10/05/06

erudite drinkers

by skamaniac

This is my favorite haunt in Chicago! It is a place where the owner proudly proclaims, " the food is not authentic - it's good!" The Red Lion has one of the best hamburgers in town as well as a great Fish and Chips! This is not a hip place for youngsters or hooligans. It is a great place to talk about politics and history without worrying about a fistfight breaking out! Those seeking a "let us entertain you" experience will be dissapointed! Those looking for the salt of the earth and a fine pint will be delighted and entertained! If you go in and ask for Budwiezer - your an idiot!

07/31/06

Worst English Bar i've been to in a LONG LONG time

by gymjacko

After reading the review on the red lion pub I and some friends on the recomendation went along and all I can say is it was absolutley terrible!!! Our drinks order was wrong not just once but twice and our food came to us over the space of one hour!! We were told that it was put into two seperate orders because there were so many........5 of us!!!!! And the food when it arrived was just as bad as the service.

All I can say is that if this is what people think is a good English pub they need to actually get themselves over to england.

It's the only English pub i have been to so far in the US where the beans aren't from England!!!!!!! Not to mention the horrible Cornish pastie. I can here hoping for a taste of England that i miss unfortunatley all i found was a poor American imitation

>:( >:( >:(

11/12/05

Dissapointed Englishman

by erin2854

Me and my husband went here hoping for some authentic British food. My husband moved here from England 2 years ago and has been dying for some classic British pub food like Steak and kidney pie. We took an expensive cab right to the pub and were so dissapointed when we got there. Its very tiny and crowded. Had a very small menu without the steak and kidney pie which if your british, you'll know its about the most basic pub food you can think of. He was so dissapointed! Got fish instead which was ok, but could have had that anywhere. 1 thing he was happy with is that they had Stella Artois on tap which is his fav.

• Pros: Good beer, cheap
• Cons: Tiny and dark, Dissapointing food, really crowded

About as close as you can get to quaffing a pint at a corner pub in London.

by Contributor

In Short
An after-work crowd populates the pub's tight quarters during the week, while weekends draw a lively neighborhood group. The first floor is graced by a fireplace, a dark-wood bar and a red phone booth; subway maps and vintage posters add to the quaint atmosphere. British food specialties like fish-and-chips and shepherd's pie pair nicely with the selection of draft ales. A full bar is also available.

11/16/02

Sweet Home..uhm..London?

by scatteredshadows

The Red Lion has to be about the best place to carry on a lively conversation in Chicago.

It exudes a cozy, charming atmosphere that lets you feel at home. Solid English grub, plenty of ales, ciders and beers on tap, and wonderful, friendly service.

It doesn't have that forced ambiance of so many of the recently opened ¡äEnglish¨MIrish¡ä pubs.

Along with Delilahs and the Green Mill, it's one of my favorite spots in Chicago to hang out.

• Pros: Friendly, Accomodating, Atmospheric

09/30/02

Stranger Welcomed!

by lockjawdavis

I've walked into countless bars, pubs and taverns. I've even graced the occasional lounge and brew pub. None have greeted a stranger like me as nicely as The Red Lion. Upon walking up to the bar, the owner/bartender didn't ask what I was drinking. Instead he said, "We were just talking about "Godfather 3"---what do you think?" After giving a brilliantly succinct review ("It stunk"), I was welcomed by the regulars and handed a pint of black. For the next several hours rounds were bought, backs were slapped and the problems of the world were quickly solved. Easily, one of the best nights I've spent drinking with a roomful of strangers.

• Pros: Movies, Regulars, Guinness
• Cons: 276 miles from home

09/01/02

Beer and poetry

by zephyr

I went here recently...its VERY laid back and good for conversations. The service is slow, but friendly.

Go up the stairs and you will find a livingroom look...with a narrow hallway leading to this outdoor patio where people are reading poetry.

This place is unique...a good place to go to get away from those born in the late 70's and latter.

Oh, the downstairs bathroom needs some improvement.

• Pros: Relaxed Atmosphere, Unique
• Cons: No creature comforts, Bathroom