Elephant & Castle - Chicago Wabash Ave.

I like the vibe inside the bar. The crew members were very friendly. Sitting by the window is a plus for me as well.

The Emerald Loop is one of the best Irish bars and restaurants in Chicago with an incredible variety of beers and cocktails and delicious burgers and dishes. Rino Siconolfi Instagram rino_siconolfi

Whatever you do, make sure you get the spice bag! This dish has no business being on the list of starters, it is 100% a finisher. End your night at the loop with a few pints and a spice bag. Great atmosphere, the perfect place to pop in, get a break from the cold, and enjoy a strong drink & good food.

Wonderful little spot. Good menu options. Loved the atmosphere. Busy but didn't feel crowded.

We had reservations for a Thursday night after a show. We arrived a half hour early, but still got seated right away. Menu has a good variety to meet all dietary needs and preferences. Food was very reasonably priced. My husband has the bangers and mash, which he enjoyed. I had the Emerald chopped salad which was really good - really big too! The value of the food is excellent as portion size is large compared to the price. Fun and lively atmosphere, but very loud. It was hard to hear our server and even each other, at times. Not something that would keep us from returning though. Would recommend!

We ran the marathon and celebrated with Mac Piggy and grilled cheese and brisket. It was delicious! A reservation may be needed but the sweet waitresses out front let us sit down.

Song Hak Korean BBQ in Chicago is my holy grail of grilled meat. I’ve been here more times than I care to admit—if there’s a frequent flyer program for BBQ, I’m probably gold status by now. From the second you walk in, the smell of sizzling meat hits you like a warm, delicious hug from a Korean grandma you didn’t know you had. This place is a carnivore’s paradise. The marinated galbi? Life-changing. Pork belly? Melt-in-your-mouth magic. And don’t even get me started on the banchan—they keep it coming like they read your mind. I always leave smelling like smoke and joy, and honestly, that’s a scent I’ve grown to love. The staff is fast, friendly, and never lets your grill or your soju glass go empty. It’s perfect for group feasts, birthday dinners, or even solo food comas (don’t judge, I’ve done it). There’s something so satisfying about cooking your own meat while chatting, laughing, and wondering how you’ll ever move again after that third round of brisket. If you’re in the Windy City and haven’t hit up Song Hak yet, you’re missing out on a true gem. Just make sure to wear clothes you’re okay smelling like happiness and grilled beef.

This place is very spacious. It has a beautiful bar with stained glass. They have a lot of beers on tap and cocktails. I started with the raspberry bubbles. It was delicious and strong. For my entree I got the Old Hickory burger. It had brisket, bacon, crispy onion straws and Guinness and cider BBQ sauce. It was good. It was done just the way I asked. I got french fries but you can also get waffle fries. Great location and friendly staff. I was sat under the speaker and it was very loud. I asked my server and he turned it down right away. Very clean.

Awesome spot next to Chicago Riverwalk. Down the street from Chicago theaters. Great food, cold brews and etc!

I don't do the tourist scene per sé, I like to chat up the locals only the born and raised can give me what I need. We walked to this Irish pub spot for a late before sleep bite. Ordered the garlic parmesan wings, and a cosmo. Yes I know got to Chi town and got brand new on ya! I cheated on my dirty shirley (my go to drink). I was not ready for the esplosive flavor bomb coming from the wings, so hot and delicious, the flavor is a 10/10! Loved it. Highly recommended!

Busy spot right in town. But a good spot for a quick snack as well as a meal. We just stopped for a bite and a drink before a show and it was perfect!

Needed food as just arrived in Chicago, I was looking for a good burger and found this place. Was busy outside but a few tables available but decided to eat indoors as a little quieter. Service was very good as was my burger 👌 and beer!! Recommend this place and my next time in Chicago I will definitely be back here.

Emerald Loop feels like a relaxed evening comfort in the city center. The space blends family-friendly warmth with casual flair. Classic pub seating, soft lighting, and a steady buzz of conversation create an inviting atmosphere. It is the kind of place where you can unwind after work or linger over drinks with friends while enjoying a cozy setting. Their fish and chips hit the spot with golden crunch and flaky fish that balanced heartiness without heaviness. I paired it with a smooth stout poured just right, with dark roast notes that were mellow and satisfying. Service was kind and familiar, offering helpful suggestions without rushing anything. Emerald Loop sets a tone of unpretentious comfort that feels just right after a long day.

This is a super fun, "happening" place! Best corned beef ever!! The corned beef sliders were five star delicious! Chefs kiss! I would definitely return to this bar/restaurant next time I'm in Chicago. I highly recommend this place to hang out, watch the game, and meet interesting people.

The Emerald Loop Bar & Grill is the best Irish pub in Chicago! We had an authentic Irish meal. The manager, Conor, made us feel very welcome and attended to our every need. All the staff were very kind and the food was 10/10 delicious. Would 100% recommend if wanting an authentic Irish experience. A must-see when in Chicago. ☘️☘️ ☘️

Autumn is the BEST. Awesome waitress and absolutely thee best food. The truffle fries are to die for. The raspberry bubbles is a tastefully drink too. Highly recommend eating here.

Emerald Loop Bar & Grill is a great spot! Our service was excellent—friendly, attentive, and quick. The drinks were top notch and mixed perfectly. The environment has that classic Irish pub feel with cozy, comfortable seating that makes you want to linger a bit longer. It’s the perfect place to grab a drink, enjoy good food, and relax in a welcoming atmosphere. Highly recommend for anyone looking for an authentic Irish bar vibe in the city!

Loved the vibe here! The food came out quick, the portions were solid, and the staff was super friendly without being over the top. Great spot to grab a drink and relax after walking around the area. I’d definitely come back.

Great service by Angelica very helpful and fast service very attentive.French onion soup is one of the best in Chicago. Tomato soup and grilled brisket cheese sandwich was beyond average. Simply one of the best I've ever had. Very friendly staff wonderful cozy bar.Love the history of this place will be back for more.

Overall the restaurant was good. Was crowded, but when we got there we were seated right away. When we ordered our appetizers and then our meal we got our food all at once. The food was good and hot, and came out in great timing. Nice place and they are open later than a lot of the restaurants in the Chicago Loop area.

I had lunch at this place specifically for their outdoor patio, really no complains at all More like an observation when serving a beer probably try to do it with a frozen glass so helps the beer stay cold longer. Specially during summer As an appetizer had the flatbread which was tasty which is part of the happy hour for $8 I would recommend this place for happy hour

Just strolling downtown when we came across the menu on the sidewalk and we really liked the look of it so we stopped in. It’s a very nice place, has a very comfortable feeling when you walk in the door. Food was really good and the Atmosphere was really nice. Fried pickles starter was amazing, fresh friend and nice thick slices. French onion soup was really good, you can tell it was made fresh, onion chunks were thick and the broth had great flavor. Corned beef sandwich was good, exactly what you expect it to be, not too dry with the classic corned beef flavor. Chicken sandwich was fully loaded and amazing with really fresh French fries. Flavored iced teas were amazing, I tried mango, peach and strawberry and they were all delicious. Service was a little slow, we thought our server forgot about us for a while but we get it, people get busy. Overall, food was very good. Would definitely return.

Visit during the evening with a toddler. Was greeted by staff on the exterior. The restaurant includes outdoor seating. Opted to be indoors. Was freated at the server station and seated in a more secluded space. Within minutes our server arrived with waters. We placed our orders as well. I was concerned because there was no kids menu present. However, we were able to get a meal suitable for a child. Maybe there is a kids menu. Cheeseburger shooters, fries and apple juice for the toddler. Fish and Chips, fried pickles and 2 glasses if rosè for me. Toddler enjoyed the meal. Fried pickles were not flavorful although cooked well. Fish and Chips. The outer shell of the fish was overly cooked (crispy, not burnt). I squeezed a lemon and combine cole slaw to the fish. It was good. The rose was a great complement. Server, Josue, did well with checking in on us. He interacted with us well. He was polite and paid attention to detail.

We had a great server who was very friendly. Food was very good ... Look forward to going back.

Hip Irish bar in the loop downtown Chicago. Busy, relaxed vibe with a good selection of Irish, Scottish and other whiskies along with a properly served (and great tasting) Guinness. Best to book at busy times. There are steps up to the entrance so not sure of disabled access. The food portions are simply enormous and very filling. Can recommend the corned beef sliders.

Nice place with good service and friendly staff. I liked the beer and the nachos—they were really good. But I didn’t enjoy the burger. I ordered it medium, but it came well done and was very dry. That was a bit disappointing. Still, it’s a nice spot to hang out, maybe just not the best for burgers.

Great place to grab late night drinks or food! Stopped by with a friend on a Wednesday night and was so glad it was open late. Very casual atmosphere. Saw some people coming in after work in business casual, saw couples on dates, or like me and my friend just stopping by after walking around the city. Our waitress was very friendly and the servers were alright. The inside is dark and dimly lit which sets a nice night vibe. The food was as expected, not amazing fine dining but also not bad! I would come again for a casual going out night.

We had the brisket nachos and corned beef sliders before a show at the Chicago Theater. Food was delicious! Service was so so. Atmosphere was a typical pub restaurant. Very interesting history about the building.

We weren't originally going to go here but they had a lot of open seats and it was close to where we needed to go. The staff was the best part - they were friendly, kind, considerate and did their best to accommodate our group. The food was average - nothing special and you probably wont remember it too well after the fact but the location is really convenient and the prices are comparable to higher end options so this would be a good fit for people who prefer dive bars, causal dining, larger groups, kids and casual events.

Nice place. A little rough when compared to The Gage or other Irish/English pub in the area. Guinness was fine but $11. Pretzel was undercooked and gummy. I ordered a shot of Jamison and it came in the cutest little “shot” glass you will ever see. It was probably one ounce at best. We had decent service, very good atmosphere as it’s lively and good for tv.

Food was perfect, I had the Shephard's Pie and would recommend. The service was a little slow but we were the first customers on New Year's Day so it wasn't really an issue. Great atmosphere and was very clean.

Our first disappointment of our Chicago trip, this place was right across from our hotel so we were eager to give it a try. We ordered a giant soft pretzel which was very delicious. The wife ordered a bowl of tomato soup which she said was good. I ordered a Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, was not what was advertised at all. Said that the sandwich should be two breast with the toppings listed in the picture below. It was not two breasts. Was missing toppings. The hot sauce was separate and did not have a good flavor profile. The chicken was very tough and hard to eat. It had zero flavor and when I say zero I mean zero flavor. The meat was hard to describe, but if you've ever had a chicken breast with the tuft texture, that's how this was. To say the least, it was a very lackluster sandwich. My fries were standard issue frozen fries, however they came out cold and with zero seasoning on them. Not even salt. Again, the other food was good with the chicken sandwich and the fries that came with it were not. We had to ask for salt and pepper and ketchup as it was not on the table already. even that didn't help my meal. In defense of the restaurant. The waitress did take the meal off of our bill. We ordered two drinks. One draft beer, and one mixed drink. Margarita which I believe was raspberry flavored. My wife thought it was very tasty.

I got the brisket grilled cheese. It would have been better as just a grilled cheese. Chicago needs to stick to pizza and dogs and leave the brisket to south. But their apple tart is one of the best things I've had in Chicago.

First night in Chicago. Irish pubs are usually fun. We had salmon with mashed potatoes and Bangers and Mash. The Salmon came with some vegetables and Watermelon??? Interesting. The sauce was incredibly delicious. First you taste some sweetness and a little kick after. This plate I would definitely recommend. The Bangers were....ahhh. wouldn't order again. Service, not to good. The restaurant music a little bit loud. The Salmon was great. Every else...no

Went here to watch the Notre Dame football game. This must be the only Irish pub in the nation that does not televise it. Had the fish and chips they were at best ordinary. My wife had the Mac Piggy and it was good but nothing special.

The wife has been here before and has always enjoyed it; she brought me in for my first time. The place was hopping when we got here. We waited approximately 20 min before we got someone's attention to put in our order. We finally got our food at 58 min after we sat down. Now I get they were busy, I don't expect perfection especially when its hopping. That being said it still feels like we were dropped. Normally include pictures but it took so long, we were hungry and dug in. I ordered a steak salad, medium. When the salad arrived the steak was well done. Everything else tasted great (wings and shepherds pie). The staff recognized we had been waiting a long time and the snafu with the salad; they did their best to remedy it and comped the salad altogether (greatly appreciated it). I could tell the staff genuinely regretted our experience. The wife loves this place and I think it was just an off night, I would still give it a shot again.

If your looking for an authentic Irish restaurant look somewhere else. Not one Irish worker besides maybe the manager but he was on the phone with a buddy the whole time so knows. The corn beef Sammy was very dry and depressing I was looking forward to it. Drinks were good but the 70’s-80’s American music doesn’t make you feel like you’re in an Irish pub. Could be great just needs work. Overall I wouldn’t go back.

It's a bar with so-so food. It was so busy the server was all over and we feel for her but hard to get her attention.

This restaurant is truly a wonderful place to visit for great food, conversation and friendly experienced service. Certain items on the menu are very exceptional, I can't count how many strangers I've met at the bar while dining and have introduced them to my favorite menu items. I've been enjoying establishment for approximately three years now meeting out-of-towners on a regular basis making exception connections. My disappointment come in with the change of the music choice implemented by the new night management! This is definitely an amazing upbeat dwelling, the music selection should reflect as such. It's definitely changed for the worst, as Emerald Loop attracts and reflects diversitie the music played should continue to do so as well. I personally feel the staff should have more input on what the customers listen to, as they are the ones who truly tend to the customers needs.

I am not usually a complainer but a friend and I were in town for the weekend and made a pit stop here and had a terrible experience. Our server was a very nice young lady, but the nonetheless wings had so little batter they appeared to be grilled nuggets a with a very buttery buffalo sauce. The Mac n cheese tasted like buttered pasta with coagulated clumps of miscellaneous cheeses on tip. The fries were room temperature and soggy with oil. Honestly, the best part of the meal was the carrot sticks that came with the “wings”. In addition, the place was so loud and packed that sitting and hearing anything was impossible. I would not come again but hope that others experience a better time than we did.