River Shannon Celebrates 65 Years

By Staff in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 14, 2011 9:15PM

Photo by Eric Hehr.

Before Chicago was swarming with congested sports bars, swanky lounges, and multi-level nightclubs, it was a city of privately owned neighborhood taverns and pubs. Today, a few of these relics are still operating - commemorating yesterday while still progressing into tomorrow. The infamous Lincoln Park haunt, River Shannon, is no exception.

Originally opened in 1946, River Shannon has managed to walk that fine line between being a monument to Chicago’s past and a modern neighborhood hot spot - the type of place that has HD TV’s and one of the oldest liquor licenses in Chicago (No. 28 to be exact). There is a consolation embedded within River Shannon’s rustic décor that invites middle-aged men to relax with a glass of Jameson, as well as young girls to dance with vodka Red Bulls. Its ability to endure and attract such an eclectic clientele rests in River Shannon’s unassuming atmosphere: it’s not trying to be anything except for itself. There is no hint of pretentiousness to the humble staff, no sense of grandeur to the long, wooden bar. The level of comfort River Shannon’s environment offers transcends to those stopping in for a drink. Everyone is content to simply enjoy themselves because River Shannon is perfectly content to simply be an Irish pub. This sense of humbleness has made River Shannon a staple of the Lincoln Park bar scene.

The bar celebrated it’s 65th anniversary this weekend by hosting a 1940’s themed party that included members of the Cloherty family, the original owners of River Shannon, a 1940’s themed costume contest, classic cocktail drink specials that included $5 Yes vodka martinis and $5 Jim Beam Manhattans, and a series of raffles. The event attracted a full house, making it difficult to navigate through the narrow one-room layout. If you were able to get from the front of the bar to the back of the bar, you would find a screen displaying a slide show of River Shannon’s yesteryears. Watching these nostalgic, black and white images of the renowned Irish pub contrasted unusually with the modern, electronica soundtrack set by the DJ, but the dissimilarity between sight and sound summed up the evening: it was a celebration of River Shannon’s past, as well as it’s future. The packed bar was a clear indication that River Shannon has had a successful 65 years of business, and is ready for 65 more.

River Shannon 
is located at 425 W. Armitage Ave. (2000N, 400W)

(312) 944-5087

By Eric Hehr