Guinness Open Gate Brewery – West Loop — Restaurant in West Chicago Township

I am a loyal Guinness drinker and was absolutely thrilled when they announced this brewery was coming to Chicago. It makes it so deeply disappointing to see how poorly managed this brewery is, particularly when the business is a pretty simple operation that sells itself. It's an incredible place with a gorgeous harp covering a massive 360 bar. Unfortunately, the patrons are treated like schoolchildren. I spent an afternoon at the bar trying to watch a game with friends, and have never really encountered the bizarre maze of rules and regulations that they impose on their brewery. It almost felt as though my friends and I were trying to watch a sporting event and have a few pints on a moving airplane.

I walked into the bar salivating for a pint. First, the bartender dismissively explained to us that they wouldn't serve us a pint unless we had a seat. Despite having two hands, an endless supply of delicious beer taps, and a huge bar to serve us, the bartender wouldn't draw a pint for us unless we could show we had a table. When I asked why any bar in the world would impose such a policy, he shrugged and said he didn't want too many people to line up around the bar, and that patrons weren't supposed to "linger" around the bar area.

We then put our names in and got a table. After the unnecessary delay, I ordered a pint. The bartender had the gall to bring over an extra pint that was sitting stale at the server area and handed it to me. He explained the server didn't need it and he was waiting to pass it off to someone. For someone that truly appreciates Guinness, and had waited a long time that day for the first pint, this was a pretty clear sign the management not only has no regard for efficient operations, but the staff has no regard for the quality of their product to even draw a proper pint.

We carried on with several members of staff and management for an hour or so, trying to make light of the situation, as they demanded we stay seated or threatened to throw us out anytime someone stood up during the game, or if another friend walked over to join or chat with us without having their designated seat. I chatted with the manager about how ridiculous the policy was, and he scratched his neck tattoos and shrugged it of as well. Sounds like they're well-trained from the top-down to maintain complete indifference to their customers.

Not discouraging anyone from going, but there are many great Irish pubs in Chicago that frankly pour a better Guinness pint, won't treat you like you're in high school detention, and are more deserving of your business. Having been to the Guinness factory in Dublin, I can tell you this is not how they run the tap room bar there, which is an open and welcoming environment that encourages socializing around the tap room. I just hope Guinness recognizes that the Chicago flagship's management is doing a disservice to...

I had the pleasure of dining at the Gunnison Open Gate Brewery in downtown Chicago yesterday to celebrate my wedding anniversary with my husband. We were in the mood for something casual but unique, and this spot delivered just that. Despite the valet being unavailable, we were lucky to find parking right in front of the restaurant, which was a great start to the evening. We had reservations, and upon arrival, we were seated promptly.

Our server Romario greeted us immediately with water and menus. He was very knowledgeable about the menu and gave us excellent recommendations, especially with the Oktoberfest specials they had going on.

For appetizers, we started with the buffalo wings, which were crispy on the outside and perfectly tender on the inside, with just the right amount of spice. For dinner, I ordered the Braised Short Rib, which was slow-cooked to perfection in Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, making it incredibly tender. The short rib was served over creamy polenta and topped with a refreshing watermelon radish relish that added a bright, crunchy contrast to the richness of the meat. My husband opted for the Caribbean Shrimp Fried Rice, which was flavorful and well-balanced. The grilled shrimp had a nice smoky char, while the fried rice was infused with ginger and garlic, with colorful red and green bell peppers for a slight crunch. The soy sauce and hot sauce added depth and heat, making each bite more satisfying than the last.

For drinks, I had the Kinzie Street Pale Ale with “Pour Souls Green Jacket” – a refreshing mix of mint, cucumber, and lime that was the perfect light and crisp complement to my meal. I also tried the Vander Mill Hard Apple Cider, which was gluten-free and had a nice balance of sweet and tart flavors. My husband enjoyed a Michelada made with Extra Stout and Big Mich Tamarindo, which had a rich, tangy, and slightly spicy flavor. He also tried the Hefeweizen, a classic German wheat ale with subtle clove and banana notes and a beautiful hazy appearance – perfect for the Oktoberfest season.

To finish off the night, we shared a Brownie Sundae with vanilla ice cream for dessert. The brownie was warm and gooey, topped with cold, creamy vanilla ice cream, creating a wonderful contrast in both texture and temperature. It was a sweet, indulgent way to end the meal.

Overall, everything was fantastic. The food was flavorful and thoughtfully prepared, the service was excellent, and the ambiance was perfect for a laid-back yet special evening. We would definitely recommend Gunnison Open Gate Brewery to anyone looking for a great dining experience, and we’ll...

Had been looking forward to going to check out Guiness Brewery in Chicago since it opened. Finally got the opportunity this weekend as we stopped in after dinner at a nearby restaurant. The facility itself is beautifully designed. The merch area has really great options. But unfortunately that’s where the positives ended for us. Grabbed seats at the end of the bar. And upon doing so we were instantly met with attitude from our bartender. A member of our party asked to order a black and tan. She knew exactly what he was asking for. And instead of making it an educational moment and kindly informing him that it is actually considered offensive but they absolutely serve half and halfs and she’d be happy to bring those, the woman rolled her eyes, and was rude and dismissive. Given every single member of our group has worked or works in hospitality and bars/restaurants this did not sit well. Eventually she brought our round. After a bit, we watched her check in on all guests at the bar to see if they needed anything - skipping over our group completely despite having near empty glasses. She looked right at a member of our group and started to walk away. At which point, that member asked if we could get another round - the bartender gave a thumbs up and promptly continued walking in the other direction. It was addressed with the bar manager at the time we closed our tab. She told us she’d talk to the bartender after shift but ultimately took the same cold, dismissive and condescending approach.

If Guiness Chicago is taking the opportunity to not allow people to order black and tans, Irish car bombs or other similarly named drinks that’s wonderful. I applaud them for attempting to provide that knowledge toward change and working toward eliminating the use of terms and names that could be considered offensive. But their execution in doing so left a lot to be desired. No one wants to feel dismissed, or treated in a condescending manner in the process. Give benefit of the doubt. Gently explain and then kindly provide the amazing customer service that should be expected of any good bartender or bar worker. We all left with an incredibly bad taste over this experience and will not be recommending anyone go out of their way to make a stop here. Which really is a shame. Shout out, though to the doormen/bouncer who was super kind and definitely went above and beyond to be friendly and welcoming. Wish it would have extended to the other staff we interacted with...