appetizer
  • great environment
  • wonderful outdoor dining
  • always full glasses
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