Fado
3.4
- Neighborhood: River North
- 100 W. Grand Ave.
- Chicago, IL 60610
- 312-836-0066
Fado in Gaelic means "long ago," and indeed this multi-level bar has captured the feel of Irish pubs drenched as much in tradition as in Harp and Tullamore Dew. Fado is almost an Irish museum, with every piece of woodwork, stone and decor having been brought over from the Emerald Isle. There are six distinct themes to the decor, each reminiscent of a specific style of Irish pub--country cottage style, Victorian Dublin, Gaelic style and others based on Irish saints and scholars, arts and crafts. At any corner, one can almost feel James Joyce or W.B. Yeats nearby; there is that much atmosphere. Fado also features imported Irish food (salmon is flown in daily) and offers a tremendous 20-ounce pint of Guinness stout. Fado staffers are adamant that the pint is "built," not just poured, meaning the bartenders take their time, often as much as two minutes, to properly fill the glass in stages. With more than 3,500 square feet of space, plenty of nooks and crannies and double-barreled Guinness taps throughout, Fado will appeal to the Irish in anyone. And those without any Irish in them will have little trouble finding fluid means to correct the imbalance.
Getting There
- Parking:
- Paid Lot, Street, and Valet
- Public Transportation:
- Red Line Train: Grand stop. CTA Bus: 22 Clark, 65 Grand.
- Wheelchair Access:
- Yes. Including restrooms.
The Basics
- Hours:
- 11:30 a.m.-1:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday; 11:30 a.m.-2:30 a.m. Friday; 10:30 a.m.-2:30 a.m. Saturday; 10:30 a.m.-1:30 a.m. Sunday; Opens earlier for sporting event.
- Meals Served:
- Dinner and Lunch
- Price Range:
- $$ ($9-$15)
- Reservations:
- Accepted. Except for Friday after 5 p.m. and Saturday after 7 p.m.
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Admission Price:
- Except for special events.
- Bar Style:
- Irish
- Music Style:
- Ethnic, Folk, and Irish
Features
- Carryout:
- Yes
- Live Music:
- Yes. 9 p.m. Friday; 10 p.m. Saturday.
- Food:
- A menu of soups, salads, sandwiches, traditional Irish bites and a few entrees including shepherd's pie.
- Features:
- Free Admission, Late Night, and On-site Merchandise. Shirts, sweatshirts and similar stuff at the pub shop.
- Facilities:
- Private Party and Banquet Facilities
- Worth Noting:
- Recommended. Top Irish bars.
- Specialties:
- Irish whiskey, traditional boxty (potato pancakes) and Guinness.
- Payment Methods:
- American Express, Diners Club, Discover Card, Mastercard, and Visa
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Seating :
- Seating for 136 upstairs, 111 downstairs, although twice as many or more cram in on Friday nights, when Fado is busiest.
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Rate Fado
"Try Fado Out!!!"
hep2jive from South Loop - February 29, 2008
Me and my friend go here all the time! Its a great place to get a few drinks and have some great food. wait staff is GRAND! *Fish N chips there is...
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"Nicely Done"
zambonidriver from Maine - January 28, 2008
This place was so good, I went twice on a recent business trip to the city. Our waitresses (different ones each night) were prompt, charming, chat...
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"My husband and I stopped..."
Mardi from Chicago, IL - July 31, 2007
My husband and I stopped in for a bite before a concert at House of Blues. He had a Newcastle and I had a Blackcat Guiness and cider which were bo...
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