Galway Arms

Real Irish

by kk2032

September 12, 2008

If you're looking for a real Irish pub, this is the place. I've been to Dublin twice before and stepping into Galway was like being back in Dublin. I went on a rainy weekday and it wasn't that crowded so the staff was very attentive. If you go on a busy night though, say Friday or Saturday, it gets a little more hectic. I think they only had two servers that night for the whole place, and they were constantly running around.

The crowd seems to be a bit more mature than that of its neighboring Mickey's; its also a little more relaxed.

Food: The menu is very diverse. I didn't know they had quesadillas in Ireland, but I guess that's why they advertise themselves as Irish fusion. Nevertheless, their Irish food--fish 'n chips, shepherd's pie, corn beef--is all spectacular. My least favorite menu item is the Cobb salad--too much stuff crammed into a bowl with ranch dressing.

All in all, I'd recommend it, especially if you're just looking for a good brewed pint.

• Pros: Ambiance, Irish bartender, Pub food
• Cons: Mickey's right next door, Service little slow when busy

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Best food, hospitality & Irish song by PADDY HOMAN

by JeremiahWhelan

July 26, 2008

Congratulations on being selected as BEST IRISH Pub in Chicago. Along with the excellent service of Nolan and the bar staff, & always good grub, it is the song & music of PADDY HOMAN that raises the Galway Arms far above the ordinary. This is the place for the best traditional Irish music and pub outside of Ireland. Keep up your excellent service and grub and Paddy's great song and the musicians he brings to ye on Sunday nights. Its well worth a visit each weekend.

Thanks.

Jeremiah Whelan

• Pros: Great good, pleasant bar staff, very great music by PADDY HOMAN
• Cons: limited parking, but you deal with it

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Great place for drinks and a bit to eat

by sleopold

July 26, 2006

This place was more than I expected. It was average price range with plenty of outdoor seating. I had the smoked salmon BLT, hold the B. It was delicious and huge. The service was good and it was overall a great little place to go to hang out. I will be back! They had a decent selection of beers, although I definitely thought that they would have more but I found something that was to my liking.

• Pros: Outdoor seating, good service, average price
• Cons: poor selection of beer

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Pleasantly Surprised

by mcbrides1

May 08, 2006

My mother was in town, so I gathered a few friends and we all went to dinner here at Galway Arms. I had a wonderful experience. The food was fantastic and very reasonably priced (my mother's credit card didn't have that big of a dent.) All of us were very impressed. The atmosphere is great. After we ate, we were all sitting around chatting and before we knew it, we had been sitting there for over 2 hours drinking wine. I would definitely reccommend.

• Pros: Service, Food, Atmosphere

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A regal Lincoln Park pub that glows with Celtic charm.

by Contributor

September 01, 2004

The Scene
While imposing from the outside, this stately neighborhood bar is divided into intimate rooms inside. Candles grace the dark-walnut tables; pale yellow-and-green stained-glass lights hang from the ceiling; and exposed-brick walls surround the handsome carved bar and mantle. The city-chic 30-something patrons and bartenders call each other by name, often in Irish accents. Celtic music floats through discreetly, though the jukebox by the stairs sometimes resonates with Queen, Michael Jackson and other pop wonders. The flat-screen TV over the fireplace is tuned to sports, but muted.

The Draw
It's hard to find a more relaxing, comforting pub. In winter, the fireplace bathes the main room in its toasty glow; in summer, the expansive front patio provides an urban refuge. If patrons don't fill up on luscious Guinness, Bass, Harp and other tap beers, a "Celtic fusion" food menu offers pot roast, shepherd's pie and a bean-and-grain burger.

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