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Party Earth Review In business since 1886 (it was called Schulien’s back then), O’Donovan’s is among the city’s oldest, continuously running taverns. And though it looks as lived in as it does well loved, that doesn’t dampen the energy of... ... read full review
2100 West Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60618
Brown Line: Irving Park
773-478-2100
M–F 11am–2am, Sa 11am–3am, Su 10am–2am
Late night menu 11pm–1am
Kitchen closes at 1am daily
North Center / Roscoe Village, Chicago –
In business since 1886 (it was called Schulien’s back then), O’Donovan’s is among the city’s oldest, continuously running taverns. And though it looks as lived in as it does well loved, that doesn’t dampen the energy of the young Cubs fans and friendly yuppies that make up the regular crowd.
The space features a narrow front room with a long mahogany bar, worn high-tops, and cabinets faced in stained glass. A small central area has more of a restaurant feel with its scattering of dining tables and vintage French café-style posters on the deep red walls, while the back room – also home to the original Schulien’s sign – is used mostly for private parties.
In winter, the dim drinking den is a cozy retreat for mostly unpretentious locals, but summer sees its popularity skyrocket as big groups of post-collegiate cuties mingle in the big beer garden and quieter kin sink into soft furniture among the topiaries lining the sidewalk.
Though they’re well accounted for on sunny days and most Fridays and Saturdays, the place isn’t just for the shots-and-flirting crowd, as whole families have been popping in for generations to take advantage of all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch, while sports lovers of all stripes show up when a big game is on.
Patrons won’t find much in the way of Irish kitsch at O’Donovan’s, but they will find lots of budget-friendly reasons to become lucky regulars.
The Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday food specials are crazy-popular deals – even if they do require a one-drink minimum. Half-off select beer, wine, and champagne all day Wednesday is also hard to beat. And, in the spirit of a tradition that began with Schulien’s, O’Donovan’s hosts a roving magician who performs card tricks at tables on the weekends.
Sports fans, college kids, flirty young professionals, older neighborhood boozers, friendly budget-minded bar crawlers, families that have been dropping by for generations, 20s to 40s+.
About two dozen TVs tuned to sports.
Trivia at 8:30pm on Tuesdays.
Roving magician F–Su 6–10pm.
Full menu of pub grub including steak, seafood, chicken, nachos, and salads. All-you-can-eat brunch on Sundays from 10am–2pm. Daily food and drink specials.
All-you-can-eat brunch $14, appetizers $3–$13, sandwiches and burgers $6.50–$10.50, entrées $11–$15. Beer $4–$8, wine $5–$10/glass or $20–$35, cocktails $5–$10+, drink packages $20–$35.
Casual: t-shirts, jeans, sports attire, post-work business casual, cute sweaters, blouses, shawls.
Mondays for the $2 burger special, Wednesdays for up to half off most bottles of wine and champagne all night, Friday and Saturday nights for a festive young crowd, Sundays for brunch, and any warm day when the beer garden is open.
Laschet’s Inn (2119 West Irving Park Road) is another neighborhood institution with a large variety of beer.
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