I have been going to the Red Lion for years and it truly is an excellent Pub and a credit to the community. The food is great, the bartenders all know their whiskey and the atmosphere is amazing. read more

This place is deceptive... but oh so excellent. The prices are beyond reasonable. Sit at the bar & chat with Spiro, the bartender. Order amazing food prepared by Chef Amanda, such as the corn beef sandwich, prepared to perfection. The Summer Salad should be $20.... & it's only $8.! The drinks are delicious, and the atmosphere warm and inviting... definitely come to enjoy. It's British-like, but with MUCH better food & ambiance. read more

You need to stop here this is a quaint English Pub with all the trimmings- Very cool decor inside...books, antiques, pics...very neat. I order the corn beef sandwich and my wife ordered Full English Breakfast (banger, bacon, english baked beans, breakfast potatoes, fried eggs). Sat belly up at the bar and chatted with a very friendly bar tender. Corn beef was great and served on a really dark toasted rye bread. My wife meal was a very traditional English breakfast. Perfect stop great Bloody Mary. read more

The Red Lion Pub - Corned Beef Sandwich - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Ordered fries and sprouts. Food was extremely terry! Sprouts were soggy and swimming in sour sour soy sauce. Fries were dry and old and chewy. Come on, how hard is it to get fries rights?! Drinks are great but please don't go there for food. Service is also extremely slow! read more

Great atmosphere. Stopped in a couple times. First time was during the day. With only a few other patrons, no music playing (which I greatly appreciated), and sunlight pouring in through the high windows illuminating the lovely interior, it made for a relaxing space. Food and drinks have been yummy. read more

Really dug the ambiance. Somewhat older crowd vs. the 20 somethings atmosphere on the rest of Lincoln Ave. Fireplace, tall ceilings, library books and alll the offerings of an EnglIsh pub, but the food looks way better. Wish we'd gotten a pretzel with the huge cheese bowl or a hamburger...have to check these out next time! Looking forward to a return visit. read more

It seems strange I have not reviewed RLP before. I have frequented this lovely establishment more than any other in Chicago. The food is good, sometimes great, and occasionally amazing. Additionally, Red Lion Pub has the capacity to change your life in the same way that The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe changed your life as a child. There is magic here. If you don't sit at the bar and talk to Colin, keep coming back and sit at the bar until you know Colin. If you cannot quote at least 3 things he says, keep coming back until you can. It may change your life. read more

I stopped by here last Friday night with my fiancé for a pint, or two. From the outside, I was impressed by the British facade. Walking in was an ever better experience as I left Chicago outside and entered London inside. From the scattered bookshelves storing hundreds of books, to the framed pictures hanging all over the walls--I was impressed. The selection of beer varied from light ales to dark heavy stouts. The serving sizes were a generous price of $7-8 for pints. I enjoyed this place very much and will return. read more

The Red Lion Pub - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What a shame. We were so excited about visiting the Red Lion for a traditional Sunday roast and were so disappointed. The staff and location were fantastic, but we felt cheated by the online photos versus the reality, shame on you Red Lion! Our Roast came with thick cut fatty beef, diced potatoes and a runny gravy, along with a biscuit masquerading itself as a Yorkshire pudding. I have a hard time grasping why the Red Lion would present themselves as a British Pub and market a Sunday roast! Macdonalds trying to serve a fillet steak. If you want a roast dinner, visit the UK or prepare one at home folks! read more

Wow - has this pub changed since the last time I visited. The inside is absolutely gorgeous with ridiculously tall ceilings, real brick fireplaces, bookshelves and bookshelves, sky lights, antique art, reading club chairs and tons of bar seating/booths. When it comes to ambience The Red Lion Pub owns it - warm, inviting and cozy. Having said that, the service was off par. We were only given one menu (not a big deal) and one water glass for two. With one server for the entire restaurant it took them 20 minutes to deliver soup and a ploughman's platter. Its a good thing we weren't in a rush and were able to sit back and really enjoy the room. The split pea soup was obviously homemade, lots of flavor and the massive chunk of cheese was a highlight. We'd go back for the corned beef sandwich and maybe a pint or two as we relax by the fire. read more

Great pub with very good food. Run by its owner who staffs the bar. Friendly atmosphere with great decor, full of history. Came here with coworkers and had a great time. Excellent selection of beers on tap. read more

This was my favorite place in Chicago , the owner bartends and he is the most pleasant person , felt very welcomed , 100% recommend. read more

The Red Lion Pub - Absolutely love this place - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Okay, okay... Nice setting! People might have hopes and dreams of a restaurant in Chicago that has "Bells and Whistles", in appearance, as the Red Lion Pub does. Yes, it's like you're somewhere else! Unfortunately, that shouldn't excuse and make one accept below average service. To start... If a group has their order ready and doesn't want to order drinks and/or alcohol they say they can't take your order and come back approximately 10 minutes later. Now, to the food... The food was not bad but not great. The Fish and Chips were pretty good, although salt was needed and it didn't come w/lemon wedges. The chips were good but not like traditional chips. They also didn't seem freshly fried. Maybe, the food isn't being moved out of the kitchen fast enough? It may have sat too long. The burger meat was tasty and seasoned well. The cheese was very good and nice choice on the carmelized onions. The bread was too dense but overall a good burger. All the food could have been hotter. Why the ONE STAR? There's a tremendous lack of effort and/or care on some of the staffs part. It's really unfortunate becuase this type establishment should really have exceptional service and freshly cooked food brought immediately to the table. There was a table with a nice family that was odly ignored. It was unfortunate to see. On the menu you can order a soup and/or salad before your main course so it shouldn't come after the main entrees. They odered a salad and their main meal. They then waited. No one ever returned to their table and "Low and behold", there comes their main meal, which was brought before their salad. They canceled the salad and said they didn't want it anymore and they recieved no apologies but just an, "Okay". After that no servers came to their table except to bring the check. They never had water refills throughout their meal. They sat their with no service and empty glasses. When the server brought the check he was asked for water and the server said, "Of course I can bring you water", and then he never brought it until the lady walked him the bill and told him that he never brought it. It was very displeasing to see people being ignored. Was it done on purpose? No apologies were made, not one, which was distasteful. The fact that a lady, w/ a young lady, and another, etc. was being utterly ignored was displeasing. People did not seem pleased by the server and the server seemed as if he didn't have any true care in serving others. Hey, it's a paycheck but at least do your job well. It's bad for the restaurant. This is bad for the owners. It's bad for people spending their time and hard earned money at their restaurant. They didn't have care to come up to other tables also and ask, "How was everything?", or no asking, "Would anyone like anything else?". It was cold service. This place has high ratings. They have a good clientele. It should have a well trained and well prepared operation going on to prevent this type of service. The service is truly lacking. The food nor decor just does not make up for distasteful service. People should not be treated as if they are worth a low standard of unfair service. So many reviewers out, so many vlogs, tv shows, coverage, etc. on the failures of hospitality that there's not much room for excuses. It's 2018 the industry should be on its toes and be more proper. Was it a hidden camera show? =No Not a good look and overall the food could be executed more properly. Nice place though... It really should be operating better. They need to work to make changes for the better. What a turn off. What a let down. read more

This place is amazing. The food is delicious and the ambiance is perfect. The food is cozy and comforting g. It feels like you're in an old castle. Sitting near the fireplace is the best. The owner is great. Highly recommend! read more

We stopped in after a long day of work, and had the pleasure of sitting with some locals and chatting up with the owner. We are a huge fan of local haunts, and this pub has a great history to explore! I was looking for a nice Italian meal later on in the evening, and the owner directed us to the best Italian restaurant in the area. We felt at home a the Red Lion, and highly recommend you visit when you are in the area! read more

Met a friend here before a show at the Greenhouse on a Thursday at 7pm. Was met at the door by an aggressive dude who wanted to see ID after showing ID, I sat with my friend for about 45min, in an otherwise absolutely empty bar, and not once was served. The employees clearly didn't have any other patrons to attend to other than my friend (who received a watered down G&T before I got there). Huge and well supported venue, just an absolute joke in terms of service. Would not recommend. read more

Being expat Brits, my husband and I are always excited to try places that serve British cuisine - it's nice to get a little piece of home. I had high expectations of this place - the reviews looked good and the menu was promising, however it did not deliver. The food was poor and the service even worse. Food: We shared a Scotch Egg Salad appetizers which was OK. The Scotch Egg itself was actually very good but the salad was past its best and incredibly over-dressed. I ordered a Sheppard's Pie, which at $15 I expected to be good.It was not. Dry, chewy lamb and not a hint of flavor. Plus it was a very small portion for the money, I came away very hungry My Husband had fish and chips which was passable, but not memorable and no better than the fish and chips I've had in any other bar or restaurant out here. Service: Where do I begin?? We had to wait nearly 15 mins to order our drinks, and only then because I flagged down a server. I then had to grab another server to take our food order and at this point had been sat down for half an hour. Our drinks were nowhere to be seen at this point either - someone came over about 20mins after we ordered them and said "oh, have you not got your drinks? I'll sort that now". 10mins later, still nothing so I had to get up and go to the bar to inquire where they were. They eventually arrived, 5 mins before our food did. We only had our appetizer 5 minutes when they brought out our entrees, which then sat there whilst we finished our appetizer. When the time came for us to pay, it was another mission to get our check and I had to hunt down the server to take our credit card. I wanted to like this place, I really did. But it was a disappointment and will not go back. For great British style cuisine - Owen & Engine offers better food and service at comparable prices. And Paddy Long's does better fish and chips. Sorry :-( read more

It's been a loooong time since I visited the old Red Lion and all I remember was how dark it was, how low the ceiling was, and that it felt a little claustrophobic. This new iteration is none of the above. It's got a gorgeous high ceiling with wood beams and skylights and a balcony seating area upstairs, complete with fireplace and cozy couch and chairs.The front room has windows that open out to the sidewalk, creating a lovely airy feel. I have spent more time than I care to admit in British pubs and while it didn't remind me so much of the ol' carpeted local down the block, it's just a really lovely space. We ended up seated in the back, where we weren't quite in the thick of the action, but it was nice, nonetheless. I had the burger, which, with 2 patties, made me concerned about the amount of meatage, but it was very delicious (and I got to take half home to enjoy the next day!) The burger was well-seasoned with the addition of Red Leicester instead of boring ol' regular cheddar. I got the curry fries, as well and they were heavenly crisp on the outside and coated with delicious curry seasoning (not drowned in curry sauce.) Hubs had the fish and chips. With only 3 pieces of fish, he was a little disappointed, but the batter was awesomely crispy and the fish, nice and flaky. There's a selection of various British bevies and we tried a cider and an IPA. I didn't love the cider, but that's just me. After dinner, we ended up taking our drinks upstairs to hang out on the balcony, which was really nice. Very cozy, AND good people watching, It's nice because you're away from the crowd, yet still part of the action. Colin, the owner, was very personable, mingling with the patrons and taking them around to tell stories about the artwork. James, our server, was also a hoot. I'm definitely returning. read more

I usually post reviews that focus on the quality of the water at establishments across this great land. today I would like to give a review of the owner and server (Jim) I had at Red Lion. This dude was seriously better than most stand up comedians I have seen (I've seen Seinfeld and this dude was better) he had a Norm Macdonald-esque dry, or purposefully stupid joke everytime he stopped by the table and was killer. The owner straight up told me he read every book on the bar wall (there are a ton) except two which was embarrassing to me because I cannot read. Other than that, the drinks are really good and this place stands out in Lincoln Park. also jim is a hunk!!!!!! read more

The Red Lion Pub - here's Jim, unarguably the best server ever dude needs a raise get that skrilla Jim - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Had a great date night at The Red Lion Pub last week. We popped in on Thursday after work and were immediately seated in the sunny front room. The ambiance at The Red Lion is awesome and it's really not the type of place you expect to walk into off of Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Park. There's a ton of warm wood, unique English pub themed decor, and comfortable seating - definitely the type of place you want to get comfy to enjoy a pint. After settling in I perused the draft beer list which had nothing I'd ever heard of but appreciated. Since their draft selection is so unique they do a great job with the descriptions and our waiter was also really helpful in answering questions. We sampled a few different things throughout the evening and were pleased with all of them. What really set the experience apart though was the outstanding food! For an appetizer we started with the Pub Cheese. The toasted pumpernickel bread triangles were the perfect palate for the cheese. As a big pub cheese fan I have to say that The Red Lion's is by far the best I've had in awhile and you can tell it's super fresh as well. While I could've been satisfied with just the appetizer we opted to order dinner as well. My companion went with the Fish and Chips and I went with the Watson. I sampled a piece of the fish and I have to say... Red Lion has the best fish and chips I've had in a long time, maybe ever. I'm also a HUGE sucker for vinegar when eating English fare and was totally wowed by the malt vinegar aioli that came with the dish... it definitely takes English food to the next level. The Watson was also really good, I was a bit nervous to try to the "salted beef" the the horseradish slaw sold me on the dish and I was happy I tried it! It was just as the waiter said, a tender, juicy, salty cut of corned beef with delicious slaw on top of it. If you're a Reuben lover like me go with The Watson, it's the English variation in my opinion. In addition to the delicious food and fabulous ambiance our waiter was very friendly and attentive. The only time we lost him was when it was time for the check but he was also attending to several other tables, including a very large birthday party. All in all a great experience at The Red Lion Pub - highly recommend it. read more

One of, if not THE best bar-going experiences of my life. Colin, the owner, is an expert bartender and historian. Amongst all the impressive museums Chicago has to offer, an unrivaled collection of World War prints and art is hidden away in Lincoln Park. Any war buff such as myself will be wide eyed and blown away by the anthology Colin has built in this absolutely beautiful pub. (Pub? Museum? Cozy ski lodge? You decide). Colin noted our enthusiasm and gave us a tour of the premises and told the stories each photo had to tell. This is no decor- the pictures and drawings on the wall are original, and he knows the faces behind each one. As for the drinks, there is a wide selection of beers and cocktails. He knows as much about alcohol as he does history. Colin's classical bartender style mixes perfectly with his sense of humor. When he asks you what you'd like, his attention to you is undivided- a trait that has nearly been lost in the industry. His hospitality is without equal. This is an experience I'll never forget. You'll feel smarter just for having been here! You won't find another place quite like the Red Lion. read more

I've been here a few times since it opened (probably because my boyfriend is obsessed with it) and each time I've left thinking "I'll be back soon." The first time, some friends and I came around 12:00 on a Saturday night. I'll admit, the lights were a bit bright for the time of night and there weren't a lot of people. However, the decor is wonderful, the bartenders are awesome, and overall I just feel comfortable in this place. Fast forward a few weeks, and I'm back for some dinner and drinks. The pub cheese and brown bread absolutely hit the spot, and my boyfriend's curried chicken sandwich was DELICIOUS. I was ordering cocktails while he was drinking beer, and both of us were having a great time. We ended up talking to Anthony, the bartender, for a while and eventually met Colin, the owner. Overall, everything about this place makes it a perfect neighborhood bar. Great staff, cool space, great atmosphere, and solid food and drinks! read more

Everyone must visit Red Lion when in Chicago. It's an institution. It's old English motif is inviting and the food their food is over the top. Crazy number of beers on tap. read more

Fantastic beer and whiskey choices, good food. But, most of all, the atmosphere is top notch. It makes you feel smarter and more worldly for having been. The experience here is truly unique and not like any other I've encountered in Chicago. I could not recommend The Red Lion enough. I used to frequent here when I went school in Chicago 10 years ago. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, it was closed for renovations. Unfortunately for the rest of my time in Chicago. I was extremely pleased to happen by the other day after a Cubs game and see it open and flourishing again. The inside is much more spacious than the old place (the bathroom is a major upgrade!), but loses a bit of that dusty, lived in charm that made the old place so compelling. Colin, is still being the bar, with the same great stories and quips. Great patrons, great conversation, great libations. Go! Now! read more

I've been here a few times for some beers with friends. The decor is beautiful, the beer is well cared for and poured, and the host/owner is a great guy. We will definitely be back! read more

Great Food! Great Atmosphere! Great service! I highly recommend the roasted Brussel sprouts appetizer and the Shepherd's Pie! My server Rudy was helpful and very friendly. read more

Best Fish and Chips in Chicago! I absolutely love this reboot of a Chicago institution. The decor is gorgeous, the service is spectacular, the beer selection is extensive, and the food elevates pub grub to something sublime. Still one of the best bars in Chicago! read more

On principle, I'm not sure I could give English cuisine a 5 out of 5, so a 4 out 5 will suffice. Kudos to the owners for whipping up good old English nostalgia both in the food and decor. The restaurant will satisfy most anglophiles' cravings but is also a great spot for first dates and casual dining with friends. Try the curried fries and shepherds pie. P.S. On one occasion, my sister and I were sipping beer and cider in front of the crackling fire in the library room when an unexpected guest walked over to us. She was marketing Glenlivet and offered us a free flight of whiskey. My first response was "yes", and then my second was, "whats the catch"? There was none as I found out this is a standard marketing tactic of distillery houses. My sister and I were very pleasantly surprised and had a great time sampling the different batches. read more

I have to say this is one of the best roast beef toast dinners I have had in America. The beef is not over cooked and the roasted carrots were cooked to perfection. I cannot recommend having this enough, and wiLl be back to sample the rest of the menu very soon. read more

The Red Lion Pub - Sunday roast - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love this place- the food, the beer, and especially the service- all of it is consistent and pleasant. I work at (very) nearby University and it's really nice to have place to go to when ideas are brewing and you need a cozy conversation spot. I've come here for informal drinks, a group event, and a dinner with my spouse- every time was enjoyable and I left happy with every bit of my experience. This is the spot for idea people, book lovers, thinking types, and generally chill people. read more

So happy that we stumbled upon this place, as a restaurant we were going to for dinner had an emergency closing. We came around 7pm Friday and there were a few tables dining but most were enjoying their drinks around the bar. Loved loved loved the ambiance and décor. Very refreshing to find a nice place in Lincoln Park especially by DePaul that has a sophisticated crowd, one that isn't inhabited by obnoxious youngins (besides actual kids during the day/early evening). All the books and aviation/war art and photos made you feel like you were in grandpa's home. The upstairs looked even cooler, in which I hope to get to experience next time around. I got the fish & chips as boo got the bangers & mash. Both were very good and tasted very fresh. The fish was perfectly fried with a light crispy batter. The fries were fine and nothing outstanding. The accompanied tartar sauce was very good and a little different than to what I'm used to. The sausages might even have been better than the fish. The potatoes were also quite nice and had a subtle cheesy flavor. We also had a side of brussel sprouts and while good, it wasn't amazing. Didn't really pick up on the bacon flavor, even though the bits were there. Decent beer list. Service was good. Our server was delightful and came by to check on us not too much and not too little. Prices were about right. Maybe a tad more than your run of the mill pub, but nothing outrageous by any means. Overall, would love to come back with some friends and lose track of time here. read more

We love this place and Colin is the best. The only bad thing is what to have for dinner when we are there because everything is just perfect. My personal favorite is the Watson corned beef sandwich and my GF loves the fish and chips. If my waistline could take it I would go twice a week. No kidding. Spiros the Chef is a master. Man knows his business. Great single malt selection, great brew selection place is like a candy store!!!! read more

Great experience, Colin was so helpful and kind to us! The atmosphere and energy in here is incredible and the drinks were fantastic.

I love this joint. The decor is gorgeous, they really went all out with the reboot, and it is perfect for a night out with friends, a date, dinner with out of towners, or just stopping in for a bite and a pint. The beer selection is unique and interesting, and there are more whiskeys than I can count. I am also really glad to see how well they've been accepted into the neighborhood. It's a good mix of professionals, old regulars, students, and young families who come in for dinner. There not a lot of quality options in that area capable of accommodating such a broad clientele, but they do it without missing a beat. As for the food, I've eaten here probably close to a dozen times now, and have yet to not be impressed at the quality. The menu is well constructed and constantly evolving, and you can tell everything is made from scratch- a rare find in Chicago among a sea of Irish/British pubs with huge menus and apparently huge freezers. I also like that they seem to find a good balance of things you would expect to find (Fish n Chips, Scotch Egg, Shephards Pie) some things that you may not expect to see but are nonetheless authentic and impressive (Pork chops, Rack of lamb, Ham Pie) in addition to some real creative variations and specials (Lamb BLT, Lamb Keftah, Soft Shell Crab on salad). The drink prices are about average for the neighborhood (maybe with the exception of some DePaul dives with buckets of PBR or whatnot) and the food cost/quality ratio is exceptional. I really dig it and would recommend to just about anyone. Check it. read more

Shame on whoever answers the phone here. Just called, I am new to the city, and wanted to get a couple questions answered as we are trying to find somewhere to eat a late dinner. When I asked if there was a wait for two people, she said "no but we don't have a lot of tables, thank you, bye" and hung up. Was interested in trying this place but will NOT be going. Never experienced this kind of customer service. read more

Alissa was fantastic, superb, future manger! Took great care of our group. Love her!!

Great space and ambiance yet the beers on draft are not as cold as they should be or as I would have liked (i.e. Reissdorf Kölsch). Kudos to the staff, super friendly read more

What a great bar. First of all, I love that there are thousands of books, and every single one is about the British Empire. And I think the owner Colin has read just about every one. Drinks are great and food is authentic. I love their Scottish egg, and they make a really great perfect manhattan. read more

Really enjoyed the corned beef.. bit greasy but that's how the English like it! Burger was amazing & great beer selection. Server was so nice... even sat for a spell and shared a beer taste with us! read more

The Red Lion Pub - Awesome place for a burger & brew! Love the history surrounding it too! Homemade corned beef was amazing... - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have been here twice and loved it both times! First of all, I love the ambiance and decor of the place. A little old man, but I still like it. All the books and the fireplace and the alcohol and the food...what more do you need?! It's a little dark for those of us that may need reading glasses, but that is nice for a date night. Ok, so the food is amazing. We started out with the pub cheese and it's a must have. We also had the charcuterie which included a type of ham, a venison pate and a liver mouse. I really enjoyed the liver mouse and the ham and pate were good too. I liked the pate we had the first visit better than this last one. The one we had last night was cherry and orange, maybe a bit too sweet for me. The rest of my table liked it, so who do I think I am anyway? For main courses, I had the fish and chips, the others had a burger, a chicken sandwich and the lamb curry. Everyone was really happy. My fish had a wonderful batter on it and was cooked perfectly. The tartar sauce was surprisingly good too, and I never eat that. I tried the lamb curry which was also perfectly cooked and tasty. The desserts sounded amazing, but we were so full we could not try them. Our server, Cory was great. The hostess was really nice too. We went on a Thursday night and it wasn't too busy. I imagine it gets busy on the weekends. They have a nice selection of wines and beer, not too pricey for the area and quality. I love the front room and the little room upstairs...perfect places for a celebration! Can't wait to come back for half price wine night! (on Mondays and Tuesdays I believe) read more