O'Donovan's

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.