Wow! We come here yearly to indulge in the boxty and cheese dip. It never disappoints and fills our cheese quota for a few months. This time though we were blown away!! Lily was a lovely waitress that took the time to check in and hooked us up with extra boxty (soooo good!!) Tom was incredible! The knowledge this man has for whiskey is beyond whatever distillery you may tour at! My husband and I could sit for hours listening to the history! We will always be back and we're customers for good whenever we train it down from the suburbs! read more

It's an Irish pub in River North. Irish pubs aren't my thing but I was tagging along with a group to a post-holiday party. A free drink is a free drink, right? They didn't kick us out until close to 3AM. Thank you, kind bartender. read more

We randomly ended up here mainly because it was across the street from our hotel and it sounded like it was fun from the outside. I'm so glad we decided to go in. The bar is three floors and on the third floor, we discovered a live band that was playing. It wasn't too crowded where you couldn't move or you had to wait forever for a drink but it was just full enough where you could enjoy yourself. The band was awesome and played for so long. When the band was done, you could go downstairs where there was a DJ playing current songs and some random throwbacks. Service was friendly and the drinks were great. Loved it here! read more

Stopped in for a Guinness and a bite to escape the rain. Great atmosphere but the beers seem a bit overpriced. Overall, a good experience.

Good stop to grab few late night drinks with friends. The atmosphere is lively and they have some good music band playing.

Ive gotta say this place is legit! Down to the bartenders that are Irish to the food. Great atmosphere and friendly staff!

Very spacious, nice decor, wonderful staff (with delightful Irish accents). Loved the food and drinks, everything felt authentic. Would love to come back here next time I'm in the area. read more

This place has the best draft Guinness in Chicago. Great food and service. Love the Irish atmosphere. 5 stars!!!!

Stopped in here for a late night dinner on a Thursday after walking all over Chicago and being too exhausted to travel far from our hotel. We saw this place and decided to go in and glad we did. The people could not have been nicer, the service was fantastic and we sat up on the top floor which was decorated beautifully for Christmas. We sat in a little corner with the Christmas tree , presents, a little electric fireplace and Christmas lights. So inviting! We ordered excellent wings, pork belly tacos and a half portion of the Fado salad...so good! Also two beers, an IPA for my daughter and goose Island green line for me. Our waitress was very attentive and a cute Irish guy with a great brogue stopped by a couple of times to make sure we had what we needed. The food was good and very comforting and the beers were nice and cold. Such a nice warm experience after a long day of flying and sightseeing in beautiful Chicago. I definitely recommend this place and will return on my next trip. read more

Fado Irish Pub - Irish Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

If you're in the area and want a beer and a concept bar, this place is okay. But I find the whole Irish theme so campy. Although, they usually are playing good music, I just can't get into the food. The fish and chips are nothing too crazy, and the shepard's pie tasted like freezer burn. But as a bar, it's okay. It's big, so good for a group. I do enjoy that they show soccer matches, and it's really the only reason that brings me here. I think there are better Irish pubs in the city (Any of the Vaughn's, especially the one on NW Highway) with much better food and actually Irish people (off the boat) drinking and working there. read more

They have real white pudding, Guinness AND Setanta on the TV. What more do you need to know.

Fadó Irish Pub is hands down the best pub in the city of Chicago. First off, the architecture within the walls of its Clark & Grand location is simply amazing. All three of its floors harken to what exactly an Irish pub is, as it should -- it was designed and hand-built in Ireland and then shipped over and reassembled here. The food is a great blend of traditional Irish fare and good old American dishes. Everything from its perfect Irish breakfast, a staple I cannot go without for too long, to its Irish boxty potato pancake, and from its Bacon Cheeseburger to the hummus platter, everything on the menu is prepared in a way that makes you think some little Irish grandmother is making you dinner -- what a feat for a chain restaurant. Fadó is also the best place in the city to take in your favourite soccer or rugby matches. I've been to the pub for everything from MLS games, to varying English league soccer games, two Rugby World Cups, and almost didn't miss a single match for the last FIFA World Cup in 2010. They play it all, and usually they'll play it live. For the Rugby World Cup finale in October 2011, they played the game live at 2am and stayed open until 4am, just because their regulars asked them to. No cover, just alot of happy people able to watch a game otherwise un-televised in the city. But don't let the not-so-popular sports deter your visit if you're a sports fanatic -- for every Gaelic football game or rugby match, Fadó will play your more conventional baseball game or NFL game as well. The clientele that come to the pub is varied, ranging from your regular River North businessmen, to tourists, from older couples on a night on the town to teens there to catch a soccer game. Once I brought my parents for lunch while we watched Spain play in the World Cup and it was so packed we sat at one of the communal tables with a couple of teachers from Spain, who we talked to the entire match. Another time, long ago, my best friend and I enjoyed the live music of a band from Ireland and ended up sitting and talking with a friend of theirs from England who claimed to be a personal friend to Johnny Depp. I have been to alot of pub trivia night in my day, but the trivia nights at Fadó take the cake. An elaborate weekly event, I have always had a good time trying my luck to win -- not an easy task when they regularly get upwards of 20 or more teams every week. I cannot recommend this pub more. It is an amazing place with a nice, attentive and understanding staff, and an impressive menu of food and drinks. The monstrous bar itself, built centrally on the first floor is quite striking, while the more formal bar on the third floor is inviting and stereotypical of your quintessential Irish public house. Skip the other soccer pubs on the Northside that try to do what Fadó does better. Go, go, go -- its the best I can say. Everyone I've ever brought here has loved it, and it is simple to see why once you experience the best pub in Chicago. read more

Mini burgers and magners. Win-win. The burgers are enough to bring me back, and any bar that serves magners is great in my book.

This is the first Irish pub I've been to in the states that's actually run by Irish bartenders that know their whiskey. Usually when I go to Irish pubs, it's usually all American with Ireland used as a gimmick but this place was genuine. My wife and I love all whiskey related cocktails and this place did not disappoint. I recommend their Old Fashioned and the Sazerac read more

The food is good but the atmosphere is whack! They want to charge a $20 cover to watch World Cup games on one of 5 mini TVs. Way over hyped!

Ran into this place while exploring Chicago late Thursday night and stepped in with my fiancée to grab a drink or two. This establishment has very nice decor. They offer an extensive and fairly priced drink menu. The kitchen was closed at the time but it seemed they also had a good selection of typical bar appetizers. The bartenders were very knowledgeable and attentive. They surely served the best Guinness I ever had. read more

They don't need or want your business. Find another mediocre bar. Waited for 20 mins for our server who clearly had better things to do than take our order. Stay away! read more

Always a great spot to stop for a pint and an appetizer. Soccer or sports are always on one of their many tvs and a great selection of draft beers as well. read more

Awesome place to eat and have a few drinks. Great food, some of the best drinks I've ever had and the service is the best I've had in Chicago. Highly recommend. read more

I was visiting on a work trip and they were awesome and put my MLS Timbers game on while other more "popular" sports events were on. Great food and awesome service. Any travelers visiting Chicago should stop by. read more

Came here yesterday morning for breakfast.. I was shocked to see the menu had boxty on it.. I've never seen it on a menu in New York and to see it here was a massive bonus! There was four of us in the group.. We all ordered Irish breakfast! It was one of the best I've ever had! My grandma used to make us boxty when she used to come on vacation' and this was as good as hers. When we entered the bar we couldn't see a host to seat us.. How ever him/her may have gone to seat another group in the mean time! Then again it was 10.30am. Our waitress was very friendly and she made my fathers Irish tea perfect especially in the 'teapot' typical Irish way! We were rushing to check back to the hotel so we didn't get a chance to get the her name.. So who ever was our waitress thumbs up for her.. She did an amazing job.. (We were sitting in the corner, and ordered the Irish soda called club orange) hopefully she'll remember us then Keep up the good work guys! read more

I didn't even know this was a chain until reading some of the other reviews. Fado is a guaranteed good time. It's a favorite among my Irish friends! read more

This is the 1st time I have written a review on here. I will say this, I was thoroughly impressed with my visit yesterday at Fado. I haven't been here since November 2009. The food was bland, the service so-so, and not really alot going on. 1st let's start with the food. My co-worker and I would come in for lunch every now and again. We stopped coming in November because it took too long to get the food and when we did, it was cold, not very eye appealing, and over all bland. When we stopped in their yesterday, relunctly, we were amazed on the difference. The food came out fast, it was hot, and extremely tasteful! Our server Brooke was very pleasant and really attended to our needs. The overal atmosphere in here seems to have changed for the better. Lastly, my co-worked and I went back with a couple of our office friends to enjoy happy hour. We not only had a good time, but enjoyed the happy hour menu as well. As with lunch the food was awesome! Whoever is responsible for the change, thank you. We will be back and soon! read more

It feels like its a Harry Potter themed bar somewhat in the best possible way. My friend and I accidentally stumbled in when there was a soccer match going on and it was great. The bar was split between the two clubs and everyone was cheering for their bloody teams! Great spot for something different on the pub scene, especially when a match is going on. read more

Stacy was my server and she was great. I went on a Tuesday for a meet up group and she was fast, reliable and gave great beer selection. The food at Fado was good-- I just had a (bacon) burger and fries but the table had 'Marie Rose' appetizer and it was great! Perfect location just a touch north from the loop. I would go back. read more

I've been here so many times I've lost count! Always a good time- a great place to listen to live music on the weekends and relax with friends!!!! PLUS it's like you're on a pirate ship when walking up the stairs, who wouldn't want to be on a pirate ship! read more

Somehow I always end up at Fado. To start the night or to end the night, somehow if I am in the neighborhood I will be here. It's much bigger than I originally thought with lots of upstairs seating. Upstairs has a cozier, less rowdy atmosphere that is ideal for dinner. I think the atmosphere here is very social, easy to make new friends and hang out for a while. I've only eaten here once and had the fish and chips, which I loved (though admittedly this was in January and I don't remember all the details of the meal), but they brought me a side of curry sauce when I asked for the fries which made me a happy happy girl! And Strongbow on tap is my jam. I'd love to watch some EPL football here sometime, I'm sure that's a blast! I know it is Irish but the Brits always love to visit when they come see us! read more

3 other friends and I enjoyed 2 drinks each at Tanta next door before arriving at Fado's. My friend and I handed our ID's to the bouncers and walked in the bar. My other friend was denied access because "his eyes looked drunk". My friend is darker complected and I cannot help but feel this refusal was racially motivated. My friend had 2 beers before and was in no way intoxicated, yet he was not allowed to enter the bar. We will not be back and I hope you don't go either. Also beyond this incident, their food is mediocre and drinks are weak. read more

I was pleasantly surprised when I stepped foot inside this place. I love the decor! think 3 story pirate ship mixed with a hobbit home. It was busy but we managed to get a table. We were only there for drinks so I can't speak for food. Our server was friendly and on it. Great place. read more

Quick little review of an Irish pub in Chicagoland... Set up an afternoon meeting at this quaint locale. Menu is what you'd expect, very nice potato leek soup with Guinness cheddar bread was my lunch. The highlight here however are the lamb slider appetizers! Three to an order...slow cooked shredded lamb with a bit of creamy blue cheese and an unctuous lamb au jus for dipping. Oh baby...these are the bomb. Cold Smithwick's on tap ( Harp, Guinness, etc. as well). Great spot for a snack and a pint! read more

Went here for lunch. Staff were welcoming and friendly. Service was really excellent. The food was fresh, hot and delicious. The beer was perfect and just what was needed after a morning exploring sunny Chicago in August. read more

Mark and Kevin are phenomenal - they are hilarious and perform wonderful customer service. We came here for happy hour on a Monday night and it's not entirely dead, which is a good sign. They pour Guinness correctly and their whiskey cocktails are wonderful. Will definitely visit again the next time I'm in Chicago. read more

Here in the Windy City since last week I've tried a good few places but keep coming back to fado wonderful staff and food keep up the good work Bob from Ireland read more

Stopped here for after dinner drinks and was enthralled with their scotch/whiskey selections. I am a scotch/whiskey connoisseur and collector who is always seeking out the best establishments to imbibe and indulge. All the Redbreasts, up to and including the 21, are here, as well as an amazing collection of other Irish whiskeys. The Glenlivets as well as other Scottish whiskeys, from the various regions, are well represented as well. Amazing. The ambiance and decor at the first floor bar is perfect for experience great whiskey. I finally have found "my home". If you live or even just visit Chicago don't miss this experience. read more

This pub was just what me and my friends needed at the end of a night in loud, busy bars. It's a cozy environment with a great selection of tasty food and drinks! Bridget was such a wonderful server and we will definitely be coming back! read more

Great place, Had an amazing time there last night. Shane and Collin were great bartenders

A decent downtown Chicago Irish style pub. The decor was nice, lots of deep varnish wood and British Isles memorabilia. The English folks I was with even thought it was nice, and it takes a lot for an Englishman (or woman) to say anything nice about the Irish. Music was good, not too loud, and the beer selection was nice and reasonably priced. Overall, a nice bar. read more

I like Fado. I've been a couple of times and it hasn served it's purpose well. From my experience there wasn't anything to blow me away. I was always happy with the service, and the beer list is pretty good and decently priced. The set up in the bar is a little odd. Huge round bar in the middle with table seating around the edges that feels kind of tucked in there. It's a pretty good place to catch a game, and if you're trying to watch something being played across the pond they're open in the morning. read more

Happy hour drinks and bites for the company came out great and very reasonable. The happy hour signature old fashioned was very good.

We've stopped in at Fado a few times when nearby for beer fests or like today, the Christkind Market. We don't go there for the sports or the bands... We don't get into the city enough for that. We go for the Pulled Lamb sammich with gravy! *drool* The fries are pretty good too! Service has always been consistent and with a smile. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area! read more