Red Lion Pub Reviews

We were weary after a gorgeous day of walking through Lincoln Park Zoo. Red Lion Pub is the perfect antidote to a warm sunny day, and just down the street from the zoo. It is dark, with gleaming wood and the fresh smell of Murphy's Oil Soap. The walls are lined with hundreds of books; the lights are dim, it's a throwback in all the right ways. My bartender made me the perfect Manhattan, even walking around the bar to pour it into my glass. The snack menu pleased even the gluten free among us...olives and almonds, roasted brussel sprouts, and the requisite chips.

This is truly an exceptional spot in a city filled with great bars. A true pub (OK, so they have a high ceiling), the Red Lion has it all -- Scotch eggs, a terrific and not at all unwieldy beer line up and great service. Cozy spots near the fireplace, in a booth or at the bar all afford a view of a beautifully renovated room.

We came with a group of 7 and had what was my favorite dining experience of our Chicago trip. The night got off to a rocky start. Our Royals/Cubs game was rained out and we walked around for an hour trying to find a place to take our group where we coukd watch the Blackhawks play. We finally came across the Red Lion and our so glad we did. The atmosphere was cozy, the beer cold and the food filling and delicious. Two of us got the special, which was a wonderful Greek dish, two the bangers and mash, which I heard was wonderful, and the others different entrees that were all enjoyed. And to top it off, our waiter Chris was beyond delightful. I highly recommend if in the area.

No complaints! Great server (can't remember his name), great beer menu, all the food was great, and loved the decor. Visiting my sister at DePaul and it was a great stop.

We chose to visit this classic British pub that was totally rebuilt and has long been a mainstay on Lincoln avenue. The atmosphere is cozy, especially in the small dining room with a fireplace. High ceilings and walls decorated with books and British pub memorabilia make for an inviting atmosphere. Our waiter was friendly and provided good service. As for food and drink, the beer is the star here. There are numerous brews offered by the bottle and on tap. Typical pub food is offered with the beers and is acceptable (my French fries, or "chips," were a bit dry and way over-salted) but somewhat average. We would go back, especially with friends from out of town, as it is a fun place.

We had an amazing lunch and had the special beer (made only 1x a year). It was all great and the servers are very helpful with selections of beer. The ambiance is like you are in an old English Pub (think Harry Potterish). LOVE this place!

Very good English Pub that has a very genuine English vibe to it. The atmosphere is great. I personally traveled up to go to it. It is in a northern neighborhood, and you will need to make the trip to get to it. The pub has the traditional food you would expect: Fish and Chips, Bangers and Mash, etc. The Fish and Chips were excellent. Their beer selection is eclectic. I had an Austrian lighter beer that was great. Very cool place to go to if an English vibe is what you are looking for.

Stopped here for a great burger (Pub burger) and great fries, very crisp and hot.. Loved the food and service so friendly. Hubby had special which was pork chop with pork belly and beans, he loved it. We will definitely be back.

We stopped in for drinks after dinner, got seated quickly, the waitress was very knowledgeable. The interior is gorgeous, full of history, photos and books. We had originally reserved the balcony but the private party with a reservation before us ran late so we got a booth in the back that fit our group nicely and we had a great time. The menu looked amazing and the food around us smelled amazing but we were still too full from dinner to try anything. We'll definitely stop back another time we're in the city!

We stopped at the Red Lion on our most recent visit to Illinois on a whim. We hadn't really planned on going into the city, but I'm glad we did. Andrew, our bartender, was friendly and outgoing. I had the Wells Banana Bread Beer and a Pub Cheese plate, both were wonderful. I can't wait until our next visit!

We got there after a show in Victory Gardens with a huge group of people, although the service was a bit messy because they had a slight difficulty with accent of some of us, it was great. The place is not too busy and the music isnt too loud. They got a great beer and you just have to taste the Lime burger! its just a must! one of the tastiest burgers Ive ever tasted. Do not let its size fool you! ;)

I'd been wanting to visit the Red Lion Pub for a while. During our trip to Chicago for the David Gilmour concert, I finally got the chance. Be advised....this is NOT the Lincoln Square Red Lion. They are different places. There can be a lot of confusion regarding this. The bartender, whom I also believe was the GM, a charming and very friendly guy named Jerry, actually stepped out from behind the bar and explained some of the plaques and pictures hanging on the walls to me as I have an interest in history. The place wasn't too busy and my friends were entertaining themselves. The Red Lion is an awesome Scottish pub. It is VERY classy, well kept, neat and orderly. Exactly what a proper pub/bar should be. I only wish I had something akin to it back home. I only recognized two beers they had on tap (Boddington's & Belhaven). So I went with an ESB on nitro that was amazing. They have a decent selection on draught. The bar itself was stocked with plenty of spirits, scotches, bourbons and wine. The atmosphere is very comfy, warm and inviting. It is a perfect place to sit and read or work on a paper or catch up with friends. I know there are a lot of choices in Chicago, but the Red Lion is HIGHLY recommended. If I make it back to Chicago, I will definitely be making a return visit. And Jerry....you're awesome man! :o)

The Red Lion Pub is a neighborhood landmark that closed for remodeling years ago. I was worried that it might never return, but a friend shared the welcome news that the Red Lion had reopened. We stopped by this weekend, and the new Red Lion is amazing. What was a dark, comfortable British pub has become a beautiful take on the traditional pub, with dark wood set off by high ceilings, with every wall covered by old posters, pictures, maps, sketches and BOOKS - books everywhere! I particularly love the Africa Room. Colin, the proprietor, has the stories behind all of the fascinating things. Oh, and the fish and chips were the tasty treat we remembered, with a fantastic selection of beers. Welcome back!

Chose RLP because it was close to a venue were were attending. Decor is fun and interesting, steeped in history and books! Server was quirky but competent. My dining companions loved their fish and chips and my burger was delicious. Try the curry fries. It's a bit pricey but in the heart of Lincoln Park, what isn't? If I lived nearby, it would be my local go-to bar.

We came here after we received a drink special card from a young lady while we were participating in the taste of Lincoln Park wine tasting. I had the Taste of Lincoln tasting portion of Poutine fries, I should have gotten the regular size, they were AMAZING and my drink special, draught beer and a whiskey shot. The staff is very friendly.

The Red Lion has been reborn, and there is really no comparison to what it was. The decor is stunning. I especially like the books lining the shelves and walls - it is befitting of the pub's location near DePaul University. If I worked at DePaul, I would spend alot of time here. Speaking of which, the Red Lion is set amid a bunch of bars catering to the DePaul student. Thankfully, its elegant new design was offputting to the students (so far) and so it was very adult friendly. The owner, Colin, was posted up behind the bar and was happy to take orders or make suggestions based on our preferences. I had a couple of Irish whiskies, my wife had a cocktail, and my buddy had some bourbons. All good. I have heard the food needs some work, but the bread pudding we ordered was delicious.

Great service and classic pub atmosphere. Bartender was very friendly, open and knowledgable. Nice drink specials. Recommend this if you are in the area, stop by for a drink!

A superb location for a dinner before a show at any number of music and other entertainment venues in the area (many within walking distance) this place put forth an effort that needs a shove to get to that level at which I can say, "wow"! The atmosphere is very nice- an English/Scottish pub meets practical and crowded north-side Chicago. There is a very nice little private event room in the front of the restaurant. The place has lots of books on shelves (I think they are real). It has a lot of interesting photos and artifacts on the wall. Our server was very nice and accommodating, considering all that he had to do while we were there. He was serving us, at least three other tables and was handling the group that was in the private event room. So, why am I lukewarm about this place? It was the food and the beer offering. First, the beer offering was enormously small for a "British pub" and it was on the weak, pub beers-side. Yes, that is the British way but how about a little accommodation to the all of the great beers we now have available today? But, more of a miss to me was the food. We ordered the brussel sprouts. They were presented in a large bowl in a tasty sauce that included bits of pistachios. They were tasty and good but they were served lukewarm! They needed to be served piping hot. For entrees we had the curry chicken and the fried fish plate. Neither was bad but neither we will be mentioning tomorrow to our co-workers. It was rather mediocre. This place has the potential to step it up. The location, atmosphere and service is in place. If it steps up its game on the food and beverage then it has a place I can really recommend, instead of the lukewarm feeling I can pass on to you now (like the brussel sprouts).

We stopped here to pass the time while we waited for a friend. Had a pint while enjoying rye bread and cheese hors d'oeuvres and some fish and chips. Food is fresh and (fairly) local. Nice ambience. Not too crowded but we were "day drinking" and liked it that way. I'm sure the place can get to hopping! Check out the second floor nook for a great place ala book club!

Great way to start a walk through Lincoln Park. Enjoyed a Pinot Grigio and GIANT pretzel—so yummy! Loved looking at all of the World War memorabilia on the walls, especially the propaganda posters. Don’t miss this place if you are a history buff!

If you want a comfortable food and drink spot that makes the day’s events melt away then I recommend the Red Lion Pub in Lincoln Park. Simple English Pub food, lots of drafts to pick from and a good wine list is all you need to make a casual night out special. Add this to an outstanding wait staff and a Pub owner that knows the meaning of customer service. Did I mention they know by your name? The Red Lion Pub has become our Friday date night destination.

My husband and I were looking for a place close to Lincoln Park Zoo so we found this little pub (20 min walk, but worth it). I want to start off by saying that the food was amazing!! I would recommend the toastie which is a bunch of different cheeses on pumpernickel with an Apple tomato spread and a superb sauce to dip it in on the side. Best "grilled cheese" I've ever had. The atmosphere is great. We sat by the fireplace. There's a great pub atmosphere, and their bathrooms are very clean with a coconut smelling soap. The only issue I had was there seemed to be one guy running the show while another one brought out the food. My hubby had to go ask for water refills. Other then that it was a great place to eat, and I would go back.

Classic touch of Britain complete with the vintage hardwood bar and surroundings. Very good beer selection. Whiskey and Scotch offerings pretty good as well. The waitress was very friendly as were all the staff working. Great neighborhood atmosphere and the food was quite tasty. We had the Salmon burger which was excellent. Highly recommend you stop here if you are in the neighborhood.

We were in Chicago for the day and after an afternoon near Millenium Park, we headed to Lincoln Park for a performance at the Apollo. We checked Trip Advisor for a restaurant suggestion, only to find that we were standing next door to the Red Lion Pub. We took a look at the menu and the interior and immediately decided it was the place for us. The decor/ambiance is amazing . . . books lining the ceiling, beautiful woodwork and sketches, . . . The food was delicious; we shared the lamb curry and the couple with us shared the bangers and mash. Next time we'll get our own entrees. . . so good!! The beer selections were impressive as was the service. But. . . the most memorable occurrence of the evening was our encounter with the bartender/owner! He came over to our table, which was situated below sketches that he described for us, and, as we left, he came to the door to share another story and thank us for our visit. I won't spoil it by sharing his stories, but do go hear them for yourself!! The next time we head to the city, the Red Lion Pub is a priority. We have also recommended it to many of our friends, who also visit the city from Wisconsin. We highly recommend this pub; it's a new favorite!!

Good selection of beers. Excellent shepherds pie. Good staff. We came in without reservations (seemed like reservations could help), and there weren't any issues.

I love bar food, and it does not get better than The Red Lion Pub. Instead of just throwing a bunch of bar type items on a menu like most cruddy bars do, this restaurant has taken special care to develop a smaller menu with bar type food master pieces. For example, they make their own corn beef, by brining a brisket---short of Katz's deli in NYC, this is the best corn beef I have had in a sandwich at a restaurant. My daughter's hamburger was unbelievable---I had to finish it for her. And the fish and chips were fantastic with homemade tartar. Also offered was Shepherd's pie, bangers and mash, Scottish eggs, need I say more. Each menu item has a thoughtful recipe and story behind it. And the beer list has also been thoughtfully put together, I did not recognize 80% of the beers they offered. Add a authentic looking atmosphere (my wife and I were last at this bar around 2001) and this place is a must visit for locals--we drove from Wilmette to visit.

The truth is that this is a bit nicer than many British pubs, but it achieves this without losing too much authenticity. The setting is very comfortable and the combination of memorabilia and books are charming. Beer is well served and the choices are nicely representative. We only tried a couple of appetizers from the menu, but what we had we liked. Service was good.

This pub exceeded our expectations in all respects, despite the fact that we visited on Mother’s Day. The food and service were excellent and the ambiance was memorable. The interior of the pub appears to be in a Tudor style. The front room features World War One posters and photos, while the other room’s focus is on World War Two. It wasn’t what you might expect to find in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, as it appeared more like an English pub, but we really liked the feel of the place.

The Red Lion Pub on N Lincoln Ave. has been completely refurbished and the decor is absolutely fabulous. With marvellous paintings and artefacts this is an upscale pub without the upscale prices. A simple menu but all the traditional English pub food is available--- from Shephards Pie to Bangers and Mash. And all the dishes are excellent. Just to top it off, the owner Colin is a gregarious host and makes this great pub even better. This is my favourite pub in Chicago and is highly recommended.

The décor is very British Pub, designed to look a few hundred years old, but is actually fairly new. There's a center fireplace that enhances the atmosphere in the colder months. I had a vegetable curry dish that was out of this world; slightly sweet, yet lightly spiced with mild jalapenos. So good. Prices are average, the vibe is relaxed and cozy, the food divine.

Finally stopped in to the rebuilt Red Lion Pub for a beer. It was during the day, during the week, so the place was not very crowded. About half the bar stools were taken, with folks having lunch or a pint. Four or five tables were also occupied. Great selection of UK beers, with a few US craft beers thrown in as well. Lots of World War II memorabilia is displayed, I won't repeat the history / reasons behind it, but it is a great story.

The Red Lion Pub has great food and drinks. Not just a fabulous selection of beer, but good wine and cocktails too. A great scotch list as well. It is filled with books and historical artifacts like a museum. Plus the owner Colin and the regulars are friendly and interesting to talk to at the bar.

We were a group of seven who ate here for brunch before seeing a play. We came here after looking at the menu on line and seeing there was also a kid menu. The pub has a wonderful ambience with interesting pictures and memorabilia from Britain. We had a cozy alcove that fit us all comfortably. Our mixed drinks were well made and they have a good selection of beers. The staff were friendly and helpful. I shared a corned beef sandwich which was good. The curry fries were over salted. The poutine was very tasty, we shared an order with the table-it was our favorite. The other dishes were rated as average. The disappointment was the kids menu items. Pancakes were ordered and then there was no syrup, butter and jam were offered but never arrived. The scrambled eggs were watery and the bacon the thick kind that our child did not like, as a result most of this food was uneaten. We would come again for drinks and appetizers or sandwiches.

Cozy English pub with bartenders who are friendly and willing to go the extra step to find your special request scotch.

Best bar ive visited in Chicago. Talk to the owner about the history on the walls it will blow you away, the best thing about travelling is finding these gems.

The owner chatted with us for awhile during our visit. He's a great guy who has an incredible amount of historical knowledge regarding the Royal Air Force and the Battle of Britain. Our interaction with the owner was the highlight of our visit. He's a true gentleman.

This is my 2nd time here and it certainly won’t be my last. Brought my cousin and his family here for his birthday. This place is an anglophile’s dream (and a history buff’s). Fish and chips (of course); but also bangers and mash, scotch eggs, and some amazing bread pudding. If you want really good food with real character, you can’t go wrong with this pub. Highly, highly recommended!

My wife and I visited the Red Lion Pub in Lincoln Park. Treated to our own personal magic show by resident host, magician and paranormal expert, Jim Bergstrom, we were immersed in the spooky history of this early 19th century public house. The pub's owner hails from a long line of British Soldiers. Regalia from the 1st and 2nd World Wars line the walls, and the owner and patron is more than happy to share the stories behind every photo! A truly remarkable experience.

We enjoyed dinner here after going to the Biograph Theater across the street. Charming decor and very cozy. Typical pub food menu. We were there on Sunday when they featured a Roast Beef Dinner which was tasty.

Fantastic beer choices. Great "Lion Stout". The ambiance of an old historical high ceiling English pub, with wall sections dedicated to the air wars of WWI and WWII, and, upstairs, the Africa Campaign. Nice selection of bar food. Friendly service.

Several friends and I took this tour back in October. We had an enjoyable evening. The weather was perfect. We walked around and visited a few bars while our tour guides told some ghost stories of Chicago. My favorite pub was the Red Lion and my favorite story was about John Dillinger. If you are looking for an inexpensive outing you should check this out especially if you want a little history of Chicago and tales of the dark side. Also, our tour guides were young college students that keep our spirits up throughout the event.

We enjoyed dining before a magnificent setting for a cozy dinner and drinks in what is known as " The Great War room. This is a beautifully decorated dining room tied in with a burning fireplace and adorned with shelves throughout holding literally hundreds of books from and about the era of the GREAT WAR ( WWI) The walls hold a treasure trove of pictures and mementos of the "War to end all Wars! A quaint menu features British favorites Fish and Chips and Shepherd's Pie and when asked if the food is authentic British, Pub owner Colin Cordwell usually responds "no, it's actually very good! The beer selection is better than average, but my favorite feature of this spot is the incredible selection of Single Malt Scotches. From the Highlands to the Isle of Islay, you're bound to find a favorite in what is boasted as one of the more eclectic selections of single malts anywhere in the city!

We had been to the Red Lion years ago and enjoyed our time there, so we decided to return. We had a dinner show there at 5:00 so we went early to have a cocktail. It didn't look liked we remembered so we ask the bartender about the new look. We found out the building was tore down a few years ago and rebuilt. Love the new look. The bartender was very nice and gave us some details about the process. Our dinner was in the front room which has a fireplace. Very nice space. We had a salad and the fish and chips. I must say the food was delicious. The fish had a light coating and the fries tasted like fresh cut. Amazing dinner. The place has some great history. We met the owner and talked with him about the building and new Red Lion. We loved it and will return.

I love the Red Lion. Such a cozy place to eat and hang out. Attentive but not annoying service, good pub food. EXCEPT the Sunday roast. Having spent significant time in London and experiencing the British Sunday roast tradition, we've been wanting to try the Red Lion's Sunday roast for awhile. So, we booked ourselves in for Easter. While the salads and Scotch Egg were delightful, the Sunday roast was extremely disappointing. The meat was overcooked and tough, the side veggies consisted of grilled onions with a few carrots thrown in, and the potatoes were just adequate. The highly-anticipated Yorkshire Pudding was a snooze. It was generally awful. But don't stay away because of the Sunday roast. There are plenty of other really good food options, and the atmosphere is truly charming and wonderful. It's a great place to have a drink, enjoy the fire, and read a book.

A classic, cozy English pub with all the food and drink you'd expect at an authentic English pub. Excellent beer and cider selection, delicious Shepherds pie, fish and chips, and Scotch eggs. In addition to a great local pub, the Red Lion also has museum-worthy artifacts from the First and Second World War, many from the proprietor's own father who was a RAF pilot and German POW. Serious students of history or lovers of the Imperial War museum should definitely put the Red Lion in their list! If you're lucky the owner Colin will be there and give you a wonderful tour. Oh almost forgot, the Red Lion is also haunted so if ghosts are your thing, definitely worth a visit. Enjoy!

First time in Chicago. Found this pub on a must do list. Went in for one drink and ended up spending about 4 hrs here. The owner was tending bar, well versed, well spoken interesting man. Read the bio on the bar and owner before you go.

In the front room of this place is gorgeous… 25 foot ceiling with a fireplace and (mock?) books lining the shelves! It's a smaller front room, but is so cool! Great atmosphere. And the food! Fish and chips, hands down. Delish.

Great Irish Pub; we have been to Ireland this place is just like being there. The Fish and Chips were great; along with the Irish Handcuff drink special. Great for couples.

Im British and reside in the UK amd I have to say I loved this place and wish it was near my home as it would be my local. From the decor, ambiemce and food to the range of beers and the welcome when you go in this place has it all.

Street side living room across from where the infamous John Dillinger was shot. Very proper English. Lots of fun. Great service. Excellent selection of draft beers. Very good food. An oasis in a big city.

This place was amazing. It’s like a little history museum and a great place to get a meal combined. I could’ve listened to a million more anecdotes from the owner!

My wife and I are planning a four-day visit to London, once all of the civil unrest and riots subside in the United Kingdom. Until then, we will get a feel for English cooking by sampling traditional dishes such as fish and chips and bangers and mash and Scotch egg and Shepherds pie at British-inspired pubs such as Red Lion Pub. Located at 2446 North Lincoln Avenue, north of Wrightwood, across the street from the historic Biograph Theater, in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, it opened in 1984 in a space once occupied by Dirty Dan's Western Saloon. The bar is open from 4 to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 to 2 a.m. on Friday, noon to 2 a.m. on Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to midnight on Sunday. The kitchen is open from 4 to 10 Monday through Thursday, 4 to 11 on Friday, noon to 11 on Saturday and 10:30 to 9 on Sunday. Proprietor Colin Cordwell has done a masterful job with the menu and English decor befitting a bi-level space. Was that Winston Churchill who just walked in the front door? We wanted to get a taste of tradition English cooking. For lunch, we had a Scotch Egg, a soft-boiled egg wrapped in house=-made sausage and fried with pickled vegetables, hot mustard and greens and a Bavarian soft pretzel with sweet and spicy mustard glaze, beer and aged cheddar cheese sauce. For a main course, my wife chose fish and chips wth ale battered Alaskan cod fillets with malt vinegar tartar sauce and fries. I opted for bangers and mash, house-made pork sausages, garlic mashed potatoes and onion gravy. But I couldn't resist ordering a corned beef sandwich, brisket brined for 10 days in house with tarragon mustard and pickled cabbage on pumpernickel rye bread to go. I can only hope these traditional English treats taste as good in London.

We stopped by to go for Ghost tour which started at this place. This place is just amazing! Great staff, great choice of beer! This place has its special atmosphere and history. Feels like you went back in time a bit to England.

Great food, great atmosphere! Feels like an old English Pub! The pub is also haunted! Ask your server about the female ghost named Sharon who haunts the pub! 👻

The place is decorated as a WWI era English Pub. The food is excellent. The burgers are special. They have an extensive liquor menu. I cannot have any but others were quite happy with theirs. It seems a great place for a group get together.

My husband and I stopped here for a bite to eat before going to the Lincoln Hall for a a concert. The food was fantastic! We ordered corned beef sliders and split pea soup. Both were made in house and could not have been better. Will definitely visit again when we're in the area!