Guinness Open Gate Brewery – West Loop
Restaurant · West Town ·
Brewery, restaurant, bakery, gift shop, and beer classes offered
Brewery, restaurant, bakery, gift shop, and beer classes offered
"Dublin’s famed stout maker chose Chicago for its second U.S. brewery in 2023.. The massive 15,000-square-foot space is more than just a place that produces beer, though — it’s a restaurant, bar, bakery, cafe, and store all rolled into one. The draft list features Guinness stouts plus options like a pineapple coconut American stout and a corn maize cream ale, while the food menu offers approachable pub fare such as cheese curds and a fried chicken sandwich with giardiniera mayo. Make a reservation via OpenTable." - Jeffy Mai
"Guinness’ second U.S. pub is a monument to the historic Irish beer maker’s global brand. This isn’t a quaint corner pub, but it’s beautifully designed by Studio K, one of the city’s top firms, and it somehow magically combines tradition with modern comfort. (Check out the giant wooden harp hung over the bar in the main dining room.) There’s a full menu with international flavors from Guinness breweries in Africa and Europe. They do not serve cocktails, but there are non-alcoholic options in this full-sized restaurant. Reservations are highly recommended for the afternoons and evenings. Families can sneak in the mornings for coffee and pastries from the in-house bakery." - Sam Nelson
"The Verdict: Unless you’re the Guinness equivalent of a Disney World adult, just grab a pint at one of the many Irish pubs in the city. If you show up to Guinness Brewery, chances are you'll be greeted with a line of people waiting to get in and try the famous Irish stout. Sure, the head-to-beer ratio of the pours meets Official Guinness Handbook standards. But the large space full of out-of-towners and feels like a chain restaurant for tourists. The branding is inescapable, from the wall with the founder’s giant signature to a massive harp floating above the bar. There’s even a gift shop and bakery with Guinness-infused bread. The food menu is eclectic, with average burgers, stews, and udon (how’d that get on there?)—and they’re mainly beer buffers. " - adrian kane, veda kilaru, john ringor, nick allen
"Opened in September, this Fulton Market brewpub is gearing up for its first St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago with five days of events running Wednesday, March 13 through Sunday, March 17. Reservations are now live and sold in three-hour blocks, with options for tables of four, six, or 12 as well as general admission, which lets the taproom accommodate both reserved groups and walk-in patrons across structured seating windows." - Ashok Selvam
"If you’re a die-hard Guinness fan and very patient (It can take an hour to get in on weekends and reservations are usually booked) then this huge West Loop spot can be fun. Just know that it's basically a tourist trap moonlighting as a brewery. Out-of-towners blurting out “It’s just like Dublin!” clog up the gift shop by the entrance. Servers zip around a busy dining room with a giant Arthur Guinness signature and a massive floating harp. Unsurprisingly, the well-poured pints are great. and what you should focus on—the dishes from their eclectic menu, like burgers, stew, or duck udon, are pretty average." - John Ringor
