River Shannon - Chicago, Illinois

Sakthi (.

This spot was on my list for a while as I wanted to take my doggo there and finally I made it. It was laid back and nice when I got there and the bartender (Heather) welcomed me and was nice. There were quite a few dogs and people were all so nice and social.

As I finished my first beer and was about to order my 2nd beer, Heather was like "Do you want to close out?". It was odd but I asked for another beer. As she served me the beer, she was like "Do you have a card that I can run so you need not wait?". I was thinking about ordering a pizza and maybe another drink but she clearly wanted me out of there. I was the only one at the bar who was treated so by the bartender. That's when I started going through the reviews and it all made sense. I would have stayed away from this place had I read the reviews beforehand.

Yes, I was the only person of color. Apparently I wasn't the first to experience this here. I hope you felt better, Heather! Don't worry, I'm not stepping back there ever. Hopefully no one has to face this kind of treatment at this place in the future. Peace out!

Nicholas J.

My friends and I came out on Thursday night just to play darts, and I ended up grabbing four pints of Guinness. Our server Courtney killed every single pour. Some of the best Guinness I’ve ever had. 5 stars no complaints.

Emily L.

I came here on a Saturday night and had a great time. Perfect atmosphere with fair priced drinks. Anne was our bartender and she was super quick & fun to talk to- Highly recommend checking this spot out!

Dave K.

Great staff. Dog friendly. Friday Happy Hour is a must. However, looking for a cold beer? Not here...bottles and cans are consistently warm regardless of time of year.

Hector C.

I’m writing this review to share an experience I had at the River Shannon last summer that has stayed with me—and one I feel I can no longer ignore after reading other reviews highlighting similar treatment. My friend and I, both Mexican, visited this bar for what we thought would be a casual and enjoyable night out. Instead, we were completely ignored by the staff.

We waited for over 30 minutes without being served, despite trying to get the attention of multiple servers. Meanwhile, the predominantly white patrons around us were served promptly and attentively. It was frustrating and disheartening, but at the time, I chose to leave quietly and not make a scene.

Since then, I’ve seen several reviews from other POC who have shared similar experiences of being ignored or treated poorly at this bar. It’s clear this isn’t an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern. The message seems loud and clear: only white, upscale Lincoln Park clientele are prioritized here.

I hesitated to write this review, but it’s important to hold establishments accountable for creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all customers. If you’re a person of color, I’d think twice about coming here—and if you’re reading this as someone who values equity and respect, I encourage you to do the same.

Amber A.

This is the first dog friendly bar I have ever been to! We loved it we were greeted by some sweet little fluffy dogs. We didn't actually drink any alcohol but I seen they had a personal favorite on tap. We were out enjoying the sites and stumbled across it and decided to stop. We had looked at the menue on line and decided we would try it out. This is also the first restaurant we have been to that you order your food on line and it was delivered from a separate restaurant. I'm sure it had to do with covid restrictions to some extent. But we had zero complaints the food was delicious and the atmosphere was fantastic!

Annie C.

River Shannon is a guaranteed fun time! I go here frequently and the vibe is great. If you go, ask for Anne as a bartender. She is so fun to have and makes the best drinks! Highly recommend this spot.

Paige K.

Love River Shannon! Always enjoy when Anne is bartending — she can pour a mean beer! And it’s dog friendly so extra points!