River Shannon — Restaurant in Chicago

Pre-pandemic, River Shannon was warm and welcoming. Now? It’s anything but. My husband and I were both fully vaccinated in February but have been nervous to go out after over a year of staying home. It was finally warm enough today and we decided to walk our dog to River Shannon to enjoy a drink or two. First, they have 5-6 tables on their outdoor patio but they are so close together that only 1-2 tables can be used at any given time. I guess you might get lucky if you get there right when they open? However, we didn’t mind drinking inside so in we went. As soon as we stepped foot inside, everyone (four customers and a bartender leaning forward aggressively against the bar) immediately turned to us and just stared. No one (not even staff) said a word. There were no specials posted and we had no idea of what was available or pricing. Absolutely no advertisements. I expected the bartender to ask us about ourselves and tell us what he had to offer but, after a minute of stares and silence, I became so uncomfortable and had to exit the bar. I usually order mixed drinks when I go out but I’m not good at just telling the bartender what I want. It would have been nice to have some options to choose from. My anxiety got the best of me and we ended up just going home. I’m not sure what happened to this place. I understand if they don’t want to utilize menus anymore but adapt to QR codes like every other restaurant and bar in the city. Or at least say hello and tell me what you offer so I’m not made to feel like an idiot. As our first adventure out in a bit, we would have gladly spent some time there and ordered multiple drinks. Unfortunately, the awkward vibe did not allow this to happen. I guess we’ll be sticking to the...

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...

We are a crotchety lesbian couple in our mid 30s who likes a nice beer and a welcoming environment where we can bring our dog without the overwhelming presence of the Old Town elite. River Shannon has given us that place.

Our favorite bartender, Heather, welcomes every person who walks through the door and always keeps a great balance of conversation and efficiency. Heather is the reason we keep coming back to River Shannon. We watch her recognize, high five, hug, and welcome back regulars on the regular. Heather remembers our dog by name, loves catching up, and keeps tabs on our big life updates. When I was offered a new career opportunity outside of Chicago, I randomly dropped in on a weekday to let her know I’d finally gotten that job I had told her about, and she gave me a big hug. It’s so awesome to create relationships with the people in your community—which can be difficult in Chicago.

They’ve got some snacks and quick pizzas if you’re hungry, and they serve a nice pint of a Guinness. The prices are standard for Lincoln Park. It gets very busy on nights/weekends so we typically stick to happy hour vibes—we love it and feel very at home when we’re here. We are moving soon and we are certainly going to miss this welcoming...