I haven't been here in a while, but it's still a place that I know well. Great beer list, cool crowd, excellent venue for watching the game/fight, and professional bartenders, which is so very important. I've never eaten here (why soak up all that alcohol with food??), but the food looks good to me. O'Toole's knows who they are and does not stray from it. Oh, and after the 2006 NFC Title Game, my guys and I happened to walk in at the same time as Robbie Gould and Ric Flair, so there's that.
(4)
Kevin B.
Great spot if you are looking for an affordable, neighborhood bar off of Michigan Ave. Really ideal for lunch or happy hours. $4 Tall boys... can't argue with that. Food was really good as well. I ordered the Rajun Cajun burger and truffle fries. The burger was good and delicious. Throw in 2 beers and I think my total was around 20-25 dollars, which anyone knows around Michigan ave is almost hard to beat.
(4)
A D.
The wings and truffle fries were the best. Great entertainment. Excellent drinks and tvs at every table. Will definitely return next time in town.
(4)
Phil D.
An Irish Sports Dive Bar, and one that definitely hits the spot when you need it(ie. drunk and hangry at 1am). Commonly frequented by sports fans, students, and rowdy locals, Timmy O'Tooles is a pub by every definition of the word, and it does that job well. Fun place to hang out with friends whether this is during lunch, after work, or after a night out. And to it's credit, the food isn't bad either. Came here at 1am a few nights ago to feed my hungry family after a late flight into Chicago, and as it was one of the few places open, we decided to try out the menu. Solid nachos, quesadillas, and dips. Burgers and sandwiches generally won't let you down either. There is also a Food challenge complete with a large burger, and a bunch of fries and onion rings that you can try for $20(free t-shirt on completion). But the best part is the prime location(right off the Magnificent Mile in the middle of Streeterville), and the late hours. I mean, where else are you gonna load yourself with unhealthy, delicious, bar food in the dead of the night?
(4)
Rawlins R.
Timothy O'Toole's is a laid back Irish pub located in the loop. Located in the basement you walk down a set of stairs and to your left upon entering Timothy's. They offer sit down dining as well as bar area stools or standing around the pool tables. There is plenty of entertainment available at this bar with the pool tables, bar games and televisions. The bar staff was very friendly and this establishment draws all kinds of bar goers. There was a mix of some older regulars shooting pool, others eating dinner, and some people getting ready for a night out with a few drinks. Shared a pitcher of Coors here in about an hour experience. This probably won't be my last time here as NU students get a 10% discount with their WildCard.
(4)
Karma K.
So it's a bar in the River North area. It's also a Chicago Bears bar. This place really reminds me more of a suburban bar than a city bar but I'm cool with that. That west burbs made me who I am today! So it's big, usually pretty crowded and better and less pricey than some other drinking options off of Michigan Avenue. I've been here for lunch, drinks only and brunch. They have an app called "Bucket of Fries." I get them truffled...yum. I love that on a Sunday morning I can have a bucket of fries and hit the bloody mary bar too. I like keeping my cardiologist rolling in the dough. You can't mock their bloody bar. It's cheap and they have 30 bloody accessories. Yee haw! You can also get something called breakfast nachos. Timmy's has bar food covered. Tons of unhealthy appetizers, burgers galore, some fattening salads and even some dinner options like meatloaf, strip steak and one pasta dish...with alfredo sauce and chicken (how original, lol). Not a bad place at all. It's a place that has something for everyone.
(4)
Ashton B.
Hands down worst service I have ever had. Service people were very rude. A woman next to my group actually passed out while talking to someone on the phone and was later served... Someone that falls asleep at a bar. I'm sorry. I find it ridiculous / irresponsible of management to keep someone like this on the floor. Good luck.
(1)
Beth C.
Three stars because it's your basic bar experience - not great but not bad. Lots of TVs, lots of beers. Noisy, unpretentious (which is nice for Streeterville). It's the kind of place you end up going much too late. When you should really go home and go to bed with a glass of water and an Advil. The outside implies a traditional Irish pub experience. You won't really get that here. it's your basic sports bar. But they are open late and serve food later than other places in the area. Every night is a Saturday night at Timmy's if that's what you're looking for.
(3)
Rachael Z.
Having stayed at the Doubletree across the way several times now, I'm disappointed we hadn't come here earlier! It was a cold Tuesday December night, and we walked inside - and to our surprise, the bar was packed! Loud music, big groups, karaoke! On a Tuesday night?! It was a pleasant surprise. We sat at the bar, and had a fantastic bartender. We were lucky enough to be forgotten for a few minutes - and by lucky, we mean that we sympathized with the bartender because we knew it was crowded, but he still felt badly enough that one round was on him! Big shock: they had Bourbon County! This is a rarity at most bars, so the hubby was extremely excited to order it here. Great place for any group size and apparently, any night of the week!
(5)
Irene G.
Great place for wings, beer, and a good time! I've been here a few times with friends and coworkers and never had a negative experience. The staff is friendly and service is good. They have a great craft beer selection including my favorite Founders and plenty of food on their menu. The space is big and they have plenty of TVs. They also have karaoke night- on mondays i think...overall a good place if you're looking for a fun and casual outing.
(4)
T T.
#NAME?
(4)
Lois K.
This is a pretty average upscale Chicago pub. The food is typical bar food. Nothing spectacular. They do have a large beer menu, which is a definite plus. It is also a great place to watch a game because there are TVs everywhere. My biggest issue with this place is that the service is always HORRIBLE. I work in the area, so we always end up here because it's the closest bar. Don't expect you waitress to stop at the table and check on you again until she's ready for you to pay the bill. They end up losing a lot of money from us because they never come back to refill our beer / cocktail orders. The service is so bad that we have started walking farther just to go someplace else. I would still go here to grab a quick bite and maybe a beer after work, but only because it is so close. This is definitely not one of my favorite bars.
(2)
Dawn B.
Food was good. Ordered appetizers but didn't get them until our food arrived. Lots of beer options. Waitress was ok...took lots of time to get refills from bar.
(3)
Lisa R.
Great burgers, great place to watch Blackhawks! Nachos followed by bacon blue burger, washed down with a 312 draft!
(5)
Shirley S.
Very Boston atmosphere under ground pub and relaxing restaurant. Family friendly TV's surround the walls but not noisy as a sports bar. Love the "holy water" great taste went down smooth. Fish n chips were at perfection and just right portions.
(5)
Jacob J.
I've been here plenty of times having had good experiences, that I should have written reviews in the past. I was recently back in here to catch the "Comedians you should know" show. Always a great show, laugh out loud and great times. They guy that hosts the show is hilarious. Now as an Irish pub located within the city, within an area near to Navy Pier.. I'm talking walking distance from other fine establishments, especially during the summer or when tourism is in high season, it can be a blast coming out here. O'Toole's has never been a destination I would go out of my way for. But with what they offer in beers, decent pub food, at times decent service and attractive clientele, it can be a good time. Of course, this is all dependent on the season and what you hope to expect from a sports bar with a plethora of televisions and decent beers on tap.
(4)
Shiv C.
The service is outrageously bad with poor coordination within staff members. We didn't get a table to begin with. But then we got a table without a host and no menus. Later on another host informed us the she wouldn't serve us for some bizarre reason. They were out of a lot of drinks from their drink menu. Not recommended.
(1)
Jesse F.
Great selection of beers and decent pub grub. A great place for hospitality industry folks to grab a beer because they offer discounts if you have your work ID.
(4)
Kevin C.
Food = amazing Atmosphere = lively and fun time after 11pm Beer = tap selection is one of best in the loop!! Did I mention they have 3 floyds on tap.....
(5)
Kyle S.
This review may have been influenced by the fact that it was Craft Beer Week in Chicago when I visited Timothy O'Toole's, but from the looks of the bar, they have a great beer selection year round. That said, they were pouring a wide variety of brews from a list as long as my arm and I got to try beers that I hadn't heard of before at a reasonable cost. Service was excellent as well! Although the place was busy, even on a Monday, our server was attentive without being bothersome. She was also able to give our group recommendations and kept us in good spirits (no pun intended). Finally, I just really like the feel of the pub. It is dark, underground and just a little dirty-feeling (no slight on their hygeine, it was certainly clean) like an Irish pub should be. Rather than some of these open floor plan pubs with floor-to-ceiling windows that let sunshine stream in, Timothy O'Toole's looks like it could be scaled to the crowd that night, with lots of doorways and separate rooms, each with low ceilings, city sports and smiling faces.
(5)
Brooke R.
The name threw me off. I was expecting a more Irish cultured experience when it came to my meal. Instead I was greeted with a sports bar ambiance. Don't get me wrong. I had a wonderful time. It's a great sports bar to grab a drink and watch the game but if you want authentic Irish cuisine keep looking.
(3)
Lauren D.
Loud. Obnoxious. Unpretentious. Fun. Exceptional libations. These are the words that best describes this Chicago Pub. If you are in search of a pub to celebrate an occasion, such as, a promotion, the end of mid-terms or final exams or started a new job this is the place! On the other hand, if you are seeking to drown your sorrows, because you quit going to the gym and gained 50 lbs, broke up with your BF or GF, quit your job (humming the song, "Take This Job and Shove It) as you stand in the elevator with your box of personal possessions, then you have hit the mother load. Now, this is good cause for a celebration! I like to think of beer as a cerebral beverage. The word 'hop-centric' has practically become as ubiquitous as the word 'beer.' I cannot recall the name of the beer that I had here, but it tasted a bit like mango......no wait, it's more like passion fruit...nope, it's way closer to pineapple. I tasted lemon-citrus, but yet it smelled more like fresh tropical fruit. It was very refreshing and the perfect amalgamation to my burger. My beer had a pleasant, but subdued scent with a semi-sweet malt and a slight amount of grain flavor. Also, there was minimal bitterness. Based on all the flavors, variety and innovation going on here, it certainly gives beer lovers much to talk about. From toffee like malts to juniper hops and musty fermentation you will find a beer that you like (even if you are not a beer aficionado). Over the years, we have been here several times for their chicken wings (which my husband always enjoys) and burgers. My husband rated his chicken wings with 4-stars. My burger receives 4-stars. It was moist, melt-in-your mouth delectable with the perfect amount of pink in the center. BTW, I highly recommend their Reuben sandwich (the best I've ever had in the city and it also reminds me of the Reuben I had at The Katz Delicatessen in NYC). Try it and thank me later. NOW BACK TO THE BEER.....Yes, damn-it, swirl your beer like you would a wine. Why? Because the agitation pulls out the fragrance and carbonation from the brew itself. It also tests the foam retention on top of your beer. Yes, take a sip (not a huge gulp) and swirl it around your mouth a bit. Don't swallow right away (you are not doing a shot here). It is almost like when you are having sex, you don't want to climax right away.....you want to enjoy the experience for as long as you possibly can. Now, let the beer warm up for several seconds and down the hatch! Yes, this is a typical sports bar. The second you place your order make sure you inform your Server that you want individual checks (if this is indeed what you want). Otherwise, you may get stuck with one check trying to figure out who has cash, a debit card or credit card for the bill. Who the "F" wants to pay for someone else's drinks when you've only had two beers and the other person has downed four or five beers. The bar tenders here really know how to make exceptional drinks. Service was effusive and adequate. What I like about this place is that most of the people who come here are Chicago locals with a mixture of suburbanite people who only come to the city a few times per year. This is not a place that is filled with tons of tourists like other Pubs or Restaurants in the Loop.
(4)
Michele S.
My friends and I have made this a yearly tradition when we travel to Chicago. We always get the baked goat cheese appetizer which is amazing. And of course we get the Bloody Mary bar. They bring you the vodka and you are able to create the drink just the way you like it. This year, the experience was even better because of our waitress, Diana. Thanks for making our yearly tradition even better.
(5)
Sebastian B.
While visiting Chicago we found this gem! The food was good but the staff was FANTASTIC!!! I can't say enough about the staff.
(5)
Chad L.
Not much Irish about it other than the name. Your basic sports bar complete with bouncers. Service was ok, food was ok. Nothing really stood out, food was the same- just ok. Loud. Crap music. Good beer selection but I think the harp tap was dry.
(3)
Kevin F.
Crazy packed - never had a chance to even approach the bar, but there were available tables. Being the cool kids that we are (40+ go with the sarcasm), we decided to stand against a random wall. Despite our lack of conformity, we were still served, and served well. The place was obviously a local favorite and I can see why. Next time in Chicago, I will make it a point to get there around 4pm to sit at the bar!
(4)
Kern W.
Great Food n Service! Secret WheelChair Accessible Entrance. Call and ask them to bring you in Service Elevator. NEVER a problem! Great Staff! Good Times! A GREAT little piece of Chicago. Enjoy Yourself whether you're walking or rolling! They have 1 near my house in Gurnee now too, but NOTHING beats the Original "Timmy's".......
(5)
Aleida S.
Decided to come in here with a coworker today. I ordered pulled pork. It came with a special sauces which I did not like. I asked our waiter if we can get I can get regulate bbq sauce... When Jessica U. Br ugly the sauce I hen asked if I had to pay extra for it. She gave me an ugly attitude and said I was getting charger for it.. Then I understandably told her oh never mind....which was because there wasn't enough bbq sauce to cover my whole sandwich. She walked away with an attitude therefore I sent back my food. I felt uncomfortable and annoyed that she would be ugly towards me and it's at 12pm , not busy at all. There we no reason for this. Never coming back here again.
(1)
T A.
Went here on a recent business trip to Chicago for a science conference. We went to this bar on Saturday night, 3/7. Getting in the first time was fine. When I stepped out to help a friend find the place, however, the bouncer inside was incredibly unprofessional. Another group had already walked in, and they were all fumbling for their IDs. None of them was ready, and they were standing off to the side to be polite. I stepped up to the podium to show that I had already been stamped, but the bouncer just ignored me. He waited for everyone in line to get their IDs out, and then made a point of slowly checking them while I stood there. When he was finished he said, "oh you thought you could circumvent the line, huh". No, I thought you could look at a damn wrist stamp and do your job efficiently. Meanwhile, the bartender was refusing to provide a mimosa to my friend since it was "not what men should be drinking", the waitress was trying to push us out of our table because half our party was a little late, they let a street magician in who was forcing magic tricks on us so we would have to feel obligated to tip him, and a creepy older lady (a promoter) was trying to convince one of our friends to leave with her to go to some strip club. I cannot recommend avoiding this place enough.
(1)
Sarah B.
Good loaded veggie nachos and yummy soup. Excellent selection of craft beers. The draft beer selection is awesome and they have cheap beer specials during Happy Hour. Nice, relaxed typical Irish pub atmosphere.
(4)
Jason O.
Nice warm and friendly spot with a good beer selection and decent food. Tried the wings, nachos and the fish tacos. Both were good but nothing to write home about. Beer was good and probably best was the friendly service. Plenty of space and good for groups a good place for dinner with a group.
(3)
Kim B.
I recently was on a trip to Chicago and needed a bite before a wedding. The meals come late and I get drunk early so I needed something in me to hold me over. I was really craving grilled cheese and found this right next to my hotel. Upon walking in, it felt like a dive bar. It was dark, crowded, a bit grimy and lots of neon lights. I got it to go so I could go sit and eat it by the pool, it was a nice summer day. I saw truffle fries on the menu, and I thought it was going to be the best meal of my life. I also got grilled cheese. I sat down by the pool and opened up my to go box. I had a few truffle fries, and was not impressed. They were so oily they literally kept slipping out of my hands, and I probably could have wrung the oil out of them. They also had way way too much salt on them. I was nervous I would have a heart attack from just those few bites. I recollected my thoughts and braved myself for the grilled cheese. It was made on egg bread, which I don't like but figured I would suck it up. However, not only was it orange cheese , but the cheese looked like it was still in plastic (it wasn't), but it was just so unappealing. I took one bite, it was gross. I took a second bite and spit it out. The only reason im giving this two stars is because the hostess was very friendly and nice with my order. I've never been so dissapointed in a grilled Cheese and truffle fries in my life.
(2)
Toree P.
If I am ever in the Chicago area during Oktoberfest - Timmy O'Toole's is the place to be. Today they started their Fall promotion and had 32 ounce pumpkin and Oktoberfest beers for $6.50 . I was undecided and a little nervous to try something new but the server was patient and offered me several tastes until I found the right one. I had the Chicago style hot-dogs and my colleague had the fish tacos. Both were amazing!! The hot dogs were true Chicago style: all-beef, poppyseed bun, relish, tomatoes, pickles, onions, and mustard. The fish tacos had this amazing aoili spread and ancho chili sauce. My friend did comment that she loved the spices and sauces but the actual fish was a little under-cooked for her. (If you ask me all fish that isn't fried is undercooked) She said she would order it again but suggests to have it battered and fried. The ambiance was very similar to a sports bar and your typical irish pub. They had a tv every few inches on the wall, an EXPANSIVE tap beer list, and year-round use of Christmas lights. If you want a drink after a long day of shopping, break after long day of meetings, or just treating yourself - I would definitely recommend it.
(4)
Chuck L.
The Corona Battered Fish Tacos are by far the best tacos I've had. Of course the founders stout may have improved the flavor. Either way great spot if you like this pub-slash-sports bar vibe (prefer the more traditional pub myself but this wasn't bad). It's definitely worth a visit if you're on this side of Chicago. There are plenty of screens to watch your favorite Chicago team on...but tonight--well, it's a lotta BULL--Bulls that is!
(5)
Jason F.
Bartenders were very nice and of course I love their vast draft selection. While some reviews complained about the basement location, I found the experience homey and cozy. Plenty of TVs light up the bar and they have an assortment of games. The reviewer who said rich man's dive bar was spot on. Unfortunately I was too stuffed to try the food, but the menu and other patron's food looked respectable.
(4)
connie l.
Great ambiance! Lots of TVs, pool, darts and the parm fries are great. A must everytime I visit Chicago.
(4)
Katrina D.
Nice cool pub setting with a nice variety of IPA's. It was a pleasant experience.
(4)
Kristina V.
Went here with some friends for lunch. We wanted a pub and this was a great place we stopped at. They have daily drink specials and a pretty large menu. It was national hotdog day and my husband got 2 hotdogs for $8. Overall good experience and would come back!
(4)
Temprest B.
I've been coming here for 12 years. Their food is off the chain, I took off one star because of the staff, sometimes they are rude and unattentive but other then that I have nothing but good things to say. Every food item I've tried off their menu is good. I love their Chicken Mexacali soup.
(4)
Norm J.
O'Toole's has been one of my favorite places to watch football since I moved to Chicago in 2007. The food is goo and fairly priced, the beer selection is decent, the bloody mary bar is A OK with me and the the vast amount of TVs make this the perfect spot for a true football lover to go and see every game. Also, the fact that this place is open until 3a.m Sunday - Thursday and to 4am on Friday and Saturday makes this a great spot to go to after the clubs and other bars close. Food: -Bucket of Fries: I LOVE fries. Seriously if I was told I had to slap a nun or give up fries for a month...well I'd slap that nun on both cheeks. This is my favorite appetizer at O'Toole's. BBQ sauce, ranch and honey mustard use to come with this which was awesome. -Wings: I hate eating wings in public because I feel like people are watching and judging, but on the rare occasions I get wings at O'Toole's I always get the Chipotle BBQ. Wings are perfectly cooked and the sauce gives it that sweet and sassy kick. -BBQ Ranch Chicken Wrap: This is my go to meal. When I go to O'Toole's I order this about 98% of the times. The wrap is pretty big and it's filled with chicken, shredded cheese, tomato, BBQ and ranch dressing. Oh and if you like food challenges, they have the Big Timmy Challenge which consist of eating: Two Half Pound Burger Patties, Cheddar, Jack, Mozzarella, Swiss, Bacon, Onion Straws, BBQ Sauce, Lettuce, Tomato & Red Onion piled high & served with Fries & Onion Rings. I completed this challenge and all I got was a Timmy O'Toole's t-shirt...I didn't even get the meal for free which sucked.
(4)
Sandy W.
When on game night so the atmosphere was awesome. There was a bit of a wait at the begining but after that service was good. Great (pub) food and even better beer selection. Would love to have one of these pubs where I live.
(4)
Michele W.
This place has a pretty decent draft beer menu. The bar tender was able to make recommendations and had a general knowledge of beer. However, I felt since the place was not busy that the service would have been quicker.
(3)
Yvonne O.
Here for a party in the back room recently and had a great time. Service was really good- even with the large crowd and the food service was also great. They were constantly checking to make sure the food was replenished and people had drinks - as well as taking away the empties, which is often ignored. The back room was surprisingly insulated from the noise in the main room, which was also nice. Parking is easy - but pricey ($37 for a few hours) in the lot across the street.
(4)
Stephanie C.
I don't leave a lot of 1 star reviews, but this place had really terrible service. A group of my classmates and I came in after our last exam of the semester to celebrate. It was early, they were slow, and there we were ready to spend a lot of money on drinks and food and more drinks--except we were largely ignored in the corner, unable to order more than one or two drinks each, and not for lack of wanting! Our waitress told us before we ordered that she could only do three separate checks for the group--I appreciated hearing that from the beginning so we could plan. And then we quickly realized that with people coming and going it would be difficult to split things, so I asked if people with cash could pay per drink--I've seen this at other bars, especially when it's not busy, so I don't think I was rude to ask (worst case, she says no, right?). But she took offense and muttered something I didn't catch and walked away before I could follow up with asking how she was splitting us. And then someone else (a manager?) came to our table and condescendingly informed us that we had to order from our waitress, not from the bar. What? Is that what our waitress thought I was asking for? Thank you for assuming the worst of me, I guess. And in the end she brought us all separate checks! I ended up tipping over 20% anyway because I didn't want to wait for change and had planned on spending a lot more... In sum: It was confusing and quite unpleasant--I left a bar sober when I didn't want to. Law students right after finals should be easy money for any bar they walk into, unless you're rude and don't let them order drinks.
(1)
P K.
I've been meaning to make a yelp profile for a while now and unfortunately my poor experience at this place really pushed me to get it done. So here I am. We came in to this place after dinner w/ about 12 people, we had planned on staying for at least a few rounds of drinks. Probably would spent a lot of money in there. Our party was scattered throughout the bar area....we had about 7 people sitting at two tables pushed together, another 4-5 people were at the bar just across from the table. The reason I'm going into detail on this is because that's where the poor experience came from... The server for the table was HOUNDING our people at the bar, pretty much demanding that we have to sit at her table and order drinks through her. And I get it, I've been a server before, it sucks when the whole group orders at the bar but then comes over to your table. BUT, there were 7 people at the table already it was about full, and they ordered from her. The rest of our group didn't want to sit we wanted to be at the bar, pretty simple. So the table of 7 ordered a round through the server, the way it is supposed to work, fine... then the manager came over....he must have saw us all talking together, bar and table people. He came over and said that we can't order at the bar and come over to the table, SO NOW WE HAD TO GIVE UP OUR TABLE ALTOGETHER, THEY MADE US LEAVE THE TABLE............Unreal. In all of my 32 years on this earth I have never seen or heard of anything like this. I'll never step foot in this bar again. The icing on the cake was, since we no longer had a table we had to all crowd the bar to finish our drinks. Which lead to the security coming over every 2 minutes to tell us we're blocking the way for servers to get through hahaha... What do you expect man, you kicked us off our table. Unreal. Joke....
(1)
Jeremy S.
Had 15 people that were out to drink, did not have a big enough table so group was split up. They cut us off cause we ordered from the bar and waiter.
(1)
John M.
It's a passable basement sports bar. Good beer selection. Food is not great, but it's basically bar food. I came here because I read the wings were award-winning. They're okay, but certainly not exceptional in my eyes. Good sauce, but kinda small. The management was very rude, and kept yelling at customers to get out of the way, and then telling people they should go elsewhere if they didn't like it. I've been a server, a waiter, and a bartender, and yeah, it's annoying when customers crowd the computers and service area at the bar, but you simply cannot talk to people the way the manager was. These patrons don't realize what they're doing. Just tell them politely to move. The manager had that all-too-common attitude that people at his bar were lucky to be here, and that they needed to accommodate the staff and not the other way around. I understand why this mentality is endemic to most of the trendy bars in River North (although it's still unacceptable), but this is a windowless basement bar. It's got baseball on the TVs, Goose Island on tap, and Taylor Swift on the jukebox. Get over yourself.
(2)
Anthony H.
I'm sorry Timmy's but as a frequent industry professional, I had a very disrespectful waitress who treated my group rudely. With that being said here are my following pointers to potential patrons of your place: Chicagoans - do not go here unless you want to be around tourists and older business travelers. Industry folks - tell the servers you're industry after you get the tab to get your discount. Otherwise they will treat you poorly.
(2)
Richard D.
Great place. Great ambiance! Great waitress (Ariel)! Great food. Plenty of TVs with EVERY football game on! Highly recommend.
(5)
Krystle B.
Found this gem while playing tourist and walking the streets of Chicago. Boy was I glad i stepped into here. Most of our drink encounters to this point were at overpriced tourist spots like the signature room. This place was hustlin' and bustin' on a Saturday afternoon. It was damn near impossible to grab a seat at the bar but thankfully we were still able to find some seating. There was a bloody mary bar, though i didn't see anybody partaking, their selection looked on point. The waitstaff was friendly, checked in on us often, and made sure to make it back to us before any glass lay empty! For the most part the bar was great because of environment they have created. Sports bar, not too divey, great mix of people, good noise level. All around goodness. In my pipe dreams of owning a bar, I could only hope to closely emulate this one. CHEERS.
(5)
Kris V.
I strongly feel this place should be at least four stars. Personally when I see less than four stars on Yelp I avoid the location. Do not avoid this place. Come and judge for yourself. At least sit down for a beer. Reasonable prices for food and drinks especially for the city. Where they earn their 5 stars is service. Deron and Corey are extremely attentive and friendly. Warm smiles and all. In the past we have visited bars in other neighborhoods and I cant stress enough that the service here sets them apart. If you are looking for a chill time I would come early. It does get slammed in the evening but it does for a reason.
(5)
Lauren G.
Great sports bar in Chicago. Lots of locals, lots of TVs, and great menu.
(3)
Kevin S.
Worst service I've experienced in a long time :( For a party of 11 they would not seat us until half our party was present, understandable. When we had 6 they still wouldn't seat us and told us to wait at the bar. We were told at arrival we could transfer our bill from the bar to the table when we were sat by the manager. The bartender then tried to pressure us into closing out the tap but we insisted that we were told we could transfer from the manager. The bartender did see we were frustrated and asked if he could make it right. We asked for some Jameson and he provided 2 shots complimentary. That was the only nice touch. We were provided 2 tables to cram 11 into. We asked the server to add another table and he said in a snarky way "Yes as soon as I clean that table off, unless you want the dirty table?" Please know that there were 4 other clean tables adjacent to ours. I just can't believe people that work for tips are so rude and that management would allow this to happen. This can't be a one off experience. Disappointing to say the least.
(1)
Erik G.
Was walking around downtown looking for a decent bar with some craft beers and stumbled upon this place. It's downstairs from the main street level and had many many large tv's and a nice circular bar. Craft beers were abundant and good variety. Didn't try the food, but the ambiance was just what I was looking for in a bar.
(4)
John F.
Best Cheeseburger I have ever had! I was in Chicago for business and staying across the street....ate here lunch dinner and lunch the following day. Service is wonderful, atmosphere is great. jf
(5)
Nicole J.
We didn't know anything about this place but thought it looked like a good place for a good burger and beer. Try the Old Bailey burger. ..really good.
(4)
Daniel N.
I really love this place. It is a great little neighborhood bar located in the city. I come here quite often as it is down the street from my apartment and the food is pretty good for bar food. They often have great specials and activities planned which is a great break from the "no specials because you are a tourist and we can charge outragous prices". Bonuses about this place: - Plenty of TVs - Plenty of local and out of towners which makes for great conversation - Food choices involve bar foods, most of which I've enjoyed - Staff is friendly, helpful and pretty darn good at their jobs - 10% Discount on food for NMH emps!
(5)
Sal M.
Great sports bar & restaurant. Packed! Nice atmosphere. Staff is cool and service is fast. Drank & ate hear. Check them out.
(4)
Mitch W.
This place was pretty good. I had the Irish nachos and draft beer. I was there by myself and the bar was full and apparently you cannot sit at a pub table unless you have at least 2 people. I had to sit in the frowning area where there was an old guy watching soccer on all the TVs.
(3)
Mark S.
Came here for an Alumni for the USC marching band. We were celebrating the 40th anniversary of the first time the USC Band came to Notre Dame. We had a private room in the back, and had one bartender and one server just for our area...there may have been more servers but I only noticed ours. Taken directly from their website: "Timothy O'Toole's Pub Chicago was voted Best Bears Bar by the Chicago Reader and Best Place to Watch Bears Games by the Red Eye and Chicago Magazine." ...Today it was a Trojan bar. BOOYOW!!! Timothy O'Toole's has a great selection of beers, beer combinations (Snakebite, et. al.), and a full bar. We discovered they have this thing called "Holy Water". It's a mixture of 12 liquors and 3 juices. Essentially jungle juice on crack. My friends and I were already a few beers in when we ordered our first of many pitchers. The afternoon (yes...afternoon) went from a good time to a college $h!tshow. So this cocktail didn't taste like it had any alcohol...which is always dangerous. We ended up spilling a couple drinks and breaking a glass. Usually the barkeep assesses the situation and kicks people out at that point, but our server cleaned up the glass very quickly. She politely asked us to clear out while she cleaned, swept up, and didn't say a word. Maybe it was the fact that we were a few pitchers deep and wouldn't have cared if she sassed us. Anyway, this was a really fun experience. All the staff were really nice before and after we started drinking. I feel like my review is not really that credible since I drank so much there and didn't really get to take in everything. I will say that walking out of there and realizing how early it was to be drunk was.....nostalgic.
(4)
May Z.
I enjoyed the atmosphere here! I came here with a friend who's been here before and he couldn't stop raving about the Irish nachos. And it lived up to the hype, the fries was smothered with cheese, bacon, and green onions with sour cream on the side. It was glorious, especially because I was starving! What I like about this place is that since there are tvs EVERYWHERE, I was able to watch the NBA games. I also loved how I was able to watch more than one game at the same time. Aside from the fries, I also got the burger. And WOW, it was heaven in my mouth. I ordered the little Timmy and my burger was cooked just the way I liked it! In addition, there are numerous amount of beer choices here. So if you like beer, this is the perfect place for you to kick back and watch a basketball game. The only reason why I gave this place four stars is because the waitress served my friend the wrong beer. I know mistakes happens sometimes, but he didn't enjoy the wrong beer he ordered too. Other than that, I would definitely come back! The food is just to delicious to pass up.
(4)
Nicole S.
Visiting from Atlanta, GA. Great place to eat and drink. Staff and bartenders are friendly. Fun atmosphere especially on St. Patty's Day weekend. Must try the Baby Guinness shot.
(4)
Cynthia L.
This pub was awesome! It was a last minute find on Christmas Day and it was popping. I had the Lagunitas Pilsner and the grilled buffalo chicken wrap. It was huge! Enough for the Hubs and I. The atmosphere was great. Will def recommend and be back!
(5)
Michael M.
Terrible service. Loud. Unhelpful. And generally one of the worst Bars in Chicago. They do have a good beer selection.
(1)
Julio V.
Having worked in the area for 2+ years, I've paid O'Toole's a visit quite a few times. Good selection of beer and drinks as well as solid choices for food. I recommend the appetizer sampler or Little Timmy Burger. Being a 4am bar, great to have after work beers for those who work at the surrounding hotels. One of my favorite places, and a blackhawks bar? oh yeah!
(5)
Hannah L.
I feel like this place isn't getting enough props for brunch. I've been here for drinks and it was great, but I went for brunch this morning and was very impressed. $3 make your own mimosas (with a generous helping of champagne), $4 make your own bloodies. I had the breakfast nachos which were pretty good, and boyfriend had the monte cristo, which was excellent. Plus, we had our run of the place--a nice comparison to the super packed West Egg next door. Will be back!
(4)
Sonya Z.
nice sports bar with standard meh bar food, but affordable prices. the wednesday night comedy show of "comedians you should know" was..eh. but, as with most comedy shows, hit or miss. my favorite thing was the extremely nice door guys.
(3)
Kate F.
Cool spot. Great bar with large variety of beer. The staff is really friendly...one even looks like Chloe from the movie "Big Love". You got pool tables, darts, beer and food. It's the total Irish Pub Package.
(5)
Jamie S.
We come here every year and love this place. We love the food and atmosphere but mostly we love that got the 2nd year in a row, we got Diana as our server! She knows her stuff and is so great and personable. This is our regular stop each year and will for sure be back next year! Bloody Mary and. Mimosa bar is amazing!!!!
(5)
Debbie M.
Thank you Diana for taking the best care of us !! We felt so at home with you, you knew what we liked and served us the best !!!" Girls trip every year is even better knowing your our waitress ! Thank you Diana !
(5)
Brian P.
My company sent me to Chicago for a few weeks and this little spot was a few blocks from my hotel. As a sports fan I was happy for their 72 TVs which made watching the world series a very happy occasion (except for my team losing). I also came in for Sunday football which was a true treat. Timothy's is truly organized with all tv's marked so one has trouble figuring out where to sit. Obviously with so many TVs, the game you want to watch will be shown in several areas. They have a very extensive beer selection with a few specials ($4 Millers) that rotate depending on what day of the week it is. I've only had a few things to eat of which two were good and one was lackluster: The beef stew was fantastic made all the better by ordering a side of their mashed potatoes. On the downside, the maple glazed wings (fall special) were much too sugary for me. The brunch menu could also use a slight revision as some of us might want our breakfast fare in a non-sandwich/burrito form. Value wise this place isn't cheap but slightly less expensive then many of the other eateries in the area. Staff were also friendly to me, although, the first time I went (night time) the establishment was packed and it was extremely difficult to get my server's attention.
(3)
Shawn S.
Energetic sports bar. The front door is deceiving - this bar is massive and is all downstairs. They say they have 70 HD TVs, so you can see whatever game you want from somewhere. During commercials, they have a great DJ. There is a pretty decent beer list. We didn't eat but enjoyed hanging out and interacting with the bartenders.
(4)
Patricia B.
I went to this place today May 23, 2015. I feel this place is a rip off. there is nothing upscale about Timothy Toole's. They should close this place down. The food was not good. My bill was $300.00 The place is too noisy and packed. The manager and waiter was rude and not professional. The service suck. The server never came back to check our table. They are all about making money. They do not care about the customer. The bathroom,and floor in the dining area was deplorable. The Manager lost money because she did nothing to accommodate out table and again the bill was $300.00. Plus I paid $35.00 to park across the street at northwestern hospital parking lot. I recommend to avoid this place.
(1)
Chris T.
Just your typical neighborhood bar. No frills, but if you just need a beer - you're in the right place! Plenty of flat screens around showing all the various sports games, and their chicken wings aren't bad. They have 2 pool tables too. I'm more of a cocktail bar kind of guy, so places like this aren't usually my scene, but it's where all the local grad students like me go to lament after their awful exams.
(3)
John D.
We were in town for a convention, and this was right next door to the Hilton Doubletree where we were staying. Very crowded on an early Friday evening, and we had to wait to get a spot at the bar. They have Old Style tall boy cans for 3.50 or so, a pretty cheap option for downtown Chicago. It was loud and crowded, but clean, no sticky floors or anything. Seemed kind of touristy, but it was a decent place to put down a few beers. We did not have anything to eat.
I came here Sunday afternoon and it was definitely packed with Bears fans. I enjoyed the DJ as he played a mix of Top 40 and classics when the Bears were on commercial break. They also had a raffle for tickets to the next game, which I thought was nice. You pretty much can't find a seat here during the game, so my friend and I stood around and requested a table. After the bears game finished, the place emptied out a bit and we were able to get a table at the bar. NOTE: bar tables are also reserved, not first come first serve, so yeah, get a buzzer right when you walk in. We just had beers, which were good, 312 was $25 for a pitcher, which filled about 7 mugs, so not terrible. Food looked good but we didn't get any. The one thing that I thought was weird was that after the game, they didn't switch the TVs to the 4 pm games, they left them on fox (which just had recaps) and it took like 3 of us to tell the waitress to get the channel changed to another football game. (Denver vs Dallas).
(3)
Kylie M.
Worst service ever especially at the bar. Every time I try to use my discount (available to residents of my building) it's a huge ordeal especially last night. An attempt to use the discount involved at least 3 employees including the manager, who ultimately agreed to give it to me but not without major attitude. The kicker: my bill wasn't adjusted. Didn't think it was worth the effort to argue as I will be disputing this charge with my credit card company. They seem to assume that every patron is a drunk knucklehead - that I was not. For the record, if you live at Streeter Place (aka Atwater) you don't receive a resident card. Therefore, don't expect me to produce one in order to get my discount....Clearly there are unresolved operational issues at this unspectacular, mediocre bar. The food is decent but not enough for me to step foot inside this establishment again!
(1)
Thomas J.
I was extremely disappointed. My girlfriend and I had flown into Chicago for vacation and her mother had informed us that last time she visited this was the place to visit for good food and drinks with some time to watch some sports. We didn't get two of those things. We had walked in and sat down at a table and asked the waitress after about 10 minutes if we could order some drinks. She replied "if the hostess didn't seat you I won't serve you" mind you the place was near empty and we apologized immediately no knowing we needed to be sat at a table. The hostess then sat us and we waited another 10 minutes trying to get served. We were completely ignored the service was awful... The one light to the whole situation was the bouncer he was nice
(1)
Jon W.
About as average as it gets. Stay away from the canned cheese sauce on the nachos. Also the veggie burger was bland and mushy and the fries were cold. Ive had worse, but not much worse.
(1)
Sean M.
They have an all you can drink bloody Mary bar... Add a side of those spicy buffalo wings and it's pure Irish gold here folks. Stop being a schmuck and go get you some already. Save me a pickle.
(5)
Jeff C.
Not a fan of the location. But, the service was good and they have a lot of local beers there that are really great.
(3)
Kathy N.
Great "underground" bar. Went here to watch the Bears game. Sports fans dream bar. Lots of TVs, great pub food and an extensive selection of craft beer.
(3)
Elaine K.
We had a good time here. Service was good and they had a really cool beer selection. Also, it was craft beer night, so all craft beers were half price or something ridiculous. I really like the setup of the place, and how intimate all the booths were. If we weren't visiting Chicago for such a short time, we'd probably come here again.
(4)
David Z.
3.5 stars, rounding up to 4. Timothy O'Tooles is probably the best bar in the area. If you're in the NMH area you're going to find it is somewhat of a "sports bar desert," at least compared to most other areas of the city. The food is decent and there are plenty of TV's, so if you're looking to watch sports on the weekend they will surely have you covered. Just watch out, during happy hour this place can become PACKED. It's a pretty large space so they can really fit huge crowds. I've gone in during a Friday happy hour and barely been able to walk around, let alone find a spot to sit. The only thing that sort of annoys me is it is in a basement level location, so there aren't any windows to look out. You're in a dungeon. But most likely you're there to drink, not to start out the window, right? Oh, one more thing. If you are a member of any of the dining portals for airline miles (American Airlines, US Airways, etc), Timothy O'Tooles will give you bonus points for that too. For American it is 3x spend, or 5x if you an elite member. So that's a nice little extra bonus too.
(4)
Elyse L.
Very cool underground pub. Love the laid back vibe and their extensive selection of brews. The food here is top notch for pub fare. We are fond of the hummus platter that comes with both plain and roasted red pepper hummus and served with zucchini, carrot sticks, celery, and warm pita for dipping. If you feel more devilish, their fried appetizer platter is good too. They offer seasonal craft beer selections as well so there is something here for everyone. Perfect casual place to meet up with friends and catch a game, or even pre flight before more expensive dinner reservations. Non smoking inside so you don't have to worry about smelling like an ash tray when you leave either. Win!
(4)
Danijela B.
Just a cool, laid back bar... Great food and great service :) definitely recommend *thumbs up* :)
(5)
Andrew R.
I'm heading back to downtown Chicago again on business. It's been a while, and my first stop is gonna be at O'Tooles. I've been there a dozen times and never had a bad time. The food is great, staff is welcoming, and any jukebox that has "Let's get drunk and screw" on it, is awesome in my book!!
(5)
Adi R.
Reasonable food, excellent beer and a chill neighborhood bar to hang out. Just don't go during a football game - it's absolutely packed.
(4)
Marissa P.
We went here fot New Year's Eve last night. To say they are rude is an understatement. 1. Doorman first harassed my whole party and said we were over served and we would not be allowed in. We weren't over served he just decided he didn't like us from the moment we entered and he was clearly on a power trip. Finally he allowed us in. 2. The bartender was super rude as well. The advertised specials were not specials when we arrived. Finally after a lot of attitude we got out beers. Basically I wouldn't waste my time at this lame place when we live in a city with so many awesome places to go.
(1)
John D.
Great food and prices!! Always a fun place to play pool! Love hanging out here! Lots of space for private events as well. If you're in the area, I'd recommend this place! Don't forget your Id!!
(5)
Jessica Y.
And then there were 5... Of us who wanted a little night cap so hung out here from 12-2am. Most were dressed in hawks gear and casual. There were quite a few people grabbing late night snacks. We shared some garlic parmesan fries $5 + Irish Nachos $8 and a pitcher of Miller $14. This place reminds me of a chain restaurant/bar ex. TGIF, Ruby Tuesdays.
(3)
Kristine N.
Typical Irish bar and vibe. Fun place to grab a few drinks since it was right by our hotel. We ordered a variety of things from their menu and everything was pretty much ok. From the chili (too thick), gumbo (skimpy on the rice), tenders (small, crispy, typical sauces), quesadilla (not much flavor), burgers/sandwiches, all decent but not very memorable. Great service. We had one waitress for the entire back room and she was great, remembered our drinks, and was pretty timely.
(3)
Bill T.
I'm sending my love down the well* for this awesome place. Let's check the list, shall we? Friendly service- check. Super nice waitress who explained the beers and was so helpful with my myriad outrageous demands Location: check- between Michigan Ave and the Lakeshore, so easy to get to whether you're coming or going Food: check- Yummy pretzels, wings and Irish nachos. Is it just me or are Irish nachos the best thing to be invented since Silly Putty? Beer: check and double check: 48 beers on tap...a great range of domestic craft beers and a handful of exceptional imports. I can't believe nobody turned me onto this place when I asked Yelpers good place for beers and wings. Were you Chicagoans, who are known for your friendliness, trying to keep this place to yourselves? If so, I don't blame you, bro. I would too. Love me some Timmy! ________________________________ * In case you missed the reference, in a 1992 "Simpsons" episode, Bart throws a radio down a well and using a Mr. Microphone-type device, pretends to be an orphan named Timmy O'Toole, and celebrities get together and record "We're Sending Our Love Down the Well" to raise money for his rescue. youtu.be/nfdXbTRVRzc
(4)
Mary R.
I just created an account to write this review as I have never been so insulted by a member of the service industry in my life. This place offers an SI discount. This is especially appealing to cooks and members of the BOH who like to have fun and are also on a tight budget. The manager on duty at 8 pm this evening insulted both myself and my friends by saying that the local cafe restaurant where they work was comparable to Starbucks and therefore they were not entitled to this discount. Anyone that works 8-12 hours cooking for or serving people is a member of the service industry. To compare this local restaurant where everything is made in house to order to Starbucks is wildly insulting and disheartening. I will never return to this establishment which according to the manager, was fine with him. I have never been treated like this before anywhere and I'm very disappointed that a manager would be so tactless as to insult guests in this manner.
(1)
Liz S.
This place is fantastic!! My boyfriend and I's go to bar when we are in the city. Their chipotle chicken fingers (appetizer) are amazing!!!! And one of the only places a close friend of ours can find Three Floyds Zombie Dust. Cocktails are great, Blue Mother F*cker is the best around! Really nothing bad to say except you should tell the waitress exactly what you want when she comes because, it's so busy, it may be awhile till she comes back.
(5)
Kendrick W.
Timmy's is a pretty basic irish pub and the games are always on here. The crowd always seems a little young or immature (despite the age). If you're a dude and you just need a dude's spot to watch the game then Timmy O'Tooles will get it done. It can be a pretty fun spot, but you've gotta be in that "tie one on" mindset. Food is pretty good for bar food and that justifies most of this ranking.
(3)
julie n.
Eh, nothing to rave about. Bar with bar food and plenty of drinks and loads of drunk people to watch. I had gumbo the 2nd time we came and it was surprisingly good, just need more rice and a bit of hot sauce. The chicken tenders were hot and crispy.
(3)
Jeff W.
Had dinner here on Thanksgiving with my my wife and five year old. Was a bit leery of bringing a five year old, but after a call I was told they had a kids menu and, more importantly, they will have the Texas game on so I was sold. We had a bit of a wait, which I think could have been better handled. Maybe some communication as to why others, including kiddos, were being sat before us. We ended up in a booth, with our own tv tuned to the longhorns which was PERFECT. Traditional pub fare, which was Tasty and the service was friendly. I thought they did a great job of balancing many families (not a lot of places open so they probably had more than normal) as well as the sports bar crowd which is their main focus. Good show and thank you for being accommodating. I would bring the family back and/ or come back if I am solo and want to watch a game.
(4)
Trey C.
Great beer selection, not so great food.... But hey at least you can drink good while everyone eats
(2)
Meg r.
Heard about comedy shoe on Wednesdays at 9pm. 5 bucks, 5 comics. A funny guy named Danny made it worth it
(3)
Travis W.
Certainly the place to be if you like watching sports at a bar. Plenty of TV's in sight and probably one of the top places for draft beer selection in the city. I stumbled upon this place while searching via Yelp and was pleasantly surprised and the level and quality of not only the beer selection but also the food. I tried the salsa, guacamole and chips to start and it was probably the best guac I've ever tried. Big chunky pieces of avacado. I also tried the pork sliders and they were fine as well. Service is typical of a sports bar, personable, not white glove, but who really needs that at a place like this?
(3)
Jeffrey C.
Stopped in for a drink and some wings. Cool atmosphere, great service, huge beer selection and kick ass wings. My bartender, Heather, was extremely friendly and accommodating. Awesome place. I'll definitely swing by again next time I'm in Chicago.
(5)
Karen C.
I'm decently OK with O'Toole's as a lunchtime choice. My coworkers & I hit up O'Toole's every once in a while on our break, they have decent salads & tasty flavored french fries, and the prices aren't bad either. It's a good option when you want to sit down and relax, instead of stand in a line for sandwich somewhere else. I'd like to go 3.5 stars, but I can't go with a solid 4 just yet. I'm not a huge fan of the whole menu, but it's decent bar food and just a good atmosphere to hit up when you need a break from work during the week. O'Toole's helps me forget about some of the ridiculousness at work, if even for an hour. Now if I could just sneak in a beer or 3...
(3)
Jacobie D.
Ok place great location. I ordered the Atl Salmon and it tasted like it had gotten a little long in the tooth. My guy got the Fish n chips and they were good. Over all I like the place and they had live comedy the night we stopped by. I think next time I'll stick with the traditional bar menu.
(3)
Lauren K.
I really like this place! We came here after getting into Chicago, looking for late night apps and beers. Our concierge at our hotel recommended this and it was perfect. The basement/sports bar theme was definitely what we were looking for, and the place was rowdy and exciting. Loved the dim lighting and the music selection. We had beers and the quesadilla appetizer, which were good. Prices were very cheap for Chicago, I thought. Coming from Madison I felt as if we were at home, where the prices on beer and apps are pretty low. We also had burgers, which were huge and delicious. Fries were my favorite: hot, soft, and salty! The waitress was nice and the service was quick. Again, the atmosphere was great, which was what contributed to my 5-star. It really made the restaurant for me. This would be a good place to go with friends for a casual night out as well as to watch a sporting event.
(5)
Jazmine Y.
Always my favorite place to go after work! I work right around the corner. My all time favorite servers are Tracy and Cat. They are always fantastic. The security guards are perfect and friendly. Unfortunately this time we came in just for a drink and it took 15 minutes for our server Alex to even greet us. It then took a her an additional 20 minutes to return to our table meanwhile we were searching for her to put in an order of wings. I will give the benefit of the doubt considering the service here is usually amazing, and this particular time half of the staff went missing. There may have been an incident we were unaware of. Working in the business I understand things happen. A little communication would have been appreciated but I still feel she was too unattached when speaking to us. Almost rushing. We have run into a few times certain employees had refused to take us when they found out where we worked. It's disappointing because we tip very well every time. Especially with great service. So I hope this isn't the case this time. (Our usual server Cat had just gotten off work sadly). Any way. If you come here do yourself a favor and ask for Cat or Tracy!
(4)
Todd T.
Ok place but not really my style. Over crowded on a Thursday night, but not in a vibey sort of way, in an overcrowded sort of way. Couldn't find a place to sit and nobody seemed to care. Everywhere you look is a douche in a suit. On the positive side, drink selection is good and not terribly pricey considering the area. If you're looking to go catch a game with your buddies and chest bump and trade hair gel tips, knock yourself out. If you're looking to sit down, keep the beers coming and have any sort of meaningful conversation, look elsewhere.
(3)
Lauren H.
We came here after bowling at Lucky Strike for my friends birthday. It was later in the night I believe around 11ish on a Saturday. The place was not very crowded; I think because this place is in a weird location. We did have a very big party and they were very accommodating and we will definitely be back if we are over in that area!
(4)
Cesar A.
Came here for New Years and had a blast. Everything went great until just after the midnight countdown when our waitress said that our drink tickets were no longer valid as of 12a. NEXT TIME you tell us at the door! That was a major buzz-kill for us but mostly for me, I mean come on! Is this restaurant really that cheap to have to stricken me from being able to get that included cheap Bud light? I paid you your cover, I paid for ALLL the other drinks. We dished out a lot of money for New Years. We were patient with your waitressing staff who I know were running around taking care of everyone else. I thought they were going to have a bigger dance floor also because I definitely love dancing (Their advertising DID say dancing). I will definitely come back for the restaurant but for YOU to say 'NO' to our drink tickets ON NEW YEARS is enough for me never to book this place for my next New Year's ever. Very disappointed with THAT.
(2)
Samantha E.
This is a default bar for a lot of people I know just because it is so close to where they live but it continually falls flat for me. The crowd is usually a mish mosh of people. They do have a decent drink selection but they can be a bit overpriced at times. I would rather hike out to somewhere better than stick around at Timmy's
(2)
Eric R.
Had a great time! The people were friendly even though we were from out of town and my friend was a cowboys fan. The food was great! Quite possibly the best chicken strips I've ever had!!!!!
(5)
Daron D.
Great fun, very mixed and polite crowd. Went on a saturday night, had the big mug of beers, shots of tequila, vodka, and spent under $40 ( had at least two or three of everything). Had a great time, stays open late, great drink specials and the battles on the pool table were fun. Will do this again.
(4)
Sarah C.
This place was rude and didn't give service during a bachelorette party. Completely disappointed
(1)
Kylie S.
I do not know what I like this place, but I do. It's that perfect underground pub feel. It's nothing special, but the drinks are good, the food is okay, and there are TVs everywhere tuned to Chicago sports. I've always had excellent service when I've visited. I'm also incredibly impressed with the facilities given the crazy crowd at times. Do not ever try to go here on St. Patricks. Seriously, don't try it. The line is ridiculous and it's really not that special of a place. Come the day after St. Patty's and it'll be just as nice.
(4)
Erika C.
awkward. uncomfortable. unprofessional. sorry timothy, this described our experience last night. let me first start of by saying, the first time I came here I had a blast, you yelpers weren't kidding when you said this place delivers some great bar food and fun vibes for their customers. I thought why not give it a shot? To top it all off, I work in the industry and this is one of the few places that gives discounts to us fellow bar workers! 50% off food and 10% off drinks with proof of employment and one of their "industry cards" you can't beat that! the first time I came here was with a bunch of girls from work and our waitress was nothing but sweet, professional, and knew the cocktail menu inside and out! also, when I signed up for the industry card the manager was professional and welcoming. Plus, working at a hotel bar, we rave about this place to our customers and will send them over to timothy's if they are looking for a fun sports bar to catch the game. Well, last night I thought...why not come back? I had such a great experience here on my first visit, I thought timothy's would be the perfect place to come with my boyfriend and two of our friends for the hawks game. we got sat pretty quickly, and I informed our waitress that I had a industry card. she seemed pretty normal at first, until she started making some really weird comments. she forgot an order of our sweet potato fries, and when the food runner finally brought the fries out... she came over and said "you guys are lucky I put those to be dropped off at the wrong table" um..what? we ordered those... what did she think we were trying to pull a fast one and steal someone's sweet potato fries? awkward. um..so the night continues. I understand that with the industry card you won't get the discount on daily specials, which is understandable and a 20% tip will be added prior to the discount. common terms. right? wrong. the bill got dropped off and more then half the stuff we ordered was not discounted. we called her over to have the bill explained to us since something was not adding up. she told us the only thing that was on special that would not be discounted was one 4 dollar beer we ordered, but everything else should be discounted. it still wasn't adding up. she called her manager over, my party and I were thinking we could finally get this resolved. nope, this guy seemed like he had a little bit too much whiskey. not apologetic at all that they messed up on the bill and continued on saying that half the stuff wouldn't be marked down since they were part of a special and the company wouldn't be able to make their margins... and with this being said he quoted "it's only 5 dollars that is wrong now" we told him that we were unaware since the server didn't tell us that when we asked. no sorry, no nothing. just asked where we all worked and after finding out that i'm the only one that works in the industry our waitress came running over saying "wait, so your the only one that works in the industry, I just got yelled at" um... sorry? did you want a tissue? what kind of place is this. lady, trying to make your guests feel bad is a real good way to get a good tip and a good review... oh wait, your 30 dollar tip was already added prior to the discount that wasn't even correct. sorry that you got yelled at for not doing your job. awkward. uncomfortable. unprofessional. will not be recommending this place to any of my guests and I was sure to let the concierge know to steer people far away after last nights experience. you should treat all guests with respect and never make anyone feel uncomfortable or like we did something wrong. seriously kicking myself in the ass for sending my clients over to this place. would rather go to jacks tap and pay full price for better professional service where guests are treated with respect and are taken care of when there is an issue, not left feeling uncomfortable and getting the stink eye from a distance.
(2)
Aditya S.
This is a great neighborhood pub in streeterville which is less than a block away from where my wife lives. I have been here a few times with friends in large groups to end the night so that i can stumble back home and it has never disappointed. The prices as expected for a bar in this area are high but the drink options are plenty. The service does seem to lack and that is only because i think they are always understaffed. The food here is very average and really not worth ordering. I have been here a few times more due to convenience than the actual experience of the place. Still the place manages to do its job in giving you multiple options of alcohol of your choice and mixing up decent cocktails if you so wish to drink them. Super cool thing about them that they are open till very late and thus always a good spot to end your night. PS: they are also good to catch any sporting event and the atmosphere is very lively inside. best time to go there if you are not in a large group
(3)
Will K.
Not a dive bar whatsoever. This place is classy and it is a getaway for one and all. I am really enjoying myself watching the World Cup. The best place in town to watch the World Cup! This place rocks!
(5)
michael w.
stopped in for a quick beer, nice location, good atmosphere and comfy bar. They had some specials to work as well. Did not eat anything. The company and service were pleasant. Can't remember the name but got a guiness/octoberfest special.
(3)
John G.
This is going to be my new go to spot for late night dining downtown when I'm not on the mood for breakfast. Great beet selection and stall.
(5)
Doro R.
I showed up with a rather large group moments before a big game was about to start. We hadn't called ahead and there was a wait for tables. We wandered into the bar area and the manager quickly came over and turned a pool table into a table for us. Our server was very attentive and there were even some beer specials. I was surprised by how nice and accommodating they were despite being very busy already. They have an extensive beer selection and the food list was bigger than you would find at the average bar but on par with what you should expect to receive in a bar.
(4)
Niti B.
This is one of my friends go to spots and it was time to go!...after a whole day of day drinking where else do you go?! Out for more drinks great food and friendly service. We had the pretzel and build your own grill cheese with sweet potato fries to wash down our beverages and they were delicious. Plenty of TVs and they change any one of them for your viewing pleasure. I have to say this is the spot to watch a game sit back and relax!
(4)
Annie H.
All I can say is this is one awesome pub! Food is amazing! Service is awesome! Atmosphere was perfect! It felt like home (SF). I recommend this place to anyone that is going to Chicago and wants to do local nightlife.
(5)
Kristen D.
Really awesome atmosphere when we stopped in for a quick bucket of beers before our dinner reservation down the street! I can't wait to come back and spend a little more time here. I love that there's enough room to play pool at a few different tables, have a good conversation (read: not having to shout) with the people you came with, and casually drink a couple beers while still being able to people watch. Tons of TVs, too!
(3)
George A.
So far I've only done take out. The Michigan Ave salad is out of this world. The Pub Fish and Chips are very good but for $13 I'd like just a bit more fish, that doesn't stop me from ordering them, try 'em! The burgers are good. The "extra spicy" wings were a little mild to me but I eat crazy hot stuff a lot. The Volcanic wings are right where I want to be. The Parmesan fries were good but I was expecting more.
(4)
Brian M.
Well, unfortunately Timothy O'Tooles let me down again. After spending six months out of the country, my family returned for a Bears game and were seated in the back area. We were the first ones seated in this area. A big reason we come here is for the great beer list. After seeing a few of our favorites on tap on our way in at the main bar, we were excited and quickly ordered them. The waitress told us it was restaurant policy that we couldn't order from the front bar if we sat in back, so had to order from a much smaller list from the back bar. It seemed like a crazy policy since the main bar is only seconds away from where we were seated, but we decided we would just order Bloody Mary's and appetizers. Then, we walked to the main bar to order a couple beers while half of the group ordered beer from the waitress. The waitress brought back a beer and glass - there was old lipstick all over the rim of the glass. Gross. At halftime, we again walked to the bar to get our fav beer to go with our entrees. Upon our return, the waitress threatened to give our table away if we continued to get beer from the main bar. After we said it's you're terrible policy, she said it wasn't policy she just was too busy at the time earlier to get drinks from the main bar and now she could because she was much less busy. So she lied about the policy...plus it was MUCH busier by this time vs earlier. This is offensive for so many reasons. We come to O'Tooles FOR the great beer list. And we didn't choose to sit in the back. And we also spent a ton of money ordering three appetizers, four rounds of drinks and five entrees. And then she spilled a beer on my mom at the end. Won't be back.
(1)
Sheila C.
Food was good. I opted for the Shepard's pie & mimosas. My favorite part was my server Wes. He was super nice & answered all my questions. We had good sports debate also lol. I'd recommend. Gets busy on game nights
(4)
Will V.
I'm not much of a beer drinker, nor do I frequent many bars, so it's not often I find myself in a place like this. That said however, service was awesome. Apparently the selection of beers was also pretty good (I was drinking water). And every bit of food I saw and smelled from around the place was appetizing. But this review really isn't about any of those things. This review is about the AMAZING Shepherds Pie. Most places you go will serve you something around the size of a small soup bowl full of shepherds pie, and it's often times questionable whether that's really what it is or not (for example, I just had one somewhere else in Chicago that was more like chili with potatos at the BOTTOM of the bowl.) Ok, so here's the deal. This thing is about 4" x 9" x 2.5" and it comes to your table SCREAMING hot. I ate half of it, then spread the other half out a bit, since even by that point it was still almost too hot to eat, and it looked like I hadn't even touched it yet. I mean, seriously, it's a LOT of food for about $13. And the flavor? Well.. hands down, this was THE best shepherds pie I've ever had. Period.
(4)
Nessie V.
Veggie burger here is NOT vegan. Fries and rings are fine. This place is a typical sports pub. Pretty loud and crowded, despite seemingly being out of the way.
(3)
Martha D.
I've always been a big fan of this establishment. It is down the street from a hotel several of my friends worked at for years and years. Bonus points: At one point in time, my friend of said hotel (who also has won a tshirt in their Timmy Challenge eatingfest) had a going away party here in late April. We were drinking a bizarre slurring of Jameson shots and sweet tea vodka cocktails. Ended up winning a bike somehow. Woke up a couple mornings later to find a hilarious and surprising voicemail.
(4)
Kris U.
This little spot was a quick jump across the street from one of the hotels I stayed at while visiting the windy city (DoubleTree MagMile). Being form out of town and on my own, I was looking for the kinda place where everyone would know my name. Walking down the steps into the cellar of Tim O'T's, it was the exact sort of sports bar/pub I was looking for this lonely evening. Nobody knew my name, or cared to ask why I had a Canadian accent, but that's cool I had my two best friends with me: Booze and Sports on TV! Their beer selection is unique and I'd say very eclectic. Not familiar with their on tap selection I asked the bar tender which of the beers listed in this novella were his personal faves. He admitted he was not a beer fan BUT being a bourbon guy her was a real fan of Kentucky bourbon barrel ale (8.2%). It's beer that is made inside the casks originally used to distill Bourbon so the beer actually tastes more like bourbon then beer. Amaze! That 8.2% pint sized pint caught up with me quick (don't reco pairing alcohol with cold medicine but meh...w/e), because next thing I knew I was ordering what the menu called a Huge ass margarona. The bartender looked at me funny, like I had sprouted breasts and donned a dress suddenly. Kinda the way a dog cocks his head a la 45 degrees when it hears something odd, and asked "a margarona????? In November?" - Sure why not! Note to the rest of you..lonliness and margaronas is a baaaaaaddddd mix. I was soon presented with a delicious 2L of frozen tequila and slush with a corona popped upside down into it adding Corona beer to this mexican fire..... ...fast forward (slowly) 45 minutes I complete the beverage...sufficiently sauced and ready for bed. I stumble back to my hotel (thank god it's so close, and promptly pass the EF out)! Good times - definitely somewhere I'd bring "the guys" for a game next time I'm in Chi-town!!!
(4)
Chris M.
Fun "Irish" Pub near all of the shopping and dining that Michigan Avenue is known for. Interesting building (the bar is in the basement). Friendly staff and decent prices for a downtown bar.
(4)
Kristina A.
Burgers were great, and the banana dacquiri's were wonderful. The second time we stopped had the nachos - huge, and more dacquiri's. However, this time, the drinks tasted as if no alcohol. Our server was fantastic. She made sure to remove them from our bill, and the Manager came over to apologize (that's class, and good customer service). We will definitely go back when we are in town. Great food, service and attention to detail - that's how you keep customers!
(5)
joe w.
First place off the plane when I got to Chicago. And it was...just OK. Interesting atmosphere. Wouldn't mind being there for some beers for a Cubs or Bears game, but, the food for lunch on an afternoon -- didn't knock my socks off. The service was...well serviceable; neither horrible nor outstanding. Didn't get a lot of recommendations from the waitress.
(3)
Peter H.
Great beer selection both on tap and in bottle. Fun place with decent food. They have an October fest menu this month with some great items. The hot pretzels are off thr charts. Check this place out.
(4)
william b.
During a bachelor party, we ended up at Timmy O'Tooles no less than 4 times on one day because of it's proximity to the hotel. Everything you need from a bar. Good (little slow) table service, but very accommodating of groups that go from 8-12 (and actively vary). Good breakfast menu, actually.
(3)
Suzie D.
Went to Timothy's to watch our football team while on vacation. Very busy with an awesome atmosphere. Plenty of T.V.'s in the place. We asked for the games to be switched on two T.V's and they had no problem doing it. They have a very large drink menu and the food was very good. We will return on our next trip to Chi town.
(4)
Dave H.
Much more of a sports bar than an Irish pub, but still a decent place to have some pints. Large number of different and sometimes eclectic beers on tap, and seems to always have a decent number of patrons having a good time. Good bar food when you need something to go with your beer, but I wouldn't go there for the food alone.
(4)
Aaron E.
Had they chicken Alfredo at about 2am. Talk about good! It was fantastic... I was impressed as most late night places are not nearly as good.
(5)
Erica P.
Fun local bar with good sports coverage and decent bar food. Extensive craft beer and good menu, plus daily liq specials.
(4)
Renee L.
This is not the place to go if you want to chat with the people your with. Now if you want to watch a game and have it blasted in both ears and not be able to hear anything else & be able to see a TV where ever you look then this is the place for you. The food was just ok. Not something I would say I can't wait to go back there for the... The hamburger & Cajon chicken sandwich needed ketchup because they were dry. But if your drunk I think they will do. Some state on here its like cheers. Not... If you think you can walk in and just say hi to someone sitting at the bar u r mistaken. You would need a megaphone. loud
(3)
Stephanie R.
The food is delicious. I had the southwestern chicken salad and i got the smaller sized one. Good thing too because it was huge, and packed full of chicken.
(4)
Alex N.
Great craft selection. Good service. Made the mistake of getting a New York strip. It was super fatty, not like an NY strip should be. Really a ripoff for $21. Guess it was my mistake for choosing to order that.
(3)
Jules L.
Oh shit son! You didn't tell me Tin O'Toole's had karaoke on Tuesday! Well, who knows if they'll keep having it; I was the only one who took part and I refuse to be one of those jerks who monopolizes the karaoke all night even when it's easy to. But other than that, blah blah sports bar yada yada pub games blah blah giant TVs every three inches. They have an extensive beer list and even several different kinds of ciders and the one long-haired bartender is very nice. Go to karaoke so they'll still have it the next time my coworkers drag me there, please.
(3)
E H.
Timmy O'Toole got me thinkin bout that Timmy O'Turkey sandwich all day long. Shit ain't even right. And the Brussel sprouts are on fleek.
(5)
John B.
I'm not a sports bar person. I watch at home or in person. That said, I ended up here somehow, and I'll give them props for being fairly vegetarian friendly and for custom-building me a highly palatable veggie burger. I also split some reasonably good appetizers. It's a convoluted underground space. If you're here for the sports, one can't end up too far away from a TV though. Got a newbie server but everything went smoothly. No complaints.
(3)
LaShanda C.
I'm staff at Northwestern University and we order from Otoole's Restaurant (Chicago location), all the time. The staff is awesome and so are the delivery guys both of them. I don't know the other name but Aaron is great! He's always so kind, polite and punctual with our food. I just want to give both of your delivery guys the accolades they deserve. Thanks again. And, I love the Honey mustard dressing you should sell in the bottle! #NWU
(5)
Damon S.
Looking for a place to grab a drink on a Friday afternoon, and Timothy O'Toole's seemed to have good Yelp reviews so here I went. First off, I really didn't like the entrance. Down some stairs in the side of an office building, all you can see in front of you is a bouncer at a desk -- doesn't look like a bar at all, wondering what I'm walking down into. If I hadn't Yelp'd the place, I wouldn't have made it down all the stairs without turning around -- at least put some stuff on the walls to make it look like the entrance to your bar/restaurant. Next "issue" (and this is my own fault) was that all I really wanted to do was sit at the bar and get a few beers. However, at the hostess stand they directed me to a table (and why it was my own fault, I didn't ignore them and just tell them I only wanted a drink at the bar). But I still find it strange when I tell the hostess that I'm one, and I just want a beer, that they don't at least ask if I just want to sit at the bar -- everywhere else in the world I've been that's what they do. Sitting down, lots of TV's on all the walls, most on sports, although without a lot of sports actually happening at this time of day/year, a few were on news channels. My next pet peeve...after 30 minutes of eating/drinking, someone else must have asked that the TV that I was staring directly at be changed because it suddenly was (to a random, non-local baseball game). My biggest annoyance with this is that there were plenty of TV's that weren't showing sports, why didn't they change one of them? Or maybe check to see if the guy watching the TV actually wanted to watch what was on before you changed the channel. And then the food. I decided to try some wings (described as award winning). If these won an award, I'm glad I wasn't tasting the losers at that contest. There was nothing particularly wrong about the wings I had, but there was certainly nothing particularly great about them. The menu looked fine, it's sports bar/pub food, I didn't expect much and don't really have complaints, but I only got what I expected. Finally, I'll get to what keeps them to getting 3 stars (despite all my complaints above). The beer selection was top notch! If I was in the area again, particularly if it was on a Saturday or Sunday during football season, I would be happy to stop by Timothy O'Toole's again to sit at the bar, enjoy several beers, and watch a bunch of games.
(3)
Mike D.
This place is great! Drink specials every night along with tons of TVs. They turn to whatever you want. We are serious dodger fans so they turned one of the tv to the game for us. Irish nachos are awesome also.
(5)
Mike R.
Very social environment. . Have to try the deschutes chainbreaker white IPA on tap! !
(5)
Teresa M.
This is a must place to eat every time we come to chicago! The good is so good. We always get the Irish nachos and pulled pork sandwich that is on a pretzel bun. Had a martini for the first time today and it was awesome! They used kool aid for the mixer and it was really strong. The staff is usually friendly, only had one incident where the host threw our menus down on the table but we haven't seen him since. You get a pretty good amount of good for your money but it is well worth it. They cook your food fast and they also have it to go if you would like. The wings are really spicy like jalapeños. The onion rings are beer batter which is the only thing I don't care for. If you ever need just some good solid food, I would go here. Always full and the pulled pork is so packed full of meat that I have left overs on my plate. They are far from greedy with it. Try it!!!
(4)
Erika C.
We call this place the Tool Box. Good old Timothy O' Toole's, always busy. Completely hit or miss service. Great beer selection and a friendly varied crowd, lot's of tourists and business travelers. Good prices. A word of advice, do not, no matter what they tell you, order anything with goat cheese on it, trust me, please. Stick to the pub grub choices and you won't be disappointed. We keep coming back, that is all I can say. The devil you know.....
(4)
Claude W.
All in all a good bar with a great variety of beers. The only thing that was disappointing was a rude bartender named Corey or Carey. She was HORRIBLE in attitude. Pick any other bartender except for her. She does not listen, and when you try to explain she gets all huffy and acts like a brat. Avoid her like the plague!! I would give it a higher rating if she was not there.
(3)
Jarrid W.
Visiting from out of town, priced were reasonable for Chicago and the atmosphere was great. What really made me enjoy my visit was the bartender. He saw my Detroit hat and put on the tigers game for me. Something I didn't expect or ask for but really showed great service: must come here if in Chicago
(5)
Bryn C.
Great Beer selection. Friendly bartenders and a great atmosphere. As a pub should be.
(4)
Kimmie R.
I like Timothy O'Toole's comedy show, so the bar pretty much won me over at that point. They have recently upgraded the place so it looks slightly better than the pictures that everyone posted. Timothy O'Toole's attracts a friendly crowd of hardworking professionals that are just trying to have a good time. So, if you are looking for a relaxed evening with laid back friendly people this is definitely the place to be! Pro's - - Good prices - Walking distance from the train - Handsome waiters and staff ( trust me, eye candy never hurt a bars business) - Different atmosphere in the bar and in the back bar comedy area, so for a different vibe you can just walk to the next room. - Great comedy show for an affordable price! Cons - - NO parking - Bar food that tastes just like bar food (No healthy or really good tasting food on the menu) - Limited seating in back room comedy show area - Multiple smaller TV's instead of fewer larger ones
(4)
Brett K.
Long overdue review for Timmy's here. Hard to say what makes Timmy O'Tooles a staple in streeterville but it's always packed. I used to live a few blocks away and after many a winter retreat , I grew to love Timmy's underground getaway. Decent specials on beer, amazing nachos and just a laid back vibe will make you feel right at home. Golden tee and pool tables are suspiciously hard to find in the loop and once in a while you just gotta go back to the classics. Seriously, order the loaded nachos and/or the hot wings, not your everyday variation...
(4)
Arthur K.
This is an American sports bar though it tries to market itself as an Irish pub. Inside you'll find televisions everywhere along with your typical pool tables, arcade games, etc. That being said, it was a fun environment and it was close to our hotel so that's always a huge plus.
(3)
KB C.
Good clean fun-
(3)
Dennis S.
Plenty of TV's, all the games, good menu. This is a decent sports bar. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing special. Ordinary drinks, ordinary food, loud TV's. If you're in the area, why not, but nothing will be memorable. A bit touristy.
(3)
Rachel B.
Great pub food, good prices, good portion size, friendly staff. First, beer selection is enormous! Good deals on 'drinks of the month'. We ordered a large nachos for the table. The nachos had just the right balance of cheese, pico de gallo, refried beans, and jalapenos; the salsa and sour cream were served on the side. The large was more than enough to serve 3 people snacking before entrees. I had a veggie burger for the main course. This place has an insane amount of burger topping options but I went with the Original (lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions) served on a pretzel bun - yummm! Definitely plan to return on my next trip to Chicago
(4)
Alanna M.
The only issue here is that this place isnt right next door to my building! If you find yourself still drunk from Friday night, Timothy O'Toole's (or as I loving like call it - Timmy O'Toole's) is the greatest place. Their bottomless mimosa bar is CLUTCH. Its not the nicest sparkling wine, but it goes down easy. Theres also a bottomless Bloody Mary bar with a HUGE variety of ingredients to add to your drink! I love it! I also had their Belgian Waffle at brunch. It was SO delicious. I wouldnt expect such a tasty brunch item from a sports bar. Also, their wings are good. They've won awards apparently. Their burgers are decent too. They also have a signature drink called Holy Water. Wasnt a fan, but its full of different liquors. It just tasted like a bad version of alcoholic kool-aid to me. Also, service is usually really good. I havent been there when its super crowded, but if you sit at a table its usually very chill.
(4)
Polly W.
Great little bar across from the Doubletree where I go for conferences. Cool atmosphere and great food. Lots of TV's, good music, fun people. We even managed to write a proposal over a couple cocktails - and it was approved a week later - so I credit the generous drinks for getting the creative juices flowing.
(4)
Gabriel F.
This place was an excellent discovery by some of the cool guys who attended a conference with me in Chicago. However, I am bummed to realize that I was in a bar where a Man vs. Food Challenge is held and was unaware of it! I really wish I ha known so that I could totally demolish that challenge and walk away with a t-shirt that probably wouldn't fit me. As for the bar itself, it was pretty cool, large screens, jukebox, pool tables, and a lot of attractive people looking to have a good time. I never got the feeling that someone was going to act a fool in this place, which is relief, it lets you relax and enjoy the beer. I didn't eat anything, as we came over after dinner, and I met some interesting people there. Did not spend a lot of money, so I would definitely recommend this place to others, especially if you are visiting Chicago like I was. Oh, shout out to the very fine wait staff, our waitress was definitely NOT a grenade.
(4)
Wayne C.
So my friend texted me and was like, "We're at 622 N. Fairbanks," and I was like, "Streeterville?! Que?" but just got my haircut over there so I went. He works at Northwestern so it was understandable, as it's is across the street. Otherwise, circa 7PM, O'Tooles holds open casting calls for douches long and far. You know, like, they sell wings. Only certain bars "sell wings" and if you can think of another place that "sells wings" and have been there, you've also been to O'Tooles. I'm not trying to hate, especially since my roommate was recently like, "You hate everything lately. Like, you actually use the word 'hate' all the time." That was a bummer and I did some self-reflecting but really I didn't hate it. I just got the feeling that there was a lot of wife-cheating going on, especially since one of the guys at our table was all, "As soon as you're sick of sex, get married." OK, not fair because that doesn't describe the O'Tooles Experience. Scratch that. It does.
(2)
Heather J.
My husband and I were staying at the Doubletree across the street for our mini honeymoon and it was our last night in town. We wanted to have some drinks and find a good atmosphere to hangout in. This place blew us out of the water! The atmosphere was perfect with the screaming football fans and the cheering waitresses. Our service was perfect, never once forgotten about despite a party of 12 people sitting in the same section. We had their chipolte bbq wings and they were a little hot for.being chipolte but delicious none the less. They have an absolutely amazing beer selection. Craft beer lovers like myself can indulge in local and internarional drafts here. I say hell yes to Timothy O'Tooles!
(5)
Joel B.
Not impressed. The service was horrible. My girlfriend and I were visiting Chicago for the weekend and on our last night thought we would visit Timothy's. What a mistake. We walked in to standing room only (no problem because those are the places I like) and stood at the bar for 10 minutes and were ignored. We left without even ordering a drink. It's a busy loud place and I'm sure it will do well, but it will never get a dime for me.
(1)
Mit L.
Good food. Nothing to brag about. The cole slaw had 0 flavor. Just shredded cabbage and pepper. The menu brags about home made tartar sauce, but the fish sandwich only gets a teaspoon across the bun. I couldn't see it, much less taste it. Very noisy atmosphere but upbeat sports bar.
(3)
Greg L.
I've been here several times and each was a great experience. The food is good, the people are nice, and the drinks are whatever you want them to be. On Sunday there is a bloody mary bar where you can choose your mix and all the additions you want. On a Friday night we found a high top, but there were not many open seats. It was a nice crowd of fun people enjoying an evening out.
(4)
Jenny H.
I ordered their turkey club and expected just a regular turkey club from a regular old bar, but it was actually very good. The bread was toasted just right and they gave you just the right amount of meat and fresh tomatoes and lettuce.
(3)
Kelly J.
Cool place to come and watch a game. Lots of good beer on tap to go with one of the best cheeseburgers I've ever had. And one of the biggest! I could barely eat half of it. Good game day specials, service is friendly which makes up for it being spotty when they are very busy. TV's are at every angle so there's really not a bad seat in the house.
(4)
Kevin H.
Watch Da Bears and the Cubbies, superb selection of beers, and food that will keep you warm and satisfied on a cold Chicago evening. If you come for lunch, plan to stay and drink. Great place for all of us that love Chicago!
(5)
Dai W.
American sports bar so you can find anything you want from nachos to quesadillas. Also salads and of course burgers. Lots of TV screens to watch your favorite games. Went there during a playoff game and pretty busy and crowded. Waitress was great and available for you. And friendly. Just a sports bar in the city - location is East from Michigan avenue
(4)
Joe W.
Was here on a Sunday night in July. It was a pretty quiet crowd which I expected, but the service was not great. If you just want a drink or two, this place is fine. Also, the nacho plate was very impressive.
(3)
Peter B.
Food is pretty good as well as the drinks which are a tad overpriced. Bad experience here last night from the hostess to the manager herself. The hostess made me stand pointlessly when I asked for a table for two until my girlfriend arrived. She told me to find a spot at the bar while I was waiting when I'm sure she was well aware there wasn't a spot available and made me wander around instead of showing us to the several available tables right away. They accept an industry discount for 50% drinks and 25% off food (only reason I come here to begin with) The waitress and manager would not believe that my girlfriend works at a restaurant despite showing them the business card, she was in her work clothes and we were willing to call her restaurant to prove she worked there. Can't blame the waitress since she probably needs the manager's override for these situations. Apparently Timothy O' Toole's requires everyone to carry around a paystub and additional verification of employment. Next time, we'll make sure to bring the W2 form and any other official forms per your request to closely examine. I expected that when the manager came out to talk to us, she would do everything in her power to make sure we got what we needed. Clearly not as it was too difficult for her to go the extra mile. As we were leaving, she was near the entrance and didn't even acknowledge us. Try a little harder next time please.
(2)
Patty ..
Yay super fun towns of beer on tap or bottle place is huge reminded me of the bars during school, pool tables, TV's, darts you name it they had. There was a menu however, we did not eat we had just been to Eataly [THE BOMB]. Bartenders were super friendly even if they didn't play for Team Chicago Bears/Hawks but nothing wrong with friendly banter.
(4)
Tom C.
Been here many times for their brunch at the weekend and Bloody Mary bar. The food is good, lots of TVs for keeping up on different sports.
(4)
Kassidy W.
Let's say this review is more like 3.5 stars. The food is great, I like the atmosphere, the beer list is extensive, and I have had really great service MOST of the time. (Yesterday's service was the best yet. Shout out to Spencer for being wonderful, even with our large group!!) One bad experience has made me a bit salty about this place, though. I've obviously gone back, but only once. And I made sure we wouldn't get a server named Lucy again. The service was THAT bad. Two friends and I had come in for dinner, not all the tables were full, and I got a pretty good feel for the size of her section. Two of us are or have been servers so we tried to rationalize the situation, but couldn't. I never got a refill on my drink. She didn't come back to check on us. And our plates sat there empty for 20 minutes. It wasn't only our table either, many people were complaining, wondering, and talking to the people next to them. It was a hunt for our server and no one seemed to care. We eventually got our check, paid, and when I asked to speak with a manager, she said they were too busy. I really wish I had followed up on this sooner, but a yelp review will have to do.
(3)
Ashley J.
Great bar in downtown Chicago! We're from CA and our taxi driver recommended this spot..... best taxi driver, EVER! :) we ordered wings, beer, vodka tonic and an amazing burger! The ambiance is fun, lots of people. Sports are on about 20+ tvs, pool tables, friendly host and waiters. All around fun experience. Made our trip to Chicago that much more enjoyable.
(5)
Evan C.
I give O'toole's 3.5 stars. I usually come here after seeing a movie at AMC River East. There are not too many bars around this area, but this place is fun. We walked in and had a party of 6 on a Saturday night after seeing a flick. We were given a buzzer and said it would be about 30 mins. One awesome thing about this place is they have SOO many beers on tap. Any style of beer you want you can order. I have been here multiple times, but it took us about 10 mins to get the bartender's attention to get a beer. Since the place was packed, I can understand. We finally got seated around an hour later and my 3 friends and I split 50 hot wings. These wing did win #1 in the hot category for Wingfest 2014. The wings were pretty meaty, but just tasted like Frank's Red Hot. They were great wings if you are looking for that flavor, don't get me wrong. I still believe the Otherside Bar has the meatiest and best wings in the city. One other awesome thing was Al the magician was working that night. I couldn't understand ANYTHING he was saying, but his magic tricks could back his actions. I'm still not sure how he did that baseball in a cup trick... Overall, if you are looking to grab a beer and some pretty good wings/food come here. (Especially if you are looking for some place to go after AMC River East)
(3)
Jessica Y.
This is a really nice sports bar. Super clean and looks well-kept. The food was decent - got the baked goat cheese (marinara sauce with crumbled goat cheese on top, served with baked pita bread; onion rings - really crispy and served with BBQ sauce; and the Michigan Ave salad - fresh and delicious, topped with avocado slices. The highlights are the large beer selection, and the number of TVs around the place. I sat at a booth in the side room, and it had its own TV. I wish the screen was lower though because my neck was hurting by halftime from craning my neck to look to the side and upward. And I would've like the volume of the game (BEARS) to be louder in the side room. Other than that, really friendly service, and great crowd. You can pre/post party here on home game days, and pay $10 for a roundtrip bus ride to Soldier Field.
(4)
Jackie C.
It is a very homey place! Its smaller, under ground and has a close knit feeling. I loved our waitress and the food was very good! We will definitely be back for a fun Sunday football event. This is not set up for a large party so if you are, I would call ahead to give them a heads up and they are happy to help you get set up.
(4)
Eddie S.
Nice place to grab a drink. Haven't tried any of the food so cannot comment on that. 48 beers on tap! I'm a lager guy and enjoyed the allagash white. My new favorite! Lots of Tvs to watch any game. Currently watching the bulls, black hawks and college football.
(4)
KJ V.
The place to go for all sports fans! We went for breakfast before a Bears game. They open at 9:30 during on Sunday's when the Bears place at home. The cool thing is that we had tickets to the Bears game and they bus you over to Soldier Field for pretty cheap! Then they pick you up and bring you back after the game. It's better than driving thru traffic and paying an arm and a leg by the stadium!
(4)
Joe W.
Atmosphere here is awesome! Came in to watch a Blackhawks game while staying at a nearby hotel. So glad the hotel recommended this place! A lot of fun! Food was good, good options. Staff was on point too! Great beer recommendations from the server too!
(5)
Loma K.
Grabbed a drink with some friends from outta town. Overall, nice bar/ hangout place. The only down fall was the music was a bit too loud and couldn't really talk to one another.
(3)
Jeremy H.
Walked here after a game and was denied entrance for being too drunk after asking what the menu was. Have never been more offended in my life. Had three drinks before hand and was terribly disrespected. Had no problem getting in at bellwether right down the street and actually had a very comical review of Timothy O'tools during ordering. Unreal experience from a very uppity doorman.
(1)
Kristy D.
French dip!!! Kentucky bourbon beer !!! Truffles fries ..... Mmmmm Oh- and basketball
(3)
Dan L.
Great sports bar with solid beer selection, good food, and reasonable prices. We had the wings, burgers, and beer. All were delicious!
(5)
Johnny W.
Loved this place. My first experience in downtown Chicago. We staying almost across the street and headed out on a Friday night of St Patrick's day and first place we came upon. Of the group of 6, 5 of us are bartenders in Wisconsin so sometimes critique a little more than others and the staff her impressed us greatly. We paid 5.00 cover charge which I expect and walked into this huge underground bar which was very busy. Th bouncers were fun and welcoming. Walking by the hostess stand we told her we were there to have a few libations. She recommended the back bar might be a little quicker and we could order food if we were interested at the bar. We got bar stools and Dustin the bartender was extremely good. Fast, remembered our drinks and names. One did order food (Bacon Mac & Cheese) and it was good. We left and went to 4 other bars for a change of scenery and only had one drink at each and went back to Timothy O'Tooles as none of the other bars compared in service and prices. Saturday after watching the river dyed green and all the St Pats things we decided to go there again. Back bar had Dustin and a gal named Connor working. As busy and packed as they were they never once looked like they had an attitude or were rushed with one often sees in bars under these circumstances. Rather fast paced, friendly and remembering orders and names. One in our group had a few to many and was a little tired. Two girls (I'm guessing a manager and security) came to escort her out. I have been to many a place and seen these situations escalate by a bouncer not choosing words properly but not here. They talked to our friend and stepped aside let us get her out without incident, The rest were able to stay and/or come back. My point of the last little story is every person (not sure what the staff on is on a super bust St Patrick's satuday night is) from door staff to hostess to waitress to bartender to bar backs and the girls working the beer trough were not only doing a great job under stress but friendly and welcoming at every point of the night. I wonder if some of the people that left bad reviews were ever even here as I saw nothing other than awesome. They should maybe go back and give it another try as I my next trip to Chicago will include a stop (or 3) at Timothy O'Toole's
(5)
Matt T.
Met my sister here for some drinks and something small to eat, when she got off work. The beer selection is top notch. And it seems like a very fun place, especially if you're a Chicago Blackhawks fan (although I am a Pittsburgh Penguins fan). I was surprised the Bulls game wasn't on, although other basketball games were on. The food was good. I wasn't blown away by it. But it hit the spot. I had a Michigan Street Salad, I believe it was called. It was good. My sister had a veggie burger with sweet potato fries and I had some of those. They were very good. Our waitress was nice, but seemed a little overwhelmed. She probably had a bunch of tables. However, she kept our beers filled. The rest of the staff seemed very friendly. Definitely would go back.
(4)
Honor S.
Cool place! The beer list is incredibly extensive and I only wish I had more time (and more money) to try more of them. I'm not sure but I think the beer list varies in selection from month to month which is even more intriguing to me. I need to find a place like this in Phoenix! I was there on a Thursday night and the place was pretty packed. I'm not sure if it's like that all the time or if everybody was just there to watch the Blackhawks game. If I'm ever in the area again I'll make sure to stop by this place again!
(4)
Daniel D.
We are in town for a conference and thought we'd stop in for a beer and some bar food. When we first arrived the "bouncer" hit us up for a $5 cover. We ordered the spicy wing basket and soft pretzels. The "spicy" wings tasted more like a tomato based BBQ sauce than spicy. The pretzels were cold to the touch and so was the cheese sauce. We asked if it all could be warmed up and the waitress Lucy apologized and took them away. A food runner brought back our pretzels that were obviously microwaved because they had cold and hot spots, but did not bring our cheese sauce. We asked Lucy if we could have the cheese sauce and she apologized again and brought it out. And wouldn't you know, it was cold. Go somewhere else. Do not waste your time or your money.
(1)
Bernice K.
Good food! Good service! Great lil pub! Headed here for a late dinner and nite cap. Pleasantly surprised by everything!
(5)
Paul A.
This place was overcrowded not by space but by what they could handle. It was too hot in there and very humid, they need a better AC. They also say there kitchen is open till around 3 but was only open until around 1am and at the point could only order a basket of fries that took 25 minutes to bring to us. They were regular frozen fries that shouldn't of took much more than 5 minutes to fry. The drinks were also mixed poorly and service was unfriendly and slow.
(2)
Joe I.
Watched the World Cup finals here, and had a great time! We ordered several appetizers and drinks throughout the game. Nachos, wings, salad, etc were all good. The Irish Nachos were the hit though...French fries covered in cheese, bacon, & scallions. Staff was great even though the place was packed. No one left until the game was over, so we paid a little early and were able to duck out before the crowd. Being a family of 6 with 4 minors, we had no problems eating in the seating area. Glad we got a table though! Lucky, I guess.
(5)
Michael B.
I was in Chicago last week and went to O'Tooles twice while I was there - once with a colleague for drinks and a second time for lunch with a different colleague. The first time I was there, it was just around suppertime. My colleague and I had a few drinks from the extensive menu of on tap and bottled beverages they had. The second time was on a Sunday for lunch, when I arrived as soon as they open - and my colleague arrived about an hour later. While I was waiting for him I had a coffee and wings, working away on my laptop and half paying attention to the playoff game. The wings were great, and the staff let me be for the most part, as I waited for my colleague. Once my colleague joined me know, we both had a light lunch. He ordered the BLT and I ordered a burger. Both meals came out relatively quickly, and were quite delicious. I'd definitely go back when I'm in town again!
(5)
Demi H.
I love this place! I come here for lunch and I pretty much get the same thing: Saucy Finger Basket! The portion is a good size, it comes with 5 chicken fingers covered in your choice of wings sauce and a side of fries. I normally get bbq sauce but this time I got traditional buffalo sauce and it was delicious! I would definitely recommend this place if you're ever in the area!
(4)
Angela E.
Good bar food. We ordered pretzels, warm goat cheese dip, fries. The pretzels were great. The goat cheese had too much sauce not enough goat cheese. Fries were ok. Mango Bellini was tasty.
(3)
Mike D.
Maple Bourbon BBQ. Award winning wings. 3rd place in Chicago. Irish Ghost. Won 1st place. They are hot. Nice ambiance in the bar. Lots of flat screens and good tunes.
(4)
Sara R.
It's the rich man's dive bar. It's technically too nice to be considered a dive, but its so casual (and there are no windows) it kinda gives off that vibe. Like 50 beers on tap, and a lot of them rotate. Lots of bottles, too. There is a TV on every spare surface of every single wall, so it's a great place to watch all games. It gets uber busy though, so get there early to snag a seat at the bar. I see some of the previous comments say they waited forever to get a beer, but I've never had a problem getting served promptly. Jim and Justin are the best. They know their stuff about brews!! Really all of the staff is super friendly and bubbly. They have a stage in the back room where comedians do stand up on Wednesdays and I guess there's music back there some days, too. THE ONLY DOWNSIDE is the fact that it's a basement, which is why it's the kind of place I get excited to come to in the winter. I seriously hope this place never changes.
(5)
Mike M.
Great beer selection. Lot's of TV's. Good food. Good service. Whatever I could say has probably already been said. We were there late on a Friday when things can usually start to fall apart, but that didn't happen. They stayed on their game and we had a great time.
(4)
Kathie R.
Great burgers, fish and chips, etc. With a great beer selection! Service was fast too, on a busy holiday weekend.
(4)
Dinna Y.
There are times you want that chill, casual, easy bar spot that's going to have guaranteed good bar food and you are luckily already surrounded by the most amazing people! You don't need crazy ambience or fancy modern decor. O'toole's has not just the classics- darts, beers, burgers, fries, wings, chicken fingers- all quite well done! But they also have truffle fries which I could have eaten for days! I highly recommend upgrading to them! The wings were nice and meaty and not skinny and over fried. Perfectly juicy and well sauced. We wanted a bottle of white wine which was very crisp and cold and was only $40. They also had an amazing strawberry cider that tasted like a refreshing fanta, yum! I'd go back for darts, karaoke and more chill casual nights with great people
(4)
Allison F.
Great TVs, tremendous spot to watch NFL football. Love how they designate which games will play on each TV - it is so simple yet it works. Place is busy and packed, but not uncomfortable. Service is friendly and fast!!!! Large selection of beers plus full bar and game day specials. Ordered the nachos with pulled pork. Mixed reviews.....my date enjoyed the thickness of the chips, I felt like they could have been juicier. For the second quarter ordered the pretzels and spicy chicken finger basket with onion rings. O rings were good not great chicken fingers were meaty, spicy and peppery. Delish!!!! Soft pretzel order came as two giant pretzels as well and a bland cheese sauce on the side. Tasted fresh, not microwaved like they came be sometimes. Pretty good nom nom for a game. Great place for a ball game.
(4)
Josh B.
Located in a basement in downtown Chicago, O'Toole's is much cleaner and lively than you'd think! The bar/restaurant area is large, but the lack of windows can make it seem very claustrophobic on a busy night. I know that's more of a limitation of the building than the service, so I won't hold this against O'Toole's... but it's still kind of a bummer. The service was ok, nothing stellar... It seemed a bit understaffed, and we waiting a long time to be served, and this was with us seated directly at the bar. The prices were reasonable, especially for Chicago, and the beer list covered a pretty decent selection and even had a beer legend in the back, explaining lingo and different styles. Very nice! I cannot stress how clean this place was, especially considering how busy it was. The bar was shining and freshly lacquered, and not a sticky spot in arms reach. It's certainly not a place to come down to chicago for, but if you're in town and just looking for a weekday drink and have some aversion to patios... it's worth a few blocks of walking.
(3)
Jigna S.
Spacious and expansive area! We went to watch the FIFA games and they dod a great job managing the crowd. Turned some pool tables into additional tables; had game specials; and they have also had a large selection of beers on tap. My only little complaint was that it was a little on the pricey side for a bar, and especially for a major game night...you'd think the food specials would be more reasonable considering the large crowd they're getting. But good times nonetheless! I recommend the poutine fries and chicken wings! Oo and the pulled pork nachos looked scrumptious...next time!!
(4)
Jake M.
Not what you would call a "local favorite," everyone I met at this bar seemed to be a transient from some other part of the country, but with reasonable prices, a great beer selection, solid food, and lots of televisions, this is totally worth a visit.
(4)
Jimmy N.
An awesome place to check out the game and have some really good food. It's definitely a popular spot with the locals. During our trip to the big city we definitely had to catch the bears game the way Chicagoans catch the game, with some good food and loud fans. The staff up front isn't the friendliest and most helpful. At one moment the wait was 30 mins the second moment someone notices up and offers us a seat at the pool table, sure it beats standing and waiting, so why wasn't this offered in the first place?!?! The food was delish and super creative. Most definitely a notch up from your usual pub food. A must visit for anyone on the Chicagoland area.
(4)
Mel S.
They don't serve gourmet fare, so go somewhere else in the area if you're looking for that. What you get is a sports bar with TVs covering all the walls, in a dark setting shrouded by Xmas lights. The service is ok, the beer selection is better than average, but this has to be the best place to come to watch Chicago sports. Come for a Blackhawks game (maybe playoffs) and you'll familiar faces including the guy with the hat with the red flashing lights that makes a round around the bar with every goal. It's a nice neighborhood bar where Chicago pride is well represented. Don't ruin your experience by coming for anything else.
(4)
Michael S.
A typical Irish pub with a decent beer selection, the food is average at best. I ate here last night for the second time because my coworker wanted to go. Like last time my dinner was typical average at best bar food. Go here for the beer and atmosphere not for the food.
(3)
Paul L.
Pretty happening bar scene on a Friday night. Lots of great beers on tap and a good bar selection. The beers were great but the mixed drinks were weak. The gin and tonic was more like a tonic on the rocks.
(3)
Rob M.
Cool atmosphere, but the burger was pretty bad. Bun wasn't toasted, toppings were old. Maybe I just got unlucky.
(4)
Mike A.
I heart Timothy O'Tooles. Great selection of craft beers, on rotation. Bar food is excellent too. The grill cheese and Ruebens are the best in the city. Pool tables and lots of tv's make this a great spot for Sunday sports and beer!
(5)
S L.
We reserved a table for Saturday fight night in advance for 5 people. We bypassed the line and was given a pretty good table. We got tickets for 2 drinks per person and an appetizer. We ended up ordering a bunch of other items to share. The buffalo wings were very good. They had the Mayweather and Pacquiao fight on all the TVs inside. The only complaint is that we were given one table and then told that it was the wrong table and were moved to a different one. Also there were people who hung out on the side which along the wall which took some room away from our table. Plus people's heads were obstructing out view because they were so close to the TV monitors on the wall. It was a little unorganized in the beginning with the tables. But our server Ariel was great - always available for ordering and getting our food and drinks. The busboys were also very good - they provided clean plates and took away our dirty plates consistently. It was a a great place to enjoy the fight.
(4)
Marshall R.
What a cool hole in the wall place. Went here late at night place was packed! Did not wait very long for anything people I was with got drinks really fast. My only advice is on how full this place was you might have to wait a while for drinks if it was really busy.
(4)
Jo W.
How have I NOT reviewed this place?! I started coming here when I was a mere 21 year old, experiencing the "wonderful" life as an employee in the service industry. We would come here after work, I would drink malt liquor (*shudder*), we would play some pool, perhaps some darts, and close the place down among friends and our favorite servers and bartenders. I can't tell you how many times I've tripped UP their stairs because I had, um, too much fun. I've had and been to countless parties in their back rooms, which are always a blast. Bonus - if you're a regular, they really, REALLY take care of you. Obviously, I'm no longer 21 and times have changed - I no longer prefer malt liquor, for one. Gross. But one thing hasn't changed - my love of O'Toole's. The servers are still fantastic, drinks are poured generously, and if you happen to go here at night, veteran employees may even remember you even after all the time you've been away... yikes. These days I am more likely to stop in for lunch, as I now work a couple blocks away... but I still love it. The food is pretty solid, service is friendly and quick, and sometimes it's just nice to step away from the hustle and bustle and the never-ending Northwestern construction, slip underground, and spend an hour enjoying yourself here. Bottom line - if you're looking for a fun night out where you're sure to find some fun non-douchebaggy people and great service, come here. If you work in the neighborhood and are looking for something different to eat for lunch - come here. Actually, just come here. You will have a good time, this I promise you.
(4)
Daniel F.
Solid choice for a burger and drink in the Streeterville area. I was staying at the nearby Marriott Courtyard nearby, and the doorman recommended the place and gave me a 20% coupon as well. It's a busy sports bar with lots of activity but my side salad was good, and the angus burger had good taste and quality toppings. Good choice for a quick inexpensive meal after pounding the pavement and enormous Black Friday crowds on the Mag Mile.
(4)
Bryan C.
This gem of a Irish pub sports bar has both great beer and delicious greasy bar food, which is a rare combo. Ordered the Reuben and was pleasantly surprised with the nice grilled rye and delicious pastrami
(4)
Wanda M.
Bloody Mary build your own w/ 30 items during the weekend brunch is pretty fantastic. However, the French toast had no butter and our server really didn't check on us at all for us to request butter. Unfortunately the French Toast tasted like onions, must have been made right after something oniony and the grill not cleaned. Breakfast burrito was fairly good except I asked for no onions got a large pile of onions. I heard compliments on the California chicken sandwich and Goat cheese quesadilla. It wasn't awful, but I didn't love it.
(3)
Ben K.
I think I really took this place for granted when I lived in Streeterville. It's not the greatest place on earth, but I have to say, living up in Lincoln Park, I really don't have a go-to place anymore. Timmy's pretty much had everything I was looking for, especially for a night out with people to watch a sporting event, and ever since I moved out of the neighborhood last year, I have been looking for something to replace Timmy's in my heart and going-out rotation. I haven't found it yet. The food is bar food. But it's done well. The menu is pretty large, and it's not the same exact menu as every other generic bar. It's got some personality. For me, the highlights are the Ragin' Cajun burger, the Reuben sandwich, the Athenian chicken wrap, and the Mediterranean salad. It's probably not the healthiest menu in the world, but damn if it doesnt fill you up with greasy tasty deliciousness. The atmosphere is pretty solid too. Timmy's definitely has personality; there are a few different seating areas depending on your mood (bar tables with high chairs, situated right in the middle of a slew of TV's, booths that are a little out of the way, better for bigger parties, and then more open table seating by the pool tables). The pool tables are always a great way to kill some time, or lose a bunch of money to Perry the surprisingly talented behemoth of a bouncer who will ask you to play for money when you've had a few too many. Also the bartenders and servers are really friendly and are always willing to let you request channel changes to watch any sporting event you might be interested in. Timmy's isn't the kind of place that's going to wow you the first time you walk in and make you say to yourself "this is my new favorite bar". But it does what it does well. If you come back a few more times, you'll find yourself back here again and again because it's got pretty much everything you need.
(5)
Adam T.
My friends and I check this place out every time we're in Chicago. We start the night here always and it's a great place to do so. Lots of energy, really nice and friendly staff and great food and beer! All of my fellow regulars have attempted (and conquered) the Big Timmy challenge- which was featured on Man Vs. Food. We wear our T-shirts proudly! A few of the waitresses have started to recognize us, which I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing... There are three pool tables, a jukebox and a couple dumb arcade games but we only use the pool table if anything. As I said the crowd is friendly and the people are all fun to talk to. Prices aren't that bad, I'd say average. The underground location of this place makes it seem more hidden than it already is and it's a cool looking spot. Definitely go check out a game or a fight here, everyone gets really into it and it's hard to not have a good time.
(5)
Darren F.
came here because i heard about their timothy o'tooles challenge.. and wanted to try it cause .. well i love food and wanted a challenge ..lol but turns out that it wasnt a challenge... i finshed it without a problem at all and my other 2 friends finshed it as well... the service was great and the food was good.. but the timothy o'tooles challenge was kinda disappointing.. will come back here again to try other items in the menu..
(4)
Emmanuel G.
Food was generic. Over-priced. Employees don't how to live life with a smile. I got the French Dip Sandwich, and I'm a sandwich fanatic, with all due respect, this was the worse sandwich I've had ever. The dip had no taste but salt. To top it off, we probably caught our waitress on a bad day, but she was just as bad as the sandwich was. She was on a hurry, expressionless, and I don't know how all these orchestrated so perfectly, but we had to wait for our food for a long time, considering me and my buddy only got sandwiches. I left the place a little pissed off, and its been a looong time since I left a restaurant pissed off. Some employee said "Thank you" though on our way out. There you go.
(1)
Michael M.
Great bar. Food isn't bad. I had the wings which weren't as spicy as I wanted, but the waiter told me to avoid the two hottest levels. Next time I go I will try one of the hotter ones. Also, they don't use real blue cheese which really takes away from the wings but I love my BC. Go for the beer. The food isn't the main attraction. Always packed with NU students.
(5)
Angela B.
I was staying at the hotel across the street and came in for dinner when I arrived. They serve food until 3 am! There are flat screens all over the place. Perfect for watching a sports game. It was surprisingly busy on a Monday night at 11p. Food & drinks were good and reasonably priced. And they have karaoke on Tuesday nights!
(4)
Whitney R.
No cell phone reception. Good for happy hour.
(2)
Brittany P.
The only thing that keeps me coming here is the unlimited mimosa bar. The food sucks.
(3)
Kate S.
Boyfriend and I was visiting for 3 days and went there 4 times just because of the wings !! The wings are amazing !!!!! Would fly back just for those wings !
(5)
Jacob K.
This is a cross between an Irish pub and a sports bar. There are multiple tv all over (some tube and some plasma/lcd type). The crowd seemed friendly enough and there were 3 small pool tables (not regulation size) with less than skilled patrons partaking in some form of billiards. The service was good and the appetizers were average- chicken wings, tenders, fries and onion rings,. However, I would stay away from the potato skins which were just gross. Its a fine place to grab a beer and watch a game if you are in the area.
(3)
Tim U.
I would like to express my disregard for this bar because they expressly denied entry for anyone from our group of about a dozen people due to a girl in our group that was simply sitting, all because her feet were tired from sitting at a cocktail party. Both the bouncer and manager were both disrespectful and rude on the Saturday evening.
(1)
Suzanne P.
Simply the best. I have been a patron here for 10 years. I almost dont want others to know....
(5)
Matt E.
This was my local pub during my extended weekend stay in Chicago. Yeah, there really isn't a whole lot that's special about Timothy O'Tooles. But for what it's supposed to do, i think it does it pretty well. I wasn't there to catch any sports games, just drink some pints and have a couple appetizers. They have a decent beer selection, quite a few TV's, and appetizers that are decent. The venue size itself is fairly large - so unless it's very crowded, being cramped isn't too much of an issue. So for the purpose of getting me drunk before i stumbled back to my hotel late night, yep, Timothy O'Toole's was my joint for a few nights. Thanks Timothy.
(3)
Jackie H.
Went here on a Friday afternoon for lunch a couple of weeks ago...Wasn't my first time, been a couple of times prior with work. It's a fun place to go...I cannot comment on it's authenticity as an "Irish Pub," but it is an enjoyable place to go eat regardless. The menu is bar food. Sandwiches, wraps, salads, etc. I had the buffalo chicken wrap and it was quite tasty. Plus, the portion was huge! I only ate half and the other was lunch the next day. All of the portions seemed quite big, which is fine...I respect their generosity. The appetizer of salsa and guacamole with chips was great! Lots of food (yet the two of us managed to polish it off leaving only a few chips), and the guac was chunky, different from the creamy guac I am used to. Liked it! Beer selection is decent. Was able to get a Matilda and Fat Tire...Looks like they had Sam Adams, Amstel, other Goose Islands...Not a huge selection, but I appreciate that there were options for those that don't drink Miller. Service was great, manager even came by and chatted about our beer selections--he noticed we had fancy glasses on our table. Everyone was very friendly. Good for a lunch, and in my experience, good for dinner/drinks after work
(4)
Natalia D.
Great atmosphere and so is the beer menu. O'Tooles has a whole menu just for Guinness mixes. I tried the Black and Blue (Guinness and Blue Moon) and the Black and Black (had a bit of blackberry somethin somethin in it). They also offer a hard apple cider on tap which comes in frosted mugs. Perfectly light yet oh so tasty. Great place to hang out and watch your favorite sports game.
(4)
David H.
i really wish the jukebox had more classics like MC HAMMER, Kid n Play and Surface but other than that it's the quintessential irish american sports bar with drunk people, lay ups, nachos, and french fries. Lennox Lewis also works there which i think is pretty cool. big ups.
(5)
Ann J.
I have been going to Timothy O'Toole's for years. It all started back in my T.G.I. Friday's days when I worked with the most awesome ppl on Erie and Michigan. A few of our friends worked at O'Toole's so we would go visit them after work. Since then, I continue to patron this establishment for a few reasons: cocktails, food, sports, pool tables, but above all, the service. If you are looking for a pub in the neighborhood, this is the place to go. Streeter's is a dive, which is only great after you're drunk. The next day you always regret it though. ;-) Melnick's is where all the old ppl hang out. Pippen's still reeks of cigarette smoke even though the ban passed years ago. O'Toole's has specials, above average bar food and a fun atmosphere. Besides, the bartender DeRon is super hawt!! :-D
(5)
Tara M.
O'Toole's is nothing special and frankly, is a bit forgettable. Decent service, standard bar food and drink options. The basement atmosphere is less than ideal and a bit hokey, but sitting outside and having brunch during the summer is nice (as long as you are willing to deal with all of the tourists loitering around waiting to get in to West Egg). They have tons of TVs, too. I more or less only go here when I am too lazy or cheap to cab it up north. Because, really, who willingly hangs out with Northwestern students?
(3)
Kate S.
This is the place to go watch a game during football season. Since it's in the basement, it is more of a winter place. They've got plenty of tvs and are able to play lots of games--even PAC12 games :) Food is decent--it's bar food but they do it pretty well. Bloody Mary bar during weekend brunch time is pretty sweet too.
(3)
Valerie D.
My friends and I went for drinks & lunch and it was very enjoyable. My friends were thrilled about the Bloody Mary bar, while I enjoyed a delicious Mimosa. The waitress was very nice and helpful on several occasions, however took a long time to get us the check. I had the Chicago style hot dog with cole slaw and I really liked it. Delicious hot dog with all the toppings and the cole slaw was made with chopped fresh cabbage, which I love. We shared a bucket of garlic parmesan fries and they were SO good. the drinks were expensive, the food was okay-priced, quite cool selection, and it was a nice-looking place. Will be back!
(5)
Lisa T.
Food is Bland. I'd go to the bar but skip the food. There are tvs everywhere so great for a game, just eat at Jimmy john's before hand.
(3)
Josh S.
This rating is going to be fairly biased seeing as I work in the food industry and we get a fifty percent discount on everything. That bring said before discounts the food is reasonably priced for a Chicago pub as is the liquor. However this place does seem to cater to a very specific clientele of after work suites and the regular cooks killing time after a shift. Nothing against either of these people I am one. Just in my mind an unusual combination in the same bar.
(4)
Jennifer B.
Sometimes, I feel like Timothy O'Toole's is like going into the beer abyss....you descend the stairs, into a smell of beer + cologne...not knowing what to expect... Then you realize it's basically just a city basement bar where you can watch the game, grab a beer, an munch on a burger. This place isn't fancy by any stretch of the imagination. But when it's November, and freezing outside, and the Bears are playing...this basement bar is a nice place to frequent.
(3)
Mandy P.
I love this place. This was my previous neighborhood bar and always the spot I went to for a good meal. The food is good; standard American bar fare, and the place is cozy. It's a good place for a winter happy hour.
(5)
Peter L.
I come here way too much cause it's around the corner. Dinner, quick beer, sports games, hazy nights of drunkenness. If you live more than four blocks away, it isn't worth the effort to come here. It's your typical dark, wood-paneled, TVs and pool tables bar with deals that really aren't that good. Go to D4 and get some quality beer or head to Lucky Strike if you're with your girl and don't want to put up with drunken idiots yelling obscenities and begging the Bacardi Girls for more free shots (me last weekend). In terms of food, it ain't too bad. Usually get wings and a bucket of fries. Nothing to write home about.
(3)
Lisa M.
Best Irish pub in the downtown area. They have pool tables, btw!
(4)
Jessica F.
I love this place! I ate here three times during my trip to Chicago. I have no complaints at all! Their menu offered a wide variety of choices, and the food tasted amazing. Their Chicken Alfredo is my favorite. I'm not a beer drinker, but I was surprised by the huge selection. The service is friendly and welcoming. The atmosphere is great whether you want to have a sit down dinner in the dining room or to catch a game at the bar. I wish I lived closer to Chicago because I would eat here all of the time!
(5)
Steve K.
I wish I could give a better review of TOT's but, alas, I can't. Visited here on a Friday early PM and ordered one of the 'build a burgers" and while it is OK...it was just OK. Nothing great about this burger it's what you would expect anybody to cook. Service was a little slow but I think that was our server because I was watching the tables across the place that the short blonde hair girl was taking care of and she was on constantly watching over her flock. The real bummer was the onion rings which tasted...well...horrible. The only way I can describe the taste was the oil they were cooked in was a week old. No shortage of TV's here if you're going to watch the big game. Just be sure you drink a lot so you can overlook the so-so food.
(3)
Alli B.
VERY much your typical sports bar. It did the job for March Madness but it smelled like puke and the services was pretty weak. Ate the typical nachos and had some typical beer. Nothing over the top about this place.
(1)
Michelle P.
I have been coming here for 6 years & it's the hang out spot for my friends and I. The bartenders are the BEST and when you say "stiff" you get "Stiff." Like the saying goes "You take good care of your bartenders, they will take good care of you." This place is great any day of the week. I usually come to Timmy's on Fri or Sat nights. You will meet locals as well as many out of state individuals whom are just visiting Chicago or are in town for work conventions. Very diverse crowd and friendly at that. Timmy's is a sports bar.. so come there to watch the Sox or Cubs or you favorite sports team. They have many flat screens to watch at every angle. There are 3 pool tables, Golden Tee & 2 touch screens to play various games. I beg to differ on the other comments about the food at Timmy's. Their Steak Sandwiches are delish, Potato Skins are wowza, fries..you can't mess fries up come one now! Make sure to order the "Turkey Swiss O'toole Panini" this is my fav sandwich...it's not on the late night menu so try to get there early! If your looking for that place where you can enjoy a cold brew or a stiff cocktail with friendly wait staff and diverse crowd, munchin on some goodies watching a sport event.. this is a place to go.
(4)
Bex F.
Eh. Nothing exciting. Reminds me of a Division St. bar so not really my cup of tea. The roaches crawling across the bar are not a highlight.
(2)
April S.
I was in town for a week and stumbled onto this spot. What fun! Great atmosphere, friendly staff and patrons. Watched UFC Saturday night, football on Sunday, karaoke was Tuesday night. Just the right size pub/sports bar. Chatted with man locals and had a blast! I recommend stopping by.
(5)
Tim Y.
Great atmosphere, friendly staff, & a burger on pretzel bun rocks!!!
(4)
Mihir P.
My friends and I dropped in here hungry after a First Friday at the MCA. The area was pretty much dead. We walked in here and a huge bouncer was near the host stand. I asked if him if they served food. He then smiled and said that they served each night until 2am. He then grabbed menus and sat us. He looked intimidating at first but was really just a large teddy bear. Our waitress was sweet. I ordered the Irish nachos = fries, cheese, crumbled bacon and scallions. Very tasty but of course could have used more bacon and scallions. My friend ordered a grilled cheese with tomato and fresh basil which was surprisingly good. I normally would give this place 3 stars but I add an extra star because they have Dos Equis by the bottle AND on tap!!!!!!! Woohoo!
(4)
Samantha B.
After this weekend, I have a LOT of love for Timmy O'Toole's. I was attending the DMB Caravan with three friends and O'Toole's ran a bus from the bar to the concert venue all 3 days. A cab would have cost about $30 each way, but the bus was only $15 round trip, and included road pops. They got us to the venue before the gates opened each morning and left promptly after the concert ended each night. The only bad thing was the last night.. the police wouldn't let the bus pick us up where it had the night before, so we had to call the bar to get the new pick up location and walk quite a bit to get there. While the bar could have done a better job of alerting people about the change in location (text, email, have someone wait at the original place to tell people), calling the bar wasn't that big of a deal and we still got home safely and promptly. In terms of the bar itself... the food was pretty good, standard bar fare. We had the nachos, which were just standard nachos, though they could have done with more salsa instead of the small salsa portion on the side. We had the wings and asked for them spicy, and they came in more of a BBQ sauce than a wing sauce, which was weird, but still good. I had gotten wing sauce on the side the night before to go with my fries and would have rathered that than the BBQ style sauce, but that's ok. We also had the burgers... my friend had the original burger and I had the Streeterville. The first halves of both were better than the seconds halves, but that may have had something to do with how hungry we were when we started eating! My only real complaint was that the service was slow all 3 nights... our server wasn't very attentive and it took awhile to place our orders as well as pay the bill. This weekend was my only experience at O'Toole's so not sure what it's like normally, but for the bus service and food, definitely a solid 4 stars.
(4)
Erica R.
This place is decent. Good place to have a drink and watch a game. My biggest complaint is that it seems to mostly be frequented by out-of-town businessmen.
(3)
Danny W.
Remember the Simpson's episode where Bart puts a tape recorder down a well and poses as "Timmy Otoole" , a small boy who broke his leg and fell down a well. Well that episode was based off of a real person who is now grown up. Timmy got out of that well, his leg healed, and he opened a bar in Streeterville. Well, not really but they do have delicious burgers, and my favorite bar made Bloody Mary in the city of Chicago!!!!
(4)
Craig S.
Very cool atmosphere. Food is decent, but the beer and people are much better. This is the place if you want to have a pint and enjoy hanging out.
(4)
Sarah B.
Great specials, decent food and awesome service! I am not in the area often but this place has served it's purpose for me and some friends on a couple of occasions. Last night my visiting girlfriends wanted some bar food near their Michigan Ave hotel. I took them to TOT's. We had drinks bought for us by a gentleman at the bar and our server gave us two huge deserts for free! Score. It pays to be a table of cutie-pie girls. Not my favorite place but it fit the bill for us and that works for me.
(4)
C W.
Score one for the Vegetarians! After my previous review, the owner messaged me to thank me for my review and for pointing out my vegetarian pricing concerns. She then wrote the following, "We've decided to make a Meat Free option available to our customers reducing the price of any appetizer, wrap or salad by $1.50." Thank you Sara!
(4)
Robyn F.
The food here is quite terrible. My friends and i came here for brunch on Sunday because the wait at West Egg next door was too long. Verdict on a number of dishes: -Irish Benedict - This is eggs benedict with corned beef instead of Canadian bacon. I ordered this, and my eggs were fully cooked through. They were the furthest from poached eggs that you could possibly get. -Scrambled eggs with 3 ingredients to mix in - My friend got this, and the scrambled eggs were completely overcooked. -Corned beef hash - My friend could barely take a bite of this before needing to mask the flavor with tobasco sauce. It was so extremely buttery that it would put a French restaurant to shame. - Side of toast - Not very toasty and a bit soggy. -Coffee - very weak and had a weird aftertaste. Overall, no one at the table had a good experience with their food or beverage. Maybe it's a good place for drinks, but eat elsewhere!
(1)
TLynn M.
The food was excellent for the price. However, We had a group of 11 and had pre-arranged with management. They put us in a back room, which was fine, but then before we even ordered they started trivia. It was fun but loud and not ideal for chatting with the rest of our table. The waitress was horrible. She didn't pay much attention to us, didn't offer refills, see if we had everything we needed, or bother to bring the checks when asked or reminded. We might need another visit, it was most likely a isolated mishap! Not sure when I will get back to Chicago, but I would give them another chance!
(3)
Pinaki S.
I'm going to do my first quantitative review: 3 stars to start (since everything is always decent) +1 star for a good happy hour crowd (I never go downtown, but reminds me of DC happy hour) +1 star for DJ with great strip club voice +1 star for accommodating bar staff +1 star for solid bar food (bbq chicken wrap came out in 5 seconds) (So if you're counting at home, that 7 stars right now) -(minus) 5 stars for lack of HD picture with HD tvs. I have no bigger pet peeve in life. Completely honest. Don't buy a f'in thousand dollar tv and watch picture that looks better on a tv from 1980. I guess if you're not watching sports, this is a good (only?) option if you are stuck in Streeterville.
(2)
Derek A.
Came here to prefade and kill time and catch the game. Big Irish pub had a decent happy hour at the time of this visit, and their drink and menu selections was outstanding for the price and portion sizes. The bartender (really wish I remembered his name) was super chill and told us some good places to hang out at night, recommended good drinks and appetizers from the menu, even hooked it up with some drinks he was experimenting with, and overall just had a personality. Highly recommend for some good stuff and to catch the game.
(3)
Lu H.
Solid neighborhood bar - the only place around this area. Not really a true Irish bar, not really a good sports bar, but for what it is, it does just fine. Drinks are relatively cheap and the food is just fine. GF enjoys the hummas plate, I like their wings (although not spicy enough). It can also get crowded here so sometimes a wait for a table is pretty ridiculous, but it's easy to stand around and grab drinks due to size of bar area. In all, we don't have anything negative to say.
(4)
Jerome P.
Wouldn't allow a lady in on her birthday to eat.They claim somebody was to drunk but I think we were to black. Not trying to pull the race card but it is what it is.
(1)
Charles K.
Really nice place with great bar food!! Great location as well. Bartenders very friendly.
(4)
Jessica K.
I want to like this place. I NEED to like this place. I lived down the street from it for month and it seemed so convenient meeting friends here. Nope. Not really. The place is always crowded, filled with the worst kind of drunks and if you want to eat-good luck finding a seat. When you do get a table with a waitress assigned though, they do hustle their asses off for you-I'll give 'em that. There are t.v.'s blasting everywhere, pool tables and a double sided bar with plenty of cheering, boozing patrons. My friends and I always get a plethora of appetizers and Goose Island pints. It's like a warm feeling all around. Or maybe that's the "Asian Red" I get 'cause I can't process alcohol. Either way-this is an OK bar. Parking on the street is a b*tch so cab it 'cause you'll probably be drunk anyhow. That's one thing they do great here-you'll never have an empty glass.
(3)
Lisa H.
Pretty standard large sports bar in a nice area of town. It was not mind-blowingly awesome but I would come back with friends. I was here for a private party last weekend and had a great time. O'Toole's also has a corner private party room which is quiet and holds approx 30 people, and I would recommend it for an informal family event. The food is good for pub fare and service was fast and friendly. Our server was careful to split the bill between all of us (despite the fact that we were all in the same party) so there was no awkwardness over that. The fries were very yummy and crispy, and my veggie burger was surprisingly good (most veggie burgers at pubs suck :) my only complaint is that it could have been crispier on the outside. There was always enough condiments and silverware and napkins in the party room and the server was constantly around us. I also REALLY appreciate that this bar has a decent clean ladies' bathroom with many stalls :) kudos. The feel of the place was a little crowded and loud, but we went there after the Chicago marathon and I wouldn't expect it is like that very often. Give it a try if you're in the area :)
(4)
Doug O.
A great bar with great beer selection. Crowd was lively on a Tuesday night and Karaoke wasn't overly loud so you could still converse with friends.
(4)
Raghav C.
I frequent this neighborhood bar pretty frequently, more often that I would like, but with close proximity to where I live, it is a convenient choice. Prices - like any other bar in downtown Chicago. $7-11 for most entrees, drinks are $4-6. They do hv good specials and they vary by day, month and season. Do check their website for current deals. From what I've tried so far, which has been a wide selection, I can say the food is above average. Fries are decent, I've had better but I won't complain. Wraps and burgers are good, nothing to rave about, but will fill you up without you complaining. I tried their Margaritas on special one day ($5 for a huge one) which I enjoyed a lot. They did run out of margarita glasses for my 2nd order and I was served in a regular pint glass which was disappointing. They have 3-4, maybe 5 menus: daily specials, monthly specials, seasonal specials, drinks, and food. Spend some time going through them so u get your money's worth. There is something about the ambiance in here that I don't like. It appears to be a mix of a Irish Pub and Sports Bar but I wouldn't call it either. There is something dreary about the place I wish they would change.
(3)
Shelden E.
The only reason why I say this place is ok is because its location. There aren't many other bars in that area, and those that are can be pricey. There used to be a place called O'Neils which was a nice small bar and had great burgers, but that's gone now. :( This place is immediately a wannabe Irish Pub. They could probably do a little bit more to exaggerate that, but not really. They've got their waitresses wearing plaid, school girl skirts, in the middle of winter. I mean its indoors, but still, come on. I did not have the food, just beers, and I guess for a bar that should be in Wrigleyville their choices were actually good. I ended up getting two hacker pschors, $8 a liter glass. That's kind of pricey since I'm used to getting one for $6, but then again I'm downtown. It would be nice if the put the price of drinks on the menu. Again, the only reason why I bothered going there is because there wasn't much else around. Why did O'Neils get torn down? Anyway, next time I'll walk a bit further to Rock Bottom.
(3)
Tina D.
Standard Irish Pub, but please please avoid on St Patricks Day!! (totally my fault) What a line! We had some delicious Irish Car Bombs at a decent price, but didn't stick around very long to get lost in the crowd.
(3)
A R.
This place was steps away from our hotel so we came here quite often during our stay. Drink prices are good and on Saturday's and Sunday's, they have an all-you-can-drink Champagne ($16) and Bloody Mary ($20) Brunch (food is not included). The food is good, however, I ordered a Chicago-style hot dog from a vendor on the street across from Soldier Field and it was a lot better than the one they serve. The food portions are also pretty big. My friend and I were able to split the buffalo chicken wrap and still had some left over. If you like watching sports, this is the place to go!
(4)
Melissa B.
One of my favorite pubs in Chicago. I have been there a few times, I am always a fan of their craft beer list (had a three floyds arctic panzer wolf and a dechutes ipa). Service is friendly and knowledgeable, and the pulled pork nachos were good, solid bar food. Highly recommended for a happy hour stop while shopping Michigan Ave!
(4)
Food Junkie S.
Really chill place to hang out. Lots of beer and tv's. They also have darts and Golden Tee, which makes anything that much more entertaining when drinking. The food is good as well.
(4)
Charlotte T.
Don't be put off by the always confused/overwhelmed hostess or the underground location. This neighborhood sports bar has reasonable drink prices and AMAZING food! The crowd is a fun mix of tourists, northwestern students, and people from northwestern hospital. The atmosphere is always lively and warm. I always leave there feeling cozy, full and a little buzzed.
(5)
Greg D.
Can't really suggest this for nightlife. A few locals suggested it for walk in foot traffic when we found Hard Rock Cafe closed but it was packed out shoulder to shoulder in here. So obviously it's popular. I've since accidentally called it Bennigan's. Food was like Bennigan's. We ran into some very intoxicated people and I didn't really appreciate when some dude yelled while pointing at my wife "She looks like a f*cking eskimo!" You know, it was funny, and she did. It was a snowy night and her fur jacket hood did make her look exactly like an eskimo and we knew it, but that guy was just a little too friendly... :)
(2)
Rebecca F.
These guys know their beer. I highly recommend the Dragon's Milk if you like really full bodied stout. It's a very fine meal in a glass.
(5)
Kelly O.
I was absolutely appalled at my visit to this restaurant. My colleague and I were attending an event at the (lovely) Doubletree hotel across the street. We arrived at TOT and were seated, placed our order from the extensive menu and waited. I had ordered a Buffalo Chicken Salad- a favorite "cheat meal" of mine, since I tend to be one of those boring dieter types. I've had a Buffalo Chicken salad at myriad restaurants ~ as well as Buffalo Chicken wraps~ and always loved it. When the salad arrived, one taste told me I just didn't like this at ALL. It tasted more like sweet and sour chicken or barbecue, not at all like anything I had tried called "Buffalo Chicken". I did what I would do in any restaurant- asked my waitress politely if I could have something else. She said "Oh, I'll have to ask my manager. Hold on." I thought, ARE YOU KIDDING ME? She has to ASK if I am allowed to have something else? (Customer is always right apparently doesn't fly here) So this manager comes to the table with an attitude bigger than Texas and asks me to defend, er, explain myself. I say again, I don't like this. It doesn't taste right to me. He then sighs loudly and explains that "What you are tasting that is different here is the molasses in our sauce." I wanted to say, "I don't care if I am tasting GOLD, it doesn't TASTE GOOD and I'd like something else!" He told me that it was "not their fault I didn't like it." He FINALLY gave in and said "What do you want instead?" I said a cheeseburger. He sighed, took my plate with major attitude and then we waited for my burger to appear. In the mean time, my colleague had asked the waitress at the same time that I asked for a new entree- for some pickles for her entree. She never received them after asking AGAIN. The food WAS good. The check came, and as I KNEW I would see- they had not removed the salad from my bill and were charging me for both items. I asked the waitress and she said she'd "have to ask" if the manager would take the item off. FINALLY after watching the 2 of them deliberate for what seemed hours, I had an adjusted bill. What a horrid experience. We walked across the street to the Doubletree Hotel and were warmly welcomed, served immediately and with graciousness. Kind of what most SERVICE INDUSTRY locations try to focus on. Yea.
(1)
Cory C.
I love to start a night out of drinking at this place. They have a great beer selection and it's nice to have a place where you can talk and chill for a bit before you go make yourself def at the clubs. The food is also worth a try!
(5)
Amanda Z.
Decent-sized menu, lots of specials...nothing out of the ordinary here. Tons of TVs, if you're into some sports game...friendly service. Although I will say this: sometimes you should just not order a salad. Ugh, cold, pre-cooked chicken in a salad makes me want to wretch. My date liked his buffalo chicken wrap and I stole more than a few of his fries. Face it, there are places you can get away with ordering a salad and there are places you can't. Timothy O'Toole's is not one of those places. Skip the lettuce and go for for the fries. They taste better anyhow, you know that. Nothing super-special, but when you're in the 'hood, you're hungry, and you feel like ducking away from the touristy traps on Mich Ave, not a bad place to grab a bite. Or a few beers, if you're thirsty. And as anyone who knows me can attest, I am thirsty quite often.
(3)
B K.
The place is big, but still gets packed for happy hour (mostly by us NU people) ... don't say you weren't forewarned. They have tons of TVs and no matter which sport, you can count on watching any and every game that your heart desires. Food is decent. I'd even go as far as to say that certain things on the menu are actually good. Of course, bear in mind that this is still primarily a bar, not a restaurant. The staff is wonderful, too. They remember us even if it's been a little while since our last visit and make us feel like 'regulars.' Which is pretty cool in my opinion, and rare for a bar in Streeterville. Most importantly, Northwestern staff and students get $2 Miller Lite, Miller High Life, and Coors Light draft beer ... so to everybody else complaining about the Northwestern crowd, that's the main reason we all come here. Second reason, beer is only 3 blocks away from our labs, offices, hospital and lecture halls. So to summarize ... $2 beer + 3 blocks = love
(4)
Julian R.
It's really more like a three and a half. Front of house people are pretty cold and rude. I was there on a Friday, so it was pretty loud, but not so bad that I couldn't hear my friend talking. When I asked the waitress to switch to the Orioles game the TV nearest my table she did so quickly and with no issues. Our waitress checked up on us throughout the night, and after being sort of shunned by the people working at the front of the place, I was surprised at how friendly the waitresses were. In terms of food and drink, the beer is a little pricey, but they have some good daily specials which are worth looking into. The food is well priced for the quantity which sort of makes up for the average quality, especially if you are someone who likes to stuff your face after drinking. Overall, I would say don't be put off by the cold shoulder you get when you first come in. The TV's will have any game, NBA, NFL, MLB, that you are looking for, although you could probably find sports bars with larger TV's and more space, O'Toole's felt a little cramped at times, I think it would have even without the Friday crowd. Only 3 stars because sitting at home with a beer and food on your couch is cheaper and probably a better way to watch a game if you really want to pay attention to the action. It does seems as though they haven't fully committed to the sports aspect of a sports bar. However, if you want to head out and go to a place located right around the nicest part of Chicago, this is a good bet.
(3)
Sheri O.
The group of friends I was visiting to Chicago with managed to land here one night. We had a blast! Its a cool enviroment, and the drinks are cheap!! The human size Jenga was fun too!! We would go back here and hang again if we every make our way back to Chicago.
(4)
Kim B.
O'Toole's is still a 2-star spot. I went with some colleagues tonight and the food was actually pretty awful. My friend is a bit of a french fry connoisseur and her fries were disgusting. The texture was off and the oil they used must have been old - there was a really nasty aftertaste. Let's just be honest, fries are hard to ruin! As far as my food went, my broccoli was cold. Overall things were just lacking; lacking enough that I felt it necessary to write an update. Too bad - so much potential for the location!
(2)
Bobby S.
For an Atlanta GA boy, it's Taco Mac in Chicago. Literally, down to the nachos on the menu and the excellent beer selection. They had Dogfish Head 90 minute on tap, so I couldn't be happier. The burger was above average (with your selection of toppings -- I ordered and got a perfect medium well with onion straws, american cheese, lettuce and bacon), and the service was friendly. A solid 3.5 stars, but I'm down rating to 3 because I specifically asked for mustard packets in my to go order the next day and didn't get them.
(3)
Molly C.
I love coming here because it is such a great neighborhood bar and it's incredibly convenient. There are always plenty of TVs to watch your favorite team play. The food isn't too bad for bar food either.
(4)
Shy A.
Danny W said it was the best Bloody Mary in the city.....I had to check it out myself...He wasn't lying! Irish nachos...spicey wings and Irish eggrolls....all were pretty tasty but totally greasy that I felt horribly guilty after eating them. Great location, Cheers type place that's perfect for a pitcher of beer and a game.
(3)
Thom L.
You may come for a game or beer but you'll come back for the food and service. I love this place, great food, perfect staff and enough TV's to watch any game, and lets not forget about their drink menu. Perfect local pub.
(5)
Brian C.
Came in from seattle for work and stopped by for food and drinks. Over all service was good and food wasn't bad. The atmosphere is really crazy overcrowded and very loud. For a wen at 7 it was a bit much but overall good.
(4)
Jen B.
The waitress sonna is great! Very personable but this bar is the strangest mix of people I have ever been in
(3)
Stef C.
So if there is pulled pork on the menu I will get it. Well point being that's what I ordered. It was okay not the best I've had.
(3)
Theresa H.
They have an inspired selection of beers and spirits but I found the bar staff to be fairly uneducated about them. Overall the place is cool. It's a noisy sports bar with an eclectic crowd. The service was fine other than the lack of knowledge. I'd go back again if I was in the area.
(3)
Chris M.
Have enjoyed holding events here a few times now and it's always gone well. Danny, the events manager, was great to work with and very accommodating to requests and is willing to work with you! The food is very good. I look forward to the next event held here as it's always a great experience! Thanks!
(5)
Michele N.
If you're looking for an authentic pub with great food and drink, make your way downstairs to the basement bar, Timothy O'Toole's. It is conveniently located just across the street from the Doubletree Hotel on Ohio (just off of the Magnificent Mile). Great nachos and wings; in fact all the bar food looked great as it passed by. They have a nice selection of beers and great happy hour specials. Stop by to catch a game, meet friends for an after work drink, or a night cap!
(3)
Matt G.
Its Toole time!! On our trip to Chicago we were there for 3 days but stopped in to Timmy's 6 different times! The proximity to our hotel might have had something to do with that as it was literally right outside our door. It was open till 4 on the weekends which was great for us. I would recommend doing the Bloody Mary and Mimosa bar on the weekends! Prices are about what you expect in Chicago but they have some good late night specials. Thanks Timmy's for making our trip that much better!
(5)
Kyle D.
Overall: A quality bar experience. Don't come expecting to be wined and dined (though they have both). A great pub in the heart of Chicago. The good: Great beer list, plenty of great drafts and bottles. The food menu is rather extensive. The atmosphere is unique and homey and plenty of TVs to go around. Service was fast and friendly and the food came quick. Good prices The bad: The food was just decent, average bar food quality. Atmosphere: 8/10 Service: 8/10 Food: 6/10
(4)
John S.
Terrible service and horrible food. We ordered 2 bowls of soup and the server said he didn't have enough for 2 bowls but that we could order 2 cups and he would have enough for us. He brings it to the table and each cup is 1/3 full. Unreal. Ok place to watch a football game but get your food elsewhere.
(2)
Candace T.
I really like the southwestern burger with avacado (annoyingly, they charge a dollar extra for the avacado and also for substitutions). It's pretty filling and your tab will only be around $12 total, fries included. We go with our work crowd very often, and there are always options for both the meat-eaters and vegetarians among us. Wheelchair Accessibility Review: This place IS accessible, you just have to use the service elevator. You'll need to let someone in the restaurant know that you need the elevator, and then you can meet them at it by going up the ramp right beside Chipotle and taking the first hallway on your right. It really can be quite the ordeal because the elevator can be in use by other floors, and they seem quite inept at recalling it quickly, despite their best efforts. So, it is accessible, but you really have to want it!
(3)
Kathy K.
This place was across the street from me for 5 years. I went there many times. The wings here are awesome....BUT....every other item on the menu is pretty bad. The bar itself is good but is too touristy to be a neighborhood bar. I would skip this place in the summer since it's in a basement and maybe save it for a place to go for a drink in the winter.
(2)
Brad C.
At work we have ordered lunch from here a few times but the other day was the first time I had eaten inside. Every time we ordered it was good and it was just as tasty eating there. Sure the food isn't amazing but it is decent bar eats. Next time I am here I might have to play a game of pool. I think my favorite part about O'Tooles is there logo, its amazing!
(3)
Tom S.
Nothing special Timothy O'Toole's is nothing special. A typical huge sports bar, the kind you'd find in any college town. Plenty of offerings on the drink menu and the ubiquitous sports bar food. It's a fair option if you're nearby for some after-work drinks, but I would avoid it on the weekends when it is fully of tourists sent their by hotel concierges. I just hope they are having a good time and don't judge Chicago too harshly on this mediocre venue.
(2)
Chris C.
beer selection was good. lots of local taps. thought it was interesting that they had a more elaborate set-up for pouring Stella than for Guiness. Odd for an irish spot i thought. The burgers are 'meh'. Too many other great places in the neighborhood to get a burger to waste stomach space on this place. In the evening it turns into a drunken party spot.
(2)
Palak K.
Finding myself in bind for a potluck, I picked up some goat cheese quesadillas from here. Good stuff! Better than average bar food and convenient for dining in while catching a game or getting something to go. Great portions too, and as always, bonus points for sweet potato fries.
(4)
Yaw N.
Great place to watch a game. They have a ton of TV's and are really accommodating to changing one of them to your game. Their burgers are good and I would recommend them over everything else on the menu. Please stay away from their wings--they are awful and covered in BBQ sauce NOT franks hot sauce like they should be. Overall, I would recommend Timmy's for anyone looking for a burger and beer for a game.
(3)
Craig S.
You could change the sign outside the bar to "Bennigans" and you wouldn't know the difference inside.
(2)
Stephany M.
Decent Sports Bar Loads of televisions. I went to see the fight this past weekend place got crowded service was cool, beer selection is dope and they even have good wine I recommend the Gooseneck ales and the Diseno Malbec
(3)
Ra R.
Love this spot! sports perfection
(5)
Stef B.
I stopped by here for the first time over the weekend. I had an expiring gift certificate and figured we'd try their Mimosa Bar. We got there around 1/1:30pm for brunch and sadly found out that they don't replace their mimosa bar items once they are used up. We were stuck with 3 juices rather than an entire bar to choose from. I was bummed. The service, the quality of the food and the cleanliness of the restaurant made up for it though. We are planning an outting back very soon - and it'll be earlier this time so we can see the REAL mimosa bar.
(4)
Anna T.
Last night, I was at O' Tooles for a holiday work party. Side Note: I was the DD, so my review is not influenced by a liquor haze that usually accompanies holiday work parties. O' Toole's was an good place to host our company party. We had a moderate spread of food with a private bar. The private room is in the basement. It is a nice room with a bar, pool table and seating area great for mingling. Roughly around 40 people attended the party. Obviously I didnt paid for the party so I can only comment on the service and the food. The service made it easy to relax and enjoy the evening. They were every attentive to clearly and getting more food out if needed. The food was above what I expected, but not overly impressive. But Hey! it is a bar not a 5 star catering company. All in all the party was fun. Thank you O' Tooles Staff.
(4)
Brian K.
It's hard to go wrong here as it combines the following elements: Drinks: Decent selection of beer on tap, nice drink specials, decent selection of alcohol brands (please add ginger beer so you can make Moscow Mule), reasonably priced Food: Definitely pub grub but varied enough that's it's not to the usual. Being a vegetarian, they had several options. My Korean veggie burger was decent but needed more spice. Sports: Tons of TVs. They changed one so I could watch the Giants lose to the Cubs. Service: My server was very attentive (filled water without having to bug her, good pacing of service, etc.). Only downside is bathroom was flooded and seem to recall similar issue when I was there for drinks a few months ago. Also, it could use more single ladies but heck what bar couldn't. Short walk from the W Hotel if staying there and 20% discount so added bonus.
(4)
Meghan N.
I live in the Streeterville area and normally love to stop into O'Tooles for dinner and/or drinks! Love their wraps and have always been very satisfied with their food. Service is mediocre, not great. But, the last 2 times I have been there, I have been disgusted. They are having a terrible gnat problem. Whether you are eating or drinking there, no one wants to be shooing flies away from their food. I noticed everyone around me was annoyed too. Please get this problem fixed because I would love to be back but until then, I will find somewhere else!
(1)
Jeanette C.
Great for a late night bite and a Lakers win. Woohoo!
(3)
Justin M.
I would never go out of my way to come here, but my experiences at Timothy O'Tooles have been good. Always a friendly face behind the bar, and the waitresses have been nothing but cool. I have never had the food here, only drinks and a few bad attempts at playing pool. I suck!! Also, celebrity sighting: Mark Malone, CBS sportscaster. He was knocking down drinks at 7PM on a Friday like there was no tomorrow!! It's funny when you see these people in the real world as opposed to the television. It's all smiles and make-up during the day, but after-hours....they hate their jobs just as much as we do. Viva Streeterville!!
(3)
Aaron E.
Good place to watch a game. Mother Hubbards had more screens but there were enough here. Food looks pretty good but haven't had the little Timmy yet. I started out at dikas ( mike ditka that is) but terrible place to watch a game. That's a shame in my opinion if you have Ditka in the name here in Chicago. Anyway if you want a lively atmosphere and want to watch s game I recommend Timothy O'Toole's in downtown Chicago.
(4)
Kelly A.
"Timmy O'Toole's sucked cock." - my boyfriend as I opened this page to write the review. Really, this place seems like a tourist trap. Especially since it was recommended by the concierge of the W hotel , where my dad was staying, as having 'the best burgers in Chicago'. Funny how it was also conveniently located a few blocks away! Our waiter seemed more than a little clueless and new, which is forgiveable in itself, but then made excuses such as "We just had someone quit so I'm having to cover extra tables" when the crowd was pretty thin. After seeing they had a Goose Island root beer float, I asked if they had Goose Island root beer, pointing to the dessert on the menu (named something like Goose Island Root Beer Float). The waiter had to run to the bar to check and said 'yeah we have it in cans (?)', so I ordered one. After similar runs to the bar when asked about beers for the other people I was with, our drink order was finally placed. 20 mins later... we got our drinks. Jones root beers... forgiveable, whatever, new kid, confused. We then alerted him we were kind of in a hurry and ready to order (which we had been soon after placing our drink orders, actually), and he promised to rush the order. 45 minutes later... our two wraps, sandwich (turkey tomato pesto panini - without tomatoes? I thought we were over the tomato crisis) , and chicken skewers arrived. Food was meh. We then had to wait even longer to get the bill... yeah, thanks for the rush. Would not go back for food.
(2)
Vivian Y.
I had my wedding across the street at the Doubletree over the weekend and I know my wedding crowd spilled over here after the open bar ended. I heard good things about it so I went over there with some of my friends that were still out of town as they were still at the DoubleTree. Long review short, I liked this place. Sure, it's situated in a basement and all, but it has an old pub feel to it. Looks are deceiving, the place is HUGE (I thought it was a tiny pub from the outside). There are pool tables and lots of highboys to sit in and tons of TVs. I imagine coming here to watch sports is great! My friend ordered a hefeweizen in a stein. it was a HUGE one litre stein and you can take it home too!!! THe only thing cooler than that is if they sold the boot mug as shown in the movie Beer Fest! Anyway, for $14, it is a steal! I want to go back and build a stein collection! Food - we only ate the spinach and artichoke dip - but it was very good. There were nice large chunks of artichoke in it and the chips were served nice and warm. I recommend this place to duck out of the rain (which we did) and to get a nice warm meal and a giant pint or stein of beer. Service was excellent, our waitress was so informative and always took initiative to suggest something when we weren't sure what we wanted (she was beautiful and pregnant! - I don't know her name so I'm giving her props and hoping she is the only preggo waitress there!)
(4)
Jason M.
Great place to watch sports games of all kinds at all hours. Food was good and the drinks were cold. Great place for a HH or just to hang out. Next time I'm in Chicago, will definitely swing by this place again.
(4)
Taylor G.
Yesterday found me at Timothy O'Toole's for a second time - purely out of convenience. My last excursion was largely a drinking affair, but I still had a chance to sample the food. Being mildly drunk last night, I ordered one of my favorite "sandwiches", Buffalo Chicken Wrap. It had been some time since I was here to order it, but seeing plates of the same item whizzing by yesterday confirmed my feelings that the portion was a bit small on this. And it's not just the chicken that lacks, but everything in general. The wrap is small and uninspiring. Speaking of uninspiring, we can also use that word for the Turkey Club. Sure, it's a basic sandwich and there's not a whole lot you can do with it, but you can at least make it taste good. Actually, most of the ingredients were very nice - especially the thick bacon; but there was a single element that absolutely ruined this meal for me: THE TURKEY! Realizing that restaurants get quite a bit of prepared food from distributors, I wasn't expecting freshly-sliced top-o-the-line turkey breast, but the stuff on the Turkey Club was just TERRIBLE. Subway pre-sliced deli meats have an upper hand on the turkey at Timmy O'Toole's. It tasted exactly like it was pre-packaged meat you'd buy near the hot dogs from your local grocer... slimy and gross. There was however, one saving grace that made the meal slightly bearable: the fries. There aren't spectacular, but hey - it's hard to screw that up. This feeling of uninspired food was shared throughout the group, and combined with my personal two experiences, I'm inclined to believe this is the norm rather than exception. If you're in the neighborhood, it's not a bad place to have a drink, but make sure you down several before trying the food.
(2)
Luke S.
Ah Timmy I used to love hanging out with you after dealing with the stresses of CBS. This place can be lots of fun! The food is ok, but the service is always quality. It feels almost like Vegas, because you have no idea what time of day it is while you're down there.
(4)
AC O.
Food was ok. Had some wings, the overrated chicago hotdog, and fish and chips. Just ok.
(3)
Austin P.
This place is awesome! I was in Chicago last week on business and I was DYING to watch the Giants/Dodgers game after a long day of sales calls. Found this place on Yelp and it happened to be around the corner from my hotel. The bartender was super nice and made great drinks. He recommended that I try the award winning chicken wings and I was not disappointed. He turned on one of the bazillion TV's to the Giants game and we won! BEAT LA!!!
(4)
Justin B.
This is pretty much my go to bar when I am downtown. It helps that they are pretty much right next to where I work. They have a great menu both for food and drinks, and the service has always been attentive and accurate. The food comes out very fast after you order.
(4)
Becca S.
I've never had a bad time here! I used to work blocks away and I'd go often for happy hour. The drinks are good, the food is good, the service is good, the pool tables are good, and there is always sports on the televisions. That doesn't actually appeal to me, but I hear that is in fact a benefit of a sports bar. This is the one place I went marathon weekend that seemed prepared for the crowds. Even though we took the last empty table and the bar was standing room only, we got prompt service and our server came by often to refill our drinks. It's not the finest food in Chicago, but it delivers what it promises.
(5)
Vera B.
I ate here last night (Monday) for the first time, and had fish and chips. The food was over cooked and very greasy. The steak fries looked like that dirty deep brown color like they were over cooked or old. Though the fish was very flaky it was soaked with grease, (very disgusting). It took for ever to get service I only got soda one, no water. The meal did not come with come with coleslaw, which I found odd because I had fish and chips in the past and it always came with coleslaw. I was offer it and when I got my bill the slaw was 2.99 for a serving spoon size, I thought it was going to be free since it was offered. I ordered the apple cobbler to go, very low on flavor. And I had a absolute drink special of a screwdriver. This was very watered down. In total I paid about $30.00 not including tip. I was very disappointed in everything. I called myself treating myself, (since I rarely eat out) and boy did I wast my time and money here. If I could give it zero stars I would, this experience was ridiculous, and very over priced. I can not recommend Timothy O'Toole' Pub
(1)
Carri A.
I work right around the corner from this pub and a couple of times my coworkers and I have organized to meet and have food and drinks here after shutting down the office. It's fairly large, quite loud, moderately priced, and the staff is... adequate. I would not go out of my way to visit this place typically, but since it's so convenient for me and my coworkers, it's hard to resist for a quick drink and bite to eat. And maybe watch whatever sports game is playing while we're there. If you're feeling like a bad ass, try downing one of their Holy Water drinks. You cant fit any more alcohol into a single glass. And don't say that I didn't warn you!
(3)
Dan G.
I was in town on business and wanted to get a decent meal while being able to watch the Hawks game (and other games) on TV. Timothy O'Tooles fit the bill. Good location to my hotel (Sharaton Four Points), good beer selection, lots of TVs for watch various games, and a good wrap sandwhich for dinner. I ate at the bar and service was friendly and quick. I will return.
(4)
A-train R.
Just went to Timmy's a couple weeks ago. Again very good burgers and this time I had one of the their wraps my girl likes. I loved it too. Been good every time and this time we had their quesadillas as an appetizer. My girl has changed her mid on the best quesadillas in chicago the past 3 restaurants we've been too and now.... the winner is Timmy's. ha. Yes, i thought they were very good too and once again never disappointed at Timothy O'tooles, I haven't found anything wrong with this place. Upgrading this place to a 4 star joint!
(4)
jay d.
Awful veggie burger. Food was below average. Kitchen brought wrong food out to us. This place is very touristy and the vibe is not cool at all. We won't be back.
(1)
MELEK L.
So what? You're not gonna get an gourmet food here. Who needs that everyday anyway?! If you are looking for a great local sports bar in the downtown area, forget about the touristy ESPN Zone, and go to TIMOTHY O'TOOLE'S!! They have great flat screen tvs, bartenders, menu items, regulars, pool tables, security, private rooms, and on and on. Order the sizzling fajitas to make a statement at your table. They are loud and tasty. I enjoy the Mediterranean salad, the tortilla soup, potato skins, chicken fingers, and the artichoke dip. Yes, I have tried them all and YES, I used to be a regular here! The best tip I can give you for this place is: Try the CHICKEN WINGS!!! They come in 6 different flavors and they are out of this world. Enjoy!
(4)
Jonathan A.
An old standby if I want to grab some bar food for lunch. Not the best bar food, but it gets the job done. And they deliver. Not a bad place to grab a drink and watch a game. It hasn't been too crowded any time I've been here. Pool tabless, dart boards, plenty of tvs. It's a sports bar, so go in with those expectations. I wouldn't recommend the private party room for events. It's pretty boring and small and you'd have more fun out in the bar.
(3)
Kim C.
New discoveries: WINGS! The traditional and soy-garlic varieties are both DELICIOUS! Apparently they won first place at some wings fest recently. Also, if you wanna get seriously effed up, get a pitcher of Holy Water. For $20, you and probably 2 other friends can get pretty decently tipsy. Not sure what's in it (I saw the bartender pour in some neon pink pre-mixed concoction and then probably 7 different kinds of alcohol), but it's some potent stuff...
(5)
Andrew R.
Was here back in february, amazing service and food. Was my first time in chicago and I highly recommend it.
(5)
Mary W.
I must say this place was amazingly great for entertainment & drinking! I have yet to try the food & is definitely looking forward to it in the future but I went on a Wednesday & attended a comedy night in the backroom where they have comedians from Chicago stand up & do a show. I went looking for great laughs & got exactly what I was looking for. Not one of the comedians disappointed! Every single one of them were very talented. Once we left, we couldn't stop talking about how much fun we had. I seriously recommend this to anyone who's looking to blow off some steam with a couple of friends or even a date, relax, drink a couple of beers & enjoy this show. Funny entertainment here! I will definitely be going back very soon.
(5)
Robyn P.
The doorman at my brother's hotel recommended West Egg, which is right next door to this place. when we got there, the line extended outside the cafe, so we settled on O'Toole's. what a waste of $40. It would have been more satisfying to set two 20's on fire. The service was horrible, and the food was pretty gross. We sat around for at least 10 minutes without being given menus or served a glass of water. Strangely, the waitresses had helpers who carried the food around on trays. One waitress had a helper who kept barking orders at her: "Serve this one first ... what are you doing? ... that's not how to do it ..." -- basically humiliating her in front of the customers. Nice. When we finally got our order, the corned beef was obviously canned (it resembled dog food studded with diced potatoes), the sausage links were Jimmy Deanesque, the eggs were rubbery and bland, and the toast was cold and unbuttered. The only thing I finished was my bloody mary. and even that pretty much sucked.
(1)
Jedd J.
Timothy O'Tooles Pub is a low-end sports bar featuring TONS of TVs, but almost all of them have terrible picture. The audio from the Bear game was blasted throughout - even in separate rooms with different games. Also they started with all TVs in each room on the same game. um...what's the point? If you call yourself a sports bar, get the TV & Audio right. Also the food was terrible. O'Tooles gets 2 stars instead of 1 because the server was really good.
(2)
Chris B.
I've been here a few times, usually go on Sunday's for the all you can drink Bloody Mary's! The best deal in town for $20 you can drink all the B.M's you can! It's from 10-2 and they have a self service station with all the fixings. The food is quite good too however after drinking 5 bloody marys there is not too much room for food. This place packs the people in so make sure you arrive early! Great for all the games, there are flat screens all over the place.
(4)
R P.
I kinda like this place...or rather I want to. But the service is just SO bad! We waited at our seats at the bar for a good 10 minutes before we were noticed, and there were 5 of us, hard to miss. We had to ask to get menus, and were afraid if we didn't order right away the bartender would never come back...and that's precisely what happened. After our food was delivered he never checked in at all until we stood up and worked to get his attention to pay the bill. We would have ordered another round, but it wasn't worth the time. I don't know if they were unexpectedly busy, or if they like to be woefully understaffed, but the friends I was with said the service is always terrible. The bartenders are so busy filling drink orders for the wait staff, they can't serve the bar customers. And WHERE do their tips come from? Right! Not from me.
(2)
Elnora D.
I have been to Tim's recently and the environment and menu has changed a bit. Me and my Co-workers spent most of our time there playing pool and drinking. Still a wonderful bar to go drink and have amazing wings. The prices are reasonable for what you get and watching sports events are awesome. It does get crowded if you go there on the weekend so beware, but try it out!
(4)
Holly T.
I have been to Chicago 5 times and I go to O'Tooles every time and don't think about going anywhere else! They have the best bar food, great drinks, and the staff is so fun! You have to try the Holy Water...amazing! I WILL be back!
(5)
A L.
They have Duvel beer. Yay! $8 isn't a bad price either. Now, if only they'd have Smithwick's (pronounced Smi-thicks) on draft and I would be in heaven. Decent bar, decent food, good to students. What more can one really ask for?
(4)
Daniel K.
The first thing I noticed as soon as I walked into Timothy O' Toole's is that it has more of a sports bar feel rather than an Irish Pub. I really didn't mind this one bit because I was there to watch the UFC events they show for free there. So I went up to the bar and asked for a menu so I could find some thing that would keep my tastebuds preoccupied throughout the matches. That's when I noticed the Big Timmy Challenge. I read the description... Two half pound patties Four different types of cheese Bacon All the fixers (lettuce, tomatoes, onions) BBQ Sauce And whopping sides of Onion Rings, and French Fries The challenge costs $20, but there was no time limit and if you ate it all, you won a free Timothy O' Toole's T-shirt which usually costs $15. So pretty much I reasoned myself to believe it was like buying a huge meal for $5 and buying myself a souvenir t-shirt. Plus it would have been a lot cheaper than my other alternative of a few shots and a couple of beers (hey I'm on a guy that's on a budget). So I ordered the burger right before the UFC event started. The food came out really quick as the first fight was just about to start and it's first round. Now each round is five minutes long and has a 30 to 45 second break between each round. By the time the third round bell rang, I was finished. The dish was demolished and gone... The burger was just a good, but nothing to really be going head over heels about. It was done exactly the way I wanted (medium rare). Yet the meat itself was lacking a bit of flavor. The bbq sauce and condiments along with the cheeses helped to make up for that. Plus I was very happy they didn't overseason or put anything extra on the burger because I like to enjoy just the natural flavors of the beef itself. However like I said before, there wasn't really anything too much there for the beefs natural flavor. The onion rings were decent, and the french fries were actually better than usual here. The bartenders were great though as you could joke and talk with them about the fights. And just a bunch of guys screaming and getting worked up about fight matches without themselves getting into fights, well that's just really good to see and be a part of. All in all, from my experience so far I'd say Timothy O' Toole's, food-wise, you get what you can expect from a bar which is good food but nothing that pops out at you and say WOW. Go on a UFC ppv event night; it's free to get in and a good time around the bar.
(3)
Charles L.
This bar does have something of an identity crisis. It's an underground bar, so make sure you're down for that before you go ... also, the prices are at a sort of mid-level range that isn't all sports bar, all the time. All that being said, the prices aren't too high; and there are plenty of TV's for whatever your sporting fancy. Also, this is THE bar for the downtown Northwestern crowd; if you're looking to meet some (super fun) law students, or some med/business students, this is one of the two places to look.
(3)
Agnes F.
the location really helps this place food is average, beer selection is ok but the service is really not up to par you don't see your server often and when you do, you have to remind them several times what you are ordering if you are in the neighborhood, i guess you don't really have a choice...
(2)
Elena M.
Great establishment for watching the big game - or all GAMES! With over 40 TV's in action, you never have to fear you're missing out on your favorite team. Beer selection is pretty solid, always been pleased with the food, priced reasonably, staff is open/friendly, atmosphere is cozy! I used to consider this place kinda dirty...but that was back when smoking was allowed. Since the no-smoking regulation, this bar is back on my top list - as sports bars are concerned. Also, rather than blasting music, the bar will air audio of the featured game. Which is a big deal when watching at a bar. Who wants to hear "Livin' on a Prayer" while Devon Hestor's returning a kick for a TD??? It's a local/after work crowd during the week, but can get touristy on the weekends. TO's always full of sports fans, and does not favor any team in particular.
(3)
Nikki P.
My bf and i stopped in for a quick late lunch as it was the only place we could see from our hotel room that was nicccceeee and close (Doubletree Magnificent Mile). You walk in and immediately head downstairs. The ambiance is your classic laid back pub/tavern. It was bigger than i thought it was going to be. Good food, good service, LOTS of TV's which we loved, good cold beer. We would def recommend this place and will likely return if we are in that area again.
(4)
K R.
great place for a drink or two after work or to hang out with friends, you need to try the pina coladas, and their saucy fingers basket my fav !.. also they have oversize jinga and a dart target love it !
(4)
Claudia v.
Fun place on a saturday morning. $20 bottomless bloody marys, can't beat that! great burgers, good prices. I'll be back
(5)
Emily P.
***Update 5/30/10 This bar is slacking on getting HD on all of their TVs.. if you're gonna call yourself a sports bar then at least give your customers a clear screen from all angles!! just saying. Definately my go-to bar for watching sports. Food is good (pub food), prices are decent. Although, it is a "basement bar", so after being there a few hours, you can lose track of time and crave the natural light. Bears games are fun to watch because they raffle off t-shirts and jerseys. My friend won a Hillenmeyer jersey at the expense of a bucket of miller lites. Not too shabby! They also offer bus services to and from soldier field for the games for $5. One more detail to note, this bar delivers! Granted, I live around the corner from here, but when I don't feel like leaving my apartment to grab a burger or some spicy buffalo wings... they deliver right to my door! It's a beautiful thing.
(3)
B. S.
late night bar, average food. its a bar.......thats what you should expect.
(3)
Amy H.
Two words: Hell. Hole.
(1)
liz d.
The service here at Timmy's has gotten better over the last year. Being a busy place for after work drinks, AKA Happy Hours, it can get a tad bit busy. The staff really steps it up and keeps those drinks flowing. Daily special are listed at the table for the wallet watching drinkers. Add the occasional food specials and you have yourself a pretty inexpensive night. My favorite drink here, the Black and Black, I have found at no other spot. It's Guinness with a splash of Blackberry syrup. OMG YUM, but filling. Also not to miss are the goat cheese quesadillas. Filled with veggies and crap tons of goat cheese, it's one of the best items on the menu.
(4)
Matt R.
Great everyday pub on the corner. Good beer selection.
(4)
Lexi F.
Gotta love O'Tooles. I'm in the industry and this is our go-to place after work. The bartenders are wonderful and take great care of us. They have a huge selection of beer and decently priced beverages. As far as food goes - I love the Chipotle BBQ Saucy Fingers and the Hummus Plate. Tuesday is also Karaoke night.
(5)
Andrew B.
When here at about 10 PM to a bar full of med and law students with an irish pub feel. Beer is pretty cheap and its a fun and rowdy crowd. The table was kind of sticky, but the bathrooms were pretty clean. Plenty of TVs if you are trying to watch sports. Service was excellent. I would for sure go back here with a group of young adults, but might not be cut out for the 40+ crowd later at night...
(4)
Nate Y.
We spotted Timothy O'Toole's, and as a visitor/tourist from Boston I had to see what Chicago's take was on an Irish pub/sports bar. You walk down into the bar and found the staff welcoming. It had the familiar stale beer odor you get from this kind of establishment, but other than that it was very clean. There were a few pool tables, some video games. It actually felt like an Irish/sports bar, somewhat of a dual personality and therefore nothing really authentic. The beer selection was fine, they even have a beer specials, which something you don't get in Boston. Tried a local brew which was a lemon shandy, and then had a $2 PBR out of a can. I thought it was fine for what it was.
(3)
Stephanie P.
I happen to love this place. Service is always good and the food is much better than standard bar food. Their seasonal menu is usually awesome. The only downside is during game times it is insanely crowded.
(4)
Larry B.
About as much an Irish pub as Bennigans. What a joke. THis is a sports bar my friends and nothing more. Decent selection of common beer and pretty bad food ala Fridays. Grease city. Busy after work crowd due to location. Ok to have a brew and watch the game, but avoid the food unless you have a cast iron stomach.
(1)
Jenna C.
20% off Wildcard discount on Wednesday and the waitress offered the discount when she saw that we were from Kellogg - so plus one point for service. Beyond that, it's a pretty average bar.
(3)
Dianna P.
This was my first trip to Chicago and this bar was right across the street from my hotel. We went into the bar the evening before St. Patricks Day 2012, it was packed and we had to wait about 5 minutes to be let in - the bouncer at the bottom of the stairs said they were checking to see if they were at capacity and could let more people in. As we waited the gentleman behind us told the bouncer that his friend was holding a table for him and asked if he could be let in. The bouncer stood up, walked over to this guy and pointed in his face and said "You're about to find out I'm not a host!, you're about to find out" giving the guy a stare down...creepy. So a couple minutes later the four people in my party were allowed in so I said jokingly to the guy, "You're pretty busy, must be something going on this weekend" he was looking at my ID and yelled "YEA, its National White People Day". OK, so you're a black guy working for an Irish sports bar....what kind of people do you expect to be seeing around St Pats Day? What a jerk, I was so pissed by his tone and anger...I wanted to remind him that we just celebrated an entire MONTH dedicated to black people and their history! Give me a break, I can't believe this guy is working with people and he has this bad attitude. The rest of our trip we never went back to this bar, instead we walked 7 blocks to another great bar where the employees are nice and dont make racial slurs!
(1)
D h.
A good place for a drink & snack/appetizer. Service is always acceptable & you can usually find a table or spot at the bar. Tons of TVs to make sure you get to see the game. Though O'Toole's is not unique, it is a great place to catch up with friends or if you are in a large group. Being downstairs makes the place a little more "cozy" especially in the winter. Nothing fancy, but just a good bar.
(4)
Helen T.
I like to call this place my own McLaren's (How I Met Your Mother). Right around the corner from my apartment and great bar food at a decent price. Good burgers, love the fries, great caesar salad, and GREAT turkey club. Check their specials..there's usually some drink deals like their beer of the month.
(4)
Chrissy N.
Fun place: It's Irish Pub meets sports bar. There are pool tables, some arcade-y games, large screens everywhere with sports happening, and LOTS of variety of beers on tap, and a full menu. The basic bar food and appetizers. There is a back room for parties it seems too. LOTS of seating.
(3)
Jason L.
I did not expect to like this bar. Rather unmemorable drink specials if you're not a beer drinker. It's a little loud, but in general has a nice neighborhood pub atmosphere, billiards, and you could fit a big group of friends in here if necessary.
(3)
Dustin F.
This place is filled with assholes and phony sports fans. I used to tolerate O'Toole's because it's close to work and they have a decent tap, but I guess my desire to be surrounded by assholes is waning. I got chastised by an asshole for having a soccer game that he and his asshole friend were completely ignoring changed to the Blackhawks game. Chicago sports bar = Chicago sports, right? Not in this realm of unruly assholes. Go to P.J. Clarke's instead. The assholes there are more innocuous.
(2)
abs t.
dependent on the game or fight that's on, definitely a cool place to come. Saw a mayweather fight here and it was packed with great atmosphere. Watched a college football game here, same thing. Came on a random sunday afternoon for afternoon football, and it was pretty quiet. Still always had good service, the food was good for what it is - pub/sports bar food. One day had the apple cobbler for dessert and it was so good..tried it another day and it was just meh. Depends on the day, i guess, and the person who makes it.
(3)
Anonymous P.
I expected this place to suck, and it actually was really good. Very nice sports bar, with TVs everywhere. I was able to watch the two games I was hoping to watch simultaneously on TVs adjacent to each other. The food was actually very good. Fries were exceptional--great texture. Chicken sandwich was better than average. The reason I'm not giving five stars is that the beers were crappy--about what I came in expecting. I think a beer on the level of Sierra Nevada was the highest end.
(4)
Leesa W.
I know it's an Irish pub but they have the BEST Guacamole EVER!
(4)
Angelica D.
Okay well this place is just a bar. Food is edible, drinks are ok, a little overpriced but then again it is downtown so its expected. There's really not much to this place. There really isnt that much of a choice as far as bars go around that area. The staff is friendly so thats a bonus, oh and they gave me 20% off my next visit so i guess thats a plus.
(2)
Erin J.
Went there for drinks with some friends last night, and it was cool. The place is pretty big, and the pool table area was nice. The crowd there was more diverse than I thought it would be, which was a BIG plus. At one point we ordered a cheeseburger and some fries, and they were pretty good - not too greasy, and the fries were actually pretty good! As for spendiness, I was there with a friend who's a regular so we were treated quite well, but I can only imagine what it would be like if I were in there solo. Three shots of Patrn silver - which I am aware isn't terribly cheap anyway - ran me $24. $24! Had I bought 6 shots, it would have been $48, which is more expensive than a 375ml bottle, which holds about 12 shots! I know there is a markup - of course, otherwise we'd all drink at home all the time, but that is a STEEP markup! Nevertheless, I had a good time. The bouncers are HUGE and very friendly, and I got absolutely no crap from the bartenders, either. Even the girls in the bathroom (customers) were happy! It was a nice night.
(3)
Lawrence Y.
I see this place each time I go to Navy Pier and finally stopped by to check this place out a couple weekends ago. We sat outside (small patio area), and our server was nice but a little spacey. We all had the wraps, and they were SO good (and huge)! I had the BBQ ranch chicken wrap with garlic mashed potatoes as my side (with sour creme)... it was really good! I couldn't even finish half of it. Also had a few bites of the blackened chicken wrap and that was good too! Their ceasar dressing tasted more like ceasar-italian but no complaints here! Now I'm craving for the wrap again, arrrghh!!
(4)
Katrina F.
I am a big fan of Timothy O'Toole's to sit at the bar with friends and watch sports. In the afternoon lunch hour and happy hour, the crowd is local and mainly the business crowd. Come evenings and weekends the place is full of tourists. I love the feel of the bar. It reminds me of Cheers. The bar staff is nice and extremely friendly. The Irish Nachos and a jumbo size beer are my favorite menu items. There have been many a time that I have gotten tab with a beer or two missing which is a huge plus! Okay- on Saturdays especially during the college football season they have $5 huge plastic cups of Miller beer...plus you get to keep the cup!! You can't go wrong in the Streeterville area for this price! Oh and the bloody mary's YUMMO!!!!
(4)
Eric S.
I love this place...... pool.... games.... stand up..... food..... beer..... girls..... what more do you want....
(5)
Tim B.
I loved this place. When I was in Chicago we went to a bunch of bars and this place was probably the friendliest place we went. It was expensive, but no more than any of the other places we went to. We didn't have any food, only beer and whiskey. Our waiter was one of the most personable waiters I have ever had; he made this place great! I will post his name when I remember what it was!
(5)
F. B.
Had a good time. Everything was very good, food, brews, service, atmosphere.
(4)
Nels W.
I went with friends after work before a movie, and I won't make that mistake again. With so many options downtown, I'm not sure why anyone would come here more than once. One friend noted that burgers are done Medium-Well by default, so we both ordered Medium, and didn't get that. There was no pink in the burger at all. And no flavor in the meat, for that matter. They must have gotten them from the same place they got the fries, because those were some of the worst I've ever had. We thought maybe they screwed up the order because the waiter didn't write anything down, but it said Medium on the receipt. The Thai Peanut Coleslaw sounds like a good idea, but it's not. It's just the normal coleslaw with some sort of Thai peanut in it (might have been better if they just throw some Thai peanut sauce from the grocery store on top instead of whatever they actually did to make it).
(1)
Ryan C.
was ok... food, service etc...
(3)
Yo U.
When Timmy's gets crowded, it can be quite hard to get served. That being said, the hard-working staff members seem to be good folks. I don't much care for the dungeon-like atmosphere.
(3)
H C.
I've always had a good time here. Service is good and the food is good. I love me some Irish Fries!
(4)
Tom B.
My opinion will be a little biased since I'm more of a regular here and they treat me as such: good service, discounts and a good atmosphere The food is your regular sort of bar food such as sandwiches, burgers, wings, nachos. I usually go for the wraps, never really had a bad one yet. The wings are probably their best appetizer by far. The beer selection is okay, I usually always find something to drink right off the bat. I never go for the mixed drinks not my thing but I hear the Bloody Mary's are good. The service is pretty decent, maybe on the busiest of nights you may have to track down your waitress/waiter but I've always never had to wait too long to get a drink. Food also comes out pretty quick so that's a plus. Overall atmosphere is usually med students from the Northwestern Hospital and people getting out of work nearby. I would recommend getting there by 4pm because usually by 5pm the place is packed especially Fri nights or when a big game is on. I always begin my nights here when I'm in the neighborhood, and it's rare for me to have slow service or bad drinks but I do recommend Wed., Thurs, or Fri. are probably your best nights here especially when there is a game on. As a side note the name is really the only thing Irish about this place...
(4)
Brent W.
the place is laid out terribly and it's always packed beyont....i know i know, it's a sports bar with a bazillion tv's but really, there are far better places out there...and with food that's textbook bar fare, TOT's offers nothing that would bring me back again.
(2)
Lisa G.
This is a great little neighborhood bar. After a long day, you can pop in here for a cold beer, some good bar food and a chat with the locals. The staff is always friendly and in short skirts and will chat with you if you're in the mood. This place is open late and the kitchen also closes late. I've never seen it empty or even slow, really. **Beware the pool shark here. He'll be in a blazer and he'll want you to buy him a beer if he wins.
(4)
Liz Q.
Don't try to fool me with your cheerful new "faux Irish pub" facade. I know how you are....smoky, crowded and hard to get a drink at the bar. You DO serve pretty good bar food and that's why I will never fully be able to write you off. A word of warning: due to the fact that this is a subterranean bar, it is VERY easy to lose track of time in there. One beer at 6 easily turns into "LAST CALL!". And then you'll feel just as their logo depicts....like a red headed Irishman slumped over a table. And that's not good at all.
(3)
Scooter M.
Highly recommend this bar to anyone looking for a place to hang on any given Sunday in the fall. O'Tooles is the place to be on Bears gamedays, great atmosphere and giant jenga is fun win or lose! Ask for Amber, you won't regret it : )
(5)
Darrick A.
Went out with co workers, great time,and atmosphere if you're a big sports fan you'll really love it. Food and drinks great. Gotta try the Holy Water!
(4)
Melissa B.
I have been here twice, and BOTH times I left severely angry. We went in both times after the lunch rush, around 1pm. There were plenty of servers, but none came to us. We sat there with not even water for ages! The food was o.k, run of the mill bar food. Once again, the server disappeared, so if there was something wrong, it's not like we could say anything. Finally we got the check. THEN the server hovered, waiting for his money! I've been in the service industry for quite some time, so I know how it is. This was THE WORST SERVICE EVER!!!!!
(1)
Bobby D.
Not a bad place to go, If you're just going there for a lunchbreak. But I would avoid the fish dinners. Somehow didn't taste very fresh.
(3)
Eric M.
This is one of my favorite spots to hit up after watching a movie downtown. The staff are always friendly, the food tastes great, the beer is cold, and there are plenty of TVs to catch up on the games.
(4)
Katie B.
When I used to live in Strreeterville I came here all the time but it had been years. When we dropped in Friday night I was kinda expecting a nightmare of green beads and belligerence. It was totally crowded but really fun, we got a table right away. The waitress was being patience with our indecision and the food came quickly and was delicious. The chicken nachos were not great, but the irish nachos were perfect. The scene was completely fun. Nice to revisit this great place.
(4)
Heather H.
Drinks have always been ok, but tiny. The hummus is excellent, I love it, but veggie burger is just ok. It's your classic grab and go bar food, nothing wonderful but does the job. Loud as hell sometimes, servers have always been good, almost always a beer promotion going on, but awesome in the fact the tourists don't know it's there, it's a little hidden unless you know what you are looking for, so when you are starving on a tourist filled weekend, run there, you will actually get to eat!
(3)
Mark L.
Came here for dinner while on a business trip to Chicago. I found this to be an excellent pub, with just the right ambience and good drinks and food to go along. When you enter you go down a flight of stairs, so the bar is slightly subterranean. It's a large area and slightly dark, just like a good pub should be. There's a large oval shaped bar, with seats going all around. I was able to find a seat at the bar when I visited. There are ample screens behind the bar playing a variety of sports events, so it's easy to watch games from anywhere you sit. There are lots of tables around eye bar for groups to sit at. When I went, the bar was extremely lively, with an animated crowd that made it feel like a fun place to be. They have a large number of craft beers on tap and advertise 48 beers on a sign outside. I ordered a Bell's Two Hearted Ale, one of my favorites The menu looked like pretty standard pub dare, and I got a Californian burger, which came with avocado, sprouts, and jack cheese, and was quite good. The die of cole slaw I had with it tasted pretty generic. All in all, I found this bar to be real fun to hang out at and would come here again if I visit Chicago again.
(5)
Neal E.
Came in here late on evening on a Wednesday evening for something to eat during a work trip to Chicago. It was after midnight and the brainiacs in management up the street at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers think it's good business to close all food service down at a particular time - even when the hotel bar is packed to overflowing with business. So one must go elsewhere for food and drink. The lady manning the front desk at the Sheraton recommended I try Timothy O'Toole's. So I walked down from my hotel - about five blocks. The place was hopping late - actually it was past midnight so technically it was Thursday morning. I grabbed a spot at the bar and ordered a plate of Nachos and a pint of the Goose Island IPA. While I was waiting, I scanned the bar, noting the goings on. It's an interesting mix of things - it feels like it is trying to be multiple things: An Irish Pub, A Sports Bar, a Dive Bar... It also felt like a bit of a meat market - which made for some entertaining people watching. There are flat panel HD TV's all over the place, and some pool tables. Nachos were huge - way to much food for me to eat the whole plate! The Goose Island IPA is a rather ordinary IPA on my scale of IPA ratings, but it is a local Chicago area craft beer, so felt like I should order one! I'd come here again! Would have been more fun with friends!
(4)
Kamilah S.
My co workers and I came here for after work drinks, the place was packed, but we eventually found seats. Service was great, one problem, my Moscow Mule was NOT served in a copper cup, very disappointed, it tasted great, but it was visually appalling. GET IT TOGETHER, Timothy O'Toole's Pub!
(3)
Kevin J.
A great sports bar. Cozy basement with lots of TV's and ambiance. The food was pretty average though. I had the French dip - one of their specialities according to the waitress and it wasn't very special. Maybe a good place to watch the game and have a few beers with the gang but wouldn't count on having a great meal here. Will keep looking in Chicago for that great sports bar that has great food too.
(3)
Derek B.
It's a fun location for happy hour. The food is pretty good and the drinks do the job. The staff is adequate. I think this place has a lot more potential for a downtown bar/restaurant, though.
(3)
Mandy M.
2 stars because of the food. Worst sampler appetizer platter I've ever had. Don't recommend eating there. Grab a beer get food elsewhere.
(2)
Belle L.
Affordable place for food and drinks. Packed on a Tuesday night. Outdated website that says karaoke at 9:00 pm, instead of 10:30 pm (the real time). Loud. Good pleasant service. Quick cleanup. Clean venue. Plenty of seating. Fish & Chips -- both fish and chips are overcooked. Dry fish. Hard chips. Fish Tacos -- supposedly good.
My wife and I went to Chicago for our first time and stayed near this place. I'm kinda embarrassed to say but we spent a lot of our time here. Place is awesome and very friendly. Cool bartenders that didn't roll their eyes at first time visitors like a lot of places.
(5)
Hannah M.
Awesome sports bar. I came here to watch a Patriots game. They made sure I got a table where I could see my game and the Blackhawks. The staff was good but a little inattentive. The food was great. My friend and I decided to get really girly drinks during the game: she got an amazing and strong Jolly Rancher martini, and I got a Starburst cocktail, which was delicious. Later, we got beers; they had a pretty good selection. After we ate, a magician came up to our table and performed a little magic show for us. It was free, and he also made us balloon hats to keep. It was a little odd but ended up being pretty fun. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Tina P.
This is my kinda bar! I love the atmosphere here, you could be as rowdy as you want and they probably wouldn't even notice. Well that was the case for my drunk friends at least lol. it could also be because we were in a separate room to accommodate for our party of 11. The Giant Jenga was a hit for my friends and I, and the fact that there are flat screens on every wall was pretty cool. The attire is very casual. staff was nice, on a fri and sat night it could get pretty packed.
(4)
David C.
Went here for late night drinking and to grab some food. The hostess completely ignored us. She saw us walk through the door and didn't say a thing. We were unfortunate enough to come during Tuesday karaoke night. In the upside our waitress was great and very efficient on checking up on us. The burgers were really good. The sweet potato fries were a little on the over cooked side. Overall, nice, chill spot to go.
(3)
Jennifer M.
Despite currently undergoing renovations that give off an eery feeling of being in a hot dungeon, this is still one of my favorite sports bar and restaurant. The staff gives off the "Cheers" type of vibe. The best after work social gathering place (better once the reno is complete) in this area. I would not go back and order their wings again. It was once award winning; they've changed it so they really should stop advertising because it's definitely not as good as it used to be. The Spinach and Artichoke dip is now MEH at best. What is great at this place is their Specials. We really like Build-Your-Own Burger and especially the Build-Your-Own Grilled Cheese. The beer prices are standard. I wasn't able to have a Black and Blue here. They don't serve Blue Moon. Maybe it's because of the limited space on tap during its renovation.
(4)
Jon O.
I really like this spot. I stopped in with a buddy to watch a Blackhawks game and have a few beers. It's located in the basement of a building but is lit up pretty well inside as well as having a "open" feel to it so you don't get the sense of being too closed in like some basement bars/restaurants. We didn't have too much in the way of food (just some nachos) but they were as good as I have ever had. The big selling point for me with this bar is they have a great beer selection. Pretty much everything you'd want to try out so you can try something new about every time you go in. I'm a fan of the IPA's myself and they have quite a few to choose from. There was one beer on the menu that. if I remember correctly, is priced around 120$ and comes in 100oz serving size. I'd like to try it but will probably have to have a few friends in tow to tackle that one haha
(4)
Dayna B.
Keith and Heather are amazing. They both made my experience what it was. I love them and will always come here to see them.
(5)
Jennifer P.
This bar has pool and Jenga! The bar is pretty big, and it is definitely a lot of fun. you can play pool while drinking.. and definitely hustle someone! What makes this bar even cooler is that you can also go into this room if you have a group of 8 or maybe more or less, where giant bricks of wood jenga are set up to play!!! playing for shots is fine. they have this jungle juice type of drink called the "Holy Water," it is made with a bunch of different types of alcohol but you can hardly taste it. We ordered the nacho fries and chicken tenders for food. the nacho fries were good bar food. the chicken tenders were made with too much breading, which was not good to be although it was kah-rispy. if you want 20% off your bill, you should stay at Doubletree hotel and get a coupon from them. Or maybe just go to the hotel and ask them for one.. maybe they'll be nice enough to give you one!
(4)
Jed M.
This place looks like an old speakeasy. When arriving we were led downstairs to a huge opening with a few rooms. This place is much bigger than I would have imagined. We were set in the back room with plenty of tv's around. It was a bit loud as they were busy, but I could still here everyone at my table just fine so no problems there. We had eaten a large late lunch earlier so we only did apps here and they were your standard bar food. Generic buttered soft pretzels and fries. Nothing special, but something to munch on while you drink. Fantastic beer and bourbon list and the bourbon prices are the most reasonable in town. This is definitely the highlight. Service was good. My water was constantly topped off and our server seemed pretty knowledgable of the menu. This gets 4 stars for the beer/bourbon list and prices and good service. The food we had was meh, but the rest is enough to bring it up.
(4)
Shauna D.
GREAT TRIVIA NIGHTS!! I attended the 2nd Edition of Saved by the Bell Trivia, and even though I consider myself a Bellhead, I was stumped on several occasions, but I loved the challenge! The host is great, very natural/casual/funny. It is well organized, and the drinks/food are all reasonably priced and excellent. Definitely coming back for any trivia night I can. PS We were "waitlisted" but showed up anyway and got in! So don't wait for them to call you and say someone cancelled, there are more likely to just be no-shows than people who actually call.
(4)
Jerry V.
I have never appreciated working in the hospitality industry more than when I found out that Timmy O'Toole's gives us 50% off. This works out- with being a block away from my office, having some awesome bartenders, mean 'mixologists', and awesome specials to be my new favorite neighborhood pub. The wings I ordered were a bit lacking and if they were better this would have definitely been a 5 Star Review!
(4)
Steven F.
Spacious Irish Pub. $10 Draft pitchers. 3 Pool tables. Tons of TVs to watch games. Super chill spot, good service, cute waitresses. Hung out with my buddies playing pool, drinking, and watching games for 4 hours...
(4)
Stephen S.
So the service is a little slow and the vibe is a little kitchy (having giant Jenga is both of source of bonus points and a statement on the sort of establishment you're in) but I'm always happy to wind up at Timothy O'Toole's thanks to their amazing beer list. The often a great selection of well-priced and tasty drafts and back it up with a really good bottle list as well. On my most recent visit I had a Goose Island Baudoinia on draft, offered in a snifter at even a better price than you can get it at the Goose Island brewpub. I'm always impressed by their rotating seasonals as well.
(3)
Aimee K.
Leave it to me to be in St. Louis through the entire Cards post-season then have to be in Chicago during the last game of the World Series. Major fail on my part, but when it came time to watch, I assigned my friend with finding a sports bar that was a) awesome, b) had good food and drinks, and c) would be playing audio along with showing the game. He definitely delivered and Timothy O'Tooles was where I sat for a good four hours taking in the World Series win. I ordered a grilled cheese and fries and I'm not really sure why (am I back in kindergarten or something?) but it was good and sometimes it's nice to just eat something simple for once! The drinks were good all evening as well -- just Captain and ginger ale with lime, so hard to mess up, but I could tell the liquor was definitely controlled while pouring. I think I drank mostly ginger ale which I'm sure my body was thankful for, but I kept trying to get a buzz and it just. wouldn't. happen. A few notes about the atmosphere... holy drunk people! The first room (we were in the back room) was so rowdy and I'm glad our table wasn't in there because it would've been too loud and distracting. However, we had some distractions of our own because somehow women kept getting locked in the bathroom. Yes, I'm serious. I'm not sure how this happened but every ten minutes or so we'd hear someone banging on the door because they couldn't get out! That could definitely create some unhappy customers, just saying... I'll maybe me back sometime mainly because Danny W says they create the best Bloody Mary's in Chicago, but that's probably it. Good place to watch the game!
(3)
Nikhil A.
I must say, it was busy and lively ambiance. As soon as we walked in, first thing that caught our attention was Pool Tables...yey. TV's all over for a sports bar feel. Within 5 minutes we had a table. This was Friday at 6 (kinda rush time). Courteous staff and a great foo menu to choose from. Good drink choices including Cider's at a reasonable price. We ordered Veggie Burgers, and it was ok. I felt it was little dry, other than that, it was fine. Could have used more mayo or sauce on it but my other friends liked it. Over all, its a nice atmosphere to be hanging out with a group of friends...
(4)
Winston G.
A go-to watering hole in the Streeterville area, I can really only comment on the food here and not on the weekend scene. Food here is actually pretty good -- my roommate and I will frequently eat dinner here or order food to go. Burgers, wraps, nachos, wings -- all are solid and well priced. Call ahead if you want to pick up so you don't have to wait. French onion soup is a bit on the salty side, but a nice layer of melted cheese. Sometimes for their soup of the day, they have this cream of chicken type soup that is awesome. Make sure to get that.
(4)
Abe R.
This isn't a bad spot as far as this area is concerned. The prices are far below what you'd expect in this area, and they always seem to have some sort of draught/draft beer special, as they serve big ass beers. Another thing this place has going for it is the pool tables, good bar food(not new American, just good ol' American), and both bar and table service. Honestly, this is a place where people just seem to have a good time and get really messed up. Not bad for a bar if you ask me, but still not a place that I would normally visit, as I only come here for a quickie when I'm early(on purpose) picking up my wife on a late night of work... Enjoy Suckas'!!!
(4)
Katelyn E.
I'm going to throw it out there... Timothy O'Tooles might very well have the best wings in Chicago. Crispy, saucing, tasty, finger-licking wings. I'm a fan of the Ginger wings, but the husband swears by the spicy buffalo. The atmosphere is always fun- there's always THE game on, no matter who you're rooting for. I've been when there's kareoke and it draws a really funny crowd (think a white guy in a business suit angrily rapping to every single word of Eminem). There's a party room if you come with a crowd, otherwise there's seating in the bar cocktail tables or a more formal dining area. There's always deals going on- I'm pretty positive they host a bus to the Bears game. I'd give you 5 stars, but one time you incorrectly assumed I was drunk (when I was only slightly tipsy) and you denied me entry. Brats.
(4)
Andrew D.
Just stumbled upon this sports pub while walking around downtown...now it's on our list to visit again! Had a great time here. It's a little loud, but the food and service were great! I had the (outstanding) Shepherd's Pie and my wife enjoyed her (quite large) hamburger.
(4)
Mark A.
Big ups to the bartenders and random waitress Kristina (spelling?) for being so nice and accommodating to the one guys who brings in his laptop to work at the bar on a Saturday night fight night. Yeah, I was that guy. Second props goes to them for thinking I'm some TV famous fighter celeb. ...(thinks to himself, "Maybe that's why they were so AWESOME now...hmm.) Anyways, famous or not, they were flippin' cool. Allowed me to plug my chord over the bar next to their super wet blender and hopefully UNUSED frozen drink sink. You order a frozen drink at a bar, you're worse than the powertool sitting next to you with the laptop. O'Toole's because they get a lot of hotel and tourist traffic, you'd think would have sub-rad bar food, but NO. They put it down. Yes, my Mediterranean Salad was deliciioso and YES the BBQ wings were done right. And YES, I said I ordered a Medy Tee Salad at a bar. On a Saturday night. Fight me on it. I got a Redbull. It wasn't sugar free. One bartender wore lots of wristbands to store his bottle popper and stuff.
(4)
J L.
We went there to watch an NCAA game and had a great experience. We had to wait for about an hour for a table but during the wait we had some great beers. (I had Hoegaarden, just in case I forget...) Pool tables are definitely a plus! Their food is ok for a bar. We loved how many TVs there are in the lounge, and that our team won. :) They have a burger challenge and if you finish you get a T-shirt. But it wasn't too big, my friend finished it quickly...
(4)
Jake S.
This place is excellent! I was in town for a few days visiting a friend and this place was the highlight of my weekend. They have friendly staff, quick service, and a fantastic beer selection. If you're hungry I'd personally recommend trying the O'Tooles Burger! You can bet I will be back on my next trip to Chicago.
(5)
Santiago A.
Tura lura lural! You won't need a lullaby to go to sleep after eating at auld Tim's. The food coma will take care of that. And it's sure to come with their great selection of food and beers. I was starving after not having eaten all day and nearly breaking my ankles skating at nearby Millenium Park. Timothy O'Toole made me smile by delivering an excellent burger in my time of need. And When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, sure, they steal your heart away. Ok, I'm not Irish, but Mexicans and Irish have been tight for may decades now, so close enough. At any rate, I'm sure to frequent ToT! It was a great place to catch the Sunday night football game. Definitely try a burger here if your visiting from out of town. They'll have you saying Erin go bragh in no time! Also, try their Irish Nachos and soups. If you live near by, then you'll have plenty of time to eat your way through their mouth-watering menu. This is defintely one of those "come for the game, stay for the food" kinda places. Oh my luck charms. I think I'll build a boat and sail away now, ta ta ta ta.
(4)
Judy C.
A million and one screens with whichever game you're in the mood to watch. Huge place so good for groups
(4)
Ryan H.
Horrible service and crude attitudes is what I left experiencing this place. I will never visit this place again. Horrible customer service from our waitress. She should be fired.
(1)
Billy W.
This place is pretty generic and totally fine for what it is - a downtown area sports bar with food, but don't expect anything outrageous or special. There seemed to be several pool tables so maybe check out O'Toole's if that's what your looking for. Prices were relatively high, as to be expected. Crowd seemed to be a combination of tourists from the nearby hotels and people who worked in the area.
(3)
Jeff C.
Timmy O'Toole's is a local pub in the Streeterville neighborhood situated in a curiously low-rise building at Fairbanks & Ontario (which provides the customer in the basement pub exceptional phone/mobile-Internet service if the customer so desires). O'Toole's fancies itself an "Irish Pub" which puts it in the company of roughly 4.3M other "Irish Pubs" in Chicago. This isn't to say it's average, though, because it's not. O'Toole's is a friendly eatery, not too big, not too small, that provides tremendous food and "pub grub" along with a seemingly endless selection of beers on-tap, bottled beers, liquors and even a reasonable wine selection for that person all of us have dated at least once who just "doesn't like the taste of beer or hard alcohol". No sweat - I dig on a cabernet blanc every now and again myself. As per Illinois law, you can bring minors into the establishment prior to 10:00pm, but after 10:00pm it becomes 100% 21+. The west end of the pub is equipped with a stage, and there is a running calendar there featuring regular comedy acts, as well as *shudder* Karaoke and live-music events. There are calendars on the wall there, but I'm sure that you can access upcoming events online, too (there may be things *COUGHKARAOKECOUGH* that you would rather avoid, for example, and knowing what's on the agenda before you arrive is always a good thing). Finally, for all its good qualities, there is one last thing I should mention that's not so hot for everyone. This place is LOUD. I mean really &#$%ing loud. I don't know why, exactly, but the decibels in that place have to come close to runway 12 at O'Hare during a SwissAir's 747's launch sequence. Maybe it's the acoustics down there, but if you're sensitive to loud noises EVEN A LITTLE BIT, it wouldn't hurt to pack some nice, understated earplugs. So all that being said, I still like this place a lot. The Irish Nachos are outstanding and the steak sandwich is tremendous. I've never had a bad meal there. Check out Timmy O'Toole's next time you're in Streeterville. I recommend it highly.
(4)
Azize S.
I love watching hockey and football here! They have a TON of TV's - get there early tho, it gets crowded. They always have some kind of bucket of beer special for the games and the crowd is super into it. They have an MC for the Hawks games who plays music during commercials and a guy with a siren helmet for when they score a goal. I dont usually eat here but the food seems like average to slightly above average for bar food. I had a specialty burger once that was pretty good. Other than that, its nachos and sandwiches/wraps/salads and those are pretty standard.
(4)
Stephanie W.
This place is a lot more fun when the Bears win than when they lose. The food is good. Drinks are too.
(3)
John M.
Didn't make it inside. The bouncer was such a control freak that we left immediately. Disappointed. Sigh
(1)
Danielle K.
The food and drinks were great, however HORRIBLE SERVICE. My friend and I each ordered angry ball to drink and got a cheeseburger and lady fingers to share as well. While the food was very good, the bartender was one of the rudest people I have ever encountered (brown hair in pony tail with blue eyes). My friend asked a simple question about the food menu and he was very condescending and cold. He did not smile once and was just SO unfriendly. We left feeling like we had inconvenienced him. He also automatically added gratuity, which seemed strange for a party of 2. I have never seen that before. I gave them 2 stars because the food and drinks WERE tasty, but due to the terrible service I will not be back!
(2)
Nelson M.
Restaurant review This place is packed! During our recent dinner out we were suprised how busy Timmy O'Toole would be at 5 pm. Remember to bring your driver license as they scan it at the front door. Overall the ambiance is consistent with a popular bar hang out for tourist and locals alike with lots of TVs to catch ongoing sport action. I was a bit suprise how loud it would be so early in the evening. The servers are friendly and always check up on how things are going. For dinner, the prices for the food was more than reasonable. Our nacho pulled pork appetizer was huge. It could have used more cheese sauce, but otherwise it was enough for 4 people and only cost 10 dollars. I had the chicken finger basket which was good, but not the best. The fried shrimp basket was way over priced with small shrimps that were advertised as "jumbo shrimp", but there was a healthy supply of fries underneath; but definately not worth 11 dollars. They should just do a popcorn shrimp basket instead..... One of the cool things is the Big Timmy Challenge, if you can eat 2 1/2 lb patties w/ lots of cheese, onion straws, bbq sauce, and fries/onion rings you get a free O'toole t-shirt but this will set you back 19.99. I have not given this a try yet.... Pro: good service, lots of flat screen TVs, most of the items are reasonably priced Cons: loud dining area, jumbo shrimp means normal size shrimp, nacho was a bit weak on the cheese sauce, long wait times if you go late. 20 dollar minimum on NFL sunday, sporting, and special events Hidden gem: Daily drink specials!
(3)
Derek D.
I don't go here enough! I just had an unreal BBQ Ranch Wrap and sat at the bar with a co-workers. One thing that stood out was the bartender checked my ID and called me by my first name. VERY COOL. It felt a lot more personal then the usual bar situation of begin ignored. Thank you for a good lunch! d
(5)
Aliya E.
Worst comedy I have been to. Not only did the crew make fun of us and make us feel shitty but after the show they tormented us made us feel shitty for participating in whatever they call comedy. Waste of time I highly recommend spending your time knitting for the homeless instead of spending your time on this crowd of lame asses.
(1)
Ashley C.
2.5 stars. We came here for lunch/brunch. The brunch food was okay - the belgium waffle was just nothing special. I felt like I could have made it at home had I had the right equipment. The wings were the biggest let down of the group. I blame this on Great Expectations essentially. We came here because they won at 2009 wingfest. The general consensus after trying the wings was "they won?" Bit of a letdown. They weren't bad but I wouldn't market them as the best. The sauce and the amount of the sauce were the biggest complaints. Had the wings been better, the place would have had three stars. Service was okay. Our waitress was friendly enough. This just isn't exactly a spot that I would frequent. Would I go back for brunch? If need be, yes. Would I go there for a drink at night? No way. One review (which I can't remember who) said it best - just add a "Bennagin's" sign. That explains the decor spot on.
(2)
Brian Z.
This place was great. Sports on the tube, a lot of beers on tap, and the wait staff was really nice. It's a pub. If you're expecting 5 star service, then look elsewhere. But if you want a filling inexpensive meal, this is the place.
(5)
Rachel A.
They say first impressions last, right? We'll get down to the nitty gritty, right off the bat. I'm obviously not from Chicago. I was visiting here over the weekend, and we just happened to have tickets to a Bears game. So we decided to go the shuttle route, instead of trying to find parking at Soldier Field. And Timothy O'Toole's was our shuttle destination (my brother found them on the internet). The staff was rude. In fact, one person in particular was so rude that we left the bar and waited for the shuttle outside. he was demeaning and condescending and just downright nasty. I wanted to smack him for the way he was speaking to us. I had a wonderful vacation in Chicago until I went to this establishment. They seriously put a damper on my time in the Windy City. Please bring your money elsewhere. Go another shuttle route. Do not waste time, energy or money here.
(1)
Lia V.
Timmy Timmy Timmy. Basically just a good sports bar. It's like a dark dungeon (because it's underground) with lots of t.v.'s, pool tables, a big bar, and yummy beer and food. They sponsor my softball team so we go after games. They're accommodating and friendly. The food is better than your regular bar food. I got this wrap with chicken, avocado, goat cheese, almonds, and cranberries - it was prettttttttttty delicious. They have this goat cheese quesadilla that is out of this world too. Don't neglect the marinara sauce that comes with it - it enhances the flavors. Trivia on Mondays (which is always fun wherever you go) Big mugs of beer (seasonal) for 6.50 which is a great deal! I had two and was feeling pretty fine. Fun place to check out. I wouldn't go out of my way for it, but if you're in the area it's worth stopping by!
(3)
Tara M.
Love this bar! Great atmosphere. Reasonably priced. No one working there was Irish though; so if you love listening to that Irish brogue, like I do, you won't get that here.
(5)
WP L.
Good place for drinking but skip the food. Was at a small get together last night. Most of the food looked barely appetizing and reheated. I ordered there "famous" wings, what a disappointment. They were dry and definitely reheated and barely had any buffalo sauce on them. The quesadila was pretty good and the hummus.
(2)
Mikey J.
A Northwestern classic! First off, this place is big. Much bigger than I expected. The beer prices are good, not great, and the place has a nice atmosphere to it. Very comfortable and neighborhood bar like. Food is decent. Overall, a reliable and great place. Kind of like a Dell computer.
(3)
Bryan D.
Good solid sports bar fare.......great place to watch a game. Never a shortage of energy among the patrons.
(4)
Binh D.
Food: Good bar food and great beer selection. Had the Big Timmy Challenge, it wasn't really hard at all. So save your money and buy something else on the menu. Ambiance: Irish Bar with a vast amount of TVs. Definitely a great place to catch the game and grab a good meal. Service: Corey, our waitress was really nice and friendly. Food came out in a timely manner. Price: About $15 - $20 a person for meal and drink. Overall: Great Irish themed sports bar.
(4)
Amelia I.
Lets begin with this place was PACKED on Saturday!! They had a ton of people by the bar which instantly made me think, 'oh crap headache lunch here we go'! but the hostess must have seen my look of apprehension and directed us towards the right which is more of a dining room. Still PACKED with tvs but more quiet. Now let me start with the menu isn't THAT extensive if you ask me, but the food is freakin DELICIOUS. You HAVE to try the Irish 'nachos' ie fries with cheese. Mmmm and bacon and sour cream *drool* I had a reuban on their sour dough bread which was amazing THOUGH the thousand island is a little pale? Its almost like it had too much pickle juice and not enough ketchup/mayo. I didnt ask if its 'home' made or bought; but it was still good for the corned beef. And BOY was that corned beef delicious and actually *GASP* seasoned!!! I got tatter tots as me side which was yummy, I should have tried the coleslaw (They have two different kinds I believe) but tatter tots just came out of my mouth and I ate them all like a greedy squirrel! The boyfriend has some kind of spicy burger with jalapenos, cheese, and all kinds of other things that looked delicious but too spicy for me! There's a ton of other appetizers I want to try and the french dip also sounded amazing but I could only eat so much!!! And on a side note about the wait staff; they were all super nice. I know some reviews mention rude people but we had Jenny and she was awesome!! She was on top of drink refills and to go boxs like a magician! And she didnt give me a hard time when I asked for extra thousand (I get glares some times, sue me!). The entire lunch was amazing and everyone else around looked happy with the food and waitresses. Though can only speak for the dining room; the bar was way too rowdy for me even at one-ish in the afternoon. Prob a march-madness game or something. Give them a try! AND the deserts sounded amazing too! Alas, my belly failed me with leaving me extra room! More reason to come back again!
(5)
Denise L.
came here after our flight got into Chicago. Our friend's husband had an after-party with his Northwestern peers on Friday. it was much bigger than i expected. You walk down a flight of stairs, and there's a large bar area. It was PACKED (got there around midnight). it felt like a club where you had to squeeze your way through the standing patrons. we got to the back area, which was reserved for the NW folks, and again, it was PACKED. we found a booth, and her hubby got our drinks. My drink wasn't strong at all. We were hungry, and I was eyeing the nachos that every person seemed to be ordering. They looked good! So did the french fries! A little after 1, a busboy said it was a last call. We rushed to the nearby bar, and they gave us a hard time, that last call was 10 minutes ago. My friend told him we were JUST told, so he caved in and made us our drinks, but was a bit rude about it. He told us we could go to the front bar though. Not sure why the last calls would be different times? Maybe the back bar is not normally open? Confused. all in all, a decent pub, but way too packed. wished they made the drinks stiffer too.
(2)
Daniel Q.
I have been to this place a few times now and mostly for the wings and to watch a game at the bar with the monster TV's. The Food I have had the Wings and the Wings Basket. I like them spicy. The spice is right, the sauce is good but the wings can be a little small. The fries are a great compliment to spicy wings. The Drinks I am a bit of a snob when it comes to Rum (my drink of choice) so it is hard for me to give them a great grade when the best rum they have is Captain Morgan. They have a lot of different beers and other spirits so you will find something to your liking for sure. The Service The servers and bartenders have been attentive and check on you regularly. When I sat at the bar, despite the bar being a busy Friday afternoon, they two bartenders would ask how I was doing if they saw I was running low on my drink. The servers and bartenders in general provide good service and you don't see or hear of patrons complaining or waiting to long to order or receive what they ordered. The Atmosphere You can get a table or sit in the bar area. I have eaten at both. The bar area is not for kids in my opinion. People are drinking, having a good time, getting mad or excited at their favorite team that they are watching at one of the many TV's they have all over the restaurant. They also have pool tables and what seemed like a good Friday Happy Hour vibe. I could see this as a place as somewhere I go to after work to catch the game while enjoying some happy hour food and drinks.
(4)
Tarra T.
Good bar with surprisingly good food considering it's a neighborhood pub. Great spot to catch a game or just grab a quick, inexpensive bite to eat while in the Streeterville, downtown area.
(3)
Ken O.
Went for lunch. The menu had a great variety of food to choose from. I had the Bailey Burger. The burger was perfectly done and juicy. The portions for good size. The servers were friendly and non-rushed. I would highly recommend this restaurant for food and drinks.
(4)
Ashley M.
The boyfriend and I have been here a few times to catch a New York Knicks' game. We couldn't believe the size of the place! They had no problem changing the TV to the game we wanted so we sat back, had a beer and enjoyed the game. The wings were good but the fish and chips were pretty lousy. Our server said to get that instead of the shrimp because the fish and chips were the best thing on the menu. After eating the fish, I wonder if our server had tried everything else. Other than being really disappointed with the fish and chips, the place has a nice atmosphere and doesn't get too busy when we're there. We will probably be back for the next Knicks' game.
(4)
Jeremy B.
This place offered some pretty good food at a relatively reasonable price, especially considering the typical prices you see in Chicago. It's a really cool pub atmosphere and is a relatively large place. It seems newer on the inside. I purchased the Southwest Chicken Wrap, which I highly recommend. We also bought a Country Fried Chicken Salad, which was also pretty great. The only problem we had is that it took forever for our check to come. We actually had to go and ask for it because it eventually just became annoying. Other than that, the staff was super nice and the atmosphere was great. I'd definitely go again if I were in the area!
(4)
Jim L.
Was looking for a place to watch the Knicks\Celtics game in Chicago near East Ohio street. I figured I had a good chance because all of the Chicago teams were off. Not just playing out of town but completely off. I ordered the wings. Very good wings. Minimum order is 10 but you can get different seasonings split 5 and 5. I opted for the spicy and ginger garlic both were very good. Place was packed but the service was fast with multiple fly bys of "You Ok?, Need anything?" Nicky was the waitress and she was excellent. Large 20 oz micro brew beers for $ 5.50. Outstanding and unexpected low drink prices. But here is what really impressed me about this sports bar. It has somewhere north of 40 large flat screens. If you are watching one you can see three. So the Knicks game is on one far away and over the bar. I could see the action but not the scores. So I ask the waitress what the score is? She points to a TV right across from my table and says do you want me to put the Knicks game on that one? Before I said yes I looked around and made sure no one was watching the game. The Islanders were getting crushed by the Penguins. So I said sure. She changed the channel in a minute. I said how did you do that so fast? She said they have a master split screen console with broadcasted games on top and the bars TV schematic on the bottom I just drag and drop the broadcast to the TV I want. I fell in love momentarily and asked her to drag and drop the Yankee game next to the Knicks game. Again, request fulfilled. I proceeded to watch the Knicks loose and the Yankees win (thank you Mo). One of my favorite sports bars ever.
(4)
Charmie S.
We went to Timmy's because it was across the street from the Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites, and it was late. It's apparently a good sports bar. We were just hungry. We ended up getting a burger and sweet potato fries and a side of green beans. The best of the three was the fries. They have something on those fries. They were thin, crispy and sweet -- like sugar sweet. Well done. But that was about it. The burger was nothing special. The green beans were tasteless. I ended up dipping them in honey mustard to get some flavor. I didn't go there with high expectations of the food, so it wasn't that big of a deal to me. It satisfied my hunger, and that's about it.
(3)
Sam C.
My wife and I are in the process of moving to Chicago and we were hungry and went to the closest place we could find: Timothy O'Toole's. And, what a find it was. The food was yummy and reasonably priced. My reuben was as good as it gets. And, our server, Weston, was incredibly personable and helpful. We will definitely be going back once we move to The Windy City.
(5)
Dan L.
Great neighborhood sports bar. Better than average bar menu with quality food. They have a terrific beer selection (if you're a beer snob), friendly and attentive servers and bartenders. I enjoy coming here for brunch on a weekend, for a drink after a long day at the office or with friends to watch a game.
(4)
Tyler P.
I happened to be in Chicago for the big game this year and this place was recommended to me, as a fun place to watch the game. Seeing as it was directly across the street from my hotel, I thought I would check. I will definitely give kudos to the person that recommended this hangout. I know that some of it had to do with the big game being on, but the buzz that was in the air could be felt from the moment we stepped into the door. There weren't enough tables but they set us with another group of fantastic people at a community table. However, with the addition of some excellent brews we were quickly socializing with our newfound friends. The food here was also surprisingly good for bar food (I would recommend the Chicago Dogs). All-in-all if you are looking for someplace to watch a sporting event, enjoy some frosty beers, and conversate with some nice people, check out Timothy O' Tooles.
(4)
J D.
Location- mere blocks from miracle mile, John Hancock blg, cathedral district, etc Ambiance- loud Irish pub/sports bar, diverse crowd, cool music Food- good quality, typical new american cuisine, healthy portions... This is what gave them the third star Drinks- whatever, if you like a real drink don't get anything that requires a mixer of any sort- including coke, juice, etc Greeters- fun, animated, attentive Wait staff- boarder line useless... Not enough staff, you will not be checked in with (good thing our drinks didn't require refill) and when they screw up don't expect an apology. The best was as soon as the food arrived we asked for barbecue sauce (a table spoon for which you'll be charged) ... 8min nothing... Get waitresses attention and she says oh someone's bringing it... Another 8min .... Get waitress again still no BBQ sauce... 6min later everyone at the table is done with their food except for the person waiting on the sauce.... Which has finally arrived- way to go!
(3)
Arian M.
Great for lunch. The atmosphere tends to be quieter during lunch, less people. I always enjoy their nachos...nice and gooey! Service always seems to be spot on, not too attentive. I don't like to be bother every 2 mins when I'm gossiping with friends or getting my grub on. I think you should check out this place.
(4)
Alan L.
Place is awesome! Good food, GREAT bar staff. One place not to miss in Chicago!
(5)
Frankie T.
The fish n' chips were pretty good. Highlight of the visit: $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon tall cans. What a bargain for me. Cool looking joint too!! Will return and do recommend!!
(4)
Brian J.
This place had the best wings I have ever had in my life. So take my advice and try the maple BBQ wings, they are phenomenal. Great atmosphere and obviously a popular DT spot, as it was hard for us to find a bar seat the three times that we went.
(5)
Mara W.
Truffle fries are delicious!! My burger was good but not great. I ordered the California burger on a pretzel bun medium; the burger was not as juicy as I would have hoped for and the bun was cold and untoasted. My husband had chicken fingers and truffle fries. He liked the chicken fingers but didnt love them; they were small in size also.
(4)
Tiffany H.
Stopped by Timothy O'Toole's since all the good wing and beer places closed at 10pm in downtown Chicago. My friends and I ordered the Irish Nachoes (which are actually French fries), some wings, and a bunch of beer. Don't expect much for the wings, they taste the same as the frozen ones you buy at the market and microwave. Unless that's the way Chicago folks like their wings, I was not impressed. On the other hand, the Irish Nachoes were really good! All that cheese with bacon, yum! I don't know if it was good or if the beer made it good but whatever, the combination of the two was fabulous! I'd go back!
(4)
Jamie B.
This review pertains to the service at the bar. The burger and wings were great. The service pretty much sucked. I counted 6 bartenders, none of which could manage to ask us if we needed another round. When we finally did flag someone down to bring us more drinks, he must have gotten distracted, because five minutes went by, still no drinks, then we see him leave with his cash drawer for the evening. ?? So then we flagged down another bartender who brought us our beers. At this point we were done with our food. A beer really would have went well the burger and wings, but oh well. Next task was trying to leave. We had our credit card sitting out on the bar, ready to go for over 10 minutes. Counted 5 bartenders meandering by with no concept of looking out for these sort of details. FINALLY asked one of the dudes to bring us our check. Would have wanted to stay longer if the service was more attentive and appeared to give a shit. The two drunk girls sitting next to us seemed to get plenty of attention and free shots however, so maybe you just need to be a wasted chick sans husband/boyfriend to get served here?
(2)
Lisa G.
This place inspired my first Yelp review! Hubby and I are in Chicago on vacation and Yelper advise this is a great place to watch sports. We walk in and see that there aren't two seats together at the bar, so the hostess gets us a table right away; then we see two seats open up at the bar and she has no problem seating us at the bar with a smile and an offer to turn any of the TVs to a particular game if we want. Off to a good start! Five stars for service! Bartenders were quick to refill drinks, knowledgeable and had several suggestions to help us decide. At one point I dropped a nearly full drink (I wasn't drunk, I swear! It just slipped out of my hand) and within two minutes I had a replacement drink, club soda to clean off my shirt, and a busboy cleaning up the spill. Outstanding! Great vibe! I'm a sports bar kind of girl and this place is right up there for atmosphere. We were there when four different major games were on (Stanley cup finals, OKC / San Antonio basketball semi-finals, two baseball games) and it was so fun to see different groups cheering different plays! Quite full for a Wednesday. We were very tempted by the "build your own grilled cheese" but opted for the "spicy" wings and some fries. Minus one star for the wings. The sauce was very flavorful but it was by no means spicy, and sweeter than your traditional wing sauce. Kind of a cross between BBQ and wing sauce. Don't get me wrong, it was tasty, but not what I was expecting. If you are looking for heat, maybe try the next level up. The fries were an excellent complement to the wings: fried with the skin on, done perfectly, and served with three dipping sauces. Would definitely recommend this place!
(4)
Nicole C.
Loaded double baked potato soup. Enough said!
(5)
Ben K.
You don't see a lot of sports bars that have this solid a tap list. They had some really good local craft plus they had some Three Floyd's drafts which don't exist where I live. The food was solid and the service was friendly.. I'd go back then next time I'm in Chicago.
(4)
C Ann G.
I am not impressed with the food or the ignorant loud workers that frequent the bar. The bartenders do not seem to know when females are being slobbered on you should cut off the drinkers. Not so great a family atmosphere but a 20-30 year old clientele fits right in.
(2)
Curt L.
Free UFC fight (UFC 141) brought me in here with my Son-In Law. Great spot strategically located near our hotel (Courtyard). Enough draft options to keep the aficionado happy. Packed house. Lots of nooks and crannies. Always fun to walk down into a bar. Good looking crowd.
(4)
Carol K.
Timothy O'Tooles is a bit of an Irish bar crossed with a sports bar. Located in the basement of a building, upon entering your senses are immediately assaulted by all that is going on- you won't know where to look first! I was surprised that on a Wednesday night- that the place was as packed as it was. After all- it was after 10 and this place just doesn't give off a neighborhood bar vibe. But almost every seat was taken as we were seated off to the side by the host/server/bouncer (he seemed to be doing it all on the night I was there) They have these huge beers- seriously they were at least 32 oz of beer in these giant steins. They also have many ways to entertain you-from bar darts, to golden tee to 3 pool tables and a juke box that just won't quit. Couple that with at least 15 TV's showing games and there is a ton of activity in this space. But the server was friendly and fast, the beer relatively cheap so I was happy just to sit and catch up with friends. Parking is easy on the street and there is a pay garage located just across the street. Doubt that this would be a destination bar for me- but the next time I am in Streeterville and looking for a place to get the "biggest beer know to man", I'll definitely pop in here again.
(3)
Mike L.
Went here to watch the AFC Championship. Great beer selection. Was able to cross Zombie Dust off my bucket list. Huge number of TV's, good menu. I loved the basket section of the menu...so many times you want wings or tenders or something, but that's not a meal...add fries, throw it in a basket...perfect beer and football meal. Wings were great (and hot), staff was awesome and attentive.
(4)
John F.
Tuesday night. Kinda busy and slow service. But what the hell lots of TVs and good music playing. Food was very good for bar standards!
(4)
Beth W.
We decided to hit this place because the overall ratings here on Yelp looked ok and it was really close to our hotel. I expected bar food and I got it. The overall ambience seemed very fun--very Chicago bar. The food....meh. I asked the waitress if the hot wings were 'drippy sauce' wings because I didn't want that and she assured me that they weren't. Boy howdy was she wrong. Yuck. But the beer was good. It was entertaining to watch the other people in the bar, and we got a kick of out of a Thanksgiving contest that they were advertising---the Turkey Testicle Festival. That in and of itself had us laughing and having a good time. This place is what it is and doesn't pretend to be anything else. That's ok I suppose. :)
(3)
Shradha A.
Went back last week to try their veggie burger and nachos - Veggie burger was not bad but I hate how they charge 50c extra for a couple of pieces of onion!!! (and pretty much anything else you ask for - sauce, salsa, tomato - it's a standard 50c additional). The nachos were okay - nothing great either because they don't have vegetarian beans at all. They came slightly soggy because of too much sour cream and came with too little jalapenos and too little salsa. We asked for a little bit of salsa and a couple of jalapenos, the server didn't even tell us any of these things will be additional, and then went on to charge 50c + 50c + 50c!!! Especially when we're saving them all the money on the meat that we didn't put in the nachos - the least they can do is give us 2 pcs of jalapenos for no extra charge!!!
(3)
Kayla C.
Really nice cozy bar. I went to the "comedians you should know" show and for $5 a ticket, I was really impressed. Bartenders were good and over all just a great vibe and really comfortable. Can't wait to go again!
(5)
Chris R.
3.5 stars. To me this place and Jake Melnicks are direct competitors. Both bars have similar feel, feature wings, and good beer selections. Jake's wings are better and a lot spicier (volcano vs xxx) but the overall menu of ToT is a bit better. Beer selection at Jake's is better with more craft beer features. That being said ToT selection is not bad by any stretch just not as good. Ambience: The dining area of ToT is better but the bar area of Jakes is better. Jakes also has a veranda which is great and something a basement bar like ToT cannot compete with. You cannot go wrong with either Jakes or ToT but if you are a chili head than the wings are Jakes are at a whole other level of heat!
(4)
David L.
there's a bartender here who looks EXACTLY like triple H, so go here if you are WWE fan k
(5)
Meagan H.
Every time I walked past this place I thought it was some tiny dive-like bar located in the shopping district of Chicago. So I never felt compelled to go in. The moment I walk in, I realize that the entire bar is in the basement. I go downstairs to realize that it's pretty big! Although big, finding a spot to sit down is quite difficult. I can't recall if they play music. So I'm gunna go ahead and say that if they do, you can't hear it. This is a great place to go with co-workers to watch sports and play pool. Not a good place to go out and dance. I think it's either a good starter bar, or a good ending bar. Meaning, a good bar to start the night, and a good bar to end the night. But if you'd ask me if it's a good spot for a birthday party or for a night out with the girls I'd shrug and say "Meh". Maybe a good place for a boys night out. They play sports on their 50 TV screens throughout the place. Actually I was pretty bored there and actually ended up delving into a documentary about Herschel Walker. Poor guy. Or actually IDK maybe it's more sad that I'm sitting their watching a documentary about him. But anyways, not bad not great. I'm sure I'll be there again because my Sheraton hotel friends get half off their entire bill (minus specialty beers which we learned after we got the bill and couldn't reverse).
(3)
Stacie S.
Our server Ray, was amazing - knows his beer craft like it's nobody's business. He set us up after the first round with the perfect pairings. Food is average American fare, items done well but nothing super spectacular. The beer list, however, well worth the trip.
(3)
Hawk O.
Love this place.Great sports bar.Fun,fun place!
(5)
James K.
not my dream bar but it's stumbling distance from my home and i've had good times. The last time I ate, the burger was bad but the service was perfect. how do you rate that? the prices are solid as is the selection. they honor my friend's industry discount as well. The decor looks like a dive bar but they have a million TVs. O'toules is good for what it is. classic sports bar
(3)
Steve R.
Menu is robust as is the beer selection on draft. Big fan of the bucket of fries. Wait staff is really good... Especially Sonna, and the only reason to take away a star is the bar serive. If you sit at the bar, the drink service is slow... maybe it's because they are making the drinks for the servers, which makes the table service so good!
(4)
Nadeem P.
Been here quite a few times, and as far as drinks othis place lives up to bar standards, and I would even say notch higher due to their extensive beer list. I was wowed last night when I came here hungry. Their build your own burger is simply AMAZING! I would have to rate it as one of the top 5 burgers I've ever. The meat was great quality, and all 1/2 pound of it was cooked to medium perfection. The toppings and bread delicious, and when you get into the toppings such as Jalepenos bacon and srichacha Mayo and roasted garlic aioli you know you have a winner. Add to that truffle fries and a tasty beverage and you have a meal you'll never forget!
(5)
Mike K.
I think 25 visits is about enough to finally have enough of a feel for a place to generate a decent review. I've been to O'Toole's approximately that many times (maybe more) over the years thanks mostly to my erstwhile domicile on Randolph. The latest visit was just recently for a few beers with a girl whose face looks like the map of Ireland. Irish Fever. O'Toole's is your typical sports bar. The only thing Irish about O'Toole's is the name. Wait. The only things Irish about O'Toole's on this night were the name, Kelly and my ass. I'm only part, but I go with it. Fixed. O'Toole's consists of the restaurant area, the bar area and the pool table area. Televisions are ubiquitous. You're not going to miss any games. You won't even miss Hawks games, I imagine. They didn't televise half of them when I consistently patronized O'Toole's back in the day. As to the food at O'Toole's, I'd stick with a burger, as they are always good. At the latest visit, which was supposed to only be for a beer or two, we ended up going for the nachos with the chili topping to pad our stomachs for the unexpected overtime. That was a mistake. I don't like peanut butter in my chocolate or kidney beans in my nachos. I also hate it when you pick up one chip and the entire canopy of cheese comes up with it. I longed for Dylan's nachos. So I'd consequently recommend against the nachos. Funny how I endorsed the nachos six weeks ago and then got fooled for my trouble. I digress. As for the patrons at O'Toole's, you'll find that it's mostly tourists and people who work in the area, so it doesn't have much of a feel or a soul. That's alright though. It's still a decent place to grab a burger and catch the game. I'm sure I'll be back at some point. Another K. We'll see what happens. Four stars.
(4)
Travis F.
I can dig this place. The house/techno music mix and largely Northwestern student crowd suggest I should have stopped in about 10-15 years ago, but there is still much to offer a non-student. There are many, many beers on tap, along with who-knows-how-many others available by bottle or can. I stayed simple and had a PBR tall boy followed by a Patron Silver shot, but you can pretty much Google any adult beverage and be confident they will have it. Didn't try the food, but what I saw come out of the kitchen looked tasty and generous in portion size. 3-4 pool tables and a dart board or two are sure to keep anyone entertained when the ubiquitous flat screens aren't showing a live game. Had I ordered food and enjoyed it I would give Timothy O'Toole's 5 stars, but I can't speak for the food yet, so 4 will have to do.
(4)
Adam A.
Great great bar. High Life Tall Boys for $3? Yessir. Huge menu, pool, darts, a million TVs. All I need! Oh, and the bloody mary and mimosa bar for weekend brunch is solid.
(5)
Rich U.
Welcome to the birthplace of "Black Arrogance." Whoa - slow down all you easily offended PC disciples. Black Arrogance is a drink combining Guinness and Arrogant Bastard - a masterful variation on a Black and Tan. And it's here where bartender Deron Powell (a genuine celebrity you can meet in person at Timothy O'Toole's) invented this potent concoction. Deron is a good sport and a great innovator. He even jokes about how the drink could just as easily have been named "Black Bastard." We both had a good laugh about how a lily white patron like me could go about ordering the drink from him (he's not lily white) without getting beat up. Indeed, the bartenders here are great - as is the first rate draft selection. Seasonal specials in giant mugs are a bargain ($6.50). And every beer drinker will find something here to suit their taste (even the swill drinkers who prefer Miller Lite - blech!). Timothy O'Toole's offers good pub food (especially the Irish Nachos) in a sports bar atmosphere. They also have a solid Sunday brunch with an "all you can drink/make your own" Bloody Mary/Mimosa bar. So what if it's in a basement? If you happen to play the trivia game (the machine, not the Monday gathering), look for my "player name" at the top of the general category. I go by "Bo Knerr" or "Hugh Jas." You knock me out of the high score ranking at your own peril.
(4)
Liz M.
I have to be honest, I'm a little biased- I live across the street so this is my go- to place. Food - great. Love the wings, salads/ wraps, and burgers. Drinks - can be pricey, but they have great specials each day of the week. Great beer selection. Bloody Mary bar during brunch is AMAZING! Atmosphere- crowded and loud. LOTS of out-of towners come here since they are staying in the hotels in the area. Watching middle aged men act like fools is rather entertaining. Beware ladies- especially if you are alone or with a small group. Aside from those guys, fun young crowd. Staff- always pleasant and fun! Some of these guys I've known for years and somehow they are always in a great mood despite the madness that is going on around them.
(4)
Quan L.
What happened to this place? I used to come here and shoot some pool, play darts, or have a few drinks and watch a game. Now you can't even sit down at a bar table without being seated by a hostess. The pool table is covered up. The darts are all broken. Is this a bar or TGIFridays?
(1)
Tim B.
Pretty nice basement bar with good food and drink specials. We hit Happy Hour and would gladly visit again.
(4)
Elizabeth R.
My hopes were not high the first time I went into Timmy's. However, over my past few visits, I've been pleasantly surprised. I've only ever sat at the bar, so I know this is a great place to go if you want to catch a game on TV, have some beers and a little bar food. I've tasted the wings and nachos, but I really think the best thing on the menu are the salad wraps. Call me a girl. If you drink whatever, the daily drink specials are pretty good. Service is sufficient. Overall, Timmy's is a place to go if you want a few drinks, watch the game and maybe get a bite to eat when you're tipsy. Cheers.
(4)
Nicki W.
This would not have been my first choice, but a friend lives a block away and we were hungry after a night of drinking. It's located in the basement which is always alluring to me for some reason. The bar itself was nothing special and the food was not bad. We had the nachos with chicken and the wings which were pretty small. Our bartender was very friendly. The absolute best part about this spot was the fact that people were singing karaoke. It doesn't get much better than that. I'm surprised I didn't drag myself up there and belt out some notes for all those lovely bar patrons. I'm left with pretty awesome memories of the night itself so thanks Timothy O'Toole's for being part of that.
(3)
Aaron S.
For my #200, I decided to finally review Timothy O'Toole's - and my first Man v. Food challenge. So please keep in mind that I'm not a bar person and didn't get anything alcoholic, and I'm not a sports fan so the 30-something high-def screens and their near-blinding light went rather unnoticed by me. But what I did notice was the Big Timmy Challenge. Challenge: Two 1/2-pound burger patties, cheddar, jack, mozzarella and swiss cheeses, bacon, onion straws, BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomato and red onion along with a big helping of fries & onion rings on the side Time Limit: None People: 1 Prize: Free T-Shirt Rules: No substitutions I guess if there's one thing I need to work on when it comes to food challenges, it's my hatred of certain foods that sadly will be there and won't go away. The hardest part of this challenge was eating the tomato. Really. I knew I had to get it out of the way as soon as my food arrived so I could enjoy the rest of the challenge. After hemming and hawing at the large menu, even my girlfriend Char O. eventually gave in and decided to take the challenge with me. We waited in anticipation, and eventually they brought out these large trays with our burger taking up one-third of the space, with each of the other thirds engulfed in a pile of french fries and onion rings. First down, the dreaded tomato - eyes closed and 30 seconds in, I felt the hardest part was over. Luckily, the buns on this burger were of relatively-normal size, but I know they can be tricky so I ate the dry bun tops by themselves along with the lettuce and a handful of fries in a pseudo-sandwich. If Man v. Food has taught me anything, it's that starches and carbohydrates will ruin you if you wait too long to deal with them. I'll let Char tell you her side of the story in her own review, but she handled this challenge like a champ. I went with the knife-and-fork approach to take down all of the meat and cheese. Handling the burger with my hands would have wasted too much time with napkins and/or licking fingers. The meat was very juicy and they did a good medium-rare. I liked the shoestring onions on the burger and the BBQ sauce was very tasty and went well with the giant strips of bacon. The french fries were seasoned nicely, but couldn't hold a candle to those onion rings. It's not often that you see onion rings with grill marks! The batter was light and seemed to be a beer-batter, too. The onions were done nicely and not too stringy or tough. At the end of the challenge, we were able to hold our empty plates in victory. I give Char credit for being the 1st to finish (yes, I got "beat by a girl") but I'm not a sprinting eater - I'm a marathon eater. Which is why I was able to come home and have dessert. Frankly, I was contemplating ordering the famous Irish Nachos while we were waiting for some drink refills. Speaking of which, I guess I should mention what I took note of at this place besides the burger challenge. The entryway is kind of cramped, in that people entering and exiting through the main hallway bump into each other constantly. Funny to watch if it's not you, but bumping into drunks on the way in and making that exit with 2-3 pounds of food in your belly are no laughing matter. The server was patient with us while my girl perused all the items on the menu before deciding to go with the challenge, but as soon as the food was ordered, we were not visited frequently. We both had empty glasses and had to flag her down while she was standing NEXT to our table with new patrons, and even then she only refilled mine. (My girl has horrible luck with servers giving refills sometimes.) I guess if we had alcohol instead of free-refill sodas, they might have cared more about our service. My last discussion point is the free T-shirts. They're a prize for winning the challenge, meaning you ate over 2 pounds of food successfully (and paid $20 for the privilege). And you're telling me the largest size of shirt you carry is 3XL? AND that you're OUT of that size? People - these are the shirts that you SELL on your website and in the restaurant, and you're telling me you don't keep things stocked and also don't feel like catering to the larger clientele of Chicago? I was almost okay with the situation and walking out with a free 2XL shirt that I'd never really be able to wear comfortably, until... Server: "We just have the 2XL, but don't worry because it runs big." It "runs big"? Well, I ALSO "run big", if you happen to have functioning eyeballs. And almost ALL shirts "run big" because they shrink when you wash them - even if it says "pre-shrunk". I was fine with you telling me you stock poorly and this is the best accommodation you can make for my prize. But don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining. I'm fat, but I'm not an idiot. All in all, good food. I may be back. Oh, and in this battle of Man v. Food - MAN WINS! Happy 200th review! (Pics will be posted too!)
(4)
Katie Q.
Timothy O'tooles? You must mean TOTS. Because that's what we've come to call it. The thing that's great about TOTS is that it's a laid back bar located in the middle of Rivernorth/Streeterville club & lounge madness. When you're feeling like a burger and a beer on a low key night, this place works like a charm. I've spent many fine afternoons meeting my friends here for a drink or two, which have ultimately led to us taking down a few tallboys (be careful, the Matilda tall boys were 19.00) Easy TOTS, let's not get too fancy - remember you have pool tables and dart boards in the back. It's ok though, I digress.... The wait staff is so friendly (particularly Dusty) that one particular day a few friends of mine and I ended up staying much longer than necessary, chatting it up with our waiter and the bartenders. One of my friends was actually offered a job. Who knew, endless entertainment AND employment opportunities? TOTS. As far as I'm concerned, I'm home.
(5)
David N.
Stopped in late on a Saturday night. Didn't have a problem getting a table, even with the place being pretty crowded. Waited a while before our server checked in at our table. Thrown off a bit at first, as she seemed to be a bit on the shitty side. Luckily for both of us, her frown seemed to turn upside down by night's end. Crude at times, overly hospitable at others. Anyways, drink and food menus were solid. Plenty of beer choices outside of Miller and Bud; Craft and Micros aplenty. Food menu was well-proportioned and fairly extensive for pub grub. Burgers, sandwiches, plenty of apps, and some English favorites; Fish & Chips, Shepherd's Pie, etc.. If you're feeling froggy, which I just so happened to be that fateful night, try the Big Timmy Challenge. After all is said and done, easily 3 pounds of food once you combine the double cheese burger, fries, and onion rings. It's an ass-kicker, but well worth it. Burger was cooked perfect and juicy. Bun, cheese, bacon, onion straws, BBQ sauce; all excellent. Prices seemed close to market, maybe a tad high, but it's the city right? Pretty good first time experience at Timmy O'Toole's. I'm sure we'll be back for another Challenge soon.
(4)
Stephanie L.
Wow, this place was packed on a Tuesday night. They had $15 buckets....nice. Also, we had the sampler....it was hummus, spinach dip, taziki dip along with pita, veggies, etc. It was pretty good. This place seems like a chill little watering hole. I was only there for a couple of beers. Plus, stella is on tap....BONUS!
(4)
Chris M.
Excellent location with a excellent steak sandwich. Once your done with your food you can go to the bar to enjoy the rest of the night. Don't get to Chicago much, but next time I'm there I would go here again.
(5)
Nicolas H.
Definitely a tourist friendly bar, but not too bad for locals if you are in the neighborhood. They have a huge back room which we took advantage of on the night in question. The drinks were cheap due to the special that night, so I can't complain in that regard, even if our waitress wasn't too happy to deliver them to us. The wings were Decent at best, not sure how they won so many awards for them, as I've had better at BW3s among other places. The rest of the food looked good enough, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come back for more. Basically, if you are in the neighborhood there aren't really that many options, so its not bad for a beer or two...
(3)
Charlotte O.
So, Aaron S. and I have recently became fans of "Man Vs. Food"on the Travel Channel. Aaron came across this place's "Big Timmy Challenge" while looking for his own food challenges. I on the other hand really wanted to check it out because I kept hearing good things about them from my co workers, and because I enjoy a pint of Guinness on occasion. We enter and it's in the basement a flight of stairs and a narrow door way where people sometimes bump into each other. It's full of people, full of big screen TVs and very loud I liked the all wood benches, and dimmed lights We were greeted right away. The waitress was pretty friendly and pretty patient with us considering It took me a while, and a little convincing from Aaron, to actually do the Big Timmy Challenge. I liked that they have a pretty extensive menu for a bar. Two 1/2 pound burger patties, with cheddar, Swiss, Monterrey jack, and mozzarella cheese, bacon, BBQ sauce, fried onion strings, lettuce, red onion and tomato. Served with a heaping side of fries AND onion rings. While we waited I told him that I didn't think I could do it, and trying to talk was tough because of all the bar noises. I found it funny that I kept hearing people randomly breaking into song. It came. Along with some refills of soda. This tray of food in front of me. Oh no! How to tackle it? I picked at the fries because there was just so many of them. Then I cut my burger in half so it would be easier to pick up. The burger was actually really tasty. My meat was nicely seasoned and juicy. The bacon nice and thick and just crisp enough. The BBQ added a nice smokey/sweet taste which complimented the meat and tied all the flavors together nicely. The onion strings added a nice onion taste without it being overbearing, So first half of the burger down. I choose then to tackle more of the fries. The fires were a nice fresh cut potato with just enough salt. Though the clear winner of the two sides were the onion rings. They had a nice thin coating of batter, and had a hint of beer flavor to them, so it was clear to me that it was a beer batter. They were even grilled because there were some appealing grill marks on them. This was the hardest part of the challenge for me. The fries began to dry out my mouth and required way too much chewing is also where I was getting full, I do not know how I managed to eat all of them. I left a few onion rings and ate the rest of the burger. Once that was done I realized I only had a few bites of Onion Rings. Done! Aaron was still working, I couldn't believe I ate it all and that fast. I sat there grumbling because my stomach was so full. So I kicked foods ass this round. Once we were both done and had pick T shirt sizes, there was some disappointment that Aaron could not get the size that he wanted and that the waitress said "They run big though!" I think my one gripe about the place would be the service. You really have to flag them down for refills and it was no easy task because of the noise level/crowd level. Hopefully we'll be back to try the wings and maybe some Irish Nachos and enjoy a pint or two.
(4)
Brandon D.
Standard American corporate bar/imitation Irish-Pub. Lots of food and drink choices with fairly consistently good server staff. The place is overpriced for what you get, but you pay for the real estate. If you are a sports fan, they have 30+ tv's to satisfy. It's close to work so it's typically the de facto location. They do split bills, offer NU and NMH discounts and the food is consistent if only satisfactory. When I go there to drink, I always have a good time, but I am left with the nagging feeling I am paying too much for a pint.
(3)
Kate B.
I come here almost any time I am in Chicago on a Saturday-Sunday for brunch/football... and it is a great place for that! UNLIMITED bloody mary bar (huge selection of mixes, seasonings and toppings) for $20 and UNLIMITED mimosas (with multiple juice options) for $16. I was sold right there. I'm easy to please when it comes to brunch ... unlimited day drinking does it. The food is also really good...Irish Benny was yummy and my boyfriend loves the scramblers. Wings and wraps/salads (you can turn any salad into a wrap) are also good here. Good service most every time we've been there, every football game you can imagine and a good deal in Chicago...what's not to like?
(4)
Lauren W.
After a long day in Chicago, we decided to grab a bite to eat and grab a few drinks. Our server was very nice and attentive to our needs. We ordered chips and salsa for $5, and it was very good! Crunchy, warm chips and delicious salsa. They have a build your own burger deal for $8.99, and I got a chicken breast with lettuce, tomatoes, jalapenos, chipotle mayo, and jack cheese on a whole wheat bun. Soooo good! There are tons of options to put on your burger, and I recommend you doing this to make it for your own taste! Afterwards, we found a table near the bar and had a few drinks and watched the Olympics, which was covered on about half of the TVs (there were a lot!). Typical sports bar, but great atmosphere and pretty busy for the time that we were there.They had a comedy club going on, but we couldn't go since it started at 9 and we had to eventually take the train home.
(4)
Rishabh A.
This bar is really close so I visit their often. It's open till late so that helps. Nice dinner options. Though i have always just had drinks there and i would say that drinks are pretty cheap on some nights. For Long island iced tea my friend paid $4.5. Also, they have a good variety of beers. and variety of other alcohol as well. The only sad thing about the bar is that the doorman acts weirdly. He does not let people in even when they are pretty good. And even if people are slightly drunk, its fine till they are not falling around and able to walk. The manager should do something about it. It disappoints a lot of people. But otherwise, a good place to hang out, they have pool tables, moderately priced drinks, good food, and nice ambiance.
(4)
Noah B.
I've been here a bunch of times as I work pretty close to O'Tooles. The chicken caesar salads are super good and their chicken quesadillas with bar-b-q and ranch is totally rad. They usually have some decent beer specials and come up par with the rest of the sports bars in the area for having a ton of TVs with sports all over the place. The service is hit or miss, but they usually are pretty nice and get you your food in a reasonable amount of time. If you feel like taking a long lunch with a couple of drinks thrown in there then check out O'Tooles.
(3)
Mike O.
I was attending a seminar at the Double Tree Chicago Centre Hotel half a block away and we had an hour for lunch. Originally, I had hoped to go to Boston Blackie's but my boss suggested this place and offered to buy for me and my co-worker. Well, we went down the stairs to the dining area. There was a very short wait and it wasn't even crowded, considering it was 12:15, peak lunch hour for local businesses. We got our table and we sat there for 20 minutes before our waitress appeared, apologized for being so late, and asked us to order drinks. Another 10 minutes passed before drinks arrived. We quickly ordered our food, realizing half our lunchtime was over. I was tempted to try a burger, but watching a deer hunting show on their big-screen TV reminded me of Wisconsin, so I decided on fish & chips instead. Bad move! The breading on the cod was chewy and tore away from the fish. Any self-respecting fish fry place in Wisconsin or Michigan's UP would put Timothy O'Toole's fish to shame. And to top that, the breading tasted stale and lacked any flavor it seemed. I normally don't use tartar sauce but the fish was so bland I had to dress it up a little. I was disappointed that coleslaw was not included, considering that a similar order anywhere else would have included some. We wolfed down our food to finish in time and scrambled back to our seminar across the street. I can't believe a place like this would be so grossly understaffed at peak lunch time. I would not recommend this place for its poor service and equally poor fish platter.
(2)
Lindsay A.
Good food, good selection (even into the late night hours) and the service has always been friendly. Timothy's is a block away from our crew hotel and after making the trek from Los Angeles to Chicago it's always on the to do list after a shower and nap.
(4)
Greg F.
This was my first great wing in the Windy City. On 4 repeat trips back, they've fallen off substantially. The beer selection is superb & cold. But the wings have become pedestrian. The garlic-ginger used to sing but now seems dry & tasteless. The staff doesn't go out of it's way to make you feel welcome either. One time, we came with a party of 10, during off hours & you would have thought we had the plague. Very little attentiveness w/ unremarkable food. Say it ain't so. For the best wings in Chicago, try Crisp - but BYOB!
(2)
Clare D.
I love this bar for the very fact that it is steps from my apartment. It might not be anything special, but that is why I like it. It has tons of seating and tons of tvs so they will put your game on for you. It is not too expensive and look at their deals which are usually good. I have so many free glasses from them. The food is actually really good. I would recommend the Irish Nachos which are a finger food version of a baked potato. They are good to me, especially when I need a break from studying or want to watch my teams (which are not everyone's teams), so I love them.
(4)
Paul C.
Used to go here from time to time in law school. Great bar? Hardly, but the foods not bad and occasionally there was a drink special. Haven't been back since my friends all left Streeterville and can't imagine I'll be back anytime soon. I'll give it an extra star because I got a nice scar from getting sucker punched in the face by one of their loser patrons.
(2)
David E.
I went there with some friends the waitress was good. It's ok for beer and hanging out. I do have a suggestion though...The bouncer should not have control over the music volume. Do not play any money on the Juke box! (not a dime iam serious) Why? The idiot Bouncer would not turn up the music even though I spent money to hear music and could not hear it! He said "people are trying to conversate I cannot turn up the music" I said i paid to hear the music and no one is trying to conversate turn up the music! he did not...(guess how much i tipped the bartender for also not turning up the music?) Zip zero not a penny! give me bad service and I will not tip and I will be sure not to recommend people to go to tim Otoole's....(oh and so many people value my opinion if they only knew)
(2)
Kristin G.
I have lived on the same block as Timmy's for about 7 years. I have been there at least 50 times and realized I have never written a review. I think this is because sometimes Timmy's is great and sometimes it is not. I really enjoy the food and get take-out often. They have great bar/ american food. I think it is definitely up a notch from other similar places. The wings, quesadillas, burgers, bbq ranch chicken wrap and the fries are some of my favorites. Unfortunately, the staff can be off-putting at times. The other day I went in with one of my friends to have dinner, beers and to go over some work. There was no one at the hostess stand for about 5 minutes so we sat ourselves at a booth. After getting our papers out AND ordering the drinks, the manager came over to us to tell us they needed the table for a bigger party and that we had to move to a smaller table near the bar. Very annoying. We left and the manager could not care less. Having said that, I have had some great times watching football and basketball games there.
(3)
molly c.
pricey. dan and i stopped here on a sunday before we saw spider man 3 at the AMC 21 around the corner. food was decent, beers were cold. it was pretty empty and our service was pretty slow. decent but slow. it's close to the movie theater and it's open at noon, so that's always something! i don't make a habit to go here unless i am in the area and hungry...chipotle and potbelly's weren't speaking to me that day! it is what it is. o'neils was SO much better :(
(3)
Lindsay G.
My friends and I decided to stop in Timothy's after watching the latest Harry Potter at the AMC East. The bar is your typical pub-- loud, dimly lit and lots of paneling. It was pretty busy, but we put our names on the list to be seated, grabbed a drink from the bar and hung out til they called us about 10 minutes later. We ordered quickly and our food came just as quickly. Please note that I was really hungry, so most anything would have tasted excellent....however, I decided to try the Goat Cheese quesadilla. I LOVE goat cheese and if you love it too, this is the quesadilla for you. Every single bite was dripping with warm and gooey cheese. I got the veggie version, so there were bell peppers, onions and mushrooms mixed in. It totaled to $9.00, and the portion was so large I couldn't finish it all. My friends seemed satisfied with their hummus platter, and except for our waitress trying to herd us away from the table the minute we finished eating, the entire ordeal was a great way to spend a Friday night with friends.
(4)
Kelly W.
When I worked in Streeterville, this place was a fun stop after work. It is in the basement so it feels quite homey. (Cell reception is bad so there are never people sitting around, talking on their phones.) The beer specials are nice and it never seems overly crowded. I've gone during the week and on Fridays too. I would recommend either choice. I've never had any food so I can't really say much about that. But after the movies or on your way home from Navy Pier, I recommend making a quick stop in.
(3)
Brian M.
Typical sports bar with passable food. I've had many a drunken night surrounded by the comfort of 110,000 plasma televisions each showing one of ESPN's 115 channels, faux brick paneling, and a hit-or-miss meal. At least the beer is cold. Not bad, but not great.
(3)
megan p.
Great bar. Delish food. The servers are nice, and the comedy show on Wednesday is awesome.
(5)
Jason P.
This is always a fun place to go to catch a game, some beers with the boys, or dinner before a movie. It's one of the better bar options as far as the area is concerned but the downfall is the service. I really want to give this place 4 stars but the food just missed the quality mark and the staff always seems to be 2 minutes behind. This will not stop me from going here by any means, and I'm optimistic about the future. This place totally kick's ESPN Zone's shins as far as a place to catch a game
(3)
Adam M.
The best sports bar in Chicago... PERIOD! The staff is always very friendly and the food is better than any other sports bar in the city. They have a great list of beers and spirits, and it is always a fun and lively place to be.
(5)
Patrick W.
An ok bar, but I just couldn't give it any more than three stars. I had a craving for fish & chips, so we headed here when we were in the area on a recent evening. For 10 bucks, I got a tray of french fries with four small pieces of fried fish on the corners. I couldn't believe that was all they give you! In fairness, it was really, really good, but thank goodness there were plenty of fries or I would have left hungry. My girlfriend had fried shrimp, which was also really good, and a bit more generous on the amount of shrimp. There's a great beer selection, and our server did a nice job. I'd go back, but would probably order something else.
(3)
Andrew T.
Lot of NU grad students it seems, come here to kick back. I noticed they had a karaoke night in the back room (pretty big) which I want to know more about, but other than that, it's a pretty typical pool, espn, bucket o' beers type place with better than average food. The wings are really good and big enough for a meal.
(3)
Timmay P.
This place is a dump in the basement. Avoid going here and the hand stamp nazi.
(1)
Fernando D.
If you have never visited chicago this is the place for you! Otherwise way too many tourists. Its not horrible....just too crowded for the type of place it is. Food is kinda high priced for being bar food and drinks are on the average side. If you are from chicago definitely go to another sports bar
(3)
Su S.
Not a place I would hang out at on the weekends but it's good for happy hour with the coworkers during the week. I like the Irish Nachos and the Holy Water. There are always promo people there handing out free stuff. I got a spatula!
(4)
Chris M.
This place was my after 5:00 and work is over place at my last job. A streeterville favorite of mine. Timmy O'Tooles is always fun with great food and excellent service. I am big into sports and they show all the games and sometimes host the Bears players after the games. They do their bar food appetizers really well with huge nacho dishes, good wings, big samplers, great quesadillas. No cover at this place is a plus, and if I'm ever in the area looking for a good spot to stop for a game, this will be it.
(4)
Audra S.
A basement bar in the River North part of town, Timothy O'Toole's reminds me of Rush & Division bars a lot. It's a sports bar, it's a pub, it's all wood everything and it's always packed with yahoos. The good news is they have an extensive selection of beer and they're open until 3:00 a.m. every night.
(3)
Mike M.
Go here after work a lot. Typical sports bar atmosphere, tons of televisions all over. I love their bacon cheeseburger and it's why I continue to return I suppose. Easy to lose track of time due to the lack of windows, being underground and all.
(3)
Steve R.
Not bad at all, better than I expected. It's a pretty generic after-work irish style pub, with some extra cool points 'cause it's a basement. Otherwise it's sorta like a green 'n brown. Upper average tap selections, college-kid heavy clientele. Average bar food. I wouldn't avoid it, perfectly agreeable but I wouldn't come here on a weekend.
(3)
Ren H.
This is actually a pretty fun place! Its always got a good crowd for the games and its always a fun time... They have good specials and pretty good food!
(4)
Kelly M.
Overcrowded. Rude Staff. It saddens me that I wasted time waiting in line to get into this place.
(1)
T K.
Large bar, pretty good menu (I really love the large nacho platter) cold beer and always interesting groups inside. I haven't had any troubles finding seating and the servers have all been very nice.
(4)
David K.
This a a great place to play pool, and I have named it one of the Top 10 places in the U.S. to play "bar pool" -- where you put up your quarters and challenge the winner. It has 3 nicer-than-most coin-operated pool tables, plus a manager that loves to play. Someone to play almost any night. They have a helpful and friendly staff. If you know of a better pub or tavern in which to play bar pool, please let me know -- David@Bar-Pool.com
(5)
mike L.
Have to agree with Kelly A.s' boyfriend, this place blows. it is amongst the worst of the faux-Irish bars I've ever been to. Crappy over-priced food coupled with overpriced drinks and bad service - can i give it zero stars? will never set foot in again
(1)
Kristen D.
This place is a nice place to watch a game, play some pool, or have some bar food. There's nothing too exceptional about this place, and yet it's always busy! There aren't too many other bars in the area either, so when I go somewhere for a drink around here, this is where I head. Northwestern students get $2 pints of Miller Lite with student ID, so it makes for a great study break for the med, law, and graduate students. They also have some good deals on beers of the month. It can get a little rowdy in here too, so if you're looking for someplace low key, I'd head somewhere else.
(3)
Caitlyn M.
Boring place, really good Irish fries though...Large large beers on Thursdays for cheap!
(3)
Drucilla D.
For drinks - they have an incredible cherry jolly rancher martini that I highly recommend. For dining - they have an menu that includes some of the best appetizers ever (I recommend their chicken strips and their taquito's - I usually order both). For entertainment - they have free, from your table, competitive trivia available at anytime on any of the televisions in the bar! It is INCREDIBLY addicting and a ton of fun!
(5)
Nick H.
Pretty much this bar has only one thing to offer: location. The service is mediocre and so are the drinks/food. It has a lot of TVs so you can pull up pretty much every sporting event on TV. If you don't have high hopes for a bar, then this is your place to go.
(2)
Jody C.
I am not a fan of Timmy O'Toole's, which makes me sad b/c its the closest bar to my place. FOr some reason, i'm always put off by bars that are underground. I guess i'm just a fan of air, or at least being able to see outside. Anyway, my problem with this bar started b/c everyone there had clearly just left a convention. They were all dressed in suits and getting absolutely plastered. That's fine, but it was the afternoon and there were families eating at the tables. The prices are too high for such a dingy bar.
(2)
Stephanie K.
As the clock strikes 12, I often get roped into heading down to Timmy's for lunch. Working about a block away, it's definitely a popular lunch spot. The ambience is cozy--like a neighborhood pub/bar, and the food is decent. Usually, they have some great specials, and their wraps are HUGE!
(3)
Spencer S.
This visit was truly a disaster. Stopped by for a meal on our walk home from Navy Pier. Now, admittedly, visiting a sports bar in the early afternoon during the week might not be the optimal time, but they were open. Things started poorly when it took us several minutes to get seated even though there was an employee standing at the entrance who was engrossed reading something the whole time. We ordered a burger, a Rachel, and a French Onion soup to begin. The soup was very cheesy, but the yellowness and taste of the onions gave the sense that it wasn't cooked long enough. The sandwiches came out and while the hamburger itself was rather good, it was actually served on a cold bun - very off putting. The delta cole slaw that I ordered was rather bland which was disappointing after the description by the waitress. My wife's Rachel had almost no Thousand Island on it so she asked for some more and the mashed potatoes she ordered were just ok. Then things got interesting when we got the bill and discovered we were charged extra for the small cup of a Thousand Island and for substituting the mash potatoes. The waitress and then the manager both insisted that this substitution cost is listed in the menu - at almost the cost of a side itself. We did not bother arguing the point since we were more disturbed by the waitress failing to mention this, but looking at the menu outside the restaurant (their website appears to be currently down so I cannot check online) this does not appear to be mentioned at all, let alone as prevalently as the manager implied. I definitely get the impression that they try to nickel-and-dime you, but really their prices are not that cheap where I believe that is needed. Would give the place 1 star, but the manager did waive the extra cost and the burger itself was decent (but I'd pay the additional $1 for a Weber Grill burger). If something amazing was happening at this place I would go back, but I doubt I will otherwise.
(2)
booby d.
Fun for people ages 35 and older. No youngins here. Food menu looked good but went purely because it was the first place we saw for late nite liquor. Margaritas were dull. I give it a "meh".
(3)
M S.
My local bar, tried and true for over 5 years now. It's usually packed on Fridays and Saturday nights, with pool, trivia games, and lots of fun, interesting people. It's also a great place to grab a drink or two after work, with excellent beer and mixed drink specials throughout the week. Come over!
(5)
AJ H.
I would give it 3.5 stars. There is nothing special about it, but the food and drinks are good, and the service is decent. It is a great place to grab lunch, but it can sometimes be full of drunken tourists/businessmen at night.
(4)
Geoff M.
I come here whenever I want to watch sports in a bar. They have myriad TVs and are good about putting on whatever game you want. It would be nice if they caught up to the flat screen craze, though. The food is above average, especially for a sports bar with solid burgers, wings, etc. The prices are about average - 8 or 9 dollars for a burger - but they have decent drink specials. Service is hit or miss.
(3)
Liliana S.
Good Specials and a fun, lively bar, but its a little too secluded from the rest of the River North venues.
(3)
Michelle W.
I used to live right down the street from this neighborhood bar. I love this place. Great drinks, excellent food and lots of fun.
(4)
Nicola C.
This is a great place to go if you are shopping on Michigan Avenue, or walking towards the lake. It has a great pub feel to it, and is also good for Monday night football. Definitely have fun there everytime i go.
(4)
Robyn N.
Great place to stop in for a few drinks after work. They have a large drink selection and the spinach and artichoke dip is a must. There are also pool tables, dart boards, and big screen tv's to watch any sporting event.
(3)
Will M.
food is pretty mediocre. but it's a fun place to watch games and such downtown. who doesn't like timmy o'toole's?
(3)
Julia B.
Good happy hour, afternoon type bar. It is a usual pub atmosphere with great beers on tap and darts, tv's and pool tables. Not a place I would go on a weekend night though.
(3)
V V.
Great watering hole. A nice array of specials and deals. From the Irish ghost wings to the holy water mixed drink; I've got no complaints. Nice wooden settings with a sports bar aesthetic great for meetings as well. If your visiting most certainly a great spot to stop into.
(4)
Kirkwood J.
Really really good wings. I got Spicy. Basically the perfect wing.
(5)
Katie B.
Good service. EXCELLENT Bloody Mary. A little spicy but one of the best I've had. Nachos were awesome.
(4)
Todd C.
I was there a little while back, had the best time because of the attentiveness of our server Alex. She is a cute little brunette with a golden personality. She took care of my entire party, which was a tad needy. She never stopped smiling, had a great attitude, and made the visit great. I hope I am able to request her as my server when I return. My firm likes to do happy hours, and when I am in town she is now my go to person. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to my next trip to the city to come to your place. Alex is def a keeper.
(5)
Jennifer M.
My favorite sports bar in the city. Love their wings, and they have pool tables which is a plus. They have TVs everywhere so you'll be able to see the game wherever you sit. Service is ok, it's what I expect from a sports pub.
(5)
Mike T.
A regular stop on my Chicago trips. The 2 stars is only because it is absolutely packed on any night when any sports game is going on. As Yogi said, "It's too crowded, nobody goes there anymore." Major props for an extensive beer list, although often it seems they run out of things. No big deal, move down the list. Food is what you expect from a tavern. But, secret tip, at lunch time they go some tasty snack mix for free. I'll be back for the convince.
(2)
M G.
POOR TREATMENT LIKE I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED Never. I repeat... never have I been kicked out, or even threatened of not being served. I literally just got off the phone with the manager who was nothing less than rude, defensive, and NOT customer-oriented. Shame on this horrid place. I left the large bouncer yelling at, and being chastised by his female boss for being out of line. DO NOT go into this trashy, basement, pathetic waste of a space. You're in Chicago. There are a million other places!! I feel violated for having stepped foot in this vile establishment. Shame shame shame.
(1)
Matt S.
Cool place! You enter at street level but go downstairs to the restaurant. My wife & I went there when we were in town & brought our two daughters (11 & 9 yrs). Chicago dogs were good. For $8 got 2 dogs & fries. Only minor complaint is that it was very loud inside. May not mind if you're going to drink & eat with friends but with kids, didn't make for a pleasant time.
(4)
Ed A.
This is not a bad place to stop after a long day or short day for that matter. The beer selection is pretty good with lots of beer on tap. Food is pretty good as well and I love the onion rings. Not really a singles bar, though I could be wrong having been here only once. A good place for a good beer. To talk with friends, coworkers, celebrate or watch the game. And if you become dangerously intoxicated, you're within crawling distance of the hospital.
(3)
Brian M.
Typical sports bar with passable food. I've had many a drunken night surrounded by the comfort of 110,000 plasma televisions each showing one of ESPN's 115 channels, faux brick paneling, and a hit-or-miss meal. At least the beer is cold. Not bad, but not great.
(3)
megan p.
Great bar. Delish food. The servers are nice, and the comedy show on Wednesday is awesome.
(5)
Kelly M.
Overcrowded. Rude Staff. It saddens me that I wasted time waiting in line to get into this place.
(1)
T K.
Large bar, pretty good menu (I really love the large nacho platter) cold beer and always interesting groups inside. I haven't had any troubles finding seating and the servers have all been very nice.
(4)
David K.
This a a great place to play pool, and I have named it one of the Top 10 places in the U.S. to play "bar pool" -- where you put up your quarters and challenge the winner. It has 3 nicer-than-most coin-operated pool tables, plus a manager that loves to play. Someone to play almost any night. They have a helpful and friendly staff. If you know of a better pub or tavern in which to play bar pool, please let me know -- David@Bar-Pool.com
(5)
Michelle W.
I used to live right down the street from this neighborhood bar. I love this place. Great drinks, excellent food and lots of fun.
(4)
Nicola C.
This is a great place to go if you are shopping on Michigan Avenue, or walking towards the lake. It has a great pub feel to it, and is also good for Monday night football. Definitely have fun there everytime i go.
(4)
Robyn N.
Great place to stop in for a few drinks after work. They have a large drink selection and the spinach and artichoke dip is a must. There are also pool tables, dart boards, and big screen tv's to watch any sporting event.
(3)
Will M.
food is pretty mediocre. but it's a fun place to watch games and such downtown. who doesn't like timmy o'toole's?
(3)
Joe W.
Was here on a Sunday night in July. It was a pretty quiet crowd which I expected, but the service was not great. If you just want a drink or two, this place is fine. Also, the nacho plate was very impressive.
(3)
Loma K.
Grabbed a drink with some friends from outta town. Overall, nice bar/ hangout place. The only down fall was the music was a bit too loud and couldn't really talk to one another.
(3)
Jeremy H.
Walked here after a game and was denied entrance for being too drunk after asking what the menu was. Have never been more offended in my life. Had three drinks before hand and was terribly disrespected. Had no problem getting in at bellwether right down the street and actually had a very comical review of Timothy O'tools during ordering. Unreal experience from a very uppity doorman.
(1)
Kristy D.
French dip!!! Kentucky bourbon beer !!! Truffles fries ..... Mmmmm Oh- and basketball
(3)
Erik G.
Was walking around downtown looking for a decent bar with some craft beers and stumbled upon this place. It's downstairs from the main street level and had many many large tv's and a nice circular bar. Craft beers were abundant and good variety. Didn't try the food, but the ambiance was just what I was looking for in a bar.
(4)
John F.
Best Cheeseburger I have ever had! I was in Chicago for business and staying across the street....ate here lunch dinner and lunch the following day. Service is wonderful, atmosphere is great. jf
(5)
Hannah L.
I feel like this place isn't getting enough props for brunch. I've been here for drinks and it was great, but I went for brunch this morning and was very impressed. $3 make your own mimosas (with a generous helping of champagne), $4 make your own bloodies. I had the breakfast nachos which were pretty good, and boyfriend had the monte cristo, which was excellent. Plus, we had our run of the place--a nice comparison to the super packed West Egg next door. Will be back!
(4)
Sonya Z.
nice sports bar with standard meh bar food, but affordable prices. the wednesday night comedy show of "comedians you should know" was..eh. but, as with most comedy shows, hit or miss. my favorite thing was the extremely nice door guys.
(3)
Renee L.
This is not the place to go if you want to chat with the people your with. Now if you want to watch a game and have it blasted in both ears and not be able to hear anything else & be able to see a TV where ever you look then this is the place for you. The food was just ok. Not something I would say I can't wait to go back there for the... The hamburger & Cajon chicken sandwich needed ketchup because they were dry. But if your drunk I think they will do. Some state on here its like cheers. Not... If you think you can walk in and just say hi to someone sitting at the bar u r mistaken. You would need a megaphone. loud
(3)
Kayla C.
Really nice cozy bar. I went to the "comedians you should know" show and for $5 a ticket, I was really impressed. Bartenders were good and over all just a great vibe and really comfortable. Can't wait to go again!
(5)
Kate B.
I come here almost any time I am in Chicago on a Saturday-Sunday for brunch/football... and it is a great place for that! UNLIMITED bloody mary bar (huge selection of mixes, seasonings and toppings) for $20 and UNLIMITED mimosas (with multiple juice options) for $16. I was sold right there. I'm easy to please when it comes to brunch ... unlimited day drinking does it. The food is also really good...Irish Benny was yummy and my boyfriend loves the scramblers. Wings and wraps/salads (you can turn any salad into a wrap) are also good here. Good service most every time we've been there, every football game you can imagine and a good deal in Chicago...what's not to like?
(4)
Matt S.
Cool place! You enter at street level but go downstairs to the restaurant. My wife & I went there when we were in town & brought our two daughters (11 & 9 yrs). Chicago dogs were good. For $8 got 2 dogs & fries. Only minor complaint is that it was very loud inside. May not mind if you're going to drink & eat with friends but with kids, didn't make for a pleasant time.
(4)
Craig S.
Very cool atmosphere. Food is decent, but the beer and people are much better. This is the place if you want to have a pint and enjoy hanging out.
(4)
Kirkwood J.
Really really good wings. I got Spicy. Basically the perfect wing.
(5)
Angelica D.
Okay well this place is just a bar. Food is edible, drinks are ok, a little overpriced but then again it is downtown so its expected. There's really not much to this place. There really isnt that much of a choice as far as bars go around that area. The staff is friendly so thats a bonus, oh and they gave me 20% off my next visit so i guess thats a plus.
(2)
Martha D.
I've always been a big fan of this establishment. It is down the street from a hotel several of my friends worked at for years and years. Bonus points: At one point in time, my friend of said hotel (who also has won a tshirt in their Timmy Challenge eatingfest) had a going away party here in late April. We were drinking a bizarre slurring of Jameson shots and sweet tea vodka cocktails. Ended up winning a bike somehow. Woke up a couple mornings later to find a hilarious and surprising voicemail.
(4)
Chris M.
Fun "Irish" Pub near all of the shopping and dining that Michigan Avenue is known for. Interesting building (the bar is in the basement). Friendly staff and decent prices for a downtown bar.
(4)
Jerome P.
Wouldn't allow a lady in on her birthday to eat.They claim somebody was to drunk but I think we were to black. Not trying to pull the race card but it is what it is.
(1)
Charles K.
Really nice place with great bar food!! Great location as well. Bartenders very friendly.
(4)
Jessica F.
I love this place! I ate here three times during my trip to Chicago. I have no complaints at all! Their menu offered a wide variety of choices, and the food tasted amazing. Their Chicken Alfredo is my favorite. I'm not a beer drinker, but I was surprised by the huge selection. The service is friendly and welcoming. The atmosphere is great whether you want to have a sit down dinner in the dining room or to catch a game at the bar. I wish I lived closer to Chicago because I would eat here all of the time!
(5)
liz d.
The service here at Timmy's has gotten better over the last year. Being a busy place for after work drinks, AKA Happy Hours, it can get a tad bit busy. The staff really steps it up and keeps those drinks flowing. Daily special are listed at the table for the wallet watching drinkers. Add the occasional food specials and you have yourself a pretty inexpensive night. My favorite drink here, the Black and Black, I have found at no other spot. It's Guinness with a splash of Blackberry syrup. OMG YUM, but filling. Also not to miss are the goat cheese quesadillas. Filled with veggies and crap tons of goat cheese, it's one of the best items on the menu.
(4)
Matt R.
Great everyday pub on the corner. Good beer selection.
(4)
Patrick W.
An ok bar, but I just couldn't give it any more than three stars. I had a craving for fish & chips, so we headed here when we were in the area on a recent evening. For 10 bucks, I got a tray of french fries with four small pieces of fried fish on the corners. I couldn't believe that was all they give you! In fairness, it was really, really good, but thank goodness there were plenty of fries or I would have left hungry. My girlfriend had fried shrimp, which was also really good, and a bit more generous on the amount of shrimp. There's a great beer selection, and our server did a nice job. I'd go back, but would probably order something else.
(3)
Drucilla D.
For drinks - they have an incredible cherry jolly rancher martini that I highly recommend. For dining - they have an menu that includes some of the best appetizers ever (I recommend their chicken strips and their taquito's - I usually order both). For entertainment - they have free, from your table, competitive trivia available at anytime on any of the televisions in the bar! It is INCREDIBLY addicting and a ton of fun!
(5)
Mike M.
Great beer selection. Lot's of TV's. Good food. Good service. Whatever I could say has probably already been said. We were there late on a Friday when things can usually start to fall apart, but that didn't happen. They stayed on their game and we had a great time.
(4)
Kathie R.
Great burgers, fish and chips, etc. With a great beer selection! Service was fast too, on a busy holiday weekend.
(4)
Dinna Y.
There are times you want that chill, casual, easy bar spot that's going to have guaranteed good bar food and you are luckily already surrounded by the most amazing people! You don't need crazy ambience or fancy modern decor. O'toole's has not just the classics- darts, beers, burgers, fries, wings, chicken fingers- all quite well done! But they also have truffle fries which I could have eaten for days! I highly recommend upgrading to them! The wings were nice and meaty and not skinny and over fried. Perfectly juicy and well sauced. We wanted a bottle of white wine which was very crisp and cold and was only $40. They also had an amazing strawberry cider that tasted like a refreshing fanta, yum! I'd go back for darts, karaoke and more chill casual nights with great people
(4)
Sal M.
Great sports bar & restaurant. Packed! Nice atmosphere. Staff is cool and service is fast. Drank & ate hear. Check them out.
(4)
Mitch W.
This place was pretty good. I had the Irish nachos and draft beer. I was there by myself and the bar was full and apparently you cannot sit at a pub table unless you have at least 2 people. I had to sit in the frowning area where there was an old guy watching soccer on all the TVs.
(3)
John M.
Didn't make it inside. The bouncer was such a control freak that we left immediately. Disappointed. Sigh
(1)
Danielle K.
The food and drinks were great, however HORRIBLE SERVICE. My friend and I each ordered angry ball to drink and got a cheeseburger and lady fingers to share as well. While the food was very good, the bartender was one of the rudest people I have ever encountered (brown hair in pony tail with blue eyes). My friend asked a simple question about the food menu and he was very condescending and cold. He did not smile once and was just SO unfriendly. We left feeling like we had inconvenienced him. He also automatically added gratuity, which seemed strange for a party of 2. I have never seen that before. I gave them 2 stars because the food and drinks WERE tasty, but due to the terrible service I will not be back!
(2)
Stef C.
So if there is pulled pork on the menu I will get it. Well point being that's what I ordered. It was okay not the best I've had.
(3)
Lisa G.
This is a great little neighborhood bar. After a long day, you can pop in here for a cold beer, some good bar food and a chat with the locals. The staff is always friendly and in short skirts and will chat with you if you're in the mood. This place is open late and the kitchen also closes late. I've never seen it empty or even slow, really. **Beware the pool shark here. He'll be in a blazer and he'll want you to buy him a beer if he wins.
(4)
Liz Q.
Don't try to fool me with your cheerful new "faux Irish pub" facade. I know how you are....smoky, crowded and hard to get a drink at the bar. You DO serve pretty good bar food and that's why I will never fully be able to write you off. A word of warning: due to the fact that this is a subterranean bar, it is VERY easy to lose track of time in there. One beer at 6 easily turns into "LAST CALL!". And then you'll feel just as their logo depicts....like a red headed Irishman slumped over a table. And that's not good at all.
(3)
E H.
Timmy O'Toole got me thinkin bout that Timmy O'Turkey sandwich all day long. Shit ain't even right. And the Brussel sprouts are on fleek.
(5)
John B.
I'm not a sports bar person. I watch at home or in person. That said, I ended up here somehow, and I'll give them props for being fairly vegetarian friendly and for custom-building me a highly palatable veggie burger. I also split some reasonably good appetizers. It's a convoluted underground space. If you're here for the sports, one can't end up too far away from a TV though. Got a newbie server but everything went smoothly. No complaints.
(3)
Brett K.
Long overdue review for Timmy's here. Hard to say what makes Timmy O'Tooles a staple in streeterville but it's always packed. I used to live a few blocks away and after many a winter retreat , I grew to love Timmy's underground getaway. Decent specials on beer, amazing nachos and just a laid back vibe will make you feel right at home. Golden tee and pool tables are suspiciously hard to find in the loop and once in a while you just gotta go back to the classics. Seriously, order the loaded nachos and/or the hot wings, not your everyday variation...
(4)
Arthur K.
This is an American sports bar though it tries to market itself as an Irish pub. Inside you'll find televisions everywhere along with your typical pool tables, arcade games, etc. That being said, it was a fun environment and it was close to our hotel so that's always a huge plus.
(3)
KB C.
Good clean fun-
(3)
Dennis S.
Plenty of TV's, all the games, good menu. This is a decent sports bar. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing special. Ordinary drinks, ordinary food, loud TV's. If you're in the area, why not, but nothing will be memorable. A bit touristy.
(3)
Rebecca F.
These guys know their beer. I highly recommend the Dragon's Milk if you like really full bodied stout. It's a very fine meal in a glass.
(5)
Bryan C.
This gem of a Irish pub sports bar has both great beer and delicious greasy bar food, which is a rare combo. Ordered the Reuben and was pleasantly surprised with the nice grilled rye and delicious pastrami
(4)
Stephanie R.
The food is delicious. I had the southwestern chicken salad and i got the smaller sized one. Good thing too because it was huge, and packed full of chicken.
(4)
Alex N.
Great craft selection. Good service. Made the mistake of getting a New York strip. It was super fatty, not like an NY strip should be. Really a ripoff for $21. Guess it was my mistake for choosing to order that.
(3)
Jules L.
Oh shit son! You didn't tell me Tin O'Toole's had karaoke on Tuesday! Well, who knows if they'll keep having it; I was the only one who took part and I refuse to be one of those jerks who monopolizes the karaoke all night even when it's easy to. But other than that, blah blah sports bar yada yada pub games blah blah giant TVs every three inches. They have an extensive beer list and even several different kinds of ciders and the one long-haired bartender is very nice. Go to karaoke so they'll still have it the next time my coworkers drag me there, please.
(3)
Lexi F.
Gotta love O'Tooles. I'm in the industry and this is our go-to place after work. The bartenders are wonderful and take great care of us. They have a huge selection of beer and decently priced beverages. As far as food goes - I love the Chipotle BBQ Saucy Fingers and the Hummus Plate. Tuesday is also Karaoke night.
(5)
Andrew B.
When here at about 10 PM to a bar full of med and law students with an irish pub feel. Beer is pretty cheap and its a fun and rowdy crowd. The table was kind of sticky, but the bathrooms were pretty clean. Plenty of TVs if you are trying to watch sports. Service was excellent. I would for sure go back here with a group of young adults, but might not be cut out for the 40+ crowd later at night...
(4)
Nicole J.
We didn't know anything about this place but thought it looked like a good place for a good burger and beer. Try the Old Bailey burger. ..really good.
(4)
Daniel N.
I really love this place. It is a great little neighborhood bar located in the city. I come here quite often as it is down the street from my apartment and the food is pretty good for bar food. They often have great specials and activities planned which is a great break from the "no specials because you are a tourist and we can charge outragous prices". Bonuses about this place: - Plenty of TVs - Plenty of local and out of towners which makes for great conversation - Food choices involve bar foods, most of which I've enjoyed - Staff is friendly, helpful and pretty darn good at their jobs - 10% Discount on food for NMH emps!
(5)
Ashley J.
Great bar in downtown Chicago! We're from CA and our taxi driver recommended this spot..... best taxi driver, EVER! :) we ordered wings, beer, vodka tonic and an amazing burger! The ambiance is fun, lots of people. Sports are on about 20+ tvs, pool tables, friendly host and waiters. All around fun experience. Made our trip to Chicago that much more enjoyable.
(5)
joe w.
First place off the plane when I got to Chicago. And it was...just OK. Interesting atmosphere. Wouldn't mind being there for some beers for a Cubs or Bears game, but, the food for lunch on an afternoon -- didn't knock my socks off. The service was...well serviceable; neither horrible nor outstanding. Didn't get a lot of recommendations from the waitress.
(3)
william b.
During a bachelor party, we ended up at Timmy O'Tooles no less than 4 times on one day because of it's proximity to the hotel. Everything you need from a bar. Good (little slow) table service, but very accommodating of groups that go from 8-12 (and actively vary). Good breakfast menu, actually.
(3)
Dave H.
Much more of a sports bar than an Irish pub, but still a decent place to have some pints. Large number of different and sometimes eclectic beers on tap, and seems to always have a decent number of patrons having a good time. Good bar food when you need something to go with your beer, but I wouldn't go there for the food alone.
(4)
mike L.
Have to agree with Kelly A.s' boyfriend, this place blows. it is amongst the worst of the faux-Irish bars I've ever been to. Crappy over-priced food coupled with overpriced drinks and bad service - can i give it zero stars? will never set foot in again
(1)
Kristen D.
This place is a nice place to watch a game, play some pool, or have some bar food. There's nothing too exceptional about this place, and yet it's always busy! There aren't too many other bars in the area either, so when I go somewhere for a drink around here, this is where I head. Northwestern students get $2 pints of Miller Lite with student ID, so it makes for a great study break for the med, law, and graduate students. They also have some good deals on beers of the month. It can get a little rowdy in here too, so if you're looking for someplace low key, I'd head somewhere else.
(3)
Caitlyn M.
Boring place, really good Irish fries though...Large large beers on Thursdays for cheap!
(3)
Dan L.
Great sports bar with solid beer selection, good food, and reasonable prices. We had the wings, burgers, and beer. All were delicious!
(5)
Angela E.
Good bar food. We ordered pretzels, warm goat cheese dip, fries. The pretzels were great. The goat cheese had too much sauce not enough goat cheese. Fries were ok. Mango Bellini was tasty.
(3)
Mike D.
Maple Bourbon BBQ. Award winning wings. 3rd place in Chicago. Irish Ghost. Won 1st place. They are hot. Nice ambiance in the bar. Lots of flat screens and good tunes.
(4)
Sara R.
It's the rich man's dive bar. It's technically too nice to be considered a dive, but its so casual (and there are no windows) it kinda gives off that vibe. Like 50 beers on tap, and a lot of them rotate. Lots of bottles, too. There is a TV on every spare surface of every single wall, so it's a great place to watch all games. It gets uber busy though, so get there early to snag a seat at the bar. I see some of the previous comments say they waited forever to get a beer, but I've never had a problem getting served promptly. Jim and Justin are the best. They know their stuff about brews!! Really all of the staff is super friendly and bubbly. They have a stage in the back room where comedians do stand up on Wednesdays and I guess there's music back there some days, too. THE ONLY DOWNSIDE is the fact that it's a basement, which is why it's the kind of place I get excited to come to in the winter. I seriously hope this place never changes.
(5)
Julia B.
Good happy hour, afternoon type bar. It is a usual pub atmosphere with great beers on tap and darts, tv's and pool tables. Not a place I would go on a weekend night though.
(3)
Sarah B.
Great specials, decent food and awesome service! I am not in the area often but this place has served it's purpose for me and some friends on a couple of occasions. Last night my visiting girlfriends wanted some bar food near their Michigan Ave hotel. I took them to TOT's. We had drinks bought for us by a gentleman at the bar and our server gave us two huge deserts for free! Score. It pays to be a table of cutie-pie girls. Not my favorite place but it fit the bill for us and that works for me.
(4)
Curt L.
Free UFC fight (UFC 141) brought me in here with my Son-In Law. Great spot strategically located near our hotel (Courtyard). Enough draft options to keep the aficionado happy. Packed house. Lots of nooks and crannies. Always fun to walk down into a bar. Good looking crowd.
(4)
Kate F.
Cool spot. Great bar with large variety of beer. The staff is really friendly...one even looks like Chloe from the movie "Big Love". You got pool tables, darts, beer and food. It's the total Irish Pub Package.
(5)
Jamie S.
We come here every year and love this place. We love the food and atmosphere but mostly we love that got the 2nd year in a row, we got Diana as our server! She knows her stuff and is so great and personable. This is our regular stop each year and will for sure be back next year! Bloody Mary and. Mimosa bar is amazing!!!!
(5)
Debbie M.
Thank you Diana for taking the best care of us !! We felt so at home with you, you knew what we liked and served us the best !!!" Girls trip every year is even better knowing your our waitress ! Thank you Diana !
(5)
Nicolas H.
Definitely a tourist friendly bar, but not too bad for locals if you are in the neighborhood. They have a huge back room which we took advantage of on the night in question. The drinks were cheap due to the special that night, so I can't complain in that regard, even if our waitress wasn't too happy to deliver them to us. The wings were Decent at best, not sure how they won so many awards for them, as I've had better at BW3s among other places. The rest of the food looked good enough, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come back for more. Basically, if you are in the neighborhood there aren't really that many options, so its not bad for a beer or two...
(3)
Mike T.
A regular stop on my Chicago trips. The 2 stars is only because it is absolutely packed on any night when any sports game is going on. As Yogi said, "It's too crowded, nobody goes there anymore." Major props for an extensive beer list, although often it seems they run out of things. No big deal, move down the list. Food is what you expect from a tavern. But, secret tip, at lunch time they go some tasty snack mix for free. I'll be back for the convince.
(2)
M G.
POOR TREATMENT LIKE I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED Never. I repeat... never have I been kicked out, or even threatened of not being served. I literally just got off the phone with the manager who was nothing less than rude, defensive, and NOT customer-oriented. Shame on this horrid place. I left the large bouncer yelling at, and being chastised by his female boss for being out of line. DO NOT go into this trashy, basement, pathetic waste of a space. You're in Chicago. There are a million other places!! I feel violated for having stepped foot in this vile establishment. Shame shame shame.
(1)
Jason P.
This is always a fun place to go to catch a game, some beers with the boys, or dinner before a movie. It's one of the better bar options as far as the area is concerned but the downfall is the service. I really want to give this place 4 stars but the food just missed the quality mark and the staff always seems to be 2 minutes behind. This will not stop me from going here by any means, and I'm optimistic about the future. This place totally kick's ESPN Zone's shins as far as a place to catch a game
(3)
Adam M.
The best sports bar in Chicago... PERIOD! The staff is always very friendly and the food is better than any other sports bar in the city. They have a great list of beers and spirits, and it is always a fun and lively place to be.
(5)
Craig S.
You could change the sign outside the bar to "Bennigans" and you wouldn't know the difference inside.
(2)
Stephany M.
Decent Sports Bar Loads of televisions. I went to see the fight this past weekend place got crowded service was cool, beer selection is dope and they even have good wine I recommend the Gooseneck ales and the Diseno Malbec
(3)
Ra R.
Love this spot! sports perfection
(5)
Greg D.
Can't really suggest this for nightlife. A few locals suggested it for walk in foot traffic when we found Hard Rock Cafe closed but it was packed out shoulder to shoulder in here. So obviously it's popular. I've since accidentally called it Bennigan's. Food was like Bennigan's. We ran into some very intoxicated people and I didn't really appreciate when some dude yelled while pointing at my wife "She looks like a f*cking eskimo!" You know, it was funny, and she did. It was a snowy night and her fur jacket hood did make her look exactly like an eskimo and we knew it, but that guy was just a little too friendly... :)
(2)
Kyle D.
Overall: A quality bar experience. Don't come expecting to be wined and dined (though they have both). A great pub in the heart of Chicago. The good: Great beer list, plenty of great drafts and bottles. The food menu is rather extensive. The atmosphere is unique and homey and plenty of TVs to go around. Service was fast and friendly and the food came quick. Good prices The bad: The food was just decent, average bar food quality. Atmosphere: 8/10 Service: 8/10 Food: 6/10
(4)
John S.
Terrible service and horrible food. We ordered 2 bowls of soup and the server said he didn't have enough for 2 bowls but that we could order 2 cups and he would have enough for us. He brings it to the table and each cup is 1/3 full. Unreal. Ok place to watch a football game but get your food elsewhere.
(2)
Theresa H.
They have an inspired selection of beers and spirits but I found the bar staff to be fairly uneducated about them. Overall the place is cool. It's a noisy sports bar with an eclectic crowd. The service was fine other than the lack of knowledge. I'd go back again if I was in the area.
(3)
Chris M.
Have enjoyed holding events here a few times now and it's always gone well. Danny, the events manager, was great to work with and very accommodating to requests and is willing to work with you! The food is very good. I look forward to the next event held here as it's always a great experience! Thanks!
(5)
Ed A.
This is not a bad place to stop after a long day or short day for that matter. The beer selection is pretty good with lots of beer on tap. Food is pretty good as well and I love the onion rings. Not really a singles bar, though I could be wrong having been here only once. A good place for a good beer. To talk with friends, coworkers, celebrate or watch the game. And if you become dangerously intoxicated, you're within crawling distance of the hospital.
(3)
Katie B.
Good service. EXCELLENT Bloody Mary. A little spicy but one of the best I've had. Nachos were awesome.
(4)
LaShanda C.
I'm staff at Northwestern University and we order from Otoole's Restaurant (Chicago location), all the time. The staff is awesome and so are the delivery guys both of them. I don't know the other name but Aaron is great! He's always so kind, polite and punctual with our food. I just want to give both of your delivery guys the accolades they deserve. Thanks again. And, I love the Honey mustard dressing you should sell in the bottle! #NWU
(5)
David H.
i really wish the jukebox had more classics like MC HAMMER, Kid n Play and Surface but other than that it's the quintessential irish american sports bar with drunk people, lay ups, nachos, and french fries. Lennox Lewis also works there which i think is pretty cool. big ups.
(5)
Stef B.
I stopped by here for the first time over the weekend. I had an expiring gift certificate and figured we'd try their Mimosa Bar. We got there around 1/1:30pm for brunch and sadly found out that they don't replace their mimosa bar items once they are used up. We were stuck with 3 juices rather than an entire bar to choose from. I was bummed. The service, the quality of the food and the cleanliness of the restaurant made up for it though. We are planning an outting back very soon - and it'll be earlier this time so we can see the REAL mimosa bar.
(4)
Adam D.
I haven't been here in a while, but it's still a place that I know well. Great beer list, cool crowd, excellent venue for watching the game/fight, and professional bartenders, which is so very important. I've never eaten here (why soak up all that alcohol with food??), but the food looks good to me. O'Toole's knows who they are and does not stray from it. Oh, and after the 2006 NFC Title Game, my guys and I happened to walk in at the same time as Robbie Gould and Ric Flair, so there's that.
(4)
V V.
Great watering hole. A nice array of specials and deals. From the Irish ghost wings to the holy water mixed drink; I've got no complaints. Nice wooden settings with a sports bar aesthetic great for meetings as well. If your visiting most certainly a great spot to stop into.
(4)
Bobby S.
For an Atlanta GA boy, it's Taco Mac in Chicago. Literally, down to the nachos on the menu and the excellent beer selection. They had Dogfish Head 90 minute on tap, so I couldn't be happier. The burger was above average (with your selection of toppings -- I ordered and got a perfect medium well with onion straws, american cheese, lettuce and bacon), and the service was friendly. A solid 3.5 stars, but I'm down rating to 3 because I specifically asked for mustard packets in my to go order the next day and didn't get them.
(3)
Ashley M.
The boyfriend and I have been here a few times to catch a New York Knicks' game. We couldn't believe the size of the place! They had no problem changing the TV to the game we wanted so we sat back, had a beer and enjoyed the game. The wings were good but the fish and chips were pretty lousy. Our server said to get that instead of the shrimp because the fish and chips were the best thing on the menu. After eating the fish, I wonder if our server had tried everything else. Other than being really disappointed with the fish and chips, the place has a nice atmosphere and doesn't get too busy when we're there. We will probably be back for the next Knicks' game.
(4)
Helen T.
I like to call this place my own McLaren's (How I Met Your Mother). Right around the corner from my apartment and great bar food at a decent price. Good burgers, love the fries, great caesar salad, and GREAT turkey club. Check their specials..there's usually some drink deals like their beer of the month.
(4)
Chrissy N.
Fun place: It's Irish Pub meets sports bar. There are pool tables, some arcade-y games, large screens everywhere with sports happening, and LOTS of variety of beers on tap, and a full menu. The basic bar food and appetizers. There is a back room for parties it seems too. LOTS of seating.
(3)
Jason L.
I did not expect to like this bar. Rather unmemorable drink specials if you're not a beer drinker. It's a little loud, but in general has a nice neighborhood pub atmosphere, billiards, and you could fit a big group of friends in here if necessary.
(3)
Dustin F.
This place is filled with assholes and phony sports fans. I used to tolerate O'Toole's because it's close to work and they have a decent tap, but I guess my desire to be surrounded by assholes is waning. I got chastised by an asshole for having a soccer game that he and his asshole friend were completely ignoring changed to the Blackhawks game. Chicago sports bar = Chicago sports, right? Not in this realm of unruly assholes. Go to P.J. Clarke's instead. The assholes there are more innocuous.
(2)
Andrew T.
Lot of NU grad students it seems, come here to kick back. I noticed they had a karaoke night in the back room (pretty big) which I want to know more about, but other than that, it's a pretty typical pool, espn, bucket o' beers type place with better than average food. The wings are really good and big enough for a meal.
(3)
Timmay P.
This place is a dump in the basement. Avoid going here and the hand stamp nazi.
(1)
Fernando D.
If you have never visited chicago this is the place for you! Otherwise way too many tourists. Its not horrible....just too crowded for the type of place it is. Food is kinda high priced for being bar food and drinks are on the average side. If you are from chicago definitely go to another sports bar
(3)
Su S.
Not a place I would hang out at on the weekends but it's good for happy hour with the coworkers during the week. I like the Irish Nachos and the Holy Water. There are always promo people there handing out free stuff. I got a spatula!
(4)
Scooter M.
Highly recommend this bar to anyone looking for a place to hang on any given Sunday in the fall. O'Tooles is the place to be on Bears gamedays, great atmosphere and giant jenga is fun win or lose! Ask for Amber, you won't regret it : )
(5)
Darrick A.
Went out with co workers, great time,and atmosphere if you're a big sports fan you'll really love it. Food and drinks great. Gotta try the Holy Water!
(4)
Melissa B.
I have been here twice, and BOTH times I left severely angry. We went in both times after the lunch rush, around 1pm. There were plenty of servers, but none came to us. We sat there with not even water for ages! The food was o.k, run of the mill bar food. Once again, the server disappeared, so if there was something wrong, it's not like we could say anything. Finally we got the check. THEN the server hovered, waiting for his money! I've been in the service industry for quite some time, so I know how it is. This was THE WORST SERVICE EVER!!!!!
(1)
Bobby D.
Not a bad place to go, If you're just going there for a lunchbreak. But I would avoid the fish dinners. Somehow didn't taste very fresh.
(3)
Eric M.
This is one of my favorite spots to hit up after watching a movie downtown. The staff are always friendly, the food tastes great, the beer is cold, and there are plenty of TVs to catch up on the games.
(4)
Nick H.
Pretty much this bar has only one thing to offer: location. The service is mediocre and so are the drinks/food. It has a lot of TVs so you can pull up pretty much every sporting event on TV. If you don't have high hopes for a bar, then this is your place to go.
(2)
Jody C.
I am not a fan of Timmy O'Toole's, which makes me sad b/c its the closest bar to my place. FOr some reason, i'm always put off by bars that are underground. I guess i'm just a fan of air, or at least being able to see outside. Anyway, my problem with this bar started b/c everyone there had clearly just left a convention. They were all dressed in suits and getting absolutely plastered. That's fine, but it was the afternoon and there were families eating at the tables. The prices are too high for such a dingy bar.
(2)
Rachel B.
Great pub food, good prices, good portion size, friendly staff. First, beer selection is enormous! Good deals on 'drinks of the month'. We ordered a large nachos for the table. The nachos had just the right balance of cheese, pico de gallo, refried beans, and jalapenos; the salsa and sour cream were served on the side. The large was more than enough to serve 3 people snacking before entrees. I had a veggie burger for the main course. This place has an insane amount of burger topping options but I went with the Original (lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions) served on a pretzel bun - yummm! Definitely plan to return on my next trip to Chicago
(4)
Derek A.
Came here to prefade and kill time and catch the game. Big Irish pub had a decent happy hour at the time of this visit, and their drink and menu selections was outstanding for the price and portion sizes. The bartender (really wish I remembered his name) was super chill and told us some good places to hang out at night, recommended good drinks and appetizers from the menu, even hooked it up with some drinks he was experimenting with, and overall just had a personality. Highly recommend for some good stuff and to catch the game.
(3)
Todd C.
I was there a little while back, had the best time because of the attentiveness of our server Alex. She is a cute little brunette with a golden personality. She took care of my entire party, which was a tad needy. She never stopped smiling, had a great attitude, and made the visit great. I hope I am able to request her as my server when I return. My firm likes to do happy hours, and when I am in town she is now my go to person. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to my next trip to the city to come to your place. Alex is def a keeper.
(5)
Jennifer M.
My favorite sports bar in the city. Love their wings, and they have pool tables which is a plus. They have TVs everywhere so you'll be able to see the game wherever you sit. Service is ok, it's what I expect from a sports pub.
(5)
Steve R.
Menu is robust as is the beer selection on draft. Big fan of the bucket of fries. Wait staff is really good... Especially Sonna, and the only reason to take away a star is the bar serive. If you sit at the bar, the drink service is slow... maybe it's because they are making the drinks for the servers, which makes the table service so good!
(4)
Nadeem P.
Been here quite a few times, and as far as drinks othis place lives up to bar standards, and I would even say notch higher due to their extensive beer list. I was wowed last night when I came here hungry. Their build your own burger is simply AMAZING! I would have to rate it as one of the top 5 burgers I've ever. The meat was great quality, and all 1/2 pound of it was cooked to medium perfection. The toppings and bread delicious, and when you get into the toppings such as Jalepenos bacon and srichacha Mayo and roasted garlic aioli you know you have a winner. Add to that truffle fries and a tasty beverage and you have a meal you'll never forget!
(5)
Mel S.
They don't serve gourmet fare, so go somewhere else in the area if you're looking for that. What you get is a sports bar with TVs covering all the walls, in a dark setting shrouded by Xmas lights. The service is ok, the beer selection is better than average, but this has to be the best place to come to watch Chicago sports. Come for a Blackhawks game (maybe playoffs) and you'll familiar faces including the guy with the hat with the red flashing lights that makes a round around the bar with every goal. It's a nice neighborhood bar where Chicago pride is well represented. Don't ruin your experience by coming for anything else.
(4)
Michael S.
A typical Irish pub with a decent beer selection, the food is average at best. I ate here last night for the second time because my coworker wanted to go. Like last time my dinner was typical average at best bar food. Go here for the beer and atmosphere not for the food.
(3)
Greg F.
This was my first great wing in the Windy City. On 4 repeat trips back, they've fallen off substantially. The beer selection is superb & cold. But the wings have become pedestrian. The garlic-ginger used to sing but now seems dry & tasteless. The staff doesn't go out of it's way to make you feel welcome either. One time, we came with a party of 10, during off hours & you would have thought we had the plague. Very little attentiveness w/ unremarkable food. Say it ain't so. For the best wings in Chicago, try Crisp - but BYOB!
(2)
Molly C.
I love coming here because it is such a great neighborhood bar and it's incredibly convenient. There are always plenty of TVs to watch your favorite team play. The food isn't too bad for bar food either.
(4)
Shy A.
Danny W said it was the best Bloody Mary in the city.....I had to check it out myself...He wasn't lying! Irish nachos...spicey wings and Irish eggrolls....all were pretty tasty but totally greasy that I felt horribly guilty after eating them. Great location, Cheers type place that's perfect for a pitcher of beer and a game.
(3)
Jeremy B.
This place offered some pretty good food at a relatively reasonable price, especially considering the typical prices you see in Chicago. It's a really cool pub atmosphere and is a relatively large place. It seems newer on the inside. I purchased the Southwest Chicken Wrap, which I highly recommend. We also bought a Country Fried Chicken Salad, which was also pretty great. The only problem we had is that it took forever for our check to come. We actually had to go and ask for it because it eventually just became annoying. Other than that, the staff was super nice and the atmosphere was great. I'd definitely go again if I were in the area!
(4)
Paul L.
Pretty happening bar scene on a Friday night. Lots of great beers on tap and a good bar selection. The beers were great but the mixed drinks were weak. The gin and tonic was more like a tonic on the rocks.
(3)
Rob M.
Cool atmosphere, but the burger was pretty bad. Bun wasn't toasted, toppings were old. Maybe I just got unlucky.
(4)
Mike A.
I heart Timothy O'Tooles. Great selection of craft beers, on rotation. Bar food is excellent too. The grill cheese and Ruebens are the best in the city. Pool tables and lots of tv's make this a great spot for Sunday sports and beer!
(5)
Kevin B.
Great spot if you are looking for an affordable, neighborhood bar off of Michigan Ave. Really ideal for lunch or happy hours. $4 Tall boys... can't argue with that. Food was really good as well. I ordered the Rajun Cajun burger and truffle fries. The burger was good and delicious. Throw in 2 beers and I think my total was around 20-25 dollars, which anyone knows around Michigan ave is almost hard to beat.
(4)
A D.
The wings and truffle fries were the best. Great entertainment. Excellent drinks and tvs at every table. Will definitely return next time in town.
(4)
Phil D.
An Irish Sports Dive Bar, and one that definitely hits the spot when you need it(ie. drunk and hangry at 1am). Commonly frequented by sports fans, students, and rowdy locals, Timmy O'Tooles is a pub by every definition of the word, and it does that job well. Fun place to hang out with friends whether this is during lunch, after work, or after a night out. And to it's credit, the food isn't bad either. Came here at 1am a few nights ago to feed my hungry family after a late flight into Chicago, and as it was one of the few places open, we decided to try out the menu. Solid nachos, quesadillas, and dips. Burgers and sandwiches generally won't let you down either. There is also a Food challenge complete with a large burger, and a bunch of fries and onion rings that you can try for $20(free t-shirt on completion). But the best part is the prime location(right off the Magnificent Mile in the middle of Streeterville), and the late hours. I mean, where else are you gonna load yourself with unhealthy, delicious, bar food in the dead of the night?
(4)
Rawlins R.
Timothy O'Toole's is a laid back Irish pub located in the loop. Located in the basement you walk down a set of stairs and to your left upon entering Timothy's. They offer sit down dining as well as bar area stools or standing around the pool tables. There is plenty of entertainment available at this bar with the pool tables, bar games and televisions. The bar staff was very friendly and this establishment draws all kinds of bar goers. There was a mix of some older regulars shooting pool, others eating dinner, and some people getting ready for a night out with a few drinks. Shared a pitcher of Coors here in about an hour experience. This probably won't be my last time here as NU students get a 10% discount with their WildCard.
(4)
Karma K.
So it's a bar in the River North area. It's also a Chicago Bears bar. This place really reminds me more of a suburban bar than a city bar but I'm cool with that. That west burbs made me who I am today! So it's big, usually pretty crowded and better and less pricey than some other drinking options off of Michigan Avenue. I've been here for lunch, drinks only and brunch. They have an app called "Bucket of Fries." I get them truffled...yum. I love that on a Sunday morning I can have a bucket of fries and hit the bloody mary bar too. I like keeping my cardiologist rolling in the dough. You can't mock their bloody bar. It's cheap and they have 30 bloody accessories. Yee haw! You can also get something called breakfast nachos. Timmy's has bar food covered. Tons of unhealthy appetizers, burgers galore, some fattening salads and even some dinner options like meatloaf, strip steak and one pasta dish...with alfredo sauce and chicken (how original, lol). Not a bad place at all. It's a place that has something for everyone.
(4)
Ashton B.
Hands down worst service I have ever had. Service people were very rude. A woman next to my group actually passed out while talking to someone on the phone and was later served... Someone that falls asleep at a bar. I'm sorry. I find it ridiculous / irresponsible of management to keep someone like this on the floor. Good luck.
(1)
Rachael Z.
Having stayed at the Doubletree across the way several times now, I'm disappointed we hadn't come here earlier! It was a cold Tuesday December night, and we walked inside - and to our surprise, the bar was packed! Loud music, big groups, karaoke! On a Tuesday night?! It was a pleasant surprise. We sat at the bar, and had a fantastic bartender. We were lucky enough to be forgotten for a few minutes - and by lucky, we mean that we sympathized with the bartender because we knew it was crowded, but he still felt badly enough that one round was on him! Big shock: they had Bourbon County! This is a rarity at most bars, so the hubby was extremely excited to order it here. Great place for any group size and apparently, any night of the week!
(5)
Irene G.
Great place for wings, beer, and a good time! I've been here a few times with friends and coworkers and never had a negative experience. The staff is friendly and service is good. They have a great craft beer selection including my favorite Founders and plenty of food on their menu. The space is big and they have plenty of TVs. They also have karaoke night- on mondays i think...overall a good place if you're looking for a fun and casual outing.
(4)
T T.
#NAME?
(4)
Lois K.
This is a pretty average upscale Chicago pub. The food is typical bar food. Nothing spectacular. They do have a large beer menu, which is a definite plus. It is also a great place to watch a game because there are TVs everywhere. My biggest issue with this place is that the service is always HORRIBLE. I work in the area, so we always end up here because it's the closest bar. Don't expect you waitress to stop at the table and check on you again until she's ready for you to pay the bill. They end up losing a lot of money from us because they never come back to refill our beer / cocktail orders. The service is so bad that we have started walking farther just to go someplace else. I would still go here to grab a quick bite and maybe a beer after work, but only because it is so close. This is definitely not one of my favorite bars.
(2)
Dawn B.
Food was good. Ordered appetizers but didn't get them until our food arrived. Lots of beer options. Waitress was ok...took lots of time to get refills from bar.
(3)
Lisa R.
Great burgers, great place to watch Blackhawks! Nachos followed by bacon blue burger, washed down with a 312 draft!
(5)
Shirley S.
Very Boston atmosphere under ground pub and relaxing restaurant. Family friendly TV's surround the walls but not noisy as a sports bar. Love the "holy water" great taste went down smooth. Fish n chips were at perfection and just right portions.
(5)
Kelly J.
Cool place to come and watch a game. Lots of good beer on tap to go with one of the best cheeseburgers I've ever had. And one of the biggest! I could barely eat half of it. Good game day specials, service is friendly which makes up for it being spotty when they are very busy. TV's are at every angle so there's really not a bad seat in the house.
(4)
Peter B.
Food is pretty good as well as the drinks which are a tad overpriced. Bad experience here last night from the hostess to the manager herself. The hostess made me stand pointlessly when I asked for a table for two until my girlfriend arrived. She told me to find a spot at the bar while I was waiting when I'm sure she was well aware there wasn't a spot available and made me wander around instead of showing us to the several available tables right away. They accept an industry discount for 50% drinks and 25% off food (only reason I come here to begin with) The waitress and manager would not believe that my girlfriend works at a restaurant despite showing them the business card, she was in her work clothes and we were willing to call her restaurant to prove she worked there. Can't blame the waitress since she probably needs the manager's override for these situations. Apparently Timothy O' Toole's requires everyone to carry around a paystub and additional verification of employment. Next time, we'll make sure to bring the W2 form and any other official forms per your request to closely examine. I expected that when the manager came out to talk to us, she would do everything in her power to make sure we got what we needed. Clearly not as it was too difficult for her to go the extra mile. As we were leaving, she was near the entrance and didn't even acknowledge us. Try a little harder next time please.
(2)
Patty ..
Yay super fun towns of beer on tap or bottle place is huge reminded me of the bars during school, pool tables, TV's, darts you name it they had. There was a menu however, we did not eat we had just been to Eataly [THE BOMB]. Bartenders were super friendly even if they didn't play for Team Chicago Bears/Hawks but nothing wrong with friendly banter.
(4)
Tom C.
Been here many times for their brunch at the weekend and Bloody Mary bar. The food is good, lots of TVs for keeping up on different sports.
(4)
Kassidy W.
Let's say this review is more like 3.5 stars. The food is great, I like the atmosphere, the beer list is extensive, and I have had really great service MOST of the time. (Yesterday's service was the best yet. Shout out to Spencer for being wonderful, even with our large group!!) One bad experience has made me a bit salty about this place, though. I've obviously gone back, but only once. And I made sure we wouldn't get a server named Lucy again. The service was THAT bad. Two friends and I had come in for dinner, not all the tables were full, and I got a pretty good feel for the size of her section. Two of us are or have been servers so we tried to rationalize the situation, but couldn't. I never got a refill on my drink. She didn't come back to check on us. And our plates sat there empty for 20 minutes. It wasn't only our table either, many people were complaining, wondering, and talking to the people next to them. It was a hunt for our server and no one seemed to care. We eventually got our check, paid, and when I asked to speak with a manager, she said they were too busy. I really wish I had followed up on this sooner, but a yelp review will have to do.
(3)
Evan C.
I give O'toole's 3.5 stars. I usually come here after seeing a movie at AMC River East. There are not too many bars around this area, but this place is fun. We walked in and had a party of 6 on a Saturday night after seeing a flick. We were given a buzzer and said it would be about 30 mins. One awesome thing about this place is they have SOO many beers on tap. Any style of beer you want you can order. I have been here multiple times, but it took us about 10 mins to get the bartender's attention to get a beer. Since the place was packed, I can understand. We finally got seated around an hour later and my 3 friends and I split 50 hot wings. These wing did win #1 in the hot category for Wingfest 2014. The wings were pretty meaty, but just tasted like Frank's Red Hot. They were great wings if you are looking for that flavor, don't get me wrong. I still believe the Otherside Bar has the meatiest and best wings in the city. One other awesome thing was Al the magician was working that night. I couldn't understand ANYTHING he was saying, but his magic tricks could back his actions. I'm still not sure how he did that baseball in a cup trick... Overall, if you are looking to grab a beer and some pretty good wings/food come here. (Especially if you are looking for some place to go after AMC River East)
(3)
Jessica Y.
This is a really nice sports bar. Super clean and looks well-kept. The food was decent - got the baked goat cheese (marinara sauce with crumbled goat cheese on top, served with baked pita bread; onion rings - really crispy and served with BBQ sauce; and the Michigan Ave salad - fresh and delicious, topped with avocado slices. The highlights are the large beer selection, and the number of TVs around the place. I sat at a booth in the side room, and it had its own TV. I wish the screen was lower though because my neck was hurting by halftime from craning my neck to look to the side and upward. And I would've like the volume of the game (BEARS) to be louder in the side room. Other than that, really friendly service, and great crowd. You can pre/post party here on home game days, and pay $10 for a roundtrip bus ride to Soldier Field.
(4)
Jackie C.
It is a very homey place! Its smaller, under ground and has a close knit feeling. I loved our waitress and the food was very good! We will definitely be back for a fun Sunday football event. This is not set up for a large party so if you are, I would call ahead to give them a heads up and they are happy to help you get set up.
(4)
Eddie S.
Nice place to grab a drink. Haven't tried any of the food so cannot comment on that. 48 beers on tap! I'm a lager guy and enjoyed the allagash white. My new favorite! Lots of Tvs to watch any game. Currently watching the bulls, black hawks and college football.
(4)
KJ V.
The place to go for all sports fans! We went for breakfast before a Bears game. They open at 9:30 during on Sunday's when the Bears place at home. The cool thing is that we had tickets to the Bears game and they bus you over to Soldier Field for pretty cheap! Then they pick you up and bring you back after the game. It's better than driving thru traffic and paying an arm and a leg by the stadium!
(4)
Joe W.
Atmosphere here is awesome! Came in to watch a Blackhawks game while staying at a nearby hotel. So glad the hotel recommended this place! A lot of fun! Food was good, good options. Staff was on point too! Great beer recommendations from the server too!
(5)
Kristen D.
Really awesome atmosphere when we stopped in for a quick bucket of beers before our dinner reservation down the street! I can't wait to come back and spend a little more time here. I love that there's enough room to play pool at a few different tables, have a good conversation (read: not having to shout) with the people you came with, and casually drink a couple beers while still being able to people watch. Tons of TVs, too!
(3)
George A.
So far I've only done take out. The Michigan Ave salad is out of this world. The Pub Fish and Chips are very good but for $13 I'd like just a bit more fish, that doesn't stop me from ordering them, try 'em! The burgers are good. The "extra spicy" wings were a little mild to me but I eat crazy hot stuff a lot. The Volcanic wings are right where I want to be. The Parmesan fries were good but I was expecting more.
(4)
Johnny W.
Loved this place. My first experience in downtown Chicago. We staying almost across the street and headed out on a Friday night of St Patrick's day and first place we came upon. Of the group of 6, 5 of us are bartenders in Wisconsin so sometimes critique a little more than others and the staff her impressed us greatly. We paid 5.00 cover charge which I expect and walked into this huge underground bar which was very busy. Th bouncers were fun and welcoming. Walking by the hostess stand we told her we were there to have a few libations. She recommended the back bar might be a little quicker and we could order food if we were interested at the bar. We got bar stools and Dustin the bartender was extremely good. Fast, remembered our drinks and names. One did order food (Bacon Mac & Cheese) and it was good. We left and went to 4 other bars for a change of scenery and only had one drink at each and went back to Timothy O'Tooles as none of the other bars compared in service and prices. Saturday after watching the river dyed green and all the St Pats things we decided to go there again. Back bar had Dustin and a gal named Connor working. As busy and packed as they were they never once looked like they had an attitude or were rushed with one often sees in bars under these circumstances. Rather fast paced, friendly and remembering orders and names. One in our group had a few to many and was a little tired. Two girls (I'm guessing a manager and security) came to escort her out. I have been to many a place and seen these situations escalate by a bouncer not choosing words properly but not here. They talked to our friend and stepped aside let us get her out without incident, The rest were able to stay and/or come back. My point of the last little story is every person (not sure what the staff on is on a super bust St Patrick's satuday night is) from door staff to hostess to waitress to bartender to bar backs and the girls working the beer trough were not only doing a great job under stress but friendly and welcoming at every point of the night. I wonder if some of the people that left bad reviews were ever even here as I saw nothing other than awesome. They should maybe go back and give it another try as I my next trip to Chicago will include a stop (or 3) at Timothy O'Toole's
(5)
Matt T.
Met my sister here for some drinks and something small to eat, when she got off work. The beer selection is top notch. And it seems like a very fun place, especially if you're a Chicago Blackhawks fan (although I am a Pittsburgh Penguins fan). I was surprised the Bulls game wasn't on, although other basketball games were on. The food was good. I wasn't blown away by it. But it hit the spot. I had a Michigan Street Salad, I believe it was called. It was good. My sister had a veggie burger with sweet potato fries and I had some of those. They were very good. Our waitress was nice, but seemed a little overwhelmed. She probably had a bunch of tables. However, she kept our beers filled. The rest of the staff seemed very friendly. Definitely would go back.
(4)
Honor S.
Cool place! The beer list is incredibly extensive and I only wish I had more time (and more money) to try more of them. I'm not sure but I think the beer list varies in selection from month to month which is even more intriguing to me. I need to find a place like this in Phoenix! I was there on a Thursday night and the place was pretty packed. I'm not sure if it's like that all the time or if everybody was just there to watch the Blackhawks game. If I'm ever in the area again I'll make sure to stop by this place again!
(4)
Daniel D.
We are in town for a conference and thought we'd stop in for a beer and some bar food. When we first arrived the "bouncer" hit us up for a $5 cover. We ordered the spicy wing basket and soft pretzels. The "spicy" wings tasted more like a tomato based BBQ sauce than spicy. The pretzels were cold to the touch and so was the cheese sauce. We asked if it all could be warmed up and the waitress Lucy apologized and took them away. A food runner brought back our pretzels that were obviously microwaved because they had cold and hot spots, but did not bring our cheese sauce. We asked Lucy if we could have the cheese sauce and she apologized again and brought it out. And wouldn't you know, it was cold. Go somewhere else. Do not waste your time or your money.
(1)
Bernice K.
Good food! Good service! Great lil pub! Headed here for a late dinner and nite cap. Pleasantly surprised by everything!
(5)
Paul A.
This place was overcrowded not by space but by what they could handle. It was too hot in there and very humid, they need a better AC. They also say there kitchen is open till around 3 but was only open until around 1am and at the point could only order a basket of fries that took 25 minutes to bring to us. They were regular frozen fries that shouldn't of took much more than 5 minutes to fry. The drinks were also mixed poorly and service was unfriendly and slow.
(2)
Joe I.
Watched the World Cup finals here, and had a great time! We ordered several appetizers and drinks throughout the game. Nachos, wings, salad, etc were all good. The Irish Nachos were the hit though...French fries covered in cheese, bacon, & scallions. Staff was great even though the place was packed. No one left until the game was over, so we paid a little early and were able to duck out before the crowd. Being a family of 6 with 4 minors, we had no problems eating in the seating area. Glad we got a table though! Lucky, I guess.
(5)
Michael B.
I was in Chicago last week and went to O'Tooles twice while I was there - once with a colleague for drinks and a second time for lunch with a different colleague. The first time I was there, it was just around suppertime. My colleague and I had a few drinks from the extensive menu of on tap and bottled beverages they had. The second time was on a Sunday for lunch, when I arrived as soon as they open - and my colleague arrived about an hour later. While I was waiting for him I had a coffee and wings, working away on my laptop and half paying attention to the playoff game. The wings were great, and the staff let me be for the most part, as I waited for my colleague. Once my colleague joined me know, we both had a light lunch. He ordered the BLT and I ordered a burger. Both meals came out relatively quickly, and were quite delicious. I'd definitely go back when I'm in town again!
(5)
Demi H.
I love this place! I come here for lunch and I pretty much get the same thing: Saucy Finger Basket! The portion is a good size, it comes with 5 chicken fingers covered in your choice of wings sauce and a side of fries. I normally get bbq sauce but this time I got traditional buffalo sauce and it was delicious! I would definitely recommend this place if you're ever in the area!
(4)
Allison F.
Great TVs, tremendous spot to watch NFL football. Love how they designate which games will play on each TV - it is so simple yet it works. Place is busy and packed, but not uncomfortable. Service is friendly and fast!!!! Large selection of beers plus full bar and game day specials. Ordered the nachos with pulled pork. Mixed reviews.....my date enjoyed the thickness of the chips, I felt like they could have been juicier. For the second quarter ordered the pretzels and spicy chicken finger basket with onion rings. O rings were good not great chicken fingers were meaty, spicy and peppery. Delish!!!! Soft pretzel order came as two giant pretzels as well and a bland cheese sauce on the side. Tasted fresh, not microwaved like they came be sometimes. Pretty good nom nom for a game. Great place for a ball game.
(4)
Josh B.
Located in a basement in downtown Chicago, O'Toole's is much cleaner and lively than you'd think! The bar/restaurant area is large, but the lack of windows can make it seem very claustrophobic on a busy night. I know that's more of a limitation of the building than the service, so I won't hold this against O'Toole's... but it's still kind of a bummer. The service was ok, nothing stellar... It seemed a bit understaffed, and we waiting a long time to be served, and this was with us seated directly at the bar. The prices were reasonable, especially for Chicago, and the beer list covered a pretty decent selection and even had a beer legend in the back, explaining lingo and different styles. Very nice! I cannot stress how clean this place was, especially considering how busy it was. The bar was shining and freshly lacquered, and not a sticky spot in arms reach. It's certainly not a place to come down to chicago for, but if you're in town and just looking for a weekday drink and have some aversion to patios... it's worth a few blocks of walking.
(3)
Jigna S.
Spacious and expansive area! We went to watch the FIFA games and they dod a great job managing the crowd. Turned some pool tables into additional tables; had game specials; and they have also had a large selection of beers on tap. My only little complaint was that it was a little on the pricey side for a bar, and especially for a major game night...you'd think the food specials would be more reasonable considering the large crowd they're getting. But good times nonetheless! I recommend the poutine fries and chicken wings! Oo and the pulled pork nachos looked scrumptious...next time!!
(4)
Jake M.
Not what you would call a "local favorite," everyone I met at this bar seemed to be a transient from some other part of the country, but with reasonable prices, a great beer selection, solid food, and lots of televisions, this is totally worth a visit.
(4)
Jimmy N.
An awesome place to check out the game and have some really good food. It's definitely a popular spot with the locals. During our trip to the big city we definitely had to catch the bears game the way Chicagoans catch the game, with some good food and loud fans. The staff up front isn't the friendliest and most helpful. At one moment the wait was 30 mins the second moment someone notices up and offers us a seat at the pool table, sure it beats standing and waiting, so why wasn't this offered in the first place?!?! The food was delish and super creative. Most definitely a notch up from your usual pub food. A must visit for anyone on the Chicagoland area.
(4)
S L.
We reserved a table for Saturday fight night in advance for 5 people. We bypassed the line and was given a pretty good table. We got tickets for 2 drinks per person and an appetizer. We ended up ordering a bunch of other items to share. The buffalo wings were very good. They had the Mayweather and Pacquiao fight on all the TVs inside. The only complaint is that we were given one table and then told that it was the wrong table and were moved to a different one. Also there were people who hung out on the side which along the wall which took some room away from our table. Plus people's heads were obstructing out view because they were so close to the TV monitors on the wall. It was a little unorganized in the beginning with the tables. But our server Ariel was great - always available for ordering and getting our food and drinks. The busboys were also very good - they provided clean plates and took away our dirty plates consistently. It was a a great place to enjoy the fight.
(4)
Marshall R.
What a cool hole in the wall place. Went here late at night place was packed! Did not wait very long for anything people I was with got drinks really fast. My only advice is on how full this place was you might have to wait a while for drinks if it was really busy.
(4)
Jacob J.
I've been here plenty of times having had good experiences, that I should have written reviews in the past. I was recently back in here to catch the "Comedians you should know" show. Always a great show, laugh out loud and great times. They guy that hosts the show is hilarious. Now as an Irish pub located within the city, within an area near to Navy Pier.. I'm talking walking distance from other fine establishments, especially during the summer or when tourism is in high season, it can be a blast coming out here. O'Toole's has never been a destination I would go out of my way for. But with what they offer in beers, decent pub food, at times decent service and attractive clientele, it can be a good time. Of course, this is all dependent on the season and what you hope to expect from a sports bar with a plethora of televisions and decent beers on tap.
(4)
Shiv C.
The service is outrageously bad with poor coordination within staff members. We didn't get a table to begin with. But then we got a table without a host and no menus. Later on another host informed us the she wouldn't serve us for some bizarre reason. They were out of a lot of drinks from their drink menu. Not recommended.
(1)
Jesse F.
Great selection of beers and decent pub grub. A great place for hospitality industry folks to grab a beer because they offer discounts if you have your work ID.
(4)
Kevin C.
Food = amazing Atmosphere = lively and fun time after 11pm Beer = tap selection is one of best in the loop!! Did I mention they have 3 floyds on tap.....
(5)
Kyle S.
This review may have been influenced by the fact that it was Craft Beer Week in Chicago when I visited Timothy O'Toole's, but from the looks of the bar, they have a great beer selection year round. That said, they were pouring a wide variety of brews from a list as long as my arm and I got to try beers that I hadn't heard of before at a reasonable cost. Service was excellent as well! Although the place was busy, even on a Monday, our server was attentive without being bothersome. She was also able to give our group recommendations and kept us in good spirits (no pun intended). Finally, I just really like the feel of the pub. It is dark, underground and just a little dirty-feeling (no slight on their hygeine, it was certainly clean) like an Irish pub should be. Rather than some of these open floor plan pubs with floor-to-ceiling windows that let sunshine stream in, Timothy O'Toole's looks like it could be scaled to the crowd that night, with lots of doorways and separate rooms, each with low ceilings, city sports and smiling faces.
(5)
Brooke R.
The name threw me off. I was expecting a more Irish cultured experience when it came to my meal. Instead I was greeted with a sports bar ambiance. Don't get me wrong. I had a wonderful time. It's a great sports bar to grab a drink and watch the game but if you want authentic Irish cuisine keep looking.
(3)
Lauren D.
Loud. Obnoxious. Unpretentious. Fun. Exceptional libations. These are the words that best describes this Chicago Pub. If you are in search of a pub to celebrate an occasion, such as, a promotion, the end of mid-terms or final exams or started a new job this is the place! On the other hand, if you are seeking to drown your sorrows, because you quit going to the gym and gained 50 lbs, broke up with your BF or GF, quit your job (humming the song, "Take This Job and Shove It) as you stand in the elevator with your box of personal possessions, then you have hit the mother load. Now, this is good cause for a celebration! I like to think of beer as a cerebral beverage. The word 'hop-centric' has practically become as ubiquitous as the word 'beer.' I cannot recall the name of the beer that I had here, but it tasted a bit like mango......no wait, it's more like passion fruit...nope, it's way closer to pineapple. I tasted lemon-citrus, but yet it smelled more like fresh tropical fruit. It was very refreshing and the perfect amalgamation to my burger. My beer had a pleasant, but subdued scent with a semi-sweet malt and a slight amount of grain flavor. Also, there was minimal bitterness. Based on all the flavors, variety and innovation going on here, it certainly gives beer lovers much to talk about. From toffee like malts to juniper hops and musty fermentation you will find a beer that you like (even if you are not a beer aficionado). Over the years, we have been here several times for their chicken wings (which my husband always enjoys) and burgers. My husband rated his chicken wings with 4-stars. My burger receives 4-stars. It was moist, melt-in-your mouth delectable with the perfect amount of pink in the center. BTW, I highly recommend their Reuben sandwich (the best I've ever had in the city and it also reminds me of the Reuben I had at The Katz Delicatessen in NYC). Try it and thank me later. NOW BACK TO THE BEER.....Yes, damn-it, swirl your beer like you would a wine. Why? Because the agitation pulls out the fragrance and carbonation from the brew itself. It also tests the foam retention on top of your beer. Yes, take a sip (not a huge gulp) and swirl it around your mouth a bit. Don't swallow right away (you are not doing a shot here). It is almost like when you are having sex, you don't want to climax right away.....you want to enjoy the experience for as long as you possibly can. Now, let the beer warm up for several seconds and down the hatch! Yes, this is a typical sports bar. The second you place your order make sure you inform your Server that you want individual checks (if this is indeed what you want). Otherwise, you may get stuck with one check trying to figure out who has cash, a debit card or credit card for the bill. Who the "F" wants to pay for someone else's drinks when you've only had two beers and the other person has downed four or five beers. The bar tenders here really know how to make exceptional drinks. Service was effusive and adequate. What I like about this place is that most of the people who come here are Chicago locals with a mixture of suburbanite people who only come to the city a few times per year. This is not a place that is filled with tons of tourists like other Pubs or Restaurants in the Loop.
(4)
Kevin F.
Crazy packed - never had a chance to even approach the bar, but there were available tables. Being the cool kids that we are (40+ go with the sarcasm), we decided to stand against a random wall. Despite our lack of conformity, we were still served, and served well. The place was obviously a local favorite and I can see why. Next time in Chicago, I will make it a point to get there around 4pm to sit at the bar!
(4)
Kern W.
Great Food n Service! Secret WheelChair Accessible Entrance. Call and ask them to bring you in Service Elevator. NEVER a problem! Great Staff! Good Times! A GREAT little piece of Chicago. Enjoy Yourself whether you're walking or rolling! They have 1 near my house in Gurnee now too, but NOTHING beats the Original "Timmy's".......
(5)
Aleida S.
Decided to come in here with a coworker today. I ordered pulled pork. It came with a special sauces which I did not like. I asked our waiter if we can get I can get regulate bbq sauce... When Jessica U. Br ugly the sauce I hen asked if I had to pay extra for it. She gave me an ugly attitude and said I was getting charger for it.. Then I understandably told her oh never mind....which was because there wasn't enough bbq sauce to cover my whole sandwich. She walked away with an attitude therefore I sent back my food. I felt uncomfortable and annoyed that she would be ugly towards me and it's at 12pm , not busy at all. There we no reason for this. Never coming back here again.
(1)
T A.
Went here on a recent business trip to Chicago for a science conference. We went to this bar on Saturday night, 3/7. Getting in the first time was fine. When I stepped out to help a friend find the place, however, the bouncer inside was incredibly unprofessional. Another group had already walked in, and they were all fumbling for their IDs. None of them was ready, and they were standing off to the side to be polite. I stepped up to the podium to show that I had already been stamped, but the bouncer just ignored me. He waited for everyone in line to get their IDs out, and then made a point of slowly checking them while I stood there. When he was finished he said, "oh you thought you could circumvent the line, huh". No, I thought you could look at a damn wrist stamp and do your job efficiently. Meanwhile, the bartender was refusing to provide a mimosa to my friend since it was "not what men should be drinking", the waitress was trying to push us out of our table because half our party was a little late, they let a street magician in who was forcing magic tricks on us so we would have to feel obligated to tip him, and a creepy older lady (a promoter) was trying to convince one of our friends to leave with her to go to some strip club. I cannot recommend avoiding this place enough.
(1)
Sarah B.
Good loaded veggie nachos and yummy soup. Excellent selection of craft beers. The draft beer selection is awesome and they have cheap beer specials during Happy Hour. Nice, relaxed typical Irish pub atmosphere.
(4)
Jason O.
Nice warm and friendly spot with a good beer selection and decent food. Tried the wings, nachos and the fish tacos. Both were good but nothing to write home about. Beer was good and probably best was the friendly service. Plenty of space and good for groups a good place for dinner with a group.
(3)
Kim B.
I recently was on a trip to Chicago and needed a bite before a wedding. The meals come late and I get drunk early so I needed something in me to hold me over. I was really craving grilled cheese and found this right next to my hotel. Upon walking in, it felt like a dive bar. It was dark, crowded, a bit grimy and lots of neon lights. I got it to go so I could go sit and eat it by the pool, it was a nice summer day. I saw truffle fries on the menu, and I thought it was going to be the best meal of my life. I also got grilled cheese. I sat down by the pool and opened up my to go box. I had a few truffle fries, and was not impressed. They were so oily they literally kept slipping out of my hands, and I probably could have wrung the oil out of them. They also had way way too much salt on them. I was nervous I would have a heart attack from just those few bites. I recollected my thoughts and braved myself for the grilled cheese. It was made on egg bread, which I don't like but figured I would suck it up. However, not only was it orange cheese , but the cheese looked like it was still in plastic (it wasn't), but it was just so unappealing. I took one bite, it was gross. I took a second bite and spit it out. The only reason im giving this two stars is because the hostess was very friendly and nice with my order. I've never been so dissapointed in a grilled Cheese and truffle fries in my life.
(2)
Toree P.
If I am ever in the Chicago area during Oktoberfest - Timmy O'Toole's is the place to be. Today they started their Fall promotion and had 32 ounce pumpkin and Oktoberfest beers for $6.50 . I was undecided and a little nervous to try something new but the server was patient and offered me several tastes until I found the right one. I had the Chicago style hot-dogs and my colleague had the fish tacos. Both were amazing!! The hot dogs were true Chicago style: all-beef, poppyseed bun, relish, tomatoes, pickles, onions, and mustard. The fish tacos had this amazing aoili spread and ancho chili sauce. My friend did comment that she loved the spices and sauces but the actual fish was a little under-cooked for her. (If you ask me all fish that isn't fried is undercooked) She said she would order it again but suggests to have it battered and fried. The ambiance was very similar to a sports bar and your typical irish pub. They had a tv every few inches on the wall, an EXPANSIVE tap beer list, and year-round use of Christmas lights. If you want a drink after a long day of shopping, break after long day of meetings, or just treating yourself - I would definitely recommend it.
(4)
Chuck L.
The Corona Battered Fish Tacos are by far the best tacos I've had. Of course the founders stout may have improved the flavor. Either way great spot if you like this pub-slash-sports bar vibe (prefer the more traditional pub myself but this wasn't bad). It's definitely worth a visit if you're on this side of Chicago. There are plenty of screens to watch your favorite Chicago team on...but tonight--well, it's a lotta BULL--Bulls that is!
(5)
Jason F.
Bartenders were very nice and of course I love their vast draft selection. While some reviews complained about the basement location, I found the experience homey and cozy. Plenty of TVs light up the bar and they have an assortment of games. The reviewer who said rich man's dive bar was spot on. Unfortunately I was too stuffed to try the food, but the menu and other patron's food looked respectable.
(4)
connie l.
Great ambiance! Lots of TVs, pool, darts and the parm fries are great. A must everytime I visit Chicago.
(4)
Katrina D.
Nice cool pub setting with a nice variety of IPA's. It was a pleasant experience.
(4)
Kristina V.
Went here with some friends for lunch. We wanted a pub and this was a great place we stopped at. They have daily drink specials and a pretty large menu. It was national hotdog day and my husband got 2 hotdogs for $8. Overall good experience and would come back!
(4)
Temprest B.
I've been coming here for 12 years. Their food is off the chain, I took off one star because of the staff, sometimes they are rude and unattentive but other then that I have nothing but good things to say. Every food item I've tried off their menu is good. I love their Chicken Mexacali soup.
(4)
Norm J.
O'Toole's has been one of my favorite places to watch football since I moved to Chicago in 2007. The food is goo and fairly priced, the beer selection is decent, the bloody mary bar is A OK with me and the the vast amount of TVs make this the perfect spot for a true football lover to go and see every game. Also, the fact that this place is open until 3a.m Sunday - Thursday and to 4am on Friday and Saturday makes this a great spot to go to after the clubs and other bars close. Food: -Bucket of Fries: I LOVE fries. Seriously if I was told I had to slap a nun or give up fries for a month...well I'd slap that nun on both cheeks. This is my favorite appetizer at O'Toole's. BBQ sauce, ranch and honey mustard use to come with this which was awesome. -Wings: I hate eating wings in public because I feel like people are watching and judging, but on the rare occasions I get wings at O'Toole's I always get the Chipotle BBQ. Wings are perfectly cooked and the sauce gives it that sweet and sassy kick. -BBQ Ranch Chicken Wrap: This is my go to meal. When I go to O'Toole's I order this about 98% of the times. The wrap is pretty big and it's filled with chicken, shredded cheese, tomato, BBQ and ranch dressing. Oh and if you like food challenges, they have the Big Timmy Challenge which consist of eating: Two Half Pound Burger Patties, Cheddar, Jack, Mozzarella, Swiss, Bacon, Onion Straws, BBQ Sauce, Lettuce, Tomato & Red Onion piled high & served with Fries & Onion Rings. I completed this challenge and all I got was a Timmy O'Toole's t-shirt...I didn't even get the meal for free which sucked.
(4)
Sandy W.
When on game night so the atmosphere was awesome. There was a bit of a wait at the begining but after that service was good. Great (pub) food and even better beer selection. Would love to have one of these pubs where I live.
(4)
Michele W.
This place has a pretty decent draft beer menu. The bar tender was able to make recommendations and had a general knowledge of beer. However, I felt since the place was not busy that the service would have been quicker.
(3)
Yvonne O.
Here for a party in the back room recently and had a great time. Service was really good- even with the large crowd and the food service was also great. They were constantly checking to make sure the food was replenished and people had drinks - as well as taking away the empties, which is often ignored. The back room was surprisingly insulated from the noise in the main room, which was also nice. Parking is easy - but pricey ($37 for a few hours) in the lot across the street.
(4)
Julio V.
Having worked in the area for 2+ years, I've paid O'Toole's a visit quite a few times. Good selection of beer and drinks as well as solid choices for food. I recommend the appetizer sampler or Little Timmy Burger. Being a 4am bar, great to have after work beers for those who work at the surrounding hotels. One of my favorite places, and a blackhawks bar? oh yeah!
(5)
Stephanie C.
I don't leave a lot of 1 star reviews, but this place had really terrible service. A group of my classmates and I came in after our last exam of the semester to celebrate. It was early, they were slow, and there we were ready to spend a lot of money on drinks and food and more drinks--except we were largely ignored in the corner, unable to order more than one or two drinks each, and not for lack of wanting! Our waitress told us before we ordered that she could only do three separate checks for the group--I appreciated hearing that from the beginning so we could plan. And then we quickly realized that with people coming and going it would be difficult to split things, so I asked if people with cash could pay per drink--I've seen this at other bars, especially when it's not busy, so I don't think I was rude to ask (worst case, she says no, right?). But she took offense and muttered something I didn't catch and walked away before I could follow up with asking how she was splitting us. And then someone else (a manager?) came to our table and condescendingly informed us that we had to order from our waitress, not from the bar. What? Is that what our waitress thought I was asking for? Thank you for assuming the worst of me, I guess. And in the end she brought us all separate checks! I ended up tipping over 20% anyway because I didn't want to wait for change and had planned on spending a lot more... In sum: It was confusing and quite unpleasant--I left a bar sober when I didn't want to. Law students right after finals should be easy money for any bar they walk into, unless you're rude and don't let them order drinks.
(1)
P K.
I've been meaning to make a yelp profile for a while now and unfortunately my poor experience at this place really pushed me to get it done. So here I am. We came in to this place after dinner w/ about 12 people, we had planned on staying for at least a few rounds of drinks. Probably would spent a lot of money in there. Our party was scattered throughout the bar area....we had about 7 people sitting at two tables pushed together, another 4-5 people were at the bar just across from the table. The reason I'm going into detail on this is because that's where the poor experience came from... The server for the table was HOUNDING our people at the bar, pretty much demanding that we have to sit at her table and order drinks through her. And I get it, I've been a server before, it sucks when the whole group orders at the bar but then comes over to your table. BUT, there were 7 people at the table already it was about full, and they ordered from her. The rest of our group didn't want to sit we wanted to be at the bar, pretty simple. So the table of 7 ordered a round through the server, the way it is supposed to work, fine... then the manager came over....he must have saw us all talking together, bar and table people. He came over and said that we can't order at the bar and come over to the table, SO NOW WE HAD TO GIVE UP OUR TABLE ALTOGETHER, THEY MADE US LEAVE THE TABLE............Unreal. In all of my 32 years on this earth I have never seen or heard of anything like this. I'll never step foot in this bar again. The icing on the cake was, since we no longer had a table we had to all crowd the bar to finish our drinks. Which lead to the security coming over every 2 minutes to tell us we're blocking the way for servers to get through hahaha... What do you expect man, you kicked us off our table. Unreal. Joke....
(1)
Jeremy S.
Had 15 people that were out to drink, did not have a big enough table so group was split up. They cut us off cause we ordered from the bar and waiter.
(1)
John M.
It's a passable basement sports bar. Good beer selection. Food is not great, but it's basically bar food. I came here because I read the wings were award-winning. They're okay, but certainly not exceptional in my eyes. Good sauce, but kinda small. The management was very rude, and kept yelling at customers to get out of the way, and then telling people they should go elsewhere if they didn't like it. I've been a server, a waiter, and a bartender, and yeah, it's annoying when customers crowd the computers and service area at the bar, but you simply cannot talk to people the way the manager was. These patrons don't realize what they're doing. Just tell them politely to move. The manager had that all-too-common attitude that people at his bar were lucky to be here, and that they needed to accommodate the staff and not the other way around. I understand why this mentality is endemic to most of the trendy bars in River North (although it's still unacceptable), but this is a windowless basement bar. It's got baseball on the TVs, Goose Island on tap, and Taylor Swift on the jukebox. Get over yourself.
(2)
Anthony H.
I'm sorry Timmy's but as a frequent industry professional, I had a very disrespectful waitress who treated my group rudely. With that being said here are my following pointers to potential patrons of your place: Chicagoans - do not go here unless you want to be around tourists and older business travelers. Industry folks - tell the servers you're industry after you get the tab to get your discount. Otherwise they will treat you poorly.
(2)
Richard D.
Great place. Great ambiance! Great waitress (Ariel)! Great food. Plenty of TVs with EVERY football game on! Highly recommend.
(5)
Krystle B.
Found this gem while playing tourist and walking the streets of Chicago. Boy was I glad i stepped into here. Most of our drink encounters to this point were at overpriced tourist spots like the signature room. This place was hustlin' and bustin' on a Saturday afternoon. It was damn near impossible to grab a seat at the bar but thankfully we were still able to find some seating. There was a bloody mary bar, though i didn't see anybody partaking, their selection looked on point. The waitstaff was friendly, checked in on us often, and made sure to make it back to us before any glass lay empty! For the most part the bar was great because of environment they have created. Sports bar, not too divey, great mix of people, good noise level. All around goodness. In my pipe dreams of owning a bar, I could only hope to closely emulate this one. CHEERS.
(5)
Kris V.
I strongly feel this place should be at least four stars. Personally when I see less than four stars on Yelp I avoid the location. Do not avoid this place. Come and judge for yourself. At least sit down for a beer. Reasonable prices for food and drinks especially for the city. Where they earn their 5 stars is service. Deron and Corey are extremely attentive and friendly. Warm smiles and all. In the past we have visited bars in other neighborhoods and I cant stress enough that the service here sets them apart. If you are looking for a chill time I would come early. It does get slammed in the evening but it does for a reason.
(5)
Lauren G.
Great sports bar in Chicago. Lots of locals, lots of TVs, and great menu.
(3)
Mark S.
Came here for an Alumni for the USC marching band. We were celebrating the 40th anniversary of the first time the USC Band came to Notre Dame. We had a private room in the back, and had one bartender and one server just for our area...there may have been more servers but I only noticed ours. Taken directly from their website: "Timothy O'Toole's Pub Chicago was voted Best Bears Bar by the Chicago Reader and Best Place to Watch Bears Games by the Red Eye and Chicago Magazine." ...Today it was a Trojan bar. BOOYOW!!! Timothy O'Toole's has a great selection of beers, beer combinations (Snakebite, et. al.), and a full bar. We discovered they have this thing called "Holy Water". It's a mixture of 12 liquors and 3 juices. Essentially jungle juice on crack. My friends and I were already a few beers in when we ordered our first of many pitchers. The afternoon (yes...afternoon) went from a good time to a college $h!tshow. So this cocktail didn't taste like it had any alcohol...which is always dangerous. We ended up spilling a couple drinks and breaking a glass. Usually the barkeep assesses the situation and kicks people out at that point, but our server cleaned up the glass very quickly. She politely asked us to clear out while she cleaned, swept up, and didn't say a word. Maybe it was the fact that we were a few pitchers deep and wouldn't have cared if she sassed us. Anyway, this was a really fun experience. All the staff were really nice before and after we started drinking. I feel like my review is not really that credible since I drank so much there and didn't really get to take in everything. I will say that walking out of there and realizing how early it was to be drunk was.....nostalgic.
(4)
May Z.
I enjoyed the atmosphere here! I came here with a friend who's been here before and he couldn't stop raving about the Irish nachos. And it lived up to the hype, the fries was smothered with cheese, bacon, and green onions with sour cream on the side. It was glorious, especially because I was starving! What I like about this place is that since there are tvs EVERYWHERE, I was able to watch the NBA games. I also loved how I was able to watch more than one game at the same time. Aside from the fries, I also got the burger. And WOW, it was heaven in my mouth. I ordered the little Timmy and my burger was cooked just the way I liked it! In addition, there are numerous amount of beer choices here. So if you like beer, this is the perfect place for you to kick back and watch a basketball game. The only reason why I gave this place four stars is because the waitress served my friend the wrong beer. I know mistakes happens sometimes, but he didn't enjoy the wrong beer he ordered too. Other than that, I would definitely come back! The food is just to delicious to pass up.
(4)
Nicole S.
Visiting from Atlanta, GA. Great place to eat and drink. Staff and bartenders are friendly. Fun atmosphere especially on St. Patty's Day weekend. Must try the Baby Guinness shot.
(4)
Brian P.
My company sent me to Chicago for a few weeks and this little spot was a few blocks from my hotel. As a sports fan I was happy for their 72 TVs which made watching the world series a very happy occasion (except for my team losing). I also came in for Sunday football which was a true treat. Timothy's is truly organized with all tv's marked so one has trouble figuring out where to sit. Obviously with so many TVs, the game you want to watch will be shown in several areas. They have a very extensive beer selection with a few specials ($4 Millers) that rotate depending on what day of the week it is. I've only had a few things to eat of which two were good and one was lackluster: The beef stew was fantastic made all the better by ordering a side of their mashed potatoes. On the downside, the maple glazed wings (fall special) were much too sugary for me. The brunch menu could also use a slight revision as some of us might want our breakfast fare in a non-sandwich/burrito form. Value wise this place isn't cheap but slightly less expensive then many of the other eateries in the area. Staff were also friendly to me, although, the first time I went (night time) the establishment was packed and it was extremely difficult to get my server's attention.
(3)
Shawn S.
Energetic sports bar. The front door is deceiving - this bar is massive and is all downstairs. They say they have 70 HD TVs, so you can see whatever game you want from somewhere. During commercials, they have a great DJ. There is a pretty decent beer list. We didn't eat but enjoyed hanging out and interacting with the bartenders.
(4)
Patricia B.
I went to this place today May 23, 2015. I feel this place is a rip off. there is nothing upscale about Timothy Toole's. They should close this place down. The food was not good. My bill was $300.00 The place is too noisy and packed. The manager and waiter was rude and not professional. The service suck. The server never came back to check our table. They are all about making money. They do not care about the customer. The bathroom,and floor in the dining area was deplorable. The Manager lost money because she did nothing to accommodate out table and again the bill was $300.00. Plus I paid $35.00 to park across the street at northwestern hospital parking lot. I recommend to avoid this place.
(1)
Chris T.
Just your typical neighborhood bar. No frills, but if you just need a beer - you're in the right place! Plenty of flat screens around showing all the various sports games, and their chicken wings aren't bad. They have 2 pool tables too. I'm more of a cocktail bar kind of guy, so places like this aren't usually my scene, but it's where all the local grad students like me go to lament after their awful exams.
(3)
John D.
We were in town for a convention, and this was right next door to the Hilton Doubletree where we were staying. Very crowded on an early Friday evening, and we had to wait to get a spot at the bar. They have Old Style tall boy cans for 3.50 or so, a pretty cheap option for downtown Chicago. It was loud and crowded, but clean, no sticky floors or anything. Seemed kind of touristy, but it was a decent place to put down a few beers. We did not have anything to eat.
I came here Sunday afternoon and it was definitely packed with Bears fans. I enjoyed the DJ as he played a mix of Top 40 and classics when the Bears were on commercial break. They also had a raffle for tickets to the next game, which I thought was nice. You pretty much can't find a seat here during the game, so my friend and I stood around and requested a table. After the bears game finished, the place emptied out a bit and we were able to get a table at the bar. NOTE: bar tables are also reserved, not first come first serve, so yeah, get a buzzer right when you walk in. We just had beers, which were good, 312 was $25 for a pitcher, which filled about 7 mugs, so not terrible. Food looked good but we didn't get any. The one thing that I thought was weird was that after the game, they didn't switch the TVs to the 4 pm games, they left them on fox (which just had recaps) and it took like 3 of us to tell the waitress to get the channel changed to another football game. (Denver vs Dallas).
(3)
Kylie M.
Worst service ever especially at the bar. Every time I try to use my discount (available to residents of my building) it's a huge ordeal especially last night. An attempt to use the discount involved at least 3 employees including the manager, who ultimately agreed to give it to me but not without major attitude. The kicker: my bill wasn't adjusted. Didn't think it was worth the effort to argue as I will be disputing this charge with my credit card company. They seem to assume that every patron is a drunk knucklehead - that I was not. For the record, if you live at Streeter Place (aka Atwater) you don't receive a resident card. Therefore, don't expect me to produce one in order to get my discount....Clearly there are unresolved operational issues at this unspectacular, mediocre bar. The food is decent but not enough for me to step foot inside this establishment again!
(1)
Thomas J.
I was extremely disappointed. My girlfriend and I had flown into Chicago for vacation and her mother had informed us that last time she visited this was the place to visit for good food and drinks with some time to watch some sports. We didn't get two of those things. We had walked in and sat down at a table and asked the waitress after about 10 minutes if we could order some drinks. She replied "if the hostess didn't seat you I won't serve you" mind you the place was near empty and we apologized immediately no knowing we needed to be sat at a table. The hostess then sat us and we waited another 10 minutes trying to get served. We were completely ignored the service was awful... The one light to the whole situation was the bouncer he was nice
(1)
Jon W.
About as average as it gets. Stay away from the canned cheese sauce on the nachos. Also the veggie burger was bland and mushy and the fries were cold. Ive had worse, but not much worse.
(1)
Sean M.
They have an all you can drink bloody Mary bar... Add a side of those spicy buffalo wings and it's pure Irish gold here folks. Stop being a schmuck and go get you some already. Save me a pickle.
(5)
Jeff C.
Not a fan of the location. But, the service was good and they have a lot of local beers there that are really great.
(3)
Kathy N.
Great "underground" bar. Went here to watch the Bears game. Sports fans dream bar. Lots of TVs, great pub food and an extensive selection of craft beer.
(3)
Elaine K.
We had a good time here. Service was good and they had a really cool beer selection. Also, it was craft beer night, so all craft beers were half price or something ridiculous. I really like the setup of the place, and how intimate all the booths were. If we weren't visiting Chicago for such a short time, we'd probably come here again.
(4)
David Z.
3.5 stars, rounding up to 4. Timothy O'Tooles is probably the best bar in the area. If you're in the NMH area you're going to find it is somewhat of a "sports bar desert," at least compared to most other areas of the city. The food is decent and there are plenty of TV's, so if you're looking to watch sports on the weekend they will surely have you covered. Just watch out, during happy hour this place can become PACKED. It's a pretty large space so they can really fit huge crowds. I've gone in during a Friday happy hour and barely been able to walk around, let alone find a spot to sit. The only thing that sort of annoys me is it is in a basement level location, so there aren't any windows to look out. You're in a dungeon. But most likely you're there to drink, not to start out the window, right? Oh, one more thing. If you are a member of any of the dining portals for airline miles (American Airlines, US Airways, etc), Timothy O'Tooles will give you bonus points for that too. For American it is 3x spend, or 5x if you an elite member. So that's a nice little extra bonus too.
(4)
Elyse L.
Very cool underground pub. Love the laid back vibe and their extensive selection of brews. The food here is top notch for pub fare. We are fond of the hummus platter that comes with both plain and roasted red pepper hummus and served with zucchini, carrot sticks, celery, and warm pita for dipping. If you feel more devilish, their fried appetizer platter is good too. They offer seasonal craft beer selections as well so there is something here for everyone. Perfect casual place to meet up with friends and catch a game, or even pre flight before more expensive dinner reservations. Non smoking inside so you don't have to worry about smelling like an ash tray when you leave either. Win!
(4)
Danijela B.
Just a cool, laid back bar... Great food and great service :) definitely recommend *thumbs up* :)
(5)
Andrew R.
I'm heading back to downtown Chicago again on business. It's been a while, and my first stop is gonna be at O'Tooles. I've been there a dozen times and never had a bad time. The food is great, staff is welcoming, and any jukebox that has "Let's get drunk and screw" on it, is awesome in my book!!
(5)
Adi R.
Reasonable food, excellent beer and a chill neighborhood bar to hang out. Just don't go during a football game - it's absolutely packed.
(4)
Marissa P.
We went here fot New Year's Eve last night. To say they are rude is an understatement. 1. Doorman first harassed my whole party and said we were over served and we would not be allowed in. We weren't over served he just decided he didn't like us from the moment we entered and he was clearly on a power trip. Finally he allowed us in. 2. The bartender was super rude as well. The advertised specials were not specials when we arrived. Finally after a lot of attitude we got out beers. Basically I wouldn't waste my time at this lame place when we live in a city with so many awesome places to go.
(1)
John D.
Great food and prices!! Always a fun place to play pool! Love hanging out here! Lots of space for private events as well. If you're in the area, I'd recommend this place! Don't forget your Id!!
(5)
Jessica Y.
And then there were 5... Of us who wanted a little night cap so hung out here from 12-2am. Most were dressed in hawks gear and casual. There were quite a few people grabbing late night snacks. We shared some garlic parmesan fries $5 + Irish Nachos $8 and a pitcher of Miller $14. This place reminds me of a chain restaurant/bar ex. TGIF, Ruby Tuesdays.
(3)
Kristine N.
Typical Irish bar and vibe. Fun place to grab a few drinks since it was right by our hotel. We ordered a variety of things from their menu and everything was pretty much ok. From the chili (too thick), gumbo (skimpy on the rice), tenders (small, crispy, typical sauces), quesadilla (not much flavor), burgers/sandwiches, all decent but not very memorable. Great service. We had one waitress for the entire back room and she was great, remembered our drinks, and was pretty timely.
(3)
Bill T.
I'm sending my love down the well* for this awesome place. Let's check the list, shall we? Friendly service- check. Super nice waitress who explained the beers and was so helpful with my myriad outrageous demands Location: check- between Michigan Ave and the Lakeshore, so easy to get to whether you're coming or going Food: check- Yummy pretzels, wings and Irish nachos. Is it just me or are Irish nachos the best thing to be invented since Silly Putty? Beer: check and double check: 48 beers on tap...a great range of domestic craft beers and a handful of exceptional imports. I can't believe nobody turned me onto this place when I asked Yelpers good place for beers and wings. Were you Chicagoans, who are known for your friendliness, trying to keep this place to yourselves? If so, I don't blame you, bro. I would too. Love me some Timmy! ________________________________ * In case you missed the reference, in a 1992 "Simpsons" episode, Bart throws a radio down a well and using a Mr. Microphone-type device, pretends to be an orphan named Timmy O'Toole, and celebrities get together and record "We're Sending Our Love Down the Well" to raise money for his rescue. youtu.be/nfdXbTRVRzc
(4)
Mary R.
I just created an account to write this review as I have never been so insulted by a member of the service industry in my life. This place offers an SI discount. This is especially appealing to cooks and members of the BOH who like to have fun and are also on a tight budget. The manager on duty at 8 pm this evening insulted both myself and my friends by saying that the local cafe restaurant where they work was comparable to Starbucks and therefore they were not entitled to this discount. Anyone that works 8-12 hours cooking for or serving people is a member of the service industry. To compare this local restaurant where everything is made in house to order to Starbucks is wildly insulting and disheartening. I will never return to this establishment which according to the manager, was fine with him. I have never been treated like this before anywhere and I'm very disappointed that a manager would be so tactless as to insult guests in this manner.
(1)
Liz S.
This place is fantastic!! My boyfriend and I's go to bar when we are in the city. Their chipotle chicken fingers (appetizer) are amazing!!!! And one of the only places a close friend of ours can find Three Floyds Zombie Dust. Cocktails are great, Blue Mother F*cker is the best around! Really nothing bad to say except you should tell the waitress exactly what you want when she comes because, it's so busy, it may be awhile till she comes back.
(5)
Kendrick W.
Timmy's is a pretty basic irish pub and the games are always on here. The crowd always seems a little young or immature (despite the age). If you're a dude and you just need a dude's spot to watch the game then Timmy O'Tooles will get it done. It can be a pretty fun spot, but you've gotta be in that "tie one on" mindset. Food is pretty good for bar food and that justifies most of this ranking.
(3)
julie n.
Eh, nothing to rave about. Bar with bar food and plenty of drinks and loads of drunk people to watch. I had gumbo the 2nd time we came and it was surprisingly good, just need more rice and a bit of hot sauce. The chicken tenders were hot and crispy.
(3)
Jeff W.
Had dinner here on Thanksgiving with my my wife and five year old. Was a bit leery of bringing a five year old, but after a call I was told they had a kids menu and, more importantly, they will have the Texas game on so I was sold. We had a bit of a wait, which I think could have been better handled. Maybe some communication as to why others, including kiddos, were being sat before us. We ended up in a booth, with our own tv tuned to the longhorns which was PERFECT. Traditional pub fare, which was Tasty and the service was friendly. I thought they did a great job of balancing many families (not a lot of places open so they probably had more than normal) as well as the sports bar crowd which is their main focus. Good show and thank you for being accommodating. I would bring the family back and/ or come back if I am solo and want to watch a game.
(4)
Trey C.
Great beer selection, not so great food.... But hey at least you can drink good while everyone eats
(2)
Meg r.
Heard about comedy shoe on Wednesdays at 9pm. 5 bucks, 5 comics. A funny guy named Danny made it worth it
(3)
Travis W.
Certainly the place to be if you like watching sports at a bar. Plenty of TV's in sight and probably one of the top places for draft beer selection in the city. I stumbled upon this place while searching via Yelp and was pleasantly surprised and the level and quality of not only the beer selection but also the food. I tried the salsa, guacamole and chips to start and it was probably the best guac I've ever tried. Big chunky pieces of avacado. I also tried the pork sliders and they were fine as well. Service is typical of a sports bar, personable, not white glove, but who really needs that at a place like this?
(3)
Karen C.
I'm decently OK with O'Toole's as a lunchtime choice. My coworkers & I hit up O'Toole's every once in a while on our break, they have decent salads & tasty flavored french fries, and the prices aren't bad either. It's a good option when you want to sit down and relax, instead of stand in a line for sandwich somewhere else. I'd like to go 3.5 stars, but I can't go with a solid 4 just yet. I'm not a huge fan of the whole menu, but it's decent bar food and just a good atmosphere to hit up when you need a break from work during the week. O'Toole's helps me forget about some of the ridiculousness at work, if even for an hour. Now if I could just sneak in a beer or 3...
(3)
Jacobie D.
Ok place great location. I ordered the Atl Salmon and it tasted like it had gotten a little long in the tooth. My guy got the Fish n chips and they were good. Over all I like the place and they had live comedy the night we stopped by. I think next time I'll stick with the traditional bar menu.
(3)
Lauren K.
I really like this place! We came here after getting into Chicago, looking for late night apps and beers. Our concierge at our hotel recommended this and it was perfect. The basement/sports bar theme was definitely what we were looking for, and the place was rowdy and exciting. Loved the dim lighting and the music selection. We had beers and the quesadilla appetizer, which were good. Prices were very cheap for Chicago, I thought. Coming from Madison I felt as if we were at home, where the prices on beer and apps are pretty low. We also had burgers, which were huge and delicious. Fries were my favorite: hot, soft, and salty! The waitress was nice and the service was quick. Again, the atmosphere was great, which was what contributed to my 5-star. It really made the restaurant for me. This would be a good place to go with friends for a casual night out as well as to watch a sporting event.
(5)
Jazmine Y.
Always my favorite place to go after work! I work right around the corner. My all time favorite servers are Tracy and Cat. They are always fantastic. The security guards are perfect and friendly. Unfortunately this time we came in just for a drink and it took 15 minutes for our server Alex to even greet us. It then took a her an additional 20 minutes to return to our table meanwhile we were searching for her to put in an order of wings. I will give the benefit of the doubt considering the service here is usually amazing, and this particular time half of the staff went missing. There may have been an incident we were unaware of. Working in the business I understand things happen. A little communication would have been appreciated but I still feel she was too unattached when speaking to us. Almost rushing. We have run into a few times certain employees had refused to take us when they found out where we worked. It's disappointing because we tip very well every time. Especially with great service. So I hope this isn't the case this time. (Our usual server Cat had just gotten off work sadly). Any way. If you come here do yourself a favor and ask for Cat or Tracy!
(4)
Todd T.
Ok place but not really my style. Over crowded on a Thursday night, but not in a vibey sort of way, in an overcrowded sort of way. Couldn't find a place to sit and nobody seemed to care. Everywhere you look is a douche in a suit. On the positive side, drink selection is good and not terribly pricey considering the area. If you're looking to go catch a game with your buddies and chest bump and trade hair gel tips, knock yourself out. If you're looking to sit down, keep the beers coming and have any sort of meaningful conversation, look elsewhere.
(3)
Lauren H.
We came here after bowling at Lucky Strike for my friends birthday. It was later in the night I believe around 11ish on a Saturday. The place was not very crowded; I think because this place is in a weird location. We did have a very big party and they were very accommodating and we will definitely be back if we are over in that area!
(4)
Kris U.
This little spot was a quick jump across the street from one of the hotels I stayed at while visiting the windy city (DoubleTree MagMile). Being form out of town and on my own, I was looking for the kinda place where everyone would know my name. Walking down the steps into the cellar of Tim O'T's, it was the exact sort of sports bar/pub I was looking for this lonely evening. Nobody knew my name, or cared to ask why I had a Canadian accent, but that's cool I had my two best friends with me: Booze and Sports on TV! Their beer selection is unique and I'd say very eclectic. Not familiar with their on tap selection I asked the bar tender which of the beers listed in this novella were his personal faves. He admitted he was not a beer fan BUT being a bourbon guy her was a real fan of Kentucky bourbon barrel ale (8.2%). It's beer that is made inside the casks originally used to distill Bourbon so the beer actually tastes more like bourbon then beer. Amaze! That 8.2% pint sized pint caught up with me quick (don't reco pairing alcohol with cold medicine but meh...w/e), because next thing I knew I was ordering what the menu called a Huge ass margarona. The bartender looked at me funny, like I had sprouted breasts and donned a dress suddenly. Kinda the way a dog cocks his head a la 45 degrees when it hears something odd, and asked "a margarona????? In November?" - Sure why not! Note to the rest of you..lonliness and margaronas is a baaaaaaddddd mix. I was soon presented with a delicious 2L of frozen tequila and slush with a corona popped upside down into it adding Corona beer to this mexican fire..... ...fast forward (slowly) 45 minutes I complete the beverage...sufficiently sauced and ready for bed. I stumble back to my hotel (thank god it's so close, and promptly pass the EF out)! Good times - definitely somewhere I'd bring "the guys" for a game next time I'm in Chi-town!!!
(4)
Kristina A.
Burgers were great, and the banana dacquiri's were wonderful. The second time we stopped had the nachos - huge, and more dacquiri's. However, this time, the drinks tasted as if no alcohol. Our server was fantastic. She made sure to remove them from our bill, and the Manager came over to apologize (that's class, and good customer service). We will definitely go back when we are in town. Great food, service and attention to detail - that's how you keep customers!
(5)
Peter H.
Great beer selection both on tap and in bottle. Fun place with decent food. They have an October fest menu this month with some great items. The hot pretzels are off thr charts. Check this place out.
(4)
Suzie D.
Went to Timothy's to watch our football team while on vacation. Very busy with an awesome atmosphere. Plenty of T.V.'s in the place. We asked for the games to be switched on two T.V's and they had no problem doing it. They have a very large drink menu and the food was very good. We will return on our next trip to Chi town.
(4)
Aaron E.
Had they chicken Alfredo at about 2am. Talk about good! It was fantastic... I was impressed as most late night places are not nearly as good.
(5)
Erica P.
Fun local bar with good sports coverage and decent bar food. Extensive craft beer and good menu, plus daily liq specials.
(4)
Damon S.
Looking for a place to grab a drink on a Friday afternoon, and Timothy O'Toole's seemed to have good Yelp reviews so here I went. First off, I really didn't like the entrance. Down some stairs in the side of an office building, all you can see in front of you is a bouncer at a desk -- doesn't look like a bar at all, wondering what I'm walking down into. If I hadn't Yelp'd the place, I wouldn't have made it down all the stairs without turning around -- at least put some stuff on the walls to make it look like the entrance to your bar/restaurant. Next "issue" (and this is my own fault) was that all I really wanted to do was sit at the bar and get a few beers. However, at the hostess stand they directed me to a table (and why it was my own fault, I didn't ignore them and just tell them I only wanted a drink at the bar). But I still find it strange when I tell the hostess that I'm one, and I just want a beer, that they don't at least ask if I just want to sit at the bar -- everywhere else in the world I've been that's what they do. Sitting down, lots of TV's on all the walls, most on sports, although without a lot of sports actually happening at this time of day/year, a few were on news channels. My next pet peeve...after 30 minutes of eating/drinking, someone else must have asked that the TV that I was staring directly at be changed because it suddenly was (to a random, non-local baseball game). My biggest annoyance with this is that there were plenty of TV's that weren't showing sports, why didn't they change one of them? Or maybe check to see if the guy watching the TV actually wanted to watch what was on before you changed the channel. And then the food. I decided to try some wings (described as award winning). If these won an award, I'm glad I wasn't tasting the losers at that contest. There was nothing particularly wrong about the wings I had, but there was certainly nothing particularly great about them. The menu looked fine, it's sports bar/pub food, I didn't expect much and don't really have complaints, but I only got what I expected. Finally, I'll get to what keeps them to getting 3 stars (despite all my complaints above). The beer selection was top notch! If I was in the area again, particularly if it was on a Saturday or Sunday during football season, I would be happy to stop by Timothy O'Toole's again to sit at the bar, enjoy several beers, and watch a bunch of games.
(3)
Mike D.
This place is great! Drink specials every night along with tons of TVs. They turn to whatever you want. We are serious dodger fans so they turned one of the tv to the game for us. Irish nachos are awesome also.
(5)
Mike R.
Very social environment. . Have to try the deschutes chainbreaker white IPA on tap! !
(5)
Teresa M.
This is a must place to eat every time we come to chicago! The good is so good. We always get the Irish nachos and pulled pork sandwich that is on a pretzel bun. Had a martini for the first time today and it was awesome! They used kool aid for the mixer and it was really strong. The staff is usually friendly, only had one incident where the host threw our menus down on the table but we haven't seen him since. You get a pretty good amount of good for your money but it is well worth it. They cook your food fast and they also have it to go if you would like. The wings are really spicy like jalapeños. The onion rings are beer batter which is the only thing I don't care for. If you ever need just some good solid food, I would go here. Always full and the pulled pork is so packed full of meat that I have left overs on my plate. They are far from greedy with it. Try it!!!
(4)
Erika C.
We call this place the Tool Box. Good old Timothy O' Toole's, always busy. Completely hit or miss service. Great beer selection and a friendly varied crowd, lot's of tourists and business travelers. Good prices. A word of advice, do not, no matter what they tell you, order anything with goat cheese on it, trust me, please. Stick to the pub grub choices and you won't be disappointed. We keep coming back, that is all I can say. The devil you know.....
(4)
Claude W.
All in all a good bar with a great variety of beers. The only thing that was disappointing was a rude bartender named Corey or Carey. She was HORRIBLE in attitude. Pick any other bartender except for her. She does not listen, and when you try to explain she gets all huffy and acts like a brat. Avoid her like the plague!! I would give it a higher rating if she was not there.
(3)
Jarrid W.
Visiting from out of town, priced were reasonable for Chicago and the atmosphere was great. What really made me enjoy my visit was the bartender. He saw my Detroit hat and put on the tigers game for me. Something I didn't expect or ask for but really showed great service: must come here if in Chicago
(5)
Bryn C.
Great Beer selection. Friendly bartenders and a great atmosphere. As a pub should be.
(4)
Kimmie R.
I like Timothy O'Toole's comedy show, so the bar pretty much won me over at that point. They have recently upgraded the place so it looks slightly better than the pictures that everyone posted. Timothy O'Toole's attracts a friendly crowd of hardworking professionals that are just trying to have a good time. So, if you are looking for a relaxed evening with laid back friendly people this is definitely the place to be! Pro's - - Good prices - Walking distance from the train - Handsome waiters and staff ( trust me, eye candy never hurt a bars business) - Different atmosphere in the bar and in the back bar comedy area, so for a different vibe you can just walk to the next room. - Great comedy show for an affordable price! Cons - - NO parking - Bar food that tastes just like bar food (No healthy or really good tasting food on the menu) - Limited seating in back room comedy show area - Multiple smaller TV's instead of fewer larger ones
(4)
Cesar A.
Came here for New Years and had a blast. Everything went great until just after the midnight countdown when our waitress said that our drink tickets were no longer valid as of 12a. NEXT TIME you tell us at the door! That was a major buzz-kill for us but mostly for me, I mean come on! Is this restaurant really that cheap to have to stricken me from being able to get that included cheap Bud light? I paid you your cover, I paid for ALLL the other drinks. We dished out a lot of money for New Years. We were patient with your waitressing staff who I know were running around taking care of everyone else. I thought they were going to have a bigger dance floor also because I definitely love dancing (Their advertising DID say dancing). I will definitely come back for the restaurant but for YOU to say 'NO' to our drink tickets ON NEW YEARS is enough for me never to book this place for my next New Year's ever. Very disappointed with THAT.
(2)
Samantha E.
This is a default bar for a lot of people I know just because it is so close to where they live but it continually falls flat for me. The crowd is usually a mish mosh of people. They do have a decent drink selection but they can be a bit overpriced at times. I would rather hike out to somewhere better than stick around at Timmy's
(2)
Eric R.
Had a great time! The people were friendly even though we were from out of town and my friend was a cowboys fan. The food was great! Quite possibly the best chicken strips I've ever had!!!!!
(5)
Daron D.
Great fun, very mixed and polite crowd. Went on a saturday night, had the big mug of beers, shots of tequila, vodka, and spent under $40 ( had at least two or three of everything). Had a great time, stays open late, great drink specials and the battles on the pool table were fun. Will do this again.
(4)
Sarah C.
This place was rude and didn't give service during a bachelorette party. Completely disappointed
(1)
Kylie S.
I do not know what I like this place, but I do. It's that perfect underground pub feel. It's nothing special, but the drinks are good, the food is okay, and there are TVs everywhere tuned to Chicago sports. I've always had excellent service when I've visited. I'm also incredibly impressed with the facilities given the crazy crowd at times. Do not ever try to go here on St. Patricks. Seriously, don't try it. The line is ridiculous and it's really not that special of a place. Come the day after St. Patty's and it'll be just as nice.
(4)
Erika C.
awkward. uncomfortable. unprofessional. sorry timothy, this described our experience last night. let me first start of by saying, the first time I came here I had a blast, you yelpers weren't kidding when you said this place delivers some great bar food and fun vibes for their customers. I thought why not give it a shot? To top it all off, I work in the industry and this is one of the few places that gives discounts to us fellow bar workers! 50% off food and 10% off drinks with proof of employment and one of their "industry cards" you can't beat that! the first time I came here was with a bunch of girls from work and our waitress was nothing but sweet, professional, and knew the cocktail menu inside and out! also, when I signed up for the industry card the manager was professional and welcoming. Plus, working at a hotel bar, we rave about this place to our customers and will send them over to timothy's if they are looking for a fun sports bar to catch the game. Well, last night I thought...why not come back? I had such a great experience here on my first visit, I thought timothy's would be the perfect place to come with my boyfriend and two of our friends for the hawks game. we got sat pretty quickly, and I informed our waitress that I had a industry card. she seemed pretty normal at first, until she started making some really weird comments. she forgot an order of our sweet potato fries, and when the food runner finally brought the fries out... she came over and said "you guys are lucky I put those to be dropped off at the wrong table" um..what? we ordered those... what did she think we were trying to pull a fast one and steal someone's sweet potato fries? awkward. um..so the night continues. I understand that with the industry card you won't get the discount on daily specials, which is understandable and a 20% tip will be added prior to the discount. common terms. right? wrong. the bill got dropped off and more then half the stuff we ordered was not discounted. we called her over to have the bill explained to us since something was not adding up. she told us the only thing that was on special that would not be discounted was one 4 dollar beer we ordered, but everything else should be discounted. it still wasn't adding up. she called her manager over, my party and I were thinking we could finally get this resolved. nope, this guy seemed like he had a little bit too much whiskey. not apologetic at all that they messed up on the bill and continued on saying that half the stuff wouldn't be marked down since they were part of a special and the company wouldn't be able to make their margins... and with this being said he quoted "it's only 5 dollars that is wrong now" we told him that we were unaware since the server didn't tell us that when we asked. no sorry, no nothing. just asked where we all worked and after finding out that i'm the only one that works in the industry our waitress came running over saying "wait, so your the only one that works in the industry, I just got yelled at" um... sorry? did you want a tissue? what kind of place is this. lady, trying to make your guests feel bad is a real good way to get a good tip and a good review... oh wait, your 30 dollar tip was already added prior to the discount that wasn't even correct. sorry that you got yelled at for not doing your job. awkward. uncomfortable. unprofessional. will not be recommending this place to any of my guests and I was sure to let the concierge know to steer people far away after last nights experience. you should treat all guests with respect and never make anyone feel uncomfortable or like we did something wrong. seriously kicking myself in the ass for sending my clients over to this place. would rather go to jacks tap and pay full price for better professional service where guests are treated with respect and are taken care of when there is an issue, not left feeling uncomfortable and getting the stink eye from a distance.
(2)
Aditya S.
This is a great neighborhood pub in streeterville which is less than a block away from where my wife lives. I have been here a few times with friends in large groups to end the night so that i can stumble back home and it has never disappointed. The prices as expected for a bar in this area are high but the drink options are plenty. The service does seem to lack and that is only because i think they are always understaffed. The food here is very average and really not worth ordering. I have been here a few times more due to convenience than the actual experience of the place. Still the place manages to do its job in giving you multiple options of alcohol of your choice and mixing up decent cocktails if you so wish to drink them. Super cool thing about them that they are open till very late and thus always a good spot to end your night. PS: they are also good to catch any sporting event and the atmosphere is very lively inside. best time to go there if you are not in a large group
(3)
Will K.
Not a dive bar whatsoever. This place is classy and it is a getaway for one and all. I am really enjoying myself watching the World Cup. The best place in town to watch the World Cup! This place rocks!
(5)
michael w.
stopped in for a quick beer, nice location, good atmosphere and comfy bar. They had some specials to work as well. Did not eat anything. The company and service were pleasant. Can't remember the name but got a guiness/octoberfest special.
(3)
John G.
This is going to be my new go to spot for late night dining downtown when I'm not on the mood for breakfast. Great beet selection and stall.
(5)
Doro R.
I showed up with a rather large group moments before a big game was about to start. We hadn't called ahead and there was a wait for tables. We wandered into the bar area and the manager quickly came over and turned a pool table into a table for us. Our server was very attentive and there were even some beer specials. I was surprised by how nice and accommodating they were despite being very busy already. They have an extensive beer selection and the food list was bigger than you would find at the average bar but on par with what you should expect to receive in a bar.
(4)
Niti B.
This is one of my friends go to spots and it was time to go!...after a whole day of day drinking where else do you go?! Out for more drinks great food and friendly service. We had the pretzel and build your own grill cheese with sweet potato fries to wash down our beverages and they were delicious. Plenty of TVs and they change any one of them for your viewing pleasure. I have to say this is the spot to watch a game sit back and relax!
(4)
Annie H.
All I can say is this is one awesome pub! Food is amazing! Service is awesome! Atmosphere was perfect! It felt like home (SF). I recommend this place to anyone that is going to Chicago and wants to do local nightlife.
(5)
Brian M.
Well, unfortunately Timothy O'Tooles let me down again. After spending six months out of the country, my family returned for a Bears game and were seated in the back area. We were the first ones seated in this area. A big reason we come here is for the great beer list. After seeing a few of our favorites on tap on our way in at the main bar, we were excited and quickly ordered them. The waitress told us it was restaurant policy that we couldn't order from the front bar if we sat in back, so had to order from a much smaller list from the back bar. It seemed like a crazy policy since the main bar is only seconds away from where we were seated, but we decided we would just order Bloody Mary's and appetizers. Then, we walked to the main bar to order a couple beers while half of the group ordered beer from the waitress. The waitress brought back a beer and glass - there was old lipstick all over the rim of the glass. Gross. At halftime, we again walked to the bar to get our fav beer to go with our entrees. Upon our return, the waitress threatened to give our table away if we continued to get beer from the main bar. After we said it's you're terrible policy, she said it wasn't policy she just was too busy at the time earlier to get drinks from the main bar and now she could because she was much less busy. So she lied about the policy...plus it was MUCH busier by this time vs earlier. This is offensive for so many reasons. We come to O'Tooles FOR the great beer list. And we didn't choose to sit in the back. And we also spent a ton of money ordering three appetizers, four rounds of drinks and five entrees. And then she spilled a beer on my mom at the end. Won't be back.
(1)
Sheila C.
Food was good. I opted for the Shepard's pie & mimosas. My favorite part was my server Wes. He was super nice & answered all my questions. We had good sports debate also lol. I'd recommend. Gets busy on game nights
(4)
Will V.
I'm not much of a beer drinker, nor do I frequent many bars, so it's not often I find myself in a place like this. That said however, service was awesome. Apparently the selection of beers was also pretty good (I was drinking water). And every bit of food I saw and smelled from around the place was appetizing. But this review really isn't about any of those things. This review is about the AMAZING Shepherds Pie. Most places you go will serve you something around the size of a small soup bowl full of shepherds pie, and it's often times questionable whether that's really what it is or not (for example, I just had one somewhere else in Chicago that was more like chili with potatos at the BOTTOM of the bowl.) Ok, so here's the deal. This thing is about 4" x 9" x 2.5" and it comes to your table SCREAMING hot. I ate half of it, then spread the other half out a bit, since even by that point it was still almost too hot to eat, and it looked like I hadn't even touched it yet. I mean, seriously, it's a LOT of food for about $13. And the flavor? Well.. hands down, this was THE best shepherds pie I've ever had. Period.
(4)
Nessie V.
Veggie burger here is NOT vegan. Fries and rings are fine. This place is a typical sports pub. Pretty loud and crowded, despite seemingly being out of the way.
(3)
Alanna M.
The only issue here is that this place isnt right next door to my building! If you find yourself still drunk from Friday night, Timothy O'Toole's (or as I loving like call it - Timmy O'Toole's) is the greatest place. Their bottomless mimosa bar is CLUTCH. Its not the nicest sparkling wine, but it goes down easy. Theres also a bottomless Bloody Mary bar with a HUGE variety of ingredients to add to your drink! I love it! I also had their Belgian Waffle at brunch. It was SO delicious. I wouldnt expect such a tasty brunch item from a sports bar. Also, their wings are good. They've won awards apparently. Their burgers are decent too. They also have a signature drink called Holy Water. Wasnt a fan, but its full of different liquors. It just tasted like a bad version of alcoholic kool-aid to me. Also, service is usually really good. I havent been there when its super crowded, but if you sit at a table its usually very chill.
(4)
Polly W.
Great little bar across from the Doubletree where I go for conferences. Cool atmosphere and great food. Lots of TV's, good music, fun people. We even managed to write a proposal over a couple cocktails - and it was approved a week later - so I credit the generous drinks for getting the creative juices flowing.
(4)
Gabriel F.
This place was an excellent discovery by some of the cool guys who attended a conference with me in Chicago. However, I am bummed to realize that I was in a bar where a Man vs. Food Challenge is held and was unaware of it! I really wish I ha known so that I could totally demolish that challenge and walk away with a t-shirt that probably wouldn't fit me. As for the bar itself, it was pretty cool, large screens, jukebox, pool tables, and a lot of attractive people looking to have a good time. I never got the feeling that someone was going to act a fool in this place, which is relief, it lets you relax and enjoy the beer. I didn't eat anything, as we came over after dinner, and I met some interesting people there. Did not spend a lot of money, so I would definitely recommend this place to others, especially if you are visiting Chicago like I was. Oh, shout out to the very fine wait staff, our waitress was definitely NOT a grenade.
(4)
Wayne C.
So my friend texted me and was like, "We're at 622 N. Fairbanks," and I was like, "Streeterville?! Que?" but just got my haircut over there so I went. He works at Northwestern so it was understandable, as it's is across the street. Otherwise, circa 7PM, O'Tooles holds open casting calls for douches long and far. You know, like, they sell wings. Only certain bars "sell wings" and if you can think of another place that "sells wings" and have been there, you've also been to O'Tooles. I'm not trying to hate, especially since my roommate was recently like, "You hate everything lately. Like, you actually use the word 'hate' all the time." That was a bummer and I did some self-reflecting but really I didn't hate it. I just got the feeling that there was a lot of wife-cheating going on, especially since one of the guys at our table was all, "As soon as you're sick of sex, get married." OK, not fair because that doesn't describe the O'Tooles Experience. Scratch that. It does.
(2)
Heather J.
My husband and I were staying at the Doubletree across the street for our mini honeymoon and it was our last night in town. We wanted to have some drinks and find a good atmosphere to hangout in. This place blew us out of the water! The atmosphere was perfect with the screaming football fans and the cheering waitresses. Our service was perfect, never once forgotten about despite a party of 12 people sitting in the same section. We had their chipolte bbq wings and they were a little hot for.being chipolte but delicious none the less. They have an absolutely amazing beer selection. Craft beer lovers like myself can indulge in local and internarional drafts here. I say hell yes to Timothy O'Tooles!
(5)
Joel B.
Not impressed. The service was horrible. My girlfriend and I were visiting Chicago for the weekend and on our last night thought we would visit Timothy's. What a mistake. We walked in to standing room only (no problem because those are the places I like) and stood at the bar for 10 minutes and were ignored. We left without even ordering a drink. It's a busy loud place and I'm sure it will do well, but it will never get a dime for me.
(1)
Robyn F.
The food here is quite terrible. My friends and i came here for brunch on Sunday because the wait at West Egg next door was too long. Verdict on a number of dishes: -Irish Benedict - This is eggs benedict with corned beef instead of Canadian bacon. I ordered this, and my eggs were fully cooked through. They were the furthest from poached eggs that you could possibly get. -Scrambled eggs with 3 ingredients to mix in - My friend got this, and the scrambled eggs were completely overcooked. -Corned beef hash - My friend could barely take a bite of this before needing to mask the flavor with tobasco sauce. It was so extremely buttery that it would put a French restaurant to shame. - Side of toast - Not very toasty and a bit soggy. -Coffee - very weak and had a weird aftertaste. Overall, no one at the table had a good experience with their food or beverage. Maybe it's a good place for drinks, but eat elsewhere!
(1)
TLynn M.
The food was excellent for the price. However, We had a group of 11 and had pre-arranged with management. They put us in a back room, which was fine, but then before we even ordered they started trivia. It was fun but loud and not ideal for chatting with the rest of our table. The waitress was horrible. She didn't pay much attention to us, didn't offer refills, see if we had everything we needed, or bother to bring the checks when asked or reminded. We might need another visit, it was most likely a isolated mishap! Not sure when I will get back to Chicago, but I would give them another chance!
(3)
Pinaki S.
I'm going to do my first quantitative review: 3 stars to start (since everything is always decent) +1 star for a good happy hour crowd (I never go downtown, but reminds me of DC happy hour) +1 star for DJ with great strip club voice +1 star for accommodating bar staff +1 star for solid bar food (bbq chicken wrap came out in 5 seconds) (So if you're counting at home, that 7 stars right now) -(minus) 5 stars for lack of HD picture with HD tvs. I have no bigger pet peeve in life. Completely honest. Don't buy a f'in thousand dollar tv and watch picture that looks better on a tv from 1980. I guess if you're not watching sports, this is a good (only?) option if you are stuck in Streeterville.
(2)
Jessica K.
I want to like this place. I NEED to like this place. I lived down the street from it for month and it seemed so convenient meeting friends here. Nope. Not really. The place is always crowded, filled with the worst kind of drunks and if you want to eat-good luck finding a seat. When you do get a table with a waitress assigned though, they do hustle their asses off for you-I'll give 'em that. There are t.v.'s blasting everywhere, pool tables and a double sided bar with plenty of cheering, boozing patrons. My friends and I always get a plethora of appetizers and Goose Island pints. It's like a warm feeling all around. Or maybe that's the "Asian Red" I get 'cause I can't process alcohol. Either way-this is an OK bar. Parking on the street is a b*tch so cab it 'cause you'll probably be drunk anyhow. That's one thing they do great here-you'll never have an empty glass.
(3)
Lisa H.
Pretty standard large sports bar in a nice area of town. It was not mind-blowingly awesome but I would come back with friends. I was here for a private party last weekend and had a great time. O'Toole's also has a corner private party room which is quiet and holds approx 30 people, and I would recommend it for an informal family event. The food is good for pub fare and service was fast and friendly. Our server was careful to split the bill between all of us (despite the fact that we were all in the same party) so there was no awkwardness over that. The fries were very yummy and crispy, and my veggie burger was surprisingly good (most veggie burgers at pubs suck :) my only complaint is that it could have been crispier on the outside. There was always enough condiments and silverware and napkins in the party room and the server was constantly around us. I also REALLY appreciate that this bar has a decent clean ladies' bathroom with many stalls :) kudos. The feel of the place was a little crowded and loud, but we went there after the Chicago marathon and I wouldn't expect it is like that very often. Give it a try if you're in the area :)
(4)
Doug O.
A great bar with great beer selection. Crowd was lively on a Tuesday night and Karaoke wasn't overly loud so you could still converse with friends.
(4)
Raghav C.
I frequent this neighborhood bar pretty frequently, more often that I would like, but with close proximity to where I live, it is a convenient choice. Prices - like any other bar in downtown Chicago. $7-11 for most entrees, drinks are $4-6. They do hv good specials and they vary by day, month and season. Do check their website for current deals. From what I've tried so far, which has been a wide selection, I can say the food is above average. Fries are decent, I've had better but I won't complain. Wraps and burgers are good, nothing to rave about, but will fill you up without you complaining. I tried their Margaritas on special one day ($5 for a huge one) which I enjoyed a lot. They did run out of margarita glasses for my 2nd order and I was served in a regular pint glass which was disappointing. They have 3-4, maybe 5 menus: daily specials, monthly specials, seasonal specials, drinks, and food. Spend some time going through them so u get your money's worth. There is something about the ambiance in here that I don't like. It appears to be a mix of a Irish Pub and Sports Bar but I wouldn't call it either. There is something dreary about the place I wish they would change.
(3)
Shelden E.
The only reason why I say this place is ok is because its location. There aren't many other bars in that area, and those that are can be pricey. There used to be a place called O'Neils which was a nice small bar and had great burgers, but that's gone now. :( This place is immediately a wannabe Irish Pub. They could probably do a little bit more to exaggerate that, but not really. They've got their waitresses wearing plaid, school girl skirts, in the middle of winter. I mean its indoors, but still, come on. I did not have the food, just beers, and I guess for a bar that should be in Wrigleyville their choices were actually good. I ended up getting two hacker pschors, $8 a liter glass. That's kind of pricey since I'm used to getting one for $6, but then again I'm downtown. It would be nice if the put the price of drinks on the menu. Again, the only reason why I bothered going there is because there wasn't much else around. Why did O'Neils get torn down? Anyway, next time I'll walk a bit further to Rock Bottom.
(3)
Tina D.
Standard Irish Pub, but please please avoid on St Patricks Day!! (totally my fault) What a line! We had some delicious Irish Car Bombs at a decent price, but didn't stick around very long to get lost in the crowd.
(3)
A R.
This place was steps away from our hotel so we came here quite often during our stay. Drink prices are good and on Saturday's and Sunday's, they have an all-you-can-drink Champagne ($16) and Bloody Mary ($20) Brunch (food is not included). The food is good, however, I ordered a Chicago-style hot dog from a vendor on the street across from Soldier Field and it was a lot better than the one they serve. The food portions are also pretty big. My friend and I were able to split the buffalo chicken wrap and still had some left over. If you like watching sports, this is the place to go!
(4)
Melissa B.
One of my favorite pubs in Chicago. I have been there a few times, I am always a fan of their craft beer list (had a three floyds arctic panzer wolf and a dechutes ipa). Service is friendly and knowledgeable, and the pulled pork nachos were good, solid bar food. Highly recommended for a happy hour stop while shopping Michigan Ave!
(4)
Food Junkie S.
Really chill place to hang out. Lots of beer and tv's. They also have darts and Golden Tee, which makes anything that much more entertaining when drinking. The food is good as well.
(4)
Charlotte T.
Don't be put off by the always confused/overwhelmed hostess or the underground location. This neighborhood sports bar has reasonable drink prices and AMAZING food! The crowd is a fun mix of tourists, northwestern students, and people from northwestern hospital. The atmosphere is always lively and warm. I always leave there feeling cozy, full and a little buzzed.
(5)
Kelly O.
I was absolutely appalled at my visit to this restaurant. My colleague and I were attending an event at the (lovely) Doubletree hotel across the street. We arrived at TOT and were seated, placed our order from the extensive menu and waited. I had ordered a Buffalo Chicken Salad- a favorite "cheat meal" of mine, since I tend to be one of those boring dieter types. I've had a Buffalo Chicken salad at myriad restaurants ~ as well as Buffalo Chicken wraps~ and always loved it. When the salad arrived, one taste told me I just didn't like this at ALL. It tasted more like sweet and sour chicken or barbecue, not at all like anything I had tried called "Buffalo Chicken". I did what I would do in any restaurant- asked my waitress politely if I could have something else. She said "Oh, I'll have to ask my manager. Hold on." I thought, ARE YOU KIDDING ME? She has to ASK if I am allowed to have something else? (Customer is always right apparently doesn't fly here) So this manager comes to the table with an attitude bigger than Texas and asks me to defend, er, explain myself. I say again, I don't like this. It doesn't taste right to me. He then sighs loudly and explains that "What you are tasting that is different here is the molasses in our sauce." I wanted to say, "I don't care if I am tasting GOLD, it doesn't TASTE GOOD and I'd like something else!" He told me that it was "not their fault I didn't like it." He FINALLY gave in and said "What do you want instead?" I said a cheeseburger. He sighed, took my plate with major attitude and then we waited for my burger to appear. In the mean time, my colleague had asked the waitress at the same time that I asked for a new entree- for some pickles for her entree. She never received them after asking AGAIN. The food WAS good. The check came, and as I KNEW I would see- they had not removed the salad from my bill and were charging me for both items. I asked the waitress and she said she'd "have to ask" if the manager would take the item off. FINALLY after watching the 2 of them deliberate for what seemed hours, I had an adjusted bill. What a horrid experience. We walked across the street to the Doubletree Hotel and were warmly welcomed, served immediately and with graciousness. Kind of what most SERVICE INDUSTRY locations try to focus on. Yea.
(1)
Cory C.
I love to start a night out of drinking at this place. They have a great beer selection and it's nice to have a place where you can talk and chill for a bit before you go make yourself def at the clubs. The food is also worth a try!
(5)
Amanda Z.
Decent-sized menu, lots of specials...nothing out of the ordinary here. Tons of TVs, if you're into some sports game...friendly service. Although I will say this: sometimes you should just not order a salad. Ugh, cold, pre-cooked chicken in a salad makes me want to wretch. My date liked his buffalo chicken wrap and I stole more than a few of his fries. Face it, there are places you can get away with ordering a salad and there are places you can't. Timothy O'Toole's is not one of those places. Skip the lettuce and go for for the fries. They taste better anyhow, you know that. Nothing super-special, but when you're in the 'hood, you're hungry, and you feel like ducking away from the touristy traps on Mich Ave, not a bad place to grab a bite. Or a few beers, if you're thirsty. And as anyone who knows me can attest, I am thirsty quite often.
(3)
B K.
The place is big, but still gets packed for happy hour (mostly by us NU people) ... don't say you weren't forewarned. They have tons of TVs and no matter which sport, you can count on watching any and every game that your heart desires. Food is decent. I'd even go as far as to say that certain things on the menu are actually good. Of course, bear in mind that this is still primarily a bar, not a restaurant. The staff is wonderful, too. They remember us even if it's been a little while since our last visit and make us feel like 'regulars.' Which is pretty cool in my opinion, and rare for a bar in Streeterville. Most importantly, Northwestern staff and students get $2 Miller Lite, Miller High Life, and Coors Light draft beer ... so to everybody else complaining about the Northwestern crowd, that's the main reason we all come here. Second reason, beer is only 3 blocks away from our labs, offices, hospital and lecture halls. So to summarize ... $2 beer + 3 blocks = love
(4)
Julian R.
It's really more like a three and a half. Front of house people are pretty cold and rude. I was there on a Friday, so it was pretty loud, but not so bad that I couldn't hear my friend talking. When I asked the waitress to switch to the Orioles game the TV nearest my table she did so quickly and with no issues. Our waitress checked up on us throughout the night, and after being sort of shunned by the people working at the front of the place, I was surprised at how friendly the waitresses were. In terms of food and drink, the beer is a little pricey, but they have some good daily specials which are worth looking into. The food is well priced for the quantity which sort of makes up for the average quality, especially if you are someone who likes to stuff your face after drinking. Overall, I would say don't be put off by the cold shoulder you get when you first come in. The TV's will have any game, NBA, NFL, MLB, that you are looking for, although you could probably find sports bars with larger TV's and more space, O'Toole's felt a little cramped at times, I think it would have even without the Friday crowd. Only 3 stars because sitting at home with a beer and food on your couch is cheaper and probably a better way to watch a game if you really want to pay attention to the action. It does seems as though they haven't fully committed to the sports aspect of a sports bar. However, if you want to head out and go to a place located right around the nicest part of Chicago, this is a good bet.
(3)
Sheri O.
The group of friends I was visiting to Chicago with managed to land here one night. We had a blast! Its a cool enviroment, and the drinks are cheap!! The human size Jenga was fun too!! We would go back here and hang again if we every make our way back to Chicago.
(4)
Kim B.
O'Toole's is still a 2-star spot. I went with some colleagues tonight and the food was actually pretty awful. My friend is a bit of a french fry connoisseur and her fries were disgusting. The texture was off and the oil they used must have been old - there was a really nasty aftertaste. Let's just be honest, fries are hard to ruin! As far as my food went, my broccoli was cold. Overall things were just lacking; lacking enough that I felt it necessary to write an update. Too bad - so much potential for the location!
(2)
Jo W.
How have I NOT reviewed this place?! I started coming here when I was a mere 21 year old, experiencing the "wonderful" life as an employee in the service industry. We would come here after work, I would drink malt liquor (*shudder*), we would play some pool, perhaps some darts, and close the place down among friends and our favorite servers and bartenders. I can't tell you how many times I've tripped UP their stairs because I had, um, too much fun. I've had and been to countless parties in their back rooms, which are always a blast. Bonus - if you're a regular, they really, REALLY take care of you. Obviously, I'm no longer 21 and times have changed - I no longer prefer malt liquor, for one. Gross. But one thing hasn't changed - my love of O'Toole's. The servers are still fantastic, drinks are poured generously, and if you happen to go here at night, veteran employees may even remember you even after all the time you've been away... yikes. These days I am more likely to stop in for lunch, as I now work a couple blocks away... but I still love it. The food is pretty solid, service is friendly and quick, and sometimes it's just nice to step away from the hustle and bustle and the never-ending Northwestern construction, slip underground, and spend an hour enjoying yourself here. Bottom line - if you're looking for a fun night out where you're sure to find some fun non-douchebaggy people and great service, come here. If you work in the neighborhood and are looking for something different to eat for lunch - come here. Actually, just come here. You will have a good time, this I promise you.
(4)
Daniel F.
Solid choice for a burger and drink in the Streeterville area. I was staying at the nearby Marriott Courtyard nearby, and the doorman recommended the place and gave me a 20% coupon as well. It's a busy sports bar with lots of activity but my side salad was good, and the angus burger had good taste and quality toppings. Good choice for a quick inexpensive meal after pounding the pavement and enormous Black Friday crowds on the Mag Mile.
(4)
Ben K.
I think I really took this place for granted when I lived in Streeterville. It's not the greatest place on earth, but I have to say, living up in Lincoln Park, I really don't have a go-to place anymore. Timmy's pretty much had everything I was looking for, especially for a night out with people to watch a sporting event, and ever since I moved out of the neighborhood last year, I have been looking for something to replace Timmy's in my heart and going-out rotation. I haven't found it yet. The food is bar food. But it's done well. The menu is pretty large, and it's not the same exact menu as every other generic bar. It's got some personality. For me, the highlights are the Ragin' Cajun burger, the Reuben sandwich, the Athenian chicken wrap, and the Mediterranean salad. It's probably not the healthiest menu in the world, but damn if it doesnt fill you up with greasy tasty deliciousness. The atmosphere is pretty solid too. Timmy's definitely has personality; there are a few different seating areas depending on your mood (bar tables with high chairs, situated right in the middle of a slew of TV's, booths that are a little out of the way, better for bigger parties, and then more open table seating by the pool tables). The pool tables are always a great way to kill some time, or lose a bunch of money to Perry the surprisingly talented behemoth of a bouncer who will ask you to play for money when you've had a few too many. Also the bartenders and servers are really friendly and are always willing to let you request channel changes to watch any sporting event you might be interested in. Timmy's isn't the kind of place that's going to wow you the first time you walk in and make you say to yourself "this is my new favorite bar". But it does what it does well. If you come back a few more times, you'll find yourself back here again and again because it's got pretty much everything you need.
(5)
Adam T.
My friends and I check this place out every time we're in Chicago. We start the night here always and it's a great place to do so. Lots of energy, really nice and friendly staff and great food and beer! All of my fellow regulars have attempted (and conquered) the Big Timmy challenge- which was featured on Man Vs. Food. We wear our T-shirts proudly! A few of the waitresses have started to recognize us, which I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing... There are three pool tables, a jukebox and a couple dumb arcade games but we only use the pool table if anything. As I said the crowd is friendly and the people are all fun to talk to. Prices aren't that bad, I'd say average. The underground location of this place makes it seem more hidden than it already is and it's a cool looking spot. Definitely go check out a game or a fight here, everyone gets really into it and it's hard to not have a good time.
(5)
Darren F.
came here because i heard about their timothy o'tooles challenge.. and wanted to try it cause .. well i love food and wanted a challenge ..lol but turns out that it wasnt a challenge... i finshed it without a problem at all and my other 2 friends finshed it as well... the service was great and the food was good.. but the timothy o'tooles challenge was kinda disappointing.. will come back here again to try other items in the menu..
(4)
Emmanuel G.
Food was generic. Over-priced. Employees don't how to live life with a smile. I got the French Dip Sandwich, and I'm a sandwich fanatic, with all due respect, this was the worse sandwich I've had ever. The dip had no taste but salt. To top it off, we probably caught our waitress on a bad day, but she was just as bad as the sandwich was. She was on a hurry, expressionless, and I don't know how all these orchestrated so perfectly, but we had to wait for our food for a long time, considering me and my buddy only got sandwiches. I left the place a little pissed off, and its been a looong time since I left a restaurant pissed off. Some employee said "Thank you" though on our way out. There you go.
(1)
Michael M.
Great bar. Food isn't bad. I had the wings which weren't as spicy as I wanted, but the waiter told me to avoid the two hottest levels. Next time I go I will try one of the hotter ones. Also, they don't use real blue cheese which really takes away from the wings but I love my BC. Go for the beer. The food isn't the main attraction. Always packed with NU students.
(5)
Angela B.
I was staying at the hotel across the street and came in for dinner when I arrived. They serve food until 3 am! There are flat screens all over the place. Perfect for watching a sports game. It was surprisingly busy on a Monday night at 11p. Food & drinks were good and reasonably priced. And they have karaoke on Tuesday nights!
(4)
Whitney R.
No cell phone reception. Good for happy hour.
(2)
Brittany P.
The only thing that keeps me coming here is the unlimited mimosa bar. The food sucks.
(3)
Kate S.
Boyfriend and I was visiting for 3 days and went there 4 times just because of the wings !! The wings are amazing !!!!! Would fly back just for those wings !
(5)
Jacob K.
This is a cross between an Irish pub and a sports bar. There are multiple tv all over (some tube and some plasma/lcd type). The crowd seemed friendly enough and there were 3 small pool tables (not regulation size) with less than skilled patrons partaking in some form of billiards. The service was good and the appetizers were average- chicken wings, tenders, fries and onion rings,. However, I would stay away from the potato skins which were just gross. Its a fine place to grab a beer and watch a game if you are in the area.
(3)
Tim U.
I would like to express my disregard for this bar because they expressly denied entry for anyone from our group of about a dozen people due to a girl in our group that was simply sitting, all because her feet were tired from sitting at a cocktail party. Both the bouncer and manager were both disrespectful and rude on the Saturday evening.
(1)
Suzanne P.
Simply the best. I have been a patron here for 10 years. I almost dont want others to know....
(5)
Jackie H.
Went here on a Friday afternoon for lunch a couple of weeks ago...Wasn't my first time, been a couple of times prior with work. It's a fun place to go...I cannot comment on it's authenticity as an "Irish Pub," but it is an enjoyable place to go eat regardless. The menu is bar food. Sandwiches, wraps, salads, etc. I had the buffalo chicken wrap and it was quite tasty. Plus, the portion was huge! I only ate half and the other was lunch the next day. All of the portions seemed quite big, which is fine...I respect their generosity. The appetizer of salsa and guacamole with chips was great! Lots of food (yet the two of us managed to polish it off leaving only a few chips), and the guac was chunky, different from the creamy guac I am used to. Liked it! Beer selection is decent. Was able to get a Matilda and Fat Tire...Looks like they had Sam Adams, Amstel, other Goose Islands...Not a huge selection, but I appreciate that there were options for those that don't drink Miller. Service was great, manager even came by and chatted about our beer selections--he noticed we had fancy glasses on our table. Everyone was very friendly. Good for a lunch, and in my experience, good for dinner/drinks after work
(4)
Natalia D.
Great atmosphere and so is the beer menu. O'Tooles has a whole menu just for Guinness mixes. I tried the Black and Blue (Guinness and Blue Moon) and the Black and Black (had a bit of blackberry somethin somethin in it). They also offer a hard apple cider on tap which comes in frosted mugs. Perfectly light yet oh so tasty. Great place to hang out and watch your favorite sports game.
(4)
Ann J.
I have been going to Timothy O'Toole's for years. It all started back in my T.G.I. Friday's days when I worked with the most awesome ppl on Erie and Michigan. A few of our friends worked at O'Toole's so we would go visit them after work. Since then, I continue to patron this establishment for a few reasons: cocktails, food, sports, pool tables, but above all, the service. If you are looking for a pub in the neighborhood, this is the place to go. Streeter's is a dive, which is only great after you're drunk. The next day you always regret it though. ;-) Melnick's is where all the old ppl hang out. Pippen's still reeks of cigarette smoke even though the ban passed years ago. O'Toole's has specials, above average bar food and a fun atmosphere. Besides, the bartender DeRon is super hawt!! :-D
(5)
Tara M.
O'Toole's is nothing special and frankly, is a bit forgettable. Decent service, standard bar food and drink options. The basement atmosphere is less than ideal and a bit hokey, but sitting outside and having brunch during the summer is nice (as long as you are willing to deal with all of the tourists loitering around waiting to get in to West Egg). They have tons of TVs, too. I more or less only go here when I am too lazy or cheap to cab it up north. Because, really, who willingly hangs out with Northwestern students?
(3)
Kate S.
This is the place to go watch a game during football season. Since it's in the basement, it is more of a winter place. They've got plenty of tvs and are able to play lots of games--even PAC12 games :) Food is decent--it's bar food but they do it pretty well. Bloody Mary bar during weekend brunch time is pretty sweet too.
(3)
Valerie D.
My friends and I went for drinks & lunch and it was very enjoyable. My friends were thrilled about the Bloody Mary bar, while I enjoyed a delicious Mimosa. The waitress was very nice and helpful on several occasions, however took a long time to get us the check. I had the Chicago style hot dog with cole slaw and I really liked it. Delicious hot dog with all the toppings and the cole slaw was made with chopped fresh cabbage, which I love. We shared a bucket of garlic parmesan fries and they were SO good. the drinks were expensive, the food was okay-priced, quite cool selection, and it was a nice-looking place. Will be back!
(5)
Lisa T.
Food is Bland. I'd go to the bar but skip the food. There are tvs everywhere so great for a game, just eat at Jimmy john's before hand.
(3)
Josh S.
This rating is going to be fairly biased seeing as I work in the food industry and we get a fifty percent discount on everything. That bring said before discounts the food is reasonably priced for a Chicago pub as is the liquor. However this place does seem to cater to a very specific clientele of after work suites and the regular cooks killing time after a shift. Nothing against either of these people I am one. Just in my mind an unusual combination in the same bar.
(4)
Steve K.
I wish I could give a better review of TOT's but, alas, I can't. Visited here on a Friday early PM and ordered one of the 'build a burgers" and while it is OK...it was just OK. Nothing great about this burger it's what you would expect anybody to cook. Service was a little slow but I think that was our server because I was watching the tables across the place that the short blonde hair girl was taking care of and she was on constantly watching over her flock. The real bummer was the onion rings which tasted...well...horrible. The only way I can describe the taste was the oil they were cooked in was a week old. No shortage of TV's here if you're going to watch the big game. Just be sure you drink a lot so you can overlook the so-so food.
(3)
Alli B.
VERY much your typical sports bar. It did the job for March Madness but it smelled like puke and the services was pretty weak. Ate the typical nachos and had some typical beer. Nothing over the top about this place.
(1)
Michelle P.
I have been coming here for 6 years & it's the hang out spot for my friends and I. The bartenders are the BEST and when you say "stiff" you get "Stiff." Like the saying goes "You take good care of your bartenders, they will take good care of you." This place is great any day of the week. I usually come to Timmy's on Fri or Sat nights. You will meet locals as well as many out of state individuals whom are just visiting Chicago or are in town for work conventions. Very diverse crowd and friendly at that. Timmy's is a sports bar.. so come there to watch the Sox or Cubs or you favorite sports team. They have many flat screens to watch at every angle. There are 3 pool tables, Golden Tee & 2 touch screens to play various games. I beg to differ on the other comments about the food at Timmy's. Their Steak Sandwiches are delish, Potato Skins are wowza, fries..you can't mess fries up come one now! Make sure to order the "Turkey Swiss O'toole Panini" this is my fav sandwich...it's not on the late night menu so try to get there early! If your looking for that place where you can enjoy a cold brew or a stiff cocktail with friendly wait staff and diverse crowd, munchin on some goodies watching a sport event.. this is a place to go.
(4)
Bex F.
Eh. Nothing exciting. Reminds me of a Division St. bar so not really my cup of tea. The roaches crawling across the bar are not a highlight.
(2)
April S.
I was in town for a week and stumbled onto this spot. What fun! Great atmosphere, friendly staff and patrons. Watched UFC Saturday night, football on Sunday, karaoke was Tuesday night. Just the right size pub/sports bar. Chatted with man locals and had a blast! I recommend stopping by.
(5)
Tim Y.
Great atmosphere, friendly staff, & a burger on pretzel bun rocks!!!
(4)
Mihir P.
My friends and I dropped in here hungry after a First Friday at the MCA. The area was pretty much dead. We walked in here and a huge bouncer was near the host stand. I asked if him if they served food. He then smiled and said that they served each night until 2am. He then grabbed menus and sat us. He looked intimidating at first but was really just a large teddy bear. Our waitress was sweet. I ordered the Irish nachos = fries, cheese, crumbled bacon and scallions. Very tasty but of course could have used more bacon and scallions. My friend ordered a grilled cheese with tomato and fresh basil which was surprisingly good. I normally would give this place 3 stars but I add an extra star because they have Dos Equis by the bottle AND on tap!!!!!!! Woohoo!
(4)
Samantha B.
After this weekend, I have a LOT of love for Timmy O'Toole's. I was attending the DMB Caravan with three friends and O'Toole's ran a bus from the bar to the concert venue all 3 days. A cab would have cost about $30 each way, but the bus was only $15 round trip, and included road pops. They got us to the venue before the gates opened each morning and left promptly after the concert ended each night. The only bad thing was the last night.. the police wouldn't let the bus pick us up where it had the night before, so we had to call the bar to get the new pick up location and walk quite a bit to get there. While the bar could have done a better job of alerting people about the change in location (text, email, have someone wait at the original place to tell people), calling the bar wasn't that big of a deal and we still got home safely and promptly. In terms of the bar itself... the food was pretty good, standard bar fare. We had the nachos, which were just standard nachos, though they could have done with more salsa instead of the small salsa portion on the side. We had the wings and asked for them spicy, and they came in more of a BBQ sauce than a wing sauce, which was weird, but still good. I had gotten wing sauce on the side the night before to go with my fries and would have rathered that than the BBQ style sauce, but that's ok. We also had the burgers... my friend had the original burger and I had the Streeterville. The first halves of both were better than the seconds halves, but that may have had something to do with how hungry we were when we started eating! My only real complaint was that the service was slow all 3 nights... our server wasn't very attentive and it took awhile to place our orders as well as pay the bill. This weekend was my only experience at O'Toole's so not sure what it's like normally, but for the bus service and food, definitely a solid 4 stars.
(4)
Erica R.
This place is decent. Good place to have a drink and watch a game. My biggest complaint is that it seems to mostly be frequented by out-of-town businessmen.
(3)
Candace T.
I really like the southwestern burger with avacado (annoyingly, they charge a dollar extra for the avacado and also for substitutions). It's pretty filling and your tab will only be around $12 total, fries included. We go with our work crowd very often, and there are always options for both the meat-eaters and vegetarians among us. Wheelchair Accessibility Review: This place IS accessible, you just have to use the service elevator. You'll need to let someone in the restaurant know that you need the elevator, and then you can meet them at it by going up the ramp right beside Chipotle and taking the first hallway on your right. It really can be quite the ordeal because the elevator can be in use by other floors, and they seem quite inept at recalling it quickly, despite their best efforts. So, it is accessible, but you really have to want it!
(3)
Kathy K.
This place was across the street from me for 5 years. I went there many times. The wings here are awesome....BUT....every other item on the menu is pretty bad. The bar itself is good but is too touristy to be a neighborhood bar. I would skip this place in the summer since it's in a basement and maybe save it for a place to go for a drink in the winter.
(2)
Brad C.
At work we have ordered lunch from here a few times but the other day was the first time I had eaten inside. Every time we ordered it was good and it was just as tasty eating there. Sure the food isn't amazing but it is decent bar eats. Next time I am here I might have to play a game of pool. I think my favorite part about O'Tooles is there logo, its amazing!
(3)
Tom S.
Nothing special Timothy O'Toole's is nothing special. A typical huge sports bar, the kind you'd find in any college town. Plenty of offerings on the drink menu and the ubiquitous sports bar food. It's a fair option if you're nearby for some after-work drinks, but I would avoid it on the weekends when it is fully of tourists sent their by hotel concierges. I just hope they are having a good time and don't judge Chicago too harshly on this mediocre venue.
(2)
Chris C.
beer selection was good. lots of local taps. thought it was interesting that they had a more elaborate set-up for pouring Stella than for Guiness. Odd for an irish spot i thought. The burgers are 'meh'. Too many other great places in the neighborhood to get a burger to waste stomach space on this place. In the evening it turns into a drunken party spot.
(2)
Palak K.
Finding myself in bind for a potluck, I picked up some goat cheese quesadillas from here. Good stuff! Better than average bar food and convenient for dining in while catching a game or getting something to go. Great portions too, and as always, bonus points for sweet potato fries.
(4)
Yaw N.
Great place to watch a game. They have a ton of TV's and are really accommodating to changing one of them to your game. Their burgers are good and I would recommend them over everything else on the menu. Please stay away from their wings--they are awful and covered in BBQ sauce NOT franks hot sauce like they should be. Overall, I would recommend Timmy's for anyone looking for a burger and beer for a game.
(3)
Anna T.
Last night, I was at O' Tooles for a holiday work party. Side Note: I was the DD, so my review is not influenced by a liquor haze that usually accompanies holiday work parties. O' Toole's was an good place to host our company party. We had a moderate spread of food with a private bar. The private room is in the basement. It is a nice room with a bar, pool table and seating area great for mingling. Roughly around 40 people attended the party. Obviously I didnt paid for the party so I can only comment on the service and the food. The service made it easy to relax and enjoy the evening. They were every attentive to clearly and getting more food out if needed. The food was above what I expected, but not overly impressive. But Hey! it is a bar not a 5 star catering company. All in all the party was fun. Thank you O' Tooles Staff.
(4)
Brian K.
It's hard to go wrong here as it combines the following elements: Drinks: Decent selection of beer on tap, nice drink specials, decent selection of alcohol brands (please add ginger beer so you can make Moscow Mule), reasonably priced Food: Definitely pub grub but varied enough that's it's not to the usual. Being a vegetarian, they had several options. My Korean veggie burger was decent but needed more spice. Sports: Tons of TVs. They changed one so I could watch the Giants lose to the Cubs. Service: My server was very attentive (filled water without having to bug her, good pacing of service, etc.). Only downside is bathroom was flooded and seem to recall similar issue when I was there for drinks a few months ago. Also, it could use more single ladies but heck what bar couldn't. Short walk from the W Hotel if staying there and 20% discount so added bonus.
(4)
Meghan N.
I live in the Streeterville area and normally love to stop into O'Tooles for dinner and/or drinks! Love their wraps and have always been very satisfied with their food. Service is mediocre, not great. But, the last 2 times I have been there, I have been disgusted. They are having a terrible gnat problem. Whether you are eating or drinking there, no one wants to be shooing flies away from their food. I noticed everyone around me was annoyed too. Please get this problem fixed because I would love to be back but until then, I will find somewhere else!
(1)
Jeanette C.
Great for a late night bite and a Lakers win. Woohoo!
(3)
Justin M.
I would never go out of my way to come here, but my experiences at Timothy O'Tooles have been good. Always a friendly face behind the bar, and the waitresses have been nothing but cool. I have never had the food here, only drinks and a few bad attempts at playing pool. I suck!! Also, celebrity sighting: Mark Malone, CBS sportscaster. He was knocking down drinks at 7PM on a Friday like there was no tomorrow!! It's funny when you see these people in the real world as opposed to the television. It's all smiles and make-up during the day, but after-hours....they hate their jobs just as much as we do. Viva Streeterville!!
(3)
Kelly A.
"Timmy O'Toole's sucked cock." - my boyfriend as I opened this page to write the review. Really, this place seems like a tourist trap. Especially since it was recommended by the concierge of the W hotel , where my dad was staying, as having 'the best burgers in Chicago'. Funny how it was also conveniently located a few blocks away! Our waiter seemed more than a little clueless and new, which is forgiveable in itself, but then made excuses such as "We just had someone quit so I'm having to cover extra tables" when the crowd was pretty thin. After seeing they had a Goose Island root beer float, I asked if they had Goose Island root beer, pointing to the dessert on the menu (named something like Goose Island Root Beer Float). The waiter had to run to the bar to check and said 'yeah we have it in cans (?)', so I ordered one. After similar runs to the bar when asked about beers for the other people I was with, our drink order was finally placed. 20 mins later... we got our drinks. Jones root beers... forgiveable, whatever, new kid, confused. We then alerted him we were kind of in a hurry and ready to order (which we had been soon after placing our drink orders, actually), and he promised to rush the order. 45 minutes later... our two wraps, sandwich (turkey tomato pesto panini - without tomatoes? I thought we were over the tomato crisis) , and chicken skewers arrived. Food was meh. We then had to wait even longer to get the bill... yeah, thanks for the rush. Would not go back for food.
(2)
Vivian Y.
I had my wedding across the street at the Doubletree over the weekend and I know my wedding crowd spilled over here after the open bar ended. I heard good things about it so I went over there with some of my friends that were still out of town as they were still at the DoubleTree. Long review short, I liked this place. Sure, it's situated in a basement and all, but it has an old pub feel to it. Looks are deceiving, the place is HUGE (I thought it was a tiny pub from the outside). There are pool tables and lots of highboys to sit in and tons of TVs. I imagine coming here to watch sports is great! My friend ordered a hefeweizen in a stein. it was a HUGE one litre stein and you can take it home too!!! THe only thing cooler than that is if they sold the boot mug as shown in the movie Beer Fest! Anyway, for $14, it is a steal! I want to go back and build a stein collection! Food - we only ate the spinach and artichoke dip - but it was very good. There were nice large chunks of artichoke in it and the chips were served nice and warm. I recommend this place to duck out of the rain (which we did) and to get a nice warm meal and a giant pint or stein of beer. Service was excellent, our waitress was so informative and always took initiative to suggest something when we weren't sure what we wanted (she was beautiful and pregnant! - I don't know her name so I'm giving her props and hoping she is the only preggo waitress there!)
(4)
Jason M.
Great place to watch sports games of all kinds at all hours. Food was good and the drinks were cold. Great place for a HH or just to hang out. Next time I'm in Chicago, will definitely swing by this place again.
(4)
Taylor G.
Yesterday found me at Timothy O'Toole's for a second time - purely out of convenience. My last excursion was largely a drinking affair, but I still had a chance to sample the food. Being mildly drunk last night, I ordered one of my favorite "sandwiches", Buffalo Chicken Wrap. It had been some time since I was here to order it, but seeing plates of the same item whizzing by yesterday confirmed my feelings that the portion was a bit small on this. And it's not just the chicken that lacks, but everything in general. The wrap is small and uninspiring. Speaking of uninspiring, we can also use that word for the Turkey Club. Sure, it's a basic sandwich and there's not a whole lot you can do with it, but you can at least make it taste good. Actually, most of the ingredients were very nice - especially the thick bacon; but there was a single element that absolutely ruined this meal for me: THE TURKEY! Realizing that restaurants get quite a bit of prepared food from distributors, I wasn't expecting freshly-sliced top-o-the-line turkey breast, but the stuff on the Turkey Club was just TERRIBLE. Subway pre-sliced deli meats have an upper hand on the turkey at Timmy O'Toole's. It tasted exactly like it was pre-packaged meat you'd buy near the hot dogs from your local grocer... slimy and gross. There was however, one saving grace that made the meal slightly bearable: the fries. There aren't spectacular, but hey - it's hard to screw that up. This feeling of uninspired food was shared throughout the group, and combined with my personal two experiences, I'm inclined to believe this is the norm rather than exception. If you're in the neighborhood, it's not a bad place to have a drink, but make sure you down several before trying the food.
(2)
Luke S.
Ah Timmy I used to love hanging out with you after dealing with the stresses of CBS. This place can be lots of fun! The food is ok, but the service is always quality. It feels almost like Vegas, because you have no idea what time of day it is while you're down there.
(4)
AC O.
Food was ok. Had some wings, the overrated chicago hotdog, and fish and chips. Just ok.
(3)
Austin P.
This place is awesome! I was in Chicago last week on business and I was DYING to watch the Giants/Dodgers game after a long day of sales calls. Found this place on Yelp and it happened to be around the corner from my hotel. The bartender was super nice and made great drinks. He recommended that I try the award winning chicken wings and I was not disappointed. He turned on one of the bazillion TV's to the Giants game and we won! BEAT LA!!!
(4)
Justin B.
This is pretty much my go to bar when I am downtown. It helps that they are pretty much right next to where I work. They have a great menu both for food and drinks, and the service has always been attentive and accurate. The food comes out very fast after you order.
(4)
Vera B.
I ate here last night (Monday) for the first time, and had fish and chips. The food was over cooked and very greasy. The steak fries looked like that dirty deep brown color like they were over cooked or old. Though the fish was very flaky it was soaked with grease, (very disgusting). It took for ever to get service I only got soda one, no water. The meal did not come with come with coleslaw, which I found odd because I had fish and chips in the past and it always came with coleslaw. I was offer it and when I got my bill the slaw was 2.99 for a serving spoon size, I thought it was going to be free since it was offered. I ordered the apple cobbler to go, very low on flavor. And I had a absolute drink special of a screwdriver. This was very watered down. In total I paid about $30.00 not including tip. I was very disappointed in everything. I called myself treating myself, (since I rarely eat out) and boy did I wast my time and money here. If I could give it zero stars I would, this experience was ridiculous, and very over priced. I can not recommend Timothy O'Toole' Pub
(1)
Carri A.
I work right around the corner from this pub and a couple of times my coworkers and I have organized to meet and have food and drinks here after shutting down the office. It's fairly large, quite loud, moderately priced, and the staff is... adequate. I would not go out of my way to visit this place typically, but since it's so convenient for me and my coworkers, it's hard to resist for a quick drink and bite to eat. And maybe watch whatever sports game is playing while we're there. If you're feeling like a bad ass, try downing one of their Holy Water drinks. You cant fit any more alcohol into a single glass. And don't say that I didn't warn you!
(3)
Dan G.
I was in town on business and wanted to get a decent meal while being able to watch the Hawks game (and other games) on TV. Timothy O'Tooles fit the bill. Good location to my hotel (Sharaton Four Points), good beer selection, lots of TVs for watch various games, and a good wrap sandwhich for dinner. I ate at the bar and service was friendly and quick. I will return.
(4)
A-train R.
Just went to Timmy's a couple weeks ago. Again very good burgers and this time I had one of the their wraps my girl likes. I loved it too. Been good every time and this time we had their quesadillas as an appetizer. My girl has changed her mid on the best quesadillas in chicago the past 3 restaurants we've been too and now.... the winner is Timmy's. ha. Yes, i thought they were very good too and once again never disappointed at Timothy O'tooles, I haven't found anything wrong with this place. Upgrading this place to a 4 star joint!
(4)
jay d.
Awful veggie burger. Food was below average. Kitchen brought wrong food out to us. This place is very touristy and the vibe is not cool at all. We won't be back.
(1)
MELEK L.
So what? You're not gonna get an gourmet food here. Who needs that everyday anyway?! If you are looking for a great local sports bar in the downtown area, forget about the touristy ESPN Zone, and go to TIMOTHY O'TOOLE'S!! They have great flat screen tvs, bartenders, menu items, regulars, pool tables, security, private rooms, and on and on. Order the sizzling fajitas to make a statement at your table. They are loud and tasty. I enjoy the Mediterranean salad, the tortilla soup, potato skins, chicken fingers, and the artichoke dip. Yes, I have tried them all and YES, I used to be a regular here! The best tip I can give you for this place is: Try the CHICKEN WINGS!!! They come in 6 different flavors and they are out of this world. Enjoy!
(4)
C W.
Score one for the Vegetarians! After my previous review, the owner messaged me to thank me for my review and for pointing out my vegetarian pricing concerns. She then wrote the following, "We've decided to make a Meat Free option available to our customers reducing the price of any appetizer, wrap or salad by $1.50." Thank you Sara!
(4)
Danny W.
Remember the Simpson's episode where Bart puts a tape recorder down a well and poses as "Timmy Otoole" , a small boy who broke his leg and fell down a well. Well that episode was based off of a real person who is now grown up. Timmy got out of that well, his leg healed, and he opened a bar in Streeterville. Well, not really but they do have delicious burgers, and my favorite bar made Bloody Mary in the city of Chicago!!!!
(4)
Mark L.
Came here for dinner while on a business trip to Chicago. I found this to be an excellent pub, with just the right ambience and good drinks and food to go along. When you enter you go down a flight of stairs, so the bar is slightly subterranean. It's a large area and slightly dark, just like a good pub should be. There's a large oval shaped bar, with seats going all around. I was able to find a seat at the bar when I visited. There are ample screens behind the bar playing a variety of sports events, so it's easy to watch games from anywhere you sit. There are lots of tables around eye bar for groups to sit at. When I went, the bar was extremely lively, with an animated crowd that made it feel like a fun place to be. They have a large number of craft beers on tap and advertise 48 beers on a sign outside. I ordered a Bell's Two Hearted Ale, one of my favorites The menu looked like pretty standard pub dare, and I got a Californian burger, which came with avocado, sprouts, and jack cheese, and was quite good. The die of cole slaw I had with it tasted pretty generic. All in all, I found this bar to be real fun to hang out at and would come here again if I visit Chicago again.
(5)
Neal E.
Came in here late on evening on a Wednesday evening for something to eat during a work trip to Chicago. It was after midnight and the brainiacs in management up the street at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers think it's good business to close all food service down at a particular time - even when the hotel bar is packed to overflowing with business. So one must go elsewhere for food and drink. The lady manning the front desk at the Sheraton recommended I try Timothy O'Toole's. So I walked down from my hotel - about five blocks. The place was hopping late - actually it was past midnight so technically it was Thursday morning. I grabbed a spot at the bar and ordered a plate of Nachos and a pint of the Goose Island IPA. While I was waiting, I scanned the bar, noting the goings on. It's an interesting mix of things - it feels like it is trying to be multiple things: An Irish Pub, A Sports Bar, a Dive Bar... It also felt like a bit of a meat market - which made for some entertaining people watching. There are flat panel HD TV's all over the place, and some pool tables. Nachos were huge - way to much food for me to eat the whole plate! The Goose Island IPA is a rather ordinary IPA on my scale of IPA ratings, but it is a local Chicago area craft beer, so felt like I should order one! I'd come here again! Would have been more fun with friends!
(4)
Kamilah S.
My co workers and I came here for after work drinks, the place was packed, but we eventually found seats. Service was great, one problem, my Moscow Mule was NOT served in a copper cup, very disappointed, it tasted great, but it was visually appalling. GET IT TOGETHER, Timothy O'Toole's Pub!
(3)
Kevin J.
A great sports bar. Cozy basement with lots of TV's and ambiance. The food was pretty average though. I had the French dip - one of their specialities according to the waitress and it wasn't very special. Maybe a good place to watch the game and have a few beers with the gang but wouldn't count on having a great meal here. Will keep looking in Chicago for that great sports bar that has great food too.
(3)
Derek B.
It's a fun location for happy hour. The food is pretty good and the drinks do the job. The staff is adequate. I think this place has a lot more potential for a downtown bar/restaurant, though.
(3)
Mandy M.
2 stars because of the food. Worst sampler appetizer platter I've ever had. Don't recommend eating there. Grab a beer get food elsewhere.
(2)
Belle L.
Affordable place for food and drinks. Packed on a Tuesday night. Outdated website that says karaoke at 9:00 pm, instead of 10:30 pm (the real time). Loud. Good pleasant service. Quick cleanup. Clean venue. Plenty of seating. Fish & Chips -- both fish and chips are overcooked. Dry fish. Hard chips. Fish Tacos -- supposedly good.
My wife and I went to Chicago for our first time and stayed near this place. I'm kinda embarrassed to say but we spent a lot of our time here. Place is awesome and very friendly. Cool bartenders that didn't roll their eyes at first time visitors like a lot of places.
(5)
Hannah M.
Awesome sports bar. I came here to watch a Patriots game. They made sure I got a table where I could see my game and the Blackhawks. The staff was good but a little inattentive. The food was great. My friend and I decided to get really girly drinks during the game: she got an amazing and strong Jolly Rancher martini, and I got a Starburst cocktail, which was delicious. Later, we got beers; they had a pretty good selection. After we ate, a magician came up to our table and performed a little magic show for us. It was free, and he also made us balloon hats to keep. It was a little odd but ended up being pretty fun. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Tina P.
This is my kinda bar! I love the atmosphere here, you could be as rowdy as you want and they probably wouldn't even notice. Well that was the case for my drunk friends at least lol. it could also be because we were in a separate room to accommodate for our party of 11. The Giant Jenga was a hit for my friends and I, and the fact that there are flat screens on every wall was pretty cool. The attire is very casual. staff was nice, on a fri and sat night it could get pretty packed.
(4)
David C.
Went here for late night drinking and to grab some food. The hostess completely ignored us. She saw us walk through the door and didn't say a thing. We were unfortunate enough to come during Tuesday karaoke night. In the upside our waitress was great and very efficient on checking up on us. The burgers were really good. The sweet potato fries were a little on the over cooked side. Overall, nice, chill spot to go.
(3)
Jennifer M.
Despite currently undergoing renovations that give off an eery feeling of being in a hot dungeon, this is still one of my favorite sports bar and restaurant. The staff gives off the "Cheers" type of vibe. The best after work social gathering place (better once the reno is complete) in this area. I would not go back and order their wings again. It was once award winning; they've changed it so they really should stop advertising because it's definitely not as good as it used to be. The Spinach and Artichoke dip is now MEH at best. What is great at this place is their Specials. We really like Build-Your-Own Burger and especially the Build-Your-Own Grilled Cheese. The beer prices are standard. I wasn't able to have a Black and Blue here. They don't serve Blue Moon. Maybe it's because of the limited space on tap during its renovation.
(4)
Jon O.
I really like this spot. I stopped in with a buddy to watch a Blackhawks game and have a few beers. It's located in the basement of a building but is lit up pretty well inside as well as having a "open" feel to it so you don't get the sense of being too closed in like some basement bars/restaurants. We didn't have too much in the way of food (just some nachos) but they were as good as I have ever had. The big selling point for me with this bar is they have a great beer selection. Pretty much everything you'd want to try out so you can try something new about every time you go in. I'm a fan of the IPA's myself and they have quite a few to choose from. There was one beer on the menu that. if I remember correctly, is priced around 120$ and comes in 100oz serving size. I'd like to try it but will probably have to have a few friends in tow to tackle that one haha
(4)
Dayna B.
Keith and Heather are amazing. They both made my experience what it was. I love them and will always come here to see them.
(5)
Jennifer P.
This bar has pool and Jenga! The bar is pretty big, and it is definitely a lot of fun. you can play pool while drinking.. and definitely hustle someone! What makes this bar even cooler is that you can also go into this room if you have a group of 8 or maybe more or less, where giant bricks of wood jenga are set up to play!!! playing for shots is fine. they have this jungle juice type of drink called the "Holy Water," it is made with a bunch of different types of alcohol but you can hardly taste it. We ordered the nacho fries and chicken tenders for food. the nacho fries were good bar food. the chicken tenders were made with too much breading, which was not good to be although it was kah-rispy. if you want 20% off your bill, you should stay at Doubletree hotel and get a coupon from them. Or maybe just go to the hotel and ask them for one.. maybe they'll be nice enough to give you one!
(4)
Jed M.
This place looks like an old speakeasy. When arriving we were led downstairs to a huge opening with a few rooms. This place is much bigger than I would have imagined. We were set in the back room with plenty of tv's around. It was a bit loud as they were busy, but I could still here everyone at my table just fine so no problems there. We had eaten a large late lunch earlier so we only did apps here and they were your standard bar food. Generic buttered soft pretzels and fries. Nothing special, but something to munch on while you drink. Fantastic beer and bourbon list and the bourbon prices are the most reasonable in town. This is definitely the highlight. Service was good. My water was constantly topped off and our server seemed pretty knowledgable of the menu. This gets 4 stars for the beer/bourbon list and prices and good service. The food we had was meh, but the rest is enough to bring it up.
(4)
Shauna D.
GREAT TRIVIA NIGHTS!! I attended the 2nd Edition of Saved by the Bell Trivia, and even though I consider myself a Bellhead, I was stumped on several occasions, but I loved the challenge! The host is great, very natural/casual/funny. It is well organized, and the drinks/food are all reasonably priced and excellent. Definitely coming back for any trivia night I can. PS We were "waitlisted" but showed up anyway and got in! So don't wait for them to call you and say someone cancelled, there are more likely to just be no-shows than people who actually call.
(4)
Jerry V.
I have never appreciated working in the hospitality industry more than when I found out that Timmy O'Toole's gives us 50% off. This works out- with being a block away from my office, having some awesome bartenders, mean 'mixologists', and awesome specials to be my new favorite neighborhood pub. The wings I ordered were a bit lacking and if they were better this would have definitely been a 5 Star Review!
(4)
Steven F.
Spacious Irish Pub. $10 Draft pitchers. 3 Pool tables. Tons of TVs to watch games. Super chill spot, good service, cute waitresses. Hung out with my buddies playing pool, drinking, and watching games for 4 hours...
(4)
Stephen S.
So the service is a little slow and the vibe is a little kitchy (having giant Jenga is both of source of bonus points and a statement on the sort of establishment you're in) but I'm always happy to wind up at Timothy O'Toole's thanks to their amazing beer list. The often a great selection of well-priced and tasty drafts and back it up with a really good bottle list as well. On my most recent visit I had a Goose Island Baudoinia on draft, offered in a snifter at even a better price than you can get it at the Goose Island brewpub. I'm always impressed by their rotating seasonals as well.
(3)
Mit L.
Good food. Nothing to brag about. The cole slaw had 0 flavor. Just shredded cabbage and pepper. The menu brags about home made tartar sauce, but the fish sandwich only gets a teaspoon across the bun. I couldn't see it, much less taste it. Very noisy atmosphere but upbeat sports bar.
(3)
Greg L.
I've been here several times and each was a great experience. The food is good, the people are nice, and the drinks are whatever you want them to be. On Sunday there is a bloody mary bar where you can choose your mix and all the additions you want. On a Friday night we found a high top, but there were not many open seats. It was a nice crowd of fun people enjoying an evening out.
(4)
Jenny H.
I ordered their turkey club and expected just a regular turkey club from a regular old bar, but it was actually very good. The bread was toasted just right and they gave you just the right amount of meat and fresh tomatoes and lettuce.
(3)
Clare D.
I love this bar for the very fact that it is steps from my apartment. It might not be anything special, but that is why I like it. It has tons of seating and tons of tvs so they will put your game on for you. It is not too expensive and look at their deals which are usually good. I have so many free glasses from them. The food is actually really good. I would recommend the Irish Nachos which are a finger food version of a baked potato. They are good to me, especially when I need a break from studying or want to watch my teams (which are not everyone's teams), so I love them.
(4)
Paul C.
Used to go here from time to time in law school. Great bar? Hardly, but the foods not bad and occasionally there was a drink special. Haven't been back since my friends all left Streeterville and can't imagine I'll be back anytime soon. I'll give it an extra star because I got a nice scar from getting sucker punched in the face by one of their loser patrons.
(2)
Noah B.
I've been here a bunch of times as I work pretty close to O'Tooles. The chicken caesar salads are super good and their chicken quesadillas with bar-b-q and ranch is totally rad. They usually have some decent beer specials and come up par with the rest of the sports bars in the area for having a ton of TVs with sports all over the place. The service is hit or miss, but they usually are pretty nice and get you your food in a reasonable amount of time. If you feel like taking a long lunch with a couple of drinks thrown in there then check out O'Tooles.
(3)
Chris M.
This place was my after 5:00 and work is over place at my last job. A streeterville favorite of mine. Timmy O'Tooles is always fun with great food and excellent service. I am big into sports and they show all the games and sometimes host the Bears players after the games. They do their bar food appetizers really well with huge nacho dishes, good wings, big samplers, great quesadillas. No cover at this place is a plus, and if I'm ever in the area looking for a good spot to stop for a game, this will be it.
(4)
Audra S.
A basement bar in the River North part of town, Timothy O'Toole's reminds me of Rush & Division bars a lot. It's a sports bar, it's a pub, it's all wood everything and it's always packed with yahoos. The good news is they have an extensive selection of beer and they're open until 3:00 a.m. every night.
(3)
Mike M.
Go here after work a lot. Typical sports bar atmosphere, tons of televisions all over. I love their bacon cheeseburger and it's why I continue to return I suppose. Easy to lose track of time due to the lack of windows, being underground and all.
(3)
Stephanie K.
As the clock strikes 12, I often get roped into heading down to Timmy's for lunch. Working about a block away, it's definitely a popular lunch spot. The ambience is cozy--like a neighborhood pub/bar, and the food is decent. Usually, they have some great specials, and their wraps are HUGE!
(3)
Beth C.
Three stars because it's your basic bar experience - not great but not bad. Lots of TVs, lots of beers. Noisy, unpretentious (which is nice for Streeterville). It's the kind of place you end up going much too late. When you should really go home and go to bed with a glass of water and an Advil. The outside implies a traditional Irish pub experience. You won't really get that here. it's your basic sports bar. But they are open late and serve food later than other places in the area. Every night is a Saturday night at Timmy's if that's what you're looking for.
(3)
Michele S.
My friends and I have made this a yearly tradition when we travel to Chicago. We always get the baked goat cheese appetizer which is amazing. And of course we get the Bloody Mary bar. They bring you the vodka and you are able to create the drink just the way you like it. This year, the experience was even better because of our waitress, Diana. Thanks for making our yearly tradition even better.
(5)
Sebastian B.
While visiting Chicago we found this gem! The food was good but the staff was FANTASTIC!!! I can't say enough about the staff.
(5)
Cynthia L.
This pub was awesome! It was a last minute find on Christmas Day and it was popping. I had the Lagunitas Pilsner and the grilled buffalo chicken wrap. It was huge! Enough for the Hubs and I. The atmosphere was great. Will def recommend and be back!
(5)
Michael M.
Terrible service. Loud. Unhelpful. And generally one of the worst Bars in Chicago. They do have a good beer selection.
(1)
Chad L.
Not much Irish about it other than the name. Your basic sports bar complete with bouncers. Service was ok, food was ok. Nothing really stood out, food was the same- just ok. Loud. Crap music. Good beer selection but I think the harp tap was dry.
(3)
Kevin S.
Worst service I've experienced in a long time :( For a party of 11 they would not seat us until half our party was present, understandable. When we had 6 they still wouldn't seat us and told us to wait at the bar. We were told at arrival we could transfer our bill from the bar to the table when we were sat by the manager. The bartender then tried to pressure us into closing out the tap but we insisted that we were told we could transfer from the manager. The bartender did see we were frustrated and asked if he could make it right. We asked for some Jameson and he provided 2 shots complimentary. That was the only nice touch. We were provided 2 tables to cram 11 into. We asked the server to add another table and he said in a snarky way "Yes as soon as I clean that table off, unless you want the dirty table?" Please know that there were 4 other clean tables adjacent to ours. I just can't believe people that work for tips are so rude and that management would allow this to happen. This can't be a one off experience. Disappointing to say the least.
(1)
Kevin H.
Watch Da Bears and the Cubbies, superb selection of beers, and food that will keep you warm and satisfied on a cold Chicago evening. If you come for lunch, plan to stay and drink. Great place for all of us that love Chicago!
(5)
Dai W.
American sports bar so you can find anything you want from nachos to quesadillas. Also salads and of course burgers. Lots of TV screens to watch your favorite games. Went there during a playoff game and pretty busy and crowded. Waitress was great and available for you. And friendly. Just a sports bar in the city - location is East from Michigan avenue
(4)
Lu H.
Solid neighborhood bar - the only place around this area. Not really a true Irish bar, not really a good sports bar, but for what it is, it does just fine. Drinks are relatively cheap and the food is just fine. GF enjoys the hummas plate, I like their wings (although not spicy enough). It can also get crowded here so sometimes a wait for a table is pretty ridiculous, but it's easy to stand around and grab drinks due to size of bar area. In all, we don't have anything negative to say.
(4)
Anonymous P.
I expected this place to suck, and it actually was really good. Very nice sports bar, with TVs everywhere. I was able to watch the two games I was hoping to watch simultaneously on TVs adjacent to each other. The food was actually very good. Fries were exceptional--great texture. Chicken sandwich was better than average. The reason I'm not giving five stars is that the beers were crappy--about what I came in expecting. I think a beer on the level of Sierra Nevada was the highest end.
(4)
Leesa W.
I know it's an Irish pub but they have the BEST Guacamole EVER!
(4)
Jeffrey C.
Stopped in for a drink and some wings. Cool atmosphere, great service, huge beer selection and kick ass wings. My bartender, Heather, was extremely friendly and accommodating. Awesome place. I'll definitely swing by again next time I'm in Chicago.
(5)
Matt E.
This was my local pub during my extended weekend stay in Chicago. Yeah, there really isn't a whole lot that's special about Timothy O'Tooles. But for what it's supposed to do, i think it does it pretty well. I wasn't there to catch any sports games, just drink some pints and have a couple appetizers. They have a decent beer selection, quite a few TV's, and appetizers that are decent. The venue size itself is fairly large - so unless it's very crowded, being cramped isn't too much of an issue. So for the purpose of getting me drunk before i stumbled back to my hotel late night, yep, Timothy O'Toole's was my joint for a few nights. Thanks Timothy.
(3)
Jonathan A.
An old standby if I want to grab some bar food for lunch. Not the best bar food, but it gets the job done. And they deliver. Not a bad place to grab a drink and watch a game. It hasn't been too crowded any time I've been here. Pool tabless, dart boards, plenty of tvs. It's a sports bar, so go in with those expectations. I wouldn't recommend the private party room for events. It's pretty boring and small and you'd have more fun out in the bar.
(3)
Kim C.
New discoveries: WINGS! The traditional and soy-garlic varieties are both DELICIOUS! Apparently they won first place at some wings fest recently. Also, if you wanna get seriously effed up, get a pitcher of Holy Water. For $20, you and probably 2 other friends can get pretty decently tipsy. Not sure what's in it (I saw the bartender pour in some neon pink pre-mixed concoction and then probably 7 different kinds of alcohol), but it's some potent stuff...
(5)
Andrew R.
Was here back in february, amazing service and food. Was my first time in chicago and I highly recommend it.
(5)
Mary W.
I must say this place was amazingly great for entertainment & drinking! I have yet to try the food & is definitely looking forward to it in the future but I went on a Wednesday & attended a comedy night in the backroom where they have comedians from Chicago stand up & do a show. I went looking for great laughs & got exactly what I was looking for. Not one of the comedians disappointed! Every single one of them were very talented. Once we left, we couldn't stop talking about how much fun we had. I seriously recommend this to anyone who's looking to blow off some steam with a couple of friends or even a date, relax, drink a couple of beers & enjoy this show. Funny entertainment here! I will definitely be going back very soon.
(5)
Holly T.
I have been to Chicago 5 times and I go to O'Tooles every time and don't think about going anywhere else! They have the best bar food, great drinks, and the staff is so fun! You have to try the Holy Water...amazing! I WILL be back!
(5)
A L.
They have Duvel beer. Yay! $8 isn't a bad price either. Now, if only they'd have Smithwick's (pronounced Smi-thicks) on draft and I would be in heaven. Decent bar, decent food, good to students. What more can one really ask for?
(4)
Robyn P.
The doorman at my brother's hotel recommended West Egg, which is right next door to this place. when we got there, the line extended outside the cafe, so we settled on O'Toole's. what a waste of $40. It would have been more satisfying to set two 20's on fire. The service was horrible, and the food was pretty gross. We sat around for at least 10 minutes without being given menus or served a glass of water. Strangely, the waitresses had helpers who carried the food around on trays. One waitress had a helper who kept barking orders at her: "Serve this one first ... what are you doing? ... that's not how to do it ..." -- basically humiliating her in front of the customers. Nice. When we finally got our order, the corned beef was obviously canned (it resembled dog food studded with diced potatoes), the sausage links were Jimmy Deanesque, the eggs were rubbery and bland, and the toast was cold and unbuttered. The only thing I finished was my bloody mary. and even that pretty much sucked.
(1)
Jedd J.
Timothy O'Tooles Pub is a low-end sports bar featuring TONS of TVs, but almost all of them have terrible picture. The audio from the Bear game was blasted throughout - even in separate rooms with different games. Also they started with all TVs in each room on the same game. um...what's the point? If you call yourself a sports bar, get the TV & Audio right. Also the food was terrible. O'Tooles gets 2 stars instead of 1 because the server was really good.
(2)
Chris B.
I've been here a few times, usually go on Sunday's for the all you can drink Bloody Mary's! The best deal in town for $20 you can drink all the B.M's you can! It's from 10-2 and they have a self service station with all the fixings. The food is quite good too however after drinking 5 bloody marys there is not too much room for food. This place packs the people in so make sure you arrive early! Great for all the games, there are flat screens all over the place.
(4)
R P.
I kinda like this place...or rather I want to. But the service is just SO bad! We waited at our seats at the bar for a good 10 minutes before we were noticed, and there were 5 of us, hard to miss. We had to ask to get menus, and were afraid if we didn't order right away the bartender would never come back...and that's precisely what happened. After our food was delivered he never checked in at all until we stood up and worked to get his attention to pay the bill. We would have ordered another round, but it wasn't worth the time. I don't know if they were unexpectedly busy, or if they like to be woefully understaffed, but the friends I was with said the service is always terrible. The bartenders are so busy filling drink orders for the wait staff, they can't serve the bar customers. And WHERE do their tips come from? Right! Not from me.
(2)
Elnora D.
I have been to Tim's recently and the environment and menu has changed a bit. Me and my Co-workers spent most of our time there playing pool and drinking. Still a wonderful bar to go drink and have amazing wings. The prices are reasonable for what you get and watching sports events are awesome. It does get crowded if you go there on the weekend so beware, but try it out!
(4)
Daniel K.
The first thing I noticed as soon as I walked into Timothy O' Toole's is that it has more of a sports bar feel rather than an Irish Pub. I really didn't mind this one bit because I was there to watch the UFC events they show for free there. So I went up to the bar and asked for a menu so I could find some thing that would keep my tastebuds preoccupied throughout the matches. That's when I noticed the Big Timmy Challenge. I read the description... Two half pound patties Four different types of cheese Bacon All the fixers (lettuce, tomatoes, onions) BBQ Sauce And whopping sides of Onion Rings, and French Fries The challenge costs $20, but there was no time limit and if you ate it all, you won a free Timothy O' Toole's T-shirt which usually costs $15. So pretty much I reasoned myself to believe it was like buying a huge meal for $5 and buying myself a souvenir t-shirt. Plus it would have been a lot cheaper than my other alternative of a few shots and a couple of beers (hey I'm on a guy that's on a budget). So I ordered the burger right before the UFC event started. The food came out really quick as the first fight was just about to start and it's first round. Now each round is five minutes long and has a 30 to 45 second break between each round. By the time the third round bell rang, I was finished. The dish was demolished and gone... The burger was just a good, but nothing to really be going head over heels about. It was done exactly the way I wanted (medium rare). Yet the meat itself was lacking a bit of flavor. The bbq sauce and condiments along with the cheeses helped to make up for that. Plus I was very happy they didn't overseason or put anything extra on the burger because I like to enjoy just the natural flavors of the beef itself. However like I said before, there wasn't really anything too much there for the beefs natural flavor. The onion rings were decent, and the french fries were actually better than usual here. The bartenders were great though as you could joke and talk with them about the fights. And just a bunch of guys screaming and getting worked up about fight matches without themselves getting into fights, well that's just really good to see and be a part of. All in all, from my experience so far I'd say Timothy O' Toole's, food-wise, you get what you can expect from a bar which is good food but nothing that pops out at you and say WOW. Go on a UFC ppv event night; it's free to get in and a good time around the bar.
(3)
Charles L.
This bar does have something of an identity crisis. It's an underground bar, so make sure you're down for that before you go ... also, the prices are at a sort of mid-level range that isn't all sports bar, all the time. All that being said, the prices aren't too high; and there are plenty of TV's for whatever your sporting fancy. Also, this is THE bar for the downtown Northwestern crowd; if you're looking to meet some (super fun) law students, or some med/business students, this is one of the two places to look.
(3)
Agnes F.
the location really helps this place food is average, beer selection is ok but the service is really not up to par you don't see your server often and when you do, you have to remind them several times what you are ordering if you are in the neighborhood, i guess you don't really have a choice...
(2)
Elena M.
Great establishment for watching the big game - or all GAMES! With over 40 TV's in action, you never have to fear you're missing out on your favorite team. Beer selection is pretty solid, always been pleased with the food, priced reasonably, staff is open/friendly, atmosphere is cozy! I used to consider this place kinda dirty...but that was back when smoking was allowed. Since the no-smoking regulation, this bar is back on my top list - as sports bars are concerned. Also, rather than blasting music, the bar will air audio of the featured game. Which is a big deal when watching at a bar. Who wants to hear "Livin' on a Prayer" while Devon Hestor's returning a kick for a TD??? It's a local/after work crowd during the week, but can get touristy on the weekends. TO's always full of sports fans, and does not favor any team in particular.
(3)
Nikki P.
My bf and i stopped in for a quick late lunch as it was the only place we could see from our hotel room that was nicccceeee and close (Doubletree Magnificent Mile). You walk in and immediately head downstairs. The ambiance is your classic laid back pub/tavern. It was bigger than i thought it was going to be. Good food, good service, LOTS of TV's which we loved, good cold beer. We would def recommend this place and will likely return if we are in that area again.
(4)
K R.
great place for a drink or two after work or to hang out with friends, you need to try the pina coladas, and their saucy fingers basket my fav !.. also they have oversize jinga and a dart target love it !
(4)
Claudia v.
Fun place on a saturday morning. $20 bottomless bloody marys, can't beat that! great burgers, good prices. I'll be back
(5)
Emily P.
***Update 5/30/10 This bar is slacking on getting HD on all of their TVs.. if you're gonna call yourself a sports bar then at least give your customers a clear screen from all angles!! just saying. Definately my go-to bar for watching sports. Food is good (pub food), prices are decent. Although, it is a "basement bar", so after being there a few hours, you can lose track of time and crave the natural light. Bears games are fun to watch because they raffle off t-shirts and jerseys. My friend won a Hillenmeyer jersey at the expense of a bucket of miller lites. Not too shabby! They also offer bus services to and from soldier field for the games for $5. One more detail to note, this bar delivers! Granted, I live around the corner from here, but when I don't feel like leaving my apartment to grab a burger or some spicy buffalo wings... they deliver right to my door! It's a beautiful thing.
(3)
B. S.
late night bar, average food. its a bar.......thats what you should expect.
(3)
Amy H.
Two words: Hell. Hole.
(1)
Nate Y.
We spotted Timothy O'Toole's, and as a visitor/tourist from Boston I had to see what Chicago's take was on an Irish pub/sports bar. You walk down into the bar and found the staff welcoming. It had the familiar stale beer odor you get from this kind of establishment, but other than that it was very clean. There were a few pool tables, some video games. It actually felt like an Irish/sports bar, somewhat of a dual personality and therefore nothing really authentic. The beer selection was fine, they even have a beer specials, which something you don't get in Boston. Tried a local brew which was a lemon shandy, and then had a $2 PBR out of a can. I thought it was fine for what it was.
(3)
Stephanie P.
I happen to love this place. Service is always good and the food is much better than standard bar food. Their seasonal menu is usually awesome. The only downside is during game times it is insanely crowded.
(4)
Larry B.
About as much an Irish pub as Bennigans. What a joke. THis is a sports bar my friends and nothing more. Decent selection of common beer and pretty bad food ala Fridays. Grease city. Busy after work crowd due to location. Ok to have a brew and watch the game, but avoid the food unless you have a cast iron stomach.
(1)
Jenna C.
20% off Wildcard discount on Wednesday and the waitress offered the discount when she saw that we were from Kellogg - so plus one point for service. Beyond that, it's a pretty average bar.
(3)
Dianna P.
This was my first trip to Chicago and this bar was right across the street from my hotel. We went into the bar the evening before St. Patricks Day 2012, it was packed and we had to wait about 5 minutes to be let in - the bouncer at the bottom of the stairs said they were checking to see if they were at capacity and could let more people in. As we waited the gentleman behind us told the bouncer that his friend was holding a table for him and asked if he could be let in. The bouncer stood up, walked over to this guy and pointed in his face and said "You're about to find out I'm not a host!, you're about to find out" giving the guy a stare down...creepy. So a couple minutes later the four people in my party were allowed in so I said jokingly to the guy, "You're pretty busy, must be something going on this weekend" he was looking at my ID and yelled "YEA, its National White People Day". OK, so you're a black guy working for an Irish sports bar....what kind of people do you expect to be seeing around St Pats Day? What a jerk, I was so pissed by his tone and anger...I wanted to remind him that we just celebrated an entire MONTH dedicated to black people and their history! Give me a break, I can't believe this guy is working with people and he has this bad attitude. The rest of our trip we never went back to this bar, instead we walked 7 blocks to another great bar where the employees are nice and dont make racial slurs!
(1)
D h.
A good place for a drink & snack/appetizer. Service is always acceptable & you can usually find a table or spot at the bar. Tons of TVs to make sure you get to see the game. Though O'Toole's is not unique, it is a great place to catch up with friends or if you are in a large group. Being downstairs makes the place a little more "cozy" especially in the winter. Nothing fancy, but just a good bar.
(4)
Erin J.
Went there for drinks with some friends last night, and it was cool. The place is pretty big, and the pool table area was nice. The crowd there was more diverse than I thought it would be, which was a BIG plus. At one point we ordered a cheeseburger and some fries, and they were pretty good - not too greasy, and the fries were actually pretty good! As for spendiness, I was there with a friend who's a regular so we were treated quite well, but I can only imagine what it would be like if I were in there solo. Three shots of Patrn silver - which I am aware isn't terribly cheap anyway - ran me $24. $24! Had I bought 6 shots, it would have been $48, which is more expensive than a 375ml bottle, which holds about 12 shots! I know there is a markup - of course, otherwise we'd all drink at home all the time, but that is a STEEP markup! Nevertheless, I had a good time. The bouncers are HUGE and very friendly, and I got absolutely no crap from the bartenders, either. Even the girls in the bathroom (customers) were happy! It was a nice night.
(3)
Lawrence Y.
I see this place each time I go to Navy Pier and finally stopped by to check this place out a couple weekends ago. We sat outside (small patio area), and our server was nice but a little spacey. We all had the wraps, and they were SO good (and huge)! I had the BBQ ranch chicken wrap with garlic mashed potatoes as my side (with sour creme)... it was really good! I couldn't even finish half of it. Also had a few bites of the blackened chicken wrap and that was good too! Their ceasar dressing tasted more like ceasar-italian but no complaints here! Now I'm craving for the wrap again, arrrghh!!
(4)
Katrina F.
I am a big fan of Timothy O'Toole's to sit at the bar with friends and watch sports. In the afternoon lunch hour and happy hour, the crowd is local and mainly the business crowd. Come evenings and weekends the place is full of tourists. I love the feel of the bar. It reminds me of Cheers. The bar staff is nice and extremely friendly. The Irish Nachos and a jumbo size beer are my favorite menu items. There have been many a time that I have gotten tab with a beer or two missing which is a huge plus! Okay- on Saturdays especially during the college football season they have $5 huge plastic cups of Miller beer...plus you get to keep the cup!! You can't go wrong in the Streeterville area for this price! Oh and the bloody mary's YUMMO!!!!
(4)
Eric S.
I love this place...... pool.... games.... stand up..... food..... beer..... girls..... what more do you want....
(5)
Tim B.
I loved this place. When I was in Chicago we went to a bunch of bars and this place was probably the friendliest place we went. It was expensive, but no more than any of the other places we went to. We didn't have any food, only beer and whiskey. Our waiter was one of the most personable waiters I have ever had; he made this place great! I will post his name when I remember what it was!
(5)
F. B.
Had a good time. Everything was very good, food, brews, service, atmosphere.
(4)
Nels W.
I went with friends after work before a movie, and I won't make that mistake again. With so many options downtown, I'm not sure why anyone would come here more than once. One friend noted that burgers are done Medium-Well by default, so we both ordered Medium, and didn't get that. There was no pink in the burger at all. And no flavor in the meat, for that matter. They must have gotten them from the same place they got the fries, because those were some of the worst I've ever had. We thought maybe they screwed up the order because the waiter didn't write anything down, but it said Medium on the receipt. The Thai Peanut Coleslaw sounds like a good idea, but it's not. It's just the normal coleslaw with some sort of Thai peanut in it (might have been better if they just throw some Thai peanut sauce from the grocery store on top instead of whatever they actually did to make it).
(1)
Ryan C.
was ok... food, service etc...
(3)
Yo U.
When Timmy's gets crowded, it can be quite hard to get served. That being said, the hard-working staff members seem to be good folks. I don't much care for the dungeon-like atmosphere.
(3)
H C.
I've always had a good time here. Service is good and the food is good. I love me some Irish Fries!
(4)
Tom B.
My opinion will be a little biased since I'm more of a regular here and they treat me as such: good service, discounts and a good atmosphere The food is your regular sort of bar food such as sandwiches, burgers, wings, nachos. I usually go for the wraps, never really had a bad one yet. The wings are probably their best appetizer by far. The beer selection is okay, I usually always find something to drink right off the bat. I never go for the mixed drinks not my thing but I hear the Bloody Mary's are good. The service is pretty decent, maybe on the busiest of nights you may have to track down your waitress/waiter but I've always never had to wait too long to get a drink. Food also comes out pretty quick so that's a plus. Overall atmosphere is usually med students from the Northwestern Hospital and people getting out of work nearby. I would recommend getting there by 4pm because usually by 5pm the place is packed especially Fri nights or when a big game is on. I always begin my nights here when I'm in the neighborhood, and it's rare for me to have slow service or bad drinks but I do recommend Wed., Thurs, or Fri. are probably your best nights here especially when there is a game on. As a side note the name is really the only thing Irish about this place...
(4)
Brent W.
the place is laid out terribly and it's always packed beyont....i know i know, it's a sports bar with a bazillion tv's but really, there are far better places out there...and with food that's textbook bar fare, TOT's offers nothing that would bring me back again.
(2)
Wanda M.
Bloody Mary build your own w/ 30 items during the weekend brunch is pretty fantastic. However, the French toast had no butter and our server really didn't check on us at all for us to request butter. Unfortunately the French Toast tasted like onions, must have been made right after something oniony and the grill not cleaned. Breakfast burrito was fairly good except I asked for no onions got a large pile of onions. I heard compliments on the California chicken sandwich and Goat cheese quesadilla. It wasn't awful, but I didn't love it.
(3)
Michele N.
If you're looking for an authentic pub with great food and drink, make your way downstairs to the basement bar, Timothy O'Toole's. It is conveniently located just across the street from the Doubletree Hotel on Ohio (just off of the Magnificent Mile). Great nachos and wings; in fact all the bar food looked great as it passed by. They have a nice selection of beers and great happy hour specials. Stop by to catch a game, meet friends for an after work drink, or a night cap!
(3)
Matt G.
Its Toole time!! On our trip to Chicago we were there for 3 days but stopped in to Timmy's 6 different times! The proximity to our hotel might have had something to do with that as it was literally right outside our door. It was open till 4 on the weekends which was great for us. I would recommend doing the Bloody Mary and Mimosa bar on the weekends! Prices are about what you expect in Chicago but they have some good late night specials. Thanks Timmy's for making our trip that much better!
(5)
Thom L.
You may come for a game or beer but you'll come back for the food and service. I love this place, great food, perfect staff and enough TV's to watch any game, and lets not forget about their drink menu. Perfect local pub.
(5)
Brian C.
Came in from seattle for work and stopped by for food and drinks. Over all service was good and food wasn't bad. The atmosphere is really crazy overcrowded and very loud. For a wen at 7 it was a bit much but overall good.
(4)
Jen B.
The waitress sonna is great! Very personable but this bar is the strangest mix of people I have ever been in
(3)
Aimee K.
Leave it to me to be in St. Louis through the entire Cards post-season then have to be in Chicago during the last game of the World Series. Major fail on my part, but when it came time to watch, I assigned my friend with finding a sports bar that was a) awesome, b) had good food and drinks, and c) would be playing audio along with showing the game. He definitely delivered and Timothy O'Tooles was where I sat for a good four hours taking in the World Series win. I ordered a grilled cheese and fries and I'm not really sure why (am I back in kindergarten or something?) but it was good and sometimes it's nice to just eat something simple for once! The drinks were good all evening as well -- just Captain and ginger ale with lime, so hard to mess up, but I could tell the liquor was definitely controlled while pouring. I think I drank mostly ginger ale which I'm sure my body was thankful for, but I kept trying to get a buzz and it just. wouldn't. happen. A few notes about the atmosphere... holy drunk people! The first room (we were in the back room) was so rowdy and I'm glad our table wasn't in there because it would've been too loud and distracting. However, we had some distractions of our own because somehow women kept getting locked in the bathroom. Yes, I'm serious. I'm not sure how this happened but every ten minutes or so we'd hear someone banging on the door because they couldn't get out! That could definitely create some unhappy customers, just saying... I'll maybe me back sometime mainly because Danny W says they create the best Bloody Mary's in Chicago, but that's probably it. Good place to watch the game!
(3)
Nikhil A.
I must say, it was busy and lively ambiance. As soon as we walked in, first thing that caught our attention was Pool Tables...yey. TV's all over for a sports bar feel. Within 5 minutes we had a table. This was Friday at 6 (kinda rush time). Courteous staff and a great foo menu to choose from. Good drink choices including Cider's at a reasonable price. We ordered Veggie Burgers, and it was ok. I felt it was little dry, other than that, it was fine. Could have used more mayo or sauce on it but my other friends liked it. Over all, its a nice atmosphere to be hanging out with a group of friends...
(4)
Winston G.
A go-to watering hole in the Streeterville area, I can really only comment on the food here and not on the weekend scene. Food here is actually pretty good -- my roommate and I will frequently eat dinner here or order food to go. Burgers, wraps, nachos, wings -- all are solid and well priced. Call ahead if you want to pick up so you don't have to wait. French onion soup is a bit on the salty side, but a nice layer of melted cheese. Sometimes for their soup of the day, they have this cream of chicken type soup that is awesome. Make sure to get that.
(4)
Abe R.
This isn't a bad spot as far as this area is concerned. The prices are far below what you'd expect in this area, and they always seem to have some sort of draught/draft beer special, as they serve big ass beers. Another thing this place has going for it is the pool tables, good bar food(not new American, just good ol' American), and both bar and table service. Honestly, this is a place where people just seem to have a good time and get really messed up. Not bad for a bar if you ask me, but still not a place that I would normally visit, as I only come here for a quickie when I'm early(on purpose) picking up my wife on a late night of work... Enjoy Suckas'!!!
(4)
Katelyn E.
I'm going to throw it out there... Timothy O'Tooles might very well have the best wings in Chicago. Crispy, saucing, tasty, finger-licking wings. I'm a fan of the Ginger wings, but the husband swears by the spicy buffalo. The atmosphere is always fun- there's always THE game on, no matter who you're rooting for. I've been when there's kareoke and it draws a really funny crowd (think a white guy in a business suit angrily rapping to every single word of Eminem). There's a party room if you come with a crowd, otherwise there's seating in the bar cocktail tables or a more formal dining area. There's always deals going on- I'm pretty positive they host a bus to the Bears game. I'd give you 5 stars, but one time you incorrectly assumed I was drunk (when I was only slightly tipsy) and you denied me entry. Brats.
(4)
Andrew D.
Just stumbled upon this sports pub while walking around downtown...now it's on our list to visit again! Had a great time here. It's a little loud, but the food and service were great! I had the (outstanding) Shepherd's Pie and my wife enjoyed her (quite large) hamburger.
(4)
Mark A.
Big ups to the bartenders and random waitress Kristina (spelling?) for being so nice and accommodating to the one guys who brings in his laptop to work at the bar on a Saturday night fight night. Yeah, I was that guy. Second props goes to them for thinking I'm some TV famous fighter celeb. ...(thinks to himself, "Maybe that's why they were so AWESOME now...hmm.) Anyways, famous or not, they were flippin' cool. Allowed me to plug my chord over the bar next to their super wet blender and hopefully UNUSED frozen drink sink. You order a frozen drink at a bar, you're worse than the powertool sitting next to you with the laptop. O'Toole's because they get a lot of hotel and tourist traffic, you'd think would have sub-rad bar food, but NO. They put it down. Yes, my Mediterranean Salad was deliciioso and YES the BBQ wings were done right. And YES, I said I ordered a Medy Tee Salad at a bar. On a Saturday night. Fight me on it. I got a Redbull. It wasn't sugar free. One bartender wore lots of wristbands to store his bottle popper and stuff.
(4)
J L.
We went there to watch an NCAA game and had a great experience. We had to wait for about an hour for a table but during the wait we had some great beers. (I had Hoegaarden, just in case I forget...) Pool tables are definitely a plus! Their food is ok for a bar. We loved how many TVs there are in the lounge, and that our team won. :) They have a burger challenge and if you finish you get a T-shirt. But it wasn't too big, my friend finished it quickly...
(4)
Jake S.
This place is excellent! I was in town for a few days visiting a friend and this place was the highlight of my weekend. They have friendly staff, quick service, and a fantastic beer selection. If you're hungry I'd personally recommend trying the O'Tooles Burger! You can bet I will be back on my next trip to Chicago.
(5)
Santiago A.
Tura lura lural! You won't need a lullaby to go to sleep after eating at auld Tim's. The food coma will take care of that. And it's sure to come with their great selection of food and beers. I was starving after not having eaten all day and nearly breaking my ankles skating at nearby Millenium Park. Timothy O'Toole made me smile by delivering an excellent burger in my time of need. And When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, sure, they steal your heart away. Ok, I'm not Irish, but Mexicans and Irish have been tight for may decades now, so close enough. At any rate, I'm sure to frequent ToT! It was a great place to catch the Sunday night football game. Definitely try a burger here if your visiting from out of town. They'll have you saying Erin go bragh in no time! Also, try their Irish Nachos and soups. If you live near by, then you'll have plenty of time to eat your way through their mouth-watering menu. This is defintely one of those "come for the game, stay for the food" kinda places. Oh my luck charms. I think I'll build a boat and sail away now, ta ta ta ta.
(4)
Judy C.
A million and one screens with whichever game you're in the mood to watch. Huge place so good for groups
(4)
Ryan H.
Horrible service and crude attitudes is what I left experiencing this place. I will never visit this place again. Horrible customer service from our waitress. She should be fired.
(1)
Billy W.
This place is pretty generic and totally fine for what it is - a downtown area sports bar with food, but don't expect anything outrageous or special. There seemed to be several pool tables so maybe check out O'Toole's if that's what your looking for. Prices were relatively high, as to be expected. Crowd seemed to be a combination of tourists from the nearby hotels and people who worked in the area.
(3)
Jeff C.
Timmy O'Toole's is a local pub in the Streeterville neighborhood situated in a curiously low-rise building at Fairbanks & Ontario (which provides the customer in the basement pub exceptional phone/mobile-Internet service if the customer so desires). O'Toole's fancies itself an "Irish Pub" which puts it in the company of roughly 4.3M other "Irish Pubs" in Chicago. This isn't to say it's average, though, because it's not. O'Toole's is a friendly eatery, not too big, not too small, that provides tremendous food and "pub grub" along with a seemingly endless selection of beers on-tap, bottled beers, liquors and even a reasonable wine selection for that person all of us have dated at least once who just "doesn't like the taste of beer or hard alcohol". No sweat - I dig on a cabernet blanc every now and again myself. As per Illinois law, you can bring minors into the establishment prior to 10:00pm, but after 10:00pm it becomes 100% 21+. The west end of the pub is equipped with a stage, and there is a running calendar there featuring regular comedy acts, as well as *shudder* Karaoke and live-music events. There are calendars on the wall there, but I'm sure that you can access upcoming events online, too (there may be things *COUGHKARAOKECOUGH* that you would rather avoid, for example, and knowing what's on the agenda before you arrive is always a good thing). Finally, for all its good qualities, there is one last thing I should mention that's not so hot for everyone. This place is LOUD. I mean really &#$%ing loud. I don't know why, exactly, but the decibels in that place have to come close to runway 12 at O'Hare during a SwissAir's 747's launch sequence. Maybe it's the acoustics down there, but if you're sensitive to loud noises EVEN A LITTLE BIT, it wouldn't hurt to pack some nice, understated earplugs. So all that being said, I still like this place a lot. The Irish Nachos are outstanding and the steak sandwich is tremendous. I've never had a bad meal there. Check out Timmy O'Toole's next time you're in Streeterville. I recommend it highly.
(4)
Azize S.
I love watching hockey and football here! They have a TON of TV's - get there early tho, it gets crowded. They always have some kind of bucket of beer special for the games and the crowd is super into it. They have an MC for the Hawks games who plays music during commercials and a guy with a siren helmet for when they score a goal. I dont usually eat here but the food seems like average to slightly above average for bar food. I had a specialty burger once that was pretty good. Other than that, its nachos and sandwiches/wraps/salads and those are pretty standard.
(4)
Stephanie W.
This place is a lot more fun when the Bears win than when they lose. The food is good. Drinks are too.
(3)
Nelson M.
Restaurant review This place is packed! During our recent dinner out we were suprised how busy Timmy O'Toole would be at 5 pm. Remember to bring your driver license as they scan it at the front door. Overall the ambiance is consistent with a popular bar hang out for tourist and locals alike with lots of TVs to catch ongoing sport action. I was a bit suprise how loud it would be so early in the evening. The servers are friendly and always check up on how things are going. For dinner, the prices for the food was more than reasonable. Our nacho pulled pork appetizer was huge. It could have used more cheese sauce, but otherwise it was enough for 4 people and only cost 10 dollars. I had the chicken finger basket which was good, but not the best. The fried shrimp basket was way over priced with small shrimps that were advertised as "jumbo shrimp", but there was a healthy supply of fries underneath; but definately not worth 11 dollars. They should just do a popcorn shrimp basket instead..... One of the cool things is the Big Timmy Challenge, if you can eat 2 1/2 lb patties w/ lots of cheese, onion straws, bbq sauce, and fries/onion rings you get a free O'toole t-shirt but this will set you back 19.99. I have not given this a try yet.... Pro: good service, lots of flat screen TVs, most of the items are reasonably priced Cons: loud dining area, jumbo shrimp means normal size shrimp, nacho was a bit weak on the cheese sauce, long wait times if you go late. 20 dollar minimum on NFL sunday, sporting, and special events Hidden gem: Daily drink specials!
(3)
Derek D.
I don't go here enough! I just had an unreal BBQ Ranch Wrap and sat at the bar with a co-workers. One thing that stood out was the bartender checked my ID and called me by my first name. VERY COOL. It felt a lot more personal then the usual bar situation of begin ignored. Thank you for a good lunch! d
(5)
Aliya E.
Worst comedy I have been to. Not only did the crew make fun of us and make us feel shitty but after the show they tormented us made us feel shitty for participating in whatever they call comedy. Waste of time I highly recommend spending your time knitting for the homeless instead of spending your time on this crowd of lame asses.
(1)
Ashley C.
2.5 stars. We came here for lunch/brunch. The brunch food was okay - the belgium waffle was just nothing special. I felt like I could have made it at home had I had the right equipment. The wings were the biggest let down of the group. I blame this on Great Expectations essentially. We came here because they won at 2009 wingfest. The general consensus after trying the wings was "they won?" Bit of a letdown. They weren't bad but I wouldn't market them as the best. The sauce and the amount of the sauce were the biggest complaints. Had the wings been better, the place would have had three stars. Service was okay. Our waitress was friendly enough. This just isn't exactly a spot that I would frequent. Would I go back for brunch? If need be, yes. Would I go there for a drink at night? No way. One review (which I can't remember who) said it best - just add a "Bennagin's" sign. That explains the decor spot on.
(2)
Brian Z.
This place was great. Sports on the tube, a lot of beers on tap, and the wait staff was really nice. It's a pub. If you're expecting 5 star service, then look elsewhere. But if you want a filling inexpensive meal, this is the place.
(5)
Rachel A.
They say first impressions last, right? We'll get down to the nitty gritty, right off the bat. I'm obviously not from Chicago. I was visiting here over the weekend, and we just happened to have tickets to a Bears game. So we decided to go the shuttle route, instead of trying to find parking at Soldier Field. And Timothy O'Toole's was our shuttle destination (my brother found them on the internet). The staff was rude. In fact, one person in particular was so rude that we left the bar and waited for the shuttle outside. he was demeaning and condescending and just downright nasty. I wanted to smack him for the way he was speaking to us. I had a wonderful vacation in Chicago until I went to this establishment. They seriously put a damper on my time in the Windy City. Please bring your money elsewhere. Go another shuttle route. Do not waste time, energy or money here.
(1)
Lia V.
Timmy Timmy Timmy. Basically just a good sports bar. It's like a dark dungeon (because it's underground) with lots of t.v.'s, pool tables, a big bar, and yummy beer and food. They sponsor my softball team so we go after games. They're accommodating and friendly. The food is better than your regular bar food. I got this wrap with chicken, avocado, goat cheese, almonds, and cranberries - it was prettttttttttty delicious. They have this goat cheese quesadilla that is out of this world too. Don't neglect the marinara sauce that comes with it - it enhances the flavors. Trivia on Mondays (which is always fun wherever you go) Big mugs of beer (seasonal) for 6.50 which is a great deal! I had two and was feeling pretty fine. Fun place to check out. I wouldn't go out of my way for it, but if you're in the area it's worth stopping by!
(3)
Tara M.
Love this bar! Great atmosphere. Reasonably priced. No one working there was Irish though; so if you love listening to that Irish brogue, like I do, you won't get that here.
(5)
WP L.
Good place for drinking but skip the food. Was at a small get together last night. Most of the food looked barely appetizing and reheated. I ordered there "famous" wings, what a disappointment. They were dry and definitely reheated and barely had any buffalo sauce on them. The quesadila was pretty good and the hummus.
(2)
Mikey J.
A Northwestern classic! First off, this place is big. Much bigger than I expected. The beer prices are good, not great, and the place has a nice atmosphere to it. Very comfortable and neighborhood bar like. Food is decent. Overall, a reliable and great place. Kind of like a Dell computer.
(3)
Bryan D.
Good solid sports bar fare.......great place to watch a game. Never a shortage of energy among the patrons.
(4)
Binh D.
Food: Good bar food and great beer selection. Had the Big Timmy Challenge, it wasn't really hard at all. So save your money and buy something else on the menu. Ambiance: Irish Bar with a vast amount of TVs. Definitely a great place to catch the game and grab a good meal. Service: Corey, our waitress was really nice and friendly. Food came out in a timely manner. Price: About $15 - $20 a person for meal and drink. Overall: Great Irish themed sports bar.
(4)
Amelia I.
Lets begin with this place was PACKED on Saturday!! They had a ton of people by the bar which instantly made me think, 'oh crap headache lunch here we go'! but the hostess must have seen my look of apprehension and directed us towards the right which is more of a dining room. Still PACKED with tvs but more quiet. Now let me start with the menu isn't THAT extensive if you ask me, but the food is freakin DELICIOUS. You HAVE to try the Irish 'nachos' ie fries with cheese. Mmmm and bacon and sour cream *drool* I had a reuban on their sour dough bread which was amazing THOUGH the thousand island is a little pale? Its almost like it had too much pickle juice and not enough ketchup/mayo. I didnt ask if its 'home' made or bought; but it was still good for the corned beef. And BOY was that corned beef delicious and actually *GASP* seasoned!!! I got tatter tots as me side which was yummy, I should have tried the coleslaw (They have two different kinds I believe) but tatter tots just came out of my mouth and I ate them all like a greedy squirrel! The boyfriend has some kind of spicy burger with jalapenos, cheese, and all kinds of other things that looked delicious but too spicy for me! There's a ton of other appetizers I want to try and the french dip also sounded amazing but I could only eat so much!!! And on a side note about the wait staff; they were all super nice. I know some reviews mention rude people but we had Jenny and she was awesome!! She was on top of drink refills and to go boxs like a magician! And she didnt give me a hard time when I asked for extra thousand (I get glares some times, sue me!). The entire lunch was amazing and everyone else around looked happy with the food and waitresses. Though can only speak for the dining room; the bar was way too rowdy for me even at one-ish in the afternoon. Prob a march-madness game or something. Give them a try! AND the deserts sounded amazing too! Alas, my belly failed me with leaving me extra room! More reason to come back again!
(5)
Denise L.
came here after our flight got into Chicago. Our friend's husband had an after-party with his Northwestern peers on Friday. it was much bigger than i expected. You walk down a flight of stairs, and there's a large bar area. It was PACKED (got there around midnight). it felt like a club where you had to squeeze your way through the standing patrons. we got to the back area, which was reserved for the NW folks, and again, it was PACKED. we found a booth, and her hubby got our drinks. My drink wasn't strong at all. We were hungry, and I was eyeing the nachos that every person seemed to be ordering. They looked good! So did the french fries! A little after 1, a busboy said it was a last call. We rushed to the nearby bar, and they gave us a hard time, that last call was 10 minutes ago. My friend told him we were JUST told, so he caved in and made us our drinks, but was a bit rude about it. He told us we could go to the front bar though. Not sure why the last calls would be different times? Maybe the back bar is not normally open? Confused. all in all, a decent pub, but way too packed. wished they made the drinks stiffer too.
(2)
Daniel Q.
I have been to this place a few times now and mostly for the wings and to watch a game at the bar with the monster TV's. The Food I have had the Wings and the Wings Basket. I like them spicy. The spice is right, the sauce is good but the wings can be a little small. The fries are a great compliment to spicy wings. The Drinks I am a bit of a snob when it comes to Rum (my drink of choice) so it is hard for me to give them a great grade when the best rum they have is Captain Morgan. They have a lot of different beers and other spirits so you will find something to your liking for sure. The Service The servers and bartenders have been attentive and check on you regularly. When I sat at the bar, despite the bar being a busy Friday afternoon, they two bartenders would ask how I was doing if they saw I was running low on my drink. The servers and bartenders in general provide good service and you don't see or hear of patrons complaining or waiting to long to order or receive what they ordered. The Atmosphere You can get a table or sit in the bar area. I have eaten at both. The bar area is not for kids in my opinion. People are drinking, having a good time, getting mad or excited at their favorite team that they are watching at one of the many TV's they have all over the restaurant. They also have pool tables and what seemed like a good Friday Happy Hour vibe. I could see this as a place as somewhere I go to after work to catch the game while enjoying some happy hour food and drinks.
(4)
Tarra T.
Good bar with surprisingly good food considering it's a neighborhood pub. Great spot to catch a game or just grab a quick, inexpensive bite to eat while in the Streeterville, downtown area.
(3)
Ken O.
Went for lunch. The menu had a great variety of food to choose from. I had the Bailey Burger. The burger was perfectly done and juicy. The portions for good size. The servers were friendly and non-rushed. I would highly recommend this restaurant for food and drinks.
(4)
Jim L.
Was looking for a place to watch the Knicks\Celtics game in Chicago near East Ohio street. I figured I had a good chance because all of the Chicago teams were off. Not just playing out of town but completely off. I ordered the wings. Very good wings. Minimum order is 10 but you can get different seasonings split 5 and 5. I opted for the spicy and ginger garlic both were very good. Place was packed but the service was fast with multiple fly bys of "You Ok?, Need anything?" Nicky was the waitress and she was excellent. Large 20 oz micro brew beers for $ 5.50. Outstanding and unexpected low drink prices. But here is what really impressed me about this sports bar. It has somewhere north of 40 large flat screens. If you are watching one you can see three. So the Knicks game is on one far away and over the bar. I could see the action but not the scores. So I ask the waitress what the score is? She points to a TV right across from my table and says do you want me to put the Knicks game on that one? Before I said yes I looked around and made sure no one was watching the game. The Islanders were getting crushed by the Penguins. So I said sure. She changed the channel in a minute. I said how did you do that so fast? She said they have a master split screen console with broadcasted games on top and the bars TV schematic on the bottom I just drag and drop the broadcast to the TV I want. I fell in love momentarily and asked her to drag and drop the Yankee game next to the Knicks game. Again, request fulfilled. I proceeded to watch the Knicks loose and the Yankees win (thank you Mo). One of my favorite sports bars ever.
(4)
Charmie S.
We went to Timmy's because it was across the street from the Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites, and it was late. It's apparently a good sports bar. We were just hungry. We ended up getting a burger and sweet potato fries and a side of green beans. The best of the three was the fries. They have something on those fries. They were thin, crispy and sweet -- like sugar sweet. Well done. But that was about it. The burger was nothing special. The green beans were tasteless. I ended up dipping them in honey mustard to get some flavor. I didn't go there with high expectations of the food, so it wasn't that big of a deal to me. It satisfied my hunger, and that's about it.
(3)
Sam C.
My wife and I are in the process of moving to Chicago and we were hungry and went to the closest place we could find: Timothy O'Toole's. And, what a find it was. The food was yummy and reasonably priced. My reuben was as good as it gets. And, our server, Weston, was incredibly personable and helpful. We will definitely be going back once we move to The Windy City.
(5)
Dan L.
Great neighborhood sports bar. Better than average bar menu with quality food. They have a terrific beer selection (if you're a beer snob), friendly and attentive servers and bartenders. I enjoy coming here for brunch on a weekend, for a drink after a long day at the office or with friends to watch a game.
(4)
Tyler P.
I happened to be in Chicago for the big game this year and this place was recommended to me, as a fun place to watch the game. Seeing as it was directly across the street from my hotel, I thought I would check. I will definitely give kudos to the person that recommended this hangout. I know that some of it had to do with the big game being on, but the buzz that was in the air could be felt from the moment we stepped into the door. There weren't enough tables but they set us with another group of fantastic people at a community table. However, with the addition of some excellent brews we were quickly socializing with our newfound friends. The food here was also surprisingly good for bar food (I would recommend the Chicago Dogs). All-in-all if you are looking for someplace to watch a sporting event, enjoy some frosty beers, and conversate with some nice people, check out Timothy O' Tooles.
(4)
J D.
Location- mere blocks from miracle mile, John Hancock blg, cathedral district, etc Ambiance- loud Irish pub/sports bar, diverse crowd, cool music Food- good quality, typical new american cuisine, healthy portions... This is what gave them the third star Drinks- whatever, if you like a real drink don't get anything that requires a mixer of any sort- including coke, juice, etc Greeters- fun, animated, attentive Wait staff- boarder line useless... Not enough staff, you will not be checked in with (good thing our drinks didn't require refill) and when they screw up don't expect an apology. The best was as soon as the food arrived we asked for barbecue sauce (a table spoon for which you'll be charged) ... 8min nothing... Get waitresses attention and she says oh someone's bringing it... Another 8min .... Get waitress again still no BBQ sauce... 6min later everyone at the table is done with their food except for the person waiting on the sauce.... Which has finally arrived- way to go!
(3)
Arian M.
Great for lunch. The atmosphere tends to be quieter during lunch, less people. I always enjoy their nachos...nice and gooey! Service always seems to be spot on, not too attentive. I don't like to be bother every 2 mins when I'm gossiping with friends or getting my grub on. I think you should check out this place.
(4)
Alan L.
Place is awesome! Good food, GREAT bar staff. One place not to miss in Chicago!
(5)
Frankie T.
The fish n' chips were pretty good. Highlight of the visit: $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon tall cans. What a bargain for me. Cool looking joint too!! Will return and do recommend!!
(4)
Brian J.
This place had the best wings I have ever had in my life. So take my advice and try the maple BBQ wings, they are phenomenal. Great atmosphere and obviously a popular DT spot, as it was hard for us to find a bar seat the three times that we went.
(5)
Mara W.
Truffle fries are delicious!! My burger was good but not great. I ordered the California burger on a pretzel bun medium; the burger was not as juicy as I would have hoped for and the bun was cold and untoasted. My husband had chicken fingers and truffle fries. He liked the chicken fingers but didnt love them; they were small in size also.
(4)
Tiffany H.
Stopped by Timothy O'Toole's since all the good wing and beer places closed at 10pm in downtown Chicago. My friends and I ordered the Irish Nachoes (which are actually French fries), some wings, and a bunch of beer. Don't expect much for the wings, they taste the same as the frozen ones you buy at the market and microwave. Unless that's the way Chicago folks like their wings, I was not impressed. On the other hand, the Irish Nachoes were really good! All that cheese with bacon, yum! I don't know if it was good or if the beer made it good but whatever, the combination of the two was fabulous! I'd go back!
(4)
Jamie B.
This review pertains to the service at the bar. The burger and wings were great. The service pretty much sucked. I counted 6 bartenders, none of which could manage to ask us if we needed another round. When we finally did flag someone down to bring us more drinks, he must have gotten distracted, because five minutes went by, still no drinks, then we see him leave with his cash drawer for the evening. ?? So then we flagged down another bartender who brought us our beers. At this point we were done with our food. A beer really would have went well the burger and wings, but oh well. Next task was trying to leave. We had our credit card sitting out on the bar, ready to go for over 10 minutes. Counted 5 bartenders meandering by with no concept of looking out for these sort of details. FINALLY asked one of the dudes to bring us our check. Would have wanted to stay longer if the service was more attentive and appeared to give a shit. The two drunk girls sitting next to us seemed to get plenty of attention and free shots however, so maybe you just need to be a wasted chick sans husband/boyfriend to get served here?
(2)
Lisa G.
This place inspired my first Yelp review! Hubby and I are in Chicago on vacation and Yelper advise this is a great place to watch sports. We walk in and see that there aren't two seats together at the bar, so the hostess gets us a table right away; then we see two seats open up at the bar and she has no problem seating us at the bar with a smile and an offer to turn any of the TVs to a particular game if we want. Off to a good start! Five stars for service! Bartenders were quick to refill drinks, knowledgeable and had several suggestions to help us decide. At one point I dropped a nearly full drink (I wasn't drunk, I swear! It just slipped out of my hand) and within two minutes I had a replacement drink, club soda to clean off my shirt, and a busboy cleaning up the spill. Outstanding! Great vibe! I'm a sports bar kind of girl and this place is right up there for atmosphere. We were there when four different major games were on (Stanley cup finals, OKC / San Antonio basketball semi-finals, two baseball games) and it was so fun to see different groups cheering different plays! Quite full for a Wednesday. We were very tempted by the "build your own grilled cheese" but opted for the "spicy" wings and some fries. Minus one star for the wings. The sauce was very flavorful but it was by no means spicy, and sweeter than your traditional wing sauce. Kind of a cross between BBQ and wing sauce. Don't get me wrong, it was tasty, but not what I was expecting. If you are looking for heat, maybe try the next level up. The fries were an excellent complement to the wings: fried with the skin on, done perfectly, and served with three dipping sauces. Would definitely recommend this place!
(4)
Nicole C.
Loaded double baked potato soup. Enough said!
(5)
Ben K.
You don't see a lot of sports bars that have this solid a tap list. They had some really good local craft plus they had some Three Floyd's drafts which don't exist where I live. The food was solid and the service was friendly.. I'd go back then next time I'm in Chicago.
(4)
C Ann G.
I am not impressed with the food or the ignorant loud workers that frequent the bar. The bartenders do not seem to know when females are being slobbered on you should cut off the drinkers. Not so great a family atmosphere but a 20-30 year old clientele fits right in.
(2)
Carol K.
Timothy O'Tooles is a bit of an Irish bar crossed with a sports bar. Located in the basement of a building, upon entering your senses are immediately assaulted by all that is going on- you won't know where to look first! I was surprised that on a Wednesday night- that the place was as packed as it was. After all- it was after 10 and this place just doesn't give off a neighborhood bar vibe. But almost every seat was taken as we were seated off to the side by the host/server/bouncer (he seemed to be doing it all on the night I was there) They have these huge beers- seriously they were at least 32 oz of beer in these giant steins. They also have many ways to entertain you-from bar darts, to golden tee to 3 pool tables and a juke box that just won't quit. Couple that with at least 15 TV's showing games and there is a ton of activity in this space. But the server was friendly and fast, the beer relatively cheap so I was happy just to sit and catch up with friends. Parking is easy on the street and there is a pay garage located just across the street. Doubt that this would be a destination bar for me- but the next time I am in Streeterville and looking for a place to get the "biggest beer know to man", I'll definitely pop in here again.
(3)
Mike L.
Went here to watch the AFC Championship. Great beer selection. Was able to cross Zombie Dust off my bucket list. Huge number of TV's, good menu. I loved the basket section of the menu...so many times you want wings or tenders or something, but that's not a meal...add fries, throw it in a basket...perfect beer and football meal. Wings were great (and hot), staff was awesome and attentive.
(4)
John F.
Tuesday night. Kinda busy and slow service. But what the hell lots of TVs and good music playing. Food was very good for bar standards!
(4)
Beth W.
We decided to hit this place because the overall ratings here on Yelp looked ok and it was really close to our hotel. I expected bar food and I got it. The overall ambience seemed very fun--very Chicago bar. The food....meh. I asked the waitress if the hot wings were 'drippy sauce' wings because I didn't want that and she assured me that they weren't. Boy howdy was she wrong. Yuck. But the beer was good. It was entertaining to watch the other people in the bar, and we got a kick of out of a Thanksgiving contest that they were advertising---the Turkey Testicle Festival. That in and of itself had us laughing and having a good time. This place is what it is and doesn't pretend to be anything else. That's ok I suppose. :)
(3)
Shradha A.
Went back last week to try their veggie burger and nachos - Veggie burger was not bad but I hate how they charge 50c extra for a couple of pieces of onion!!! (and pretty much anything else you ask for - sauce, salsa, tomato - it's a standard 50c additional). The nachos were okay - nothing great either because they don't have vegetarian beans at all. They came slightly soggy because of too much sour cream and came with too little jalapenos and too little salsa. We asked for a little bit of salsa and a couple of jalapenos, the server didn't even tell us any of these things will be additional, and then went on to charge 50c + 50c + 50c!!! Especially when we're saving them all the money on the meat that we didn't put in the nachos - the least they can do is give us 2 pcs of jalapenos for no extra charge!!!
(3)
Chris R.
3.5 stars. To me this place and Jake Melnicks are direct competitors. Both bars have similar feel, feature wings, and good beer selections. Jake's wings are better and a lot spicier (volcano vs xxx) but the overall menu of ToT is a bit better. Beer selection at Jake's is better with more craft beer features. That being said ToT selection is not bad by any stretch just not as good. Ambience: The dining area of ToT is better but the bar area of Jakes is better. Jakes also has a veranda which is great and something a basement bar like ToT cannot compete with. You cannot go wrong with either Jakes or ToT but if you are a chili head than the wings are Jakes are at a whole other level of heat!
(4)
David L.
there's a bartender here who looks EXACTLY like triple H, so go here if you are WWE fan k
(5)
Meagan H.
Every time I walked past this place I thought it was some tiny dive-like bar located in the shopping district of Chicago. So I never felt compelled to go in. The moment I walk in, I realize that the entire bar is in the basement. I go downstairs to realize that it's pretty big! Although big, finding a spot to sit down is quite difficult. I can't recall if they play music. So I'm gunna go ahead and say that if they do, you can't hear it. This is a great place to go with co-workers to watch sports and play pool. Not a good place to go out and dance. I think it's either a good starter bar, or a good ending bar. Meaning, a good bar to start the night, and a good bar to end the night. But if you'd ask me if it's a good spot for a birthday party or for a night out with the girls I'd shrug and say "Meh". Maybe a good place for a boys night out. They play sports on their 50 TV screens throughout the place. Actually I was pretty bored there and actually ended up delving into a documentary about Herschel Walker. Poor guy. Or actually IDK maybe it's more sad that I'm sitting their watching a documentary about him. But anyways, not bad not great. I'm sure I'll be there again because my Sheraton hotel friends get half off their entire bill (minus specialty beers which we learned after we got the bill and couldn't reverse).
(3)
Stacie S.
Our server Ray, was amazing - knows his beer craft like it's nobody's business. He set us up after the first round with the perfect pairings. Food is average American fare, items done well but nothing super spectacular. The beer list, however, well worth the trip.
(3)
Hawk O.
Love this place.Great sports bar.Fun,fun place!
(5)
James K.
not my dream bar but it's stumbling distance from my home and i've had good times. The last time I ate, the burger was bad but the service was perfect. how do you rate that? the prices are solid as is the selection. they honor my friend's industry discount as well. The decor looks like a dive bar but they have a million TVs. O'toules is good for what it is. classic sports bar
(3)
Mike K.
I think 25 visits is about enough to finally have enough of a feel for a place to generate a decent review. I've been to O'Toole's approximately that many times (maybe more) over the years thanks mostly to my erstwhile domicile on Randolph. The latest visit was just recently for a few beers with a girl whose face looks like the map of Ireland. Irish Fever. O'Toole's is your typical sports bar. The only thing Irish about O'Toole's is the name. Wait. The only things Irish about O'Toole's on this night were the name, Kelly and my ass. I'm only part, but I go with it. Fixed. O'Toole's consists of the restaurant area, the bar area and the pool table area. Televisions are ubiquitous. You're not going to miss any games. You won't even miss Hawks games, I imagine. They didn't televise half of them when I consistently patronized O'Toole's back in the day. As to the food at O'Toole's, I'd stick with a burger, as they are always good. At the latest visit, which was supposed to only be for a beer or two, we ended up going for the nachos with the chili topping to pad our stomachs for the unexpected overtime. That was a mistake. I don't like peanut butter in my chocolate or kidney beans in my nachos. I also hate it when you pick up one chip and the entire canopy of cheese comes up with it. I longed for Dylan's nachos. So I'd consequently recommend against the nachos. Funny how I endorsed the nachos six weeks ago and then got fooled for my trouble. I digress. As for the patrons at O'Toole's, you'll find that it's mostly tourists and people who work in the area, so it doesn't have much of a feel or a soul. That's alright though. It's still a decent place to grab a burger and catch the game. I'm sure I'll be back at some point. Another K. We'll see what happens. Four stars.
(4)
Travis F.
I can dig this place. The house/techno music mix and largely Northwestern student crowd suggest I should have stopped in about 10-15 years ago, but there is still much to offer a non-student. There are many, many beers on tap, along with who-knows-how-many others available by bottle or can. I stayed simple and had a PBR tall boy followed by a Patron Silver shot, but you can pretty much Google any adult beverage and be confident they will have it. Didn't try the food, but what I saw come out of the kitchen looked tasty and generous in portion size. 3-4 pool tables and a dart board or two are sure to keep anyone entertained when the ubiquitous flat screens aren't showing a live game. Had I ordered food and enjoyed it I would give Timothy O'Toole's 5 stars, but I can't speak for the food yet, so 4 will have to do.
(4)
Adam A.
Great great bar. High Life Tall Boys for $3? Yessir. Huge menu, pool, darts, a million TVs. All I need! Oh, and the bloody mary and mimosa bar for weekend brunch is solid.
(5)
Kelly W.
When I worked in Streeterville, this place was a fun stop after work. It is in the basement so it feels quite homey. (Cell reception is bad so there are never people sitting around, talking on their phones.) The beer specials are nice and it never seems overly crowded. I've gone during the week and on Fridays too. I would recommend either choice. I've never had any food so I can't really say much about that. But after the movies or on your way home from Navy Pier, I recommend making a quick stop in.
(3)
Rich U.
Welcome to the birthplace of "Black Arrogance." Whoa - slow down all you easily offended PC disciples. Black Arrogance is a drink combining Guinness and Arrogant Bastard - a masterful variation on a Black and Tan. And it's here where bartender Deron Powell (a genuine celebrity you can meet in person at Timothy O'Toole's) invented this potent concoction. Deron is a good sport and a great innovator. He even jokes about how the drink could just as easily have been named "Black Bastard." We both had a good laugh about how a lily white patron like me could go about ordering the drink from him (he's not lily white) without getting beat up. Indeed, the bartenders here are great - as is the first rate draft selection. Seasonal specials in giant mugs are a bargain ($6.50). And every beer drinker will find something here to suit their taste (even the swill drinkers who prefer Miller Lite - blech!). Timothy O'Toole's offers good pub food (especially the Irish Nachos) in a sports bar atmosphere. They also have a solid Sunday brunch with an "all you can drink/make your own" Bloody Mary/Mimosa bar. So what if it's in a basement? If you happen to play the trivia game (the machine, not the Monday gathering), look for my "player name" at the top of the general category. I go by "Bo Knerr" or "Hugh Jas." You knock me out of the high score ranking at your own peril.
(4)
Liz M.
I have to be honest, I'm a little biased- I live across the street so this is my go- to place. Food - great. Love the wings, salads/ wraps, and burgers. Drinks - can be pricey, but they have great specials each day of the week. Great beer selection. Bloody Mary bar during brunch is AMAZING! Atmosphere- crowded and loud. LOTS of out-of towners come here since they are staying in the hotels in the area. Watching middle aged men act like fools is rather entertaining. Beware ladies- especially if you are alone or with a small group. Aside from those guys, fun young crowd. Staff- always pleasant and fun! Some of these guys I've known for years and somehow they are always in a great mood despite the madness that is going on around them.
(4)
Quan L.
What happened to this place? I used to come here and shoot some pool, play darts, or have a few drinks and watch a game. Now you can't even sit down at a bar table without being seated by a hostess. The pool table is covered up. The darts are all broken. Is this a bar or TGIFridays?
(1)
Tim B.
Pretty nice basement bar with good food and drink specials. We hit Happy Hour and would gladly visit again.
(4)
Elizabeth R.
My hopes were not high the first time I went into Timmy's. However, over my past few visits, I've been pleasantly surprised. I've only ever sat at the bar, so I know this is a great place to go if you want to catch a game on TV, have some beers and a little bar food. I've tasted the wings and nachos, but I really think the best thing on the menu are the salad wraps. Call me a girl. If you drink whatever, the daily drink specials are pretty good. Service is sufficient. Overall, Timmy's is a place to go if you want a few drinks, watch the game and maybe get a bite to eat when you're tipsy. Cheers.
(4)
Nicki W.
This would not have been my first choice, but a friend lives a block away and we were hungry after a night of drinking. It's located in the basement which is always alluring to me for some reason. The bar itself was nothing special and the food was not bad. We had the nachos with chicken and the wings which were pretty small. Our bartender was very friendly. The absolute best part about this spot was the fact that people were singing karaoke. It doesn't get much better than that. I'm surprised I didn't drag myself up there and belt out some notes for all those lovely bar patrons. I'm left with pretty awesome memories of the night itself so thanks Timothy O'Toole's for being part of that.
(3)
Aaron S.
For my #200, I decided to finally review Timothy O'Toole's - and my first Man v. Food challenge. So please keep in mind that I'm not a bar person and didn't get anything alcoholic, and I'm not a sports fan so the 30-something high-def screens and their near-blinding light went rather unnoticed by me. But what I did notice was the Big Timmy Challenge. Challenge: Two 1/2-pound burger patties, cheddar, jack, mozzarella and swiss cheeses, bacon, onion straws, BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomato and red onion along with a big helping of fries & onion rings on the side Time Limit: None People: 1 Prize: Free T-Shirt Rules: No substitutions I guess if there's one thing I need to work on when it comes to food challenges, it's my hatred of certain foods that sadly will be there and won't go away. The hardest part of this challenge was eating the tomato. Really. I knew I had to get it out of the way as soon as my food arrived so I could enjoy the rest of the challenge. After hemming and hawing at the large menu, even my girlfriend Char O. eventually gave in and decided to take the challenge with me. We waited in anticipation, and eventually they brought out these large trays with our burger taking up one-third of the space, with each of the other thirds engulfed in a pile of french fries and onion rings. First down, the dreaded tomato - eyes closed and 30 seconds in, I felt the hardest part was over. Luckily, the buns on this burger were of relatively-normal size, but I know they can be tricky so I ate the dry bun tops by themselves along with the lettuce and a handful of fries in a pseudo-sandwich. If Man v. Food has taught me anything, it's that starches and carbohydrates will ruin you if you wait too long to deal with them. I'll let Char tell you her side of the story in her own review, but she handled this challenge like a champ. I went with the knife-and-fork approach to take down all of the meat and cheese. Handling the burger with my hands would have wasted too much time with napkins and/or licking fingers. The meat was very juicy and they did a good medium-rare. I liked the shoestring onions on the burger and the BBQ sauce was very tasty and went well with the giant strips of bacon. The french fries were seasoned nicely, but couldn't hold a candle to those onion rings. It's not often that you see onion rings with grill marks! The batter was light and seemed to be a beer-batter, too. The onions were done nicely and not too stringy or tough. At the end of the challenge, we were able to hold our empty plates in victory. I give Char credit for being the 1st to finish (yes, I got "beat by a girl") but I'm not a sprinting eater - I'm a marathon eater. Which is why I was able to come home and have dessert. Frankly, I was contemplating ordering the famous Irish Nachos while we were waiting for some drink refills. Speaking of which, I guess I should mention what I took note of at this place besides the burger challenge. The entryway is kind of cramped, in that people entering and exiting through the main hallway bump into each other constantly. Funny to watch if it's not you, but bumping into drunks on the way in and making that exit with 2-3 pounds of food in your belly are no laughing matter. The server was patient with us while my girl perused all the items on the menu before deciding to go with the challenge, but as soon as the food was ordered, we were not visited frequently. We both had empty glasses and had to flag her down while she was standing NEXT to our table with new patrons, and even then she only refilled mine. (My girl has horrible luck with servers giving refills sometimes.) I guess if we had alcohol instead of free-refill sodas, they might have cared more about our service. My last discussion point is the free T-shirts. They're a prize for winning the challenge, meaning you ate over 2 pounds of food successfully (and paid $20 for the privilege). And you're telling me the largest size of shirt you carry is 3XL? AND that you're OUT of that size? People - these are the shirts that you SELL on your website and in the restaurant, and you're telling me you don't keep things stocked and also don't feel like catering to the larger clientele of Chicago? I was almost okay with the situation and walking out with a free 2XL shirt that I'd never really be able to wear comfortably, until... Server: "We just have the 2XL, but don't worry because it runs big." It "runs big"? Well, I ALSO "run big", if you happen to have functioning eyeballs. And almost ALL shirts "run big" because they shrink when you wash them - even if it says "pre-shrunk". I was fine with you telling me you stock poorly and this is the best accommodation you can make for my prize. But don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining. I'm fat, but I'm not an idiot. All in all, good food. I may be back. Oh, and in this battle of Man v. Food - MAN WINS! Happy 200th review! (Pics will be posted too!)
(4)
Steve R.
Not bad at all, better than I expected. It's a pretty generic after-work irish style pub, with some extra cool points 'cause it's a basement. Otherwise it's sorta like a green 'n brown. Upper average tap selections, college-kid heavy clientele. Average bar food. I wouldn't avoid it, perfectly agreeable but I wouldn't come here on a weekend.
(3)
Ren H.
This is actually a pretty fun place! Its always got a good crowd for the games and its always a fun time... They have good specials and pretty good food!
(4)
Katie Q.
Timothy O'tooles? You must mean TOTS. Because that's what we've come to call it. The thing that's great about TOTS is that it's a laid back bar located in the middle of Rivernorth/Streeterville club & lounge madness. When you're feeling like a burger and a beer on a low key night, this place works like a charm. I've spent many fine afternoons meeting my friends here for a drink or two, which have ultimately led to us taking down a few tallboys (be careful, the Matilda tall boys were 19.00) Easy TOTS, let's not get too fancy - remember you have pool tables and dart boards in the back. It's ok though, I digress.... The wait staff is so friendly (particularly Dusty) that one particular day a few friends of mine and I ended up staying much longer than necessary, chatting it up with our waiter and the bartenders. One of my friends was actually offered a job. Who knew, endless entertainment AND employment opportunities? TOTS. As far as I'm concerned, I'm home.
(5)
David N.
Stopped in late on a Saturday night. Didn't have a problem getting a table, even with the place being pretty crowded. Waited a while before our server checked in at our table. Thrown off a bit at first, as she seemed to be a bit on the shitty side. Luckily for both of us, her frown seemed to turn upside down by night's end. Crude at times, overly hospitable at others. Anyways, drink and food menus were solid. Plenty of beer choices outside of Miller and Bud; Craft and Micros aplenty. Food menu was well-proportioned and fairly extensive for pub grub. Burgers, sandwiches, plenty of apps, and some English favorites; Fish & Chips, Shepherd's Pie, etc.. If you're feeling froggy, which I just so happened to be that fateful night, try the Big Timmy Challenge. After all is said and done, easily 3 pounds of food once you combine the double cheese burger, fries, and onion rings. It's an ass-kicker, but well worth it. Burger was cooked perfect and juicy. Bun, cheese, bacon, onion straws, BBQ sauce; all excellent. Prices seemed close to market, maybe a tad high, but it's the city right? Pretty good first time experience at Timmy O'Toole's. I'm sure we'll be back for another Challenge soon.
(4)
Stephanie L.
Wow, this place was packed on a Tuesday night. They had $15 buckets....nice. Also, we had the sampler....it was hummus, spinach dip, taziki dip along with pita, veggies, etc. It was pretty good. This place seems like a chill little watering hole. I was only there for a couple of beers. Plus, stella is on tap....BONUS!
(4)
Chris M.
Excellent location with a excellent steak sandwich. Once your done with your food you can go to the bar to enjoy the rest of the night. Don't get to Chicago much, but next time I'm there I would go here again.
(5)
Charlotte O.
So, Aaron S. and I have recently became fans of "Man Vs. Food"on the Travel Channel. Aaron came across this place's "Big Timmy Challenge" while looking for his own food challenges. I on the other hand really wanted to check it out because I kept hearing good things about them from my co workers, and because I enjoy a pint of Guinness on occasion. We enter and it's in the basement a flight of stairs and a narrow door way where people sometimes bump into each other. It's full of people, full of big screen TVs and very loud I liked the all wood benches, and dimmed lights We were greeted right away. The waitress was pretty friendly and pretty patient with us considering It took me a while, and a little convincing from Aaron, to actually do the Big Timmy Challenge. I liked that they have a pretty extensive menu for a bar. Two 1/2 pound burger patties, with cheddar, Swiss, Monterrey jack, and mozzarella cheese, bacon, BBQ sauce, fried onion strings, lettuce, red onion and tomato. Served with a heaping side of fries AND onion rings. While we waited I told him that I didn't think I could do it, and trying to talk was tough because of all the bar noises. I found it funny that I kept hearing people randomly breaking into song. It came. Along with some refills of soda. This tray of food in front of me. Oh no! How to tackle it? I picked at the fries because there was just so many of them. Then I cut my burger in half so it would be easier to pick up. The burger was actually really tasty. My meat was nicely seasoned and juicy. The bacon nice and thick and just crisp enough. The BBQ added a nice smokey/sweet taste which complimented the meat and tied all the flavors together nicely. The onion strings added a nice onion taste without it being overbearing, So first half of the burger down. I choose then to tackle more of the fries. The fires were a nice fresh cut potato with just enough salt. Though the clear winner of the two sides were the onion rings. They had a nice thin coating of batter, and had a hint of beer flavor to them, so it was clear to me that it was a beer batter. They were even grilled because there were some appealing grill marks on them. This was the hardest part of the challenge for me. The fries began to dry out my mouth and required way too much chewing is also where I was getting full, I do not know how I managed to eat all of them. I left a few onion rings and ate the rest of the burger. Once that was done I realized I only had a few bites of Onion Rings. Done! Aaron was still working, I couldn't believe I ate it all and that fast. I sat there grumbling because my stomach was so full. So I kicked foods ass this round. Once we were both done and had pick T shirt sizes, there was some disappointment that Aaron could not get the size that he wanted and that the waitress said "They run big though!" I think my one gripe about the place would be the service. You really have to flag them down for refills and it was no easy task because of the noise level/crowd level. Hopefully we'll be back to try the wings and maybe some Irish Nachos and enjoy a pint or two.
(4)
Brandon D.
Standard American corporate bar/imitation Irish-Pub. Lots of food and drink choices with fairly consistently good server staff. The place is overpriced for what you get, but you pay for the real estate. If you are a sports fan, they have 30+ tv's to satisfy. It's close to work so it's typically the de facto location. They do split bills, offer NU and NMH discounts and the food is consistent if only satisfactory. When I go there to drink, I always have a good time, but I am left with the nagging feeling I am paying too much for a pint.
(3)
Lauren W.
After a long day in Chicago, we decided to grab a bite to eat and grab a few drinks. Our server was very nice and attentive to our needs. We ordered chips and salsa for $5, and it was very good! Crunchy, warm chips and delicious salsa. They have a build your own burger deal for $8.99, and I got a chicken breast with lettuce, tomatoes, jalapenos, chipotle mayo, and jack cheese on a whole wheat bun. Soooo good! There are tons of options to put on your burger, and I recommend you doing this to make it for your own taste! Afterwards, we found a table near the bar and had a few drinks and watched the Olympics, which was covered on about half of the TVs (there were a lot!). Typical sports bar, but great atmosphere and pretty busy for the time that we were there.They had a comedy club going on, but we couldn't go since it started at 9 and we had to eventually take the train home.
(4)
Rishabh A.
This bar is really close so I visit their often. It's open till late so that helps. Nice dinner options. Though i have always just had drinks there and i would say that drinks are pretty cheap on some nights. For Long island iced tea my friend paid $4.5. Also, they have a good variety of beers. and variety of other alcohol as well. The only sad thing about the bar is that the doorman acts weirdly. He does not let people in even when they are pretty good. And even if people are slightly drunk, its fine till they are not falling around and able to walk. The manager should do something about it. It disappoints a lot of people. But otherwise, a good place to hang out, they have pool tables, moderately priced drinks, good food, and nice ambiance.
(4)
Mike O.
I was attending a seminar at the Double Tree Chicago Centre Hotel half a block away and we had an hour for lunch. Originally, I had hoped to go to Boston Blackie's but my boss suggested this place and offered to buy for me and my co-worker. Well, we went down the stairs to the dining area. There was a very short wait and it wasn't even crowded, considering it was 12:15, peak lunch hour for local businesses. We got our table and we sat there for 20 minutes before our waitress appeared, apologized for being so late, and asked us to order drinks. Another 10 minutes passed before drinks arrived. We quickly ordered our food, realizing half our lunchtime was over. I was tempted to try a burger, but watching a deer hunting show on their big-screen TV reminded me of Wisconsin, so I decided on fish & chips instead. Bad move! The breading on the cod was chewy and tore away from the fish. Any self-respecting fish fry place in Wisconsin or Michigan's UP would put Timothy O'Toole's fish to shame. And to top that, the breading tasted stale and lacked any flavor it seemed. I normally don't use tartar sauce but the fish was so bland I had to dress it up a little. I was disappointed that coleslaw was not included, considering that a similar order anywhere else would have included some. We wolfed down our food to finish in time and scrambled back to our seminar across the street. I can't believe a place like this would be so grossly understaffed at peak lunch time. I would not recommend this place for its poor service and equally poor fish platter.
(2)
Lindsay A.
Good food, good selection (even into the late night hours) and the service has always been friendly. Timothy's is a block away from our crew hotel and after making the trek from Los Angeles to Chicago it's always on the to do list after a shower and nap.
(4)
David E.
I went there with some friends the waitress was good. It's ok for beer and hanging out. I do have a suggestion though...The bouncer should not have control over the music volume. Do not play any money on the Juke box! (not a dime iam serious) Why? The idiot Bouncer would not turn up the music even though I spent money to hear music and could not hear it! He said "people are trying to conversate I cannot turn up the music" I said i paid to hear the music and no one is trying to conversate turn up the music! he did not...(guess how much i tipped the bartender for also not turning up the music?) Zip zero not a penny! give me bad service and I will not tip and I will be sure not to recommend people to go to tim Otoole's....(oh and so many people value my opinion if they only knew)
(2)
Kristin G.
I have lived on the same block as Timmy's for about 7 years. I have been there at least 50 times and realized I have never written a review. I think this is because sometimes Timmy's is great and sometimes it is not. I really enjoy the food and get take-out often. They have great bar/ american food. I think it is definitely up a notch from other similar places. The wings, quesadillas, burgers, bbq ranch chicken wrap and the fries are some of my favorites. Unfortunately, the staff can be off-putting at times. The other day I went in with one of my friends to have dinner, beers and to go over some work. There was no one at the hostess stand for about 5 minutes so we sat ourselves at a booth. After getting our papers out AND ordering the drinks, the manager came over to us to tell us they needed the table for a bigger party and that we had to move to a smaller table near the bar. Very annoying. We left and the manager could not care less. Having said that, I have had some great times watching football and basketball games there.
(3)
molly c.
pricey. dan and i stopped here on a sunday before we saw spider man 3 at the AMC 21 around the corner. food was decent, beers were cold. it was pretty empty and our service was pretty slow. decent but slow. it's close to the movie theater and it's open at noon, so that's always something! i don't make a habit to go here unless i am in the area and hungry...chipotle and potbelly's weren't speaking to me that day! it is what it is. o'neils was SO much better :(
(3)
Lindsay G.
My friends and I decided to stop in Timothy's after watching the latest Harry Potter at the AMC East. The bar is your typical pub-- loud, dimly lit and lots of paneling. It was pretty busy, but we put our names on the list to be seated, grabbed a drink from the bar and hung out til they called us about 10 minutes later. We ordered quickly and our food came just as quickly. Please note that I was really hungry, so most anything would have tasted excellent....however, I decided to try the Goat Cheese quesadilla. I LOVE goat cheese and if you love it too, this is the quesadilla for you. Every single bite was dripping with warm and gooey cheese. I got the veggie version, so there were bell peppers, onions and mushrooms mixed in. It totaled to $9.00, and the portion was so large I couldn't finish it all. My friends seemed satisfied with their hummus platter, and except for our waitress trying to herd us away from the table the minute we finished eating, the entire ordeal was a great way to spend a Friday night with friends.
(4)
Spencer S.
This visit was truly a disaster. Stopped by for a meal on our walk home from Navy Pier. Now, admittedly, visiting a sports bar in the early afternoon during the week might not be the optimal time, but they were open. Things started poorly when it took us several minutes to get seated even though there was an employee standing at the entrance who was engrossed reading something the whole time. We ordered a burger, a Rachel, and a French Onion soup to begin. The soup was very cheesy, but the yellowness and taste of the onions gave the sense that it wasn't cooked long enough. The sandwiches came out and while the hamburger itself was rather good, it was actually served on a cold bun - very off putting. The delta cole slaw that I ordered was rather bland which was disappointing after the description by the waitress. My wife's Rachel had almost no Thousand Island on it so she asked for some more and the mashed potatoes she ordered were just ok. Then things got interesting when we got the bill and discovered we were charged extra for the small cup of a Thousand Island and for substituting the mash potatoes. The waitress and then the manager both insisted that this substitution cost is listed in the menu - at almost the cost of a side itself. We did not bother arguing the point since we were more disturbed by the waitress failing to mention this, but looking at the menu outside the restaurant (their website appears to be currently down so I cannot check online) this does not appear to be mentioned at all, let alone as prevalently as the manager implied. I definitely get the impression that they try to nickel-and-dime you, but really their prices are not that cheap where I believe that is needed. Would give the place 1 star, but the manager did waive the extra cost and the burger itself was decent (but I'd pay the additional $1 for a Weber Grill burger). If something amazing was happening at this place I would go back, but I doubt I will otherwise.
(2)
booby d.
Fun for people ages 35 and older. No youngins here. Food menu looked good but went purely because it was the first place we saw for late nite liquor. Margaritas were dull. I give it a "meh".
(3)
M S.
My local bar, tried and true for over 5 years now. It's usually packed on Fridays and Saturday nights, with pool, trivia games, and lots of fun, interesting people. It's also a great place to grab a drink or two after work, with excellent beer and mixed drink specials throughout the week. Come over!
(5)
AJ H.
I would give it 3.5 stars. There is nothing special about it, but the food and drinks are good, and the service is decent. It is a great place to grab lunch, but it can sometimes be full of drunken tourists/businessmen at night.
(4)
Geoff M.
I come here whenever I want to watch sports in a bar. They have myriad TVs and are good about putting on whatever game you want. It would be nice if they caught up to the flat screen craze, though. The food is above average, especially for a sports bar with solid burgers, wings, etc. The prices are about average - 8 or 9 dollars for a burger - but they have decent drink specials. Service is hit or miss.
(3)
Liliana S.
Good Specials and a fun, lively bar, but its a little too secluded from the rest of the River North venues.
(3)
Peter L.
I come here way too much cause it's around the corner. Dinner, quick beer, sports games, hazy nights of drunkenness. If you live more than four blocks away, it isn't worth the effort to come here. It's your typical dark, wood-paneled, TVs and pool tables bar with deals that really aren't that good. Go to D4 and get some quality beer or head to Lucky Strike if you're with your girl and don't want to put up with drunken idiots yelling obscenities and begging the Bacardi Girls for more free shots (me last weekend). In terms of food, it ain't too bad. Usually get wings and a bucket of fries. Nothing to write home about.
(3)
Lisa M.
Best Irish pub in the downtown area. They have pool tables, btw!
(4)
Becca S.
I've never had a bad time here! I used to work blocks away and I'd go often for happy hour. The drinks are good, the food is good, the service is good, the pool tables are good, and there is always sports on the televisions. That doesn't actually appeal to me, but I hear that is in fact a benefit of a sports bar. This is the one place I went marathon weekend that seemed prepared for the crowds. Even though we took the last empty table and the bar was standing room only, we got prompt service and our server came by often to refill our drinks. It's not the finest food in Chicago, but it delivers what it promises.
(5)
Heather H.
Drinks have always been ok, but tiny. The hummus is excellent, I love it, but veggie burger is just ok. It's your classic grab and go bar food, nothing wonderful but does the job. Loud as hell sometimes, servers have always been good, almost always a beer promotion going on, but awesome in the fact the tourists don't know it's there, it's a little hidden unless you know what you are looking for, so when you are starving on a tourist filled weekend, run there, you will actually get to eat!
(3)
Jennifer B.
Sometimes, I feel like Timothy O'Toole's is like going into the beer abyss....you descend the stairs, into a smell of beer + cologne...not knowing what to expect... Then you realize it's basically just a city basement bar where you can watch the game, grab a beer, an munch on a burger. This place isn't fancy by any stretch of the imagination. But when it's November, and freezing outside, and the Bears are playing...this basement bar is a nice place to frequent.
(3)
Mandy P.
I love this place. This was my previous neighborhood bar and always the spot I went to for a good meal. The food is good; standard American bar fare, and the place is cozy. It's a good place for a winter happy hour.
(5)
Aaron E.
Good place to watch a game. Mother Hubbards had more screens but there were enough here. Food looks pretty good but haven't had the little Timmy yet. I started out at dikas ( mike ditka that is) but terrible place to watch a game. That's a shame in my opinion if you have Ditka in the name here in Chicago. Anyway if you want a lively atmosphere and want to watch s game I recommend Timothy O'Toole's in downtown Chicago.
(4)
abs t.
dependent on the game or fight that's on, definitely a cool place to come. Saw a mayweather fight here and it was packed with great atmosphere. Watched a college football game here, same thing. Came on a random sunday afternoon for afternoon football, and it was pretty quiet. Still always had good service, the food was good for what it is - pub/sports bar food. One day had the apple cobbler for dessert and it was so good..tried it another day and it was just meh. Depends on the day, i guess, and the person who makes it.
(3)
Katie B.
When I used to live in Strreeterville I came here all the time but it had been years. When we dropped in Friday night I was kinda expecting a nightmare of green beads and belligerence. It was totally crowded but really fun, we got a table right away. The waitress was being patience with our indecision and the food came quickly and was delicious. The chicken nachos were not great, but the irish nachos were perfect. The scene was completely fun. Nice to revisit this great place.
Takes Reservations : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Late Night Parking : Garage, Street, Validated Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Drive-Thru : No Caters : No
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Adam D.
I haven't been here in a while, but it's still a place that I know well. Great beer list, cool crowd, excellent venue for watching the game/fight, and professional bartenders, which is so very important. I've never eaten here (why soak up all that alcohol with food??), but the food looks good to me. O'Toole's knows who they are and does not stray from it. Oh, and after the 2006 NFC Title Game, my guys and I happened to walk in at the same time as Robbie Gould and Ric Flair, so there's that.
(4)Kevin B.
Great spot if you are looking for an affordable, neighborhood bar off of Michigan Ave. Really ideal for lunch or happy hours. $4 Tall boys... can't argue with that. Food was really good as well. I ordered the Rajun Cajun burger and truffle fries. The burger was good and delicious. Throw in 2 beers and I think my total was around 20-25 dollars, which anyone knows around Michigan ave is almost hard to beat.
(4)A D.
The wings and truffle fries were the best. Great entertainment. Excellent drinks and tvs at every table. Will definitely return next time in town.
(4)Phil D.
An Irish Sports Dive Bar, and one that definitely hits the spot when you need it(ie. drunk and hangry at 1am). Commonly frequented by sports fans, students, and rowdy locals, Timmy O'Tooles is a pub by every definition of the word, and it does that job well. Fun place to hang out with friends whether this is during lunch, after work, or after a night out. And to it's credit, the food isn't bad either. Came here at 1am a few nights ago to feed my hungry family after a late flight into Chicago, and as it was one of the few places open, we decided to try out the menu. Solid nachos, quesadillas, and dips. Burgers and sandwiches generally won't let you down either. There is also a Food challenge complete with a large burger, and a bunch of fries and onion rings that you can try for $20(free t-shirt on completion). But the best part is the prime location(right off the Magnificent Mile in the middle of Streeterville), and the late hours. I mean, where else are you gonna load yourself with unhealthy, delicious, bar food in the dead of the night?
(4)Rawlins R.
Timothy O'Toole's is a laid back Irish pub located in the loop. Located in the basement you walk down a set of stairs and to your left upon entering Timothy's. They offer sit down dining as well as bar area stools or standing around the pool tables. There is plenty of entertainment available at this bar with the pool tables, bar games and televisions. The bar staff was very friendly and this establishment draws all kinds of bar goers. There was a mix of some older regulars shooting pool, others eating dinner, and some people getting ready for a night out with a few drinks. Shared a pitcher of Coors here in about an hour experience. This probably won't be my last time here as NU students get a 10% discount with their WildCard.
(4)Karma K.
So it's a bar in the River North area. It's also a Chicago Bears bar. This place really reminds me more of a suburban bar than a city bar but I'm cool with that. That west burbs made me who I am today! So it's big, usually pretty crowded and better and less pricey than some other drinking options off of Michigan Avenue. I've been here for lunch, drinks only and brunch. They have an app called "Bucket of Fries." I get them truffled...yum. I love that on a Sunday morning I can have a bucket of fries and hit the bloody mary bar too. I like keeping my cardiologist rolling in the dough. You can't mock their bloody bar. It's cheap and they have 30 bloody accessories. Yee haw! You can also get something called breakfast nachos. Timmy's has bar food covered. Tons of unhealthy appetizers, burgers galore, some fattening salads and even some dinner options like meatloaf, strip steak and one pasta dish...with alfredo sauce and chicken (how original, lol). Not a bad place at all. It's a place that has something for everyone.
(4)Ashton B.
Hands down worst service I have ever had. Service people were very rude. A woman next to my group actually passed out while talking to someone on the phone and was later served... Someone that falls asleep at a bar. I'm sorry. I find it ridiculous / irresponsible of management to keep someone like this on the floor. Good luck.
(1)Beth C.
Three stars because it's your basic bar experience - not great but not bad. Lots of TVs, lots of beers. Noisy, unpretentious (which is nice for Streeterville). It's the kind of place you end up going much too late. When you should really go home and go to bed with a glass of water and an Advil. The outside implies a traditional Irish pub experience. You won't really get that here. it's your basic sports bar. But they are open late and serve food later than other places in the area. Every night is a Saturday night at Timmy's if that's what you're looking for.
(3)Rachael Z.
Having stayed at the Doubletree across the way several times now, I'm disappointed we hadn't come here earlier! It was a cold Tuesday December night, and we walked inside - and to our surprise, the bar was packed! Loud music, big groups, karaoke! On a Tuesday night?! It was a pleasant surprise. We sat at the bar, and had a fantastic bartender. We were lucky enough to be forgotten for a few minutes - and by lucky, we mean that we sympathized with the bartender because we knew it was crowded, but he still felt badly enough that one round was on him! Big shock: they had Bourbon County! This is a rarity at most bars, so the hubby was extremely excited to order it here. Great place for any group size and apparently, any night of the week!
(5)Irene G.
Great place for wings, beer, and a good time! I've been here a few times with friends and coworkers and never had a negative experience. The staff is friendly and service is good. They have a great craft beer selection including my favorite Founders and plenty of food on their menu. The space is big and they have plenty of TVs. They also have karaoke night- on mondays i think...overall a good place if you're looking for a fun and casual outing.
(4)T T.
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(4)Lois K.
This is a pretty average upscale Chicago pub. The food is typical bar food. Nothing spectacular. They do have a large beer menu, which is a definite plus. It is also a great place to watch a game because there are TVs everywhere. My biggest issue with this place is that the service is always HORRIBLE. I work in the area, so we always end up here because it's the closest bar. Don't expect you waitress to stop at the table and check on you again until she's ready for you to pay the bill. They end up losing a lot of money from us because they never come back to refill our beer / cocktail orders. The service is so bad that we have started walking farther just to go someplace else. I would still go here to grab a quick bite and maybe a beer after work, but only because it is so close. This is definitely not one of my favorite bars.
(2)Dawn B.
Food was good. Ordered appetizers but didn't get them until our food arrived. Lots of beer options. Waitress was ok...took lots of time to get refills from bar.
(3)Lisa R.
Great burgers, great place to watch Blackhawks! Nachos followed by bacon blue burger, washed down with a 312 draft!
(5)Shirley S.
Very Boston atmosphere under ground pub and relaxing restaurant. Family friendly TV's surround the walls but not noisy as a sports bar. Love the "holy water" great taste went down smooth. Fish n chips were at perfection and just right portions.
(5)Jacob J.
I've been here plenty of times having had good experiences, that I should have written reviews in the past. I was recently back in here to catch the "Comedians you should know" show. Always a great show, laugh out loud and great times. They guy that hosts the show is hilarious. Now as an Irish pub located within the city, within an area near to Navy Pier.. I'm talking walking distance from other fine establishments, especially during the summer or when tourism is in high season, it can be a blast coming out here. O'Toole's has never been a destination I would go out of my way for. But with what they offer in beers, decent pub food, at times decent service and attractive clientele, it can be a good time. Of course, this is all dependent on the season and what you hope to expect from a sports bar with a plethora of televisions and decent beers on tap.
(4)Shiv C.
The service is outrageously bad with poor coordination within staff members. We didn't get a table to begin with. But then we got a table without a host and no menus. Later on another host informed us the she wouldn't serve us for some bizarre reason. They were out of a lot of drinks from their drink menu. Not recommended.
(1)Jesse F.
Great selection of beers and decent pub grub. A great place for hospitality industry folks to grab a beer because they offer discounts if you have your work ID.
(4)Kevin C.
Food = amazing Atmosphere = lively and fun time after 11pm Beer = tap selection is one of best in the loop!! Did I mention they have 3 floyds on tap.....
(5)Kyle S.
This review may have been influenced by the fact that it was Craft Beer Week in Chicago when I visited Timothy O'Toole's, but from the looks of the bar, they have a great beer selection year round. That said, they were pouring a wide variety of brews from a list as long as my arm and I got to try beers that I hadn't heard of before at a reasonable cost. Service was excellent as well! Although the place was busy, even on a Monday, our server was attentive without being bothersome. She was also able to give our group recommendations and kept us in good spirits (no pun intended). Finally, I just really like the feel of the pub. It is dark, underground and just a little dirty-feeling (no slight on their hygeine, it was certainly clean) like an Irish pub should be. Rather than some of these open floor plan pubs with floor-to-ceiling windows that let sunshine stream in, Timothy O'Toole's looks like it could be scaled to the crowd that night, with lots of doorways and separate rooms, each with low ceilings, city sports and smiling faces.
(5)Brooke R.
The name threw me off. I was expecting a more Irish cultured experience when it came to my meal. Instead I was greeted with a sports bar ambiance. Don't get me wrong. I had a wonderful time. It's a great sports bar to grab a drink and watch the game but if you want authentic Irish cuisine keep looking.
(3)Lauren D.
Loud. Obnoxious. Unpretentious. Fun. Exceptional libations. These are the words that best describes this Chicago Pub. If you are in search of a pub to celebrate an occasion, such as, a promotion, the end of mid-terms or final exams or started a new job this is the place! On the other hand, if you are seeking to drown your sorrows, because you quit going to the gym and gained 50 lbs, broke up with your BF or GF, quit your job (humming the song, "Take This Job and Shove It) as you stand in the elevator with your box of personal possessions, then you have hit the mother load. Now, this is good cause for a celebration! I like to think of beer as a cerebral beverage. The word 'hop-centric' has practically become as ubiquitous as the word 'beer.' I cannot recall the name of the beer that I had here, but it tasted a bit like mango......no wait, it's more like passion fruit...nope, it's way closer to pineapple. I tasted lemon-citrus, but yet it smelled more like fresh tropical fruit. It was very refreshing and the perfect amalgamation to my burger. My beer had a pleasant, but subdued scent with a semi-sweet malt and a slight amount of grain flavor. Also, there was minimal bitterness. Based on all the flavors, variety and innovation going on here, it certainly gives beer lovers much to talk about. From toffee like malts to juniper hops and musty fermentation you will find a beer that you like (even if you are not a beer aficionado). Over the years, we have been here several times for their chicken wings (which my husband always enjoys) and burgers. My husband rated his chicken wings with 4-stars. My burger receives 4-stars. It was moist, melt-in-your mouth delectable with the perfect amount of pink in the center. BTW, I highly recommend their Reuben sandwich (the best I've ever had in the city and it also reminds me of the Reuben I had at The Katz Delicatessen in NYC). Try it and thank me later. NOW BACK TO THE BEER.....Yes, damn-it, swirl your beer like you would a wine. Why? Because the agitation pulls out the fragrance and carbonation from the brew itself. It also tests the foam retention on top of your beer. Yes, take a sip (not a huge gulp) and swirl it around your mouth a bit. Don't swallow right away (you are not doing a shot here). It is almost like when you are having sex, you don't want to climax right away.....you want to enjoy the experience for as long as you possibly can. Now, let the beer warm up for several seconds and down the hatch! Yes, this is a typical sports bar. The second you place your order make sure you inform your Server that you want individual checks (if this is indeed what you want). Otherwise, you may get stuck with one check trying to figure out who has cash, a debit card or credit card for the bill. Who the "F" wants to pay for someone else's drinks when you've only had two beers and the other person has downed four or five beers. The bar tenders here really know how to make exceptional drinks. Service was effusive and adequate. What I like about this place is that most of the people who come here are Chicago locals with a mixture of suburbanite people who only come to the city a few times per year. This is not a place that is filled with tons of tourists like other Pubs or Restaurants in the Loop.
(4)Michele S.
My friends and I have made this a yearly tradition when we travel to Chicago. We always get the baked goat cheese appetizer which is amazing. And of course we get the Bloody Mary bar. They bring you the vodka and you are able to create the drink just the way you like it. This year, the experience was even better because of our waitress, Diana. Thanks for making our yearly tradition even better.
(5)Sebastian B.
While visiting Chicago we found this gem! The food was good but the staff was FANTASTIC!!! I can't say enough about the staff.
(5)Chad L.
Not much Irish about it other than the name. Your basic sports bar complete with bouncers. Service was ok, food was ok. Nothing really stood out, food was the same- just ok. Loud. Crap music. Good beer selection but I think the harp tap was dry.
(3)Kevin F.
Crazy packed - never had a chance to even approach the bar, but there were available tables. Being the cool kids that we are (40+ go with the sarcasm), we decided to stand against a random wall. Despite our lack of conformity, we were still served, and served well. The place was obviously a local favorite and I can see why. Next time in Chicago, I will make it a point to get there around 4pm to sit at the bar!
(4)Kern W.
Great Food n Service! Secret WheelChair Accessible Entrance. Call and ask them to bring you in Service Elevator. NEVER a problem! Great Staff! Good Times! A GREAT little piece of Chicago. Enjoy Yourself whether you're walking or rolling! They have 1 near my house in Gurnee now too, but NOTHING beats the Original "Timmy's".......
(5)Aleida S.
Decided to come in here with a coworker today. I ordered pulled pork. It came with a special sauces which I did not like. I asked our waiter if we can get I can get regulate bbq sauce... When Jessica U. Br ugly the sauce I hen asked if I had to pay extra for it. She gave me an ugly attitude and said I was getting charger for it.. Then I understandably told her oh never mind....which was because there wasn't enough bbq sauce to cover my whole sandwich. She walked away with an attitude therefore I sent back my food. I felt uncomfortable and annoyed that she would be ugly towards me and it's at 12pm , not busy at all. There we no reason for this. Never coming back here again.
(1)T A.
Went here on a recent business trip to Chicago for a science conference. We went to this bar on Saturday night, 3/7. Getting in the first time was fine. When I stepped out to help a friend find the place, however, the bouncer inside was incredibly unprofessional. Another group had already walked in, and they were all fumbling for their IDs. None of them was ready, and they were standing off to the side to be polite. I stepped up to the podium to show that I had already been stamped, but the bouncer just ignored me. He waited for everyone in line to get their IDs out, and then made a point of slowly checking them while I stood there. When he was finished he said, "oh you thought you could circumvent the line, huh". No, I thought you could look at a damn wrist stamp and do your job efficiently. Meanwhile, the bartender was refusing to provide a mimosa to my friend since it was "not what men should be drinking", the waitress was trying to push us out of our table because half our party was a little late, they let a street magician in who was forcing magic tricks on us so we would have to feel obligated to tip him, and a creepy older lady (a promoter) was trying to convince one of our friends to leave with her to go to some strip club. I cannot recommend avoiding this place enough.
(1)Sarah B.
Good loaded veggie nachos and yummy soup. Excellent selection of craft beers. The draft beer selection is awesome and they have cheap beer specials during Happy Hour. Nice, relaxed typical Irish pub atmosphere.
(4)Jason O.
Nice warm and friendly spot with a good beer selection and decent food. Tried the wings, nachos and the fish tacos. Both were good but nothing to write home about. Beer was good and probably best was the friendly service. Plenty of space and good for groups a good place for dinner with a group.
(3)Kim B.
I recently was on a trip to Chicago and needed a bite before a wedding. The meals come late and I get drunk early so I needed something in me to hold me over. I was really craving grilled cheese and found this right next to my hotel. Upon walking in, it felt like a dive bar. It was dark, crowded, a bit grimy and lots of neon lights. I got it to go so I could go sit and eat it by the pool, it was a nice summer day. I saw truffle fries on the menu, and I thought it was going to be the best meal of my life. I also got grilled cheese. I sat down by the pool and opened up my to go box. I had a few truffle fries, and was not impressed. They were so oily they literally kept slipping out of my hands, and I probably could have wrung the oil out of them. They also had way way too much salt on them. I was nervous I would have a heart attack from just those few bites. I recollected my thoughts and braved myself for the grilled cheese. It was made on egg bread, which I don't like but figured I would suck it up. However, not only was it orange cheese , but the cheese looked like it was still in plastic (it wasn't), but it was just so unappealing. I took one bite, it was gross. I took a second bite and spit it out. The only reason im giving this two stars is because the hostess was very friendly and nice with my order. I've never been so dissapointed in a grilled Cheese and truffle fries in my life.
(2)Toree P.
If I am ever in the Chicago area during Oktoberfest - Timmy O'Toole's is the place to be. Today they started their Fall promotion and had 32 ounce pumpkin and Oktoberfest beers for $6.50 . I was undecided and a little nervous to try something new but the server was patient and offered me several tastes until I found the right one. I had the Chicago style hot-dogs and my colleague had the fish tacos. Both were amazing!! The hot dogs were true Chicago style: all-beef, poppyseed bun, relish, tomatoes, pickles, onions, and mustard. The fish tacos had this amazing aoili spread and ancho chili sauce. My friend did comment that she loved the spices and sauces but the actual fish was a little under-cooked for her. (If you ask me all fish that isn't fried is undercooked) She said she would order it again but suggests to have it battered and fried. The ambiance was very similar to a sports bar and your typical irish pub. They had a tv every few inches on the wall, an EXPANSIVE tap beer list, and year-round use of Christmas lights. If you want a drink after a long day of shopping, break after long day of meetings, or just treating yourself - I would definitely recommend it.
(4)Chuck L.
The Corona Battered Fish Tacos are by far the best tacos I've had. Of course the founders stout may have improved the flavor. Either way great spot if you like this pub-slash-sports bar vibe (prefer the more traditional pub myself but this wasn't bad). It's definitely worth a visit if you're on this side of Chicago. There are plenty of screens to watch your favorite Chicago team on...but tonight--well, it's a lotta BULL--Bulls that is!
(5)Jason F.
Bartenders were very nice and of course I love their vast draft selection. While some reviews complained about the basement location, I found the experience homey and cozy. Plenty of TVs light up the bar and they have an assortment of games. The reviewer who said rich man's dive bar was spot on. Unfortunately I was too stuffed to try the food, but the menu and other patron's food looked respectable.
(4)connie l.
Great ambiance! Lots of TVs, pool, darts and the parm fries are great. A must everytime I visit Chicago.
(4)Katrina D.
Nice cool pub setting with a nice variety of IPA's. It was a pleasant experience.
(4)Kristina V.
Went here with some friends for lunch. We wanted a pub and this was a great place we stopped at. They have daily drink specials and a pretty large menu. It was national hotdog day and my husband got 2 hotdogs for $8. Overall good experience and would come back!
(4)Temprest B.
I've been coming here for 12 years. Their food is off the chain, I took off one star because of the staff, sometimes they are rude and unattentive but other then that I have nothing but good things to say. Every food item I've tried off their menu is good. I love their Chicken Mexacali soup.
(4)Norm J.
O'Toole's has been one of my favorite places to watch football since I moved to Chicago in 2007. The food is goo and fairly priced, the beer selection is decent, the bloody mary bar is A OK with me and the the vast amount of TVs make this the perfect spot for a true football lover to go and see every game. Also, the fact that this place is open until 3a.m Sunday - Thursday and to 4am on Friday and Saturday makes this a great spot to go to after the clubs and other bars close. Food: -Bucket of Fries: I LOVE fries. Seriously if I was told I had to slap a nun or give up fries for a month...well I'd slap that nun on both cheeks. This is my favorite appetizer at O'Toole's. BBQ sauce, ranch and honey mustard use to come with this which was awesome. -Wings: I hate eating wings in public because I feel like people are watching and judging, but on the rare occasions I get wings at O'Toole's I always get the Chipotle BBQ. Wings are perfectly cooked and the sauce gives it that sweet and sassy kick. -BBQ Ranch Chicken Wrap: This is my go to meal. When I go to O'Toole's I order this about 98% of the times. The wrap is pretty big and it's filled with chicken, shredded cheese, tomato, BBQ and ranch dressing. Oh and if you like food challenges, they have the Big Timmy Challenge which consist of eating: Two Half Pound Burger Patties, Cheddar, Jack, Mozzarella, Swiss, Bacon, Onion Straws, BBQ Sauce, Lettuce, Tomato & Red Onion piled high & served with Fries & Onion Rings. I completed this challenge and all I got was a Timmy O'Toole's t-shirt...I didn't even get the meal for free which sucked.
(4)Sandy W.
When on game night so the atmosphere was awesome. There was a bit of a wait at the begining but after that service was good. Great (pub) food and even better beer selection. Would love to have one of these pubs where I live.
(4)Michele W.
This place has a pretty decent draft beer menu. The bar tender was able to make recommendations and had a general knowledge of beer. However, I felt since the place was not busy that the service would have been quicker.
(3)Yvonne O.
Here for a party in the back room recently and had a great time. Service was really good- even with the large crowd and the food service was also great. They were constantly checking to make sure the food was replenished and people had drinks - as well as taking away the empties, which is often ignored. The back room was surprisingly insulated from the noise in the main room, which was also nice. Parking is easy - but pricey ($37 for a few hours) in the lot across the street.
(4)Stephanie C.
I don't leave a lot of 1 star reviews, but this place had really terrible service. A group of my classmates and I came in after our last exam of the semester to celebrate. It was early, they were slow, and there we were ready to spend a lot of money on drinks and food and more drinks--except we were largely ignored in the corner, unable to order more than one or two drinks each, and not for lack of wanting! Our waitress told us before we ordered that she could only do three separate checks for the group--I appreciated hearing that from the beginning so we could plan. And then we quickly realized that with people coming and going it would be difficult to split things, so I asked if people with cash could pay per drink--I've seen this at other bars, especially when it's not busy, so I don't think I was rude to ask (worst case, she says no, right?). But she took offense and muttered something I didn't catch and walked away before I could follow up with asking how she was splitting us. And then someone else (a manager?) came to our table and condescendingly informed us that we had to order from our waitress, not from the bar. What? Is that what our waitress thought I was asking for? Thank you for assuming the worst of me, I guess. And in the end she brought us all separate checks! I ended up tipping over 20% anyway because I didn't want to wait for change and had planned on spending a lot more... In sum: It was confusing and quite unpleasant--I left a bar sober when I didn't want to. Law students right after finals should be easy money for any bar they walk into, unless you're rude and don't let them order drinks.
(1)P K.
I've been meaning to make a yelp profile for a while now and unfortunately my poor experience at this place really pushed me to get it done. So here I am. We came in to this place after dinner w/ about 12 people, we had planned on staying for at least a few rounds of drinks. Probably would spent a lot of money in there. Our party was scattered throughout the bar area....we had about 7 people sitting at two tables pushed together, another 4-5 people were at the bar just across from the table. The reason I'm going into detail on this is because that's where the poor experience came from... The server for the table was HOUNDING our people at the bar, pretty much demanding that we have to sit at her table and order drinks through her. And I get it, I've been a server before, it sucks when the whole group orders at the bar but then comes over to your table. BUT, there were 7 people at the table already it was about full, and they ordered from her. The rest of our group didn't want to sit we wanted to be at the bar, pretty simple. So the table of 7 ordered a round through the server, the way it is supposed to work, fine... then the manager came over....he must have saw us all talking together, bar and table people. He came over and said that we can't order at the bar and come over to the table, SO NOW WE HAD TO GIVE UP OUR TABLE ALTOGETHER, THEY MADE US LEAVE THE TABLE............Unreal. In all of my 32 years on this earth I have never seen or heard of anything like this. I'll never step foot in this bar again. The icing on the cake was, since we no longer had a table we had to all crowd the bar to finish our drinks. Which lead to the security coming over every 2 minutes to tell us we're blocking the way for servers to get through hahaha... What do you expect man, you kicked us off our table. Unreal. Joke....
(1)Jeremy S.
Had 15 people that were out to drink, did not have a big enough table so group was split up. They cut us off cause we ordered from the bar and waiter.
(1)John M.
It's a passable basement sports bar. Good beer selection. Food is not great, but it's basically bar food. I came here because I read the wings were award-winning. They're okay, but certainly not exceptional in my eyes. Good sauce, but kinda small. The management was very rude, and kept yelling at customers to get out of the way, and then telling people they should go elsewhere if they didn't like it. I've been a server, a waiter, and a bartender, and yeah, it's annoying when customers crowd the computers and service area at the bar, but you simply cannot talk to people the way the manager was. These patrons don't realize what they're doing. Just tell them politely to move. The manager had that all-too-common attitude that people at his bar were lucky to be here, and that they needed to accommodate the staff and not the other way around. I understand why this mentality is endemic to most of the trendy bars in River North (although it's still unacceptable), but this is a windowless basement bar. It's got baseball on the TVs, Goose Island on tap, and Taylor Swift on the jukebox. Get over yourself.
(2)Anthony H.
I'm sorry Timmy's but as a frequent industry professional, I had a very disrespectful waitress who treated my group rudely. With that being said here are my following pointers to potential patrons of your place: Chicagoans - do not go here unless you want to be around tourists and older business travelers. Industry folks - tell the servers you're industry after you get the tab to get your discount. Otherwise they will treat you poorly.
(2)Richard D.
Great place. Great ambiance! Great waitress (Ariel)! Great food. Plenty of TVs with EVERY football game on! Highly recommend.
(5)Krystle B.
Found this gem while playing tourist and walking the streets of Chicago. Boy was I glad i stepped into here. Most of our drink encounters to this point were at overpriced tourist spots like the signature room. This place was hustlin' and bustin' on a Saturday afternoon. It was damn near impossible to grab a seat at the bar but thankfully we were still able to find some seating. There was a bloody mary bar, though i didn't see anybody partaking, their selection looked on point. The waitstaff was friendly, checked in on us often, and made sure to make it back to us before any glass lay empty! For the most part the bar was great because of environment they have created. Sports bar, not too divey, great mix of people, good noise level. All around goodness. In my pipe dreams of owning a bar, I could only hope to closely emulate this one. CHEERS.
(5)Kris V.
I strongly feel this place should be at least four stars. Personally when I see less than four stars on Yelp I avoid the location. Do not avoid this place. Come and judge for yourself. At least sit down for a beer. Reasonable prices for food and drinks especially for the city. Where they earn their 5 stars is service. Deron and Corey are extremely attentive and friendly. Warm smiles and all. In the past we have visited bars in other neighborhoods and I cant stress enough that the service here sets them apart. If you are looking for a chill time I would come early. It does get slammed in the evening but it does for a reason.
(5)Lauren G.
Great sports bar in Chicago. Lots of locals, lots of TVs, and great menu.
(3)Kevin S.
Worst service I've experienced in a long time :( For a party of 11 they would not seat us until half our party was present, understandable. When we had 6 they still wouldn't seat us and told us to wait at the bar. We were told at arrival we could transfer our bill from the bar to the table when we were sat by the manager. The bartender then tried to pressure us into closing out the tap but we insisted that we were told we could transfer from the manager. The bartender did see we were frustrated and asked if he could make it right. We asked for some Jameson and he provided 2 shots complimentary. That was the only nice touch. We were provided 2 tables to cram 11 into. We asked the server to add another table and he said in a snarky way "Yes as soon as I clean that table off, unless you want the dirty table?" Please know that there were 4 other clean tables adjacent to ours. I just can't believe people that work for tips are so rude and that management would allow this to happen. This can't be a one off experience. Disappointing to say the least.
(1)Erik G.
Was walking around downtown looking for a decent bar with some craft beers and stumbled upon this place. It's downstairs from the main street level and had many many large tv's and a nice circular bar. Craft beers were abundant and good variety. Didn't try the food, but the ambiance was just what I was looking for in a bar.
(4)John F.
Best Cheeseburger I have ever had! I was in Chicago for business and staying across the street....ate here lunch dinner and lunch the following day. Service is wonderful, atmosphere is great. jf
(5)Nicole J.
We didn't know anything about this place but thought it looked like a good place for a good burger and beer. Try the Old Bailey burger. ..really good.
(4)Daniel N.
I really love this place. It is a great little neighborhood bar located in the city. I come here quite often as it is down the street from my apartment and the food is pretty good for bar food. They often have great specials and activities planned which is a great break from the "no specials because you are a tourist and we can charge outragous prices". Bonuses about this place: - Plenty of TVs - Plenty of local and out of towners which makes for great conversation - Food choices involve bar foods, most of which I've enjoyed - Staff is friendly, helpful and pretty darn good at their jobs - 10% Discount on food for NMH emps!
(5)Sal M.
Great sports bar & restaurant. Packed! Nice atmosphere. Staff is cool and service is fast. Drank & ate hear. Check them out.
(4)Mitch W.
This place was pretty good. I had the Irish nachos and draft beer. I was there by myself and the bar was full and apparently you cannot sit at a pub table unless you have at least 2 people. I had to sit in the frowning area where there was an old guy watching soccer on all the TVs.
(3)Mark S.
Came here for an Alumni for the USC marching band. We were celebrating the 40th anniversary of the first time the USC Band came to Notre Dame. We had a private room in the back, and had one bartender and one server just for our area...there may have been more servers but I only noticed ours. Taken directly from their website: "Timothy O'Toole's Pub Chicago was voted Best Bears Bar by the Chicago Reader and Best Place to Watch Bears Games by the Red Eye and Chicago Magazine." ...Today it was a Trojan bar. BOOYOW!!! Timothy O'Toole's has a great selection of beers, beer combinations (Snakebite, et. al.), and a full bar. We discovered they have this thing called "Holy Water". It's a mixture of 12 liquors and 3 juices. Essentially jungle juice on crack. My friends and I were already a few beers in when we ordered our first of many pitchers. The afternoon (yes...afternoon) went from a good time to a college $h!tshow. So this cocktail didn't taste like it had any alcohol...which is always dangerous. We ended up spilling a couple drinks and breaking a glass. Usually the barkeep assesses the situation and kicks people out at that point, but our server cleaned up the glass very quickly. She politely asked us to clear out while she cleaned, swept up, and didn't say a word. Maybe it was the fact that we were a few pitchers deep and wouldn't have cared if she sassed us. Anyway, this was a really fun experience. All the staff were really nice before and after we started drinking. I feel like my review is not really that credible since I drank so much there and didn't really get to take in everything. I will say that walking out of there and realizing how early it was to be drunk was.....nostalgic.
(4)May Z.
I enjoyed the atmosphere here! I came here with a friend who's been here before and he couldn't stop raving about the Irish nachos. And it lived up to the hype, the fries was smothered with cheese, bacon, and green onions with sour cream on the side. It was glorious, especially because I was starving! What I like about this place is that since there are tvs EVERYWHERE, I was able to watch the NBA games. I also loved how I was able to watch more than one game at the same time. Aside from the fries, I also got the burger. And WOW, it was heaven in my mouth. I ordered the little Timmy and my burger was cooked just the way I liked it! In addition, there are numerous amount of beer choices here. So if you like beer, this is the perfect place for you to kick back and watch a basketball game. The only reason why I gave this place four stars is because the waitress served my friend the wrong beer. I know mistakes happens sometimes, but he didn't enjoy the wrong beer he ordered too. Other than that, I would definitely come back! The food is just to delicious to pass up.
(4)Nicole S.
Visiting from Atlanta, GA. Great place to eat and drink. Staff and bartenders are friendly. Fun atmosphere especially on St. Patty's Day weekend. Must try the Baby Guinness shot.
(4)Cynthia L.
This pub was awesome! It was a last minute find on Christmas Day and it was popping. I had the Lagunitas Pilsner and the grilled buffalo chicken wrap. It was huge! Enough for the Hubs and I. The atmosphere was great. Will def recommend and be back!
(5)Michael M.
Terrible service. Loud. Unhelpful. And generally one of the worst Bars in Chicago. They do have a good beer selection.
(1)Julio V.
Having worked in the area for 2+ years, I've paid O'Toole's a visit quite a few times. Good selection of beer and drinks as well as solid choices for food. I recommend the appetizer sampler or Little Timmy Burger. Being a 4am bar, great to have after work beers for those who work at the surrounding hotels. One of my favorite places, and a blackhawks bar? oh yeah!
(5)Hannah L.
I feel like this place isn't getting enough props for brunch. I've been here for drinks and it was great, but I went for brunch this morning and was very impressed. $3 make your own mimosas (with a generous helping of champagne), $4 make your own bloodies. I had the breakfast nachos which were pretty good, and boyfriend had the monte cristo, which was excellent. Plus, we had our run of the place--a nice comparison to the super packed West Egg next door. Will be back!
(4)Sonya Z.
nice sports bar with standard meh bar food, but affordable prices. the wednesday night comedy show of "comedians you should know" was..eh. but, as with most comedy shows, hit or miss. my favorite thing was the extremely nice door guys.
(3)Kate F.
Cool spot. Great bar with large variety of beer. The staff is really friendly...one even looks like Chloe from the movie "Big Love". You got pool tables, darts, beer and food. It's the total Irish Pub Package.
(5)Jamie S.
We come here every year and love this place. We love the food and atmosphere but mostly we love that got the 2nd year in a row, we got Diana as our server! She knows her stuff and is so great and personable. This is our regular stop each year and will for sure be back next year! Bloody Mary and. Mimosa bar is amazing!!!!
(5)Debbie M.
Thank you Diana for taking the best care of us !! We felt so at home with you, you knew what we liked and served us the best !!!" Girls trip every year is even better knowing your our waitress ! Thank you Diana !
(5)Brian P.
My company sent me to Chicago for a few weeks and this little spot was a few blocks from my hotel. As a sports fan I was happy for their 72 TVs which made watching the world series a very happy occasion (except for my team losing). I also came in for Sunday football which was a true treat. Timothy's is truly organized with all tv's marked so one has trouble figuring out where to sit. Obviously with so many TVs, the game you want to watch will be shown in several areas. They have a very extensive beer selection with a few specials ($4 Millers) that rotate depending on what day of the week it is. I've only had a few things to eat of which two were good and one was lackluster: The beef stew was fantastic made all the better by ordering a side of their mashed potatoes. On the downside, the maple glazed wings (fall special) were much too sugary for me. The brunch menu could also use a slight revision as some of us might want our breakfast fare in a non-sandwich/burrito form. Value wise this place isn't cheap but slightly less expensive then many of the other eateries in the area. Staff were also friendly to me, although, the first time I went (night time) the establishment was packed and it was extremely difficult to get my server's attention.
(3)Shawn S.
Energetic sports bar. The front door is deceiving - this bar is massive and is all downstairs. They say they have 70 HD TVs, so you can see whatever game you want from somewhere. During commercials, they have a great DJ. There is a pretty decent beer list. We didn't eat but enjoyed hanging out and interacting with the bartenders.
(4)Patricia B.
I went to this place today May 23, 2015. I feel this place is a rip off. there is nothing upscale about Timothy Toole's. They should close this place down. The food was not good. My bill was $300.00 The place is too noisy and packed. The manager and waiter was rude and not professional. The service suck. The server never came back to check our table. They are all about making money. They do not care about the customer. The bathroom,and floor in the dining area was deplorable. The Manager lost money because she did nothing to accommodate out table and again the bill was $300.00. Plus I paid $35.00 to park across the street at northwestern hospital parking lot. I recommend to avoid this place.
(1)Chris T.
Just your typical neighborhood bar. No frills, but if you just need a beer - you're in the right place! Plenty of flat screens around showing all the various sports games, and their chicken wings aren't bad. They have 2 pool tables too. I'm more of a cocktail bar kind of guy, so places like this aren't usually my scene, but it's where all the local grad students like me go to lament after their awful exams.
(3)John D.
We were in town for a convention, and this was right next door to the Hilton Doubletree where we were staying. Very crowded on an early Friday evening, and we had to wait to get a spot at the bar. They have Old Style tall boy cans for 3.50 or so, a pretty cheap option for downtown Chicago. It was loud and crowded, but clean, no sticky floors or anything. Seemed kind of touristy, but it was a decent place to put down a few beers. We did not have anything to eat.
(3)Jenny H.
Coming in from out of town, my fiancé needed to find a sports bar to watch his games. We were recommended this place by a family friend. It was just down the street from our hotel. It was a cool underground bar that is huge once you get inside. The wait staff and the bartenders were so incredibly nice, I can't say the same about the one hostess that gave me attitude when I asked how long the wait was. Anyway, the bartender was kind enough to put on the Kings' Hockey game on TV for us even though no one else would want to watch it. The beer selection is great! We went here 3 out of the 5 nights we were there. Sunday we went there for Football. It wasn't too crowded because a lot of people were actually at the game. There was a mimosa bar and a bloody mary bar that were AMAZING. the food is so great. Carnitas nachos is a go. Their saucy strips are perfect for people who don't like wings, but like the sauce. My fiancé still says that he wishes there was an O'Toole's in California!
(5)Moses S.
I came here Sunday afternoon and it was definitely packed with Bears fans. I enjoyed the DJ as he played a mix of Top 40 and classics when the Bears were on commercial break. They also had a raffle for tickets to the next game, which I thought was nice. You pretty much can't find a seat here during the game, so my friend and I stood around and requested a table. After the bears game finished, the place emptied out a bit and we were able to get a table at the bar. NOTE: bar tables are also reserved, not first come first serve, so yeah, get a buzzer right when you walk in. We just had beers, which were good, 312 was $25 for a pitcher, which filled about 7 mugs, so not terrible. Food looked good but we didn't get any. The one thing that I thought was weird was that after the game, they didn't switch the TVs to the 4 pm games, they left them on fox (which just had recaps) and it took like 3 of us to tell the waitress to get the channel changed to another football game. (Denver vs Dallas).
(3)Kylie M.
Worst service ever especially at the bar. Every time I try to use my discount (available to residents of my building) it's a huge ordeal especially last night. An attempt to use the discount involved at least 3 employees including the manager, who ultimately agreed to give it to me but not without major attitude. The kicker: my bill wasn't adjusted. Didn't think it was worth the effort to argue as I will be disputing this charge with my credit card company. They seem to assume that every patron is a drunk knucklehead - that I was not. For the record, if you live at Streeter Place (aka Atwater) you don't receive a resident card. Therefore, don't expect me to produce one in order to get my discount....Clearly there are unresolved operational issues at this unspectacular, mediocre bar. The food is decent but not enough for me to step foot inside this establishment again!
(1)Thomas J.
I was extremely disappointed. My girlfriend and I had flown into Chicago for vacation and her mother had informed us that last time she visited this was the place to visit for good food and drinks with some time to watch some sports. We didn't get two of those things. We had walked in and sat down at a table and asked the waitress after about 10 minutes if we could order some drinks. She replied "if the hostess didn't seat you I won't serve you" mind you the place was near empty and we apologized immediately no knowing we needed to be sat at a table. The hostess then sat us and we waited another 10 minutes trying to get served. We were completely ignored the service was awful... The one light to the whole situation was the bouncer he was nice
(1)Jon W.
About as average as it gets. Stay away from the canned cheese sauce on the nachos. Also the veggie burger was bland and mushy and the fries were cold. Ive had worse, but not much worse.
(1)Sean M.
They have an all you can drink bloody Mary bar... Add a side of those spicy buffalo wings and it's pure Irish gold here folks. Stop being a schmuck and go get you some already. Save me a pickle.
(5)Jeff C.
Not a fan of the location. But, the service was good and they have a lot of local beers there that are really great.
(3)Kathy N.
Great "underground" bar. Went here to watch the Bears game. Sports fans dream bar. Lots of TVs, great pub food and an extensive selection of craft beer.
(3)Elaine K.
We had a good time here. Service was good and they had a really cool beer selection. Also, it was craft beer night, so all craft beers were half price or something ridiculous. I really like the setup of the place, and how intimate all the booths were. If we weren't visiting Chicago for such a short time, we'd probably come here again.
(4)David Z.
3.5 stars, rounding up to 4. Timothy O'Tooles is probably the best bar in the area. If you're in the NMH area you're going to find it is somewhat of a "sports bar desert," at least compared to most other areas of the city. The food is decent and there are plenty of TV's, so if you're looking to watch sports on the weekend they will surely have you covered. Just watch out, during happy hour this place can become PACKED. It's a pretty large space so they can really fit huge crowds. I've gone in during a Friday happy hour and barely been able to walk around, let alone find a spot to sit. The only thing that sort of annoys me is it is in a basement level location, so there aren't any windows to look out. You're in a dungeon. But most likely you're there to drink, not to start out the window, right? Oh, one more thing. If you are a member of any of the dining portals for airline miles (American Airlines, US Airways, etc), Timothy O'Tooles will give you bonus points for that too. For American it is 3x spend, or 5x if you an elite member. So that's a nice little extra bonus too.
(4)Elyse L.
Very cool underground pub. Love the laid back vibe and their extensive selection of brews. The food here is top notch for pub fare. We are fond of the hummus platter that comes with both plain and roasted red pepper hummus and served with zucchini, carrot sticks, celery, and warm pita for dipping. If you feel more devilish, their fried appetizer platter is good too. They offer seasonal craft beer selections as well so there is something here for everyone. Perfect casual place to meet up with friends and catch a game, or even pre flight before more expensive dinner reservations. Non smoking inside so you don't have to worry about smelling like an ash tray when you leave either. Win!
(4)Danijela B.
Just a cool, laid back bar... Great food and great service :) definitely recommend *thumbs up* :)
(5)Andrew R.
I'm heading back to downtown Chicago again on business. It's been a while, and my first stop is gonna be at O'Tooles. I've been there a dozen times and never had a bad time. The food is great, staff is welcoming, and any jukebox that has "Let's get drunk and screw" on it, is awesome in my book!!
(5)Adi R.
Reasonable food, excellent beer and a chill neighborhood bar to hang out. Just don't go during a football game - it's absolutely packed.
(4)Marissa P.
We went here fot New Year's Eve last night. To say they are rude is an understatement. 1. Doorman first harassed my whole party and said we were over served and we would not be allowed in. We weren't over served he just decided he didn't like us from the moment we entered and he was clearly on a power trip. Finally he allowed us in. 2. The bartender was super rude as well. The advertised specials were not specials when we arrived. Finally after a lot of attitude we got out beers. Basically I wouldn't waste my time at this lame place when we live in a city with so many awesome places to go.
(1)John D.
Great food and prices!! Always a fun place to play pool! Love hanging out here! Lots of space for private events as well. If you're in the area, I'd recommend this place! Don't forget your Id!!
(5)Jessica Y.
And then there were 5... Of us who wanted a little night cap so hung out here from 12-2am. Most were dressed in hawks gear and casual. There were quite a few people grabbing late night snacks. We shared some garlic parmesan fries $5 + Irish Nachos $8 and a pitcher of Miller $14. This place reminds me of a chain restaurant/bar ex. TGIF, Ruby Tuesdays.
(3)Kristine N.
Typical Irish bar and vibe. Fun place to grab a few drinks since it was right by our hotel. We ordered a variety of things from their menu and everything was pretty much ok. From the chili (too thick), gumbo (skimpy on the rice), tenders (small, crispy, typical sauces), quesadilla (not much flavor), burgers/sandwiches, all decent but not very memorable. Great service. We had one waitress for the entire back room and she was great, remembered our drinks, and was pretty timely.
(3)Bill T.
I'm sending my love down the well* for this awesome place. Let's check the list, shall we? Friendly service- check. Super nice waitress who explained the beers and was so helpful with my myriad outrageous demands Location: check- between Michigan Ave and the Lakeshore, so easy to get to whether you're coming or going Food: check- Yummy pretzels, wings and Irish nachos. Is it just me or are Irish nachos the best thing to be invented since Silly Putty? Beer: check and double check: 48 beers on tap...a great range of domestic craft beers and a handful of exceptional imports. I can't believe nobody turned me onto this place when I asked Yelpers good place for beers and wings. Were you Chicagoans, who are known for your friendliness, trying to keep this place to yourselves? If so, I don't blame you, bro. I would too. Love me some Timmy! ________________________________ * In case you missed the reference, in a 1992 "Simpsons" episode, Bart throws a radio down a well and using a Mr. Microphone-type device, pretends to be an orphan named Timmy O'Toole, and celebrities get together and record "We're Sending Our Love Down the Well" to raise money for his rescue. youtu.be/nfdXbTRVRzc
(4)Mary R.
I just created an account to write this review as I have never been so insulted by a member of the service industry in my life. This place offers an SI discount. This is especially appealing to cooks and members of the BOH who like to have fun and are also on a tight budget. The manager on duty at 8 pm this evening insulted both myself and my friends by saying that the local cafe restaurant where they work was comparable to Starbucks and therefore they were not entitled to this discount. Anyone that works 8-12 hours cooking for or serving people is a member of the service industry. To compare this local restaurant where everything is made in house to order to Starbucks is wildly insulting and disheartening. I will never return to this establishment which according to the manager, was fine with him. I have never been treated like this before anywhere and I'm very disappointed that a manager would be so tactless as to insult guests in this manner.
(1)Liz S.
This place is fantastic!! My boyfriend and I's go to bar when we are in the city. Their chipotle chicken fingers (appetizer) are amazing!!!! And one of the only places a close friend of ours can find Three Floyds Zombie Dust. Cocktails are great, Blue Mother F*cker is the best around! Really nothing bad to say except you should tell the waitress exactly what you want when she comes because, it's so busy, it may be awhile till she comes back.
(5)Kendrick W.
Timmy's is a pretty basic irish pub and the games are always on here. The crowd always seems a little young or immature (despite the age). If you're a dude and you just need a dude's spot to watch the game then Timmy O'Tooles will get it done. It can be a pretty fun spot, but you've gotta be in that "tie one on" mindset. Food is pretty good for bar food and that justifies most of this ranking.
(3)julie n.
Eh, nothing to rave about. Bar with bar food and plenty of drinks and loads of drunk people to watch. I had gumbo the 2nd time we came and it was surprisingly good, just need more rice and a bit of hot sauce. The chicken tenders were hot and crispy.
(3)Jeff W.
Had dinner here on Thanksgiving with my my wife and five year old. Was a bit leery of bringing a five year old, but after a call I was told they had a kids menu and, more importantly, they will have the Texas game on so I was sold. We had a bit of a wait, which I think could have been better handled. Maybe some communication as to why others, including kiddos, were being sat before us. We ended up in a booth, with our own tv tuned to the longhorns which was PERFECT. Traditional pub fare, which was Tasty and the service was friendly. I thought they did a great job of balancing many families (not a lot of places open so they probably had more than normal) as well as the sports bar crowd which is their main focus. Good show and thank you for being accommodating. I would bring the family back and/ or come back if I am solo and want to watch a game.
(4)Trey C.
Great beer selection, not so great food.... But hey at least you can drink good while everyone eats
(2)Meg r.
Heard about comedy shoe on Wednesdays at 9pm. 5 bucks, 5 comics. A funny guy named Danny made it worth it
(3)Travis W.
Certainly the place to be if you like watching sports at a bar. Plenty of TV's in sight and probably one of the top places for draft beer selection in the city. I stumbled upon this place while searching via Yelp and was pleasantly surprised and the level and quality of not only the beer selection but also the food. I tried the salsa, guacamole and chips to start and it was probably the best guac I've ever tried. Big chunky pieces of avacado. I also tried the pork sliders and they were fine as well. Service is typical of a sports bar, personable, not white glove, but who really needs that at a place like this?
(3)Jeffrey C.
Stopped in for a drink and some wings. Cool atmosphere, great service, huge beer selection and kick ass wings. My bartender, Heather, was extremely friendly and accommodating. Awesome place. I'll definitely swing by again next time I'm in Chicago.
(5)Karen C.
I'm decently OK with O'Toole's as a lunchtime choice. My coworkers & I hit up O'Toole's every once in a while on our break, they have decent salads & tasty flavored french fries, and the prices aren't bad either. It's a good option when you want to sit down and relax, instead of stand in a line for sandwich somewhere else. I'd like to go 3.5 stars, but I can't go with a solid 4 just yet. I'm not a huge fan of the whole menu, but it's decent bar food and just a good atmosphere to hit up when you need a break from work during the week. O'Toole's helps me forget about some of the ridiculousness at work, if even for an hour. Now if I could just sneak in a beer or 3...
(3)Jacobie D.
Ok place great location. I ordered the Atl Salmon and it tasted like it had gotten a little long in the tooth. My guy got the Fish n chips and they were good. Over all I like the place and they had live comedy the night we stopped by. I think next time I'll stick with the traditional bar menu.
(3)Lauren K.
I really like this place! We came here after getting into Chicago, looking for late night apps and beers. Our concierge at our hotel recommended this and it was perfect. The basement/sports bar theme was definitely what we were looking for, and the place was rowdy and exciting. Loved the dim lighting and the music selection. We had beers and the quesadilla appetizer, which were good. Prices were very cheap for Chicago, I thought. Coming from Madison I felt as if we were at home, where the prices on beer and apps are pretty low. We also had burgers, which were huge and delicious. Fries were my favorite: hot, soft, and salty! The waitress was nice and the service was quick. Again, the atmosphere was great, which was what contributed to my 5-star. It really made the restaurant for me. This would be a good place to go with friends for a casual night out as well as to watch a sporting event.
(5)Jazmine Y.
Always my favorite place to go after work! I work right around the corner. My all time favorite servers are Tracy and Cat. They are always fantastic. The security guards are perfect and friendly. Unfortunately this time we came in just for a drink and it took 15 minutes for our server Alex to even greet us. It then took a her an additional 20 minutes to return to our table meanwhile we were searching for her to put in an order of wings. I will give the benefit of the doubt considering the service here is usually amazing, and this particular time half of the staff went missing. There may have been an incident we were unaware of. Working in the business I understand things happen. A little communication would have been appreciated but I still feel she was too unattached when speaking to us. Almost rushing. We have run into a few times certain employees had refused to take us when they found out where we worked. It's disappointing because we tip very well every time. Especially with great service. So I hope this isn't the case this time. (Our usual server Cat had just gotten off work sadly). Any way. If you come here do yourself a favor and ask for Cat or Tracy!
(4)Todd T.
Ok place but not really my style. Over crowded on a Thursday night, but not in a vibey sort of way, in an overcrowded sort of way. Couldn't find a place to sit and nobody seemed to care. Everywhere you look is a douche in a suit. On the positive side, drink selection is good and not terribly pricey considering the area. If you're looking to go catch a game with your buddies and chest bump and trade hair gel tips, knock yourself out. If you're looking to sit down, keep the beers coming and have any sort of meaningful conversation, look elsewhere.
(3)Lauren H.
We came here after bowling at Lucky Strike for my friends birthday. It was later in the night I believe around 11ish on a Saturday. The place was not very crowded; I think because this place is in a weird location. We did have a very big party and they were very accommodating and we will definitely be back if we are over in that area!
(4)Cesar A.
Came here for New Years and had a blast. Everything went great until just after the midnight countdown when our waitress said that our drink tickets were no longer valid as of 12a. NEXT TIME you tell us at the door! That was a major buzz-kill for us but mostly for me, I mean come on! Is this restaurant really that cheap to have to stricken me from being able to get that included cheap Bud light? I paid you your cover, I paid for ALLL the other drinks. We dished out a lot of money for New Years. We were patient with your waitressing staff who I know were running around taking care of everyone else. I thought they were going to have a bigger dance floor also because I definitely love dancing (Their advertising DID say dancing). I will definitely come back for the restaurant but for YOU to say 'NO' to our drink tickets ON NEW YEARS is enough for me never to book this place for my next New Year's ever. Very disappointed with THAT.
(2)Samantha E.
This is a default bar for a lot of people I know just because it is so close to where they live but it continually falls flat for me. The crowd is usually a mish mosh of people. They do have a decent drink selection but they can be a bit overpriced at times. I would rather hike out to somewhere better than stick around at Timmy's
(2)Eric R.
Had a great time! The people were friendly even though we were from out of town and my friend was a cowboys fan. The food was great! Quite possibly the best chicken strips I've ever had!!!!!
(5)Daron D.
Great fun, very mixed and polite crowd. Went on a saturday night, had the big mug of beers, shots of tequila, vodka, and spent under $40 ( had at least two or three of everything). Had a great time, stays open late, great drink specials and the battles on the pool table were fun. Will do this again.
(4)Sarah C.
This place was rude and didn't give service during a bachelorette party. Completely disappointed
(1)Kylie S.
I do not know what I like this place, but I do. It's that perfect underground pub feel. It's nothing special, but the drinks are good, the food is okay, and there are TVs everywhere tuned to Chicago sports. I've always had excellent service when I've visited. I'm also incredibly impressed with the facilities given the crazy crowd at times. Do not ever try to go here on St. Patricks. Seriously, don't try it. The line is ridiculous and it's really not that special of a place. Come the day after St. Patty's and it'll be just as nice.
(4)Erika C.
awkward. uncomfortable. unprofessional. sorry timothy, this described our experience last night. let me first start of by saying, the first time I came here I had a blast, you yelpers weren't kidding when you said this place delivers some great bar food and fun vibes for their customers. I thought why not give it a shot? To top it all off, I work in the industry and this is one of the few places that gives discounts to us fellow bar workers! 50% off food and 10% off drinks with proof of employment and one of their "industry cards" you can't beat that! the first time I came here was with a bunch of girls from work and our waitress was nothing but sweet, professional, and knew the cocktail menu inside and out! also, when I signed up for the industry card the manager was professional and welcoming. Plus, working at a hotel bar, we rave about this place to our customers and will send them over to timothy's if they are looking for a fun sports bar to catch the game. Well, last night I thought...why not come back? I had such a great experience here on my first visit, I thought timothy's would be the perfect place to come with my boyfriend and two of our friends for the hawks game. we got sat pretty quickly, and I informed our waitress that I had a industry card. she seemed pretty normal at first, until she started making some really weird comments. she forgot an order of our sweet potato fries, and when the food runner finally brought the fries out... she came over and said "you guys are lucky I put those to be dropped off at the wrong table" um..what? we ordered those... what did she think we were trying to pull a fast one and steal someone's sweet potato fries? awkward. um..so the night continues. I understand that with the industry card you won't get the discount on daily specials, which is understandable and a 20% tip will be added prior to the discount. common terms. right? wrong. the bill got dropped off and more then half the stuff we ordered was not discounted. we called her over to have the bill explained to us since something was not adding up. she told us the only thing that was on special that would not be discounted was one 4 dollar beer we ordered, but everything else should be discounted. it still wasn't adding up. she called her manager over, my party and I were thinking we could finally get this resolved. nope, this guy seemed like he had a little bit too much whiskey. not apologetic at all that they messed up on the bill and continued on saying that half the stuff wouldn't be marked down since they were part of a special and the company wouldn't be able to make their margins... and with this being said he quoted "it's only 5 dollars that is wrong now" we told him that we were unaware since the server didn't tell us that when we asked. no sorry, no nothing. just asked where we all worked and after finding out that i'm the only one that works in the industry our waitress came running over saying "wait, so your the only one that works in the industry, I just got yelled at" um... sorry? did you want a tissue? what kind of place is this. lady, trying to make your guests feel bad is a real good way to get a good tip and a good review... oh wait, your 30 dollar tip was already added prior to the discount that wasn't even correct. sorry that you got yelled at for not doing your job. awkward. uncomfortable. unprofessional. will not be recommending this place to any of my guests and I was sure to let the concierge know to steer people far away after last nights experience. you should treat all guests with respect and never make anyone feel uncomfortable or like we did something wrong. seriously kicking myself in the ass for sending my clients over to this place. would rather go to jacks tap and pay full price for better professional service where guests are treated with respect and are taken care of when there is an issue, not left feeling uncomfortable and getting the stink eye from a distance.
(2)Aditya S.
This is a great neighborhood pub in streeterville which is less than a block away from where my wife lives. I have been here a few times with friends in large groups to end the night so that i can stumble back home and it has never disappointed. The prices as expected for a bar in this area are high but the drink options are plenty. The service does seem to lack and that is only because i think they are always understaffed. The food here is very average and really not worth ordering. I have been here a few times more due to convenience than the actual experience of the place. Still the place manages to do its job in giving you multiple options of alcohol of your choice and mixing up decent cocktails if you so wish to drink them. Super cool thing about them that they are open till very late and thus always a good spot to end your night. PS: they are also good to catch any sporting event and the atmosphere is very lively inside. best time to go there if you are not in a large group
(3)Will K.
Not a dive bar whatsoever. This place is classy and it is a getaway for one and all. I am really enjoying myself watching the World Cup. The best place in town to watch the World Cup! This place rocks!
(5)michael w.
stopped in for a quick beer, nice location, good atmosphere and comfy bar. They had some specials to work as well. Did not eat anything. The company and service were pleasant. Can't remember the name but got a guiness/octoberfest special.
(3)John G.
This is going to be my new go to spot for late night dining downtown when I'm not on the mood for breakfast. Great beet selection and stall.
(5)Doro R.
I showed up with a rather large group moments before a big game was about to start. We hadn't called ahead and there was a wait for tables. We wandered into the bar area and the manager quickly came over and turned a pool table into a table for us. Our server was very attentive and there were even some beer specials. I was surprised by how nice and accommodating they were despite being very busy already. They have an extensive beer selection and the food list was bigger than you would find at the average bar but on par with what you should expect to receive in a bar.
(4)Niti B.
This is one of my friends go to spots and it was time to go!...after a whole day of day drinking where else do you go?! Out for more drinks great food and friendly service. We had the pretzel and build your own grill cheese with sweet potato fries to wash down our beverages and they were delicious. Plenty of TVs and they change any one of them for your viewing pleasure. I have to say this is the spot to watch a game sit back and relax!
(4)Annie H.
All I can say is this is one awesome pub! Food is amazing! Service is awesome! Atmosphere was perfect! It felt like home (SF). I recommend this place to anyone that is going to Chicago and wants to do local nightlife.
(5)Kristen D.
Really awesome atmosphere when we stopped in for a quick bucket of beers before our dinner reservation down the street! I can't wait to come back and spend a little more time here. I love that there's enough room to play pool at a few different tables, have a good conversation (read: not having to shout) with the people you came with, and casually drink a couple beers while still being able to people watch. Tons of TVs, too!
(3)George A.
So far I've only done take out. The Michigan Ave salad is out of this world. The Pub Fish and Chips are very good but for $13 I'd like just a bit more fish, that doesn't stop me from ordering them, try 'em! The burgers are good. The "extra spicy" wings were a little mild to me but I eat crazy hot stuff a lot. The Volcanic wings are right where I want to be. The Parmesan fries were good but I was expecting more.
(4)Brian M.
Well, unfortunately Timothy O'Tooles let me down again. After spending six months out of the country, my family returned for a Bears game and were seated in the back area. We were the first ones seated in this area. A big reason we come here is for the great beer list. After seeing a few of our favorites on tap on our way in at the main bar, we were excited and quickly ordered them. The waitress told us it was restaurant policy that we couldn't order from the front bar if we sat in back, so had to order from a much smaller list from the back bar. It seemed like a crazy policy since the main bar is only seconds away from where we were seated, but we decided we would just order Bloody Mary's and appetizers. Then, we walked to the main bar to order a couple beers while half of the group ordered beer from the waitress. The waitress brought back a beer and glass - there was old lipstick all over the rim of the glass. Gross. At halftime, we again walked to the bar to get our fav beer to go with our entrees. Upon our return, the waitress threatened to give our table away if we continued to get beer from the main bar. After we said it's you're terrible policy, she said it wasn't policy she just was too busy at the time earlier to get drinks from the main bar and now she could because she was much less busy. So she lied about the policy...plus it was MUCH busier by this time vs earlier. This is offensive for so many reasons. We come to O'Tooles FOR the great beer list. And we didn't choose to sit in the back. And we also spent a ton of money ordering three appetizers, four rounds of drinks and five entrees. And then she spilled a beer on my mom at the end. Won't be back.
(1)Sheila C.
Food was good. I opted for the Shepard's pie & mimosas. My favorite part was my server Wes. He was super nice & answered all my questions. We had good sports debate also lol. I'd recommend. Gets busy on game nights
(4)Will V.
I'm not much of a beer drinker, nor do I frequent many bars, so it's not often I find myself in a place like this. That said however, service was awesome. Apparently the selection of beers was also pretty good (I was drinking water). And every bit of food I saw and smelled from around the place was appetizing. But this review really isn't about any of those things. This review is about the AMAZING Shepherds Pie. Most places you go will serve you something around the size of a small soup bowl full of shepherds pie, and it's often times questionable whether that's really what it is or not (for example, I just had one somewhere else in Chicago that was more like chili with potatos at the BOTTOM of the bowl.) Ok, so here's the deal. This thing is about 4" x 9" x 2.5" and it comes to your table SCREAMING hot. I ate half of it, then spread the other half out a bit, since even by that point it was still almost too hot to eat, and it looked like I hadn't even touched it yet. I mean, seriously, it's a LOT of food for about $13. And the flavor? Well.. hands down, this was THE best shepherds pie I've ever had. Period.
(4)Nessie V.
Veggie burger here is NOT vegan. Fries and rings are fine. This place is a typical sports pub. Pretty loud and crowded, despite seemingly being out of the way.
(3)Martha D.
I've always been a big fan of this establishment. It is down the street from a hotel several of my friends worked at for years and years. Bonus points: At one point in time, my friend of said hotel (who also has won a tshirt in their Timmy Challenge eatingfest) had a going away party here in late April. We were drinking a bizarre slurring of Jameson shots and sweet tea vodka cocktails. Ended up winning a bike somehow. Woke up a couple mornings later to find a hilarious and surprising voicemail.
(4)Kris U.
This little spot was a quick jump across the street from one of the hotels I stayed at while visiting the windy city (DoubleTree MagMile). Being form out of town and on my own, I was looking for the kinda place where everyone would know my name. Walking down the steps into the cellar of Tim O'T's, it was the exact sort of sports bar/pub I was looking for this lonely evening. Nobody knew my name, or cared to ask why I had a Canadian accent, but that's cool I had my two best friends with me: Booze and Sports on TV! Their beer selection is unique and I'd say very eclectic. Not familiar with their on tap selection I asked the bar tender which of the beers listed in this novella were his personal faves. He admitted he was not a beer fan BUT being a bourbon guy her was a real fan of Kentucky bourbon barrel ale (8.2%). It's beer that is made inside the casks originally used to distill Bourbon so the beer actually tastes more like bourbon then beer. Amaze! That 8.2% pint sized pint caught up with me quick (don't reco pairing alcohol with cold medicine but meh...w/e), because next thing I knew I was ordering what the menu called a Huge ass margarona. The bartender looked at me funny, like I had sprouted breasts and donned a dress suddenly. Kinda the way a dog cocks his head a la 45 degrees when it hears something odd, and asked "a margarona????? In November?" - Sure why not! Note to the rest of you..lonliness and margaronas is a baaaaaaddddd mix. I was soon presented with a delicious 2L of frozen tequila and slush with a corona popped upside down into it adding Corona beer to this mexican fire..... ...fast forward (slowly) 45 minutes I complete the beverage...sufficiently sauced and ready for bed. I stumble back to my hotel (thank god it's so close, and promptly pass the EF out)! Good times - definitely somewhere I'd bring "the guys" for a game next time I'm in Chi-town!!!
(4)Chris M.
Fun "Irish" Pub near all of the shopping and dining that Michigan Avenue is known for. Interesting building (the bar is in the basement). Friendly staff and decent prices for a downtown bar.
(4)Kristina A.
Burgers were great, and the banana dacquiri's were wonderful. The second time we stopped had the nachos - huge, and more dacquiri's. However, this time, the drinks tasted as if no alcohol. Our server was fantastic. She made sure to remove them from our bill, and the Manager came over to apologize (that's class, and good customer service). We will definitely go back when we are in town. Great food, service and attention to detail - that's how you keep customers!
(5)joe w.
First place off the plane when I got to Chicago. And it was...just OK. Interesting atmosphere. Wouldn't mind being there for some beers for a Cubs or Bears game, but, the food for lunch on an afternoon -- didn't knock my socks off. The service was...well serviceable; neither horrible nor outstanding. Didn't get a lot of recommendations from the waitress.
(3)Peter H.
Great beer selection both on tap and in bottle. Fun place with decent food. They have an October fest menu this month with some great items. The hot pretzels are off thr charts. Check this place out.
(4)william b.
During a bachelor party, we ended up at Timmy O'Tooles no less than 4 times on one day because of it's proximity to the hotel. Everything you need from a bar. Good (little slow) table service, but very accommodating of groups that go from 8-12 (and actively vary). Good breakfast menu, actually.
(3)Suzie D.
Went to Timothy's to watch our football team while on vacation. Very busy with an awesome atmosphere. Plenty of T.V.'s in the place. We asked for the games to be switched on two T.V's and they had no problem doing it. They have a very large drink menu and the food was very good. We will return on our next trip to Chi town.
(4)Dave H.
Much more of a sports bar than an Irish pub, but still a decent place to have some pints. Large number of different and sometimes eclectic beers on tap, and seems to always have a decent number of patrons having a good time. Good bar food when you need something to go with your beer, but I wouldn't go there for the food alone.
(4)Aaron E.
Had they chicken Alfredo at about 2am. Talk about good! It was fantastic... I was impressed as most late night places are not nearly as good.
(5)Erica P.
Fun local bar with good sports coverage and decent bar food. Extensive craft beer and good menu, plus daily liq specials.
(4)Renee L.
This is not the place to go if you want to chat with the people your with. Now if you want to watch a game and have it blasted in both ears and not be able to hear anything else & be able to see a TV where ever you look then this is the place for you. The food was just ok. Not something I would say I can't wait to go back there for the... The hamburger & Cajon chicken sandwich needed ketchup because they were dry. But if your drunk I think they will do. Some state on here its like cheers. Not... If you think you can walk in and just say hi to someone sitting at the bar u r mistaken. You would need a megaphone. loud
(3)Stephanie R.
The food is delicious. I had the southwestern chicken salad and i got the smaller sized one. Good thing too because it was huge, and packed full of chicken.
(4)Alex N.
Great craft selection. Good service. Made the mistake of getting a New York strip. It was super fatty, not like an NY strip should be. Really a ripoff for $21. Guess it was my mistake for choosing to order that.
(3)Jules L.
Oh shit son! You didn't tell me Tin O'Toole's had karaoke on Tuesday! Well, who knows if they'll keep having it; I was the only one who took part and I refuse to be one of those jerks who monopolizes the karaoke all night even when it's easy to. But other than that, blah blah sports bar yada yada pub games blah blah giant TVs every three inches. They have an extensive beer list and even several different kinds of ciders and the one long-haired bartender is very nice. Go to karaoke so they'll still have it the next time my coworkers drag me there, please.
(3)E H.
Timmy O'Toole got me thinkin bout that Timmy O'Turkey sandwich all day long. Shit ain't even right. And the Brussel sprouts are on fleek.
(5)John B.
I'm not a sports bar person. I watch at home or in person. That said, I ended up here somehow, and I'll give them props for being fairly vegetarian friendly and for custom-building me a highly palatable veggie burger. I also split some reasonably good appetizers. It's a convoluted underground space. If you're here for the sports, one can't end up too far away from a TV though. Got a newbie server but everything went smoothly. No complaints.
(3)LaShanda C.
I'm staff at Northwestern University and we order from Otoole's Restaurant (Chicago location), all the time. The staff is awesome and so are the delivery guys both of them. I don't know the other name but Aaron is great! He's always so kind, polite and punctual with our food. I just want to give both of your delivery guys the accolades they deserve. Thanks again. And, I love the Honey mustard dressing you should sell in the bottle! #NWU
(5)Damon S.
Looking for a place to grab a drink on a Friday afternoon, and Timothy O'Toole's seemed to have good Yelp reviews so here I went. First off, I really didn't like the entrance. Down some stairs in the side of an office building, all you can see in front of you is a bouncer at a desk -- doesn't look like a bar at all, wondering what I'm walking down into. If I hadn't Yelp'd the place, I wouldn't have made it down all the stairs without turning around -- at least put some stuff on the walls to make it look like the entrance to your bar/restaurant. Next "issue" (and this is my own fault) was that all I really wanted to do was sit at the bar and get a few beers. However, at the hostess stand they directed me to a table (and why it was my own fault, I didn't ignore them and just tell them I only wanted a drink at the bar). But I still find it strange when I tell the hostess that I'm one, and I just want a beer, that they don't at least ask if I just want to sit at the bar -- everywhere else in the world I've been that's what they do. Sitting down, lots of TV's on all the walls, most on sports, although without a lot of sports actually happening at this time of day/year, a few were on news channels. My next pet peeve...after 30 minutes of eating/drinking, someone else must have asked that the TV that I was staring directly at be changed because it suddenly was (to a random, non-local baseball game). My biggest annoyance with this is that there were plenty of TV's that weren't showing sports, why didn't they change one of them? Or maybe check to see if the guy watching the TV actually wanted to watch what was on before you changed the channel. And then the food. I decided to try some wings (described as award winning). If these won an award, I'm glad I wasn't tasting the losers at that contest. There was nothing particularly wrong about the wings I had, but there was certainly nothing particularly great about them. The menu looked fine, it's sports bar/pub food, I didn't expect much and don't really have complaints, but I only got what I expected. Finally, I'll get to what keeps them to getting 3 stars (despite all my complaints above). The beer selection was top notch! If I was in the area again, particularly if it was on a Saturday or Sunday during football season, I would be happy to stop by Timothy O'Toole's again to sit at the bar, enjoy several beers, and watch a bunch of games.
(3)Mike D.
This place is great! Drink specials every night along with tons of TVs. They turn to whatever you want. We are serious dodger fans so they turned one of the tv to the game for us. Irish nachos are awesome also.
(5)Mike R.
Very social environment. . Have to try the deschutes chainbreaker white IPA on tap! !
(5)Teresa M.
This is a must place to eat every time we come to chicago! The good is so good. We always get the Irish nachos and pulled pork sandwich that is on a pretzel bun. Had a martini for the first time today and it was awesome! They used kool aid for the mixer and it was really strong. The staff is usually friendly, only had one incident where the host threw our menus down on the table but we haven't seen him since. You get a pretty good amount of good for your money but it is well worth it. They cook your food fast and they also have it to go if you would like. The wings are really spicy like jalapeños. The onion rings are beer batter which is the only thing I don't care for. If you ever need just some good solid food, I would go here. Always full and the pulled pork is so packed full of meat that I have left overs on my plate. They are far from greedy with it. Try it!!!
(4)Erika C.
We call this place the Tool Box. Good old Timothy O' Toole's, always busy. Completely hit or miss service. Great beer selection and a friendly varied crowd, lot's of tourists and business travelers. Good prices. A word of advice, do not, no matter what they tell you, order anything with goat cheese on it, trust me, please. Stick to the pub grub choices and you won't be disappointed. We keep coming back, that is all I can say. The devil you know.....
(4)Claude W.
All in all a good bar with a great variety of beers. The only thing that was disappointing was a rude bartender named Corey or Carey. She was HORRIBLE in attitude. Pick any other bartender except for her. She does not listen, and when you try to explain she gets all huffy and acts like a brat. Avoid her like the plague!! I would give it a higher rating if she was not there.
(3)Jarrid W.
Visiting from out of town, priced were reasonable for Chicago and the atmosphere was great. What really made me enjoy my visit was the bartender. He saw my Detroit hat and put on the tigers game for me. Something I didn't expect or ask for but really showed great service: must come here if in Chicago
(5)Bryn C.
Great Beer selection. Friendly bartenders and a great atmosphere. As a pub should be.
(4)Kimmie R.
I like Timothy O'Toole's comedy show, so the bar pretty much won me over at that point. They have recently upgraded the place so it looks slightly better than the pictures that everyone posted. Timothy O'Toole's attracts a friendly crowd of hardworking professionals that are just trying to have a good time. So, if you are looking for a relaxed evening with laid back friendly people this is definitely the place to be! Pro's - - Good prices - Walking distance from the train - Handsome waiters and staff ( trust me, eye candy never hurt a bars business) - Different atmosphere in the bar and in the back bar comedy area, so for a different vibe you can just walk to the next room. - Great comedy show for an affordable price! Cons - - NO parking - Bar food that tastes just like bar food (No healthy or really good tasting food on the menu) - Limited seating in back room comedy show area - Multiple smaller TV's instead of fewer larger ones
(4)Brett K.
Long overdue review for Timmy's here. Hard to say what makes Timmy O'Tooles a staple in streeterville but it's always packed. I used to live a few blocks away and after many a winter retreat , I grew to love Timmy's underground getaway. Decent specials on beer, amazing nachos and just a laid back vibe will make you feel right at home. Golden tee and pool tables are suspiciously hard to find in the loop and once in a while you just gotta go back to the classics. Seriously, order the loaded nachos and/or the hot wings, not your everyday variation...
(4)Arthur K.
This is an American sports bar though it tries to market itself as an Irish pub. Inside you'll find televisions everywhere along with your typical pool tables, arcade games, etc. That being said, it was a fun environment and it was close to our hotel so that's always a huge plus.
(3)KB C.
Good clean fun-
(3)Dennis S.
Plenty of TV's, all the games, good menu. This is a decent sports bar. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing special. Ordinary drinks, ordinary food, loud TV's. If you're in the area, why not, but nothing will be memorable. A bit touristy.
(3)Rachel B.
Great pub food, good prices, good portion size, friendly staff. First, beer selection is enormous! Good deals on 'drinks of the month'. We ordered a large nachos for the table. The nachos had just the right balance of cheese, pico de gallo, refried beans, and jalapenos; the salsa and sour cream were served on the side. The large was more than enough to serve 3 people snacking before entrees. I had a veggie burger for the main course. This place has an insane amount of burger topping options but I went with the Original (lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions) served on a pretzel bun - yummm! Definitely plan to return on my next trip to Chicago
(4)Alanna M.
The only issue here is that this place isnt right next door to my building! If you find yourself still drunk from Friday night, Timothy O'Toole's (or as I loving like call it - Timmy O'Toole's) is the greatest place. Their bottomless mimosa bar is CLUTCH. Its not the nicest sparkling wine, but it goes down easy. Theres also a bottomless Bloody Mary bar with a HUGE variety of ingredients to add to your drink! I love it! I also had their Belgian Waffle at brunch. It was SO delicious. I wouldnt expect such a tasty brunch item from a sports bar. Also, their wings are good. They've won awards apparently. Their burgers are decent too. They also have a signature drink called Holy Water. Wasnt a fan, but its full of different liquors. It just tasted like a bad version of alcoholic kool-aid to me. Also, service is usually really good. I havent been there when its super crowded, but if you sit at a table its usually very chill.
(4)Polly W.
Great little bar across from the Doubletree where I go for conferences. Cool atmosphere and great food. Lots of TV's, good music, fun people. We even managed to write a proposal over a couple cocktails - and it was approved a week later - so I credit the generous drinks for getting the creative juices flowing.
(4)Gabriel F.
This place was an excellent discovery by some of the cool guys who attended a conference with me in Chicago. However, I am bummed to realize that I was in a bar where a Man vs. Food Challenge is held and was unaware of it! I really wish I ha known so that I could totally demolish that challenge and walk away with a t-shirt that probably wouldn't fit me. As for the bar itself, it was pretty cool, large screens, jukebox, pool tables, and a lot of attractive people looking to have a good time. I never got the feeling that someone was going to act a fool in this place, which is relief, it lets you relax and enjoy the beer. I didn't eat anything, as we came over after dinner, and I met some interesting people there. Did not spend a lot of money, so I would definitely recommend this place to others, especially if you are visiting Chicago like I was. Oh, shout out to the very fine wait staff, our waitress was definitely NOT a grenade.
(4)Wayne C.
So my friend texted me and was like, "We're at 622 N. Fairbanks," and I was like, "Streeterville?! Que?" but just got my haircut over there so I went. He works at Northwestern so it was understandable, as it's is across the street. Otherwise, circa 7PM, O'Tooles holds open casting calls for douches long and far. You know, like, they sell wings. Only certain bars "sell wings" and if you can think of another place that "sells wings" and have been there, you've also been to O'Tooles. I'm not trying to hate, especially since my roommate was recently like, "You hate everything lately. Like, you actually use the word 'hate' all the time." That was a bummer and I did some self-reflecting but really I didn't hate it. I just got the feeling that there was a lot of wife-cheating going on, especially since one of the guys at our table was all, "As soon as you're sick of sex, get married." OK, not fair because that doesn't describe the O'Tooles Experience. Scratch that. It does.
(2)Heather J.
My husband and I were staying at the Doubletree across the street for our mini honeymoon and it was our last night in town. We wanted to have some drinks and find a good atmosphere to hangout in. This place blew us out of the water! The atmosphere was perfect with the screaming football fans and the cheering waitresses. Our service was perfect, never once forgotten about despite a party of 12 people sitting in the same section. We had their chipolte bbq wings and they were a little hot for.being chipolte but delicious none the less. They have an absolutely amazing beer selection. Craft beer lovers like myself can indulge in local and internarional drafts here. I say hell yes to Timothy O'Tooles!
(5)Joel B.
Not impressed. The service was horrible. My girlfriend and I were visiting Chicago for the weekend and on our last night thought we would visit Timothy's. What a mistake. We walked in to standing room only (no problem because those are the places I like) and stood at the bar for 10 minutes and were ignored. We left without even ordering a drink. It's a busy loud place and I'm sure it will do well, but it will never get a dime for me.
(1)Mit L.
Good food. Nothing to brag about. The cole slaw had 0 flavor. Just shredded cabbage and pepper. The menu brags about home made tartar sauce, but the fish sandwich only gets a teaspoon across the bun. I couldn't see it, much less taste it. Very noisy atmosphere but upbeat sports bar.
(3)Greg L.
I've been here several times and each was a great experience. The food is good, the people are nice, and the drinks are whatever you want them to be. On Sunday there is a bloody mary bar where you can choose your mix and all the additions you want. On a Friday night we found a high top, but there were not many open seats. It was a nice crowd of fun people enjoying an evening out.
(4)Jenny H.
I ordered their turkey club and expected just a regular turkey club from a regular old bar, but it was actually very good. The bread was toasted just right and they gave you just the right amount of meat and fresh tomatoes and lettuce.
(3)Kelly J.
Cool place to come and watch a game. Lots of good beer on tap to go with one of the best cheeseburgers I've ever had. And one of the biggest! I could barely eat half of it. Good game day specials, service is friendly which makes up for it being spotty when they are very busy. TV's are at every angle so there's really not a bad seat in the house.
(4)Kevin H.
Watch Da Bears and the Cubbies, superb selection of beers, and food that will keep you warm and satisfied on a cold Chicago evening. If you come for lunch, plan to stay and drink. Great place for all of us that love Chicago!
(5)Dai W.
American sports bar so you can find anything you want from nachos to quesadillas. Also salads and of course burgers. Lots of TV screens to watch your favorite games. Went there during a playoff game and pretty busy and crowded. Waitress was great and available for you. And friendly. Just a sports bar in the city - location is East from Michigan avenue
(4)Joe W.
Was here on a Sunday night in July. It was a pretty quiet crowd which I expected, but the service was not great. If you just want a drink or two, this place is fine. Also, the nacho plate was very impressive.
(3)Peter B.
Food is pretty good as well as the drinks which are a tad overpriced. Bad experience here last night from the hostess to the manager herself. The hostess made me stand pointlessly when I asked for a table for two until my girlfriend arrived. She told me to find a spot at the bar while I was waiting when I'm sure she was well aware there wasn't a spot available and made me wander around instead of showing us to the several available tables right away. They accept an industry discount for 50% drinks and 25% off food (only reason I come here to begin with) The waitress and manager would not believe that my girlfriend works at a restaurant despite showing them the business card, she was in her work clothes and we were willing to call her restaurant to prove she worked there. Can't blame the waitress since she probably needs the manager's override for these situations. Apparently Timothy O' Toole's requires everyone to carry around a paystub and additional verification of employment. Next time, we'll make sure to bring the W2 form and any other official forms per your request to closely examine. I expected that when the manager came out to talk to us, she would do everything in her power to make sure we got what we needed. Clearly not as it was too difficult for her to go the extra mile. As we were leaving, she was near the entrance and didn't even acknowledge us. Try a little harder next time please.
(2)Patty ..
Yay super fun towns of beer on tap or bottle place is huge reminded me of the bars during school, pool tables, TV's, darts you name it they had. There was a menu however, we did not eat we had just been to Eataly [THE BOMB]. Bartenders were super friendly even if they didn't play for Team Chicago Bears/Hawks but nothing wrong with friendly banter.
(4)Tom C.
Been here many times for their brunch at the weekend and Bloody Mary bar. The food is good, lots of TVs for keeping up on different sports.
(4)Kassidy W.
Let's say this review is more like 3.5 stars. The food is great, I like the atmosphere, the beer list is extensive, and I have had really great service MOST of the time. (Yesterday's service was the best yet. Shout out to Spencer for being wonderful, even with our large group!!) One bad experience has made me a bit salty about this place, though. I've obviously gone back, but only once. And I made sure we wouldn't get a server named Lucy again. The service was THAT bad. Two friends and I had come in for dinner, not all the tables were full, and I got a pretty good feel for the size of her section. Two of us are or have been servers so we tried to rationalize the situation, but couldn't. I never got a refill on my drink. She didn't come back to check on us. And our plates sat there empty for 20 minutes. It wasn't only our table either, many people were complaining, wondering, and talking to the people next to them. It was a hunt for our server and no one seemed to care. We eventually got our check, paid, and when I asked to speak with a manager, she said they were too busy. I really wish I had followed up on this sooner, but a yelp review will have to do.
(3)Ashley J.
Great bar in downtown Chicago! We're from CA and our taxi driver recommended this spot..... best taxi driver, EVER! :) we ordered wings, beer, vodka tonic and an amazing burger! The ambiance is fun, lots of people. Sports are on about 20+ tvs, pool tables, friendly host and waiters. All around fun experience. Made our trip to Chicago that much more enjoyable.
(5)Evan C.
I give O'toole's 3.5 stars. I usually come here after seeing a movie at AMC River East. There are not too many bars around this area, but this place is fun. We walked in and had a party of 6 on a Saturday night after seeing a flick. We were given a buzzer and said it would be about 30 mins. One awesome thing about this place is they have SOO many beers on tap. Any style of beer you want you can order. I have been here multiple times, but it took us about 10 mins to get the bartender's attention to get a beer. Since the place was packed, I can understand. We finally got seated around an hour later and my 3 friends and I split 50 hot wings. These wing did win #1 in the hot category for Wingfest 2014. The wings were pretty meaty, but just tasted like Frank's Red Hot. They were great wings if you are looking for that flavor, don't get me wrong. I still believe the Otherside Bar has the meatiest and best wings in the city. One other awesome thing was Al the magician was working that night. I couldn't understand ANYTHING he was saying, but his magic tricks could back his actions. I'm still not sure how he did that baseball in a cup trick... Overall, if you are looking to grab a beer and some pretty good wings/food come here. (Especially if you are looking for some place to go after AMC River East)
(3)Jessica Y.
This is a really nice sports bar. Super clean and looks well-kept. The food was decent - got the baked goat cheese (marinara sauce with crumbled goat cheese on top, served with baked pita bread; onion rings - really crispy and served with BBQ sauce; and the Michigan Ave salad - fresh and delicious, topped with avocado slices. The highlights are the large beer selection, and the number of TVs around the place. I sat at a booth in the side room, and it had its own TV. I wish the screen was lower though because my neck was hurting by halftime from craning my neck to look to the side and upward. And I would've like the volume of the game (BEARS) to be louder in the side room. Other than that, really friendly service, and great crowd. You can pre/post party here on home game days, and pay $10 for a roundtrip bus ride to Soldier Field.
(4)Jackie C.
It is a very homey place! Its smaller, under ground and has a close knit feeling. I loved our waitress and the food was very good! We will definitely be back for a fun Sunday football event. This is not set up for a large party so if you are, I would call ahead to give them a heads up and they are happy to help you get set up.
(4)Eddie S.
Nice place to grab a drink. Haven't tried any of the food so cannot comment on that. 48 beers on tap! I'm a lager guy and enjoyed the allagash white. My new favorite! Lots of Tvs to watch any game. Currently watching the bulls, black hawks and college football.
(4)KJ V.
The place to go for all sports fans! We went for breakfast before a Bears game. They open at 9:30 during on Sunday's when the Bears place at home. The cool thing is that we had tickets to the Bears game and they bus you over to Soldier Field for pretty cheap! Then they pick you up and bring you back after the game. It's better than driving thru traffic and paying an arm and a leg by the stadium!
(4)Joe W.
Atmosphere here is awesome! Came in to watch a Blackhawks game while staying at a nearby hotel. So glad the hotel recommended this place! A lot of fun! Food was good, good options. Staff was on point too! Great beer recommendations from the server too!
(5)Loma K.
Grabbed a drink with some friends from outta town. Overall, nice bar/ hangout place. The only down fall was the music was a bit too loud and couldn't really talk to one another.
(3)Jeremy H.
Walked here after a game and was denied entrance for being too drunk after asking what the menu was. Have never been more offended in my life. Had three drinks before hand and was terribly disrespected. Had no problem getting in at bellwether right down the street and actually had a very comical review of Timothy O'tools during ordering. Unreal experience from a very uppity doorman.
(1)Kristy D.
French dip!!! Kentucky bourbon beer !!! Truffles fries ..... Mmmmm Oh- and basketball
(3)Dan L.
Great sports bar with solid beer selection, good food, and reasonable prices. We had the wings, burgers, and beer. All were delicious!
(5)Johnny W.
Loved this place. My first experience in downtown Chicago. We staying almost across the street and headed out on a Friday night of St Patrick's day and first place we came upon. Of the group of 6, 5 of us are bartenders in Wisconsin so sometimes critique a little more than others and the staff her impressed us greatly. We paid 5.00 cover charge which I expect and walked into this huge underground bar which was very busy. Th bouncers were fun and welcoming. Walking by the hostess stand we told her we were there to have a few libations. She recommended the back bar might be a little quicker and we could order food if we were interested at the bar. We got bar stools and Dustin the bartender was extremely good. Fast, remembered our drinks and names. One did order food (Bacon Mac & Cheese) and it was good. We left and went to 4 other bars for a change of scenery and only had one drink at each and went back to Timothy O'Tooles as none of the other bars compared in service and prices. Saturday after watching the river dyed green and all the St Pats things we decided to go there again. Back bar had Dustin and a gal named Connor working. As busy and packed as they were they never once looked like they had an attitude or were rushed with one often sees in bars under these circumstances. Rather fast paced, friendly and remembering orders and names. One in our group had a few to many and was a little tired. Two girls (I'm guessing a manager and security) came to escort her out. I have been to many a place and seen these situations escalate by a bouncer not choosing words properly but not here. They talked to our friend and stepped aside let us get her out without incident, The rest were able to stay and/or come back. My point of the last little story is every person (not sure what the staff on is on a super bust St Patrick's satuday night is) from door staff to hostess to waitress to bartender to bar backs and the girls working the beer trough were not only doing a great job under stress but friendly and welcoming at every point of the night. I wonder if some of the people that left bad reviews were ever even here as I saw nothing other than awesome. They should maybe go back and give it another try as I my next trip to Chicago will include a stop (or 3) at Timothy O'Toole's
(5)Matt T.
Met my sister here for some drinks and something small to eat, when she got off work. The beer selection is top notch. And it seems like a very fun place, especially if you're a Chicago Blackhawks fan (although I am a Pittsburgh Penguins fan). I was surprised the Bulls game wasn't on, although other basketball games were on. The food was good. I wasn't blown away by it. But it hit the spot. I had a Michigan Street Salad, I believe it was called. It was good. My sister had a veggie burger with sweet potato fries and I had some of those. They were very good. Our waitress was nice, but seemed a little overwhelmed. She probably had a bunch of tables. However, she kept our beers filled. The rest of the staff seemed very friendly. Definitely would go back.
(4)Honor S.
Cool place! The beer list is incredibly extensive and I only wish I had more time (and more money) to try more of them. I'm not sure but I think the beer list varies in selection from month to month which is even more intriguing to me. I need to find a place like this in Phoenix! I was there on a Thursday night and the place was pretty packed. I'm not sure if it's like that all the time or if everybody was just there to watch the Blackhawks game. If I'm ever in the area again I'll make sure to stop by this place again!
(4)Daniel D.
We are in town for a conference and thought we'd stop in for a beer and some bar food. When we first arrived the "bouncer" hit us up for a $5 cover. We ordered the spicy wing basket and soft pretzels. The "spicy" wings tasted more like a tomato based BBQ sauce than spicy. The pretzels were cold to the touch and so was the cheese sauce. We asked if it all could be warmed up and the waitress Lucy apologized and took them away. A food runner brought back our pretzels that were obviously microwaved because they had cold and hot spots, but did not bring our cheese sauce. We asked Lucy if we could have the cheese sauce and she apologized again and brought it out. And wouldn't you know, it was cold. Go somewhere else. Do not waste your time or your money.
(1)Bernice K.
Good food! Good service! Great lil pub! Headed here for a late dinner and nite cap. Pleasantly surprised by everything!
(5)Paul A.
This place was overcrowded not by space but by what they could handle. It was too hot in there and very humid, they need a better AC. They also say there kitchen is open till around 3 but was only open until around 1am and at the point could only order a basket of fries that took 25 minutes to bring to us. They were regular frozen fries that shouldn't of took much more than 5 minutes to fry. The drinks were also mixed poorly and service was unfriendly and slow.
(2)Joe I.
Watched the World Cup finals here, and had a great time! We ordered several appetizers and drinks throughout the game. Nachos, wings, salad, etc were all good. The Irish Nachos were the hit though...French fries covered in cheese, bacon, & scallions. Staff was great even though the place was packed. No one left until the game was over, so we paid a little early and were able to duck out before the crowd. Being a family of 6 with 4 minors, we had no problems eating in the seating area. Glad we got a table though! Lucky, I guess.
(5)Michael B.
I was in Chicago last week and went to O'Tooles twice while I was there - once with a colleague for drinks and a second time for lunch with a different colleague. The first time I was there, it was just around suppertime. My colleague and I had a few drinks from the extensive menu of on tap and bottled beverages they had. The second time was on a Sunday for lunch, when I arrived as soon as they open - and my colleague arrived about an hour later. While I was waiting for him I had a coffee and wings, working away on my laptop and half paying attention to the playoff game. The wings were great, and the staff let me be for the most part, as I waited for my colleague. Once my colleague joined me know, we both had a light lunch. He ordered the BLT and I ordered a burger. Both meals came out relatively quickly, and were quite delicious. I'd definitely go back when I'm in town again!
(5)Demi H.
I love this place! I come here for lunch and I pretty much get the same thing: Saucy Finger Basket! The portion is a good size, it comes with 5 chicken fingers covered in your choice of wings sauce and a side of fries. I normally get bbq sauce but this time I got traditional buffalo sauce and it was delicious! I would definitely recommend this place if you're ever in the area!
(4)Angela E.
Good bar food. We ordered pretzels, warm goat cheese dip, fries. The pretzels were great. The goat cheese had too much sauce not enough goat cheese. Fries were ok. Mango Bellini was tasty.
(3)Mike D.
Maple Bourbon BBQ. Award winning wings. 3rd place in Chicago. Irish Ghost. Won 1st place. They are hot. Nice ambiance in the bar. Lots of flat screens and good tunes.
(4)Sara R.
It's the rich man's dive bar. It's technically too nice to be considered a dive, but its so casual (and there are no windows) it kinda gives off that vibe. Like 50 beers on tap, and a lot of them rotate. Lots of bottles, too. There is a TV on every spare surface of every single wall, so it's a great place to watch all games. It gets uber busy though, so get there early to snag a seat at the bar. I see some of the previous comments say they waited forever to get a beer, but I've never had a problem getting served promptly. Jim and Justin are the best. They know their stuff about brews!! Really all of the staff is super friendly and bubbly. They have a stage in the back room where comedians do stand up on Wednesdays and I guess there's music back there some days, too. THE ONLY DOWNSIDE is the fact that it's a basement, which is why it's the kind of place I get excited to come to in the winter. I seriously hope this place never changes.
(5)Mike M.
Great beer selection. Lot's of TV's. Good food. Good service. Whatever I could say has probably already been said. We were there late on a Friday when things can usually start to fall apart, but that didn't happen. They stayed on their game and we had a great time.
(4)Kathie R.
Great burgers, fish and chips, etc. With a great beer selection! Service was fast too, on a busy holiday weekend.
(4)Dinna Y.
There are times you want that chill, casual, easy bar spot that's going to have guaranteed good bar food and you are luckily already surrounded by the most amazing people! You don't need crazy ambience or fancy modern decor. O'toole's has not just the classics- darts, beers, burgers, fries, wings, chicken fingers- all quite well done! But they also have truffle fries which I could have eaten for days! I highly recommend upgrading to them! The wings were nice and meaty and not skinny and over fried. Perfectly juicy and well sauced. We wanted a bottle of white wine which was very crisp and cold and was only $40. They also had an amazing strawberry cider that tasted like a refreshing fanta, yum! I'd go back for darts, karaoke and more chill casual nights with great people
(4)Allison F.
Great TVs, tremendous spot to watch NFL football. Love how they designate which games will play on each TV - it is so simple yet it works. Place is busy and packed, but not uncomfortable. Service is friendly and fast!!!! Large selection of beers plus full bar and game day specials. Ordered the nachos with pulled pork. Mixed reviews.....my date enjoyed the thickness of the chips, I felt like they could have been juicier. For the second quarter ordered the pretzels and spicy chicken finger basket with onion rings. O rings were good not great chicken fingers were meaty, spicy and peppery. Delish!!!! Soft pretzel order came as two giant pretzels as well and a bland cheese sauce on the side. Tasted fresh, not microwaved like they came be sometimes. Pretty good nom nom for a game. Great place for a ball game.
(4)Josh B.
Located in a basement in downtown Chicago, O'Toole's is much cleaner and lively than you'd think! The bar/restaurant area is large, but the lack of windows can make it seem very claustrophobic on a busy night. I know that's more of a limitation of the building than the service, so I won't hold this against O'Toole's... but it's still kind of a bummer. The service was ok, nothing stellar... It seemed a bit understaffed, and we waiting a long time to be served, and this was with us seated directly at the bar. The prices were reasonable, especially for Chicago, and the beer list covered a pretty decent selection and even had a beer legend in the back, explaining lingo and different styles. Very nice! I cannot stress how clean this place was, especially considering how busy it was. The bar was shining and freshly lacquered, and not a sticky spot in arms reach. It's certainly not a place to come down to chicago for, but if you're in town and just looking for a weekday drink and have some aversion to patios... it's worth a few blocks of walking.
(3)Jigna S.
Spacious and expansive area! We went to watch the FIFA games and they dod a great job managing the crowd. Turned some pool tables into additional tables; had game specials; and they have also had a large selection of beers on tap. My only little complaint was that it was a little on the pricey side for a bar, and especially for a major game night...you'd think the food specials would be more reasonable considering the large crowd they're getting. But good times nonetheless! I recommend the poutine fries and chicken wings! Oo and the pulled pork nachos looked scrumptious...next time!!
(4)Jake M.
Not what you would call a "local favorite," everyone I met at this bar seemed to be a transient from some other part of the country, but with reasonable prices, a great beer selection, solid food, and lots of televisions, this is totally worth a visit.
(4)Jimmy N.
An awesome place to check out the game and have some really good food. It's definitely a popular spot with the locals. During our trip to the big city we definitely had to catch the bears game the way Chicagoans catch the game, with some good food and loud fans. The staff up front isn't the friendliest and most helpful. At one moment the wait was 30 mins the second moment someone notices up and offers us a seat at the pool table, sure it beats standing and waiting, so why wasn't this offered in the first place?!?! The food was delish and super creative. Most definitely a notch up from your usual pub food. A must visit for anyone on the Chicagoland area.
(4)Mel S.
They don't serve gourmet fare, so go somewhere else in the area if you're looking for that. What you get is a sports bar with TVs covering all the walls, in a dark setting shrouded by Xmas lights. The service is ok, the beer selection is better than average, but this has to be the best place to come to watch Chicago sports. Come for a Blackhawks game (maybe playoffs) and you'll familiar faces including the guy with the hat with the red flashing lights that makes a round around the bar with every goal. It's a nice neighborhood bar where Chicago pride is well represented. Don't ruin your experience by coming for anything else.
(4)Michael S.
A typical Irish pub with a decent beer selection, the food is average at best. I ate here last night for the second time because my coworker wanted to go. Like last time my dinner was typical average at best bar food. Go here for the beer and atmosphere not for the food.
(3)Paul L.
Pretty happening bar scene on a Friday night. Lots of great beers on tap and a good bar selection. The beers were great but the mixed drinks were weak. The gin and tonic was more like a tonic on the rocks.
(3)Rob M.
Cool atmosphere, but the burger was pretty bad. Bun wasn't toasted, toppings were old. Maybe I just got unlucky.
(4)Mike A.
I heart Timothy O'Tooles. Great selection of craft beers, on rotation. Bar food is excellent too. The grill cheese and Ruebens are the best in the city. Pool tables and lots of tv's make this a great spot for Sunday sports and beer!
(5)S L.
We reserved a table for Saturday fight night in advance for 5 people. We bypassed the line and was given a pretty good table. We got tickets for 2 drinks per person and an appetizer. We ended up ordering a bunch of other items to share. The buffalo wings were very good. They had the Mayweather and Pacquiao fight on all the TVs inside. The only complaint is that we were given one table and then told that it was the wrong table and were moved to a different one. Also there were people who hung out on the side which along the wall which took some room away from our table. Plus people's heads were obstructing out view because they were so close to the TV monitors on the wall. It was a little unorganized in the beginning with the tables. But our server Ariel was great - always available for ordering and getting our food and drinks. The busboys were also very good - they provided clean plates and took away our dirty plates consistently. It was a a great place to enjoy the fight.
(4)Marshall R.
What a cool hole in the wall place. Went here late at night place was packed! Did not wait very long for anything people I was with got drinks really fast. My only advice is on how full this place was you might have to wait a while for drinks if it was really busy.
(4)Jo W.
How have I NOT reviewed this place?! I started coming here when I was a mere 21 year old, experiencing the "wonderful" life as an employee in the service industry. We would come here after work, I would drink malt liquor (*shudder*), we would play some pool, perhaps some darts, and close the place down among friends and our favorite servers and bartenders. I can't tell you how many times I've tripped UP their stairs because I had, um, too much fun. I've had and been to countless parties in their back rooms, which are always a blast. Bonus - if you're a regular, they really, REALLY take care of you. Obviously, I'm no longer 21 and times have changed - I no longer prefer malt liquor, for one. Gross. But one thing hasn't changed - my love of O'Toole's. The servers are still fantastic, drinks are poured generously, and if you happen to go here at night, veteran employees may even remember you even after all the time you've been away... yikes. These days I am more likely to stop in for lunch, as I now work a couple blocks away... but I still love it. The food is pretty solid, service is friendly and quick, and sometimes it's just nice to step away from the hustle and bustle and the never-ending Northwestern construction, slip underground, and spend an hour enjoying yourself here. Bottom line - if you're looking for a fun night out where you're sure to find some fun non-douchebaggy people and great service, come here. If you work in the neighborhood and are looking for something different to eat for lunch - come here. Actually, just come here. You will have a good time, this I promise you.
(4)Daniel F.
Solid choice for a burger and drink in the Streeterville area. I was staying at the nearby Marriott Courtyard nearby, and the doorman recommended the place and gave me a 20% coupon as well. It's a busy sports bar with lots of activity but my side salad was good, and the angus burger had good taste and quality toppings. Good choice for a quick inexpensive meal after pounding the pavement and enormous Black Friday crowds on the Mag Mile.
(4)Bryan C.
This gem of a Irish pub sports bar has both great beer and delicious greasy bar food, which is a rare combo. Ordered the Reuben and was pleasantly surprised with the nice grilled rye and delicious pastrami
(4)Wanda M.
Bloody Mary build your own w/ 30 items during the weekend brunch is pretty fantastic. However, the French toast had no butter and our server really didn't check on us at all for us to request butter. Unfortunately the French Toast tasted like onions, must have been made right after something oniony and the grill not cleaned. Breakfast burrito was fairly good except I asked for no onions got a large pile of onions. I heard compliments on the California chicken sandwich and Goat cheese quesadilla. It wasn't awful, but I didn't love it.
(3)Ben K.
I think I really took this place for granted when I lived in Streeterville. It's not the greatest place on earth, but I have to say, living up in Lincoln Park, I really don't have a go-to place anymore. Timmy's pretty much had everything I was looking for, especially for a night out with people to watch a sporting event, and ever since I moved out of the neighborhood last year, I have been looking for something to replace Timmy's in my heart and going-out rotation. I haven't found it yet. The food is bar food. But it's done well. The menu is pretty large, and it's not the same exact menu as every other generic bar. It's got some personality. For me, the highlights are the Ragin' Cajun burger, the Reuben sandwich, the Athenian chicken wrap, and the Mediterranean salad. It's probably not the healthiest menu in the world, but damn if it doesnt fill you up with greasy tasty deliciousness. The atmosphere is pretty solid too. Timmy's definitely has personality; there are a few different seating areas depending on your mood (bar tables with high chairs, situated right in the middle of a slew of TV's, booths that are a little out of the way, better for bigger parties, and then more open table seating by the pool tables). The pool tables are always a great way to kill some time, or lose a bunch of money to Perry the surprisingly talented behemoth of a bouncer who will ask you to play for money when you've had a few too many. Also the bartenders and servers are really friendly and are always willing to let you request channel changes to watch any sporting event you might be interested in. Timmy's isn't the kind of place that's going to wow you the first time you walk in and make you say to yourself "this is my new favorite bar". But it does what it does well. If you come back a few more times, you'll find yourself back here again and again because it's got pretty much everything you need.
(5)Adam T.
My friends and I check this place out every time we're in Chicago. We start the night here always and it's a great place to do so. Lots of energy, really nice and friendly staff and great food and beer! All of my fellow regulars have attempted (and conquered) the Big Timmy challenge- which was featured on Man Vs. Food. We wear our T-shirts proudly! A few of the waitresses have started to recognize us, which I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing... There are three pool tables, a jukebox and a couple dumb arcade games but we only use the pool table if anything. As I said the crowd is friendly and the people are all fun to talk to. Prices aren't that bad, I'd say average. The underground location of this place makes it seem more hidden than it already is and it's a cool looking spot. Definitely go check out a game or a fight here, everyone gets really into it and it's hard to not have a good time.
(5)Darren F.
came here because i heard about their timothy o'tooles challenge.. and wanted to try it cause .. well i love food and wanted a challenge ..lol but turns out that it wasnt a challenge... i finshed it without a problem at all and my other 2 friends finshed it as well... the service was great and the food was good.. but the timothy o'tooles challenge was kinda disappointing.. will come back here again to try other items in the menu..
(4)Emmanuel G.
Food was generic. Over-priced. Employees don't how to live life with a smile. I got the French Dip Sandwich, and I'm a sandwich fanatic, with all due respect, this was the worse sandwich I've had ever. The dip had no taste but salt. To top it off, we probably caught our waitress on a bad day, but she was just as bad as the sandwich was. She was on a hurry, expressionless, and I don't know how all these orchestrated so perfectly, but we had to wait for our food for a long time, considering me and my buddy only got sandwiches. I left the place a little pissed off, and its been a looong time since I left a restaurant pissed off. Some employee said "Thank you" though on our way out. There you go.
(1)Michael M.
Great bar. Food isn't bad. I had the wings which weren't as spicy as I wanted, but the waiter told me to avoid the two hottest levels. Next time I go I will try one of the hotter ones. Also, they don't use real blue cheese which really takes away from the wings but I love my BC. Go for the beer. The food isn't the main attraction. Always packed with NU students.
(5)Angela B.
I was staying at the hotel across the street and came in for dinner when I arrived. They serve food until 3 am! There are flat screens all over the place. Perfect for watching a sports game. It was surprisingly busy on a Monday night at 11p. Food & drinks were good and reasonably priced. And they have karaoke on Tuesday nights!
(4)Whitney R.
No cell phone reception. Good for happy hour.
(2)Brittany P.
The only thing that keeps me coming here is the unlimited mimosa bar. The food sucks.
(3)Kate S.
Boyfriend and I was visiting for 3 days and went there 4 times just because of the wings !! The wings are amazing !!!!! Would fly back just for those wings !
(5)Jacob K.
This is a cross between an Irish pub and a sports bar. There are multiple tv all over (some tube and some plasma/lcd type). The crowd seemed friendly enough and there were 3 small pool tables (not regulation size) with less than skilled patrons partaking in some form of billiards. The service was good and the appetizers were average- chicken wings, tenders, fries and onion rings,. However, I would stay away from the potato skins which were just gross. Its a fine place to grab a beer and watch a game if you are in the area.
(3)Tim U.
I would like to express my disregard for this bar because they expressly denied entry for anyone from our group of about a dozen people due to a girl in our group that was simply sitting, all because her feet were tired from sitting at a cocktail party. Both the bouncer and manager were both disrespectful and rude on the Saturday evening.
(1)Suzanne P.
Simply the best. I have been a patron here for 10 years. I almost dont want others to know....
(5)Matt E.
This was my local pub during my extended weekend stay in Chicago. Yeah, there really isn't a whole lot that's special about Timothy O'Tooles. But for what it's supposed to do, i think it does it pretty well. I wasn't there to catch any sports games, just drink some pints and have a couple appetizers. They have a decent beer selection, quite a few TV's, and appetizers that are decent. The venue size itself is fairly large - so unless it's very crowded, being cramped isn't too much of an issue. So for the purpose of getting me drunk before i stumbled back to my hotel late night, yep, Timothy O'Toole's was my joint for a few nights. Thanks Timothy.
(3)Jackie H.
Went here on a Friday afternoon for lunch a couple of weeks ago...Wasn't my first time, been a couple of times prior with work. It's a fun place to go...I cannot comment on it's authenticity as an "Irish Pub," but it is an enjoyable place to go eat regardless. The menu is bar food. Sandwiches, wraps, salads, etc. I had the buffalo chicken wrap and it was quite tasty. Plus, the portion was huge! I only ate half and the other was lunch the next day. All of the portions seemed quite big, which is fine...I respect their generosity. The appetizer of salsa and guacamole with chips was great! Lots of food (yet the two of us managed to polish it off leaving only a few chips), and the guac was chunky, different from the creamy guac I am used to. Liked it! Beer selection is decent. Was able to get a Matilda and Fat Tire...Looks like they had Sam Adams, Amstel, other Goose Islands...Not a huge selection, but I appreciate that there were options for those that don't drink Miller. Service was great, manager even came by and chatted about our beer selections--he noticed we had fancy glasses on our table. Everyone was very friendly. Good for a lunch, and in my experience, good for dinner/drinks after work
(4)Natalia D.
Great atmosphere and so is the beer menu. O'Tooles has a whole menu just for Guinness mixes. I tried the Black and Blue (Guinness and Blue Moon) and the Black and Black (had a bit of blackberry somethin somethin in it). They also offer a hard apple cider on tap which comes in frosted mugs. Perfectly light yet oh so tasty. Great place to hang out and watch your favorite sports game.
(4)David H.
i really wish the jukebox had more classics like MC HAMMER, Kid n Play and Surface but other than that it's the quintessential irish american sports bar with drunk people, lay ups, nachos, and french fries. Lennox Lewis also works there which i think is pretty cool. big ups.
(5)Ann J.
I have been going to Timothy O'Toole's for years. It all started back in my T.G.I. Friday's days when I worked with the most awesome ppl on Erie and Michigan. A few of our friends worked at O'Toole's so we would go visit them after work. Since then, I continue to patron this establishment for a few reasons: cocktails, food, sports, pool tables, but above all, the service. If you are looking for a pub in the neighborhood, this is the place to go. Streeter's is a dive, which is only great after you're drunk. The next day you always regret it though. ;-) Melnick's is where all the old ppl hang out. Pippen's still reeks of cigarette smoke even though the ban passed years ago. O'Toole's has specials, above average bar food and a fun atmosphere. Besides, the bartender DeRon is super hawt!! :-D
(5)Tara M.
O'Toole's is nothing special and frankly, is a bit forgettable. Decent service, standard bar food and drink options. The basement atmosphere is less than ideal and a bit hokey, but sitting outside and having brunch during the summer is nice (as long as you are willing to deal with all of the tourists loitering around waiting to get in to West Egg). They have tons of TVs, too. I more or less only go here when I am too lazy or cheap to cab it up north. Because, really, who willingly hangs out with Northwestern students?
(3)Kate S.
This is the place to go watch a game during football season. Since it's in the basement, it is more of a winter place. They've got plenty of tvs and are able to play lots of games--even PAC12 games :) Food is decent--it's bar food but they do it pretty well. Bloody Mary bar during weekend brunch time is pretty sweet too.
(3)Valerie D.
My friends and I went for drinks & lunch and it was very enjoyable. My friends were thrilled about the Bloody Mary bar, while I enjoyed a delicious Mimosa. The waitress was very nice and helpful on several occasions, however took a long time to get us the check. I had the Chicago style hot dog with cole slaw and I really liked it. Delicious hot dog with all the toppings and the cole slaw was made with chopped fresh cabbage, which I love. We shared a bucket of garlic parmesan fries and they were SO good. the drinks were expensive, the food was okay-priced, quite cool selection, and it was a nice-looking place. Will be back!
(5)Lisa T.
Food is Bland. I'd go to the bar but skip the food. There are tvs everywhere so great for a game, just eat at Jimmy john's before hand.
(3)Josh S.
This rating is going to be fairly biased seeing as I work in the food industry and we get a fifty percent discount on everything. That bring said before discounts the food is reasonably priced for a Chicago pub as is the liquor. However this place does seem to cater to a very specific clientele of after work suites and the regular cooks killing time after a shift. Nothing against either of these people I am one. Just in my mind an unusual combination in the same bar.
(4)Jennifer B.
Sometimes, I feel like Timothy O'Toole's is like going into the beer abyss....you descend the stairs, into a smell of beer + cologne...not knowing what to expect... Then you realize it's basically just a city basement bar where you can watch the game, grab a beer, an munch on a burger. This place isn't fancy by any stretch of the imagination. But when it's November, and freezing outside, and the Bears are playing...this basement bar is a nice place to frequent.
(3)Mandy P.
I love this place. This was my previous neighborhood bar and always the spot I went to for a good meal. The food is good; standard American bar fare, and the place is cozy. It's a good place for a winter happy hour.
(5)Peter L.
I come here way too much cause it's around the corner. Dinner, quick beer, sports games, hazy nights of drunkenness. If you live more than four blocks away, it isn't worth the effort to come here. It's your typical dark, wood-paneled, TVs and pool tables bar with deals that really aren't that good. Go to D4 and get some quality beer or head to Lucky Strike if you're with your girl and don't want to put up with drunken idiots yelling obscenities and begging the Bacardi Girls for more free shots (me last weekend). In terms of food, it ain't too bad. Usually get wings and a bucket of fries. Nothing to write home about.
(3)Lisa M.
Best Irish pub in the downtown area. They have pool tables, btw!
(4)Jessica F.
I love this place! I ate here three times during my trip to Chicago. I have no complaints at all! Their menu offered a wide variety of choices, and the food tasted amazing. Their Chicken Alfredo is my favorite. I'm not a beer drinker, but I was surprised by the huge selection. The service is friendly and welcoming. The atmosphere is great whether you want to have a sit down dinner in the dining room or to catch a game at the bar. I wish I lived closer to Chicago because I would eat here all of the time!
(5)Steve K.
I wish I could give a better review of TOT's but, alas, I can't. Visited here on a Friday early PM and ordered one of the 'build a burgers" and while it is OK...it was just OK. Nothing great about this burger it's what you would expect anybody to cook. Service was a little slow but I think that was our server because I was watching the tables across the place that the short blonde hair girl was taking care of and she was on constantly watching over her flock. The real bummer was the onion rings which tasted...well...horrible. The only way I can describe the taste was the oil they were cooked in was a week old. No shortage of TV's here if you're going to watch the big game. Just be sure you drink a lot so you can overlook the so-so food.
(3)Alli B.
VERY much your typical sports bar. It did the job for March Madness but it smelled like puke and the services was pretty weak. Ate the typical nachos and had some typical beer. Nothing over the top about this place.
(1)Michelle P.
I have been coming here for 6 years & it's the hang out spot for my friends and I. The bartenders are the BEST and when you say "stiff" you get "Stiff." Like the saying goes "You take good care of your bartenders, they will take good care of you." This place is great any day of the week. I usually come to Timmy's on Fri or Sat nights. You will meet locals as well as many out of state individuals whom are just visiting Chicago or are in town for work conventions. Very diverse crowd and friendly at that. Timmy's is a sports bar.. so come there to watch the Sox or Cubs or you favorite sports team. They have many flat screens to watch at every angle. There are 3 pool tables, Golden Tee & 2 touch screens to play various games. I beg to differ on the other comments about the food at Timmy's. Their Steak Sandwiches are delish, Potato Skins are wowza, fries..you can't mess fries up come one now! Make sure to order the "Turkey Swiss O'toole Panini" this is my fav sandwich...it's not on the late night menu so try to get there early! If your looking for that place where you can enjoy a cold brew or a stiff cocktail with friendly wait staff and diverse crowd, munchin on some goodies watching a sport event.. this is a place to go.
(4)Bex F.
Eh. Nothing exciting. Reminds me of a Division St. bar so not really my cup of tea. The roaches crawling across the bar are not a highlight.
(2)April S.
I was in town for a week and stumbled onto this spot. What fun! Great atmosphere, friendly staff and patrons. Watched UFC Saturday night, football on Sunday, karaoke was Tuesday night. Just the right size pub/sports bar. Chatted with man locals and had a blast! I recommend stopping by.
(5)Tim Y.
Great atmosphere, friendly staff, & a burger on pretzel bun rocks!!!
(4)Mihir P.
My friends and I dropped in here hungry after a First Friday at the MCA. The area was pretty much dead. We walked in here and a huge bouncer was near the host stand. I asked if him if they served food. He then smiled and said that they served each night until 2am. He then grabbed menus and sat us. He looked intimidating at first but was really just a large teddy bear. Our waitress was sweet. I ordered the Irish nachos = fries, cheese, crumbled bacon and scallions. Very tasty but of course could have used more bacon and scallions. My friend ordered a grilled cheese with tomato and fresh basil which was surprisingly good. I normally would give this place 3 stars but I add an extra star because they have Dos Equis by the bottle AND on tap!!!!!!! Woohoo!
(4)Samantha B.
After this weekend, I have a LOT of love for Timmy O'Toole's. I was attending the DMB Caravan with three friends and O'Toole's ran a bus from the bar to the concert venue all 3 days. A cab would have cost about $30 each way, but the bus was only $15 round trip, and included road pops. They got us to the venue before the gates opened each morning and left promptly after the concert ended each night. The only bad thing was the last night.. the police wouldn't let the bus pick us up where it had the night before, so we had to call the bar to get the new pick up location and walk quite a bit to get there. While the bar could have done a better job of alerting people about the change in location (text, email, have someone wait at the original place to tell people), calling the bar wasn't that big of a deal and we still got home safely and promptly. In terms of the bar itself... the food was pretty good, standard bar fare. We had the nachos, which were just standard nachos, though they could have done with more salsa instead of the small salsa portion on the side. We had the wings and asked for them spicy, and they came in more of a BBQ sauce than a wing sauce, which was weird, but still good. I had gotten wing sauce on the side the night before to go with my fries and would have rathered that than the BBQ style sauce, but that's ok. We also had the burgers... my friend had the original burger and I had the Streeterville. The first halves of both were better than the seconds halves, but that may have had something to do with how hungry we were when we started eating! My only real complaint was that the service was slow all 3 nights... our server wasn't very attentive and it took awhile to place our orders as well as pay the bill. This weekend was my only experience at O'Toole's so not sure what it's like normally, but for the bus service and food, definitely a solid 4 stars.
(4)Erica R.
This place is decent. Good place to have a drink and watch a game. My biggest complaint is that it seems to mostly be frequented by out-of-town businessmen.
(3)Danny W.
Remember the Simpson's episode where Bart puts a tape recorder down a well and poses as "Timmy Otoole" , a small boy who broke his leg and fell down a well. Well that episode was based off of a real person who is now grown up. Timmy got out of that well, his leg healed, and he opened a bar in Streeterville. Well, not really but they do have delicious burgers, and my favorite bar made Bloody Mary in the city of Chicago!!!!
(4)Craig S.
Very cool atmosphere. Food is decent, but the beer and people are much better. This is the place if you want to have a pint and enjoy hanging out.
(4)Sarah B.
Great specials, decent food and awesome service! I am not in the area often but this place has served it's purpose for me and some friends on a couple of occasions. Last night my visiting girlfriends wanted some bar food near their Michigan Ave hotel. I took them to TOT's. We had drinks bought for us by a gentleman at the bar and our server gave us two huge deserts for free! Score. It pays to be a table of cutie-pie girls. Not my favorite place but it fit the bill for us and that works for me.
(4)C W.
Score one for the Vegetarians! After my previous review, the owner messaged me to thank me for my review and for pointing out my vegetarian pricing concerns. She then wrote the following, "We've decided to make a Meat Free option available to our customers reducing the price of any appetizer, wrap or salad by $1.50." Thank you Sara!
(4)Robyn F.
The food here is quite terrible. My friends and i came here for brunch on Sunday because the wait at West Egg next door was too long. Verdict on a number of dishes: -Irish Benedict - This is eggs benedict with corned beef instead of Canadian bacon. I ordered this, and my eggs were fully cooked through. They were the furthest from poached eggs that you could possibly get. -Scrambled eggs with 3 ingredients to mix in - My friend got this, and the scrambled eggs were completely overcooked. -Corned beef hash - My friend could barely take a bite of this before needing to mask the flavor with tobasco sauce. It was so extremely buttery that it would put a French restaurant to shame. - Side of toast - Not very toasty and a bit soggy. -Coffee - very weak and had a weird aftertaste. Overall, no one at the table had a good experience with their food or beverage. Maybe it's a good place for drinks, but eat elsewhere!
(1)TLynn M.
The food was excellent for the price. However, We had a group of 11 and had pre-arranged with management. They put us in a back room, which was fine, but then before we even ordered they started trivia. It was fun but loud and not ideal for chatting with the rest of our table. The waitress was horrible. She didn't pay much attention to us, didn't offer refills, see if we had everything we needed, or bother to bring the checks when asked or reminded. We might need another visit, it was most likely a isolated mishap! Not sure when I will get back to Chicago, but I would give them another chance!
(3)Pinaki S.
I'm going to do my first quantitative review: 3 stars to start (since everything is always decent) +1 star for a good happy hour crowd (I never go downtown, but reminds me of DC happy hour) +1 star for DJ with great strip club voice +1 star for accommodating bar staff +1 star for solid bar food (bbq chicken wrap came out in 5 seconds) (So if you're counting at home, that 7 stars right now) -(minus) 5 stars for lack of HD picture with HD tvs. I have no bigger pet peeve in life. Completely honest. Don't buy a f'in thousand dollar tv and watch picture that looks better on a tv from 1980. I guess if you're not watching sports, this is a good (only?) option if you are stuck in Streeterville.
(2)Derek A.
Came here to prefade and kill time and catch the game. Big Irish pub had a decent happy hour at the time of this visit, and their drink and menu selections was outstanding for the price and portion sizes. The bartender (really wish I remembered his name) was super chill and told us some good places to hang out at night, recommended good drinks and appetizers from the menu, even hooked it up with some drinks he was experimenting with, and overall just had a personality. Highly recommend for some good stuff and to catch the game.
(3)Lu H.
Solid neighborhood bar - the only place around this area. Not really a true Irish bar, not really a good sports bar, but for what it is, it does just fine. Drinks are relatively cheap and the food is just fine. GF enjoys the hummas plate, I like their wings (although not spicy enough). It can also get crowded here so sometimes a wait for a table is pretty ridiculous, but it's easy to stand around and grab drinks due to size of bar area. In all, we don't have anything negative to say.
(4)Jerome P.
Wouldn't allow a lady in on her birthday to eat.They claim somebody was to drunk but I think we were to black. Not trying to pull the race card but it is what it is.
(1)Charles K.
Really nice place with great bar food!! Great location as well. Bartenders very friendly.
(4)Jessica K.
I want to like this place. I NEED to like this place. I lived down the street from it for month and it seemed so convenient meeting friends here. Nope. Not really. The place is always crowded, filled with the worst kind of drunks and if you want to eat-good luck finding a seat. When you do get a table with a waitress assigned though, they do hustle their asses off for you-I'll give 'em that. There are t.v.'s blasting everywhere, pool tables and a double sided bar with plenty of cheering, boozing patrons. My friends and I always get a plethora of appetizers and Goose Island pints. It's like a warm feeling all around. Or maybe that's the "Asian Red" I get 'cause I can't process alcohol. Either way-this is an OK bar. Parking on the street is a b*tch so cab it 'cause you'll probably be drunk anyhow. That's one thing they do great here-you'll never have an empty glass.
(3)Lisa H.
Pretty standard large sports bar in a nice area of town. It was not mind-blowingly awesome but I would come back with friends. I was here for a private party last weekend and had a great time. O'Toole's also has a corner private party room which is quiet and holds approx 30 people, and I would recommend it for an informal family event. The food is good for pub fare and service was fast and friendly. Our server was careful to split the bill between all of us (despite the fact that we were all in the same party) so there was no awkwardness over that. The fries were very yummy and crispy, and my veggie burger was surprisingly good (most veggie burgers at pubs suck :) my only complaint is that it could have been crispier on the outside. There was always enough condiments and silverware and napkins in the party room and the server was constantly around us. I also REALLY appreciate that this bar has a decent clean ladies' bathroom with many stalls :) kudos. The feel of the place was a little crowded and loud, but we went there after the Chicago marathon and I wouldn't expect it is like that very often. Give it a try if you're in the area :)
(4)Doug O.
A great bar with great beer selection. Crowd was lively on a Tuesday night and Karaoke wasn't overly loud so you could still converse with friends.
(4)Raghav C.
I frequent this neighborhood bar pretty frequently, more often that I would like, but with close proximity to where I live, it is a convenient choice. Prices - like any other bar in downtown Chicago. $7-11 for most entrees, drinks are $4-6. They do hv good specials and they vary by day, month and season. Do check their website for current deals. From what I've tried so far, which has been a wide selection, I can say the food is above average. Fries are decent, I've had better but I won't complain. Wraps and burgers are good, nothing to rave about, but will fill you up without you complaining. I tried their Margaritas on special one day ($5 for a huge one) which I enjoyed a lot. They did run out of margarita glasses for my 2nd order and I was served in a regular pint glass which was disappointing. They have 3-4, maybe 5 menus: daily specials, monthly specials, seasonal specials, drinks, and food. Spend some time going through them so u get your money's worth. There is something about the ambiance in here that I don't like. It appears to be a mix of a Irish Pub and Sports Bar but I wouldn't call it either. There is something dreary about the place I wish they would change.
(3)Shelden E.
The only reason why I say this place is ok is because its location. There aren't many other bars in that area, and those that are can be pricey. There used to be a place called O'Neils which was a nice small bar and had great burgers, but that's gone now. :( This place is immediately a wannabe Irish Pub. They could probably do a little bit more to exaggerate that, but not really. They've got their waitresses wearing plaid, school girl skirts, in the middle of winter. I mean its indoors, but still, come on. I did not have the food, just beers, and I guess for a bar that should be in Wrigleyville their choices were actually good. I ended up getting two hacker pschors, $8 a liter glass. That's kind of pricey since I'm used to getting one for $6, but then again I'm downtown. It would be nice if the put the price of drinks on the menu. Again, the only reason why I bothered going there is because there wasn't much else around. Why did O'Neils get torn down? Anyway, next time I'll walk a bit further to Rock Bottom.
(3)Tina D.
Standard Irish Pub, but please please avoid on St Patricks Day!! (totally my fault) What a line! We had some delicious Irish Car Bombs at a decent price, but didn't stick around very long to get lost in the crowd.
(3)A R.
This place was steps away from our hotel so we came here quite often during our stay. Drink prices are good and on Saturday's and Sunday's, they have an all-you-can-drink Champagne ($16) and Bloody Mary ($20) Brunch (food is not included). The food is good, however, I ordered a Chicago-style hot dog from a vendor on the street across from Soldier Field and it was a lot better than the one they serve. The food portions are also pretty big. My friend and I were able to split the buffalo chicken wrap and still had some left over. If you like watching sports, this is the place to go!
(4)Melissa B.
One of my favorite pubs in Chicago. I have been there a few times, I am always a fan of their craft beer list (had a three floyds arctic panzer wolf and a dechutes ipa). Service is friendly and knowledgeable, and the pulled pork nachos were good, solid bar food. Highly recommended for a happy hour stop while shopping Michigan Ave!
(4)Food Junkie S.
Really chill place to hang out. Lots of beer and tv's. They also have darts and Golden Tee, which makes anything that much more entertaining when drinking. The food is good as well.
(4)Charlotte T.
Don't be put off by the always confused/overwhelmed hostess or the underground location. This neighborhood sports bar has reasonable drink prices and AMAZING food! The crowd is a fun mix of tourists, northwestern students, and people from northwestern hospital. The atmosphere is always lively and warm. I always leave there feeling cozy, full and a little buzzed.
(5)Greg D.
Can't really suggest this for nightlife. A few locals suggested it for walk in foot traffic when we found Hard Rock Cafe closed but it was packed out shoulder to shoulder in here. So obviously it's popular. I've since accidentally called it Bennigan's. Food was like Bennigan's. We ran into some very intoxicated people and I didn't really appreciate when some dude yelled while pointing at my wife "She looks like a f*cking eskimo!" You know, it was funny, and she did. It was a snowy night and her fur jacket hood did make her look exactly like an eskimo and we knew it, but that guy was just a little too friendly... :)
(2)Rebecca F.
These guys know their beer. I highly recommend the Dragon's Milk if you like really full bodied stout. It's a very fine meal in a glass.
(5)Kelly O.
I was absolutely appalled at my visit to this restaurant. My colleague and I were attending an event at the (lovely) Doubletree hotel across the street. We arrived at TOT and were seated, placed our order from the extensive menu and waited. I had ordered a Buffalo Chicken Salad- a favorite "cheat meal" of mine, since I tend to be one of those boring dieter types. I've had a Buffalo Chicken salad at myriad restaurants ~ as well as Buffalo Chicken wraps~ and always loved it. When the salad arrived, one taste told me I just didn't like this at ALL. It tasted more like sweet and sour chicken or barbecue, not at all like anything I had tried called "Buffalo Chicken". I did what I would do in any restaurant- asked my waitress politely if I could have something else. She said "Oh, I'll have to ask my manager. Hold on." I thought, ARE YOU KIDDING ME? She has to ASK if I am allowed to have something else? (Customer is always right apparently doesn't fly here) So this manager comes to the table with an attitude bigger than Texas and asks me to defend, er, explain myself. I say again, I don't like this. It doesn't taste right to me. He then sighs loudly and explains that "What you are tasting that is different here is the molasses in our sauce." I wanted to say, "I don't care if I am tasting GOLD, it doesn't TASTE GOOD and I'd like something else!" He told me that it was "not their fault I didn't like it." He FINALLY gave in and said "What do you want instead?" I said a cheeseburger. He sighed, took my plate with major attitude and then we waited for my burger to appear. In the mean time, my colleague had asked the waitress at the same time that I asked for a new entree- for some pickles for her entree. She never received them after asking AGAIN. The food WAS good. The check came, and as I KNEW I would see- they had not removed the salad from my bill and were charging me for both items. I asked the waitress and she said she'd "have to ask" if the manager would take the item off. FINALLY after watching the 2 of them deliberate for what seemed hours, I had an adjusted bill. What a horrid experience. We walked across the street to the Doubletree Hotel and were warmly welcomed, served immediately and with graciousness. Kind of what most SERVICE INDUSTRY locations try to focus on. Yea.
(1)Cory C.
I love to start a night out of drinking at this place. They have a great beer selection and it's nice to have a place where you can talk and chill for a bit before you go make yourself def at the clubs. The food is also worth a try!
(5)Amanda Z.
Decent-sized menu, lots of specials...nothing out of the ordinary here. Tons of TVs, if you're into some sports game...friendly service. Although I will say this: sometimes you should just not order a salad. Ugh, cold, pre-cooked chicken in a salad makes me want to wretch. My date liked his buffalo chicken wrap and I stole more than a few of his fries. Face it, there are places you can get away with ordering a salad and there are places you can't. Timothy O'Toole's is not one of those places. Skip the lettuce and go for for the fries. They taste better anyhow, you know that. Nothing super-special, but when you're in the 'hood, you're hungry, and you feel like ducking away from the touristy traps on Mich Ave, not a bad place to grab a bite. Or a few beers, if you're thirsty. And as anyone who knows me can attest, I am thirsty quite often.
(3)B K.
The place is big, but still gets packed for happy hour (mostly by us NU people) ... don't say you weren't forewarned. They have tons of TVs and no matter which sport, you can count on watching any and every game that your heart desires. Food is decent. I'd even go as far as to say that certain things on the menu are actually good. Of course, bear in mind that this is still primarily a bar, not a restaurant. The staff is wonderful, too. They remember us even if it's been a little while since our last visit and make us feel like 'regulars.' Which is pretty cool in my opinion, and rare for a bar in Streeterville. Most importantly, Northwestern staff and students get $2 Miller Lite, Miller High Life, and Coors Light draft beer ... so to everybody else complaining about the Northwestern crowd, that's the main reason we all come here. Second reason, beer is only 3 blocks away from our labs, offices, hospital and lecture halls. So to summarize ... $2 beer + 3 blocks = love
(4)Julian R.
It's really more like a three and a half. Front of house people are pretty cold and rude. I was there on a Friday, so it was pretty loud, but not so bad that I couldn't hear my friend talking. When I asked the waitress to switch to the Orioles game the TV nearest my table she did so quickly and with no issues. Our waitress checked up on us throughout the night, and after being sort of shunned by the people working at the front of the place, I was surprised at how friendly the waitresses were. In terms of food and drink, the beer is a little pricey, but they have some good daily specials which are worth looking into. The food is well priced for the quantity which sort of makes up for the average quality, especially if you are someone who likes to stuff your face after drinking. Overall, I would say don't be put off by the cold shoulder you get when you first come in. The TV's will have any game, NBA, NFL, MLB, that you are looking for, although you could probably find sports bars with larger TV's and more space, O'Toole's felt a little cramped at times, I think it would have even without the Friday crowd. Only 3 stars because sitting at home with a beer and food on your couch is cheaper and probably a better way to watch a game if you really want to pay attention to the action. It does seems as though they haven't fully committed to the sports aspect of a sports bar. However, if you want to head out and go to a place located right around the nicest part of Chicago, this is a good bet.
(3)Sheri O.
The group of friends I was visiting to Chicago with managed to land here one night. We had a blast! Its a cool enviroment, and the drinks are cheap!! The human size Jenga was fun too!! We would go back here and hang again if we every make our way back to Chicago.
(4)Kim B.
O'Toole's is still a 2-star spot. I went with some colleagues tonight and the food was actually pretty awful. My friend is a bit of a french fry connoisseur and her fries were disgusting. The texture was off and the oil they used must have been old - there was a really nasty aftertaste. Let's just be honest, fries are hard to ruin! As far as my food went, my broccoli was cold. Overall things were just lacking; lacking enough that I felt it necessary to write an update. Too bad - so much potential for the location!
(2)Bobby S.
For an Atlanta GA boy, it's Taco Mac in Chicago. Literally, down to the nachos on the menu and the excellent beer selection. They had Dogfish Head 90 minute on tap, so I couldn't be happier. The burger was above average (with your selection of toppings -- I ordered and got a perfect medium well with onion straws, american cheese, lettuce and bacon), and the service was friendly. A solid 3.5 stars, but I'm down rating to 3 because I specifically asked for mustard packets in my to go order the next day and didn't get them.
(3)Molly C.
I love coming here because it is such a great neighborhood bar and it's incredibly convenient. There are always plenty of TVs to watch your favorite team play. The food isn't too bad for bar food either.
(4)Shy A.
Danny W said it was the best Bloody Mary in the city.....I had to check it out myself...He wasn't lying! Irish nachos...spicey wings and Irish eggrolls....all were pretty tasty but totally greasy that I felt horribly guilty after eating them. Great location, Cheers type place that's perfect for a pitcher of beer and a game.
(3)Thom L.
You may come for a game or beer but you'll come back for the food and service. I love this place, great food, perfect staff and enough TV's to watch any game, and lets not forget about their drink menu. Perfect local pub.
(5)Brian C.
Came in from seattle for work and stopped by for food and drinks. Over all service was good and food wasn't bad. The atmosphere is really crazy overcrowded and very loud. For a wen at 7 it was a bit much but overall good.
(4)Jen B.
The waitress sonna is great! Very personable but this bar is the strangest mix of people I have ever been in
(3)Stef C.
So if there is pulled pork on the menu I will get it. Well point being that's what I ordered. It was okay not the best I've had.
(3)Theresa H.
They have an inspired selection of beers and spirits but I found the bar staff to be fairly uneducated about them. Overall the place is cool. It's a noisy sports bar with an eclectic crowd. The service was fine other than the lack of knowledge. I'd go back again if I was in the area.
(3)Chris M.
Have enjoyed holding events here a few times now and it's always gone well. Danny, the events manager, was great to work with and very accommodating to requests and is willing to work with you! The food is very good. I look forward to the next event held here as it's always a great experience! Thanks!
(5)Michele N.
If you're looking for an authentic pub with great food and drink, make your way downstairs to the basement bar, Timothy O'Toole's. It is conveniently located just across the street from the Doubletree Hotel on Ohio (just off of the Magnificent Mile). Great nachos and wings; in fact all the bar food looked great as it passed by. They have a nice selection of beers and great happy hour specials. Stop by to catch a game, meet friends for an after work drink, or a night cap!
(3)Matt G.
Its Toole time!! On our trip to Chicago we were there for 3 days but stopped in to Timmy's 6 different times! The proximity to our hotel might have had something to do with that as it was literally right outside our door. It was open till 4 on the weekends which was great for us. I would recommend doing the Bloody Mary and Mimosa bar on the weekends! Prices are about what you expect in Chicago but they have some good late night specials. Thanks Timmy's for making our trip that much better!
(5)Kyle D.
Overall: A quality bar experience. Don't come expecting to be wined and dined (though they have both). A great pub in the heart of Chicago. The good: Great beer list, plenty of great drafts and bottles. The food menu is rather extensive. The atmosphere is unique and homey and plenty of TVs to go around. Service was fast and friendly and the food came quick. Good prices The bad: The food was just decent, average bar food quality. Atmosphere: 8/10 Service: 8/10 Food: 6/10
(4)John S.
Terrible service and horrible food. We ordered 2 bowls of soup and the server said he didn't have enough for 2 bowls but that we could order 2 cups and he would have enough for us. He brings it to the table and each cup is 1/3 full. Unreal. Ok place to watch a football game but get your food elsewhere.
(2)Candace T.
I really like the southwestern burger with avacado (annoyingly, they charge a dollar extra for the avacado and also for substitutions). It's pretty filling and your tab will only be around $12 total, fries included. We go with our work crowd very often, and there are always options for both the meat-eaters and vegetarians among us. Wheelchair Accessibility Review: This place IS accessible, you just have to use the service elevator. You'll need to let someone in the restaurant know that you need the elevator, and then you can meet them at it by going up the ramp right beside Chipotle and taking the first hallway on your right. It really can be quite the ordeal because the elevator can be in use by other floors, and they seem quite inept at recalling it quickly, despite their best efforts. So, it is accessible, but you really have to want it!
(3)Kathy K.
This place was across the street from me for 5 years. I went there many times. The wings here are awesome....BUT....every other item on the menu is pretty bad. The bar itself is good but is too touristy to be a neighborhood bar. I would skip this place in the summer since it's in a basement and maybe save it for a place to go for a drink in the winter.
(2)Brad C.
At work we have ordered lunch from here a few times but the other day was the first time I had eaten inside. Every time we ordered it was good and it was just as tasty eating there. Sure the food isn't amazing but it is decent bar eats. Next time I am here I might have to play a game of pool. I think my favorite part about O'Tooles is there logo, its amazing!
(3)Tom S.
Nothing special Timothy O'Toole's is nothing special. A typical huge sports bar, the kind you'd find in any college town. Plenty of offerings on the drink menu and the ubiquitous sports bar food. It's a fair option if you're nearby for some after-work drinks, but I would avoid it on the weekends when it is fully of tourists sent their by hotel concierges. I just hope they are having a good time and don't judge Chicago too harshly on this mediocre venue.
(2)Chris C.
beer selection was good. lots of local taps. thought it was interesting that they had a more elaborate set-up for pouring Stella than for Guiness. Odd for an irish spot i thought. The burgers are 'meh'. Too many other great places in the neighborhood to get a burger to waste stomach space on this place. In the evening it turns into a drunken party spot.
(2)Palak K.
Finding myself in bind for a potluck, I picked up some goat cheese quesadillas from here. Good stuff! Better than average bar food and convenient for dining in while catching a game or getting something to go. Great portions too, and as always, bonus points for sweet potato fries.
(4)Yaw N.
Great place to watch a game. They have a ton of TV's and are really accommodating to changing one of them to your game. Their burgers are good and I would recommend them over everything else on the menu. Please stay away from their wings--they are awful and covered in BBQ sauce NOT franks hot sauce like they should be. Overall, I would recommend Timmy's for anyone looking for a burger and beer for a game.
(3)Craig S.
You could change the sign outside the bar to "Bennigans" and you wouldn't know the difference inside.
(2)Stephany M.
Decent Sports Bar Loads of televisions. I went to see the fight this past weekend place got crowded service was cool, beer selection is dope and they even have good wine I recommend the Gooseneck ales and the Diseno Malbec
(3)Ra R.
Love this spot! sports perfection
(5)Stef B.
I stopped by here for the first time over the weekend. I had an expiring gift certificate and figured we'd try their Mimosa Bar. We got there around 1/1:30pm for brunch and sadly found out that they don't replace their mimosa bar items once they are used up. We were stuck with 3 juices rather than an entire bar to choose from. I was bummed. The service, the quality of the food and the cleanliness of the restaurant made up for it though. We are planning an outting back very soon - and it'll be earlier this time so we can see the REAL mimosa bar.
(4)Anna T.
Last night, I was at O' Tooles for a holiday work party. Side Note: I was the DD, so my review is not influenced by a liquor haze that usually accompanies holiday work parties. O' Toole's was an good place to host our company party. We had a moderate spread of food with a private bar. The private room is in the basement. It is a nice room with a bar, pool table and seating area great for mingling. Roughly around 40 people attended the party. Obviously I didnt paid for the party so I can only comment on the service and the food. The service made it easy to relax and enjoy the evening. They were every attentive to clearly and getting more food out if needed. The food was above what I expected, but not overly impressive. But Hey! it is a bar not a 5 star catering company. All in all the party was fun. Thank you O' Tooles Staff.
(4)Brian K.
It's hard to go wrong here as it combines the following elements: Drinks: Decent selection of beer on tap, nice drink specials, decent selection of alcohol brands (please add ginger beer so you can make Moscow Mule), reasonably priced Food: Definitely pub grub but varied enough that's it's not to the usual. Being a vegetarian, they had several options. My Korean veggie burger was decent but needed more spice. Sports: Tons of TVs. They changed one so I could watch the Giants lose to the Cubs. Service: My server was very attentive (filled water without having to bug her, good pacing of service, etc.). Only downside is bathroom was flooded and seem to recall similar issue when I was there for drinks a few months ago. Also, it could use more single ladies but heck what bar couldn't. Short walk from the W Hotel if staying there and 20% discount so added bonus.
(4)Meghan N.
I live in the Streeterville area and normally love to stop into O'Tooles for dinner and/or drinks! Love their wraps and have always been very satisfied with their food. Service is mediocre, not great. But, the last 2 times I have been there, I have been disgusted. They are having a terrible gnat problem. Whether you are eating or drinking there, no one wants to be shooing flies away from their food. I noticed everyone around me was annoyed too. Please get this problem fixed because I would love to be back but until then, I will find somewhere else!
(1)Jeanette C.
Great for a late night bite and a Lakers win. Woohoo!
(3)Justin M.
I would never go out of my way to come here, but my experiences at Timothy O'Tooles have been good. Always a friendly face behind the bar, and the waitresses have been nothing but cool. I have never had the food here, only drinks and a few bad attempts at playing pool. I suck!! Also, celebrity sighting: Mark Malone, CBS sportscaster. He was knocking down drinks at 7PM on a Friday like there was no tomorrow!! It's funny when you see these people in the real world as opposed to the television. It's all smiles and make-up during the day, but after-hours....they hate their jobs just as much as we do. Viva Streeterville!!
(3)Aaron E.
Good place to watch a game. Mother Hubbards had more screens but there were enough here. Food looks pretty good but haven't had the little Timmy yet. I started out at dikas ( mike ditka that is) but terrible place to watch a game. That's a shame in my opinion if you have Ditka in the name here in Chicago. Anyway if you want a lively atmosphere and want to watch s game I recommend Timothy O'Toole's in downtown Chicago.
(4)Kelly A.
"Timmy O'Toole's sucked cock." - my boyfriend as I opened this page to write the review. Really, this place seems like a tourist trap. Especially since it was recommended by the concierge of the W hotel , where my dad was staying, as having 'the best burgers in Chicago'. Funny how it was also conveniently located a few blocks away! Our waiter seemed more than a little clueless and new, which is forgiveable in itself, but then made excuses such as "We just had someone quit so I'm having to cover extra tables" when the crowd was pretty thin. After seeing they had a Goose Island root beer float, I asked if they had Goose Island root beer, pointing to the dessert on the menu (named something like Goose Island Root Beer Float). The waiter had to run to the bar to check and said 'yeah we have it in cans (?)', so I ordered one. After similar runs to the bar when asked about beers for the other people I was with, our drink order was finally placed. 20 mins later... we got our drinks. Jones root beers... forgiveable, whatever, new kid, confused. We then alerted him we were kind of in a hurry and ready to order (which we had been soon after placing our drink orders, actually), and he promised to rush the order. 45 minutes later... our two wraps, sandwich (turkey tomato pesto panini - without tomatoes? I thought we were over the tomato crisis) , and chicken skewers arrived. Food was meh. We then had to wait even longer to get the bill... yeah, thanks for the rush. Would not go back for food.
(2)Vivian Y.
I had my wedding across the street at the Doubletree over the weekend and I know my wedding crowd spilled over here after the open bar ended. I heard good things about it so I went over there with some of my friends that were still out of town as they were still at the DoubleTree. Long review short, I liked this place. Sure, it's situated in a basement and all, but it has an old pub feel to it. Looks are deceiving, the place is HUGE (I thought it was a tiny pub from the outside). There are pool tables and lots of highboys to sit in and tons of TVs. I imagine coming here to watch sports is great! My friend ordered a hefeweizen in a stein. it was a HUGE one litre stein and you can take it home too!!! THe only thing cooler than that is if they sold the boot mug as shown in the movie Beer Fest! Anyway, for $14, it is a steal! I want to go back and build a stein collection! Food - we only ate the spinach and artichoke dip - but it was very good. There were nice large chunks of artichoke in it and the chips were served nice and warm. I recommend this place to duck out of the rain (which we did) and to get a nice warm meal and a giant pint or stein of beer. Service was excellent, our waitress was so informative and always took initiative to suggest something when we weren't sure what we wanted (she was beautiful and pregnant! - I don't know her name so I'm giving her props and hoping she is the only preggo waitress there!)
(4)Jason M.
Great place to watch sports games of all kinds at all hours. Food was good and the drinks were cold. Great place for a HH or just to hang out. Next time I'm in Chicago, will definitely swing by this place again.
(4)Taylor G.
Yesterday found me at Timothy O'Toole's for a second time - purely out of convenience. My last excursion was largely a drinking affair, but I still had a chance to sample the food. Being mildly drunk last night, I ordered one of my favorite "sandwiches", Buffalo Chicken Wrap. It had been some time since I was here to order it, but seeing plates of the same item whizzing by yesterday confirmed my feelings that the portion was a bit small on this. And it's not just the chicken that lacks, but everything in general. The wrap is small and uninspiring. Speaking of uninspiring, we can also use that word for the Turkey Club. Sure, it's a basic sandwich and there's not a whole lot you can do with it, but you can at least make it taste good. Actually, most of the ingredients were very nice - especially the thick bacon; but there was a single element that absolutely ruined this meal for me: THE TURKEY! Realizing that restaurants get quite a bit of prepared food from distributors, I wasn't expecting freshly-sliced top-o-the-line turkey breast, but the stuff on the Turkey Club was just TERRIBLE. Subway pre-sliced deli meats have an upper hand on the turkey at Timmy O'Toole's. It tasted exactly like it was pre-packaged meat you'd buy near the hot dogs from your local grocer... slimy and gross. There was however, one saving grace that made the meal slightly bearable: the fries. There aren't spectacular, but hey - it's hard to screw that up. This feeling of uninspired food was shared throughout the group, and combined with my personal two experiences, I'm inclined to believe this is the norm rather than exception. If you're in the neighborhood, it's not a bad place to have a drink, but make sure you down several before trying the food.
(2)Luke S.
Ah Timmy I used to love hanging out with you after dealing with the stresses of CBS. This place can be lots of fun! The food is ok, but the service is always quality. It feels almost like Vegas, because you have no idea what time of day it is while you're down there.
(4)AC O.
Food was ok. Had some wings, the overrated chicago hotdog, and fish and chips. Just ok.
(3)Austin P.
This place is awesome! I was in Chicago last week on business and I was DYING to watch the Giants/Dodgers game after a long day of sales calls. Found this place on Yelp and it happened to be around the corner from my hotel. The bartender was super nice and made great drinks. He recommended that I try the award winning chicken wings and I was not disappointed. He turned on one of the bazillion TV's to the Giants game and we won! BEAT LA!!!
(4)Justin B.
This is pretty much my go to bar when I am downtown. It helps that they are pretty much right next to where I work. They have a great menu both for food and drinks, and the service has always been attentive and accurate. The food comes out very fast after you order.
(4)Becca S.
I've never had a bad time here! I used to work blocks away and I'd go often for happy hour. The drinks are good, the food is good, the service is good, the pool tables are good, and there is always sports on the televisions. That doesn't actually appeal to me, but I hear that is in fact a benefit of a sports bar. This is the one place I went marathon weekend that seemed prepared for the crowds. Even though we took the last empty table and the bar was standing room only, we got prompt service and our server came by often to refill our drinks. It's not the finest food in Chicago, but it delivers what it promises.
(5)Vera B.
I ate here last night (Monday) for the first time, and had fish and chips. The food was over cooked and very greasy. The steak fries looked like that dirty deep brown color like they were over cooked or old. Though the fish was very flaky it was soaked with grease, (very disgusting). It took for ever to get service I only got soda one, no water. The meal did not come with come with coleslaw, which I found odd because I had fish and chips in the past and it always came with coleslaw. I was offer it and when I got my bill the slaw was 2.99 for a serving spoon size, I thought it was going to be free since it was offered. I ordered the apple cobbler to go, very low on flavor. And I had a absolute drink special of a screwdriver. This was very watered down. In total I paid about $30.00 not including tip. I was very disappointed in everything. I called myself treating myself, (since I rarely eat out) and boy did I wast my time and money here. If I could give it zero stars I would, this experience was ridiculous, and very over priced. I can not recommend Timothy O'Toole' Pub
(1)Carri A.
I work right around the corner from this pub and a couple of times my coworkers and I have organized to meet and have food and drinks here after shutting down the office. It's fairly large, quite loud, moderately priced, and the staff is... adequate. I would not go out of my way to visit this place typically, but since it's so convenient for me and my coworkers, it's hard to resist for a quick drink and bite to eat. And maybe watch whatever sports game is playing while we're there. If you're feeling like a bad ass, try downing one of their Holy Water drinks. You cant fit any more alcohol into a single glass. And don't say that I didn't warn you!
(3)Dan G.
I was in town on business and wanted to get a decent meal while being able to watch the Hawks game (and other games) on TV. Timothy O'Tooles fit the bill. Good location to my hotel (Sharaton Four Points), good beer selection, lots of TVs for watch various games, and a good wrap sandwhich for dinner. I ate at the bar and service was friendly and quick. I will return.
(4)A-train R.
Just went to Timmy's a couple weeks ago. Again very good burgers and this time I had one of the their wraps my girl likes. I loved it too. Been good every time and this time we had their quesadillas as an appetizer. My girl has changed her mid on the best quesadillas in chicago the past 3 restaurants we've been too and now.... the winner is Timmy's. ha. Yes, i thought they were very good too and once again never disappointed at Timothy O'tooles, I haven't found anything wrong with this place. Upgrading this place to a 4 star joint!
(4)jay d.
Awful veggie burger. Food was below average. Kitchen brought wrong food out to us. This place is very touristy and the vibe is not cool at all. We won't be back.
(1)MELEK L.
So what? You're not gonna get an gourmet food here. Who needs that everyday anyway?! If you are looking for a great local sports bar in the downtown area, forget about the touristy ESPN Zone, and go to TIMOTHY O'TOOLE'S!! They have great flat screen tvs, bartenders, menu items, regulars, pool tables, security, private rooms, and on and on. Order the sizzling fajitas to make a statement at your table. They are loud and tasty. I enjoy the Mediterranean salad, the tortilla soup, potato skins, chicken fingers, and the artichoke dip. Yes, I have tried them all and YES, I used to be a regular here! The best tip I can give you for this place is: Try the CHICKEN WINGS!!! They come in 6 different flavors and they are out of this world. Enjoy!
(4)Jonathan A.
An old standby if I want to grab some bar food for lunch. Not the best bar food, but it gets the job done. And they deliver. Not a bad place to grab a drink and watch a game. It hasn't been too crowded any time I've been here. Pool tabless, dart boards, plenty of tvs. It's a sports bar, so go in with those expectations. I wouldn't recommend the private party room for events. It's pretty boring and small and you'd have more fun out in the bar.
(3)Kim C.
New discoveries: WINGS! The traditional and soy-garlic varieties are both DELICIOUS! Apparently they won first place at some wings fest recently. Also, if you wanna get seriously effed up, get a pitcher of Holy Water. For $20, you and probably 2 other friends can get pretty decently tipsy. Not sure what's in it (I saw the bartender pour in some neon pink pre-mixed concoction and then probably 7 different kinds of alcohol), but it's some potent stuff...
(5)Andrew R.
Was here back in february, amazing service and food. Was my first time in chicago and I highly recommend it.
(5)Mary W.
I must say this place was amazingly great for entertainment & drinking! I have yet to try the food & is definitely looking forward to it in the future but I went on a Wednesday & attended a comedy night in the backroom where they have comedians from Chicago stand up & do a show. I went looking for great laughs & got exactly what I was looking for. Not one of the comedians disappointed! Every single one of them were very talented. Once we left, we couldn't stop talking about how much fun we had. I seriously recommend this to anyone who's looking to blow off some steam with a couple of friends or even a date, relax, drink a couple of beers & enjoy this show. Funny entertainment here! I will definitely be going back very soon.
(5)Robyn P.
The doorman at my brother's hotel recommended West Egg, which is right next door to this place. when we got there, the line extended outside the cafe, so we settled on O'Toole's. what a waste of $40. It would have been more satisfying to set two 20's on fire. The service was horrible, and the food was pretty gross. We sat around for at least 10 minutes without being given menus or served a glass of water. Strangely, the waitresses had helpers who carried the food around on trays. One waitress had a helper who kept barking orders at her: "Serve this one first ... what are you doing? ... that's not how to do it ..." -- basically humiliating her in front of the customers. Nice. When we finally got our order, the corned beef was obviously canned (it resembled dog food studded with diced potatoes), the sausage links were Jimmy Deanesque, the eggs were rubbery and bland, and the toast was cold and unbuttered. The only thing I finished was my bloody mary. and even that pretty much sucked.
(1)Jedd J.
Timothy O'Tooles Pub is a low-end sports bar featuring TONS of TVs, but almost all of them have terrible picture. The audio from the Bear game was blasted throughout - even in separate rooms with different games. Also they started with all TVs in each room on the same game. um...what's the point? If you call yourself a sports bar, get the TV & Audio right. Also the food was terrible. O'Tooles gets 2 stars instead of 1 because the server was really good.
(2)Chris B.
I've been here a few times, usually go on Sunday's for the all you can drink Bloody Mary's! The best deal in town for $20 you can drink all the B.M's you can! It's from 10-2 and they have a self service station with all the fixings. The food is quite good too however after drinking 5 bloody marys there is not too much room for food. This place packs the people in so make sure you arrive early! Great for all the games, there are flat screens all over the place.
(4)R P.
I kinda like this place...or rather I want to. But the service is just SO bad! We waited at our seats at the bar for a good 10 minutes before we were noticed, and there were 5 of us, hard to miss. We had to ask to get menus, and were afraid if we didn't order right away the bartender would never come back...and that's precisely what happened. After our food was delivered he never checked in at all until we stood up and worked to get his attention to pay the bill. We would have ordered another round, but it wasn't worth the time. I don't know if they were unexpectedly busy, or if they like to be woefully understaffed, but the friends I was with said the service is always terrible. The bartenders are so busy filling drink orders for the wait staff, they can't serve the bar customers. And WHERE do their tips come from? Right! Not from me.
(2)Elnora D.
I have been to Tim's recently and the environment and menu has changed a bit. Me and my Co-workers spent most of our time there playing pool and drinking. Still a wonderful bar to go drink and have amazing wings. The prices are reasonable for what you get and watching sports events are awesome. It does get crowded if you go there on the weekend so beware, but try it out!
(4)Holly T.
I have been to Chicago 5 times and I go to O'Tooles every time and don't think about going anywhere else! They have the best bar food, great drinks, and the staff is so fun! You have to try the Holy Water...amazing! I WILL be back!
(5)A L.
They have Duvel beer. Yay! $8 isn't a bad price either. Now, if only they'd have Smithwick's (pronounced Smi-thicks) on draft and I would be in heaven. Decent bar, decent food, good to students. What more can one really ask for?
(4)Daniel K.
The first thing I noticed as soon as I walked into Timothy O' Toole's is that it has more of a sports bar feel rather than an Irish Pub. I really didn't mind this one bit because I was there to watch the UFC events they show for free there. So I went up to the bar and asked for a menu so I could find some thing that would keep my tastebuds preoccupied throughout the matches. That's when I noticed the Big Timmy Challenge. I read the description... Two half pound patties Four different types of cheese Bacon All the fixers (lettuce, tomatoes, onions) BBQ Sauce And whopping sides of Onion Rings, and French Fries The challenge costs $20, but there was no time limit and if you ate it all, you won a free Timothy O' Toole's T-shirt which usually costs $15. So pretty much I reasoned myself to believe it was like buying a huge meal for $5 and buying myself a souvenir t-shirt. Plus it would have been a lot cheaper than my other alternative of a few shots and a couple of beers (hey I'm on a guy that's on a budget). So I ordered the burger right before the UFC event started. The food came out really quick as the first fight was just about to start and it's first round. Now each round is five minutes long and has a 30 to 45 second break between each round. By the time the third round bell rang, I was finished. The dish was demolished and gone... The burger was just a good, but nothing to really be going head over heels about. It was done exactly the way I wanted (medium rare). Yet the meat itself was lacking a bit of flavor. The bbq sauce and condiments along with the cheeses helped to make up for that. Plus I was very happy they didn't overseason or put anything extra on the burger because I like to enjoy just the natural flavors of the beef itself. However like I said before, there wasn't really anything too much there for the beefs natural flavor. The onion rings were decent, and the french fries were actually better than usual here. The bartenders were great though as you could joke and talk with them about the fights. And just a bunch of guys screaming and getting worked up about fight matches without themselves getting into fights, well that's just really good to see and be a part of. All in all, from my experience so far I'd say Timothy O' Toole's, food-wise, you get what you can expect from a bar which is good food but nothing that pops out at you and say WOW. Go on a UFC ppv event night; it's free to get in and a good time around the bar.
(3)Charles L.
This bar does have something of an identity crisis. It's an underground bar, so make sure you're down for that before you go ... also, the prices are at a sort of mid-level range that isn't all sports bar, all the time. All that being said, the prices aren't too high; and there are plenty of TV's for whatever your sporting fancy. Also, this is THE bar for the downtown Northwestern crowd; if you're looking to meet some (super fun) law students, or some med/business students, this is one of the two places to look.
(3)Agnes F.
the location really helps this place food is average, beer selection is ok but the service is really not up to par you don't see your server often and when you do, you have to remind them several times what you are ordering if you are in the neighborhood, i guess you don't really have a choice...
(2)Elena M.
Great establishment for watching the big game - or all GAMES! With over 40 TV's in action, you never have to fear you're missing out on your favorite team. Beer selection is pretty solid, always been pleased with the food, priced reasonably, staff is open/friendly, atmosphere is cozy! I used to consider this place kinda dirty...but that was back when smoking was allowed. Since the no-smoking regulation, this bar is back on my top list - as sports bars are concerned. Also, rather than blasting music, the bar will air audio of the featured game. Which is a big deal when watching at a bar. Who wants to hear "Livin' on a Prayer" while Devon Hestor's returning a kick for a TD??? It's a local/after work crowd during the week, but can get touristy on the weekends. TO's always full of sports fans, and does not favor any team in particular.
(3)Nikki P.
My bf and i stopped in for a quick late lunch as it was the only place we could see from our hotel room that was nicccceeee and close (Doubletree Magnificent Mile). You walk in and immediately head downstairs. The ambiance is your classic laid back pub/tavern. It was bigger than i thought it was going to be. Good food, good service, LOTS of TV's which we loved, good cold beer. We would def recommend this place and will likely return if we are in that area again.
(4)K R.
great place for a drink or two after work or to hang out with friends, you need to try the pina coladas, and their saucy fingers basket my fav !.. also they have oversize jinga and a dart target love it !
(4)Claudia v.
Fun place on a saturday morning. $20 bottomless bloody marys, can't beat that! great burgers, good prices. I'll be back
(5)Emily P.
***Update 5/30/10 This bar is slacking on getting HD on all of their TVs.. if you're gonna call yourself a sports bar then at least give your customers a clear screen from all angles!! just saying. Definately my go-to bar for watching sports. Food is good (pub food), prices are decent. Although, it is a "basement bar", so after being there a few hours, you can lose track of time and crave the natural light. Bears games are fun to watch because they raffle off t-shirts and jerseys. My friend won a Hillenmeyer jersey at the expense of a bucket of miller lites. Not too shabby! They also offer bus services to and from soldier field for the games for $5. One more detail to note, this bar delivers! Granted, I live around the corner from here, but when I don't feel like leaving my apartment to grab a burger or some spicy buffalo wings... they deliver right to my door! It's a beautiful thing.
(3)B. S.
late night bar, average food. its a bar.......thats what you should expect.
(3)Amy H.
Two words: Hell. Hole.
(1)liz d.
The service here at Timmy's has gotten better over the last year. Being a busy place for after work drinks, AKA Happy Hours, it can get a tad bit busy. The staff really steps it up and keeps those drinks flowing. Daily special are listed at the table for the wallet watching drinkers. Add the occasional food specials and you have yourself a pretty inexpensive night. My favorite drink here, the Black and Black, I have found at no other spot. It's Guinness with a splash of Blackberry syrup. OMG YUM, but filling. Also not to miss are the goat cheese quesadillas. Filled with veggies and crap tons of goat cheese, it's one of the best items on the menu.
(4)Matt R.
Great everyday pub on the corner. Good beer selection.
(4)Lexi F.
Gotta love O'Tooles. I'm in the industry and this is our go-to place after work. The bartenders are wonderful and take great care of us. They have a huge selection of beer and decently priced beverages. As far as food goes - I love the Chipotle BBQ Saucy Fingers and the Hummus Plate. Tuesday is also Karaoke night.
(5)Andrew B.
When here at about 10 PM to a bar full of med and law students with an irish pub feel. Beer is pretty cheap and its a fun and rowdy crowd. The table was kind of sticky, but the bathrooms were pretty clean. Plenty of TVs if you are trying to watch sports. Service was excellent. I would for sure go back here with a group of young adults, but might not be cut out for the 40+ crowd later at night...
(4)Nate Y.
We spotted Timothy O'Toole's, and as a visitor/tourist from Boston I had to see what Chicago's take was on an Irish pub/sports bar. You walk down into the bar and found the staff welcoming. It had the familiar stale beer odor you get from this kind of establishment, but other than that it was very clean. There were a few pool tables, some video games. It actually felt like an Irish/sports bar, somewhat of a dual personality and therefore nothing really authentic. The beer selection was fine, they even have a beer specials, which something you don't get in Boston. Tried a local brew which was a lemon shandy, and then had a $2 PBR out of a can. I thought it was fine for what it was.
(3)Stephanie P.
I happen to love this place. Service is always good and the food is much better than standard bar food. Their seasonal menu is usually awesome. The only downside is during game times it is insanely crowded.
(4)Larry B.
About as much an Irish pub as Bennigans. What a joke. THis is a sports bar my friends and nothing more. Decent selection of common beer and pretty bad food ala Fridays. Grease city. Busy after work crowd due to location. Ok to have a brew and watch the game, but avoid the food unless you have a cast iron stomach.
(1)Jenna C.
20% off Wildcard discount on Wednesday and the waitress offered the discount when she saw that we were from Kellogg - so plus one point for service. Beyond that, it's a pretty average bar.
(3)Dianna P.
This was my first trip to Chicago and this bar was right across the street from my hotel. We went into the bar the evening before St. Patricks Day 2012, it was packed and we had to wait about 5 minutes to be let in - the bouncer at the bottom of the stairs said they were checking to see if they were at capacity and could let more people in. As we waited the gentleman behind us told the bouncer that his friend was holding a table for him and asked if he could be let in. The bouncer stood up, walked over to this guy and pointed in his face and said "You're about to find out I'm not a host!, you're about to find out" giving the guy a stare down...creepy. So a couple minutes later the four people in my party were allowed in so I said jokingly to the guy, "You're pretty busy, must be something going on this weekend" he was looking at my ID and yelled "YEA, its National White People Day". OK, so you're a black guy working for an Irish sports bar....what kind of people do you expect to be seeing around St Pats Day? What a jerk, I was so pissed by his tone and anger...I wanted to remind him that we just celebrated an entire MONTH dedicated to black people and their history! Give me a break, I can't believe this guy is working with people and he has this bad attitude. The rest of our trip we never went back to this bar, instead we walked 7 blocks to another great bar where the employees are nice and dont make racial slurs!
(1)D h.
A good place for a drink & snack/appetizer. Service is always acceptable & you can usually find a table or spot at the bar. Tons of TVs to make sure you get to see the game. Though O'Toole's is not unique, it is a great place to catch up with friends or if you are in a large group. Being downstairs makes the place a little more "cozy" especially in the winter. Nothing fancy, but just a good bar.
(4)Helen T.
I like to call this place my own McLaren's (How I Met Your Mother). Right around the corner from my apartment and great bar food at a decent price. Good burgers, love the fries, great caesar salad, and GREAT turkey club. Check their specials..there's usually some drink deals like their beer of the month.
(4)Chrissy N.
Fun place: It's Irish Pub meets sports bar. There are pool tables, some arcade-y games, large screens everywhere with sports happening, and LOTS of variety of beers on tap, and a full menu. The basic bar food and appetizers. There is a back room for parties it seems too. LOTS of seating.
(3)Jason L.
I did not expect to like this bar. Rather unmemorable drink specials if you're not a beer drinker. It's a little loud, but in general has a nice neighborhood pub atmosphere, billiards, and you could fit a big group of friends in here if necessary.
(3)Dustin F.
This place is filled with assholes and phony sports fans. I used to tolerate O'Toole's because it's close to work and they have a decent tap, but I guess my desire to be surrounded by assholes is waning. I got chastised by an asshole for having a soccer game that he and his asshole friend were completely ignoring changed to the Blackhawks game. Chicago sports bar = Chicago sports, right? Not in this realm of unruly assholes. Go to P.J. Clarke's instead. The assholes there are more innocuous.
(2)abs t.
dependent on the game or fight that's on, definitely a cool place to come. Saw a mayweather fight here and it was packed with great atmosphere. Watched a college football game here, same thing. Came on a random sunday afternoon for afternoon football, and it was pretty quiet. Still always had good service, the food was good for what it is - pub/sports bar food. One day had the apple cobbler for dessert and it was so good..tried it another day and it was just meh. Depends on the day, i guess, and the person who makes it.
(3)Anonymous P.
I expected this place to suck, and it actually was really good. Very nice sports bar, with TVs everywhere. I was able to watch the two games I was hoping to watch simultaneously on TVs adjacent to each other. The food was actually very good. Fries were exceptional--great texture. Chicken sandwich was better than average. The reason I'm not giving five stars is that the beers were crappy--about what I came in expecting. I think a beer on the level of Sierra Nevada was the highest end.
(4)Leesa W.
I know it's an Irish pub but they have the BEST Guacamole EVER!
(4)Angelica D.
Okay well this place is just a bar. Food is edible, drinks are ok, a little overpriced but then again it is downtown so its expected. There's really not much to this place. There really isnt that much of a choice as far as bars go around that area. The staff is friendly so thats a bonus, oh and they gave me 20% off my next visit so i guess thats a plus.
(2)Erin J.
Went there for drinks with some friends last night, and it was cool. The place is pretty big, and the pool table area was nice. The crowd there was more diverse than I thought it would be, which was a BIG plus. At one point we ordered a cheeseburger and some fries, and they were pretty good - not too greasy, and the fries were actually pretty good! As for spendiness, I was there with a friend who's a regular so we were treated quite well, but I can only imagine what it would be like if I were in there solo. Three shots of Patrn silver - which I am aware isn't terribly cheap anyway - ran me $24. $24! Had I bought 6 shots, it would have been $48, which is more expensive than a 375ml bottle, which holds about 12 shots! I know there is a markup - of course, otherwise we'd all drink at home all the time, but that is a STEEP markup! Nevertheless, I had a good time. The bouncers are HUGE and very friendly, and I got absolutely no crap from the bartenders, either. Even the girls in the bathroom (customers) were happy! It was a nice night.
(3)Lawrence Y.
I see this place each time I go to Navy Pier and finally stopped by to check this place out a couple weekends ago. We sat outside (small patio area), and our server was nice but a little spacey. We all had the wraps, and they were SO good (and huge)! I had the BBQ ranch chicken wrap with garlic mashed potatoes as my side (with sour creme)... it was really good! I couldn't even finish half of it. Also had a few bites of the blackened chicken wrap and that was good too! Their ceasar dressing tasted more like ceasar-italian but no complaints here! Now I'm craving for the wrap again, arrrghh!!
(4)Katrina F.
I am a big fan of Timothy O'Toole's to sit at the bar with friends and watch sports. In the afternoon lunch hour and happy hour, the crowd is local and mainly the business crowd. Come evenings and weekends the place is full of tourists. I love the feel of the bar. It reminds me of Cheers. The bar staff is nice and extremely friendly. The Irish Nachos and a jumbo size beer are my favorite menu items. There have been many a time that I have gotten tab with a beer or two missing which is a huge plus! Okay- on Saturdays especially during the college football season they have $5 huge plastic cups of Miller beer...plus you get to keep the cup!! You can't go wrong in the Streeterville area for this price! Oh and the bloody mary's YUMMO!!!!
(4)Eric S.
I love this place...... pool.... games.... stand up..... food..... beer..... girls..... what more do you want....
(5)Tim B.
I loved this place. When I was in Chicago we went to a bunch of bars and this place was probably the friendliest place we went. It was expensive, but no more than any of the other places we went to. We didn't have any food, only beer and whiskey. Our waiter was one of the most personable waiters I have ever had; he made this place great! I will post his name when I remember what it was!
(5)F. B.
Had a good time. Everything was very good, food, brews, service, atmosphere.
(4)Nels W.
I went with friends after work before a movie, and I won't make that mistake again. With so many options downtown, I'm not sure why anyone would come here more than once. One friend noted that burgers are done Medium-Well by default, so we both ordered Medium, and didn't get that. There was no pink in the burger at all. And no flavor in the meat, for that matter. They must have gotten them from the same place they got the fries, because those were some of the worst I've ever had. We thought maybe they screwed up the order because the waiter didn't write anything down, but it said Medium on the receipt. The Thai Peanut Coleslaw sounds like a good idea, but it's not. It's just the normal coleslaw with some sort of Thai peanut in it (might have been better if they just throw some Thai peanut sauce from the grocery store on top instead of whatever they actually did to make it).
(1)Ryan C.
was ok... food, service etc...
(3)Yo U.
When Timmy's gets crowded, it can be quite hard to get served. That being said, the hard-working staff members seem to be good folks. I don't much care for the dungeon-like atmosphere.
(3)H C.
I've always had a good time here. Service is good and the food is good. I love me some Irish Fries!
(4)Tom B.
My opinion will be a little biased since I'm more of a regular here and they treat me as such: good service, discounts and a good atmosphere The food is your regular sort of bar food such as sandwiches, burgers, wings, nachos. I usually go for the wraps, never really had a bad one yet. The wings are probably their best appetizer by far. The beer selection is okay, I usually always find something to drink right off the bat. I never go for the mixed drinks not my thing but I hear the Bloody Mary's are good. The service is pretty decent, maybe on the busiest of nights you may have to track down your waitress/waiter but I've always never had to wait too long to get a drink. Food also comes out pretty quick so that's a plus. Overall atmosphere is usually med students from the Northwestern Hospital and people getting out of work nearby. I would recommend getting there by 4pm because usually by 5pm the place is packed especially Fri nights or when a big game is on. I always begin my nights here when I'm in the neighborhood, and it's rare for me to have slow service or bad drinks but I do recommend Wed., Thurs, or Fri. are probably your best nights here especially when there is a game on. As a side note the name is really the only thing Irish about this place...
(4)Brent W.
the place is laid out terribly and it's always packed beyont....i know i know, it's a sports bar with a bazillion tv's but really, there are far better places out there...and with food that's textbook bar fare, TOT's offers nothing that would bring me back again.
(2)Lisa G.
This is a great little neighborhood bar. After a long day, you can pop in here for a cold beer, some good bar food and a chat with the locals. The staff is always friendly and in short skirts and will chat with you if you're in the mood. This place is open late and the kitchen also closes late. I've never seen it empty or even slow, really. **Beware the pool shark here. He'll be in a blazer and he'll want you to buy him a beer if he wins.
(4)Liz Q.
Don't try to fool me with your cheerful new "faux Irish pub" facade. I know how you are....smoky, crowded and hard to get a drink at the bar. You DO serve pretty good bar food and that's why I will never fully be able to write you off. A word of warning: due to the fact that this is a subterranean bar, it is VERY easy to lose track of time in there. One beer at 6 easily turns into "LAST CALL!". And then you'll feel just as their logo depicts....like a red headed Irishman slumped over a table. And that's not good at all.
(3)Scooter M.
Highly recommend this bar to anyone looking for a place to hang on any given Sunday in the fall. O'Tooles is the place to be on Bears gamedays, great atmosphere and giant jenga is fun win or lose! Ask for Amber, you won't regret it : )
(5)Darrick A.
Went out with co workers, great time,and atmosphere if you're a big sports fan you'll really love it. Food and drinks great. Gotta try the Holy Water!
(4)Melissa B.
I have been here twice, and BOTH times I left severely angry. We went in both times after the lunch rush, around 1pm. There were plenty of servers, but none came to us. We sat there with not even water for ages! The food was o.k, run of the mill bar food. Once again, the server disappeared, so if there was something wrong, it's not like we could say anything. Finally we got the check. THEN the server hovered, waiting for his money! I've been in the service industry for quite some time, so I know how it is. This was THE WORST SERVICE EVER!!!!!
(1)Bobby D.
Not a bad place to go, If you're just going there for a lunchbreak. But I would avoid the fish dinners. Somehow didn't taste very fresh.
(3)Eric M.
This is one of my favorite spots to hit up after watching a movie downtown. The staff are always friendly, the food tastes great, the beer is cold, and there are plenty of TVs to catch up on the games.
(4)Katie B.
When I used to live in Strreeterville I came here all the time but it had been years. When we dropped in Friday night I was kinda expecting a nightmare of green beads and belligerence. It was totally crowded but really fun, we got a table right away. The waitress was being patience with our indecision and the food came quickly and was delicious. The chicken nachos were not great, but the irish nachos were perfect. The scene was completely fun. Nice to revisit this great place.
(4)Heather H.
Drinks have always been ok, but tiny. The hummus is excellent, I love it, but veggie burger is just ok. It's your classic grab and go bar food, nothing wonderful but does the job. Loud as hell sometimes, servers have always been good, almost always a beer promotion going on, but awesome in the fact the tourists don't know it's there, it's a little hidden unless you know what you are looking for, so when you are starving on a tourist filled weekend, run there, you will actually get to eat!
(3)Mark L.
Came here for dinner while on a business trip to Chicago. I found this to be an excellent pub, with just the right ambience and good drinks and food to go along. When you enter you go down a flight of stairs, so the bar is slightly subterranean. It's a large area and slightly dark, just like a good pub should be. There's a large oval shaped bar, with seats going all around. I was able to find a seat at the bar when I visited. There are ample screens behind the bar playing a variety of sports events, so it's easy to watch games from anywhere you sit. There are lots of tables around eye bar for groups to sit at. When I went, the bar was extremely lively, with an animated crowd that made it feel like a fun place to be. They have a large number of craft beers on tap and advertise 48 beers on a sign outside. I ordered a Bell's Two Hearted Ale, one of my favorites The menu looked like pretty standard pub dare, and I got a Californian burger, which came with avocado, sprouts, and jack cheese, and was quite good. The die of cole slaw I had with it tasted pretty generic. All in all, I found this bar to be real fun to hang out at and would come here again if I visit Chicago again.
(5)Neal E.
Came in here late on evening on a Wednesday evening for something to eat during a work trip to Chicago. It was after midnight and the brainiacs in management up the street at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers think it's good business to close all food service down at a particular time - even when the hotel bar is packed to overflowing with business. So one must go elsewhere for food and drink. The lady manning the front desk at the Sheraton recommended I try Timothy O'Toole's. So I walked down from my hotel - about five blocks. The place was hopping late - actually it was past midnight so technically it was Thursday morning. I grabbed a spot at the bar and ordered a plate of Nachos and a pint of the Goose Island IPA. While I was waiting, I scanned the bar, noting the goings on. It's an interesting mix of things - it feels like it is trying to be multiple things: An Irish Pub, A Sports Bar, a Dive Bar... It also felt like a bit of a meat market - which made for some entertaining people watching. There are flat panel HD TV's all over the place, and some pool tables. Nachos were huge - way to much food for me to eat the whole plate! The Goose Island IPA is a rather ordinary IPA on my scale of IPA ratings, but it is a local Chicago area craft beer, so felt like I should order one! I'd come here again! Would have been more fun with friends!
(4)Kamilah S.
My co workers and I came here for after work drinks, the place was packed, but we eventually found seats. Service was great, one problem, my Moscow Mule was NOT served in a copper cup, very disappointed, it tasted great, but it was visually appalling. GET IT TOGETHER, Timothy O'Toole's Pub!
(3)Kevin J.
A great sports bar. Cozy basement with lots of TV's and ambiance. The food was pretty average though. I had the French dip - one of their specialities according to the waitress and it wasn't very special. Maybe a good place to watch the game and have a few beers with the gang but wouldn't count on having a great meal here. Will keep looking in Chicago for that great sports bar that has great food too.
(3)Derek B.
It's a fun location for happy hour. The food is pretty good and the drinks do the job. The staff is adequate. I think this place has a lot more potential for a downtown bar/restaurant, though.
(3)Mandy M.
2 stars because of the food. Worst sampler appetizer platter I've ever had. Don't recommend eating there. Grab a beer get food elsewhere.
(2)Belle L.
Affordable place for food and drinks. Packed on a Tuesday night. Outdated website that says karaoke at 9:00 pm, instead of 10:30 pm (the real time). Loud. Good pleasant service. Quick cleanup. Clean venue. Plenty of seating. Fish & Chips -- both fish and chips are overcooked. Dry fish. Hard chips. Fish Tacos -- supposedly good.
(3)Zameer A.
I have been a regular customer here since I moved to Chicago, but despite this, the people who work at this bar have managed to treat my fiancé and I like utter trash; they even made my fiancé cry. After refusing to let us in to buy food (and only food) because they claimed my fiancé was too drunk (she was wearing high heels and missed the bottom step), they told us that our business isn't important to them (I'm literally quoting what the assistant manager said), and just threw us out. The food was always ok ; The wings were always overcooked to a crisp, and the fries were usually soggy, but the sauces for the wings were good. However, the management of this place has no respect for customers, especially not regulars. I, personally, would not recommend supporting a business which doesn't respect its customers, so I won't be going back ever again. Chicago is a huge city in the midwest, full of fantastic, friendly people, and your time and money would be better spent at another bar where the managers and staff you meet are actually friendly.
(1)Trent B.
My wife and I went to Chicago for our first time and stayed near this place. I'm kinda embarrassed to say but we spent a lot of our time here. Place is awesome and very friendly. Cool bartenders that didn't roll their eyes at first time visitors like a lot of places.
(5)Hannah M.
Awesome sports bar. I came here to watch a Patriots game. They made sure I got a table where I could see my game and the Blackhawks. The staff was good but a little inattentive. The food was great. My friend and I decided to get really girly drinks during the game: she got an amazing and strong Jolly Rancher martini, and I got a Starburst cocktail, which was delicious. Later, we got beers; they had a pretty good selection. After we ate, a magician came up to our table and performed a little magic show for us. It was free, and he also made us balloon hats to keep. It was a little odd but ended up being pretty fun. I will definitely be back.
(5)Tina P.
This is my kinda bar! I love the atmosphere here, you could be as rowdy as you want and they probably wouldn't even notice. Well that was the case for my drunk friends at least lol. it could also be because we were in a separate room to accommodate for our party of 11. The Giant Jenga was a hit for my friends and I, and the fact that there are flat screens on every wall was pretty cool. The attire is very casual. staff was nice, on a fri and sat night it could get pretty packed.
(4)David C.
Went here for late night drinking and to grab some food. The hostess completely ignored us. She saw us walk through the door and didn't say a thing. We were unfortunate enough to come during Tuesday karaoke night. In the upside our waitress was great and very efficient on checking up on us. The burgers were really good. The sweet potato fries were a little on the over cooked side. Overall, nice, chill spot to go.
(3)Jennifer M.
Despite currently undergoing renovations that give off an eery feeling of being in a hot dungeon, this is still one of my favorite sports bar and restaurant. The staff gives off the "Cheers" type of vibe. The best after work social gathering place (better once the reno is complete) in this area. I would not go back and order their wings again. It was once award winning; they've changed it so they really should stop advertising because it's definitely not as good as it used to be. The Spinach and Artichoke dip is now MEH at best. What is great at this place is their Specials. We really like Build-Your-Own Burger and especially the Build-Your-Own Grilled Cheese. The beer prices are standard. I wasn't able to have a Black and Blue here. They don't serve Blue Moon. Maybe it's because of the limited space on tap during its renovation.
(4)Jon O.
I really like this spot. I stopped in with a buddy to watch a Blackhawks game and have a few beers. It's located in the basement of a building but is lit up pretty well inside as well as having a "open" feel to it so you don't get the sense of being too closed in like some basement bars/restaurants. We didn't have too much in the way of food (just some nachos) but they were as good as I have ever had. The big selling point for me with this bar is they have a great beer selection. Pretty much everything you'd want to try out so you can try something new about every time you go in. I'm a fan of the IPA's myself and they have quite a few to choose from. There was one beer on the menu that. if I remember correctly, is priced around 120$ and comes in 100oz serving size. I'd like to try it but will probably have to have a few friends in tow to tackle that one haha
(4)Dayna B.
Keith and Heather are amazing. They both made my experience what it was. I love them and will always come here to see them.
(5)Jennifer P.
This bar has pool and Jenga! The bar is pretty big, and it is definitely a lot of fun. you can play pool while drinking.. and definitely hustle someone! What makes this bar even cooler is that you can also go into this room if you have a group of 8 or maybe more or less, where giant bricks of wood jenga are set up to play!!! playing for shots is fine. they have this jungle juice type of drink called the "Holy Water," it is made with a bunch of different types of alcohol but you can hardly taste it. We ordered the nacho fries and chicken tenders for food. the nacho fries were good bar food. the chicken tenders were made with too much breading, which was not good to be although it was kah-rispy. if you want 20% off your bill, you should stay at Doubletree hotel and get a coupon from them. Or maybe just go to the hotel and ask them for one.. maybe they'll be nice enough to give you one!
(4)Jed M.
This place looks like an old speakeasy. When arriving we were led downstairs to a huge opening with a few rooms. This place is much bigger than I would have imagined. We were set in the back room with plenty of tv's around. It was a bit loud as they were busy, but I could still here everyone at my table just fine so no problems there. We had eaten a large late lunch earlier so we only did apps here and they were your standard bar food. Generic buttered soft pretzels and fries. Nothing special, but something to munch on while you drink. Fantastic beer and bourbon list and the bourbon prices are the most reasonable in town. This is definitely the highlight. Service was good. My water was constantly topped off and our server seemed pretty knowledgable of the menu. This gets 4 stars for the beer/bourbon list and prices and good service. The food we had was meh, but the rest is enough to bring it up.
(4)Shauna D.
GREAT TRIVIA NIGHTS!! I attended the 2nd Edition of Saved by the Bell Trivia, and even though I consider myself a Bellhead, I was stumped on several occasions, but I loved the challenge! The host is great, very natural/casual/funny. It is well organized, and the drinks/food are all reasonably priced and excellent. Definitely coming back for any trivia night I can. PS We were "waitlisted" but showed up anyway and got in! So don't wait for them to call you and say someone cancelled, there are more likely to just be no-shows than people who actually call.
(4)Jerry V.
I have never appreciated working in the hospitality industry more than when I found out that Timmy O'Toole's gives us 50% off. This works out- with being a block away from my office, having some awesome bartenders, mean 'mixologists', and awesome specials to be my new favorite neighborhood pub. The wings I ordered were a bit lacking and if they were better this would have definitely been a 5 Star Review!
(4)Steven F.
Spacious Irish Pub. $10 Draft pitchers. 3 Pool tables. Tons of TVs to watch games. Super chill spot, good service, cute waitresses. Hung out with my buddies playing pool, drinking, and watching games for 4 hours...
(4)Stephen S.
So the service is a little slow and the vibe is a little kitchy (having giant Jenga is both of source of bonus points and a statement on the sort of establishment you're in) but I'm always happy to wind up at Timothy O'Toole's thanks to their amazing beer list. The often a great selection of well-priced and tasty drafts and back it up with a really good bottle list as well. On my most recent visit I had a Goose Island Baudoinia on draft, offered in a snifter at even a better price than you can get it at the Goose Island brewpub. I'm always impressed by their rotating seasonals as well.
(3)Aimee K.
Leave it to me to be in St. Louis through the entire Cards post-season then have to be in Chicago during the last game of the World Series. Major fail on my part, but when it came time to watch, I assigned my friend with finding a sports bar that was a) awesome, b) had good food and drinks, and c) would be playing audio along with showing the game. He definitely delivered and Timothy O'Tooles was where I sat for a good four hours taking in the World Series win. I ordered a grilled cheese and fries and I'm not really sure why (am I back in kindergarten or something?) but it was good and sometimes it's nice to just eat something simple for once! The drinks were good all evening as well -- just Captain and ginger ale with lime, so hard to mess up, but I could tell the liquor was definitely controlled while pouring. I think I drank mostly ginger ale which I'm sure my body was thankful for, but I kept trying to get a buzz and it just. wouldn't. happen. A few notes about the atmosphere... holy drunk people! The first room (we were in the back room) was so rowdy and I'm glad our table wasn't in there because it would've been too loud and distracting. However, we had some distractions of our own because somehow women kept getting locked in the bathroom. Yes, I'm serious. I'm not sure how this happened but every ten minutes or so we'd hear someone banging on the door because they couldn't get out! That could definitely create some unhappy customers, just saying... I'll maybe me back sometime mainly because Danny W says they create the best Bloody Mary's in Chicago, but that's probably it. Good place to watch the game!
(3)Nikhil A.
I must say, it was busy and lively ambiance. As soon as we walked in, first thing that caught our attention was Pool Tables...yey. TV's all over for a sports bar feel. Within 5 minutes we had a table. This was Friday at 6 (kinda rush time). Courteous staff and a great foo menu to choose from. Good drink choices including Cider's at a reasonable price. We ordered Veggie Burgers, and it was ok. I felt it was little dry, other than that, it was fine. Could have used more mayo or sauce on it but my other friends liked it. Over all, its a nice atmosphere to be hanging out with a group of friends...
(4)Winston G.
A go-to watering hole in the Streeterville area, I can really only comment on the food here and not on the weekend scene. Food here is actually pretty good -- my roommate and I will frequently eat dinner here or order food to go. Burgers, wraps, nachos, wings -- all are solid and well priced. Call ahead if you want to pick up so you don't have to wait. French onion soup is a bit on the salty side, but a nice layer of melted cheese. Sometimes for their soup of the day, they have this cream of chicken type soup that is awesome. Make sure to get that.
(4)Abe R.
This isn't a bad spot as far as this area is concerned. The prices are far below what you'd expect in this area, and they always seem to have some sort of draught/draft beer special, as they serve big ass beers. Another thing this place has going for it is the pool tables, good bar food(not new American, just good ol' American), and both bar and table service. Honestly, this is a place where people just seem to have a good time and get really messed up. Not bad for a bar if you ask me, but still not a place that I would normally visit, as I only come here for a quickie when I'm early(on purpose) picking up my wife on a late night of work... Enjoy Suckas'!!!
(4)Katelyn E.
I'm going to throw it out there... Timothy O'Tooles might very well have the best wings in Chicago. Crispy, saucing, tasty, finger-licking wings. I'm a fan of the Ginger wings, but the husband swears by the spicy buffalo. The atmosphere is always fun- there's always THE game on, no matter who you're rooting for. I've been when there's kareoke and it draws a really funny crowd (think a white guy in a business suit angrily rapping to every single word of Eminem). There's a party room if you come with a crowd, otherwise there's seating in the bar cocktail tables or a more formal dining area. There's always deals going on- I'm pretty positive they host a bus to the Bears game. I'd give you 5 stars, but one time you incorrectly assumed I was drunk (when I was only slightly tipsy) and you denied me entry. Brats.
(4)Andrew D.
Just stumbled upon this sports pub while walking around downtown...now it's on our list to visit again! Had a great time here. It's a little loud, but the food and service were great! I had the (outstanding) Shepherd's Pie and my wife enjoyed her (quite large) hamburger.
(4)Mark A.
Big ups to the bartenders and random waitress Kristina (spelling?) for being so nice and accommodating to the one guys who brings in his laptop to work at the bar on a Saturday night fight night. Yeah, I was that guy. Second props goes to them for thinking I'm some TV famous fighter celeb. ...(thinks to himself, "Maybe that's why they were so AWESOME now...hmm.) Anyways, famous or not, they were flippin' cool. Allowed me to plug my chord over the bar next to their super wet blender and hopefully UNUSED frozen drink sink. You order a frozen drink at a bar, you're worse than the powertool sitting next to you with the laptop. O'Toole's because they get a lot of hotel and tourist traffic, you'd think would have sub-rad bar food, but NO. They put it down. Yes, my Mediterranean Salad was deliciioso and YES the BBQ wings were done right. And YES, I said I ordered a Medy Tee Salad at a bar. On a Saturday night. Fight me on it. I got a Redbull. It wasn't sugar free. One bartender wore lots of wristbands to store his bottle popper and stuff.
(4)J L.
We went there to watch an NCAA game and had a great experience. We had to wait for about an hour for a table but during the wait we had some great beers. (I had Hoegaarden, just in case I forget...) Pool tables are definitely a plus! Their food is ok for a bar. We loved how many TVs there are in the lounge, and that our team won. :) They have a burger challenge and if you finish you get a T-shirt. But it wasn't too big, my friend finished it quickly...
(4)Jake S.
This place is excellent! I was in town for a few days visiting a friend and this place was the highlight of my weekend. They have friendly staff, quick service, and a fantastic beer selection. If you're hungry I'd personally recommend trying the O'Tooles Burger! You can bet I will be back on my next trip to Chicago.
(5)Santiago A.
Tura lura lural! You won't need a lullaby to go to sleep after eating at auld Tim's. The food coma will take care of that. And it's sure to come with their great selection of food and beers. I was starving after not having eaten all day and nearly breaking my ankles skating at nearby Millenium Park. Timothy O'Toole made me smile by delivering an excellent burger in my time of need. And When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, sure, they steal your heart away. Ok, I'm not Irish, but Mexicans and Irish have been tight for may decades now, so close enough. At any rate, I'm sure to frequent ToT! It was a great place to catch the Sunday night football game. Definitely try a burger here if your visiting from out of town. They'll have you saying Erin go bragh in no time! Also, try their Irish Nachos and soups. If you live near by, then you'll have plenty of time to eat your way through their mouth-watering menu. This is defintely one of those "come for the game, stay for the food" kinda places. Oh my luck charms. I think I'll build a boat and sail away now, ta ta ta ta.
(4)Judy C.
A million and one screens with whichever game you're in the mood to watch. Huge place so good for groups
(4)Ryan H.
Horrible service and crude attitudes is what I left experiencing this place. I will never visit this place again. Horrible customer service from our waitress. She should be fired.
(1)Billy W.
This place is pretty generic and totally fine for what it is - a downtown area sports bar with food, but don't expect anything outrageous or special. There seemed to be several pool tables so maybe check out O'Toole's if that's what your looking for. Prices were relatively high, as to be expected. Crowd seemed to be a combination of tourists from the nearby hotels and people who worked in the area.
(3)Jeff C.
Timmy O'Toole's is a local pub in the Streeterville neighborhood situated in a curiously low-rise building at Fairbanks & Ontario (which provides the customer in the basement pub exceptional phone/mobile-Internet service if the customer so desires). O'Toole's fancies itself an "Irish Pub" which puts it in the company of roughly 4.3M other "Irish Pubs" in Chicago. This isn't to say it's average, though, because it's not. O'Toole's is a friendly eatery, not too big, not too small, that provides tremendous food and "pub grub" along with a seemingly endless selection of beers on-tap, bottled beers, liquors and even a reasonable wine selection for that person all of us have dated at least once who just "doesn't like the taste of beer or hard alcohol". No sweat - I dig on a cabernet blanc every now and again myself. As per Illinois law, you can bring minors into the establishment prior to 10:00pm, but after 10:00pm it becomes 100% 21+. The west end of the pub is equipped with a stage, and there is a running calendar there featuring regular comedy acts, as well as *shudder* Karaoke and live-music events. There are calendars on the wall there, but I'm sure that you can access upcoming events online, too (there may be things *COUGHKARAOKECOUGH* that you would rather avoid, for example, and knowing what's on the agenda before you arrive is always a good thing). Finally, for all its good qualities, there is one last thing I should mention that's not so hot for everyone. This place is LOUD. I mean really &#$%ing loud. I don't know why, exactly, but the decibels in that place have to come close to runway 12 at O'Hare during a SwissAir's 747's launch sequence. Maybe it's the acoustics down there, but if you're sensitive to loud noises EVEN A LITTLE BIT, it wouldn't hurt to pack some nice, understated earplugs. So all that being said, I still like this place a lot. The Irish Nachos are outstanding and the steak sandwich is tremendous. I've never had a bad meal there. Check out Timmy O'Toole's next time you're in Streeterville. I recommend it highly.
(4)Azize S.
I love watching hockey and football here! They have a TON of TV's - get there early tho, it gets crowded. They always have some kind of bucket of beer special for the games and the crowd is super into it. They have an MC for the Hawks games who plays music during commercials and a guy with a siren helmet for when they score a goal. I dont usually eat here but the food seems like average to slightly above average for bar food. I had a specialty burger once that was pretty good. Other than that, its nachos and sandwiches/wraps/salads and those are pretty standard.
(4)Stephanie W.
This place is a lot more fun when the Bears win than when they lose. The food is good. Drinks are too.
(3)John M.
Didn't make it inside. The bouncer was such a control freak that we left immediately. Disappointed. Sigh
(1)Danielle K.
The food and drinks were great, however HORRIBLE SERVICE. My friend and I each ordered angry ball to drink and got a cheeseburger and lady fingers to share as well. While the food was very good, the bartender was one of the rudest people I have ever encountered (brown hair in pony tail with blue eyes). My friend asked a simple question about the food menu and he was very condescending and cold. He did not smile once and was just SO unfriendly. We left feeling like we had inconvenienced him. He also automatically added gratuity, which seemed strange for a party of 2. I have never seen that before. I gave them 2 stars because the food and drinks WERE tasty, but due to the terrible service I will not be back!
(2)Nelson M.
Restaurant review This place is packed! During our recent dinner out we were suprised how busy Timmy O'Toole would be at 5 pm. Remember to bring your driver license as they scan it at the front door. Overall the ambiance is consistent with a popular bar hang out for tourist and locals alike with lots of TVs to catch ongoing sport action. I was a bit suprise how loud it would be so early in the evening. The servers are friendly and always check up on how things are going. For dinner, the prices for the food was more than reasonable. Our nacho pulled pork appetizer was huge. It could have used more cheese sauce, but otherwise it was enough for 4 people and only cost 10 dollars. I had the chicken finger basket which was good, but not the best. The fried shrimp basket was way over priced with small shrimps that were advertised as "jumbo shrimp", but there was a healthy supply of fries underneath; but definately not worth 11 dollars. They should just do a popcorn shrimp basket instead..... One of the cool things is the Big Timmy Challenge, if you can eat 2 1/2 lb patties w/ lots of cheese, onion straws, bbq sauce, and fries/onion rings you get a free O'toole t-shirt but this will set you back 19.99. I have not given this a try yet.... Pro: good service, lots of flat screen TVs, most of the items are reasonably priced Cons: loud dining area, jumbo shrimp means normal size shrimp, nacho was a bit weak on the cheese sauce, long wait times if you go late. 20 dollar minimum on NFL sunday, sporting, and special events Hidden gem: Daily drink specials!
(3)Derek D.
I don't go here enough! I just had an unreal BBQ Ranch Wrap and sat at the bar with a co-workers. One thing that stood out was the bartender checked my ID and called me by my first name. VERY COOL. It felt a lot more personal then the usual bar situation of begin ignored. Thank you for a good lunch! d
(5)Aliya E.
Worst comedy I have been to. Not only did the crew make fun of us and make us feel shitty but after the show they tormented us made us feel shitty for participating in whatever they call comedy. Waste of time I highly recommend spending your time knitting for the homeless instead of spending your time on this crowd of lame asses.
(1)Ashley C.
2.5 stars. We came here for lunch/brunch. The brunch food was okay - the belgium waffle was just nothing special. I felt like I could have made it at home had I had the right equipment. The wings were the biggest let down of the group. I blame this on Great Expectations essentially. We came here because they won at 2009 wingfest. The general consensus after trying the wings was "they won?" Bit of a letdown. They weren't bad but I wouldn't market them as the best. The sauce and the amount of the sauce were the biggest complaints. Had the wings been better, the place would have had three stars. Service was okay. Our waitress was friendly enough. This just isn't exactly a spot that I would frequent. Would I go back for brunch? If need be, yes. Would I go there for a drink at night? No way. One review (which I can't remember who) said it best - just add a "Bennagin's" sign. That explains the decor spot on.
(2)Brian Z.
This place was great. Sports on the tube, a lot of beers on tap, and the wait staff was really nice. It's a pub. If you're expecting 5 star service, then look elsewhere. But if you want a filling inexpensive meal, this is the place.
(5)Rachel A.
They say first impressions last, right? We'll get down to the nitty gritty, right off the bat. I'm obviously not from Chicago. I was visiting here over the weekend, and we just happened to have tickets to a Bears game. So we decided to go the shuttle route, instead of trying to find parking at Soldier Field. And Timothy O'Toole's was our shuttle destination (my brother found them on the internet). The staff was rude. In fact, one person in particular was so rude that we left the bar and waited for the shuttle outside. he was demeaning and condescending and just downright nasty. I wanted to smack him for the way he was speaking to us. I had a wonderful vacation in Chicago until I went to this establishment. They seriously put a damper on my time in the Windy City. Please bring your money elsewhere. Go another shuttle route. Do not waste time, energy or money here.
(1)Lia V.
Timmy Timmy Timmy. Basically just a good sports bar. It's like a dark dungeon (because it's underground) with lots of t.v.'s, pool tables, a big bar, and yummy beer and food. They sponsor my softball team so we go after games. They're accommodating and friendly. The food is better than your regular bar food. I got this wrap with chicken, avocado, goat cheese, almonds, and cranberries - it was prettttttttttty delicious. They have this goat cheese quesadilla that is out of this world too. Don't neglect the marinara sauce that comes with it - it enhances the flavors. Trivia on Mondays (which is always fun wherever you go) Big mugs of beer (seasonal) for 6.50 which is a great deal! I had two and was feeling pretty fine. Fun place to check out. I wouldn't go out of my way for it, but if you're in the area it's worth stopping by!
(3)Tara M.
Love this bar! Great atmosphere. Reasonably priced. No one working there was Irish though; so if you love listening to that Irish brogue, like I do, you won't get that here.
(5)WP L.
Good place for drinking but skip the food. Was at a small get together last night. Most of the food looked barely appetizing and reheated. I ordered there "famous" wings, what a disappointment. They were dry and definitely reheated and barely had any buffalo sauce on them. The quesadila was pretty good and the hummus.
(2)Mikey J.
A Northwestern classic! First off, this place is big. Much bigger than I expected. The beer prices are good, not great, and the place has a nice atmosphere to it. Very comfortable and neighborhood bar like. Food is decent. Overall, a reliable and great place. Kind of like a Dell computer.
(3)Bryan D.
Good solid sports bar fare.......great place to watch a game. Never a shortage of energy among the patrons.
(4)Binh D.
Food: Good bar food and great beer selection. Had the Big Timmy Challenge, it wasn't really hard at all. So save your money and buy something else on the menu. Ambiance: Irish Bar with a vast amount of TVs. Definitely a great place to catch the game and grab a good meal. Service: Corey, our waitress was really nice and friendly. Food came out in a timely manner. Price: About $15 - $20 a person for meal and drink. Overall: Great Irish themed sports bar.
(4)Amelia I.
Lets begin with this place was PACKED on Saturday!! They had a ton of people by the bar which instantly made me think, 'oh crap headache lunch here we go'! but the hostess must have seen my look of apprehension and directed us towards the right which is more of a dining room. Still PACKED with tvs but more quiet. Now let me start with the menu isn't THAT extensive if you ask me, but the food is freakin DELICIOUS. You HAVE to try the Irish 'nachos' ie fries with cheese. Mmmm and bacon and sour cream *drool* I had a reuban on their sour dough bread which was amazing THOUGH the thousand island is a little pale? Its almost like it had too much pickle juice and not enough ketchup/mayo. I didnt ask if its 'home' made or bought; but it was still good for the corned beef. And BOY was that corned beef delicious and actually *GASP* seasoned!!! I got tatter tots as me side which was yummy, I should have tried the coleslaw (They have two different kinds I believe) but tatter tots just came out of my mouth and I ate them all like a greedy squirrel! The boyfriend has some kind of spicy burger with jalapenos, cheese, and all kinds of other things that looked delicious but too spicy for me! There's a ton of other appetizers I want to try and the french dip also sounded amazing but I could only eat so much!!! And on a side note about the wait staff; they were all super nice. I know some reviews mention rude people but we had Jenny and she was awesome!! She was on top of drink refills and to go boxs like a magician! And she didnt give me a hard time when I asked for extra thousand (I get glares some times, sue me!). The entire lunch was amazing and everyone else around looked happy with the food and waitresses. Though can only speak for the dining room; the bar was way too rowdy for me even at one-ish in the afternoon. Prob a march-madness game or something. Give them a try! AND the deserts sounded amazing too! Alas, my belly failed me with leaving me extra room! More reason to come back again!
(5)Denise L.
came here after our flight got into Chicago. Our friend's husband had an after-party with his Northwestern peers on Friday. it was much bigger than i expected. You walk down a flight of stairs, and there's a large bar area. It was PACKED (got there around midnight). it felt like a club where you had to squeeze your way through the standing patrons. we got to the back area, which was reserved for the NW folks, and again, it was PACKED. we found a booth, and her hubby got our drinks. My drink wasn't strong at all. We were hungry, and I was eyeing the nachos that every person seemed to be ordering. They looked good! So did the french fries! A little after 1, a busboy said it was a last call. We rushed to the nearby bar, and they gave us a hard time, that last call was 10 minutes ago. My friend told him we were JUST told, so he caved in and made us our drinks, but was a bit rude about it. He told us we could go to the front bar though. Not sure why the last calls would be different times? Maybe the back bar is not normally open? Confused. all in all, a decent pub, but way too packed. wished they made the drinks stiffer too.
(2)Daniel Q.
I have been to this place a few times now and mostly for the wings and to watch a game at the bar with the monster TV's. The Food I have had the Wings and the Wings Basket. I like them spicy. The spice is right, the sauce is good but the wings can be a little small. The fries are a great compliment to spicy wings. The Drinks I am a bit of a snob when it comes to Rum (my drink of choice) so it is hard for me to give them a great grade when the best rum they have is Captain Morgan. They have a lot of different beers and other spirits so you will find something to your liking for sure. The Service The servers and bartenders have been attentive and check on you regularly. When I sat at the bar, despite the bar being a busy Friday afternoon, they two bartenders would ask how I was doing if they saw I was running low on my drink. The servers and bartenders in general provide good service and you don't see or hear of patrons complaining or waiting to long to order or receive what they ordered. The Atmosphere You can get a table or sit in the bar area. I have eaten at both. The bar area is not for kids in my opinion. People are drinking, having a good time, getting mad or excited at their favorite team that they are watching at one of the many TV's they have all over the restaurant. They also have pool tables and what seemed like a good Friday Happy Hour vibe. I could see this as a place as somewhere I go to after work to catch the game while enjoying some happy hour food and drinks.
(4)Tarra T.
Good bar with surprisingly good food considering it's a neighborhood pub. Great spot to catch a game or just grab a quick, inexpensive bite to eat while in the Streeterville, downtown area.
(3)Ken O.
Went for lunch. The menu had a great variety of food to choose from. I had the Bailey Burger. The burger was perfectly done and juicy. The portions for good size. The servers were friendly and non-rushed. I would highly recommend this restaurant for food and drinks.
(4)Ashley M.
The boyfriend and I have been here a few times to catch a New York Knicks' game. We couldn't believe the size of the place! They had no problem changing the TV to the game we wanted so we sat back, had a beer and enjoyed the game. The wings were good but the fish and chips were pretty lousy. Our server said to get that instead of the shrimp because the fish and chips were the best thing on the menu. After eating the fish, I wonder if our server had tried everything else. Other than being really disappointed with the fish and chips, the place has a nice atmosphere and doesn't get too busy when we're there. We will probably be back for the next Knicks' game.
(4)Jeremy B.
This place offered some pretty good food at a relatively reasonable price, especially considering the typical prices you see in Chicago. It's a really cool pub atmosphere and is a relatively large place. It seems newer on the inside. I purchased the Southwest Chicken Wrap, which I highly recommend. We also bought a Country Fried Chicken Salad, which was also pretty great. The only problem we had is that it took forever for our check to come. We actually had to go and ask for it because it eventually just became annoying. Other than that, the staff was super nice and the atmosphere was great. I'd definitely go again if I were in the area!
(4)Jim L.
Was looking for a place to watch the Knicks\Celtics game in Chicago near East Ohio street. I figured I had a good chance because all of the Chicago teams were off. Not just playing out of town but completely off. I ordered the wings. Very good wings. Minimum order is 10 but you can get different seasonings split 5 and 5. I opted for the spicy and ginger garlic both were very good. Place was packed but the service was fast with multiple fly bys of "You Ok?, Need anything?" Nicky was the waitress and she was excellent. Large 20 oz micro brew beers for $ 5.50. Outstanding and unexpected low drink prices. But here is what really impressed me about this sports bar. It has somewhere north of 40 large flat screens. If you are watching one you can see three. So the Knicks game is on one far away and over the bar. I could see the action but not the scores. So I ask the waitress what the score is? She points to a TV right across from my table and says do you want me to put the Knicks game on that one? Before I said yes I looked around and made sure no one was watching the game. The Islanders were getting crushed by the Penguins. So I said sure. She changed the channel in a minute. I said how did you do that so fast? She said they have a master split screen console with broadcasted games on top and the bars TV schematic on the bottom I just drag and drop the broadcast to the TV I want. I fell in love momentarily and asked her to drag and drop the Yankee game next to the Knicks game. Again, request fulfilled. I proceeded to watch the Knicks loose and the Yankees win (thank you Mo). One of my favorite sports bars ever.
(4)Charmie S.
We went to Timmy's because it was across the street from the Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites, and it was late. It's apparently a good sports bar. We were just hungry. We ended up getting a burger and sweet potato fries and a side of green beans. The best of the three was the fries. They have something on those fries. They were thin, crispy and sweet -- like sugar sweet. Well done. But that was about it. The burger was nothing special. The green beans were tasteless. I ended up dipping them in honey mustard to get some flavor. I didn't go there with high expectations of the food, so it wasn't that big of a deal to me. It satisfied my hunger, and that's about it.
(3)Sam C.
My wife and I are in the process of moving to Chicago and we were hungry and went to the closest place we could find: Timothy O'Toole's. And, what a find it was. The food was yummy and reasonably priced. My reuben was as good as it gets. And, our server, Weston, was incredibly personable and helpful. We will definitely be going back once we move to The Windy City.
(5)Dan L.
Great neighborhood sports bar. Better than average bar menu with quality food. They have a terrific beer selection (if you're a beer snob), friendly and attentive servers and bartenders. I enjoy coming here for brunch on a weekend, for a drink after a long day at the office or with friends to watch a game.
(4)Tyler P.
I happened to be in Chicago for the big game this year and this place was recommended to me, as a fun place to watch the game. Seeing as it was directly across the street from my hotel, I thought I would check. I will definitely give kudos to the person that recommended this hangout. I know that some of it had to do with the big game being on, but the buzz that was in the air could be felt from the moment we stepped into the door. There weren't enough tables but they set us with another group of fantastic people at a community table. However, with the addition of some excellent brews we were quickly socializing with our newfound friends. The food here was also surprisingly good for bar food (I would recommend the Chicago Dogs). All-in-all if you are looking for someplace to watch a sporting event, enjoy some frosty beers, and conversate with some nice people, check out Timothy O' Tooles.
(4)J D.
Location- mere blocks from miracle mile, John Hancock blg, cathedral district, etc Ambiance- loud Irish pub/sports bar, diverse crowd, cool music Food- good quality, typical new american cuisine, healthy portions... This is what gave them the third star Drinks- whatever, if you like a real drink don't get anything that requires a mixer of any sort- including coke, juice, etc Greeters- fun, animated, attentive Wait staff- boarder line useless... Not enough staff, you will not be checked in with (good thing our drinks didn't require refill) and when they screw up don't expect an apology. The best was as soon as the food arrived we asked for barbecue sauce (a table spoon for which you'll be charged) ... 8min nothing... Get waitresses attention and she says oh someone's bringing it... Another 8min .... Get waitress again still no BBQ sauce... 6min later everyone at the table is done with their food except for the person waiting on the sauce.... Which has finally arrived- way to go!
(3)Arian M.
Great for lunch. The atmosphere tends to be quieter during lunch, less people. I always enjoy their nachos...nice and gooey! Service always seems to be spot on, not too attentive. I don't like to be bother every 2 mins when I'm gossiping with friends or getting my grub on. I think you should check out this place.
(4)Alan L.
Place is awesome! Good food, GREAT bar staff. One place not to miss in Chicago!
(5)Frankie T.
The fish n' chips were pretty good. Highlight of the visit: $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon tall cans. What a bargain for me. Cool looking joint too!! Will return and do recommend!!
(4)Brian J.
This place had the best wings I have ever had in my life. So take my advice and try the maple BBQ wings, they are phenomenal. Great atmosphere and obviously a popular DT spot, as it was hard for us to find a bar seat the three times that we went.
(5)Mara W.
Truffle fries are delicious!! My burger was good but not great. I ordered the California burger on a pretzel bun medium; the burger was not as juicy as I would have hoped for and the bun was cold and untoasted. My husband had chicken fingers and truffle fries. He liked the chicken fingers but didnt love them; they were small in size also.
(4)Tiffany H.
Stopped by Timothy O'Toole's since all the good wing and beer places closed at 10pm in downtown Chicago. My friends and I ordered the Irish Nachoes (which are actually French fries), some wings, and a bunch of beer. Don't expect much for the wings, they taste the same as the frozen ones you buy at the market and microwave. Unless that's the way Chicago folks like their wings, I was not impressed. On the other hand, the Irish Nachoes were really good! All that cheese with bacon, yum! I don't know if it was good or if the beer made it good but whatever, the combination of the two was fabulous! I'd go back!
(4)Jamie B.
This review pertains to the service at the bar. The burger and wings were great. The service pretty much sucked. I counted 6 bartenders, none of which could manage to ask us if we needed another round. When we finally did flag someone down to bring us more drinks, he must have gotten distracted, because five minutes went by, still no drinks, then we see him leave with his cash drawer for the evening. ?? So then we flagged down another bartender who brought us our beers. At this point we were done with our food. A beer really would have went well the burger and wings, but oh well. Next task was trying to leave. We had our credit card sitting out on the bar, ready to go for over 10 minutes. Counted 5 bartenders meandering by with no concept of looking out for these sort of details. FINALLY asked one of the dudes to bring us our check. Would have wanted to stay longer if the service was more attentive and appeared to give a shit. The two drunk girls sitting next to us seemed to get plenty of attention and free shots however, so maybe you just need to be a wasted chick sans husband/boyfriend to get served here?
(2)Lisa G.
This place inspired my first Yelp review! Hubby and I are in Chicago on vacation and Yelper advise this is a great place to watch sports. We walk in and see that there aren't two seats together at the bar, so the hostess gets us a table right away; then we see two seats open up at the bar and she has no problem seating us at the bar with a smile and an offer to turn any of the TVs to a particular game if we want. Off to a good start! Five stars for service! Bartenders were quick to refill drinks, knowledgeable and had several suggestions to help us decide. At one point I dropped a nearly full drink (I wasn't drunk, I swear! It just slipped out of my hand) and within two minutes I had a replacement drink, club soda to clean off my shirt, and a busboy cleaning up the spill. Outstanding! Great vibe! I'm a sports bar kind of girl and this place is right up there for atmosphere. We were there when four different major games were on (Stanley cup finals, OKC / San Antonio basketball semi-finals, two baseball games) and it was so fun to see different groups cheering different plays! Quite full for a Wednesday. We were very tempted by the "build your own grilled cheese" but opted for the "spicy" wings and some fries. Minus one star for the wings. The sauce was very flavorful but it was by no means spicy, and sweeter than your traditional wing sauce. Kind of a cross between BBQ and wing sauce. Don't get me wrong, it was tasty, but not what I was expecting. If you are looking for heat, maybe try the next level up. The fries were an excellent complement to the wings: fried with the skin on, done perfectly, and served with three dipping sauces. Would definitely recommend this place!
(4)Nicole C.
Loaded double baked potato soup. Enough said!
(5)Ben K.
You don't see a lot of sports bars that have this solid a tap list. They had some really good local craft plus they had some Three Floyd's drafts which don't exist where I live. The food was solid and the service was friendly.. I'd go back then next time I'm in Chicago.
(4)C Ann G.
I am not impressed with the food or the ignorant loud workers that frequent the bar. The bartenders do not seem to know when females are being slobbered on you should cut off the drinkers. Not so great a family atmosphere but a 20-30 year old clientele fits right in.
(2)Curt L.
Free UFC fight (UFC 141) brought me in here with my Son-In Law. Great spot strategically located near our hotel (Courtyard). Enough draft options to keep the aficionado happy. Packed house. Lots of nooks and crannies. Always fun to walk down into a bar. Good looking crowd.
(4)Carol K.
Timothy O'Tooles is a bit of an Irish bar crossed with a sports bar. Located in the basement of a building, upon entering your senses are immediately assaulted by all that is going on- you won't know where to look first! I was surprised that on a Wednesday night- that the place was as packed as it was. After all- it was after 10 and this place just doesn't give off a neighborhood bar vibe. But almost every seat was taken as we were seated off to the side by the host/server/bouncer (he seemed to be doing it all on the night I was there) They have these huge beers- seriously they were at least 32 oz of beer in these giant steins. They also have many ways to entertain you-from bar darts, to golden tee to 3 pool tables and a juke box that just won't quit. Couple that with at least 15 TV's showing games and there is a ton of activity in this space. But the server was friendly and fast, the beer relatively cheap so I was happy just to sit and catch up with friends. Parking is easy on the street and there is a pay garage located just across the street. Doubt that this would be a destination bar for me- but the next time I am in Streeterville and looking for a place to get the "biggest beer know to man", I'll definitely pop in here again.
(3)Mike L.
Went here to watch the AFC Championship. Great beer selection. Was able to cross Zombie Dust off my bucket list. Huge number of TV's, good menu. I loved the basket section of the menu...so many times you want wings or tenders or something, but that's not a meal...add fries, throw it in a basket...perfect beer and football meal. Wings were great (and hot), staff was awesome and attentive.
(4)John F.
Tuesday night. Kinda busy and slow service. But what the hell lots of TVs and good music playing. Food was very good for bar standards!
(4)Beth W.
We decided to hit this place because the overall ratings here on Yelp looked ok and it was really close to our hotel. I expected bar food and I got it. The overall ambience seemed very fun--very Chicago bar. The food....meh. I asked the waitress if the hot wings were 'drippy sauce' wings because I didn't want that and she assured me that they weren't. Boy howdy was she wrong. Yuck. But the beer was good. It was entertaining to watch the other people in the bar, and we got a kick of out of a Thanksgiving contest that they were advertising---the Turkey Testicle Festival. That in and of itself had us laughing and having a good time. This place is what it is and doesn't pretend to be anything else. That's ok I suppose. :)
(3)Shradha A.
Went back last week to try their veggie burger and nachos - Veggie burger was not bad but I hate how they charge 50c extra for a couple of pieces of onion!!! (and pretty much anything else you ask for - sauce, salsa, tomato - it's a standard 50c additional). The nachos were okay - nothing great either because they don't have vegetarian beans at all. They came slightly soggy because of too much sour cream and came with too little jalapenos and too little salsa. We asked for a little bit of salsa and a couple of jalapenos, the server didn't even tell us any of these things will be additional, and then went on to charge 50c + 50c + 50c!!! Especially when we're saving them all the money on the meat that we didn't put in the nachos - the least they can do is give us 2 pcs of jalapenos for no extra charge!!!
(3)Kayla C.
Really nice cozy bar. I went to the "comedians you should know" show and for $5 a ticket, I was really impressed. Bartenders were good and over all just a great vibe and really comfortable. Can't wait to go again!
(5)Chris R.
3.5 stars. To me this place and Jake Melnicks are direct competitors. Both bars have similar feel, feature wings, and good beer selections. Jake's wings are better and a lot spicier (volcano vs xxx) but the overall menu of ToT is a bit better. Beer selection at Jake's is better with more craft beer features. That being said ToT selection is not bad by any stretch just not as good. Ambience: The dining area of ToT is better but the bar area of Jakes is better. Jakes also has a veranda which is great and something a basement bar like ToT cannot compete with. You cannot go wrong with either Jakes or ToT but if you are a chili head than the wings are Jakes are at a whole other level of heat!
(4)David L.
there's a bartender here who looks EXACTLY like triple H, so go here if you are WWE fan k
(5)Meagan H.
Every time I walked past this place I thought it was some tiny dive-like bar located in the shopping district of Chicago. So I never felt compelled to go in. The moment I walk in, I realize that the entire bar is in the basement. I go downstairs to realize that it's pretty big! Although big, finding a spot to sit down is quite difficult. I can't recall if they play music. So I'm gunna go ahead and say that if they do, you can't hear it. This is a great place to go with co-workers to watch sports and play pool. Not a good place to go out and dance. I think it's either a good starter bar, or a good ending bar. Meaning, a good bar to start the night, and a good bar to end the night. But if you'd ask me if it's a good spot for a birthday party or for a night out with the girls I'd shrug and say "Meh". Maybe a good place for a boys night out. They play sports on their 50 TV screens throughout the place. Actually I was pretty bored there and actually ended up delving into a documentary about Herschel Walker. Poor guy. Or actually IDK maybe it's more sad that I'm sitting their watching a documentary about him. But anyways, not bad not great. I'm sure I'll be there again because my Sheraton hotel friends get half off their entire bill (minus specialty beers which we learned after we got the bill and couldn't reverse).
(3)Stacie S.
Our server Ray, was amazing - knows his beer craft like it's nobody's business. He set us up after the first round with the perfect pairings. Food is average American fare, items done well but nothing super spectacular. The beer list, however, well worth the trip.
(3)Hawk O.
Love this place.Great sports bar.Fun,fun place!
(5)James K.
not my dream bar but it's stumbling distance from my home and i've had good times. The last time I ate, the burger was bad but the service was perfect. how do you rate that? the prices are solid as is the selection. they honor my friend's industry discount as well. The decor looks like a dive bar but they have a million TVs. O'toules is good for what it is. classic sports bar
(3)Steve R.
Menu is robust as is the beer selection on draft. Big fan of the bucket of fries. Wait staff is really good... Especially Sonna, and the only reason to take away a star is the bar serive. If you sit at the bar, the drink service is slow... maybe it's because they are making the drinks for the servers, which makes the table service so good!
(4)Nadeem P.
Been here quite a few times, and as far as drinks othis place lives up to bar standards, and I would even say notch higher due to their extensive beer list. I was wowed last night when I came here hungry. Their build your own burger is simply AMAZING! I would have to rate it as one of the top 5 burgers I've ever. The meat was great quality, and all 1/2 pound of it was cooked to medium perfection. The toppings and bread delicious, and when you get into the toppings such as Jalepenos bacon and srichacha Mayo and roasted garlic aioli you know you have a winner. Add to that truffle fries and a tasty beverage and you have a meal you'll never forget!
(5)Mike K.
I think 25 visits is about enough to finally have enough of a feel for a place to generate a decent review. I've been to O'Toole's approximately that many times (maybe more) over the years thanks mostly to my erstwhile domicile on Randolph. The latest visit was just recently for a few beers with a girl whose face looks like the map of Ireland. Irish Fever. O'Toole's is your typical sports bar. The only thing Irish about O'Toole's is the name. Wait. The only things Irish about O'Toole's on this night were the name, Kelly and my ass. I'm only part, but I go with it. Fixed. O'Toole's consists of the restaurant area, the bar area and the pool table area. Televisions are ubiquitous. You're not going to miss any games. You won't even miss Hawks games, I imagine. They didn't televise half of them when I consistently patronized O'Toole's back in the day. As to the food at O'Toole's, I'd stick with a burger, as they are always good. At the latest visit, which was supposed to only be for a beer or two, we ended up going for the nachos with the chili topping to pad our stomachs for the unexpected overtime. That was a mistake. I don't like peanut butter in my chocolate or kidney beans in my nachos. I also hate it when you pick up one chip and the entire canopy of cheese comes up with it. I longed for Dylan's nachos. So I'd consequently recommend against the nachos. Funny how I endorsed the nachos six weeks ago and then got fooled for my trouble. I digress. As for the patrons at O'Toole's, you'll find that it's mostly tourists and people who work in the area, so it doesn't have much of a feel or a soul. That's alright though. It's still a decent place to grab a burger and catch the game. I'm sure I'll be back at some point. Another K. We'll see what happens. Four stars.
(4)Travis F.
I can dig this place. The house/techno music mix and largely Northwestern student crowd suggest I should have stopped in about 10-15 years ago, but there is still much to offer a non-student. There are many, many beers on tap, along with who-knows-how-many others available by bottle or can. I stayed simple and had a PBR tall boy followed by a Patron Silver shot, but you can pretty much Google any adult beverage and be confident they will have it. Didn't try the food, but what I saw come out of the kitchen looked tasty and generous in portion size. 3-4 pool tables and a dart board or two are sure to keep anyone entertained when the ubiquitous flat screens aren't showing a live game. Had I ordered food and enjoyed it I would give Timothy O'Toole's 5 stars, but I can't speak for the food yet, so 4 will have to do.
(4)Adam A.
Great great bar. High Life Tall Boys for $3? Yessir. Huge menu, pool, darts, a million TVs. All I need! Oh, and the bloody mary and mimosa bar for weekend brunch is solid.
(5)Rich U.
Welcome to the birthplace of "Black Arrogance." Whoa - slow down all you easily offended PC disciples. Black Arrogance is a drink combining Guinness and Arrogant Bastard - a masterful variation on a Black and Tan. And it's here where bartender Deron Powell (a genuine celebrity you can meet in person at Timothy O'Toole's) invented this potent concoction. Deron is a good sport and a great innovator. He even jokes about how the drink could just as easily have been named "Black Bastard." We both had a good laugh about how a lily white patron like me could go about ordering the drink from him (he's not lily white) without getting beat up. Indeed, the bartenders here are great - as is the first rate draft selection. Seasonal specials in giant mugs are a bargain ($6.50). And every beer drinker will find something here to suit their taste (even the swill drinkers who prefer Miller Lite - blech!). Timothy O'Toole's offers good pub food (especially the Irish Nachos) in a sports bar atmosphere. They also have a solid Sunday brunch with an "all you can drink/make your own" Bloody Mary/Mimosa bar. So what if it's in a basement? If you happen to play the trivia game (the machine, not the Monday gathering), look for my "player name" at the top of the general category. I go by "Bo Knerr" or "Hugh Jas." You knock me out of the high score ranking at your own peril.
(4)Liz M.
I have to be honest, I'm a little biased- I live across the street so this is my go- to place. Food - great. Love the wings, salads/ wraps, and burgers. Drinks - can be pricey, but they have great specials each day of the week. Great beer selection. Bloody Mary bar during brunch is AMAZING! Atmosphere- crowded and loud. LOTS of out-of towners come here since they are staying in the hotels in the area. Watching middle aged men act like fools is rather entertaining. Beware ladies- especially if you are alone or with a small group. Aside from those guys, fun young crowd. Staff- always pleasant and fun! Some of these guys I've known for years and somehow they are always in a great mood despite the madness that is going on around them.
(4)Quan L.
What happened to this place? I used to come here and shoot some pool, play darts, or have a few drinks and watch a game. Now you can't even sit down at a bar table without being seated by a hostess. The pool table is covered up. The darts are all broken. Is this a bar or TGIFridays?
(1)Tim B.
Pretty nice basement bar with good food and drink specials. We hit Happy Hour and would gladly visit again.
(4)Elizabeth R.
My hopes were not high the first time I went into Timmy's. However, over my past few visits, I've been pleasantly surprised. I've only ever sat at the bar, so I know this is a great place to go if you want to catch a game on TV, have some beers and a little bar food. I've tasted the wings and nachos, but I really think the best thing on the menu are the salad wraps. Call me a girl. If you drink whatever, the daily drink specials are pretty good. Service is sufficient. Overall, Timmy's is a place to go if you want a few drinks, watch the game and maybe get a bite to eat when you're tipsy. Cheers.
(4)Nicki W.
This would not have been my first choice, but a friend lives a block away and we were hungry after a night of drinking. It's located in the basement which is always alluring to me for some reason. The bar itself was nothing special and the food was not bad. We had the nachos with chicken and the wings which were pretty small. Our bartender was very friendly. The absolute best part about this spot was the fact that people were singing karaoke. It doesn't get much better than that. I'm surprised I didn't drag myself up there and belt out some notes for all those lovely bar patrons. I'm left with pretty awesome memories of the night itself so thanks Timothy O'Toole's for being part of that.
(3)Aaron S.
For my #200, I decided to finally review Timothy O'Toole's - and my first Man v. Food challenge. So please keep in mind that I'm not a bar person and didn't get anything alcoholic, and I'm not a sports fan so the 30-something high-def screens and their near-blinding light went rather unnoticed by me. But what I did notice was the Big Timmy Challenge. Challenge: Two 1/2-pound burger patties, cheddar, jack, mozzarella and swiss cheeses, bacon, onion straws, BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomato and red onion along with a big helping of fries & onion rings on the side Time Limit: None People: 1 Prize: Free T-Shirt Rules: No substitutions I guess if there's one thing I need to work on when it comes to food challenges, it's my hatred of certain foods that sadly will be there and won't go away. The hardest part of this challenge was eating the tomato. Really. I knew I had to get it out of the way as soon as my food arrived so I could enjoy the rest of the challenge. After hemming and hawing at the large menu, even my girlfriend Char O. eventually gave in and decided to take the challenge with me. We waited in anticipation, and eventually they brought out these large trays with our burger taking up one-third of the space, with each of the other thirds engulfed in a pile of french fries and onion rings. First down, the dreaded tomato - eyes closed and 30 seconds in, I felt the hardest part was over. Luckily, the buns on this burger were of relatively-normal size, but I know they can be tricky so I ate the dry bun tops by themselves along with the lettuce and a handful of fries in a pseudo-sandwich. If Man v. Food has taught me anything, it's that starches and carbohydrates will ruin you if you wait too long to deal with them. I'll let Char tell you her side of the story in her own review, but she handled this challenge like a champ. I went with the knife-and-fork approach to take down all of the meat and cheese. Handling the burger with my hands would have wasted too much time with napkins and/or licking fingers. The meat was very juicy and they did a good medium-rare. I liked the shoestring onions on the burger and the BBQ sauce was very tasty and went well with the giant strips of bacon. The french fries were seasoned nicely, but couldn't hold a candle to those onion rings. It's not often that you see onion rings with grill marks! The batter was light and seemed to be a beer-batter, too. The onions were done nicely and not too stringy or tough. At the end of the challenge, we were able to hold our empty plates in victory. I give Char credit for being the 1st to finish (yes, I got "beat by a girl") but I'm not a sprinting eater - I'm a marathon eater. Which is why I was able to come home and have dessert. Frankly, I was contemplating ordering the famous Irish Nachos while we were waiting for some drink refills. Speaking of which, I guess I should mention what I took note of at this place besides the burger challenge. The entryway is kind of cramped, in that people entering and exiting through the main hallway bump into each other constantly. Funny to watch if it's not you, but bumping into drunks on the way in and making that exit with 2-3 pounds of food in your belly are no laughing matter. The server was patient with us while my girl perused all the items on the menu before deciding to go with the challenge, but as soon as the food was ordered, we were not visited frequently. We both had empty glasses and had to flag her down while she was standing NEXT to our table with new patrons, and even then she only refilled mine. (My girl has horrible luck with servers giving refills sometimes.) I guess if we had alcohol instead of free-refill sodas, they might have cared more about our service. My last discussion point is the free T-shirts. They're a prize for winning the challenge, meaning you ate over 2 pounds of food successfully (and paid $20 for the privilege). And you're telling me the largest size of shirt you carry is 3XL? AND that you're OUT of that size? People - these are the shirts that you SELL on your website and in the restaurant, and you're telling me you don't keep things stocked and also don't feel like catering to the larger clientele of Chicago? I was almost okay with the situation and walking out with a free 2XL shirt that I'd never really be able to wear comfortably, until... Server: "We just have the 2XL, but don't worry because it runs big." It "runs big"? Well, I ALSO "run big", if you happen to have functioning eyeballs. And almost ALL shirts "run big" because they shrink when you wash them - even if it says "pre-shrunk". I was fine with you telling me you stock poorly and this is the best accommodation you can make for my prize. But don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining. I'm fat, but I'm not an idiot. All in all, good food. I may be back. Oh, and in this battle of Man v. Food - MAN WINS! Happy 200th review! (Pics will be posted too!)
(4)Katie Q.
Timothy O'tooles? You must mean TOTS. Because that's what we've come to call it. The thing that's great about TOTS is that it's a laid back bar located in the middle of Rivernorth/Streeterville club & lounge madness. When you're feeling like a burger and a beer on a low key night, this place works like a charm. I've spent many fine afternoons meeting my friends here for a drink or two, which have ultimately led to us taking down a few tallboys (be careful, the Matilda tall boys were 19.00) Easy TOTS, let's not get too fancy - remember you have pool tables and dart boards in the back. It's ok though, I digress.... The wait staff is so friendly (particularly Dusty) that one particular day a few friends of mine and I ended up staying much longer than necessary, chatting it up with our waiter and the bartenders. One of my friends was actually offered a job. Who knew, endless entertainment AND employment opportunities? TOTS. As far as I'm concerned, I'm home.
(5)David N.
Stopped in late on a Saturday night. Didn't have a problem getting a table, even with the place being pretty crowded. Waited a while before our server checked in at our table. Thrown off a bit at first, as she seemed to be a bit on the shitty side. Luckily for both of us, her frown seemed to turn upside down by night's end. Crude at times, overly hospitable at others. Anyways, drink and food menus were solid. Plenty of beer choices outside of Miller and Bud; Craft and Micros aplenty. Food menu was well-proportioned and fairly extensive for pub grub. Burgers, sandwiches, plenty of apps, and some English favorites; Fish & Chips, Shepherd's Pie, etc.. If you're feeling froggy, which I just so happened to be that fateful night, try the Big Timmy Challenge. After all is said and done, easily 3 pounds of food once you combine the double cheese burger, fries, and onion rings. It's an ass-kicker, but well worth it. Burger was cooked perfect and juicy. Bun, cheese, bacon, onion straws, BBQ sauce; all excellent. Prices seemed close to market, maybe a tad high, but it's the city right? Pretty good first time experience at Timmy O'Toole's. I'm sure we'll be back for another Challenge soon.
(4)Stephanie L.
Wow, this place was packed on a Tuesday night. They had $15 buckets....nice. Also, we had the sampler....it was hummus, spinach dip, taziki dip along with pita, veggies, etc. It was pretty good. This place seems like a chill little watering hole. I was only there for a couple of beers. Plus, stella is on tap....BONUS!
(4)Chris M.
Excellent location with a excellent steak sandwich. Once your done with your food you can go to the bar to enjoy the rest of the night. Don't get to Chicago much, but next time I'm there I would go here again.
(5)Nicolas H.
Definitely a tourist friendly bar, but not too bad for locals if you are in the neighborhood. They have a huge back room which we took advantage of on the night in question. The drinks were cheap due to the special that night, so I can't complain in that regard, even if our waitress wasn't too happy to deliver them to us. The wings were Decent at best, not sure how they won so many awards for them, as I've had better at BW3s among other places. The rest of the food looked good enough, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come back for more. Basically, if you are in the neighborhood there aren't really that many options, so its not bad for a beer or two...
(3)Charlotte O.
So, Aaron S. and I have recently became fans of "Man Vs. Food"on the Travel Channel. Aaron came across this place's "Big Timmy Challenge" while looking for his own food challenges. I on the other hand really wanted to check it out because I kept hearing good things about them from my co workers, and because I enjoy a pint of Guinness on occasion. We enter and it's in the basement a flight of stairs and a narrow door way where people sometimes bump into each other. It's full of people, full of big screen TVs and very loud I liked the all wood benches, and dimmed lights We were greeted right away. The waitress was pretty friendly and pretty patient with us considering It took me a while, and a little convincing from Aaron, to actually do the Big Timmy Challenge. I liked that they have a pretty extensive menu for a bar. Two 1/2 pound burger patties, with cheddar, Swiss, Monterrey jack, and mozzarella cheese, bacon, BBQ sauce, fried onion strings, lettuce, red onion and tomato. Served with a heaping side of fries AND onion rings. While we waited I told him that I didn't think I could do it, and trying to talk was tough because of all the bar noises. I found it funny that I kept hearing people randomly breaking into song. It came. Along with some refills of soda. This tray of food in front of me. Oh no! How to tackle it? I picked at the fries because there was just so many of them. Then I cut my burger in half so it would be easier to pick up. The burger was actually really tasty. My meat was nicely seasoned and juicy. The bacon nice and thick and just crisp enough. The BBQ added a nice smokey/sweet taste which complimented the meat and tied all the flavors together nicely. The onion strings added a nice onion taste without it being overbearing, So first half of the burger down. I choose then to tackle more of the fries. The fires were a nice fresh cut potato with just enough salt. Though the clear winner of the two sides were the onion rings. They had a nice thin coating of batter, and had a hint of beer flavor to them, so it was clear to me that it was a beer batter. They were even grilled because there were some appealing grill marks on them. This was the hardest part of the challenge for me. The fries began to dry out my mouth and required way too much chewing is also where I was getting full, I do not know how I managed to eat all of them. I left a few onion rings and ate the rest of the burger. Once that was done I realized I only had a few bites of Onion Rings. Done! Aaron was still working, I couldn't believe I ate it all and that fast. I sat there grumbling because my stomach was so full. So I kicked foods ass this round. Once we were both done and had pick T shirt sizes, there was some disappointment that Aaron could not get the size that he wanted and that the waitress said "They run big though!" I think my one gripe about the place would be the service. You really have to flag them down for refills and it was no easy task because of the noise level/crowd level. Hopefully we'll be back to try the wings and maybe some Irish Nachos and enjoy a pint or two.
(4)Brandon D.
Standard American corporate bar/imitation Irish-Pub. Lots of food and drink choices with fairly consistently good server staff. The place is overpriced for what you get, but you pay for the real estate. If you are a sports fan, they have 30+ tv's to satisfy. It's close to work so it's typically the de facto location. They do split bills, offer NU and NMH discounts and the food is consistent if only satisfactory. When I go there to drink, I always have a good time, but I am left with the nagging feeling I am paying too much for a pint.
(3)Kate B.
I come here almost any time I am in Chicago on a Saturday-Sunday for brunch/football... and it is a great place for that! UNLIMITED bloody mary bar (huge selection of mixes, seasonings and toppings) for $20 and UNLIMITED mimosas (with multiple juice options) for $16. I was sold right there. I'm easy to please when it comes to brunch ... unlimited day drinking does it. The food is also really good...Irish Benny was yummy and my boyfriend loves the scramblers. Wings and wraps/salads (you can turn any salad into a wrap) are also good here. Good service most every time we've been there, every football game you can imagine and a good deal in Chicago...what's not to like?
(4)Lauren W.
After a long day in Chicago, we decided to grab a bite to eat and grab a few drinks. Our server was very nice and attentive to our needs. We ordered chips and salsa for $5, and it was very good! Crunchy, warm chips and delicious salsa. They have a build your own burger deal for $8.99, and I got a chicken breast with lettuce, tomatoes, jalapenos, chipotle mayo, and jack cheese on a whole wheat bun. Soooo good! There are tons of options to put on your burger, and I recommend you doing this to make it for your own taste! Afterwards, we found a table near the bar and had a few drinks and watched the Olympics, which was covered on about half of the TVs (there were a lot!). Typical sports bar, but great atmosphere and pretty busy for the time that we were there.They had a comedy club going on, but we couldn't go since it started at 9 and we had to eventually take the train home.
(4)Rishabh A.
This bar is really close so I visit their often. It's open till late so that helps. Nice dinner options. Though i have always just had drinks there and i would say that drinks are pretty cheap on some nights. For Long island iced tea my friend paid $4.5. Also, they have a good variety of beers. and variety of other alcohol as well. The only sad thing about the bar is that the doorman acts weirdly. He does not let people in even when they are pretty good. And even if people are slightly drunk, its fine till they are not falling around and able to walk. The manager should do something about it. It disappoints a lot of people. But otherwise, a good place to hang out, they have pool tables, moderately priced drinks, good food, and nice ambiance.
(4)Noah B.
I've been here a bunch of times as I work pretty close to O'Tooles. The chicken caesar salads are super good and their chicken quesadillas with bar-b-q and ranch is totally rad. They usually have some decent beer specials and come up par with the rest of the sports bars in the area for having a ton of TVs with sports all over the place. The service is hit or miss, but they usually are pretty nice and get you your food in a reasonable amount of time. If you feel like taking a long lunch with a couple of drinks thrown in there then check out O'Tooles.
(3)Mike O.
I was attending a seminar at the Double Tree Chicago Centre Hotel half a block away and we had an hour for lunch. Originally, I had hoped to go to Boston Blackie's but my boss suggested this place and offered to buy for me and my co-worker. Well, we went down the stairs to the dining area. There was a very short wait and it wasn't even crowded, considering it was 12:15, peak lunch hour for local businesses. We got our table and we sat there for 20 minutes before our waitress appeared, apologized for being so late, and asked us to order drinks. Another 10 minutes passed before drinks arrived. We quickly ordered our food, realizing half our lunchtime was over. I was tempted to try a burger, but watching a deer hunting show on their big-screen TV reminded me of Wisconsin, so I decided on fish & chips instead. Bad move! The breading on the cod was chewy and tore away from the fish. Any self-respecting fish fry place in Wisconsin or Michigan's UP would put Timothy O'Toole's fish to shame. And to top that, the breading tasted stale and lacked any flavor it seemed. I normally don't use tartar sauce but the fish was so bland I had to dress it up a little. I was disappointed that coleslaw was not included, considering that a similar order anywhere else would have included some. We wolfed down our food to finish in time and scrambled back to our seminar across the street. I can't believe a place like this would be so grossly understaffed at peak lunch time. I would not recommend this place for its poor service and equally poor fish platter.
(2)Lindsay A.
Good food, good selection (even into the late night hours) and the service has always been friendly. Timothy's is a block away from our crew hotel and after making the trek from Los Angeles to Chicago it's always on the to do list after a shower and nap.
(4)Greg F.
This was my first great wing in the Windy City. On 4 repeat trips back, they've fallen off substantially. The beer selection is superb & cold. But the wings have become pedestrian. The garlic-ginger used to sing but now seems dry & tasteless. The staff doesn't go out of it's way to make you feel welcome either. One time, we came with a party of 10, during off hours & you would have thought we had the plague. Very little attentiveness w/ unremarkable food. Say it ain't so. For the best wings in Chicago, try Crisp - but BYOB!
(2)Clare D.
I love this bar for the very fact that it is steps from my apartment. It might not be anything special, but that is why I like it. It has tons of seating and tons of tvs so they will put your game on for you. It is not too expensive and look at their deals which are usually good. I have so many free glasses from them. The food is actually really good. I would recommend the Irish Nachos which are a finger food version of a baked potato. They are good to me, especially when I need a break from studying or want to watch my teams (which are not everyone's teams), so I love them.
(4)Paul C.
Used to go here from time to time in law school. Great bar? Hardly, but the foods not bad and occasionally there was a drink special. Haven't been back since my friends all left Streeterville and can't imagine I'll be back anytime soon. I'll give it an extra star because I got a nice scar from getting sucker punched in the face by one of their loser patrons.
(2)David E.
I went there with some friends the waitress was good. It's ok for beer and hanging out. I do have a suggestion though...The bouncer should not have control over the music volume. Do not play any money on the Juke box! (not a dime iam serious) Why? The idiot Bouncer would not turn up the music even though I spent money to hear music and could not hear it! He said "people are trying to conversate I cannot turn up the music" I said i paid to hear the music and no one is trying to conversate turn up the music! he did not...(guess how much i tipped the bartender for also not turning up the music?) Zip zero not a penny! give me bad service and I will not tip and I will be sure not to recommend people to go to tim Otoole's....(oh and so many people value my opinion if they only knew)
(2)Kristin G.
I have lived on the same block as Timmy's for about 7 years. I have been there at least 50 times and realized I have never written a review. I think this is because sometimes Timmy's is great and sometimes it is not. I really enjoy the food and get take-out often. They have great bar/ american food. I think it is definitely up a notch from other similar places. The wings, quesadillas, burgers, bbq ranch chicken wrap and the fries are some of my favorites. Unfortunately, the staff can be off-putting at times. The other day I went in with one of my friends to have dinner, beers and to go over some work. There was no one at the hostess stand for about 5 minutes so we sat ourselves at a booth. After getting our papers out AND ordering the drinks, the manager came over to us to tell us they needed the table for a bigger party and that we had to move to a smaller table near the bar. Very annoying. We left and the manager could not care less. Having said that, I have had some great times watching football and basketball games there.
(3)molly c.
pricey. dan and i stopped here on a sunday before we saw spider man 3 at the AMC 21 around the corner. food was decent, beers were cold. it was pretty empty and our service was pretty slow. decent but slow. it's close to the movie theater and it's open at noon, so that's always something! i don't make a habit to go here unless i am in the area and hungry...chipotle and potbelly's weren't speaking to me that day! it is what it is. o'neils was SO much better :(
(3)Lindsay G.
My friends and I decided to stop in Timothy's after watching the latest Harry Potter at the AMC East. The bar is your typical pub-- loud, dimly lit and lots of paneling. It was pretty busy, but we put our names on the list to be seated, grabbed a drink from the bar and hung out til they called us about 10 minutes later. We ordered quickly and our food came just as quickly. Please note that I was really hungry, so most anything would have tasted excellent....however, I decided to try the Goat Cheese quesadilla. I LOVE goat cheese and if you love it too, this is the quesadilla for you. Every single bite was dripping with warm and gooey cheese. I got the veggie version, so there were bell peppers, onions and mushrooms mixed in. It totaled to $9.00, and the portion was so large I couldn't finish it all. My friends seemed satisfied with their hummus platter, and except for our waitress trying to herd us away from the table the minute we finished eating, the entire ordeal was a great way to spend a Friday night with friends.
(4)Kelly W.
When I worked in Streeterville, this place was a fun stop after work. It is in the basement so it feels quite homey. (Cell reception is bad so there are never people sitting around, talking on their phones.) The beer specials are nice and it never seems overly crowded. I've gone during the week and on Fridays too. I would recommend either choice. I've never had any food so I can't really say much about that. But after the movies or on your way home from Navy Pier, I recommend making a quick stop in.
(3)Brian M.
Typical sports bar with passable food. I've had many a drunken night surrounded by the comfort of 110,000 plasma televisions each showing one of ESPN's 115 channels, faux brick paneling, and a hit-or-miss meal. At least the beer is cold. Not bad, but not great.
(3)megan p.
Great bar. Delish food. The servers are nice, and the comedy show on Wednesday is awesome.
(5)Jason P.
This is always a fun place to go to catch a game, some beers with the boys, or dinner before a movie. It's one of the better bar options as far as the area is concerned but the downfall is the service. I really want to give this place 4 stars but the food just missed the quality mark and the staff always seems to be 2 minutes behind. This will not stop me from going here by any means, and I'm optimistic about the future. This place totally kick's ESPN Zone's shins as far as a place to catch a game
(3)Adam M.
The best sports bar in Chicago... PERIOD! The staff is always very friendly and the food is better than any other sports bar in the city. They have a great list of beers and spirits, and it is always a fun and lively place to be.
(5)Patrick W.
An ok bar, but I just couldn't give it any more than three stars. I had a craving for fish & chips, so we headed here when we were in the area on a recent evening. For 10 bucks, I got a tray of french fries with four small pieces of fried fish on the corners. I couldn't believe that was all they give you! In fairness, it was really, really good, but thank goodness there were plenty of fries or I would have left hungry. My girlfriend had fried shrimp, which was also really good, and a bit more generous on the amount of shrimp. There's a great beer selection, and our server did a nice job. I'd go back, but would probably order something else.
(3)Andrew T.
Lot of NU grad students it seems, come here to kick back. I noticed they had a karaoke night in the back room (pretty big) which I want to know more about, but other than that, it's a pretty typical pool, espn, bucket o' beers type place with better than average food. The wings are really good and big enough for a meal.
(3)Timmay P.
This place is a dump in the basement. Avoid going here and the hand stamp nazi.
(1)Fernando D.
If you have never visited chicago this is the place for you! Otherwise way too many tourists. Its not horrible....just too crowded for the type of place it is. Food is kinda high priced for being bar food and drinks are on the average side. If you are from chicago definitely go to another sports bar
(3)Su S.
Not a place I would hang out at on the weekends but it's good for happy hour with the coworkers during the week. I like the Irish Nachos and the Holy Water. There are always promo people there handing out free stuff. I got a spatula!
(4)Chris M.
This place was my after 5:00 and work is over place at my last job. A streeterville favorite of mine. Timmy O'Tooles is always fun with great food and excellent service. I am big into sports and they show all the games and sometimes host the Bears players after the games. They do their bar food appetizers really well with huge nacho dishes, good wings, big samplers, great quesadillas. No cover at this place is a plus, and if I'm ever in the area looking for a good spot to stop for a game, this will be it.
(4)Audra S.
A basement bar in the River North part of town, Timothy O'Toole's reminds me of Rush & Division bars a lot. It's a sports bar, it's a pub, it's all wood everything and it's always packed with yahoos. The good news is they have an extensive selection of beer and they're open until 3:00 a.m. every night.
(3)Mike M.
Go here after work a lot. Typical sports bar atmosphere, tons of televisions all over. I love their bacon cheeseburger and it's why I continue to return I suppose. Easy to lose track of time due to the lack of windows, being underground and all.
(3)Steve R.
Not bad at all, better than I expected. It's a pretty generic after-work irish style pub, with some extra cool points 'cause it's a basement. Otherwise it's sorta like a green 'n brown. Upper average tap selections, college-kid heavy clientele. Average bar food. I wouldn't avoid it, perfectly agreeable but I wouldn't come here on a weekend.
(3)Ren H.
This is actually a pretty fun place! Its always got a good crowd for the games and its always a fun time... They have good specials and pretty good food!
(4)Kelly M.
Overcrowded. Rude Staff. It saddens me that I wasted time waiting in line to get into this place.
(1)T K.
Large bar, pretty good menu (I really love the large nacho platter) cold beer and always interesting groups inside. I haven't had any troubles finding seating and the servers have all been very nice.
(4)David K.
This a a great place to play pool, and I have named it one of the Top 10 places in the U.S. to play "bar pool" -- where you put up your quarters and challenge the winner. It has 3 nicer-than-most coin-operated pool tables, plus a manager that loves to play. Someone to play almost any night. They have a helpful and friendly staff. If you know of a better pub or tavern in which to play bar pool, please let me know -- David@Bar-Pool.com
(5)mike L.
Have to agree with Kelly A.s' boyfriend, this place blows. it is amongst the worst of the faux-Irish bars I've ever been to. Crappy over-priced food coupled with overpriced drinks and bad service - can i give it zero stars? will never set foot in again
(1)Kristen D.
This place is a nice place to watch a game, play some pool, or have some bar food. There's nothing too exceptional about this place, and yet it's always busy! There aren't too many other bars in the area either, so when I go somewhere for a drink around here, this is where I head. Northwestern students get $2 pints of Miller Lite with student ID, so it makes for a great study break for the med, law, and graduate students. They also have some good deals on beers of the month. It can get a little rowdy in here too, so if you're looking for someplace low key, I'd head somewhere else.
(3)Caitlyn M.
Boring place, really good Irish fries though...Large large beers on Thursdays for cheap!
(3)Drucilla D.
For drinks - they have an incredible cherry jolly rancher martini that I highly recommend. For dining - they have an menu that includes some of the best appetizers ever (I recommend their chicken strips and their taquito's - I usually order both). For entertainment - they have free, from your table, competitive trivia available at anytime on any of the televisions in the bar! It is INCREDIBLY addicting and a ton of fun!
(5)Nick H.
Pretty much this bar has only one thing to offer: location. The service is mediocre and so are the drinks/food. It has a lot of TVs so you can pull up pretty much every sporting event on TV. If you don't have high hopes for a bar, then this is your place to go.
(2)Jody C.
I am not a fan of Timmy O'Toole's, which makes me sad b/c its the closest bar to my place. FOr some reason, i'm always put off by bars that are underground. I guess i'm just a fan of air, or at least being able to see outside. Anyway, my problem with this bar started b/c everyone there had clearly just left a convention. They were all dressed in suits and getting absolutely plastered. That's fine, but it was the afternoon and there were families eating at the tables. The prices are too high for such a dingy bar.
(2)Stephanie K.
As the clock strikes 12, I often get roped into heading down to Timmy's for lunch. Working about a block away, it's definitely a popular lunch spot. The ambience is cozy--like a neighborhood pub/bar, and the food is decent. Usually, they have some great specials, and their wraps are HUGE!
(3)Spencer S.
This visit was truly a disaster. Stopped by for a meal on our walk home from Navy Pier. Now, admittedly, visiting a sports bar in the early afternoon during the week might not be the optimal time, but they were open. Things started poorly when it took us several minutes to get seated even though there was an employee standing at the entrance who was engrossed reading something the whole time. We ordered a burger, a Rachel, and a French Onion soup to begin. The soup was very cheesy, but the yellowness and taste of the onions gave the sense that it wasn't cooked long enough. The sandwiches came out and while the hamburger itself was rather good, it was actually served on a cold bun - very off putting. The delta cole slaw that I ordered was rather bland which was disappointing after the description by the waitress. My wife's Rachel had almost no Thousand Island on it so she asked for some more and the mashed potatoes she ordered were just ok. Then things got interesting when we got the bill and discovered we were charged extra for the small cup of a Thousand Island and for substituting the mash potatoes. The waitress and then the manager both insisted that this substitution cost is listed in the menu - at almost the cost of a side itself. We did not bother arguing the point since we were more disturbed by the waitress failing to mention this, but looking at the menu outside the restaurant (their website appears to be currently down so I cannot check online) this does not appear to be mentioned at all, let alone as prevalently as the manager implied. I definitely get the impression that they try to nickel-and-dime you, but really their prices are not that cheap where I believe that is needed. Would give the place 1 star, but the manager did waive the extra cost and the burger itself was decent (but I'd pay the additional $1 for a Weber Grill burger). If something amazing was happening at this place I would go back, but I doubt I will otherwise.
(2)booby d.
Fun for people ages 35 and older. No youngins here. Food menu looked good but went purely because it was the first place we saw for late nite liquor. Margaritas were dull. I give it a "meh".
(3)M S.
My local bar, tried and true for over 5 years now. It's usually packed on Fridays and Saturday nights, with pool, trivia games, and lots of fun, interesting people. It's also a great place to grab a drink or two after work, with excellent beer and mixed drink specials throughout the week. Come over!
(5)AJ H.
I would give it 3.5 stars. There is nothing special about it, but the food and drinks are good, and the service is decent. It is a great place to grab lunch, but it can sometimes be full of drunken tourists/businessmen at night.
(4)Geoff M.
I come here whenever I want to watch sports in a bar. They have myriad TVs and are good about putting on whatever game you want. It would be nice if they caught up to the flat screen craze, though. The food is above average, especially for a sports bar with solid burgers, wings, etc. The prices are about average - 8 or 9 dollars for a burger - but they have decent drink specials. Service is hit or miss.
(3)Liliana S.
Good Specials and a fun, lively bar, but its a little too secluded from the rest of the River North venues.
(3)Michelle W.
I used to live right down the street from this neighborhood bar. I love this place. Great drinks, excellent food and lots of fun.
(4)Nicola C.
This is a great place to go if you are shopping on Michigan Avenue, or walking towards the lake. It has a great pub feel to it, and is also good for Monday night football. Definitely have fun there everytime i go.
(4)Robyn N.
Great place to stop in for a few drinks after work. They have a large drink selection and the spinach and artichoke dip is a must. There are also pool tables, dart boards, and big screen tv's to watch any sporting event.
(3)Will M.
food is pretty mediocre. but it's a fun place to watch games and such downtown. who doesn't like timmy o'toole's?
(3)Julia B.
Good happy hour, afternoon type bar. It is a usual pub atmosphere with great beers on tap and darts, tv's and pool tables. Not a place I would go on a weekend night though.
(3)V V.
Great watering hole. A nice array of specials and deals. From the Irish ghost wings to the holy water mixed drink; I've got no complaints. Nice wooden settings with a sports bar aesthetic great for meetings as well. If your visiting most certainly a great spot to stop into.
(4)Kirkwood J.
Really really good wings. I got Spicy. Basically the perfect wing.
(5)Katie B.
Good service. EXCELLENT Bloody Mary. A little spicy but one of the best I've had. Nachos were awesome.
(4)Todd C.
I was there a little while back, had the best time because of the attentiveness of our server Alex. She is a cute little brunette with a golden personality. She took care of my entire party, which was a tad needy. She never stopped smiling, had a great attitude, and made the visit great. I hope I am able to request her as my server when I return. My firm likes to do happy hours, and when I am in town she is now my go to person. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to my next trip to the city to come to your place. Alex is def a keeper.
(5)Jennifer M.
My favorite sports bar in the city. Love their wings, and they have pool tables which is a plus. They have TVs everywhere so you'll be able to see the game wherever you sit. Service is ok, it's what I expect from a sports pub.
(5)Mike T.
A regular stop on my Chicago trips. The 2 stars is only because it is absolutely packed on any night when any sports game is going on. As Yogi said, "It's too crowded, nobody goes there anymore." Major props for an extensive beer list, although often it seems they run out of things. No big deal, move down the list. Food is what you expect from a tavern. But, secret tip, at lunch time they go some tasty snack mix for free. I'll be back for the convince.
(2)M G.
POOR TREATMENT LIKE I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED Never. I repeat... never have I been kicked out, or even threatened of not being served. I literally just got off the phone with the manager who was nothing less than rude, defensive, and NOT customer-oriented. Shame on this horrid place. I left the large bouncer yelling at, and being chastised by his female boss for being out of line. DO NOT go into this trashy, basement, pathetic waste of a space. You're in Chicago. There are a million other places!! I feel violated for having stepped foot in this vile establishment. Shame shame shame.
(1)Matt S.
Cool place! You enter at street level but go downstairs to the restaurant. My wife & I went there when we were in town & brought our two daughters (11 & 9 yrs). Chicago dogs were good. For $8 got 2 dogs & fries. Only minor complaint is that it was very loud inside. May not mind if you're going to drink & eat with friends but with kids, didn't make for a pleasant time.
(4)Ed A.
This is not a bad place to stop after a long day or short day for that matter. The beer selection is pretty good with lots of beer on tap. Food is pretty good as well and I love the onion rings. Not really a singles bar, though I could be wrong having been here only once. A good place for a good beer. To talk with friends, coworkers, celebrate or watch the game. And if you become dangerously intoxicated, you're within crawling distance of the hospital.
(3)Brian M.
Typical sports bar with passable food. I've had many a drunken night surrounded by the comfort of 110,000 plasma televisions each showing one of ESPN's 115 channels, faux brick paneling, and a hit-or-miss meal. At least the beer is cold. Not bad, but not great.
(3)megan p.
Great bar. Delish food. The servers are nice, and the comedy show on Wednesday is awesome.
(5)Kelly M.
Overcrowded. Rude Staff. It saddens me that I wasted time waiting in line to get into this place.
(1)T K.
Large bar, pretty good menu (I really love the large nacho platter) cold beer and always interesting groups inside. I haven't had any troubles finding seating and the servers have all been very nice.
(4)David K.
This a a great place to play pool, and I have named it one of the Top 10 places in the U.S. to play "bar pool" -- where you put up your quarters and challenge the winner. It has 3 nicer-than-most coin-operated pool tables, plus a manager that loves to play. Someone to play almost any night. They have a helpful and friendly staff. If you know of a better pub or tavern in which to play bar pool, please let me know -- David@Bar-Pool.com
(5)Michelle W.
I used to live right down the street from this neighborhood bar. I love this place. Great drinks, excellent food and lots of fun.
(4)Nicola C.
This is a great place to go if you are shopping on Michigan Avenue, or walking towards the lake. It has a great pub feel to it, and is also good for Monday night football. Definitely have fun there everytime i go.
(4)Robyn N.
Great place to stop in for a few drinks after work. They have a large drink selection and the spinach and artichoke dip is a must. There are also pool tables, dart boards, and big screen tv's to watch any sporting event.
(3)Will M.
food is pretty mediocre. but it's a fun place to watch games and such downtown. who doesn't like timmy o'toole's?
(3)Joe W.
Was here on a Sunday night in July. It was a pretty quiet crowd which I expected, but the service was not great. If you just want a drink or two, this place is fine. Also, the nacho plate was very impressive.
(3)Loma K.
Grabbed a drink with some friends from outta town. Overall, nice bar/ hangout place. The only down fall was the music was a bit too loud and couldn't really talk to one another.
(3)Jeremy H.
Walked here after a game and was denied entrance for being too drunk after asking what the menu was. Have never been more offended in my life. Had three drinks before hand and was terribly disrespected. Had no problem getting in at bellwether right down the street and actually had a very comical review of Timothy O'tools during ordering. Unreal experience from a very uppity doorman.
(1)Kristy D.
French dip!!! Kentucky bourbon beer !!! Truffles fries ..... Mmmmm Oh- and basketball
(3)Erik G.
Was walking around downtown looking for a decent bar with some craft beers and stumbled upon this place. It's downstairs from the main street level and had many many large tv's and a nice circular bar. Craft beers were abundant and good variety. Didn't try the food, but the ambiance was just what I was looking for in a bar.
(4)John F.
Best Cheeseburger I have ever had! I was in Chicago for business and staying across the street....ate here lunch dinner and lunch the following day. Service is wonderful, atmosphere is great. jf
(5)Hannah L.
I feel like this place isn't getting enough props for brunch. I've been here for drinks and it was great, but I went for brunch this morning and was very impressed. $3 make your own mimosas (with a generous helping of champagne), $4 make your own bloodies. I had the breakfast nachos which were pretty good, and boyfriend had the monte cristo, which was excellent. Plus, we had our run of the place--a nice comparison to the super packed West Egg next door. Will be back!
(4)Sonya Z.
nice sports bar with standard meh bar food, but affordable prices. the wednesday night comedy show of "comedians you should know" was..eh. but, as with most comedy shows, hit or miss. my favorite thing was the extremely nice door guys.
(3)Renee L.
This is not the place to go if you want to chat with the people your with. Now if you want to watch a game and have it blasted in both ears and not be able to hear anything else & be able to see a TV where ever you look then this is the place for you. The food was just ok. Not something I would say I can't wait to go back there for the... The hamburger & Cajon chicken sandwich needed ketchup because they were dry. But if your drunk I think they will do. Some state on here its like cheers. Not... If you think you can walk in and just say hi to someone sitting at the bar u r mistaken. You would need a megaphone. loud
(3)Kayla C.
Really nice cozy bar. I went to the "comedians you should know" show and for $5 a ticket, I was really impressed. Bartenders were good and over all just a great vibe and really comfortable. Can't wait to go again!
(5)Kate B.
I come here almost any time I am in Chicago on a Saturday-Sunday for brunch/football... and it is a great place for that! UNLIMITED bloody mary bar (huge selection of mixes, seasonings and toppings) for $20 and UNLIMITED mimosas (with multiple juice options) for $16. I was sold right there. I'm easy to please when it comes to brunch ... unlimited day drinking does it. The food is also really good...Irish Benny was yummy and my boyfriend loves the scramblers. Wings and wraps/salads (you can turn any salad into a wrap) are also good here. Good service most every time we've been there, every football game you can imagine and a good deal in Chicago...what's not to like?
(4)Matt S.
Cool place! You enter at street level but go downstairs to the restaurant. My wife & I went there when we were in town & brought our two daughters (11 & 9 yrs). Chicago dogs were good. For $8 got 2 dogs & fries. Only minor complaint is that it was very loud inside. May not mind if you're going to drink & eat with friends but with kids, didn't make for a pleasant time.
(4)Craig S.
Very cool atmosphere. Food is decent, but the beer and people are much better. This is the place if you want to have a pint and enjoy hanging out.
(4)Kirkwood J.
Really really good wings. I got Spicy. Basically the perfect wing.
(5)Angelica D.
Okay well this place is just a bar. Food is edible, drinks are ok, a little overpriced but then again it is downtown so its expected. There's really not much to this place. There really isnt that much of a choice as far as bars go around that area. The staff is friendly so thats a bonus, oh and they gave me 20% off my next visit so i guess thats a plus.
(2)Martha D.
I've always been a big fan of this establishment. It is down the street from a hotel several of my friends worked at for years and years. Bonus points: At one point in time, my friend of said hotel (who also has won a tshirt in their Timmy Challenge eatingfest) had a going away party here in late April. We were drinking a bizarre slurring of Jameson shots and sweet tea vodka cocktails. Ended up winning a bike somehow. Woke up a couple mornings later to find a hilarious and surprising voicemail.
(4)Chris M.
Fun "Irish" Pub near all of the shopping and dining that Michigan Avenue is known for. Interesting building (the bar is in the basement). Friendly staff and decent prices for a downtown bar.
(4)Jerome P.
Wouldn't allow a lady in on her birthday to eat.They claim somebody was to drunk but I think we were to black. Not trying to pull the race card but it is what it is.
(1)Charles K.
Really nice place with great bar food!! Great location as well. Bartenders very friendly.
(4)Jessica F.
I love this place! I ate here three times during my trip to Chicago. I have no complaints at all! Their menu offered a wide variety of choices, and the food tasted amazing. Their Chicken Alfredo is my favorite. I'm not a beer drinker, but I was surprised by the huge selection. The service is friendly and welcoming. The atmosphere is great whether you want to have a sit down dinner in the dining room or to catch a game at the bar. I wish I lived closer to Chicago because I would eat here all of the time!
(5)liz d.
The service here at Timmy's has gotten better over the last year. Being a busy place for after work drinks, AKA Happy Hours, it can get a tad bit busy. The staff really steps it up and keeps those drinks flowing. Daily special are listed at the table for the wallet watching drinkers. Add the occasional food specials and you have yourself a pretty inexpensive night. My favorite drink here, the Black and Black, I have found at no other spot. It's Guinness with a splash of Blackberry syrup. OMG YUM, but filling. Also not to miss are the goat cheese quesadillas. Filled with veggies and crap tons of goat cheese, it's one of the best items on the menu.
(4)Matt R.
Great everyday pub on the corner. Good beer selection.
(4)Patrick W.
An ok bar, but I just couldn't give it any more than three stars. I had a craving for fish & chips, so we headed here when we were in the area on a recent evening. For 10 bucks, I got a tray of french fries with four small pieces of fried fish on the corners. I couldn't believe that was all they give you! In fairness, it was really, really good, but thank goodness there were plenty of fries or I would have left hungry. My girlfriend had fried shrimp, which was also really good, and a bit more generous on the amount of shrimp. There's a great beer selection, and our server did a nice job. I'd go back, but would probably order something else.
(3)Drucilla D.
For drinks - they have an incredible cherry jolly rancher martini that I highly recommend. For dining - they have an menu that includes some of the best appetizers ever (I recommend their chicken strips and their taquito's - I usually order both). For entertainment - they have free, from your table, competitive trivia available at anytime on any of the televisions in the bar! It is INCREDIBLY addicting and a ton of fun!
(5)Mike M.
Great beer selection. Lot's of TV's. Good food. Good service. Whatever I could say has probably already been said. We were there late on a Friday when things can usually start to fall apart, but that didn't happen. They stayed on their game and we had a great time.
(4)Kathie R.
Great burgers, fish and chips, etc. With a great beer selection! Service was fast too, on a busy holiday weekend.
(4)Dinna Y.
There are times you want that chill, casual, easy bar spot that's going to have guaranteed good bar food and you are luckily already surrounded by the most amazing people! You don't need crazy ambience or fancy modern decor. O'toole's has not just the classics- darts, beers, burgers, fries, wings, chicken fingers- all quite well done! But they also have truffle fries which I could have eaten for days! I highly recommend upgrading to them! The wings were nice and meaty and not skinny and over fried. Perfectly juicy and well sauced. We wanted a bottle of white wine which was very crisp and cold and was only $40. They also had an amazing strawberry cider that tasted like a refreshing fanta, yum! I'd go back for darts, karaoke and more chill casual nights with great people
(4)Sal M.
Great sports bar & restaurant. Packed! Nice atmosphere. Staff is cool and service is fast. Drank & ate hear. Check them out.
(4)Mitch W.
This place was pretty good. I had the Irish nachos and draft beer. I was there by myself and the bar was full and apparently you cannot sit at a pub table unless you have at least 2 people. I had to sit in the frowning area where there was an old guy watching soccer on all the TVs.
(3)John M.
Didn't make it inside. The bouncer was such a control freak that we left immediately. Disappointed. Sigh
(1)Danielle K.
The food and drinks were great, however HORRIBLE SERVICE. My friend and I each ordered angry ball to drink and got a cheeseburger and lady fingers to share as well. While the food was very good, the bartender was one of the rudest people I have ever encountered (brown hair in pony tail with blue eyes). My friend asked a simple question about the food menu and he was very condescending and cold. He did not smile once and was just SO unfriendly. We left feeling like we had inconvenienced him. He also automatically added gratuity, which seemed strange for a party of 2. I have never seen that before. I gave them 2 stars because the food and drinks WERE tasty, but due to the terrible service I will not be back!
(2)Stef C.
So if there is pulled pork on the menu I will get it. Well point being that's what I ordered. It was okay not the best I've had.
(3)Lisa G.
This is a great little neighborhood bar. After a long day, you can pop in here for a cold beer, some good bar food and a chat with the locals. The staff is always friendly and in short skirts and will chat with you if you're in the mood. This place is open late and the kitchen also closes late. I've never seen it empty or even slow, really. **Beware the pool shark here. He'll be in a blazer and he'll want you to buy him a beer if he wins.
(4)Liz Q.
Don't try to fool me with your cheerful new "faux Irish pub" facade. I know how you are....smoky, crowded and hard to get a drink at the bar. You DO serve pretty good bar food and that's why I will never fully be able to write you off. A word of warning: due to the fact that this is a subterranean bar, it is VERY easy to lose track of time in there. One beer at 6 easily turns into "LAST CALL!". And then you'll feel just as their logo depicts....like a red headed Irishman slumped over a table. And that's not good at all.
(3)E H.
Timmy O'Toole got me thinkin bout that Timmy O'Turkey sandwich all day long. Shit ain't even right. And the Brussel sprouts are on fleek.
(5)John B.
I'm not a sports bar person. I watch at home or in person. That said, I ended up here somehow, and I'll give them props for being fairly vegetarian friendly and for custom-building me a highly palatable veggie burger. I also split some reasonably good appetizers. It's a convoluted underground space. If you're here for the sports, one can't end up too far away from a TV though. Got a newbie server but everything went smoothly. No complaints.
(3)Brett K.
Long overdue review for Timmy's here. Hard to say what makes Timmy O'Tooles a staple in streeterville but it's always packed. I used to live a few blocks away and after many a winter retreat , I grew to love Timmy's underground getaway. Decent specials on beer, amazing nachos and just a laid back vibe will make you feel right at home. Golden tee and pool tables are suspiciously hard to find in the loop and once in a while you just gotta go back to the classics. Seriously, order the loaded nachos and/or the hot wings, not your everyday variation...
(4)Arthur K.
This is an American sports bar though it tries to market itself as an Irish pub. Inside you'll find televisions everywhere along with your typical pool tables, arcade games, etc. That being said, it was a fun environment and it was close to our hotel so that's always a huge plus.
(3)KB C.
Good clean fun-
(3)Dennis S.
Plenty of TV's, all the games, good menu. This is a decent sports bar. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing special. Ordinary drinks, ordinary food, loud TV's. If you're in the area, why not, but nothing will be memorable. A bit touristy.
(3)Rebecca F.
These guys know their beer. I highly recommend the Dragon's Milk if you like really full bodied stout. It's a very fine meal in a glass.
(5)Bryan C.
This gem of a Irish pub sports bar has both great beer and delicious greasy bar food, which is a rare combo. Ordered the Reuben and was pleasantly surprised with the nice grilled rye and delicious pastrami
(4)Stephanie R.
The food is delicious. I had the southwestern chicken salad and i got the smaller sized one. Good thing too because it was huge, and packed full of chicken.
(4)Alex N.
Great craft selection. Good service. Made the mistake of getting a New York strip. It was super fatty, not like an NY strip should be. Really a ripoff for $21. Guess it was my mistake for choosing to order that.
(3)Jules L.
Oh shit son! You didn't tell me Tin O'Toole's had karaoke on Tuesday! Well, who knows if they'll keep having it; I was the only one who took part and I refuse to be one of those jerks who monopolizes the karaoke all night even when it's easy to. But other than that, blah blah sports bar yada yada pub games blah blah giant TVs every three inches. They have an extensive beer list and even several different kinds of ciders and the one long-haired bartender is very nice. Go to karaoke so they'll still have it the next time my coworkers drag me there, please.
(3)Lexi F.
Gotta love O'Tooles. I'm in the industry and this is our go-to place after work. The bartenders are wonderful and take great care of us. They have a huge selection of beer and decently priced beverages. As far as food goes - I love the Chipotle BBQ Saucy Fingers and the Hummus Plate. Tuesday is also Karaoke night.
(5)Andrew B.
When here at about 10 PM to a bar full of med and law students with an irish pub feel. Beer is pretty cheap and its a fun and rowdy crowd. The table was kind of sticky, but the bathrooms were pretty clean. Plenty of TVs if you are trying to watch sports. Service was excellent. I would for sure go back here with a group of young adults, but might not be cut out for the 40+ crowd later at night...
(4)Nicole J.
We didn't know anything about this place but thought it looked like a good place for a good burger and beer. Try the Old Bailey burger. ..really good.
(4)Daniel N.
I really love this place. It is a great little neighborhood bar located in the city. I come here quite often as it is down the street from my apartment and the food is pretty good for bar food. They often have great specials and activities planned which is a great break from the "no specials because you are a tourist and we can charge outragous prices". Bonuses about this place: - Plenty of TVs - Plenty of local and out of towners which makes for great conversation - Food choices involve bar foods, most of which I've enjoyed - Staff is friendly, helpful and pretty darn good at their jobs - 10% Discount on food for NMH emps!
(5)Ashley J.
Great bar in downtown Chicago! We're from CA and our taxi driver recommended this spot..... best taxi driver, EVER! :) we ordered wings, beer, vodka tonic and an amazing burger! The ambiance is fun, lots of people. Sports are on about 20+ tvs, pool tables, friendly host and waiters. All around fun experience. Made our trip to Chicago that much more enjoyable.
(5)joe w.
First place off the plane when I got to Chicago. And it was...just OK. Interesting atmosphere. Wouldn't mind being there for some beers for a Cubs or Bears game, but, the food for lunch on an afternoon -- didn't knock my socks off. The service was...well serviceable; neither horrible nor outstanding. Didn't get a lot of recommendations from the waitress.
(3)william b.
During a bachelor party, we ended up at Timmy O'Tooles no less than 4 times on one day because of it's proximity to the hotel. Everything you need from a bar. Good (little slow) table service, but very accommodating of groups that go from 8-12 (and actively vary). Good breakfast menu, actually.
(3)Dave H.
Much more of a sports bar than an Irish pub, but still a decent place to have some pints. Large number of different and sometimes eclectic beers on tap, and seems to always have a decent number of patrons having a good time. Good bar food when you need something to go with your beer, but I wouldn't go there for the food alone.
(4)mike L.
Have to agree with Kelly A.s' boyfriend, this place blows. it is amongst the worst of the faux-Irish bars I've ever been to. Crappy over-priced food coupled with overpriced drinks and bad service - can i give it zero stars? will never set foot in again
(1)Kristen D.
This place is a nice place to watch a game, play some pool, or have some bar food. There's nothing too exceptional about this place, and yet it's always busy! There aren't too many other bars in the area either, so when I go somewhere for a drink around here, this is where I head. Northwestern students get $2 pints of Miller Lite with student ID, so it makes for a great study break for the med, law, and graduate students. They also have some good deals on beers of the month. It can get a little rowdy in here too, so if you're looking for someplace low key, I'd head somewhere else.
(3)Caitlyn M.
Boring place, really good Irish fries though...Large large beers on Thursdays for cheap!
(3)Dan L.
Great sports bar with solid beer selection, good food, and reasonable prices. We had the wings, burgers, and beer. All were delicious!
(5)Angela E.
Good bar food. We ordered pretzels, warm goat cheese dip, fries. The pretzels were great. The goat cheese had too much sauce not enough goat cheese. Fries were ok. Mango Bellini was tasty.
(3)Mike D.
Maple Bourbon BBQ. Award winning wings. 3rd place in Chicago. Irish Ghost. Won 1st place. They are hot. Nice ambiance in the bar. Lots of flat screens and good tunes.
(4)Sara R.
It's the rich man's dive bar. It's technically too nice to be considered a dive, but its so casual (and there are no windows) it kinda gives off that vibe. Like 50 beers on tap, and a lot of them rotate. Lots of bottles, too. There is a TV on every spare surface of every single wall, so it's a great place to watch all games. It gets uber busy though, so get there early to snag a seat at the bar. I see some of the previous comments say they waited forever to get a beer, but I've never had a problem getting served promptly. Jim and Justin are the best. They know their stuff about brews!! Really all of the staff is super friendly and bubbly. They have a stage in the back room where comedians do stand up on Wednesdays and I guess there's music back there some days, too. THE ONLY DOWNSIDE is the fact that it's a basement, which is why it's the kind of place I get excited to come to in the winter. I seriously hope this place never changes.
(5)Julia B.
Good happy hour, afternoon type bar. It is a usual pub atmosphere with great beers on tap and darts, tv's and pool tables. Not a place I would go on a weekend night though.
(3)Sarah B.
Great specials, decent food and awesome service! I am not in the area often but this place has served it's purpose for me and some friends on a couple of occasions. Last night my visiting girlfriends wanted some bar food near their Michigan Ave hotel. I took them to TOT's. We had drinks bought for us by a gentleman at the bar and our server gave us two huge deserts for free! Score. It pays to be a table of cutie-pie girls. Not my favorite place but it fit the bill for us and that works for me.
(4)Curt L.
Free UFC fight (UFC 141) brought me in here with my Son-In Law. Great spot strategically located near our hotel (Courtyard). Enough draft options to keep the aficionado happy. Packed house. Lots of nooks and crannies. Always fun to walk down into a bar. Good looking crowd.
(4)Kate F.
Cool spot. Great bar with large variety of beer. The staff is really friendly...one even looks like Chloe from the movie "Big Love". You got pool tables, darts, beer and food. It's the total Irish Pub Package.
(5)Jamie S.
We come here every year and love this place. We love the food and atmosphere but mostly we love that got the 2nd year in a row, we got Diana as our server! She knows her stuff and is so great and personable. This is our regular stop each year and will for sure be back next year! Bloody Mary and. Mimosa bar is amazing!!!!
(5)Debbie M.
Thank you Diana for taking the best care of us !! We felt so at home with you, you knew what we liked and served us the best !!!" Girls trip every year is even better knowing your our waitress ! Thank you Diana !
(5)Nicolas H.
Definitely a tourist friendly bar, but not too bad for locals if you are in the neighborhood. They have a huge back room which we took advantage of on the night in question. The drinks were cheap due to the special that night, so I can't complain in that regard, even if our waitress wasn't too happy to deliver them to us. The wings were Decent at best, not sure how they won so many awards for them, as I've had better at BW3s among other places. The rest of the food looked good enough, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come back for more. Basically, if you are in the neighborhood there aren't really that many options, so its not bad for a beer or two...
(3)Mike T.
A regular stop on my Chicago trips. The 2 stars is only because it is absolutely packed on any night when any sports game is going on. As Yogi said, "It's too crowded, nobody goes there anymore." Major props for an extensive beer list, although often it seems they run out of things. No big deal, move down the list. Food is what you expect from a tavern. But, secret tip, at lunch time they go some tasty snack mix for free. I'll be back for the convince.
(2)M G.
POOR TREATMENT LIKE I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED Never. I repeat... never have I been kicked out, or even threatened of not being served. I literally just got off the phone with the manager who was nothing less than rude, defensive, and NOT customer-oriented. Shame on this horrid place. I left the large bouncer yelling at, and being chastised by his female boss for being out of line. DO NOT go into this trashy, basement, pathetic waste of a space. You're in Chicago. There are a million other places!! I feel violated for having stepped foot in this vile establishment. Shame shame shame.
(1)Jason P.
This is always a fun place to go to catch a game, some beers with the boys, or dinner before a movie. It's one of the better bar options as far as the area is concerned but the downfall is the service. I really want to give this place 4 stars but the food just missed the quality mark and the staff always seems to be 2 minutes behind. This will not stop me from going here by any means, and I'm optimistic about the future. This place totally kick's ESPN Zone's shins as far as a place to catch a game
(3)Adam M.
The best sports bar in Chicago... PERIOD! The staff is always very friendly and the food is better than any other sports bar in the city. They have a great list of beers and spirits, and it is always a fun and lively place to be.
(5)Craig S.
You could change the sign outside the bar to "Bennigans" and you wouldn't know the difference inside.
(2)Stephany M.
Decent Sports Bar Loads of televisions. I went to see the fight this past weekend place got crowded service was cool, beer selection is dope and they even have good wine I recommend the Gooseneck ales and the Diseno Malbec
(3)Ra R.
Love this spot! sports perfection
(5)Greg D.
Can't really suggest this for nightlife. A few locals suggested it for walk in foot traffic when we found Hard Rock Cafe closed but it was packed out shoulder to shoulder in here. So obviously it's popular. I've since accidentally called it Bennigan's. Food was like Bennigan's. We ran into some very intoxicated people and I didn't really appreciate when some dude yelled while pointing at my wife "She looks like a f*cking eskimo!" You know, it was funny, and she did. It was a snowy night and her fur jacket hood did make her look exactly like an eskimo and we knew it, but that guy was just a little too friendly... :)
(2)Kyle D.
Overall: A quality bar experience. Don't come expecting to be wined and dined (though they have both). A great pub in the heart of Chicago. The good: Great beer list, plenty of great drafts and bottles. The food menu is rather extensive. The atmosphere is unique and homey and plenty of TVs to go around. Service was fast and friendly and the food came quick. Good prices The bad: The food was just decent, average bar food quality. Atmosphere: 8/10 Service: 8/10 Food: 6/10
(4)John S.
Terrible service and horrible food. We ordered 2 bowls of soup and the server said he didn't have enough for 2 bowls but that we could order 2 cups and he would have enough for us. He brings it to the table and each cup is 1/3 full. Unreal. Ok place to watch a football game but get your food elsewhere.
(2)Theresa H.
They have an inspired selection of beers and spirits but I found the bar staff to be fairly uneducated about them. Overall the place is cool. It's a noisy sports bar with an eclectic crowd. The service was fine other than the lack of knowledge. I'd go back again if I was in the area.
(3)Chris M.
Have enjoyed holding events here a few times now and it's always gone well. Danny, the events manager, was great to work with and very accommodating to requests and is willing to work with you! The food is very good. I look forward to the next event held here as it's always a great experience! Thanks!
(5)Ed A.
This is not a bad place to stop after a long day or short day for that matter. The beer selection is pretty good with lots of beer on tap. Food is pretty good as well and I love the onion rings. Not really a singles bar, though I could be wrong having been here only once. A good place for a good beer. To talk with friends, coworkers, celebrate or watch the game. And if you become dangerously intoxicated, you're within crawling distance of the hospital.
(3)Katie B.
Good service. EXCELLENT Bloody Mary. A little spicy but one of the best I've had. Nachos were awesome.
(4)LaShanda C.
I'm staff at Northwestern University and we order from Otoole's Restaurant (Chicago location), all the time. The staff is awesome and so are the delivery guys both of them. I don't know the other name but Aaron is great! He's always so kind, polite and punctual with our food. I just want to give both of your delivery guys the accolades they deserve. Thanks again. And, I love the Honey mustard dressing you should sell in the bottle! #NWU
(5)David H.
i really wish the jukebox had more classics like MC HAMMER, Kid n Play and Surface but other than that it's the quintessential irish american sports bar with drunk people, lay ups, nachos, and french fries. Lennox Lewis also works there which i think is pretty cool. big ups.
(5)Stef B.
I stopped by here for the first time over the weekend. I had an expiring gift certificate and figured we'd try their Mimosa Bar. We got there around 1/1:30pm for brunch and sadly found out that they don't replace their mimosa bar items once they are used up. We were stuck with 3 juices rather than an entire bar to choose from. I was bummed. The service, the quality of the food and the cleanliness of the restaurant made up for it though. We are planning an outting back very soon - and it'll be earlier this time so we can see the REAL mimosa bar.
(4)Adam D.
I haven't been here in a while, but it's still a place that I know well. Great beer list, cool crowd, excellent venue for watching the game/fight, and professional bartenders, which is so very important. I've never eaten here (why soak up all that alcohol with food??), but the food looks good to me. O'Toole's knows who they are and does not stray from it. Oh, and after the 2006 NFC Title Game, my guys and I happened to walk in at the same time as Robbie Gould and Ric Flair, so there's that.
(4)V V.
Great watering hole. A nice array of specials and deals. From the Irish ghost wings to the holy water mixed drink; I've got no complaints. Nice wooden settings with a sports bar aesthetic great for meetings as well. If your visiting most certainly a great spot to stop into.
(4)Bobby S.
For an Atlanta GA boy, it's Taco Mac in Chicago. Literally, down to the nachos on the menu and the excellent beer selection. They had Dogfish Head 90 minute on tap, so I couldn't be happier. The burger was above average (with your selection of toppings -- I ordered and got a perfect medium well with onion straws, american cheese, lettuce and bacon), and the service was friendly. A solid 3.5 stars, but I'm down rating to 3 because I specifically asked for mustard packets in my to go order the next day and didn't get them.
(3)Ashley M.
The boyfriend and I have been here a few times to catch a New York Knicks' game. We couldn't believe the size of the place! They had no problem changing the TV to the game we wanted so we sat back, had a beer and enjoyed the game. The wings were good but the fish and chips were pretty lousy. Our server said to get that instead of the shrimp because the fish and chips were the best thing on the menu. After eating the fish, I wonder if our server had tried everything else. Other than being really disappointed with the fish and chips, the place has a nice atmosphere and doesn't get too busy when we're there. We will probably be back for the next Knicks' game.
(4)Helen T.
I like to call this place my own McLaren's (How I Met Your Mother). Right around the corner from my apartment and great bar food at a decent price. Good burgers, love the fries, great caesar salad, and GREAT turkey club. Check their specials..there's usually some drink deals like their beer of the month.
(4)Chrissy N.
Fun place: It's Irish Pub meets sports bar. There are pool tables, some arcade-y games, large screens everywhere with sports happening, and LOTS of variety of beers on tap, and a full menu. The basic bar food and appetizers. There is a back room for parties it seems too. LOTS of seating.
(3)Jason L.
I did not expect to like this bar. Rather unmemorable drink specials if you're not a beer drinker. It's a little loud, but in general has a nice neighborhood pub atmosphere, billiards, and you could fit a big group of friends in here if necessary.
(3)Dustin F.
This place is filled with assholes and phony sports fans. I used to tolerate O'Toole's because it's close to work and they have a decent tap, but I guess my desire to be surrounded by assholes is waning. I got chastised by an asshole for having a soccer game that he and his asshole friend were completely ignoring changed to the Blackhawks game. Chicago sports bar = Chicago sports, right? Not in this realm of unruly assholes. Go to P.J. Clarke's instead. The assholes there are more innocuous.
(2)Andrew T.
Lot of NU grad students it seems, come here to kick back. I noticed they had a karaoke night in the back room (pretty big) which I want to know more about, but other than that, it's a pretty typical pool, espn, bucket o' beers type place with better than average food. The wings are really good and big enough for a meal.
(3)Timmay P.
This place is a dump in the basement. Avoid going here and the hand stamp nazi.
(1)Fernando D.
If you have never visited chicago this is the place for you! Otherwise way too many tourists. Its not horrible....just too crowded for the type of place it is. Food is kinda high priced for being bar food and drinks are on the average side. If you are from chicago definitely go to another sports bar
(3)Su S.
Not a place I would hang out at on the weekends but it's good for happy hour with the coworkers during the week. I like the Irish Nachos and the Holy Water. There are always promo people there handing out free stuff. I got a spatula!
(4)Scooter M.
Highly recommend this bar to anyone looking for a place to hang on any given Sunday in the fall. O'Tooles is the place to be on Bears gamedays, great atmosphere and giant jenga is fun win or lose! Ask for Amber, you won't regret it : )
(5)Darrick A.
Went out with co workers, great time,and atmosphere if you're a big sports fan you'll really love it. Food and drinks great. Gotta try the Holy Water!
(4)Melissa B.
I have been here twice, and BOTH times I left severely angry. We went in both times after the lunch rush, around 1pm. There were plenty of servers, but none came to us. We sat there with not even water for ages! The food was o.k, run of the mill bar food. Once again, the server disappeared, so if there was something wrong, it's not like we could say anything. Finally we got the check. THEN the server hovered, waiting for his money! I've been in the service industry for quite some time, so I know how it is. This was THE WORST SERVICE EVER!!!!!
(1)Bobby D.
Not a bad place to go, If you're just going there for a lunchbreak. But I would avoid the fish dinners. Somehow didn't taste very fresh.
(3)Eric M.
This is one of my favorite spots to hit up after watching a movie downtown. The staff are always friendly, the food tastes great, the beer is cold, and there are plenty of TVs to catch up on the games.
(4)Nick H.
Pretty much this bar has only one thing to offer: location. The service is mediocre and so are the drinks/food. It has a lot of TVs so you can pull up pretty much every sporting event on TV. If you don't have high hopes for a bar, then this is your place to go.
(2)Jody C.
I am not a fan of Timmy O'Toole's, which makes me sad b/c its the closest bar to my place. FOr some reason, i'm always put off by bars that are underground. I guess i'm just a fan of air, or at least being able to see outside. Anyway, my problem with this bar started b/c everyone there had clearly just left a convention. They were all dressed in suits and getting absolutely plastered. That's fine, but it was the afternoon and there were families eating at the tables. The prices are too high for such a dingy bar.
(2)Rachel B.
Great pub food, good prices, good portion size, friendly staff. First, beer selection is enormous! Good deals on 'drinks of the month'. We ordered a large nachos for the table. The nachos had just the right balance of cheese, pico de gallo, refried beans, and jalapenos; the salsa and sour cream were served on the side. The large was more than enough to serve 3 people snacking before entrees. I had a veggie burger for the main course. This place has an insane amount of burger topping options but I went with the Original (lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions) served on a pretzel bun - yummm! Definitely plan to return on my next trip to Chicago
(4)Derek A.
Came here to prefade and kill time and catch the game. Big Irish pub had a decent happy hour at the time of this visit, and their drink and menu selections was outstanding for the price and portion sizes. The bartender (really wish I remembered his name) was super chill and told us some good places to hang out at night, recommended good drinks and appetizers from the menu, even hooked it up with some drinks he was experimenting with, and overall just had a personality. Highly recommend for some good stuff and to catch the game.
(3)Todd C.
I was there a little while back, had the best time because of the attentiveness of our server Alex. She is a cute little brunette with a golden personality. She took care of my entire party, which was a tad needy. She never stopped smiling, had a great attitude, and made the visit great. I hope I am able to request her as my server when I return. My firm likes to do happy hours, and when I am in town she is now my go to person. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to my next trip to the city to come to your place. Alex is def a keeper.
(5)Jennifer M.
My favorite sports bar in the city. Love their wings, and they have pool tables which is a plus. They have TVs everywhere so you'll be able to see the game wherever you sit. Service is ok, it's what I expect from a sports pub.
(5)Steve R.
Menu is robust as is the beer selection on draft. Big fan of the bucket of fries. Wait staff is really good... Especially Sonna, and the only reason to take away a star is the bar serive. If you sit at the bar, the drink service is slow... maybe it's because they are making the drinks for the servers, which makes the table service so good!
(4)Nadeem P.
Been here quite a few times, and as far as drinks othis place lives up to bar standards, and I would even say notch higher due to their extensive beer list. I was wowed last night when I came here hungry. Their build your own burger is simply AMAZING! I would have to rate it as one of the top 5 burgers I've ever. The meat was great quality, and all 1/2 pound of it was cooked to medium perfection. The toppings and bread delicious, and when you get into the toppings such as Jalepenos bacon and srichacha Mayo and roasted garlic aioli you know you have a winner. Add to that truffle fries and a tasty beverage and you have a meal you'll never forget!
(5)Mel S.
They don't serve gourmet fare, so go somewhere else in the area if you're looking for that. What you get is a sports bar with TVs covering all the walls, in a dark setting shrouded by Xmas lights. The service is ok, the beer selection is better than average, but this has to be the best place to come to watch Chicago sports. Come for a Blackhawks game (maybe playoffs) and you'll familiar faces including the guy with the hat with the red flashing lights that makes a round around the bar with every goal. It's a nice neighborhood bar where Chicago pride is well represented. Don't ruin your experience by coming for anything else.
(4)Michael S.
A typical Irish pub with a decent beer selection, the food is average at best. I ate here last night for the second time because my coworker wanted to go. Like last time my dinner was typical average at best bar food. Go here for the beer and atmosphere not for the food.
(3)Greg F.
This was my first great wing in the Windy City. On 4 repeat trips back, they've fallen off substantially. The beer selection is superb & cold. But the wings have become pedestrian. The garlic-ginger used to sing but now seems dry & tasteless. The staff doesn't go out of it's way to make you feel welcome either. One time, we came with a party of 10, during off hours & you would have thought we had the plague. Very little attentiveness w/ unremarkable food. Say it ain't so. For the best wings in Chicago, try Crisp - but BYOB!
(2)Molly C.
I love coming here because it is such a great neighborhood bar and it's incredibly convenient. There are always plenty of TVs to watch your favorite team play. The food isn't too bad for bar food either.
(4)Shy A.
Danny W said it was the best Bloody Mary in the city.....I had to check it out myself...He wasn't lying! Irish nachos...spicey wings and Irish eggrolls....all were pretty tasty but totally greasy that I felt horribly guilty after eating them. Great location, Cheers type place that's perfect for a pitcher of beer and a game.
(3)Jeremy B.
This place offered some pretty good food at a relatively reasonable price, especially considering the typical prices you see in Chicago. It's a really cool pub atmosphere and is a relatively large place. It seems newer on the inside. I purchased the Southwest Chicken Wrap, which I highly recommend. We also bought a Country Fried Chicken Salad, which was also pretty great. The only problem we had is that it took forever for our check to come. We actually had to go and ask for it because it eventually just became annoying. Other than that, the staff was super nice and the atmosphere was great. I'd definitely go again if I were in the area!
(4)Paul L.
Pretty happening bar scene on a Friday night. Lots of great beers on tap and a good bar selection. The beers were great but the mixed drinks were weak. The gin and tonic was more like a tonic on the rocks.
(3)Rob M.
Cool atmosphere, but the burger was pretty bad. Bun wasn't toasted, toppings were old. Maybe I just got unlucky.
(4)Mike A.
I heart Timothy O'Tooles. Great selection of craft beers, on rotation. Bar food is excellent too. The grill cheese and Ruebens are the best in the city. Pool tables and lots of tv's make this a great spot for Sunday sports and beer!
(5)Kevin B.
Great spot if you are looking for an affordable, neighborhood bar off of Michigan Ave. Really ideal for lunch or happy hours. $4 Tall boys... can't argue with that. Food was really good as well. I ordered the Rajun Cajun burger and truffle fries. The burger was good and delicious. Throw in 2 beers and I think my total was around 20-25 dollars, which anyone knows around Michigan ave is almost hard to beat.
(4)A D.
The wings and truffle fries were the best. Great entertainment. Excellent drinks and tvs at every table. Will definitely return next time in town.
(4)Phil D.
An Irish Sports Dive Bar, and one that definitely hits the spot when you need it(ie. drunk and hangry at 1am). Commonly frequented by sports fans, students, and rowdy locals, Timmy O'Tooles is a pub by every definition of the word, and it does that job well. Fun place to hang out with friends whether this is during lunch, after work, or after a night out. And to it's credit, the food isn't bad either. Came here at 1am a few nights ago to feed my hungry family after a late flight into Chicago, and as it was one of the few places open, we decided to try out the menu. Solid nachos, quesadillas, and dips. Burgers and sandwiches generally won't let you down either. There is also a Food challenge complete with a large burger, and a bunch of fries and onion rings that you can try for $20(free t-shirt on completion). But the best part is the prime location(right off the Magnificent Mile in the middle of Streeterville), and the late hours. I mean, where else are you gonna load yourself with unhealthy, delicious, bar food in the dead of the night?
(4)Rawlins R.
Timothy O'Toole's is a laid back Irish pub located in the loop. Located in the basement you walk down a set of stairs and to your left upon entering Timothy's. They offer sit down dining as well as bar area stools or standing around the pool tables. There is plenty of entertainment available at this bar with the pool tables, bar games and televisions. The bar staff was very friendly and this establishment draws all kinds of bar goers. There was a mix of some older regulars shooting pool, others eating dinner, and some people getting ready for a night out with a few drinks. Shared a pitcher of Coors here in about an hour experience. This probably won't be my last time here as NU students get a 10% discount with their WildCard.
(4)Karma K.
So it's a bar in the River North area. It's also a Chicago Bears bar. This place really reminds me more of a suburban bar than a city bar but I'm cool with that. That west burbs made me who I am today! So it's big, usually pretty crowded and better and less pricey than some other drinking options off of Michigan Avenue. I've been here for lunch, drinks only and brunch. They have an app called "Bucket of Fries." I get them truffled...yum. I love that on a Sunday morning I can have a bucket of fries and hit the bloody mary bar too. I like keeping my cardiologist rolling in the dough. You can't mock their bloody bar. It's cheap and they have 30 bloody accessories. Yee haw! You can also get something called breakfast nachos. Timmy's has bar food covered. Tons of unhealthy appetizers, burgers galore, some fattening salads and even some dinner options like meatloaf, strip steak and one pasta dish...with alfredo sauce and chicken (how original, lol). Not a bad place at all. It's a place that has something for everyone.
(4)Ashton B.
Hands down worst service I have ever had. Service people were very rude. A woman next to my group actually passed out while talking to someone on the phone and was later served... Someone that falls asleep at a bar. I'm sorry. I find it ridiculous / irresponsible of management to keep someone like this on the floor. Good luck.
(1)Rachael Z.
Having stayed at the Doubletree across the way several times now, I'm disappointed we hadn't come here earlier! It was a cold Tuesday December night, and we walked inside - and to our surprise, the bar was packed! Loud music, big groups, karaoke! On a Tuesday night?! It was a pleasant surprise. We sat at the bar, and had a fantastic bartender. We were lucky enough to be forgotten for a few minutes - and by lucky, we mean that we sympathized with the bartender because we knew it was crowded, but he still felt badly enough that one round was on him! Big shock: they had Bourbon County! This is a rarity at most bars, so the hubby was extremely excited to order it here. Great place for any group size and apparently, any night of the week!
(5)Irene G.
Great place for wings, beer, and a good time! I've been here a few times with friends and coworkers and never had a negative experience. The staff is friendly and service is good. They have a great craft beer selection including my favorite Founders and plenty of food on their menu. The space is big and they have plenty of TVs. They also have karaoke night- on mondays i think...overall a good place if you're looking for a fun and casual outing.
(4)T T.
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(4)Lois K.
This is a pretty average upscale Chicago pub. The food is typical bar food. Nothing spectacular. They do have a large beer menu, which is a definite plus. It is also a great place to watch a game because there are TVs everywhere. My biggest issue with this place is that the service is always HORRIBLE. I work in the area, so we always end up here because it's the closest bar. Don't expect you waitress to stop at the table and check on you again until she's ready for you to pay the bill. They end up losing a lot of money from us because they never come back to refill our beer / cocktail orders. The service is so bad that we have started walking farther just to go someplace else. I would still go here to grab a quick bite and maybe a beer after work, but only because it is so close. This is definitely not one of my favorite bars.
(2)Dawn B.
Food was good. Ordered appetizers but didn't get them until our food arrived. Lots of beer options. Waitress was ok...took lots of time to get refills from bar.
(3)Lisa R.
Great burgers, great place to watch Blackhawks! Nachos followed by bacon blue burger, washed down with a 312 draft!
(5)Shirley S.
Very Boston atmosphere under ground pub and relaxing restaurant. Family friendly TV's surround the walls but not noisy as a sports bar. Love the "holy water" great taste went down smooth. Fish n chips were at perfection and just right portions.
(5)Kelly J.
Cool place to come and watch a game. Lots of good beer on tap to go with one of the best cheeseburgers I've ever had. And one of the biggest! I could barely eat half of it. Good game day specials, service is friendly which makes up for it being spotty when they are very busy. TV's are at every angle so there's really not a bad seat in the house.
(4)Peter B.
Food is pretty good as well as the drinks which are a tad overpriced. Bad experience here last night from the hostess to the manager herself. The hostess made me stand pointlessly when I asked for a table for two until my girlfriend arrived. She told me to find a spot at the bar while I was waiting when I'm sure she was well aware there wasn't a spot available and made me wander around instead of showing us to the several available tables right away. They accept an industry discount for 50% drinks and 25% off food (only reason I come here to begin with) The waitress and manager would not believe that my girlfriend works at a restaurant despite showing them the business card, she was in her work clothes and we were willing to call her restaurant to prove she worked there. Can't blame the waitress since she probably needs the manager's override for these situations. Apparently Timothy O' Toole's requires everyone to carry around a paystub and additional verification of employment. Next time, we'll make sure to bring the W2 form and any other official forms per your request to closely examine. I expected that when the manager came out to talk to us, she would do everything in her power to make sure we got what we needed. Clearly not as it was too difficult for her to go the extra mile. As we were leaving, she was near the entrance and didn't even acknowledge us. Try a little harder next time please.
(2)Patty ..
Yay super fun towns of beer on tap or bottle place is huge reminded me of the bars during school, pool tables, TV's, darts you name it they had. There was a menu however, we did not eat we had just been to Eataly [THE BOMB]. Bartenders were super friendly even if they didn't play for Team Chicago Bears/Hawks but nothing wrong with friendly banter.
(4)Tom C.
Been here many times for their brunch at the weekend and Bloody Mary bar. The food is good, lots of TVs for keeping up on different sports.
(4)Kassidy W.
Let's say this review is more like 3.5 stars. The food is great, I like the atmosphere, the beer list is extensive, and I have had really great service MOST of the time. (Yesterday's service was the best yet. Shout out to Spencer for being wonderful, even with our large group!!) One bad experience has made me a bit salty about this place, though. I've obviously gone back, but only once. And I made sure we wouldn't get a server named Lucy again. The service was THAT bad. Two friends and I had come in for dinner, not all the tables were full, and I got a pretty good feel for the size of her section. Two of us are or have been servers so we tried to rationalize the situation, but couldn't. I never got a refill on my drink. She didn't come back to check on us. And our plates sat there empty for 20 minutes. It wasn't only our table either, many people were complaining, wondering, and talking to the people next to them. It was a hunt for our server and no one seemed to care. We eventually got our check, paid, and when I asked to speak with a manager, she said they were too busy. I really wish I had followed up on this sooner, but a yelp review will have to do.
(3)Evan C.
I give O'toole's 3.5 stars. I usually come here after seeing a movie at AMC River East. There are not too many bars around this area, but this place is fun. We walked in and had a party of 6 on a Saturday night after seeing a flick. We were given a buzzer and said it would be about 30 mins. One awesome thing about this place is they have SOO many beers on tap. Any style of beer you want you can order. I have been here multiple times, but it took us about 10 mins to get the bartender's attention to get a beer. Since the place was packed, I can understand. We finally got seated around an hour later and my 3 friends and I split 50 hot wings. These wing did win #1 in the hot category for Wingfest 2014. The wings were pretty meaty, but just tasted like Frank's Red Hot. They were great wings if you are looking for that flavor, don't get me wrong. I still believe the Otherside Bar has the meatiest and best wings in the city. One other awesome thing was Al the magician was working that night. I couldn't understand ANYTHING he was saying, but his magic tricks could back his actions. I'm still not sure how he did that baseball in a cup trick... Overall, if you are looking to grab a beer and some pretty good wings/food come here. (Especially if you are looking for some place to go after AMC River East)
(3)Jessica Y.
This is a really nice sports bar. Super clean and looks well-kept. The food was decent - got the baked goat cheese (marinara sauce with crumbled goat cheese on top, served with baked pita bread; onion rings - really crispy and served with BBQ sauce; and the Michigan Ave salad - fresh and delicious, topped with avocado slices. The highlights are the large beer selection, and the number of TVs around the place. I sat at a booth in the side room, and it had its own TV. I wish the screen was lower though because my neck was hurting by halftime from craning my neck to look to the side and upward. And I would've like the volume of the game (BEARS) to be louder in the side room. Other than that, really friendly service, and great crowd. You can pre/post party here on home game days, and pay $10 for a roundtrip bus ride to Soldier Field.
(4)Jackie C.
It is a very homey place! Its smaller, under ground and has a close knit feeling. I loved our waitress and the food was very good! We will definitely be back for a fun Sunday football event. This is not set up for a large party so if you are, I would call ahead to give them a heads up and they are happy to help you get set up.
(4)Eddie S.
Nice place to grab a drink. Haven't tried any of the food so cannot comment on that. 48 beers on tap! I'm a lager guy and enjoyed the allagash white. My new favorite! Lots of Tvs to watch any game. Currently watching the bulls, black hawks and college football.
(4)KJ V.
The place to go for all sports fans! We went for breakfast before a Bears game. They open at 9:30 during on Sunday's when the Bears place at home. The cool thing is that we had tickets to the Bears game and they bus you over to Soldier Field for pretty cheap! Then they pick you up and bring you back after the game. It's better than driving thru traffic and paying an arm and a leg by the stadium!
(4)Joe W.
Atmosphere here is awesome! Came in to watch a Blackhawks game while staying at a nearby hotel. So glad the hotel recommended this place! A lot of fun! Food was good, good options. Staff was on point too! Great beer recommendations from the server too!
(5)Kristen D.
Really awesome atmosphere when we stopped in for a quick bucket of beers before our dinner reservation down the street! I can't wait to come back and spend a little more time here. I love that there's enough room to play pool at a few different tables, have a good conversation (read: not having to shout) with the people you came with, and casually drink a couple beers while still being able to people watch. Tons of TVs, too!
(3)George A.
So far I've only done take out. The Michigan Ave salad is out of this world. The Pub Fish and Chips are very good but for $13 I'd like just a bit more fish, that doesn't stop me from ordering them, try 'em! The burgers are good. The "extra spicy" wings were a little mild to me but I eat crazy hot stuff a lot. The Volcanic wings are right where I want to be. The Parmesan fries were good but I was expecting more.
(4)Johnny W.
Loved this place. My first experience in downtown Chicago. We staying almost across the street and headed out on a Friday night of St Patrick's day and first place we came upon. Of the group of 6, 5 of us are bartenders in Wisconsin so sometimes critique a little more than others and the staff her impressed us greatly. We paid 5.00 cover charge which I expect and walked into this huge underground bar which was very busy. Th bouncers were fun and welcoming. Walking by the hostess stand we told her we were there to have a few libations. She recommended the back bar might be a little quicker and we could order food if we were interested at the bar. We got bar stools and Dustin the bartender was extremely good. Fast, remembered our drinks and names. One did order food (Bacon Mac & Cheese) and it was good. We left and went to 4 other bars for a change of scenery and only had one drink at each and went back to Timothy O'Tooles as none of the other bars compared in service and prices. Saturday after watching the river dyed green and all the St Pats things we decided to go there again. Back bar had Dustin and a gal named Connor working. As busy and packed as they were they never once looked like they had an attitude or were rushed with one often sees in bars under these circumstances. Rather fast paced, friendly and remembering orders and names. One in our group had a few to many and was a little tired. Two girls (I'm guessing a manager and security) came to escort her out. I have been to many a place and seen these situations escalate by a bouncer not choosing words properly but not here. They talked to our friend and stepped aside let us get her out without incident, The rest were able to stay and/or come back. My point of the last little story is every person (not sure what the staff on is on a super bust St Patrick's satuday night is) from door staff to hostess to waitress to bartender to bar backs and the girls working the beer trough were not only doing a great job under stress but friendly and welcoming at every point of the night. I wonder if some of the people that left bad reviews were ever even here as I saw nothing other than awesome. They should maybe go back and give it another try as I my next trip to Chicago will include a stop (or 3) at Timothy O'Toole's
(5)Matt T.
Met my sister here for some drinks and something small to eat, when she got off work. The beer selection is top notch. And it seems like a very fun place, especially if you're a Chicago Blackhawks fan (although I am a Pittsburgh Penguins fan). I was surprised the Bulls game wasn't on, although other basketball games were on. The food was good. I wasn't blown away by it. But it hit the spot. I had a Michigan Street Salad, I believe it was called. It was good. My sister had a veggie burger with sweet potato fries and I had some of those. They were very good. Our waitress was nice, but seemed a little overwhelmed. She probably had a bunch of tables. However, she kept our beers filled. The rest of the staff seemed very friendly. Definitely would go back.
(4)Honor S.
Cool place! The beer list is incredibly extensive and I only wish I had more time (and more money) to try more of them. I'm not sure but I think the beer list varies in selection from month to month which is even more intriguing to me. I need to find a place like this in Phoenix! I was there on a Thursday night and the place was pretty packed. I'm not sure if it's like that all the time or if everybody was just there to watch the Blackhawks game. If I'm ever in the area again I'll make sure to stop by this place again!
(4)Daniel D.
We are in town for a conference and thought we'd stop in for a beer and some bar food. When we first arrived the "bouncer" hit us up for a $5 cover. We ordered the spicy wing basket and soft pretzels. The "spicy" wings tasted more like a tomato based BBQ sauce than spicy. The pretzels were cold to the touch and so was the cheese sauce. We asked if it all could be warmed up and the waitress Lucy apologized and took them away. A food runner brought back our pretzels that were obviously microwaved because they had cold and hot spots, but did not bring our cheese sauce. We asked Lucy if we could have the cheese sauce and she apologized again and brought it out. And wouldn't you know, it was cold. Go somewhere else. Do not waste your time or your money.
(1)Bernice K.
Good food! Good service! Great lil pub! Headed here for a late dinner and nite cap. Pleasantly surprised by everything!
(5)Paul A.
This place was overcrowded not by space but by what they could handle. It was too hot in there and very humid, they need a better AC. They also say there kitchen is open till around 3 but was only open until around 1am and at the point could only order a basket of fries that took 25 minutes to bring to us. They were regular frozen fries that shouldn't of took much more than 5 minutes to fry. The drinks were also mixed poorly and service was unfriendly and slow.
(2)Joe I.
Watched the World Cup finals here, and had a great time! We ordered several appetizers and drinks throughout the game. Nachos, wings, salad, etc were all good. The Irish Nachos were the hit though...French fries covered in cheese, bacon, & scallions. Staff was great even though the place was packed. No one left until the game was over, so we paid a little early and were able to duck out before the crowd. Being a family of 6 with 4 minors, we had no problems eating in the seating area. Glad we got a table though! Lucky, I guess.
(5)Michael B.
I was in Chicago last week and went to O'Tooles twice while I was there - once with a colleague for drinks and a second time for lunch with a different colleague. The first time I was there, it was just around suppertime. My colleague and I had a few drinks from the extensive menu of on tap and bottled beverages they had. The second time was on a Sunday for lunch, when I arrived as soon as they open - and my colleague arrived about an hour later. While I was waiting for him I had a coffee and wings, working away on my laptop and half paying attention to the playoff game. The wings were great, and the staff let me be for the most part, as I waited for my colleague. Once my colleague joined me know, we both had a light lunch. He ordered the BLT and I ordered a burger. Both meals came out relatively quickly, and were quite delicious. I'd definitely go back when I'm in town again!
(5)Demi H.
I love this place! I come here for lunch and I pretty much get the same thing: Saucy Finger Basket! The portion is a good size, it comes with 5 chicken fingers covered in your choice of wings sauce and a side of fries. I normally get bbq sauce but this time I got traditional buffalo sauce and it was delicious! I would definitely recommend this place if you're ever in the area!
(4)Allison F.
Great TVs, tremendous spot to watch NFL football. Love how they designate which games will play on each TV - it is so simple yet it works. Place is busy and packed, but not uncomfortable. Service is friendly and fast!!!! Large selection of beers plus full bar and game day specials. Ordered the nachos with pulled pork. Mixed reviews.....my date enjoyed the thickness of the chips, I felt like they could have been juicier. For the second quarter ordered the pretzels and spicy chicken finger basket with onion rings. O rings were good not great chicken fingers were meaty, spicy and peppery. Delish!!!! Soft pretzel order came as two giant pretzels as well and a bland cheese sauce on the side. Tasted fresh, not microwaved like they came be sometimes. Pretty good nom nom for a game. Great place for a ball game.
(4)Josh B.
Located in a basement in downtown Chicago, O'Toole's is much cleaner and lively than you'd think! The bar/restaurant area is large, but the lack of windows can make it seem very claustrophobic on a busy night. I know that's more of a limitation of the building than the service, so I won't hold this against O'Toole's... but it's still kind of a bummer. The service was ok, nothing stellar... It seemed a bit understaffed, and we waiting a long time to be served, and this was with us seated directly at the bar. The prices were reasonable, especially for Chicago, and the beer list covered a pretty decent selection and even had a beer legend in the back, explaining lingo and different styles. Very nice! I cannot stress how clean this place was, especially considering how busy it was. The bar was shining and freshly lacquered, and not a sticky spot in arms reach. It's certainly not a place to come down to chicago for, but if you're in town and just looking for a weekday drink and have some aversion to patios... it's worth a few blocks of walking.
(3)Jigna S.
Spacious and expansive area! We went to watch the FIFA games and they dod a great job managing the crowd. Turned some pool tables into additional tables; had game specials; and they have also had a large selection of beers on tap. My only little complaint was that it was a little on the pricey side for a bar, and especially for a major game night...you'd think the food specials would be more reasonable considering the large crowd they're getting. But good times nonetheless! I recommend the poutine fries and chicken wings! Oo and the pulled pork nachos looked scrumptious...next time!!
(4)Jake M.
Not what you would call a "local favorite," everyone I met at this bar seemed to be a transient from some other part of the country, but with reasonable prices, a great beer selection, solid food, and lots of televisions, this is totally worth a visit.
(4)Jimmy N.
An awesome place to check out the game and have some really good food. It's definitely a popular spot with the locals. During our trip to the big city we definitely had to catch the bears game the way Chicagoans catch the game, with some good food and loud fans. The staff up front isn't the friendliest and most helpful. At one moment the wait was 30 mins the second moment someone notices up and offers us a seat at the pool table, sure it beats standing and waiting, so why wasn't this offered in the first place?!?! The food was delish and super creative. Most definitely a notch up from your usual pub food. A must visit for anyone on the Chicagoland area.
(4)S L.
We reserved a table for Saturday fight night in advance for 5 people. We bypassed the line and was given a pretty good table. We got tickets for 2 drinks per person and an appetizer. We ended up ordering a bunch of other items to share. The buffalo wings were very good. They had the Mayweather and Pacquiao fight on all the TVs inside. The only complaint is that we were given one table and then told that it was the wrong table and were moved to a different one. Also there were people who hung out on the side which along the wall which took some room away from our table. Plus people's heads were obstructing out view because they were so close to the TV monitors on the wall. It was a little unorganized in the beginning with the tables. But our server Ariel was great - always available for ordering and getting our food and drinks. The busboys were also very good - they provided clean plates and took away our dirty plates consistently. It was a a great place to enjoy the fight.
(4)Marshall R.
What a cool hole in the wall place. Went here late at night place was packed! Did not wait very long for anything people I was with got drinks really fast. My only advice is on how full this place was you might have to wait a while for drinks if it was really busy.
(4)Jacob J.
I've been here plenty of times having had good experiences, that I should have written reviews in the past. I was recently back in here to catch the "Comedians you should know" show. Always a great show, laugh out loud and great times. They guy that hosts the show is hilarious. Now as an Irish pub located within the city, within an area near to Navy Pier.. I'm talking walking distance from other fine establishments, especially during the summer or when tourism is in high season, it can be a blast coming out here. O'Toole's has never been a destination I would go out of my way for. But with what they offer in beers, decent pub food, at times decent service and attractive clientele, it can be a good time. Of course, this is all dependent on the season and what you hope to expect from a sports bar with a plethora of televisions and decent beers on tap.
(4)Shiv C.
The service is outrageously bad with poor coordination within staff members. We didn't get a table to begin with. But then we got a table without a host and no menus. Later on another host informed us the she wouldn't serve us for some bizarre reason. They were out of a lot of drinks from their drink menu. Not recommended.
(1)Jesse F.
Great selection of beers and decent pub grub. A great place for hospitality industry folks to grab a beer because they offer discounts if you have your work ID.
(4)Kevin C.
Food = amazing Atmosphere = lively and fun time after 11pm Beer = tap selection is one of best in the loop!! Did I mention they have 3 floyds on tap.....
(5)Kyle S.
This review may have been influenced by the fact that it was Craft Beer Week in Chicago when I visited Timothy O'Toole's, but from the looks of the bar, they have a great beer selection year round. That said, they were pouring a wide variety of brews from a list as long as my arm and I got to try beers that I hadn't heard of before at a reasonable cost. Service was excellent as well! Although the place was busy, even on a Monday, our server was attentive without being bothersome. She was also able to give our group recommendations and kept us in good spirits (no pun intended). Finally, I just really like the feel of the pub. It is dark, underground and just a little dirty-feeling (no slight on their hygeine, it was certainly clean) like an Irish pub should be. Rather than some of these open floor plan pubs with floor-to-ceiling windows that let sunshine stream in, Timothy O'Toole's looks like it could be scaled to the crowd that night, with lots of doorways and separate rooms, each with low ceilings, city sports and smiling faces.
(5)Brooke R.
The name threw me off. I was expecting a more Irish cultured experience when it came to my meal. Instead I was greeted with a sports bar ambiance. Don't get me wrong. I had a wonderful time. It's a great sports bar to grab a drink and watch the game but if you want authentic Irish cuisine keep looking.
(3)Lauren D.
Loud. Obnoxious. Unpretentious. Fun. Exceptional libations. These are the words that best describes this Chicago Pub. If you are in search of a pub to celebrate an occasion, such as, a promotion, the end of mid-terms or final exams or started a new job this is the place! On the other hand, if you are seeking to drown your sorrows, because you quit going to the gym and gained 50 lbs, broke up with your BF or GF, quit your job (humming the song, "Take This Job and Shove It) as you stand in the elevator with your box of personal possessions, then you have hit the mother load. Now, this is good cause for a celebration! I like to think of beer as a cerebral beverage. The word 'hop-centric' has practically become as ubiquitous as the word 'beer.' I cannot recall the name of the beer that I had here, but it tasted a bit like mango......no wait, it's more like passion fruit...nope, it's way closer to pineapple. I tasted lemon-citrus, but yet it smelled more like fresh tropical fruit. It was very refreshing and the perfect amalgamation to my burger. My beer had a pleasant, but subdued scent with a semi-sweet malt and a slight amount of grain flavor. Also, there was minimal bitterness. Based on all the flavors, variety and innovation going on here, it certainly gives beer lovers much to talk about. From toffee like malts to juniper hops and musty fermentation you will find a beer that you like (even if you are not a beer aficionado). Over the years, we have been here several times for their chicken wings (which my husband always enjoys) and burgers. My husband rated his chicken wings with 4-stars. My burger receives 4-stars. It was moist, melt-in-your mouth delectable with the perfect amount of pink in the center. BTW, I highly recommend their Reuben sandwich (the best I've ever had in the city and it also reminds me of the Reuben I had at The Katz Delicatessen in NYC). Try it and thank me later. NOW BACK TO THE BEER.....Yes, damn-it, swirl your beer like you would a wine. Why? Because the agitation pulls out the fragrance and carbonation from the brew itself. It also tests the foam retention on top of your beer. Yes, take a sip (not a huge gulp) and swirl it around your mouth a bit. Don't swallow right away (you are not doing a shot here). It is almost like when you are having sex, you don't want to climax right away.....you want to enjoy the experience for as long as you possibly can. Now, let the beer warm up for several seconds and down the hatch! Yes, this is a typical sports bar. The second you place your order make sure you inform your Server that you want individual checks (if this is indeed what you want). Otherwise, you may get stuck with one check trying to figure out who has cash, a debit card or credit card for the bill. Who the "F" wants to pay for someone else's drinks when you've only had two beers and the other person has downed four or five beers. The bar tenders here really know how to make exceptional drinks. Service was effusive and adequate. What I like about this place is that most of the people who come here are Chicago locals with a mixture of suburbanite people who only come to the city a few times per year. This is not a place that is filled with tons of tourists like other Pubs or Restaurants in the Loop.
(4)Kevin F.
Crazy packed - never had a chance to even approach the bar, but there were available tables. Being the cool kids that we are (40+ go with the sarcasm), we decided to stand against a random wall. Despite our lack of conformity, we were still served, and served well. The place was obviously a local favorite and I can see why. Next time in Chicago, I will make it a point to get there around 4pm to sit at the bar!
(4)Kern W.
Great Food n Service! Secret WheelChair Accessible Entrance. Call and ask them to bring you in Service Elevator. NEVER a problem! Great Staff! Good Times! A GREAT little piece of Chicago. Enjoy Yourself whether you're walking or rolling! They have 1 near my house in Gurnee now too, but NOTHING beats the Original "Timmy's".......
(5)Aleida S.
Decided to come in here with a coworker today. I ordered pulled pork. It came with a special sauces which I did not like. I asked our waiter if we can get I can get regulate bbq sauce... When Jessica U. Br ugly the sauce I hen asked if I had to pay extra for it. She gave me an ugly attitude and said I was getting charger for it.. Then I understandably told her oh never mind....which was because there wasn't enough bbq sauce to cover my whole sandwich. She walked away with an attitude therefore I sent back my food. I felt uncomfortable and annoyed that she would be ugly towards me and it's at 12pm , not busy at all. There we no reason for this. Never coming back here again.
(1)T A.
Went here on a recent business trip to Chicago for a science conference. We went to this bar on Saturday night, 3/7. Getting in the first time was fine. When I stepped out to help a friend find the place, however, the bouncer inside was incredibly unprofessional. Another group had already walked in, and they were all fumbling for their IDs. None of them was ready, and they were standing off to the side to be polite. I stepped up to the podium to show that I had already been stamped, but the bouncer just ignored me. He waited for everyone in line to get their IDs out, and then made a point of slowly checking them while I stood there. When he was finished he said, "oh you thought you could circumvent the line, huh". No, I thought you could look at a damn wrist stamp and do your job efficiently. Meanwhile, the bartender was refusing to provide a mimosa to my friend since it was "not what men should be drinking", the waitress was trying to push us out of our table because half our party was a little late, they let a street magician in who was forcing magic tricks on us so we would have to feel obligated to tip him, and a creepy older lady (a promoter) was trying to convince one of our friends to leave with her to go to some strip club. I cannot recommend avoiding this place enough.
(1)Sarah B.
Good loaded veggie nachos and yummy soup. Excellent selection of craft beers. The draft beer selection is awesome and they have cheap beer specials during Happy Hour. Nice, relaxed typical Irish pub atmosphere.
(4)Jason O.
Nice warm and friendly spot with a good beer selection and decent food. Tried the wings, nachos and the fish tacos. Both were good but nothing to write home about. Beer was good and probably best was the friendly service. Plenty of space and good for groups a good place for dinner with a group.
(3)Kim B.
I recently was on a trip to Chicago and needed a bite before a wedding. The meals come late and I get drunk early so I needed something in me to hold me over. I was really craving grilled cheese and found this right next to my hotel. Upon walking in, it felt like a dive bar. It was dark, crowded, a bit grimy and lots of neon lights. I got it to go so I could go sit and eat it by the pool, it was a nice summer day. I saw truffle fries on the menu, and I thought it was going to be the best meal of my life. I also got grilled cheese. I sat down by the pool and opened up my to go box. I had a few truffle fries, and was not impressed. They were so oily they literally kept slipping out of my hands, and I probably could have wrung the oil out of them. They also had way way too much salt on them. I was nervous I would have a heart attack from just those few bites. I recollected my thoughts and braved myself for the grilled cheese. It was made on egg bread, which I don't like but figured I would suck it up. However, not only was it orange cheese , but the cheese looked like it was still in plastic (it wasn't), but it was just so unappealing. I took one bite, it was gross. I took a second bite and spit it out. The only reason im giving this two stars is because the hostess was very friendly and nice with my order. I've never been so dissapointed in a grilled Cheese and truffle fries in my life.
(2)Toree P.
If I am ever in the Chicago area during Oktoberfest - Timmy O'Toole's is the place to be. Today they started their Fall promotion and had 32 ounce pumpkin and Oktoberfest beers for $6.50 . I was undecided and a little nervous to try something new but the server was patient and offered me several tastes until I found the right one. I had the Chicago style hot-dogs and my colleague had the fish tacos. Both were amazing!! The hot dogs were true Chicago style: all-beef, poppyseed bun, relish, tomatoes, pickles, onions, and mustard. The fish tacos had this amazing aoili spread and ancho chili sauce. My friend did comment that she loved the spices and sauces but the actual fish was a little under-cooked for her. (If you ask me all fish that isn't fried is undercooked) She said she would order it again but suggests to have it battered and fried. The ambiance was very similar to a sports bar and your typical irish pub. They had a tv every few inches on the wall, an EXPANSIVE tap beer list, and year-round use of Christmas lights. If you want a drink after a long day of shopping, break after long day of meetings, or just treating yourself - I would definitely recommend it.
(4)Chuck L.
The Corona Battered Fish Tacos are by far the best tacos I've had. Of course the founders stout may have improved the flavor. Either way great spot if you like this pub-slash-sports bar vibe (prefer the more traditional pub myself but this wasn't bad). It's definitely worth a visit if you're on this side of Chicago. There are plenty of screens to watch your favorite Chicago team on...but tonight--well, it's a lotta BULL--Bulls that is!
(5)Jason F.
Bartenders were very nice and of course I love their vast draft selection. While some reviews complained about the basement location, I found the experience homey and cozy. Plenty of TVs light up the bar and they have an assortment of games. The reviewer who said rich man's dive bar was spot on. Unfortunately I was too stuffed to try the food, but the menu and other patron's food looked respectable.
(4)connie l.
Great ambiance! Lots of TVs, pool, darts and the parm fries are great. A must everytime I visit Chicago.
(4)Katrina D.
Nice cool pub setting with a nice variety of IPA's. It was a pleasant experience.
(4)Kristina V.
Went here with some friends for lunch. We wanted a pub and this was a great place we stopped at. They have daily drink specials and a pretty large menu. It was national hotdog day and my husband got 2 hotdogs for $8. Overall good experience and would come back!
(4)Temprest B.
I've been coming here for 12 years. Their food is off the chain, I took off one star because of the staff, sometimes they are rude and unattentive but other then that I have nothing but good things to say. Every food item I've tried off their menu is good. I love their Chicken Mexacali soup.
(4)Norm J.
O'Toole's has been one of my favorite places to watch football since I moved to Chicago in 2007. The food is goo and fairly priced, the beer selection is decent, the bloody mary bar is A OK with me and the the vast amount of TVs make this the perfect spot for a true football lover to go and see every game. Also, the fact that this place is open until 3a.m Sunday - Thursday and to 4am on Friday and Saturday makes this a great spot to go to after the clubs and other bars close. Food: -Bucket of Fries: I LOVE fries. Seriously if I was told I had to slap a nun or give up fries for a month...well I'd slap that nun on both cheeks. This is my favorite appetizer at O'Toole's. BBQ sauce, ranch and honey mustard use to come with this which was awesome. -Wings: I hate eating wings in public because I feel like people are watching and judging, but on the rare occasions I get wings at O'Toole's I always get the Chipotle BBQ. Wings are perfectly cooked and the sauce gives it that sweet and sassy kick. -BBQ Ranch Chicken Wrap: This is my go to meal. When I go to O'Toole's I order this about 98% of the times. The wrap is pretty big and it's filled with chicken, shredded cheese, tomato, BBQ and ranch dressing. Oh and if you like food challenges, they have the Big Timmy Challenge which consist of eating: Two Half Pound Burger Patties, Cheddar, Jack, Mozzarella, Swiss, Bacon, Onion Straws, BBQ Sauce, Lettuce, Tomato & Red Onion piled high & served with Fries & Onion Rings. I completed this challenge and all I got was a Timmy O'Toole's t-shirt...I didn't even get the meal for free which sucked.
(4)Sandy W.
When on game night so the atmosphere was awesome. There was a bit of a wait at the begining but after that service was good. Great (pub) food and even better beer selection. Would love to have one of these pubs where I live.
(4)Michele W.
This place has a pretty decent draft beer menu. The bar tender was able to make recommendations and had a general knowledge of beer. However, I felt since the place was not busy that the service would have been quicker.
(3)Yvonne O.
Here for a party in the back room recently and had a great time. Service was really good- even with the large crowd and the food service was also great. They were constantly checking to make sure the food was replenished and people had drinks - as well as taking away the empties, which is often ignored. The back room was surprisingly insulated from the noise in the main room, which was also nice. Parking is easy - but pricey ($37 for a few hours) in the lot across the street.
(4)Julio V.
Having worked in the area for 2+ years, I've paid O'Toole's a visit quite a few times. Good selection of beer and drinks as well as solid choices for food. I recommend the appetizer sampler or Little Timmy Burger. Being a 4am bar, great to have after work beers for those who work at the surrounding hotels. One of my favorite places, and a blackhawks bar? oh yeah!
(5)Stephanie C.
I don't leave a lot of 1 star reviews, but this place had really terrible service. A group of my classmates and I came in after our last exam of the semester to celebrate. It was early, they were slow, and there we were ready to spend a lot of money on drinks and food and more drinks--except we were largely ignored in the corner, unable to order more than one or two drinks each, and not for lack of wanting! Our waitress told us before we ordered that she could only do three separate checks for the group--I appreciated hearing that from the beginning so we could plan. And then we quickly realized that with people coming and going it would be difficult to split things, so I asked if people with cash could pay per drink--I've seen this at other bars, especially when it's not busy, so I don't think I was rude to ask (worst case, she says no, right?). But she took offense and muttered something I didn't catch and walked away before I could follow up with asking how she was splitting us. And then someone else (a manager?) came to our table and condescendingly informed us that we had to order from our waitress, not from the bar. What? Is that what our waitress thought I was asking for? Thank you for assuming the worst of me, I guess. And in the end she brought us all separate checks! I ended up tipping over 20% anyway because I didn't want to wait for change and had planned on spending a lot more... In sum: It was confusing and quite unpleasant--I left a bar sober when I didn't want to. Law students right after finals should be easy money for any bar they walk into, unless you're rude and don't let them order drinks.
(1)P K.
I've been meaning to make a yelp profile for a while now and unfortunately my poor experience at this place really pushed me to get it done. So here I am. We came in to this place after dinner w/ about 12 people, we had planned on staying for at least a few rounds of drinks. Probably would spent a lot of money in there. Our party was scattered throughout the bar area....we had about 7 people sitting at two tables pushed together, another 4-5 people were at the bar just across from the table. The reason I'm going into detail on this is because that's where the poor experience came from... The server for the table was HOUNDING our people at the bar, pretty much demanding that we have to sit at her table and order drinks through her. And I get it, I've been a server before, it sucks when the whole group orders at the bar but then comes over to your table. BUT, there were 7 people at the table already it was about full, and they ordered from her. The rest of our group didn't want to sit we wanted to be at the bar, pretty simple. So the table of 7 ordered a round through the server, the way it is supposed to work, fine... then the manager came over....he must have saw us all talking together, bar and table people. He came over and said that we can't order at the bar and come over to the table, SO NOW WE HAD TO GIVE UP OUR TABLE ALTOGETHER, THEY MADE US LEAVE THE TABLE............Unreal. In all of my 32 years on this earth I have never seen or heard of anything like this. I'll never step foot in this bar again. The icing on the cake was, since we no longer had a table we had to all crowd the bar to finish our drinks. Which lead to the security coming over every 2 minutes to tell us we're blocking the way for servers to get through hahaha... What do you expect man, you kicked us off our table. Unreal. Joke....
(1)Jeremy S.
Had 15 people that were out to drink, did not have a big enough table so group was split up. They cut us off cause we ordered from the bar and waiter.
(1)John M.
It's a passable basement sports bar. Good beer selection. Food is not great, but it's basically bar food. I came here because I read the wings were award-winning. They're okay, but certainly not exceptional in my eyes. Good sauce, but kinda small. The management was very rude, and kept yelling at customers to get out of the way, and then telling people they should go elsewhere if they didn't like it. I've been a server, a waiter, and a bartender, and yeah, it's annoying when customers crowd the computers and service area at the bar, but you simply cannot talk to people the way the manager was. These patrons don't realize what they're doing. Just tell them politely to move. The manager had that all-too-common attitude that people at his bar were lucky to be here, and that they needed to accommodate the staff and not the other way around. I understand why this mentality is endemic to most of the trendy bars in River North (although it's still unacceptable), but this is a windowless basement bar. It's got baseball on the TVs, Goose Island on tap, and Taylor Swift on the jukebox. Get over yourself.
(2)Anthony H.
I'm sorry Timmy's but as a frequent industry professional, I had a very disrespectful waitress who treated my group rudely. With that being said here are my following pointers to potential patrons of your place: Chicagoans - do not go here unless you want to be around tourists and older business travelers. Industry folks - tell the servers you're industry after you get the tab to get your discount. Otherwise they will treat you poorly.
(2)Richard D.
Great place. Great ambiance! Great waitress (Ariel)! Great food. Plenty of TVs with EVERY football game on! Highly recommend.
(5)Krystle B.
Found this gem while playing tourist and walking the streets of Chicago. Boy was I glad i stepped into here. Most of our drink encounters to this point were at overpriced tourist spots like the signature room. This place was hustlin' and bustin' on a Saturday afternoon. It was damn near impossible to grab a seat at the bar but thankfully we were still able to find some seating. There was a bloody mary bar, though i didn't see anybody partaking, their selection looked on point. The waitstaff was friendly, checked in on us often, and made sure to make it back to us before any glass lay empty! For the most part the bar was great because of environment they have created. Sports bar, not too divey, great mix of people, good noise level. All around goodness. In my pipe dreams of owning a bar, I could only hope to closely emulate this one. CHEERS.
(5)Kris V.
I strongly feel this place should be at least four stars. Personally when I see less than four stars on Yelp I avoid the location. Do not avoid this place. Come and judge for yourself. At least sit down for a beer. Reasonable prices for food and drinks especially for the city. Where they earn their 5 stars is service. Deron and Corey are extremely attentive and friendly. Warm smiles and all. In the past we have visited bars in other neighborhoods and I cant stress enough that the service here sets them apart. If you are looking for a chill time I would come early. It does get slammed in the evening but it does for a reason.
(5)Lauren G.
Great sports bar in Chicago. Lots of locals, lots of TVs, and great menu.
(3)Mark S.
Came here for an Alumni for the USC marching band. We were celebrating the 40th anniversary of the first time the USC Band came to Notre Dame. We had a private room in the back, and had one bartender and one server just for our area...there may have been more servers but I only noticed ours. Taken directly from their website: "Timothy O'Toole's Pub Chicago was voted Best Bears Bar by the Chicago Reader and Best Place to Watch Bears Games by the Red Eye and Chicago Magazine." ...Today it was a Trojan bar. BOOYOW!!! Timothy O'Toole's has a great selection of beers, beer combinations (Snakebite, et. al.), and a full bar. We discovered they have this thing called "Holy Water". It's a mixture of 12 liquors and 3 juices. Essentially jungle juice on crack. My friends and I were already a few beers in when we ordered our first of many pitchers. The afternoon (yes...afternoon) went from a good time to a college $h!tshow. So this cocktail didn't taste like it had any alcohol...which is always dangerous. We ended up spilling a couple drinks and breaking a glass. Usually the barkeep assesses the situation and kicks people out at that point, but our server cleaned up the glass very quickly. She politely asked us to clear out while she cleaned, swept up, and didn't say a word. Maybe it was the fact that we were a few pitchers deep and wouldn't have cared if she sassed us. Anyway, this was a really fun experience. All the staff were really nice before and after we started drinking. I feel like my review is not really that credible since I drank so much there and didn't really get to take in everything. I will say that walking out of there and realizing how early it was to be drunk was.....nostalgic.
(4)May Z.
I enjoyed the atmosphere here! I came here with a friend who's been here before and he couldn't stop raving about the Irish nachos. And it lived up to the hype, the fries was smothered with cheese, bacon, and green onions with sour cream on the side. It was glorious, especially because I was starving! What I like about this place is that since there are tvs EVERYWHERE, I was able to watch the NBA games. I also loved how I was able to watch more than one game at the same time. Aside from the fries, I also got the burger. And WOW, it was heaven in my mouth. I ordered the little Timmy and my burger was cooked just the way I liked it! In addition, there are numerous amount of beer choices here. So if you like beer, this is the perfect place for you to kick back and watch a basketball game. The only reason why I gave this place four stars is because the waitress served my friend the wrong beer. I know mistakes happens sometimes, but he didn't enjoy the wrong beer he ordered too. Other than that, I would definitely come back! The food is just to delicious to pass up.
(4)Nicole S.
Visiting from Atlanta, GA. Great place to eat and drink. Staff and bartenders are friendly. Fun atmosphere especially on St. Patty's Day weekend. Must try the Baby Guinness shot.
(4)Brian P.
My company sent me to Chicago for a few weeks and this little spot was a few blocks from my hotel. As a sports fan I was happy for their 72 TVs which made watching the world series a very happy occasion (except for my team losing). I also came in for Sunday football which was a true treat. Timothy's is truly organized with all tv's marked so one has trouble figuring out where to sit. Obviously with so many TVs, the game you want to watch will be shown in several areas. They have a very extensive beer selection with a few specials ($4 Millers) that rotate depending on what day of the week it is. I've only had a few things to eat of which two were good and one was lackluster: The beef stew was fantastic made all the better by ordering a side of their mashed potatoes. On the downside, the maple glazed wings (fall special) were much too sugary for me. The brunch menu could also use a slight revision as some of us might want our breakfast fare in a non-sandwich/burrito form. Value wise this place isn't cheap but slightly less expensive then many of the other eateries in the area. Staff were also friendly to me, although, the first time I went (night time) the establishment was packed and it was extremely difficult to get my server's attention.
(3)Shawn S.
Energetic sports bar. The front door is deceiving - this bar is massive and is all downstairs. They say they have 70 HD TVs, so you can see whatever game you want from somewhere. During commercials, they have a great DJ. There is a pretty decent beer list. We didn't eat but enjoyed hanging out and interacting with the bartenders.
(4)Patricia B.
I went to this place today May 23, 2015. I feel this place is a rip off. there is nothing upscale about Timothy Toole's. They should close this place down. The food was not good. My bill was $300.00 The place is too noisy and packed. The manager and waiter was rude and not professional. The service suck. The server never came back to check our table. They are all about making money. They do not care about the customer. The bathroom,and floor in the dining area was deplorable. The Manager lost money because she did nothing to accommodate out table and again the bill was $300.00. Plus I paid $35.00 to park across the street at northwestern hospital parking lot. I recommend to avoid this place.
(1)Chris T.
Just your typical neighborhood bar. No frills, but if you just need a beer - you're in the right place! Plenty of flat screens around showing all the various sports games, and their chicken wings aren't bad. They have 2 pool tables too. I'm more of a cocktail bar kind of guy, so places like this aren't usually my scene, but it's where all the local grad students like me go to lament after their awful exams.
(3)John D.
We were in town for a convention, and this was right next door to the Hilton Doubletree where we were staying. Very crowded on an early Friday evening, and we had to wait to get a spot at the bar. They have Old Style tall boy cans for 3.50 or so, a pretty cheap option for downtown Chicago. It was loud and crowded, but clean, no sticky floors or anything. Seemed kind of touristy, but it was a decent place to put down a few beers. We did not have anything to eat.
(3)Jenny H.
Coming in from out of town, my fiancé needed to find a sports bar to watch his games. We were recommended this place by a family friend. It was just down the street from our hotel. It was a cool underground bar that is huge once you get inside. The wait staff and the bartenders were so incredibly nice, I can't say the same about the one hostess that gave me attitude when I asked how long the wait was. Anyway, the bartender was kind enough to put on the Kings' Hockey game on TV for us even though no one else would want to watch it. The beer selection is great! We went here 3 out of the 5 nights we were there. Sunday we went there for Football. It wasn't too crowded because a lot of people were actually at the game. There was a mimosa bar and a bloody mary bar that were AMAZING. the food is so great. Carnitas nachos is a go. Their saucy strips are perfect for people who don't like wings, but like the sauce. My fiancé still says that he wishes there was an O'Toole's in California!
(5)Moses S.
I came here Sunday afternoon and it was definitely packed with Bears fans. I enjoyed the DJ as he played a mix of Top 40 and classics when the Bears were on commercial break. They also had a raffle for tickets to the next game, which I thought was nice. You pretty much can't find a seat here during the game, so my friend and I stood around and requested a table. After the bears game finished, the place emptied out a bit and we were able to get a table at the bar. NOTE: bar tables are also reserved, not first come first serve, so yeah, get a buzzer right when you walk in. We just had beers, which were good, 312 was $25 for a pitcher, which filled about 7 mugs, so not terrible. Food looked good but we didn't get any. The one thing that I thought was weird was that after the game, they didn't switch the TVs to the 4 pm games, they left them on fox (which just had recaps) and it took like 3 of us to tell the waitress to get the channel changed to another football game. (Denver vs Dallas).
(3)Kylie M.
Worst service ever especially at the bar. Every time I try to use my discount (available to residents of my building) it's a huge ordeal especially last night. An attempt to use the discount involved at least 3 employees including the manager, who ultimately agreed to give it to me but not without major attitude. The kicker: my bill wasn't adjusted. Didn't think it was worth the effort to argue as I will be disputing this charge with my credit card company. They seem to assume that every patron is a drunk knucklehead - that I was not. For the record, if you live at Streeter Place (aka Atwater) you don't receive a resident card. Therefore, don't expect me to produce one in order to get my discount....Clearly there are unresolved operational issues at this unspectacular, mediocre bar. The food is decent but not enough for me to step foot inside this establishment again!
(1)Thomas J.
I was extremely disappointed. My girlfriend and I had flown into Chicago for vacation and her mother had informed us that last time she visited this was the place to visit for good food and drinks with some time to watch some sports. We didn't get two of those things. We had walked in and sat down at a table and asked the waitress after about 10 minutes if we could order some drinks. She replied "if the hostess didn't seat you I won't serve you" mind you the place was near empty and we apologized immediately no knowing we needed to be sat at a table. The hostess then sat us and we waited another 10 minutes trying to get served. We were completely ignored the service was awful... The one light to the whole situation was the bouncer he was nice
(1)Jon W.
About as average as it gets. Stay away from the canned cheese sauce on the nachos. Also the veggie burger was bland and mushy and the fries were cold. Ive had worse, but not much worse.
(1)Sean M.
They have an all you can drink bloody Mary bar... Add a side of those spicy buffalo wings and it's pure Irish gold here folks. Stop being a schmuck and go get you some already. Save me a pickle.
(5)Jeff C.
Not a fan of the location. But, the service was good and they have a lot of local beers there that are really great.
(3)Kathy N.
Great "underground" bar. Went here to watch the Bears game. Sports fans dream bar. Lots of TVs, great pub food and an extensive selection of craft beer.
(3)Elaine K.
We had a good time here. Service was good and they had a really cool beer selection. Also, it was craft beer night, so all craft beers were half price or something ridiculous. I really like the setup of the place, and how intimate all the booths were. If we weren't visiting Chicago for such a short time, we'd probably come here again.
(4)David Z.
3.5 stars, rounding up to 4. Timothy O'Tooles is probably the best bar in the area. If you're in the NMH area you're going to find it is somewhat of a "sports bar desert," at least compared to most other areas of the city. The food is decent and there are plenty of TV's, so if you're looking to watch sports on the weekend they will surely have you covered. Just watch out, during happy hour this place can become PACKED. It's a pretty large space so they can really fit huge crowds. I've gone in during a Friday happy hour and barely been able to walk around, let alone find a spot to sit. The only thing that sort of annoys me is it is in a basement level location, so there aren't any windows to look out. You're in a dungeon. But most likely you're there to drink, not to start out the window, right? Oh, one more thing. If you are a member of any of the dining portals for airline miles (American Airlines, US Airways, etc), Timothy O'Tooles will give you bonus points for that too. For American it is 3x spend, or 5x if you an elite member. So that's a nice little extra bonus too.
(4)Elyse L.
Very cool underground pub. Love the laid back vibe and their extensive selection of brews. The food here is top notch for pub fare. We are fond of the hummus platter that comes with both plain and roasted red pepper hummus and served with zucchini, carrot sticks, celery, and warm pita for dipping. If you feel more devilish, their fried appetizer platter is good too. They offer seasonal craft beer selections as well so there is something here for everyone. Perfect casual place to meet up with friends and catch a game, or even pre flight before more expensive dinner reservations. Non smoking inside so you don't have to worry about smelling like an ash tray when you leave either. Win!
(4)Danijela B.
Just a cool, laid back bar... Great food and great service :) definitely recommend *thumbs up* :)
(5)Andrew R.
I'm heading back to downtown Chicago again on business. It's been a while, and my first stop is gonna be at O'Tooles. I've been there a dozen times and never had a bad time. The food is great, staff is welcoming, and any jukebox that has "Let's get drunk and screw" on it, is awesome in my book!!
(5)Adi R.
Reasonable food, excellent beer and a chill neighborhood bar to hang out. Just don't go during a football game - it's absolutely packed.
(4)Marissa P.
We went here fot New Year's Eve last night. To say they are rude is an understatement. 1. Doorman first harassed my whole party and said we were over served and we would not be allowed in. We weren't over served he just decided he didn't like us from the moment we entered and he was clearly on a power trip. Finally he allowed us in. 2. The bartender was super rude as well. The advertised specials were not specials when we arrived. Finally after a lot of attitude we got out beers. Basically I wouldn't waste my time at this lame place when we live in a city with so many awesome places to go.
(1)John D.
Great food and prices!! Always a fun place to play pool! Love hanging out here! Lots of space for private events as well. If you're in the area, I'd recommend this place! Don't forget your Id!!
(5)Jessica Y.
And then there were 5... Of us who wanted a little night cap so hung out here from 12-2am. Most were dressed in hawks gear and casual. There were quite a few people grabbing late night snacks. We shared some garlic parmesan fries $5 + Irish Nachos $8 and a pitcher of Miller $14. This place reminds me of a chain restaurant/bar ex. TGIF, Ruby Tuesdays.
(3)Kristine N.
Typical Irish bar and vibe. Fun place to grab a few drinks since it was right by our hotel. We ordered a variety of things from their menu and everything was pretty much ok. From the chili (too thick), gumbo (skimpy on the rice), tenders (small, crispy, typical sauces), quesadilla (not much flavor), burgers/sandwiches, all decent but not very memorable. Great service. We had one waitress for the entire back room and she was great, remembered our drinks, and was pretty timely.
(3)Bill T.
I'm sending my love down the well* for this awesome place. Let's check the list, shall we? Friendly service- check. Super nice waitress who explained the beers and was so helpful with my myriad outrageous demands Location: check- between Michigan Ave and the Lakeshore, so easy to get to whether you're coming or going Food: check- Yummy pretzels, wings and Irish nachos. Is it just me or are Irish nachos the best thing to be invented since Silly Putty? Beer: check and double check: 48 beers on tap...a great range of domestic craft beers and a handful of exceptional imports. I can't believe nobody turned me onto this place when I asked Yelpers good place for beers and wings. Were you Chicagoans, who are known for your friendliness, trying to keep this place to yourselves? If so, I don't blame you, bro. I would too. Love me some Timmy! ________________________________ * In case you missed the reference, in a 1992 "Simpsons" episode, Bart throws a radio down a well and using a Mr. Microphone-type device, pretends to be an orphan named Timmy O'Toole, and celebrities get together and record "We're Sending Our Love Down the Well" to raise money for his rescue. youtu.be/nfdXbTRVRzc
(4)Mary R.
I just created an account to write this review as I have never been so insulted by a member of the service industry in my life. This place offers an SI discount. This is especially appealing to cooks and members of the BOH who like to have fun and are also on a tight budget. The manager on duty at 8 pm this evening insulted both myself and my friends by saying that the local cafe restaurant where they work was comparable to Starbucks and therefore they were not entitled to this discount. Anyone that works 8-12 hours cooking for or serving people is a member of the service industry. To compare this local restaurant where everything is made in house to order to Starbucks is wildly insulting and disheartening. I will never return to this establishment which according to the manager, was fine with him. I have never been treated like this before anywhere and I'm very disappointed that a manager would be so tactless as to insult guests in this manner.
(1)Liz S.
This place is fantastic!! My boyfriend and I's go to bar when we are in the city. Their chipotle chicken fingers (appetizer) are amazing!!!! And one of the only places a close friend of ours can find Three Floyds Zombie Dust. Cocktails are great, Blue Mother F*cker is the best around! Really nothing bad to say except you should tell the waitress exactly what you want when she comes because, it's so busy, it may be awhile till she comes back.
(5)Kendrick W.
Timmy's is a pretty basic irish pub and the games are always on here. The crowd always seems a little young or immature (despite the age). If you're a dude and you just need a dude's spot to watch the game then Timmy O'Tooles will get it done. It can be a pretty fun spot, but you've gotta be in that "tie one on" mindset. Food is pretty good for bar food and that justifies most of this ranking.
(3)julie n.
Eh, nothing to rave about. Bar with bar food and plenty of drinks and loads of drunk people to watch. I had gumbo the 2nd time we came and it was surprisingly good, just need more rice and a bit of hot sauce. The chicken tenders were hot and crispy.
(3)Jeff W.
Had dinner here on Thanksgiving with my my wife and five year old. Was a bit leery of bringing a five year old, but after a call I was told they had a kids menu and, more importantly, they will have the Texas game on so I was sold. We had a bit of a wait, which I think could have been better handled. Maybe some communication as to why others, including kiddos, were being sat before us. We ended up in a booth, with our own tv tuned to the longhorns which was PERFECT. Traditional pub fare, which was Tasty and the service was friendly. I thought they did a great job of balancing many families (not a lot of places open so they probably had more than normal) as well as the sports bar crowd which is their main focus. Good show and thank you for being accommodating. I would bring the family back and/ or come back if I am solo and want to watch a game.
(4)Trey C.
Great beer selection, not so great food.... But hey at least you can drink good while everyone eats
(2)Meg r.
Heard about comedy shoe on Wednesdays at 9pm. 5 bucks, 5 comics. A funny guy named Danny made it worth it
(3)Travis W.
Certainly the place to be if you like watching sports at a bar. Plenty of TV's in sight and probably one of the top places for draft beer selection in the city. I stumbled upon this place while searching via Yelp and was pleasantly surprised and the level and quality of not only the beer selection but also the food. I tried the salsa, guacamole and chips to start and it was probably the best guac I've ever tried. Big chunky pieces of avacado. I also tried the pork sliders and they were fine as well. Service is typical of a sports bar, personable, not white glove, but who really needs that at a place like this?
(3)Karen C.
I'm decently OK with O'Toole's as a lunchtime choice. My coworkers & I hit up O'Toole's every once in a while on our break, they have decent salads & tasty flavored french fries, and the prices aren't bad either. It's a good option when you want to sit down and relax, instead of stand in a line for sandwich somewhere else. I'd like to go 3.5 stars, but I can't go with a solid 4 just yet. I'm not a huge fan of the whole menu, but it's decent bar food and just a good atmosphere to hit up when you need a break from work during the week. O'Toole's helps me forget about some of the ridiculousness at work, if even for an hour. Now if I could just sneak in a beer or 3...
(3)Jacobie D.
Ok place great location. I ordered the Atl Salmon and it tasted like it had gotten a little long in the tooth. My guy got the Fish n chips and they were good. Over all I like the place and they had live comedy the night we stopped by. I think next time I'll stick with the traditional bar menu.
(3)Lauren K.
I really like this place! We came here after getting into Chicago, looking for late night apps and beers. Our concierge at our hotel recommended this and it was perfect. The basement/sports bar theme was definitely what we were looking for, and the place was rowdy and exciting. Loved the dim lighting and the music selection. We had beers and the quesadilla appetizer, which were good. Prices were very cheap for Chicago, I thought. Coming from Madison I felt as if we were at home, where the prices on beer and apps are pretty low. We also had burgers, which were huge and delicious. Fries were my favorite: hot, soft, and salty! The waitress was nice and the service was quick. Again, the atmosphere was great, which was what contributed to my 5-star. It really made the restaurant for me. This would be a good place to go with friends for a casual night out as well as to watch a sporting event.
(5)Jazmine Y.
Always my favorite place to go after work! I work right around the corner. My all time favorite servers are Tracy and Cat. They are always fantastic. The security guards are perfect and friendly. Unfortunately this time we came in just for a drink and it took 15 minutes for our server Alex to even greet us. It then took a her an additional 20 minutes to return to our table meanwhile we were searching for her to put in an order of wings. I will give the benefit of the doubt considering the service here is usually amazing, and this particular time half of the staff went missing. There may have been an incident we were unaware of. Working in the business I understand things happen. A little communication would have been appreciated but I still feel she was too unattached when speaking to us. Almost rushing. We have run into a few times certain employees had refused to take us when they found out where we worked. It's disappointing because we tip very well every time. Especially with great service. So I hope this isn't the case this time. (Our usual server Cat had just gotten off work sadly). Any way. If you come here do yourself a favor and ask for Cat or Tracy!
(4)Todd T.
Ok place but not really my style. Over crowded on a Thursday night, but not in a vibey sort of way, in an overcrowded sort of way. Couldn't find a place to sit and nobody seemed to care. Everywhere you look is a douche in a suit. On the positive side, drink selection is good and not terribly pricey considering the area. If you're looking to go catch a game with your buddies and chest bump and trade hair gel tips, knock yourself out. If you're looking to sit down, keep the beers coming and have any sort of meaningful conversation, look elsewhere.
(3)Lauren H.
We came here after bowling at Lucky Strike for my friends birthday. It was later in the night I believe around 11ish on a Saturday. The place was not very crowded; I think because this place is in a weird location. We did have a very big party and they were very accommodating and we will definitely be back if we are over in that area!
(4)Kris U.
This little spot was a quick jump across the street from one of the hotels I stayed at while visiting the windy city (DoubleTree MagMile). Being form out of town and on my own, I was looking for the kinda place where everyone would know my name. Walking down the steps into the cellar of Tim O'T's, it was the exact sort of sports bar/pub I was looking for this lonely evening. Nobody knew my name, or cared to ask why I had a Canadian accent, but that's cool I had my two best friends with me: Booze and Sports on TV! Their beer selection is unique and I'd say very eclectic. Not familiar with their on tap selection I asked the bar tender which of the beers listed in this novella were his personal faves. He admitted he was not a beer fan BUT being a bourbon guy her was a real fan of Kentucky bourbon barrel ale (8.2%). It's beer that is made inside the casks originally used to distill Bourbon so the beer actually tastes more like bourbon then beer. Amaze! That 8.2% pint sized pint caught up with me quick (don't reco pairing alcohol with cold medicine but meh...w/e), because next thing I knew I was ordering what the menu called a Huge ass margarona. The bartender looked at me funny, like I had sprouted breasts and donned a dress suddenly. Kinda the way a dog cocks his head a la 45 degrees when it hears something odd, and asked "a margarona????? In November?" - Sure why not! Note to the rest of you..lonliness and margaronas is a baaaaaaddddd mix. I was soon presented with a delicious 2L of frozen tequila and slush with a corona popped upside down into it adding Corona beer to this mexican fire..... ...fast forward (slowly) 45 minutes I complete the beverage...sufficiently sauced and ready for bed. I stumble back to my hotel (thank god it's so close, and promptly pass the EF out)! Good times - definitely somewhere I'd bring "the guys" for a game next time I'm in Chi-town!!!
(4)Kristina A.
Burgers were great, and the banana dacquiri's were wonderful. The second time we stopped had the nachos - huge, and more dacquiri's. However, this time, the drinks tasted as if no alcohol. Our server was fantastic. She made sure to remove them from our bill, and the Manager came over to apologize (that's class, and good customer service). We will definitely go back when we are in town. Great food, service and attention to detail - that's how you keep customers!
(5)Peter H.
Great beer selection both on tap and in bottle. Fun place with decent food. They have an October fest menu this month with some great items. The hot pretzels are off thr charts. Check this place out.
(4)Suzie D.
Went to Timothy's to watch our football team while on vacation. Very busy with an awesome atmosphere. Plenty of T.V.'s in the place. We asked for the games to be switched on two T.V's and they had no problem doing it. They have a very large drink menu and the food was very good. We will return on our next trip to Chi town.
(4)Aaron E.
Had they chicken Alfredo at about 2am. Talk about good! It was fantastic... I was impressed as most late night places are not nearly as good.
(5)Erica P.
Fun local bar with good sports coverage and decent bar food. Extensive craft beer and good menu, plus daily liq specials.
(4)Damon S.
Looking for a place to grab a drink on a Friday afternoon, and Timothy O'Toole's seemed to have good Yelp reviews so here I went. First off, I really didn't like the entrance. Down some stairs in the side of an office building, all you can see in front of you is a bouncer at a desk -- doesn't look like a bar at all, wondering what I'm walking down into. If I hadn't Yelp'd the place, I wouldn't have made it down all the stairs without turning around -- at least put some stuff on the walls to make it look like the entrance to your bar/restaurant. Next "issue" (and this is my own fault) was that all I really wanted to do was sit at the bar and get a few beers. However, at the hostess stand they directed me to a table (and why it was my own fault, I didn't ignore them and just tell them I only wanted a drink at the bar). But I still find it strange when I tell the hostess that I'm one, and I just want a beer, that they don't at least ask if I just want to sit at the bar -- everywhere else in the world I've been that's what they do. Sitting down, lots of TV's on all the walls, most on sports, although without a lot of sports actually happening at this time of day/year, a few were on news channels. My next pet peeve...after 30 minutes of eating/drinking, someone else must have asked that the TV that I was staring directly at be changed because it suddenly was (to a random, non-local baseball game). My biggest annoyance with this is that there were plenty of TV's that weren't showing sports, why didn't they change one of them? Or maybe check to see if the guy watching the TV actually wanted to watch what was on before you changed the channel. And then the food. I decided to try some wings (described as award winning). If these won an award, I'm glad I wasn't tasting the losers at that contest. There was nothing particularly wrong about the wings I had, but there was certainly nothing particularly great about them. The menu looked fine, it's sports bar/pub food, I didn't expect much and don't really have complaints, but I only got what I expected. Finally, I'll get to what keeps them to getting 3 stars (despite all my complaints above). The beer selection was top notch! If I was in the area again, particularly if it was on a Saturday or Sunday during football season, I would be happy to stop by Timothy O'Toole's again to sit at the bar, enjoy several beers, and watch a bunch of games.
(3)Mike D.
This place is great! Drink specials every night along with tons of TVs. They turn to whatever you want. We are serious dodger fans so they turned one of the tv to the game for us. Irish nachos are awesome also.
(5)Mike R.
Very social environment. . Have to try the deschutes chainbreaker white IPA on tap! !
(5)Teresa M.
This is a must place to eat every time we come to chicago! The good is so good. We always get the Irish nachos and pulled pork sandwich that is on a pretzel bun. Had a martini for the first time today and it was awesome! They used kool aid for the mixer and it was really strong. The staff is usually friendly, only had one incident where the host threw our menus down on the table but we haven't seen him since. You get a pretty good amount of good for your money but it is well worth it. They cook your food fast and they also have it to go if you would like. The wings are really spicy like jalapeños. The onion rings are beer batter which is the only thing I don't care for. If you ever need just some good solid food, I would go here. Always full and the pulled pork is so packed full of meat that I have left overs on my plate. They are far from greedy with it. Try it!!!
(4)Erika C.
We call this place the Tool Box. Good old Timothy O' Toole's, always busy. Completely hit or miss service. Great beer selection and a friendly varied crowd, lot's of tourists and business travelers. Good prices. A word of advice, do not, no matter what they tell you, order anything with goat cheese on it, trust me, please. Stick to the pub grub choices and you won't be disappointed. We keep coming back, that is all I can say. The devil you know.....
(4)Claude W.
All in all a good bar with a great variety of beers. The only thing that was disappointing was a rude bartender named Corey or Carey. She was HORRIBLE in attitude. Pick any other bartender except for her. She does not listen, and when you try to explain she gets all huffy and acts like a brat. Avoid her like the plague!! I would give it a higher rating if she was not there.
(3)Jarrid W.
Visiting from out of town, priced were reasonable for Chicago and the atmosphere was great. What really made me enjoy my visit was the bartender. He saw my Detroit hat and put on the tigers game for me. Something I didn't expect or ask for but really showed great service: must come here if in Chicago
(5)Bryn C.
Great Beer selection. Friendly bartenders and a great atmosphere. As a pub should be.
(4)Kimmie R.
I like Timothy O'Toole's comedy show, so the bar pretty much won me over at that point. They have recently upgraded the place so it looks slightly better than the pictures that everyone posted. Timothy O'Toole's attracts a friendly crowd of hardworking professionals that are just trying to have a good time. So, if you are looking for a relaxed evening with laid back friendly people this is definitely the place to be! Pro's - - Good prices - Walking distance from the train - Handsome waiters and staff ( trust me, eye candy never hurt a bars business) - Different atmosphere in the bar and in the back bar comedy area, so for a different vibe you can just walk to the next room. - Great comedy show for an affordable price! Cons - - NO parking - Bar food that tastes just like bar food (No healthy or really good tasting food on the menu) - Limited seating in back room comedy show area - Multiple smaller TV's instead of fewer larger ones
(4)Cesar A.
Came here for New Years and had a blast. Everything went great until just after the midnight countdown when our waitress said that our drink tickets were no longer valid as of 12a. NEXT TIME you tell us at the door! That was a major buzz-kill for us but mostly for me, I mean come on! Is this restaurant really that cheap to have to stricken me from being able to get that included cheap Bud light? I paid you your cover, I paid for ALLL the other drinks. We dished out a lot of money for New Years. We were patient with your waitressing staff who I know were running around taking care of everyone else. I thought they were going to have a bigger dance floor also because I definitely love dancing (Their advertising DID say dancing). I will definitely come back for the restaurant but for YOU to say 'NO' to our drink tickets ON NEW YEARS is enough for me never to book this place for my next New Year's ever. Very disappointed with THAT.
(2)Samantha E.
This is a default bar for a lot of people I know just because it is so close to where they live but it continually falls flat for me. The crowd is usually a mish mosh of people. They do have a decent drink selection but they can be a bit overpriced at times. I would rather hike out to somewhere better than stick around at Timmy's
(2)Eric R.
Had a great time! The people were friendly even though we were from out of town and my friend was a cowboys fan. The food was great! Quite possibly the best chicken strips I've ever had!!!!!
(5)Daron D.
Great fun, very mixed and polite crowd. Went on a saturday night, had the big mug of beers, shots of tequila, vodka, and spent under $40 ( had at least two or three of everything). Had a great time, stays open late, great drink specials and the battles on the pool table were fun. Will do this again.
(4)Sarah C.
This place was rude and didn't give service during a bachelorette party. Completely disappointed
(1)Kylie S.
I do not know what I like this place, but I do. It's that perfect underground pub feel. It's nothing special, but the drinks are good, the food is okay, and there are TVs everywhere tuned to Chicago sports. I've always had excellent service when I've visited. I'm also incredibly impressed with the facilities given the crazy crowd at times. Do not ever try to go here on St. Patricks. Seriously, don't try it. The line is ridiculous and it's really not that special of a place. Come the day after St. Patty's and it'll be just as nice.
(4)Erika C.
awkward. uncomfortable. unprofessional. sorry timothy, this described our experience last night. let me first start of by saying, the first time I came here I had a blast, you yelpers weren't kidding when you said this place delivers some great bar food and fun vibes for their customers. I thought why not give it a shot? To top it all off, I work in the industry and this is one of the few places that gives discounts to us fellow bar workers! 50% off food and 10% off drinks with proof of employment and one of their "industry cards" you can't beat that! the first time I came here was with a bunch of girls from work and our waitress was nothing but sweet, professional, and knew the cocktail menu inside and out! also, when I signed up for the industry card the manager was professional and welcoming. Plus, working at a hotel bar, we rave about this place to our customers and will send them over to timothy's if they are looking for a fun sports bar to catch the game. Well, last night I thought...why not come back? I had such a great experience here on my first visit, I thought timothy's would be the perfect place to come with my boyfriend and two of our friends for the hawks game. we got sat pretty quickly, and I informed our waitress that I had a industry card. she seemed pretty normal at first, until she started making some really weird comments. she forgot an order of our sweet potato fries, and when the food runner finally brought the fries out... she came over and said "you guys are lucky I put those to be dropped off at the wrong table" um..what? we ordered those... what did she think we were trying to pull a fast one and steal someone's sweet potato fries? awkward. um..so the night continues. I understand that with the industry card you won't get the discount on daily specials, which is understandable and a 20% tip will be added prior to the discount. common terms. right? wrong. the bill got dropped off and more then half the stuff we ordered was not discounted. we called her over to have the bill explained to us since something was not adding up. she told us the only thing that was on special that would not be discounted was one 4 dollar beer we ordered, but everything else should be discounted. it still wasn't adding up. she called her manager over, my party and I were thinking we could finally get this resolved. nope, this guy seemed like he had a little bit too much whiskey. not apologetic at all that they messed up on the bill and continued on saying that half the stuff wouldn't be marked down since they were part of a special and the company wouldn't be able to make their margins... and with this being said he quoted "it's only 5 dollars that is wrong now" we told him that we were unaware since the server didn't tell us that when we asked. no sorry, no nothing. just asked where we all worked and after finding out that i'm the only one that works in the industry our waitress came running over saying "wait, so your the only one that works in the industry, I just got yelled at" um... sorry? did you want a tissue? what kind of place is this. lady, trying to make your guests feel bad is a real good way to get a good tip and a good review... oh wait, your 30 dollar tip was already added prior to the discount that wasn't even correct. sorry that you got yelled at for not doing your job. awkward. uncomfortable. unprofessional. will not be recommending this place to any of my guests and I was sure to let the concierge know to steer people far away after last nights experience. you should treat all guests with respect and never make anyone feel uncomfortable or like we did something wrong. seriously kicking myself in the ass for sending my clients over to this place. would rather go to jacks tap and pay full price for better professional service where guests are treated with respect and are taken care of when there is an issue, not left feeling uncomfortable and getting the stink eye from a distance.
(2)Aditya S.
This is a great neighborhood pub in streeterville which is less than a block away from where my wife lives. I have been here a few times with friends in large groups to end the night so that i can stumble back home and it has never disappointed. The prices as expected for a bar in this area are high but the drink options are plenty. The service does seem to lack and that is only because i think they are always understaffed. The food here is very average and really not worth ordering. I have been here a few times more due to convenience than the actual experience of the place. Still the place manages to do its job in giving you multiple options of alcohol of your choice and mixing up decent cocktails if you so wish to drink them. Super cool thing about them that they are open till very late and thus always a good spot to end your night. PS: they are also good to catch any sporting event and the atmosphere is very lively inside. best time to go there if you are not in a large group
(3)Will K.
Not a dive bar whatsoever. This place is classy and it is a getaway for one and all. I am really enjoying myself watching the World Cup. The best place in town to watch the World Cup! This place rocks!
(5)michael w.
stopped in for a quick beer, nice location, good atmosphere and comfy bar. They had some specials to work as well. Did not eat anything. The company and service were pleasant. Can't remember the name but got a guiness/octoberfest special.
(3)John G.
This is going to be my new go to spot for late night dining downtown when I'm not on the mood for breakfast. Great beet selection and stall.
(5)Doro R.
I showed up with a rather large group moments before a big game was about to start. We hadn't called ahead and there was a wait for tables. We wandered into the bar area and the manager quickly came over and turned a pool table into a table for us. Our server was very attentive and there were even some beer specials. I was surprised by how nice and accommodating they were despite being very busy already. They have an extensive beer selection and the food list was bigger than you would find at the average bar but on par with what you should expect to receive in a bar.
(4)Niti B.
This is one of my friends go to spots and it was time to go!...after a whole day of day drinking where else do you go?! Out for more drinks great food and friendly service. We had the pretzel and build your own grill cheese with sweet potato fries to wash down our beverages and they were delicious. Plenty of TVs and they change any one of them for your viewing pleasure. I have to say this is the spot to watch a game sit back and relax!
(4)Annie H.
All I can say is this is one awesome pub! Food is amazing! Service is awesome! Atmosphere was perfect! It felt like home (SF). I recommend this place to anyone that is going to Chicago and wants to do local nightlife.
(5)Brian M.
Well, unfortunately Timothy O'Tooles let me down again. After spending six months out of the country, my family returned for a Bears game and were seated in the back area. We were the first ones seated in this area. A big reason we come here is for the great beer list. After seeing a few of our favorites on tap on our way in at the main bar, we were excited and quickly ordered them. The waitress told us it was restaurant policy that we couldn't order from the front bar if we sat in back, so had to order from a much smaller list from the back bar. It seemed like a crazy policy since the main bar is only seconds away from where we were seated, but we decided we would just order Bloody Mary's and appetizers. Then, we walked to the main bar to order a couple beers while half of the group ordered beer from the waitress. The waitress brought back a beer and glass - there was old lipstick all over the rim of the glass. Gross. At halftime, we again walked to the bar to get our fav beer to go with our entrees. Upon our return, the waitress threatened to give our table away if we continued to get beer from the main bar. After we said it's you're terrible policy, she said it wasn't policy she just was too busy at the time earlier to get drinks from the main bar and now she could because she was much less busy. So she lied about the policy...plus it was MUCH busier by this time vs earlier. This is offensive for so many reasons. We come to O'Tooles FOR the great beer list. And we didn't choose to sit in the back. And we also spent a ton of money ordering three appetizers, four rounds of drinks and five entrees. And then she spilled a beer on my mom at the end. Won't be back.
(1)Sheila C.
Food was good. I opted for the Shepard's pie & mimosas. My favorite part was my server Wes. He was super nice & answered all my questions. We had good sports debate also lol. I'd recommend. Gets busy on game nights
(4)Will V.
I'm not much of a beer drinker, nor do I frequent many bars, so it's not often I find myself in a place like this. That said however, service was awesome. Apparently the selection of beers was also pretty good (I was drinking water). And every bit of food I saw and smelled from around the place was appetizing. But this review really isn't about any of those things. This review is about the AMAZING Shepherds Pie. Most places you go will serve you something around the size of a small soup bowl full of shepherds pie, and it's often times questionable whether that's really what it is or not (for example, I just had one somewhere else in Chicago that was more like chili with potatos at the BOTTOM of the bowl.) Ok, so here's the deal. This thing is about 4" x 9" x 2.5" and it comes to your table SCREAMING hot. I ate half of it, then spread the other half out a bit, since even by that point it was still almost too hot to eat, and it looked like I hadn't even touched it yet. I mean, seriously, it's a LOT of food for about $13. And the flavor? Well.. hands down, this was THE best shepherds pie I've ever had. Period.
(4)Nessie V.
Veggie burger here is NOT vegan. Fries and rings are fine. This place is a typical sports pub. Pretty loud and crowded, despite seemingly being out of the way.
(3)Alanna M.
The only issue here is that this place isnt right next door to my building! If you find yourself still drunk from Friday night, Timothy O'Toole's (or as I loving like call it - Timmy O'Toole's) is the greatest place. Their bottomless mimosa bar is CLUTCH. Its not the nicest sparkling wine, but it goes down easy. Theres also a bottomless Bloody Mary bar with a HUGE variety of ingredients to add to your drink! I love it! I also had their Belgian Waffle at brunch. It was SO delicious. I wouldnt expect such a tasty brunch item from a sports bar. Also, their wings are good. They've won awards apparently. Their burgers are decent too. They also have a signature drink called Holy Water. Wasnt a fan, but its full of different liquors. It just tasted like a bad version of alcoholic kool-aid to me. Also, service is usually really good. I havent been there when its super crowded, but if you sit at a table its usually very chill.
(4)Polly W.
Great little bar across from the Doubletree where I go for conferences. Cool atmosphere and great food. Lots of TV's, good music, fun people. We even managed to write a proposal over a couple cocktails - and it was approved a week later - so I credit the generous drinks for getting the creative juices flowing.
(4)Gabriel F.
This place was an excellent discovery by some of the cool guys who attended a conference with me in Chicago. However, I am bummed to realize that I was in a bar where a Man vs. Food Challenge is held and was unaware of it! I really wish I ha known so that I could totally demolish that challenge and walk away with a t-shirt that probably wouldn't fit me. As for the bar itself, it was pretty cool, large screens, jukebox, pool tables, and a lot of attractive people looking to have a good time. I never got the feeling that someone was going to act a fool in this place, which is relief, it lets you relax and enjoy the beer. I didn't eat anything, as we came over after dinner, and I met some interesting people there. Did not spend a lot of money, so I would definitely recommend this place to others, especially if you are visiting Chicago like I was. Oh, shout out to the very fine wait staff, our waitress was definitely NOT a grenade.
(4)Wayne C.
So my friend texted me and was like, "We're at 622 N. Fairbanks," and I was like, "Streeterville?! Que?" but just got my haircut over there so I went. He works at Northwestern so it was understandable, as it's is across the street. Otherwise, circa 7PM, O'Tooles holds open casting calls for douches long and far. You know, like, they sell wings. Only certain bars "sell wings" and if you can think of another place that "sells wings" and have been there, you've also been to O'Tooles. I'm not trying to hate, especially since my roommate was recently like, "You hate everything lately. Like, you actually use the word 'hate' all the time." That was a bummer and I did some self-reflecting but really I didn't hate it. I just got the feeling that there was a lot of wife-cheating going on, especially since one of the guys at our table was all, "As soon as you're sick of sex, get married." OK, not fair because that doesn't describe the O'Tooles Experience. Scratch that. It does.
(2)Heather J.
My husband and I were staying at the Doubletree across the street for our mini honeymoon and it was our last night in town. We wanted to have some drinks and find a good atmosphere to hangout in. This place blew us out of the water! The atmosphere was perfect with the screaming football fans and the cheering waitresses. Our service was perfect, never once forgotten about despite a party of 12 people sitting in the same section. We had their chipolte bbq wings and they were a little hot for.being chipolte but delicious none the less. They have an absolutely amazing beer selection. Craft beer lovers like myself can indulge in local and internarional drafts here. I say hell yes to Timothy O'Tooles!
(5)Joel B.
Not impressed. The service was horrible. My girlfriend and I were visiting Chicago for the weekend and on our last night thought we would visit Timothy's. What a mistake. We walked in to standing room only (no problem because those are the places I like) and stood at the bar for 10 minutes and were ignored. We left without even ordering a drink. It's a busy loud place and I'm sure it will do well, but it will never get a dime for me.
(1)Robyn F.
The food here is quite terrible. My friends and i came here for brunch on Sunday because the wait at West Egg next door was too long. Verdict on a number of dishes: -Irish Benedict - This is eggs benedict with corned beef instead of Canadian bacon. I ordered this, and my eggs were fully cooked through. They were the furthest from poached eggs that you could possibly get. -Scrambled eggs with 3 ingredients to mix in - My friend got this, and the scrambled eggs were completely overcooked. -Corned beef hash - My friend could barely take a bite of this before needing to mask the flavor with tobasco sauce. It was so extremely buttery that it would put a French restaurant to shame. - Side of toast - Not very toasty and a bit soggy. -Coffee - very weak and had a weird aftertaste. Overall, no one at the table had a good experience with their food or beverage. Maybe it's a good place for drinks, but eat elsewhere!
(1)TLynn M.
The food was excellent for the price. However, We had a group of 11 and had pre-arranged with management. They put us in a back room, which was fine, but then before we even ordered they started trivia. It was fun but loud and not ideal for chatting with the rest of our table. The waitress was horrible. She didn't pay much attention to us, didn't offer refills, see if we had everything we needed, or bother to bring the checks when asked or reminded. We might need another visit, it was most likely a isolated mishap! Not sure when I will get back to Chicago, but I would give them another chance!
(3)Pinaki S.
I'm going to do my first quantitative review: 3 stars to start (since everything is always decent) +1 star for a good happy hour crowd (I never go downtown, but reminds me of DC happy hour) +1 star for DJ with great strip club voice +1 star for accommodating bar staff +1 star for solid bar food (bbq chicken wrap came out in 5 seconds) (So if you're counting at home, that 7 stars right now) -(minus) 5 stars for lack of HD picture with HD tvs. I have no bigger pet peeve in life. Completely honest. Don't buy a f'in thousand dollar tv and watch picture that looks better on a tv from 1980. I guess if you're not watching sports, this is a good (only?) option if you are stuck in Streeterville.
(2)Jessica K.
I want to like this place. I NEED to like this place. I lived down the street from it for month and it seemed so convenient meeting friends here. Nope. Not really. The place is always crowded, filled with the worst kind of drunks and if you want to eat-good luck finding a seat. When you do get a table with a waitress assigned though, they do hustle their asses off for you-I'll give 'em that. There are t.v.'s blasting everywhere, pool tables and a double sided bar with plenty of cheering, boozing patrons. My friends and I always get a plethora of appetizers and Goose Island pints. It's like a warm feeling all around. Or maybe that's the "Asian Red" I get 'cause I can't process alcohol. Either way-this is an OK bar. Parking on the street is a b*tch so cab it 'cause you'll probably be drunk anyhow. That's one thing they do great here-you'll never have an empty glass.
(3)Lisa H.
Pretty standard large sports bar in a nice area of town. It was not mind-blowingly awesome but I would come back with friends. I was here for a private party last weekend and had a great time. O'Toole's also has a corner private party room which is quiet and holds approx 30 people, and I would recommend it for an informal family event. The food is good for pub fare and service was fast and friendly. Our server was careful to split the bill between all of us (despite the fact that we were all in the same party) so there was no awkwardness over that. The fries were very yummy and crispy, and my veggie burger was surprisingly good (most veggie burgers at pubs suck :) my only complaint is that it could have been crispier on the outside. There was always enough condiments and silverware and napkins in the party room and the server was constantly around us. I also REALLY appreciate that this bar has a decent clean ladies' bathroom with many stalls :) kudos. The feel of the place was a little crowded and loud, but we went there after the Chicago marathon and I wouldn't expect it is like that very often. Give it a try if you're in the area :)
(4)Doug O.
A great bar with great beer selection. Crowd was lively on a Tuesday night and Karaoke wasn't overly loud so you could still converse with friends.
(4)Raghav C.
I frequent this neighborhood bar pretty frequently, more often that I would like, but with close proximity to where I live, it is a convenient choice. Prices - like any other bar in downtown Chicago. $7-11 for most entrees, drinks are $4-6. They do hv good specials and they vary by day, month and season. Do check their website for current deals. From what I've tried so far, which has been a wide selection, I can say the food is above average. Fries are decent, I've had better but I won't complain. Wraps and burgers are good, nothing to rave about, but will fill you up without you complaining. I tried their Margaritas on special one day ($5 for a huge one) which I enjoyed a lot. They did run out of margarita glasses for my 2nd order and I was served in a regular pint glass which was disappointing. They have 3-4, maybe 5 menus: daily specials, monthly specials, seasonal specials, drinks, and food. Spend some time going through them so u get your money's worth. There is something about the ambiance in here that I don't like. It appears to be a mix of a Irish Pub and Sports Bar but I wouldn't call it either. There is something dreary about the place I wish they would change.
(3)Shelden E.
The only reason why I say this place is ok is because its location. There aren't many other bars in that area, and those that are can be pricey. There used to be a place called O'Neils which was a nice small bar and had great burgers, but that's gone now. :( This place is immediately a wannabe Irish Pub. They could probably do a little bit more to exaggerate that, but not really. They've got their waitresses wearing plaid, school girl skirts, in the middle of winter. I mean its indoors, but still, come on. I did not have the food, just beers, and I guess for a bar that should be in Wrigleyville their choices were actually good. I ended up getting two hacker pschors, $8 a liter glass. That's kind of pricey since I'm used to getting one for $6, but then again I'm downtown. It would be nice if the put the price of drinks on the menu. Again, the only reason why I bothered going there is because there wasn't much else around. Why did O'Neils get torn down? Anyway, next time I'll walk a bit further to Rock Bottom.
(3)Tina D.
Standard Irish Pub, but please please avoid on St Patricks Day!! (totally my fault) What a line! We had some delicious Irish Car Bombs at a decent price, but didn't stick around very long to get lost in the crowd.
(3)A R.
This place was steps away from our hotel so we came here quite often during our stay. Drink prices are good and on Saturday's and Sunday's, they have an all-you-can-drink Champagne ($16) and Bloody Mary ($20) Brunch (food is not included). The food is good, however, I ordered a Chicago-style hot dog from a vendor on the street across from Soldier Field and it was a lot better than the one they serve. The food portions are also pretty big. My friend and I were able to split the buffalo chicken wrap and still had some left over. If you like watching sports, this is the place to go!
(4)Melissa B.
One of my favorite pubs in Chicago. I have been there a few times, I am always a fan of their craft beer list (had a three floyds arctic panzer wolf and a dechutes ipa). Service is friendly and knowledgeable, and the pulled pork nachos were good, solid bar food. Highly recommended for a happy hour stop while shopping Michigan Ave!
(4)Food Junkie S.
Really chill place to hang out. Lots of beer and tv's. They also have darts and Golden Tee, which makes anything that much more entertaining when drinking. The food is good as well.
(4)Charlotte T.
Don't be put off by the always confused/overwhelmed hostess or the underground location. This neighborhood sports bar has reasonable drink prices and AMAZING food! The crowd is a fun mix of tourists, northwestern students, and people from northwestern hospital. The atmosphere is always lively and warm. I always leave there feeling cozy, full and a little buzzed.
(5)Kelly O.
I was absolutely appalled at my visit to this restaurant. My colleague and I were attending an event at the (lovely) Doubletree hotel across the street. We arrived at TOT and were seated, placed our order from the extensive menu and waited. I had ordered a Buffalo Chicken Salad- a favorite "cheat meal" of mine, since I tend to be one of those boring dieter types. I've had a Buffalo Chicken salad at myriad restaurants ~ as well as Buffalo Chicken wraps~ and always loved it. When the salad arrived, one taste told me I just didn't like this at ALL. It tasted more like sweet and sour chicken or barbecue, not at all like anything I had tried called "Buffalo Chicken". I did what I would do in any restaurant- asked my waitress politely if I could have something else. She said "Oh, I'll have to ask my manager. Hold on." I thought, ARE YOU KIDDING ME? She has to ASK if I am allowed to have something else? (Customer is always right apparently doesn't fly here) So this manager comes to the table with an attitude bigger than Texas and asks me to defend, er, explain myself. I say again, I don't like this. It doesn't taste right to me. He then sighs loudly and explains that "What you are tasting that is different here is the molasses in our sauce." I wanted to say, "I don't care if I am tasting GOLD, it doesn't TASTE GOOD and I'd like something else!" He told me that it was "not their fault I didn't like it." He FINALLY gave in and said "What do you want instead?" I said a cheeseburger. He sighed, took my plate with major attitude and then we waited for my burger to appear. In the mean time, my colleague had asked the waitress at the same time that I asked for a new entree- for some pickles for her entree. She never received them after asking AGAIN. The food WAS good. The check came, and as I KNEW I would see- they had not removed the salad from my bill and were charging me for both items. I asked the waitress and she said she'd "have to ask" if the manager would take the item off. FINALLY after watching the 2 of them deliberate for what seemed hours, I had an adjusted bill. What a horrid experience. We walked across the street to the Doubletree Hotel and were warmly welcomed, served immediately and with graciousness. Kind of what most SERVICE INDUSTRY locations try to focus on. Yea.
(1)Cory C.
I love to start a night out of drinking at this place. They have a great beer selection and it's nice to have a place where you can talk and chill for a bit before you go make yourself def at the clubs. The food is also worth a try!
(5)Amanda Z.
Decent-sized menu, lots of specials...nothing out of the ordinary here. Tons of TVs, if you're into some sports game...friendly service. Although I will say this: sometimes you should just not order a salad. Ugh, cold, pre-cooked chicken in a salad makes me want to wretch. My date liked his buffalo chicken wrap and I stole more than a few of his fries. Face it, there are places you can get away with ordering a salad and there are places you can't. Timothy O'Toole's is not one of those places. Skip the lettuce and go for for the fries. They taste better anyhow, you know that. Nothing super-special, but when you're in the 'hood, you're hungry, and you feel like ducking away from the touristy traps on Mich Ave, not a bad place to grab a bite. Or a few beers, if you're thirsty. And as anyone who knows me can attest, I am thirsty quite often.
(3)B K.
The place is big, but still gets packed for happy hour (mostly by us NU people) ... don't say you weren't forewarned. They have tons of TVs and no matter which sport, you can count on watching any and every game that your heart desires. Food is decent. I'd even go as far as to say that certain things on the menu are actually good. Of course, bear in mind that this is still primarily a bar, not a restaurant. The staff is wonderful, too. They remember us even if it's been a little while since our last visit and make us feel like 'regulars.' Which is pretty cool in my opinion, and rare for a bar in Streeterville. Most importantly, Northwestern staff and students get $2 Miller Lite, Miller High Life, and Coors Light draft beer ... so to everybody else complaining about the Northwestern crowd, that's the main reason we all come here. Second reason, beer is only 3 blocks away from our labs, offices, hospital and lecture halls. So to summarize ... $2 beer + 3 blocks = love
(4)Julian R.
It's really more like a three and a half. Front of house people are pretty cold and rude. I was there on a Friday, so it was pretty loud, but not so bad that I couldn't hear my friend talking. When I asked the waitress to switch to the Orioles game the TV nearest my table she did so quickly and with no issues. Our waitress checked up on us throughout the night, and after being sort of shunned by the people working at the front of the place, I was surprised at how friendly the waitresses were. In terms of food and drink, the beer is a little pricey, but they have some good daily specials which are worth looking into. The food is well priced for the quantity which sort of makes up for the average quality, especially if you are someone who likes to stuff your face after drinking. Overall, I would say don't be put off by the cold shoulder you get when you first come in. The TV's will have any game, NBA, NFL, MLB, that you are looking for, although you could probably find sports bars with larger TV's and more space, O'Toole's felt a little cramped at times, I think it would have even without the Friday crowd. Only 3 stars because sitting at home with a beer and food on your couch is cheaper and probably a better way to watch a game if you really want to pay attention to the action. It does seems as though they haven't fully committed to the sports aspect of a sports bar. However, if you want to head out and go to a place located right around the nicest part of Chicago, this is a good bet.
(3)Sheri O.
The group of friends I was visiting to Chicago with managed to land here one night. We had a blast! Its a cool enviroment, and the drinks are cheap!! The human size Jenga was fun too!! We would go back here and hang again if we every make our way back to Chicago.
(4)Kim B.
O'Toole's is still a 2-star spot. I went with some colleagues tonight and the food was actually pretty awful. My friend is a bit of a french fry connoisseur and her fries were disgusting. The texture was off and the oil they used must have been old - there was a really nasty aftertaste. Let's just be honest, fries are hard to ruin! As far as my food went, my broccoli was cold. Overall things were just lacking; lacking enough that I felt it necessary to write an update. Too bad - so much potential for the location!
(2)Jo W.
How have I NOT reviewed this place?! I started coming here when I was a mere 21 year old, experiencing the "wonderful" life as an employee in the service industry. We would come here after work, I would drink malt liquor (*shudder*), we would play some pool, perhaps some darts, and close the place down among friends and our favorite servers and bartenders. I can't tell you how many times I've tripped UP their stairs because I had, um, too much fun. I've had and been to countless parties in their back rooms, which are always a blast. Bonus - if you're a regular, they really, REALLY take care of you. Obviously, I'm no longer 21 and times have changed - I no longer prefer malt liquor, for one. Gross. But one thing hasn't changed - my love of O'Toole's. The servers are still fantastic, drinks are poured generously, and if you happen to go here at night, veteran employees may even remember you even after all the time you've been away... yikes. These days I am more likely to stop in for lunch, as I now work a couple blocks away... but I still love it. The food is pretty solid, service is friendly and quick, and sometimes it's just nice to step away from the hustle and bustle and the never-ending Northwestern construction, slip underground, and spend an hour enjoying yourself here. Bottom line - if you're looking for a fun night out where you're sure to find some fun non-douchebaggy people and great service, come here. If you work in the neighborhood and are looking for something different to eat for lunch - come here. Actually, just come here. You will have a good time, this I promise you.
(4)Daniel F.
Solid choice for a burger and drink in the Streeterville area. I was staying at the nearby Marriott Courtyard nearby, and the doorman recommended the place and gave me a 20% coupon as well. It's a busy sports bar with lots of activity but my side salad was good, and the angus burger had good taste and quality toppings. Good choice for a quick inexpensive meal after pounding the pavement and enormous Black Friday crowds on the Mag Mile.
(4)Ben K.
I think I really took this place for granted when I lived in Streeterville. It's not the greatest place on earth, but I have to say, living up in Lincoln Park, I really don't have a go-to place anymore. Timmy's pretty much had everything I was looking for, especially for a night out with people to watch a sporting event, and ever since I moved out of the neighborhood last year, I have been looking for something to replace Timmy's in my heart and going-out rotation. I haven't found it yet. The food is bar food. But it's done well. The menu is pretty large, and it's not the same exact menu as every other generic bar. It's got some personality. For me, the highlights are the Ragin' Cajun burger, the Reuben sandwich, the Athenian chicken wrap, and the Mediterranean salad. It's probably not the healthiest menu in the world, but damn if it doesnt fill you up with greasy tasty deliciousness. The atmosphere is pretty solid too. Timmy's definitely has personality; there are a few different seating areas depending on your mood (bar tables with high chairs, situated right in the middle of a slew of TV's, booths that are a little out of the way, better for bigger parties, and then more open table seating by the pool tables). The pool tables are always a great way to kill some time, or lose a bunch of money to Perry the surprisingly talented behemoth of a bouncer who will ask you to play for money when you've had a few too many. Also the bartenders and servers are really friendly and are always willing to let you request channel changes to watch any sporting event you might be interested in. Timmy's isn't the kind of place that's going to wow you the first time you walk in and make you say to yourself "this is my new favorite bar". But it does what it does well. If you come back a few more times, you'll find yourself back here again and again because it's got pretty much everything you need.
(5)Adam T.
My friends and I check this place out every time we're in Chicago. We start the night here always and it's a great place to do so. Lots of energy, really nice and friendly staff and great food and beer! All of my fellow regulars have attempted (and conquered) the Big Timmy challenge- which was featured on Man Vs. Food. We wear our T-shirts proudly! A few of the waitresses have started to recognize us, which I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing... There are three pool tables, a jukebox and a couple dumb arcade games but we only use the pool table if anything. As I said the crowd is friendly and the people are all fun to talk to. Prices aren't that bad, I'd say average. The underground location of this place makes it seem more hidden than it already is and it's a cool looking spot. Definitely go check out a game or a fight here, everyone gets really into it and it's hard to not have a good time.
(5)Darren F.
came here because i heard about their timothy o'tooles challenge.. and wanted to try it cause .. well i love food and wanted a challenge ..lol but turns out that it wasnt a challenge... i finshed it without a problem at all and my other 2 friends finshed it as well... the service was great and the food was good.. but the timothy o'tooles challenge was kinda disappointing.. will come back here again to try other items in the menu..
(4)Emmanuel G.
Food was generic. Over-priced. Employees don't how to live life with a smile. I got the French Dip Sandwich, and I'm a sandwich fanatic, with all due respect, this was the worse sandwich I've had ever. The dip had no taste but salt. To top it off, we probably caught our waitress on a bad day, but she was just as bad as the sandwich was. She was on a hurry, expressionless, and I don't know how all these orchestrated so perfectly, but we had to wait for our food for a long time, considering me and my buddy only got sandwiches. I left the place a little pissed off, and its been a looong time since I left a restaurant pissed off. Some employee said "Thank you" though on our way out. There you go.
(1)Michael M.
Great bar. Food isn't bad. I had the wings which weren't as spicy as I wanted, but the waiter told me to avoid the two hottest levels. Next time I go I will try one of the hotter ones. Also, they don't use real blue cheese which really takes away from the wings but I love my BC. Go for the beer. The food isn't the main attraction. Always packed with NU students.
(5)Angela B.
I was staying at the hotel across the street and came in for dinner when I arrived. They serve food until 3 am! There are flat screens all over the place. Perfect for watching a sports game. It was surprisingly busy on a Monday night at 11p. Food & drinks were good and reasonably priced. And they have karaoke on Tuesday nights!
(4)Whitney R.
No cell phone reception. Good for happy hour.
(2)Brittany P.
The only thing that keeps me coming here is the unlimited mimosa bar. The food sucks.
(3)Kate S.
Boyfriend and I was visiting for 3 days and went there 4 times just because of the wings !! The wings are amazing !!!!! Would fly back just for those wings !
(5)Jacob K.
This is a cross between an Irish pub and a sports bar. There are multiple tv all over (some tube and some plasma/lcd type). The crowd seemed friendly enough and there were 3 small pool tables (not regulation size) with less than skilled patrons partaking in some form of billiards. The service was good and the appetizers were average- chicken wings, tenders, fries and onion rings,. However, I would stay away from the potato skins which were just gross. Its a fine place to grab a beer and watch a game if you are in the area.
(3)Tim U.
I would like to express my disregard for this bar because they expressly denied entry for anyone from our group of about a dozen people due to a girl in our group that was simply sitting, all because her feet were tired from sitting at a cocktail party. Both the bouncer and manager were both disrespectful and rude on the Saturday evening.
(1)Suzanne P.
Simply the best. I have been a patron here for 10 years. I almost dont want others to know....
(5)Jackie H.
Went here on a Friday afternoon for lunch a couple of weeks ago...Wasn't my first time, been a couple of times prior with work. It's a fun place to go...I cannot comment on it's authenticity as an "Irish Pub," but it is an enjoyable place to go eat regardless. The menu is bar food. Sandwiches, wraps, salads, etc. I had the buffalo chicken wrap and it was quite tasty. Plus, the portion was huge! I only ate half and the other was lunch the next day. All of the portions seemed quite big, which is fine...I respect their generosity. The appetizer of salsa and guacamole with chips was great! Lots of food (yet the two of us managed to polish it off leaving only a few chips), and the guac was chunky, different from the creamy guac I am used to. Liked it! Beer selection is decent. Was able to get a Matilda and Fat Tire...Looks like they had Sam Adams, Amstel, other Goose Islands...Not a huge selection, but I appreciate that there were options for those that don't drink Miller. Service was great, manager even came by and chatted about our beer selections--he noticed we had fancy glasses on our table. Everyone was very friendly. Good for a lunch, and in my experience, good for dinner/drinks after work
(4)Natalia D.
Great atmosphere and so is the beer menu. O'Tooles has a whole menu just for Guinness mixes. I tried the Black and Blue (Guinness and Blue Moon) and the Black and Black (had a bit of blackberry somethin somethin in it). They also offer a hard apple cider on tap which comes in frosted mugs. Perfectly light yet oh so tasty. Great place to hang out and watch your favorite sports game.
(4)Ann J.
I have been going to Timothy O'Toole's for years. It all started back in my T.G.I. Friday's days when I worked with the most awesome ppl on Erie and Michigan. A few of our friends worked at O'Toole's so we would go visit them after work. Since then, I continue to patron this establishment for a few reasons: cocktails, food, sports, pool tables, but above all, the service. If you are looking for a pub in the neighborhood, this is the place to go. Streeter's is a dive, which is only great after you're drunk. The next day you always regret it though. ;-) Melnick's is where all the old ppl hang out. Pippen's still reeks of cigarette smoke even though the ban passed years ago. O'Toole's has specials, above average bar food and a fun atmosphere. Besides, the bartender DeRon is super hawt!! :-D
(5)Tara M.
O'Toole's is nothing special and frankly, is a bit forgettable. Decent service, standard bar food and drink options. The basement atmosphere is less than ideal and a bit hokey, but sitting outside and having brunch during the summer is nice (as long as you are willing to deal with all of the tourists loitering around waiting to get in to West Egg). They have tons of TVs, too. I more or less only go here when I am too lazy or cheap to cab it up north. Because, really, who willingly hangs out with Northwestern students?
(3)Kate S.
This is the place to go watch a game during football season. Since it's in the basement, it is more of a winter place. They've got plenty of tvs and are able to play lots of games--even PAC12 games :) Food is decent--it's bar food but they do it pretty well. Bloody Mary bar during weekend brunch time is pretty sweet too.
(3)Valerie D.
My friends and I went for drinks & lunch and it was very enjoyable. My friends were thrilled about the Bloody Mary bar, while I enjoyed a delicious Mimosa. The waitress was very nice and helpful on several occasions, however took a long time to get us the check. I had the Chicago style hot dog with cole slaw and I really liked it. Delicious hot dog with all the toppings and the cole slaw was made with chopped fresh cabbage, which I love. We shared a bucket of garlic parmesan fries and they were SO good. the drinks were expensive, the food was okay-priced, quite cool selection, and it was a nice-looking place. Will be back!
(5)Lisa T.
Food is Bland. I'd go to the bar but skip the food. There are tvs everywhere so great for a game, just eat at Jimmy john's before hand.
(3)Josh S.
This rating is going to be fairly biased seeing as I work in the food industry and we get a fifty percent discount on everything. That bring said before discounts the food is reasonably priced for a Chicago pub as is the liquor. However this place does seem to cater to a very specific clientele of after work suites and the regular cooks killing time after a shift. Nothing against either of these people I am one. Just in my mind an unusual combination in the same bar.
(4)Steve K.
I wish I could give a better review of TOT's but, alas, I can't. Visited here on a Friday early PM and ordered one of the 'build a burgers" and while it is OK...it was just OK. Nothing great about this burger it's what you would expect anybody to cook. Service was a little slow but I think that was our server because I was watching the tables across the place that the short blonde hair girl was taking care of and she was on constantly watching over her flock. The real bummer was the onion rings which tasted...well...horrible. The only way I can describe the taste was the oil they were cooked in was a week old. No shortage of TV's here if you're going to watch the big game. Just be sure you drink a lot so you can overlook the so-so food.
(3)Alli B.
VERY much your typical sports bar. It did the job for March Madness but it smelled like puke and the services was pretty weak. Ate the typical nachos and had some typical beer. Nothing over the top about this place.
(1)Michelle P.
I have been coming here for 6 years & it's the hang out spot for my friends and I. The bartenders are the BEST and when you say "stiff" you get "Stiff." Like the saying goes "You take good care of your bartenders, they will take good care of you." This place is great any day of the week. I usually come to Timmy's on Fri or Sat nights. You will meet locals as well as many out of state individuals whom are just visiting Chicago or are in town for work conventions. Very diverse crowd and friendly at that. Timmy's is a sports bar.. so come there to watch the Sox or Cubs or you favorite sports team. They have many flat screens to watch at every angle. There are 3 pool tables, Golden Tee & 2 touch screens to play various games. I beg to differ on the other comments about the food at Timmy's. Their Steak Sandwiches are delish, Potato Skins are wowza, fries..you can't mess fries up come one now! Make sure to order the "Turkey Swiss O'toole Panini" this is my fav sandwich...it's not on the late night menu so try to get there early! If your looking for that place where you can enjoy a cold brew or a stiff cocktail with friendly wait staff and diverse crowd, munchin on some goodies watching a sport event.. this is a place to go.
(4)Bex F.
Eh. Nothing exciting. Reminds me of a Division St. bar so not really my cup of tea. The roaches crawling across the bar are not a highlight.
(2)April S.
I was in town for a week and stumbled onto this spot. What fun! Great atmosphere, friendly staff and patrons. Watched UFC Saturday night, football on Sunday, karaoke was Tuesday night. Just the right size pub/sports bar. Chatted with man locals and had a blast! I recommend stopping by.
(5)Tim Y.
Great atmosphere, friendly staff, & a burger on pretzel bun rocks!!!
(4)Mihir P.
My friends and I dropped in here hungry after a First Friday at the MCA. The area was pretty much dead. We walked in here and a huge bouncer was near the host stand. I asked if him if they served food. He then smiled and said that they served each night until 2am. He then grabbed menus and sat us. He looked intimidating at first but was really just a large teddy bear. Our waitress was sweet. I ordered the Irish nachos = fries, cheese, crumbled bacon and scallions. Very tasty but of course could have used more bacon and scallions. My friend ordered a grilled cheese with tomato and fresh basil which was surprisingly good. I normally would give this place 3 stars but I add an extra star because they have Dos Equis by the bottle AND on tap!!!!!!! Woohoo!
(4)Samantha B.
After this weekend, I have a LOT of love for Timmy O'Toole's. I was attending the DMB Caravan with three friends and O'Toole's ran a bus from the bar to the concert venue all 3 days. A cab would have cost about $30 each way, but the bus was only $15 round trip, and included road pops. They got us to the venue before the gates opened each morning and left promptly after the concert ended each night. The only bad thing was the last night.. the police wouldn't let the bus pick us up where it had the night before, so we had to call the bar to get the new pick up location and walk quite a bit to get there. While the bar could have done a better job of alerting people about the change in location (text, email, have someone wait at the original place to tell people), calling the bar wasn't that big of a deal and we still got home safely and promptly. In terms of the bar itself... the food was pretty good, standard bar fare. We had the nachos, which were just standard nachos, though they could have done with more salsa instead of the small salsa portion on the side. We had the wings and asked for them spicy, and they came in more of a BBQ sauce than a wing sauce, which was weird, but still good. I had gotten wing sauce on the side the night before to go with my fries and would have rathered that than the BBQ style sauce, but that's ok. We also had the burgers... my friend had the original burger and I had the Streeterville. The first halves of both were better than the seconds halves, but that may have had something to do with how hungry we were when we started eating! My only real complaint was that the service was slow all 3 nights... our server wasn't very attentive and it took awhile to place our orders as well as pay the bill. This weekend was my only experience at O'Toole's so not sure what it's like normally, but for the bus service and food, definitely a solid 4 stars.
(4)Erica R.
This place is decent. Good place to have a drink and watch a game. My biggest complaint is that it seems to mostly be frequented by out-of-town businessmen.
(3)Candace T.
I really like the southwestern burger with avacado (annoyingly, they charge a dollar extra for the avacado and also for substitutions). It's pretty filling and your tab will only be around $12 total, fries included. We go with our work crowd very often, and there are always options for both the meat-eaters and vegetarians among us. Wheelchair Accessibility Review: This place IS accessible, you just have to use the service elevator. You'll need to let someone in the restaurant know that you need the elevator, and then you can meet them at it by going up the ramp right beside Chipotle and taking the first hallway on your right. It really can be quite the ordeal because the elevator can be in use by other floors, and they seem quite inept at recalling it quickly, despite their best efforts. So, it is accessible, but you really have to want it!
(3)Kathy K.
This place was across the street from me for 5 years. I went there many times. The wings here are awesome....BUT....every other item on the menu is pretty bad. The bar itself is good but is too touristy to be a neighborhood bar. I would skip this place in the summer since it's in a basement and maybe save it for a place to go for a drink in the winter.
(2)Brad C.
At work we have ordered lunch from here a few times but the other day was the first time I had eaten inside. Every time we ordered it was good and it was just as tasty eating there. Sure the food isn't amazing but it is decent bar eats. Next time I am here I might have to play a game of pool. I think my favorite part about O'Tooles is there logo, its amazing!
(3)Tom S.
Nothing special Timothy O'Toole's is nothing special. A typical huge sports bar, the kind you'd find in any college town. Plenty of offerings on the drink menu and the ubiquitous sports bar food. It's a fair option if you're nearby for some after-work drinks, but I would avoid it on the weekends when it is fully of tourists sent their by hotel concierges. I just hope they are having a good time and don't judge Chicago too harshly on this mediocre venue.
(2)Chris C.
beer selection was good. lots of local taps. thought it was interesting that they had a more elaborate set-up for pouring Stella than for Guiness. Odd for an irish spot i thought. The burgers are 'meh'. Too many other great places in the neighborhood to get a burger to waste stomach space on this place. In the evening it turns into a drunken party spot.
(2)Palak K.
Finding myself in bind for a potluck, I picked up some goat cheese quesadillas from here. Good stuff! Better than average bar food and convenient for dining in while catching a game or getting something to go. Great portions too, and as always, bonus points for sweet potato fries.
(4)Yaw N.
Great place to watch a game. They have a ton of TV's and are really accommodating to changing one of them to your game. Their burgers are good and I would recommend them over everything else on the menu. Please stay away from their wings--they are awful and covered in BBQ sauce NOT franks hot sauce like they should be. Overall, I would recommend Timmy's for anyone looking for a burger and beer for a game.
(3)Anna T.
Last night, I was at O' Tooles for a holiday work party. Side Note: I was the DD, so my review is not influenced by a liquor haze that usually accompanies holiday work parties. O' Toole's was an good place to host our company party. We had a moderate spread of food with a private bar. The private room is in the basement. It is a nice room with a bar, pool table and seating area great for mingling. Roughly around 40 people attended the party. Obviously I didnt paid for the party so I can only comment on the service and the food. The service made it easy to relax and enjoy the evening. They were every attentive to clearly and getting more food out if needed. The food was above what I expected, but not overly impressive. But Hey! it is a bar not a 5 star catering company. All in all the party was fun. Thank you O' Tooles Staff.
(4)Brian K.
It's hard to go wrong here as it combines the following elements: Drinks: Decent selection of beer on tap, nice drink specials, decent selection of alcohol brands (please add ginger beer so you can make Moscow Mule), reasonably priced Food: Definitely pub grub but varied enough that's it's not to the usual. Being a vegetarian, they had several options. My Korean veggie burger was decent but needed more spice. Sports: Tons of TVs. They changed one so I could watch the Giants lose to the Cubs. Service: My server was very attentive (filled water without having to bug her, good pacing of service, etc.). Only downside is bathroom was flooded and seem to recall similar issue when I was there for drinks a few months ago. Also, it could use more single ladies but heck what bar couldn't. Short walk from the W Hotel if staying there and 20% discount so added bonus.
(4)Meghan N.
I live in the Streeterville area and normally love to stop into O'Tooles for dinner and/or drinks! Love their wraps and have always been very satisfied with their food. Service is mediocre, not great. But, the last 2 times I have been there, I have been disgusted. They are having a terrible gnat problem. Whether you are eating or drinking there, no one wants to be shooing flies away from their food. I noticed everyone around me was annoyed too. Please get this problem fixed because I would love to be back but until then, I will find somewhere else!
(1)Jeanette C.
Great for a late night bite and a Lakers win. Woohoo!
(3)Justin M.
I would never go out of my way to come here, but my experiences at Timothy O'Tooles have been good. Always a friendly face behind the bar, and the waitresses have been nothing but cool. I have never had the food here, only drinks and a few bad attempts at playing pool. I suck!! Also, celebrity sighting: Mark Malone, CBS sportscaster. He was knocking down drinks at 7PM on a Friday like there was no tomorrow!! It's funny when you see these people in the real world as opposed to the television. It's all smiles and make-up during the day, but after-hours....they hate their jobs just as much as we do. Viva Streeterville!!
(3)Kelly A.
"Timmy O'Toole's sucked cock." - my boyfriend as I opened this page to write the review. Really, this place seems like a tourist trap. Especially since it was recommended by the concierge of the W hotel , where my dad was staying, as having 'the best burgers in Chicago'. Funny how it was also conveniently located a few blocks away! Our waiter seemed more than a little clueless and new, which is forgiveable in itself, but then made excuses such as "We just had someone quit so I'm having to cover extra tables" when the crowd was pretty thin. After seeing they had a Goose Island root beer float, I asked if they had Goose Island root beer, pointing to the dessert on the menu (named something like Goose Island Root Beer Float). The waiter had to run to the bar to check and said 'yeah we have it in cans (?)', so I ordered one. After similar runs to the bar when asked about beers for the other people I was with, our drink order was finally placed. 20 mins later... we got our drinks. Jones root beers... forgiveable, whatever, new kid, confused. We then alerted him we were kind of in a hurry and ready to order (which we had been soon after placing our drink orders, actually), and he promised to rush the order. 45 minutes later... our two wraps, sandwich (turkey tomato pesto panini - without tomatoes? I thought we were over the tomato crisis) , and chicken skewers arrived. Food was meh. We then had to wait even longer to get the bill... yeah, thanks for the rush. Would not go back for food.
(2)Vivian Y.
I had my wedding across the street at the Doubletree over the weekend and I know my wedding crowd spilled over here after the open bar ended. I heard good things about it so I went over there with some of my friends that were still out of town as they were still at the DoubleTree. Long review short, I liked this place. Sure, it's situated in a basement and all, but it has an old pub feel to it. Looks are deceiving, the place is HUGE (I thought it was a tiny pub from the outside). There are pool tables and lots of highboys to sit in and tons of TVs. I imagine coming here to watch sports is great! My friend ordered a hefeweizen in a stein. it was a HUGE one litre stein and you can take it home too!!! THe only thing cooler than that is if they sold the boot mug as shown in the movie Beer Fest! Anyway, for $14, it is a steal! I want to go back and build a stein collection! Food - we only ate the spinach and artichoke dip - but it was very good. There were nice large chunks of artichoke in it and the chips were served nice and warm. I recommend this place to duck out of the rain (which we did) and to get a nice warm meal and a giant pint or stein of beer. Service was excellent, our waitress was so informative and always took initiative to suggest something when we weren't sure what we wanted (she was beautiful and pregnant! - I don't know her name so I'm giving her props and hoping she is the only preggo waitress there!)
(4)Jason M.
Great place to watch sports games of all kinds at all hours. Food was good and the drinks were cold. Great place for a HH or just to hang out. Next time I'm in Chicago, will definitely swing by this place again.
(4)Taylor G.
Yesterday found me at Timothy O'Toole's for a second time - purely out of convenience. My last excursion was largely a drinking affair, but I still had a chance to sample the food. Being mildly drunk last night, I ordered one of my favorite "sandwiches", Buffalo Chicken Wrap. It had been some time since I was here to order it, but seeing plates of the same item whizzing by yesterday confirmed my feelings that the portion was a bit small on this. And it's not just the chicken that lacks, but everything in general. The wrap is small and uninspiring. Speaking of uninspiring, we can also use that word for the Turkey Club. Sure, it's a basic sandwich and there's not a whole lot you can do with it, but you can at least make it taste good. Actually, most of the ingredients were very nice - especially the thick bacon; but there was a single element that absolutely ruined this meal for me: THE TURKEY! Realizing that restaurants get quite a bit of prepared food from distributors, I wasn't expecting freshly-sliced top-o-the-line turkey breast, but the stuff on the Turkey Club was just TERRIBLE. Subway pre-sliced deli meats have an upper hand on the turkey at Timmy O'Toole's. It tasted exactly like it was pre-packaged meat you'd buy near the hot dogs from your local grocer... slimy and gross. There was however, one saving grace that made the meal slightly bearable: the fries. There aren't spectacular, but hey - it's hard to screw that up. This feeling of uninspired food was shared throughout the group, and combined with my personal two experiences, I'm inclined to believe this is the norm rather than exception. If you're in the neighborhood, it's not a bad place to have a drink, but make sure you down several before trying the food.
(2)Luke S.
Ah Timmy I used to love hanging out with you after dealing with the stresses of CBS. This place can be lots of fun! The food is ok, but the service is always quality. It feels almost like Vegas, because you have no idea what time of day it is while you're down there.
(4)AC O.
Food was ok. Had some wings, the overrated chicago hotdog, and fish and chips. Just ok.
(3)Austin P.
This place is awesome! I was in Chicago last week on business and I was DYING to watch the Giants/Dodgers game after a long day of sales calls. Found this place on Yelp and it happened to be around the corner from my hotel. The bartender was super nice and made great drinks. He recommended that I try the award winning chicken wings and I was not disappointed. He turned on one of the bazillion TV's to the Giants game and we won! BEAT LA!!!
(4)Justin B.
This is pretty much my go to bar when I am downtown. It helps that they are pretty much right next to where I work. They have a great menu both for food and drinks, and the service has always been attentive and accurate. The food comes out very fast after you order.
(4)Vera B.
I ate here last night (Monday) for the first time, and had fish and chips. The food was over cooked and very greasy. The steak fries looked like that dirty deep brown color like they were over cooked or old. Though the fish was very flaky it was soaked with grease, (very disgusting). It took for ever to get service I only got soda one, no water. The meal did not come with come with coleslaw, which I found odd because I had fish and chips in the past and it always came with coleslaw. I was offer it and when I got my bill the slaw was 2.99 for a serving spoon size, I thought it was going to be free since it was offered. I ordered the apple cobbler to go, very low on flavor. And I had a absolute drink special of a screwdriver. This was very watered down. In total I paid about $30.00 not including tip. I was very disappointed in everything. I called myself treating myself, (since I rarely eat out) and boy did I wast my time and money here. If I could give it zero stars I would, this experience was ridiculous, and very over priced. I can not recommend Timothy O'Toole' Pub
(1)Carri A.
I work right around the corner from this pub and a couple of times my coworkers and I have organized to meet and have food and drinks here after shutting down the office. It's fairly large, quite loud, moderately priced, and the staff is... adequate. I would not go out of my way to visit this place typically, but since it's so convenient for me and my coworkers, it's hard to resist for a quick drink and bite to eat. And maybe watch whatever sports game is playing while we're there. If you're feeling like a bad ass, try downing one of their Holy Water drinks. You cant fit any more alcohol into a single glass. And don't say that I didn't warn you!
(3)Dan G.
I was in town on business and wanted to get a decent meal while being able to watch the Hawks game (and other games) on TV. Timothy O'Tooles fit the bill. Good location to my hotel (Sharaton Four Points), good beer selection, lots of TVs for watch various games, and a good wrap sandwhich for dinner. I ate at the bar and service was friendly and quick. I will return.
(4)A-train R.
Just went to Timmy's a couple weeks ago. Again very good burgers and this time I had one of the their wraps my girl likes. I loved it too. Been good every time and this time we had their quesadillas as an appetizer. My girl has changed her mid on the best quesadillas in chicago the past 3 restaurants we've been too and now.... the winner is Timmy's. ha. Yes, i thought they were very good too and once again never disappointed at Timothy O'tooles, I haven't found anything wrong with this place. Upgrading this place to a 4 star joint!
(4)jay d.
Awful veggie burger. Food was below average. Kitchen brought wrong food out to us. This place is very touristy and the vibe is not cool at all. We won't be back.
(1)MELEK L.
So what? You're not gonna get an gourmet food here. Who needs that everyday anyway?! If you are looking for a great local sports bar in the downtown area, forget about the touristy ESPN Zone, and go to TIMOTHY O'TOOLE'S!! They have great flat screen tvs, bartenders, menu items, regulars, pool tables, security, private rooms, and on and on. Order the sizzling fajitas to make a statement at your table. They are loud and tasty. I enjoy the Mediterranean salad, the tortilla soup, potato skins, chicken fingers, and the artichoke dip. Yes, I have tried them all and YES, I used to be a regular here! The best tip I can give you for this place is: Try the CHICKEN WINGS!!! They come in 6 different flavors and they are out of this world. Enjoy!
(4)C W.
Score one for the Vegetarians! After my previous review, the owner messaged me to thank me for my review and for pointing out my vegetarian pricing concerns. She then wrote the following, "We've decided to make a Meat Free option available to our customers reducing the price of any appetizer, wrap or salad by $1.50." Thank you Sara!
(4)Danny W.
Remember the Simpson's episode where Bart puts a tape recorder down a well and poses as "Timmy Otoole" , a small boy who broke his leg and fell down a well. Well that episode was based off of a real person who is now grown up. Timmy got out of that well, his leg healed, and he opened a bar in Streeterville. Well, not really but they do have delicious burgers, and my favorite bar made Bloody Mary in the city of Chicago!!!!
(4)Mark L.
Came here for dinner while on a business trip to Chicago. I found this to be an excellent pub, with just the right ambience and good drinks and food to go along. When you enter you go down a flight of stairs, so the bar is slightly subterranean. It's a large area and slightly dark, just like a good pub should be. There's a large oval shaped bar, with seats going all around. I was able to find a seat at the bar when I visited. There are ample screens behind the bar playing a variety of sports events, so it's easy to watch games from anywhere you sit. There are lots of tables around eye bar for groups to sit at. When I went, the bar was extremely lively, with an animated crowd that made it feel like a fun place to be. They have a large number of craft beers on tap and advertise 48 beers on a sign outside. I ordered a Bell's Two Hearted Ale, one of my favorites The menu looked like pretty standard pub dare, and I got a Californian burger, which came with avocado, sprouts, and jack cheese, and was quite good. The die of cole slaw I had with it tasted pretty generic. All in all, I found this bar to be real fun to hang out at and would come here again if I visit Chicago again.
(5)Neal E.
Came in here late on evening on a Wednesday evening for something to eat during a work trip to Chicago. It was after midnight and the brainiacs in management up the street at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers think it's good business to close all food service down at a particular time - even when the hotel bar is packed to overflowing with business. So one must go elsewhere for food and drink. The lady manning the front desk at the Sheraton recommended I try Timothy O'Toole's. So I walked down from my hotel - about five blocks. The place was hopping late - actually it was past midnight so technically it was Thursday morning. I grabbed a spot at the bar and ordered a plate of Nachos and a pint of the Goose Island IPA. While I was waiting, I scanned the bar, noting the goings on. It's an interesting mix of things - it feels like it is trying to be multiple things: An Irish Pub, A Sports Bar, a Dive Bar... It also felt like a bit of a meat market - which made for some entertaining people watching. There are flat panel HD TV's all over the place, and some pool tables. Nachos were huge - way to much food for me to eat the whole plate! The Goose Island IPA is a rather ordinary IPA on my scale of IPA ratings, but it is a local Chicago area craft beer, so felt like I should order one! I'd come here again! Would have been more fun with friends!
(4)Kamilah S.
My co workers and I came here for after work drinks, the place was packed, but we eventually found seats. Service was great, one problem, my Moscow Mule was NOT served in a copper cup, very disappointed, it tasted great, but it was visually appalling. GET IT TOGETHER, Timothy O'Toole's Pub!
(3)Kevin J.
A great sports bar. Cozy basement with lots of TV's and ambiance. The food was pretty average though. I had the French dip - one of their specialities according to the waitress and it wasn't very special. Maybe a good place to watch the game and have a few beers with the gang but wouldn't count on having a great meal here. Will keep looking in Chicago for that great sports bar that has great food too.
(3)Derek B.
It's a fun location for happy hour. The food is pretty good and the drinks do the job. The staff is adequate. I think this place has a lot more potential for a downtown bar/restaurant, though.
(3)Mandy M.
2 stars because of the food. Worst sampler appetizer platter I've ever had. Don't recommend eating there. Grab a beer get food elsewhere.
(2)Belle L.
Affordable place for food and drinks. Packed on a Tuesday night. Outdated website that says karaoke at 9:00 pm, instead of 10:30 pm (the real time). Loud. Good pleasant service. Quick cleanup. Clean venue. Plenty of seating. Fish & Chips -- both fish and chips are overcooked. Dry fish. Hard chips. Fish Tacos -- supposedly good.
(3)Zameer A.
I have been a regular customer here since I moved to Chicago, but despite this, the people who work at this bar have managed to treat my fiancé and I like utter trash; they even made my fiancé cry. After refusing to let us in to buy food (and only food) because they claimed my fiancé was too drunk (she was wearing high heels and missed the bottom step), they told us that our business isn't important to them (I'm literally quoting what the assistant manager said), and just threw us out. The food was always ok ; The wings were always overcooked to a crisp, and the fries were usually soggy, but the sauces for the wings were good. However, the management of this place has no respect for customers, especially not regulars. I, personally, would not recommend supporting a business which doesn't respect its customers, so I won't be going back ever again. Chicago is a huge city in the midwest, full of fantastic, friendly people, and your time and money would be better spent at another bar where the managers and staff you meet are actually friendly.
(1)Trent B.
My wife and I went to Chicago for our first time and stayed near this place. I'm kinda embarrassed to say but we spent a lot of our time here. Place is awesome and very friendly. Cool bartenders that didn't roll their eyes at first time visitors like a lot of places.
(5)Hannah M.
Awesome sports bar. I came here to watch a Patriots game. They made sure I got a table where I could see my game and the Blackhawks. The staff was good but a little inattentive. The food was great. My friend and I decided to get really girly drinks during the game: she got an amazing and strong Jolly Rancher martini, and I got a Starburst cocktail, which was delicious. Later, we got beers; they had a pretty good selection. After we ate, a magician came up to our table and performed a little magic show for us. It was free, and he also made us balloon hats to keep. It was a little odd but ended up being pretty fun. I will definitely be back.
(5)Tina P.
This is my kinda bar! I love the atmosphere here, you could be as rowdy as you want and they probably wouldn't even notice. Well that was the case for my drunk friends at least lol. it could also be because we were in a separate room to accommodate for our party of 11. The Giant Jenga was a hit for my friends and I, and the fact that there are flat screens on every wall was pretty cool. The attire is very casual. staff was nice, on a fri and sat night it could get pretty packed.
(4)David C.
Went here for late night drinking and to grab some food. The hostess completely ignored us. She saw us walk through the door and didn't say a thing. We were unfortunate enough to come during Tuesday karaoke night. In the upside our waitress was great and very efficient on checking up on us. The burgers were really good. The sweet potato fries were a little on the over cooked side. Overall, nice, chill spot to go.
(3)Jennifer M.
Despite currently undergoing renovations that give off an eery feeling of being in a hot dungeon, this is still one of my favorite sports bar and restaurant. The staff gives off the "Cheers" type of vibe. The best after work social gathering place (better once the reno is complete) in this area. I would not go back and order their wings again. It was once award winning; they've changed it so they really should stop advertising because it's definitely not as good as it used to be. The Spinach and Artichoke dip is now MEH at best. What is great at this place is their Specials. We really like Build-Your-Own Burger and especially the Build-Your-Own Grilled Cheese. The beer prices are standard. I wasn't able to have a Black and Blue here. They don't serve Blue Moon. Maybe it's because of the limited space on tap during its renovation.
(4)Jon O.
I really like this spot. I stopped in with a buddy to watch a Blackhawks game and have a few beers. It's located in the basement of a building but is lit up pretty well inside as well as having a "open" feel to it so you don't get the sense of being too closed in like some basement bars/restaurants. We didn't have too much in the way of food (just some nachos) but they were as good as I have ever had. The big selling point for me with this bar is they have a great beer selection. Pretty much everything you'd want to try out so you can try something new about every time you go in. I'm a fan of the IPA's myself and they have quite a few to choose from. There was one beer on the menu that. if I remember correctly, is priced around 120$ and comes in 100oz serving size. I'd like to try it but will probably have to have a few friends in tow to tackle that one haha
(4)Dayna B.
Keith and Heather are amazing. They both made my experience what it was. I love them and will always come here to see them.
(5)Jennifer P.
This bar has pool and Jenga! The bar is pretty big, and it is definitely a lot of fun. you can play pool while drinking.. and definitely hustle someone! What makes this bar even cooler is that you can also go into this room if you have a group of 8 or maybe more or less, where giant bricks of wood jenga are set up to play!!! playing for shots is fine. they have this jungle juice type of drink called the "Holy Water," it is made with a bunch of different types of alcohol but you can hardly taste it. We ordered the nacho fries and chicken tenders for food. the nacho fries were good bar food. the chicken tenders were made with too much breading, which was not good to be although it was kah-rispy. if you want 20% off your bill, you should stay at Doubletree hotel and get a coupon from them. Or maybe just go to the hotel and ask them for one.. maybe they'll be nice enough to give you one!
(4)Jed M.
This place looks like an old speakeasy. When arriving we were led downstairs to a huge opening with a few rooms. This place is much bigger than I would have imagined. We were set in the back room with plenty of tv's around. It was a bit loud as they were busy, but I could still here everyone at my table just fine so no problems there. We had eaten a large late lunch earlier so we only did apps here and they were your standard bar food. Generic buttered soft pretzels and fries. Nothing special, but something to munch on while you drink. Fantastic beer and bourbon list and the bourbon prices are the most reasonable in town. This is definitely the highlight. Service was good. My water was constantly topped off and our server seemed pretty knowledgable of the menu. This gets 4 stars for the beer/bourbon list and prices and good service. The food we had was meh, but the rest is enough to bring it up.
(4)Shauna D.
GREAT TRIVIA NIGHTS!! I attended the 2nd Edition of Saved by the Bell Trivia, and even though I consider myself a Bellhead, I was stumped on several occasions, but I loved the challenge! The host is great, very natural/casual/funny. It is well organized, and the drinks/food are all reasonably priced and excellent. Definitely coming back for any trivia night I can. PS We were "waitlisted" but showed up anyway and got in! So don't wait for them to call you and say someone cancelled, there are more likely to just be no-shows than people who actually call.
(4)Jerry V.
I have never appreciated working in the hospitality industry more than when I found out that Timmy O'Toole's gives us 50% off. This works out- with being a block away from my office, having some awesome bartenders, mean 'mixologists', and awesome specials to be my new favorite neighborhood pub. The wings I ordered were a bit lacking and if they were better this would have definitely been a 5 Star Review!
(4)Steven F.
Spacious Irish Pub. $10 Draft pitchers. 3 Pool tables. Tons of TVs to watch games. Super chill spot, good service, cute waitresses. Hung out with my buddies playing pool, drinking, and watching games for 4 hours...
(4)Stephen S.
So the service is a little slow and the vibe is a little kitchy (having giant Jenga is both of source of bonus points and a statement on the sort of establishment you're in) but I'm always happy to wind up at Timothy O'Toole's thanks to their amazing beer list. The often a great selection of well-priced and tasty drafts and back it up with a really good bottle list as well. On my most recent visit I had a Goose Island Baudoinia on draft, offered in a snifter at even a better price than you can get it at the Goose Island brewpub. I'm always impressed by their rotating seasonals as well.
(3)Mit L.
Good food. Nothing to brag about. The cole slaw had 0 flavor. Just shredded cabbage and pepper. The menu brags about home made tartar sauce, but the fish sandwich only gets a teaspoon across the bun. I couldn't see it, much less taste it. Very noisy atmosphere but upbeat sports bar.
(3)Greg L.
I've been here several times and each was a great experience. The food is good, the people are nice, and the drinks are whatever you want them to be. On Sunday there is a bloody mary bar where you can choose your mix and all the additions you want. On a Friday night we found a high top, but there were not many open seats. It was a nice crowd of fun people enjoying an evening out.
(4)Jenny H.
I ordered their turkey club and expected just a regular turkey club from a regular old bar, but it was actually very good. The bread was toasted just right and they gave you just the right amount of meat and fresh tomatoes and lettuce.
(3)Clare D.
I love this bar for the very fact that it is steps from my apartment. It might not be anything special, but that is why I like it. It has tons of seating and tons of tvs so they will put your game on for you. It is not too expensive and look at their deals which are usually good. I have so many free glasses from them. The food is actually really good. I would recommend the Irish Nachos which are a finger food version of a baked potato. They are good to me, especially when I need a break from studying or want to watch my teams (which are not everyone's teams), so I love them.
(4)Paul C.
Used to go here from time to time in law school. Great bar? Hardly, but the foods not bad and occasionally there was a drink special. Haven't been back since my friends all left Streeterville and can't imagine I'll be back anytime soon. I'll give it an extra star because I got a nice scar from getting sucker punched in the face by one of their loser patrons.
(2)Noah B.
I've been here a bunch of times as I work pretty close to O'Tooles. The chicken caesar salads are super good and their chicken quesadillas with bar-b-q and ranch is totally rad. They usually have some decent beer specials and come up par with the rest of the sports bars in the area for having a ton of TVs with sports all over the place. The service is hit or miss, but they usually are pretty nice and get you your food in a reasonable amount of time. If you feel like taking a long lunch with a couple of drinks thrown in there then check out O'Tooles.
(3)Chris M.
This place was my after 5:00 and work is over place at my last job. A streeterville favorite of mine. Timmy O'Tooles is always fun with great food and excellent service. I am big into sports and they show all the games and sometimes host the Bears players after the games. They do their bar food appetizers really well with huge nacho dishes, good wings, big samplers, great quesadillas. No cover at this place is a plus, and if I'm ever in the area looking for a good spot to stop for a game, this will be it.
(4)Audra S.
A basement bar in the River North part of town, Timothy O'Toole's reminds me of Rush & Division bars a lot. It's a sports bar, it's a pub, it's all wood everything and it's always packed with yahoos. The good news is they have an extensive selection of beer and they're open until 3:00 a.m. every night.
(3)Mike M.
Go here after work a lot. Typical sports bar atmosphere, tons of televisions all over. I love their bacon cheeseburger and it's why I continue to return I suppose. Easy to lose track of time due to the lack of windows, being underground and all.
(3)Stephanie K.
As the clock strikes 12, I often get roped into heading down to Timmy's for lunch. Working about a block away, it's definitely a popular lunch spot. The ambience is cozy--like a neighborhood pub/bar, and the food is decent. Usually, they have some great specials, and their wraps are HUGE!
(3)Beth C.
Three stars because it's your basic bar experience - not great but not bad. Lots of TVs, lots of beers. Noisy, unpretentious (which is nice for Streeterville). It's the kind of place you end up going much too late. When you should really go home and go to bed with a glass of water and an Advil. The outside implies a traditional Irish pub experience. You won't really get that here. it's your basic sports bar. But they are open late and serve food later than other places in the area. Every night is a Saturday night at Timmy's if that's what you're looking for.
(3)Michele S.
My friends and I have made this a yearly tradition when we travel to Chicago. We always get the baked goat cheese appetizer which is amazing. And of course we get the Bloody Mary bar. They bring you the vodka and you are able to create the drink just the way you like it. This year, the experience was even better because of our waitress, Diana. Thanks for making our yearly tradition even better.
(5)Sebastian B.
While visiting Chicago we found this gem! The food was good but the staff was FANTASTIC!!! I can't say enough about the staff.
(5)Cynthia L.
This pub was awesome! It was a last minute find on Christmas Day and it was popping. I had the Lagunitas Pilsner and the grilled buffalo chicken wrap. It was huge! Enough for the Hubs and I. The atmosphere was great. Will def recommend and be back!
(5)Michael M.
Terrible service. Loud. Unhelpful. And generally one of the worst Bars in Chicago. They do have a good beer selection.
(1)Chad L.
Not much Irish about it other than the name. Your basic sports bar complete with bouncers. Service was ok, food was ok. Nothing really stood out, food was the same- just ok. Loud. Crap music. Good beer selection but I think the harp tap was dry.
(3)Kevin S.
Worst service I've experienced in a long time :( For a party of 11 they would not seat us until half our party was present, understandable. When we had 6 they still wouldn't seat us and told us to wait at the bar. We were told at arrival we could transfer our bill from the bar to the table when we were sat by the manager. The bartender then tried to pressure us into closing out the tap but we insisted that we were told we could transfer from the manager. The bartender did see we were frustrated and asked if he could make it right. We asked for some Jameson and he provided 2 shots complimentary. That was the only nice touch. We were provided 2 tables to cram 11 into. We asked the server to add another table and he said in a snarky way "Yes as soon as I clean that table off, unless you want the dirty table?" Please know that there were 4 other clean tables adjacent to ours. I just can't believe people that work for tips are so rude and that management would allow this to happen. This can't be a one off experience. Disappointing to say the least.
(1)Kevin H.
Watch Da Bears and the Cubbies, superb selection of beers, and food that will keep you warm and satisfied on a cold Chicago evening. If you come for lunch, plan to stay and drink. Great place for all of us that love Chicago!
(5)Dai W.
American sports bar so you can find anything you want from nachos to quesadillas. Also salads and of course burgers. Lots of TV screens to watch your favorite games. Went there during a playoff game and pretty busy and crowded. Waitress was great and available for you. And friendly. Just a sports bar in the city - location is East from Michigan avenue
(4)Lu H.
Solid neighborhood bar - the only place around this area. Not really a true Irish bar, not really a good sports bar, but for what it is, it does just fine. Drinks are relatively cheap and the food is just fine. GF enjoys the hummas plate, I like their wings (although not spicy enough). It can also get crowded here so sometimes a wait for a table is pretty ridiculous, but it's easy to stand around and grab drinks due to size of bar area. In all, we don't have anything negative to say.
(4)Anonymous P.
I expected this place to suck, and it actually was really good. Very nice sports bar, with TVs everywhere. I was able to watch the two games I was hoping to watch simultaneously on TVs adjacent to each other. The food was actually very good. Fries were exceptional--great texture. Chicken sandwich was better than average. The reason I'm not giving five stars is that the beers were crappy--about what I came in expecting. I think a beer on the level of Sierra Nevada was the highest end.
(4)Leesa W.
I know it's an Irish pub but they have the BEST Guacamole EVER!
(4)Jeffrey C.
Stopped in for a drink and some wings. Cool atmosphere, great service, huge beer selection and kick ass wings. My bartender, Heather, was extremely friendly and accommodating. Awesome place. I'll definitely swing by again next time I'm in Chicago.
(5)Matt E.
This was my local pub during my extended weekend stay in Chicago. Yeah, there really isn't a whole lot that's special about Timothy O'Tooles. But for what it's supposed to do, i think it does it pretty well. I wasn't there to catch any sports games, just drink some pints and have a couple appetizers. They have a decent beer selection, quite a few TV's, and appetizers that are decent. The venue size itself is fairly large - so unless it's very crowded, being cramped isn't too much of an issue. So for the purpose of getting me drunk before i stumbled back to my hotel late night, yep, Timothy O'Toole's was my joint for a few nights. Thanks Timothy.
(3)Jonathan A.
An old standby if I want to grab some bar food for lunch. Not the best bar food, but it gets the job done. And they deliver. Not a bad place to grab a drink and watch a game. It hasn't been too crowded any time I've been here. Pool tabless, dart boards, plenty of tvs. It's a sports bar, so go in with those expectations. I wouldn't recommend the private party room for events. It's pretty boring and small and you'd have more fun out in the bar.
(3)Kim C.
New discoveries: WINGS! The traditional and soy-garlic varieties are both DELICIOUS! Apparently they won first place at some wings fest recently. Also, if you wanna get seriously effed up, get a pitcher of Holy Water. For $20, you and probably 2 other friends can get pretty decently tipsy. Not sure what's in it (I saw the bartender pour in some neon pink pre-mixed concoction and then probably 7 different kinds of alcohol), but it's some potent stuff...
(5)Andrew R.
Was here back in february, amazing service and food. Was my first time in chicago and I highly recommend it.
(5)Mary W.
I must say this place was amazingly great for entertainment & drinking! I have yet to try the food & is definitely looking forward to it in the future but I went on a Wednesday & attended a comedy night in the backroom where they have comedians from Chicago stand up & do a show. I went looking for great laughs & got exactly what I was looking for. Not one of the comedians disappointed! Every single one of them were very talented. Once we left, we couldn't stop talking about how much fun we had. I seriously recommend this to anyone who's looking to blow off some steam with a couple of friends or even a date, relax, drink a couple of beers & enjoy this show. Funny entertainment here! I will definitely be going back very soon.
(5)Holly T.
I have been to Chicago 5 times and I go to O'Tooles every time and don't think about going anywhere else! They have the best bar food, great drinks, and the staff is so fun! You have to try the Holy Water...amazing! I WILL be back!
(5)A L.
They have Duvel beer. Yay! $8 isn't a bad price either. Now, if only they'd have Smithwick's (pronounced Smi-thicks) on draft and I would be in heaven. Decent bar, decent food, good to students. What more can one really ask for?
(4)Robyn P.
The doorman at my brother's hotel recommended West Egg, which is right next door to this place. when we got there, the line extended outside the cafe, so we settled on O'Toole's. what a waste of $40. It would have been more satisfying to set two 20's on fire. The service was horrible, and the food was pretty gross. We sat around for at least 10 minutes without being given menus or served a glass of water. Strangely, the waitresses had helpers who carried the food around on trays. One waitress had a helper who kept barking orders at her: "Serve this one first ... what are you doing? ... that's not how to do it ..." -- basically humiliating her in front of the customers. Nice. When we finally got our order, the corned beef was obviously canned (it resembled dog food studded with diced potatoes), the sausage links were Jimmy Deanesque, the eggs were rubbery and bland, and the toast was cold and unbuttered. The only thing I finished was my bloody mary. and even that pretty much sucked.
(1)Jedd J.
Timothy O'Tooles Pub is a low-end sports bar featuring TONS of TVs, but almost all of them have terrible picture. The audio from the Bear game was blasted throughout - even in separate rooms with different games. Also they started with all TVs in each room on the same game. um...what's the point? If you call yourself a sports bar, get the TV & Audio right. Also the food was terrible. O'Tooles gets 2 stars instead of 1 because the server was really good.
(2)Chris B.
I've been here a few times, usually go on Sunday's for the all you can drink Bloody Mary's! The best deal in town for $20 you can drink all the B.M's you can! It's from 10-2 and they have a self service station with all the fixings. The food is quite good too however after drinking 5 bloody marys there is not too much room for food. This place packs the people in so make sure you arrive early! Great for all the games, there are flat screens all over the place.
(4)R P.
I kinda like this place...or rather I want to. But the service is just SO bad! We waited at our seats at the bar for a good 10 minutes before we were noticed, and there were 5 of us, hard to miss. We had to ask to get menus, and were afraid if we didn't order right away the bartender would never come back...and that's precisely what happened. After our food was delivered he never checked in at all until we stood up and worked to get his attention to pay the bill. We would have ordered another round, but it wasn't worth the time. I don't know if they were unexpectedly busy, or if they like to be woefully understaffed, but the friends I was with said the service is always terrible. The bartenders are so busy filling drink orders for the wait staff, they can't serve the bar customers. And WHERE do their tips come from? Right! Not from me.
(2)Elnora D.
I have been to Tim's recently and the environment and menu has changed a bit. Me and my Co-workers spent most of our time there playing pool and drinking. Still a wonderful bar to go drink and have amazing wings. The prices are reasonable for what you get and watching sports events are awesome. It does get crowded if you go there on the weekend so beware, but try it out!
(4)Daniel K.
The first thing I noticed as soon as I walked into Timothy O' Toole's is that it has more of a sports bar feel rather than an Irish Pub. I really didn't mind this one bit because I was there to watch the UFC events they show for free there. So I went up to the bar and asked for a menu so I could find some thing that would keep my tastebuds preoccupied throughout the matches. That's when I noticed the Big Timmy Challenge. I read the description... Two half pound patties Four different types of cheese Bacon All the fixers (lettuce, tomatoes, onions) BBQ Sauce And whopping sides of Onion Rings, and French Fries The challenge costs $20, but there was no time limit and if you ate it all, you won a free Timothy O' Toole's T-shirt which usually costs $15. So pretty much I reasoned myself to believe it was like buying a huge meal for $5 and buying myself a souvenir t-shirt. Plus it would have been a lot cheaper than my other alternative of a few shots and a couple of beers (hey I'm on a guy that's on a budget). So I ordered the burger right before the UFC event started. The food came out really quick as the first fight was just about to start and it's first round. Now each round is five minutes long and has a 30 to 45 second break between each round. By the time the third round bell rang, I was finished. The dish was demolished and gone... The burger was just a good, but nothing to really be going head over heels about. It was done exactly the way I wanted (medium rare). Yet the meat itself was lacking a bit of flavor. The bbq sauce and condiments along with the cheeses helped to make up for that. Plus I was very happy they didn't overseason or put anything extra on the burger because I like to enjoy just the natural flavors of the beef itself. However like I said before, there wasn't really anything too much there for the beefs natural flavor. The onion rings were decent, and the french fries were actually better than usual here. The bartenders were great though as you could joke and talk with them about the fights. And just a bunch of guys screaming and getting worked up about fight matches without themselves getting into fights, well that's just really good to see and be a part of. All in all, from my experience so far I'd say Timothy O' Toole's, food-wise, you get what you can expect from a bar which is good food but nothing that pops out at you and say WOW. Go on a UFC ppv event night; it's free to get in and a good time around the bar.
(3)Charles L.
This bar does have something of an identity crisis. It's an underground bar, so make sure you're down for that before you go ... also, the prices are at a sort of mid-level range that isn't all sports bar, all the time. All that being said, the prices aren't too high; and there are plenty of TV's for whatever your sporting fancy. Also, this is THE bar for the downtown Northwestern crowd; if you're looking to meet some (super fun) law students, or some med/business students, this is one of the two places to look.
(3)Agnes F.
the location really helps this place food is average, beer selection is ok but the service is really not up to par you don't see your server often and when you do, you have to remind them several times what you are ordering if you are in the neighborhood, i guess you don't really have a choice...
(2)Elena M.
Great establishment for watching the big game - or all GAMES! With over 40 TV's in action, you never have to fear you're missing out on your favorite team. Beer selection is pretty solid, always been pleased with the food, priced reasonably, staff is open/friendly, atmosphere is cozy! I used to consider this place kinda dirty...but that was back when smoking was allowed. Since the no-smoking regulation, this bar is back on my top list - as sports bars are concerned. Also, rather than blasting music, the bar will air audio of the featured game. Which is a big deal when watching at a bar. Who wants to hear "Livin' on a Prayer" while Devon Hestor's returning a kick for a TD??? It's a local/after work crowd during the week, but can get touristy on the weekends. TO's always full of sports fans, and does not favor any team in particular.
(3)Nikki P.
My bf and i stopped in for a quick late lunch as it was the only place we could see from our hotel room that was nicccceeee and close (Doubletree Magnificent Mile). You walk in and immediately head downstairs. The ambiance is your classic laid back pub/tavern. It was bigger than i thought it was going to be. Good food, good service, LOTS of TV's which we loved, good cold beer. We would def recommend this place and will likely return if we are in that area again.
(4)K R.
great place for a drink or two after work or to hang out with friends, you need to try the pina coladas, and their saucy fingers basket my fav !.. also they have oversize jinga and a dart target love it !
(4)Claudia v.
Fun place on a saturday morning. $20 bottomless bloody marys, can't beat that! great burgers, good prices. I'll be back
(5)Emily P.
***Update 5/30/10 This bar is slacking on getting HD on all of their TVs.. if you're gonna call yourself a sports bar then at least give your customers a clear screen from all angles!! just saying. Definately my go-to bar for watching sports. Food is good (pub food), prices are decent. Although, it is a "basement bar", so after being there a few hours, you can lose track of time and crave the natural light. Bears games are fun to watch because they raffle off t-shirts and jerseys. My friend won a Hillenmeyer jersey at the expense of a bucket of miller lites. Not too shabby! They also offer bus services to and from soldier field for the games for $5. One more detail to note, this bar delivers! Granted, I live around the corner from here, but when I don't feel like leaving my apartment to grab a burger or some spicy buffalo wings... they deliver right to my door! It's a beautiful thing.
(3)B. S.
late night bar, average food. its a bar.......thats what you should expect.
(3)Amy H.
Two words: Hell. Hole.
(1)Nate Y.
We spotted Timothy O'Toole's, and as a visitor/tourist from Boston I had to see what Chicago's take was on an Irish pub/sports bar. You walk down into the bar and found the staff welcoming. It had the familiar stale beer odor you get from this kind of establishment, but other than that it was very clean. There were a few pool tables, some video games. It actually felt like an Irish/sports bar, somewhat of a dual personality and therefore nothing really authentic. The beer selection was fine, they even have a beer specials, which something you don't get in Boston. Tried a local brew which was a lemon shandy, and then had a $2 PBR out of a can. I thought it was fine for what it was.
(3)Stephanie P.
I happen to love this place. Service is always good and the food is much better than standard bar food. Their seasonal menu is usually awesome. The only downside is during game times it is insanely crowded.
(4)Larry B.
About as much an Irish pub as Bennigans. What a joke. THis is a sports bar my friends and nothing more. Decent selection of common beer and pretty bad food ala Fridays. Grease city. Busy after work crowd due to location. Ok to have a brew and watch the game, but avoid the food unless you have a cast iron stomach.
(1)Jenna C.
20% off Wildcard discount on Wednesday and the waitress offered the discount when she saw that we were from Kellogg - so plus one point for service. Beyond that, it's a pretty average bar.
(3)Dianna P.
This was my first trip to Chicago and this bar was right across the street from my hotel. We went into the bar the evening before St. Patricks Day 2012, it was packed and we had to wait about 5 minutes to be let in - the bouncer at the bottom of the stairs said they were checking to see if they were at capacity and could let more people in. As we waited the gentleman behind us told the bouncer that his friend was holding a table for him and asked if he could be let in. The bouncer stood up, walked over to this guy and pointed in his face and said "You're about to find out I'm not a host!, you're about to find out" giving the guy a stare down...creepy. So a couple minutes later the four people in my party were allowed in so I said jokingly to the guy, "You're pretty busy, must be something going on this weekend" he was looking at my ID and yelled "YEA, its National White People Day". OK, so you're a black guy working for an Irish sports bar....what kind of people do you expect to be seeing around St Pats Day? What a jerk, I was so pissed by his tone and anger...I wanted to remind him that we just celebrated an entire MONTH dedicated to black people and their history! Give me a break, I can't believe this guy is working with people and he has this bad attitude. The rest of our trip we never went back to this bar, instead we walked 7 blocks to another great bar where the employees are nice and dont make racial slurs!
(1)D h.
A good place for a drink & snack/appetizer. Service is always acceptable & you can usually find a table or spot at the bar. Tons of TVs to make sure you get to see the game. Though O'Toole's is not unique, it is a great place to catch up with friends or if you are in a large group. Being downstairs makes the place a little more "cozy" especially in the winter. Nothing fancy, but just a good bar.
(4)Erin J.
Went there for drinks with some friends last night, and it was cool. The place is pretty big, and the pool table area was nice. The crowd there was more diverse than I thought it would be, which was a BIG plus. At one point we ordered a cheeseburger and some fries, and they were pretty good - not too greasy, and the fries were actually pretty good! As for spendiness, I was there with a friend who's a regular so we were treated quite well, but I can only imagine what it would be like if I were in there solo. Three shots of Patrn silver - which I am aware isn't terribly cheap anyway - ran me $24. $24! Had I bought 6 shots, it would have been $48, which is more expensive than a 375ml bottle, which holds about 12 shots! I know there is a markup - of course, otherwise we'd all drink at home all the time, but that is a STEEP markup! Nevertheless, I had a good time. The bouncers are HUGE and very friendly, and I got absolutely no crap from the bartenders, either. Even the girls in the bathroom (customers) were happy! It was a nice night.
(3)Lawrence Y.
I see this place each time I go to Navy Pier and finally stopped by to check this place out a couple weekends ago. We sat outside (small patio area), and our server was nice but a little spacey. We all had the wraps, and they were SO good (and huge)! I had the BBQ ranch chicken wrap with garlic mashed potatoes as my side (with sour creme)... it was really good! I couldn't even finish half of it. Also had a few bites of the blackened chicken wrap and that was good too! Their ceasar dressing tasted more like ceasar-italian but no complaints here! Now I'm craving for the wrap again, arrrghh!!
(4)Katrina F.
I am a big fan of Timothy O'Toole's to sit at the bar with friends and watch sports. In the afternoon lunch hour and happy hour, the crowd is local and mainly the business crowd. Come evenings and weekends the place is full of tourists. I love the feel of the bar. It reminds me of Cheers. The bar staff is nice and extremely friendly. The Irish Nachos and a jumbo size beer are my favorite menu items. There have been many a time that I have gotten tab with a beer or two missing which is a huge plus! Okay- on Saturdays especially during the college football season they have $5 huge plastic cups of Miller beer...plus you get to keep the cup!! You can't go wrong in the Streeterville area for this price! Oh and the bloody mary's YUMMO!!!!
(4)Eric S.
I love this place...... pool.... games.... stand up..... food..... beer..... girls..... what more do you want....
(5)Tim B.
I loved this place. When I was in Chicago we went to a bunch of bars and this place was probably the friendliest place we went. It was expensive, but no more than any of the other places we went to. We didn't have any food, only beer and whiskey. Our waiter was one of the most personable waiters I have ever had; he made this place great! I will post his name when I remember what it was!
(5)F. B.
Had a good time. Everything was very good, food, brews, service, atmosphere.
(4)Nels W.
I went with friends after work before a movie, and I won't make that mistake again. With so many options downtown, I'm not sure why anyone would come here more than once. One friend noted that burgers are done Medium-Well by default, so we both ordered Medium, and didn't get that. There was no pink in the burger at all. And no flavor in the meat, for that matter. They must have gotten them from the same place they got the fries, because those were some of the worst I've ever had. We thought maybe they screwed up the order because the waiter didn't write anything down, but it said Medium on the receipt. The Thai Peanut Coleslaw sounds like a good idea, but it's not. It's just the normal coleslaw with some sort of Thai peanut in it (might have been better if they just throw some Thai peanut sauce from the grocery store on top instead of whatever they actually did to make it).
(1)Ryan C.
was ok... food, service etc...
(3)Yo U.
When Timmy's gets crowded, it can be quite hard to get served. That being said, the hard-working staff members seem to be good folks. I don't much care for the dungeon-like atmosphere.
(3)H C.
I've always had a good time here. Service is good and the food is good. I love me some Irish Fries!
(4)Tom B.
My opinion will be a little biased since I'm more of a regular here and they treat me as such: good service, discounts and a good atmosphere The food is your regular sort of bar food such as sandwiches, burgers, wings, nachos. I usually go for the wraps, never really had a bad one yet. The wings are probably their best appetizer by far. The beer selection is okay, I usually always find something to drink right off the bat. I never go for the mixed drinks not my thing but I hear the Bloody Mary's are good. The service is pretty decent, maybe on the busiest of nights you may have to track down your waitress/waiter but I've always never had to wait too long to get a drink. Food also comes out pretty quick so that's a plus. Overall atmosphere is usually med students from the Northwestern Hospital and people getting out of work nearby. I would recommend getting there by 4pm because usually by 5pm the place is packed especially Fri nights or when a big game is on. I always begin my nights here when I'm in the neighborhood, and it's rare for me to have slow service or bad drinks but I do recommend Wed., Thurs, or Fri. are probably your best nights here especially when there is a game on. As a side note the name is really the only thing Irish about this place...
(4)Brent W.
the place is laid out terribly and it's always packed beyont....i know i know, it's a sports bar with a bazillion tv's but really, there are far better places out there...and with food that's textbook bar fare, TOT's offers nothing that would bring me back again.
(2)Wanda M.
Bloody Mary build your own w/ 30 items during the weekend brunch is pretty fantastic. However, the French toast had no butter and our server really didn't check on us at all for us to request butter. Unfortunately the French Toast tasted like onions, must have been made right after something oniony and the grill not cleaned. Breakfast burrito was fairly good except I asked for no onions got a large pile of onions. I heard compliments on the California chicken sandwich and Goat cheese quesadilla. It wasn't awful, but I didn't love it.
(3)Michele N.
If you're looking for an authentic pub with great food and drink, make your way downstairs to the basement bar, Timothy O'Toole's. It is conveniently located just across the street from the Doubletree Hotel on Ohio (just off of the Magnificent Mile). Great nachos and wings; in fact all the bar food looked great as it passed by. They have a nice selection of beers and great happy hour specials. Stop by to catch a game, meet friends for an after work drink, or a night cap!
(3)Matt G.
Its Toole time!! On our trip to Chicago we were there for 3 days but stopped in to Timmy's 6 different times! The proximity to our hotel might have had something to do with that as it was literally right outside our door. It was open till 4 on the weekends which was great for us. I would recommend doing the Bloody Mary and Mimosa bar on the weekends! Prices are about what you expect in Chicago but they have some good late night specials. Thanks Timmy's for making our trip that much better!
(5)Thom L.
You may come for a game or beer but you'll come back for the food and service. I love this place, great food, perfect staff and enough TV's to watch any game, and lets not forget about their drink menu. Perfect local pub.
(5)Brian C.
Came in from seattle for work and stopped by for food and drinks. Over all service was good and food wasn't bad. The atmosphere is really crazy overcrowded and very loud. For a wen at 7 it was a bit much but overall good.
(4)Jen B.
The waitress sonna is great! Very personable but this bar is the strangest mix of people I have ever been in
(3)Aimee K.
Leave it to me to be in St. Louis through the entire Cards post-season then have to be in Chicago during the last game of the World Series. Major fail on my part, but when it came time to watch, I assigned my friend with finding a sports bar that was a) awesome, b) had good food and drinks, and c) would be playing audio along with showing the game. He definitely delivered and Timothy O'Tooles was where I sat for a good four hours taking in the World Series win. I ordered a grilled cheese and fries and I'm not really sure why (am I back in kindergarten or something?) but it was good and sometimes it's nice to just eat something simple for once! The drinks were good all evening as well -- just Captain and ginger ale with lime, so hard to mess up, but I could tell the liquor was definitely controlled while pouring. I think I drank mostly ginger ale which I'm sure my body was thankful for, but I kept trying to get a buzz and it just. wouldn't. happen. A few notes about the atmosphere... holy drunk people! The first room (we were in the back room) was so rowdy and I'm glad our table wasn't in there because it would've been too loud and distracting. However, we had some distractions of our own because somehow women kept getting locked in the bathroom. Yes, I'm serious. I'm not sure how this happened but every ten minutes or so we'd hear someone banging on the door because they couldn't get out! That could definitely create some unhappy customers, just saying... I'll maybe me back sometime mainly because Danny W says they create the best Bloody Mary's in Chicago, but that's probably it. Good place to watch the game!
(3)Nikhil A.
I must say, it was busy and lively ambiance. As soon as we walked in, first thing that caught our attention was Pool Tables...yey. TV's all over for a sports bar feel. Within 5 minutes we had a table. This was Friday at 6 (kinda rush time). Courteous staff and a great foo menu to choose from. Good drink choices including Cider's at a reasonable price. We ordered Veggie Burgers, and it was ok. I felt it was little dry, other than that, it was fine. Could have used more mayo or sauce on it but my other friends liked it. Over all, its a nice atmosphere to be hanging out with a group of friends...
(4)Winston G.
A go-to watering hole in the Streeterville area, I can really only comment on the food here and not on the weekend scene. Food here is actually pretty good -- my roommate and I will frequently eat dinner here or order food to go. Burgers, wraps, nachos, wings -- all are solid and well priced. Call ahead if you want to pick up so you don't have to wait. French onion soup is a bit on the salty side, but a nice layer of melted cheese. Sometimes for their soup of the day, they have this cream of chicken type soup that is awesome. Make sure to get that.
(4)Abe R.
This isn't a bad spot as far as this area is concerned. The prices are far below what you'd expect in this area, and they always seem to have some sort of draught/draft beer special, as they serve big ass beers. Another thing this place has going for it is the pool tables, good bar food(not new American, just good ol' American), and both bar and table service. Honestly, this is a place where people just seem to have a good time and get really messed up. Not bad for a bar if you ask me, but still not a place that I would normally visit, as I only come here for a quickie when I'm early(on purpose) picking up my wife on a late night of work... Enjoy Suckas'!!!
(4)Katelyn E.
I'm going to throw it out there... Timothy O'Tooles might very well have the best wings in Chicago. Crispy, saucing, tasty, finger-licking wings. I'm a fan of the Ginger wings, but the husband swears by the spicy buffalo. The atmosphere is always fun- there's always THE game on, no matter who you're rooting for. I've been when there's kareoke and it draws a really funny crowd (think a white guy in a business suit angrily rapping to every single word of Eminem). There's a party room if you come with a crowd, otherwise there's seating in the bar cocktail tables or a more formal dining area. There's always deals going on- I'm pretty positive they host a bus to the Bears game. I'd give you 5 stars, but one time you incorrectly assumed I was drunk (when I was only slightly tipsy) and you denied me entry. Brats.
(4)Andrew D.
Just stumbled upon this sports pub while walking around downtown...now it's on our list to visit again! Had a great time here. It's a little loud, but the food and service were great! I had the (outstanding) Shepherd's Pie and my wife enjoyed her (quite large) hamburger.
(4)Mark A.
Big ups to the bartenders and random waitress Kristina (spelling?) for being so nice and accommodating to the one guys who brings in his laptop to work at the bar on a Saturday night fight night. Yeah, I was that guy. Second props goes to them for thinking I'm some TV famous fighter celeb. ...(thinks to himself, "Maybe that's why they were so AWESOME now...hmm.) Anyways, famous or not, they were flippin' cool. Allowed me to plug my chord over the bar next to their super wet blender and hopefully UNUSED frozen drink sink. You order a frozen drink at a bar, you're worse than the powertool sitting next to you with the laptop. O'Toole's because they get a lot of hotel and tourist traffic, you'd think would have sub-rad bar food, but NO. They put it down. Yes, my Mediterranean Salad was deliciioso and YES the BBQ wings were done right. And YES, I said I ordered a Medy Tee Salad at a bar. On a Saturday night. Fight me on it. I got a Redbull. It wasn't sugar free. One bartender wore lots of wristbands to store his bottle popper and stuff.
(4)J L.
We went there to watch an NCAA game and had a great experience. We had to wait for about an hour for a table but during the wait we had some great beers. (I had Hoegaarden, just in case I forget...) Pool tables are definitely a plus! Their food is ok for a bar. We loved how many TVs there are in the lounge, and that our team won. :) They have a burger challenge and if you finish you get a T-shirt. But it wasn't too big, my friend finished it quickly...
(4)Jake S.
This place is excellent! I was in town for a few days visiting a friend and this place was the highlight of my weekend. They have friendly staff, quick service, and a fantastic beer selection. If you're hungry I'd personally recommend trying the O'Tooles Burger! You can bet I will be back on my next trip to Chicago.
(5)Santiago A.
Tura lura lural! You won't need a lullaby to go to sleep after eating at auld Tim's. The food coma will take care of that. And it's sure to come with their great selection of food and beers. I was starving after not having eaten all day and nearly breaking my ankles skating at nearby Millenium Park. Timothy O'Toole made me smile by delivering an excellent burger in my time of need. And When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, sure, they steal your heart away. Ok, I'm not Irish, but Mexicans and Irish have been tight for may decades now, so close enough. At any rate, I'm sure to frequent ToT! It was a great place to catch the Sunday night football game. Definitely try a burger here if your visiting from out of town. They'll have you saying Erin go bragh in no time! Also, try their Irish Nachos and soups. If you live near by, then you'll have plenty of time to eat your way through their mouth-watering menu. This is defintely one of those "come for the game, stay for the food" kinda places. Oh my luck charms. I think I'll build a boat and sail away now, ta ta ta ta.
(4)Judy C.
A million and one screens with whichever game you're in the mood to watch. Huge place so good for groups
(4)Ryan H.
Horrible service and crude attitudes is what I left experiencing this place. I will never visit this place again. Horrible customer service from our waitress. She should be fired.
(1)Billy W.
This place is pretty generic and totally fine for what it is - a downtown area sports bar with food, but don't expect anything outrageous or special. There seemed to be several pool tables so maybe check out O'Toole's if that's what your looking for. Prices were relatively high, as to be expected. Crowd seemed to be a combination of tourists from the nearby hotels and people who worked in the area.
(3)Jeff C.
Timmy O'Toole's is a local pub in the Streeterville neighborhood situated in a curiously low-rise building at Fairbanks & Ontario (which provides the customer in the basement pub exceptional phone/mobile-Internet service if the customer so desires). O'Toole's fancies itself an "Irish Pub" which puts it in the company of roughly 4.3M other "Irish Pubs" in Chicago. This isn't to say it's average, though, because it's not. O'Toole's is a friendly eatery, not too big, not too small, that provides tremendous food and "pub grub" along with a seemingly endless selection of beers on-tap, bottled beers, liquors and even a reasonable wine selection for that person all of us have dated at least once who just "doesn't like the taste of beer or hard alcohol". No sweat - I dig on a cabernet blanc every now and again myself. As per Illinois law, you can bring minors into the establishment prior to 10:00pm, but after 10:00pm it becomes 100% 21+. The west end of the pub is equipped with a stage, and there is a running calendar there featuring regular comedy acts, as well as *shudder* Karaoke and live-music events. There are calendars on the wall there, but I'm sure that you can access upcoming events online, too (there may be things *COUGHKARAOKECOUGH* that you would rather avoid, for example, and knowing what's on the agenda before you arrive is always a good thing). Finally, for all its good qualities, there is one last thing I should mention that's not so hot for everyone. This place is LOUD. I mean really &#$%ing loud. I don't know why, exactly, but the decibels in that place have to come close to runway 12 at O'Hare during a SwissAir's 747's launch sequence. Maybe it's the acoustics down there, but if you're sensitive to loud noises EVEN A LITTLE BIT, it wouldn't hurt to pack some nice, understated earplugs. So all that being said, I still like this place a lot. The Irish Nachos are outstanding and the steak sandwich is tremendous. I've never had a bad meal there. Check out Timmy O'Toole's next time you're in Streeterville. I recommend it highly.
(4)Azize S.
I love watching hockey and football here! They have a TON of TV's - get there early tho, it gets crowded. They always have some kind of bucket of beer special for the games and the crowd is super into it. They have an MC for the Hawks games who plays music during commercials and a guy with a siren helmet for when they score a goal. I dont usually eat here but the food seems like average to slightly above average for bar food. I had a specialty burger once that was pretty good. Other than that, its nachos and sandwiches/wraps/salads and those are pretty standard.
(4)Stephanie W.
This place is a lot more fun when the Bears win than when they lose. The food is good. Drinks are too.
(3)Nelson M.
Restaurant review This place is packed! During our recent dinner out we were suprised how busy Timmy O'Toole would be at 5 pm. Remember to bring your driver license as they scan it at the front door. Overall the ambiance is consistent with a popular bar hang out for tourist and locals alike with lots of TVs to catch ongoing sport action. I was a bit suprise how loud it would be so early in the evening. The servers are friendly and always check up on how things are going. For dinner, the prices for the food was more than reasonable. Our nacho pulled pork appetizer was huge. It could have used more cheese sauce, but otherwise it was enough for 4 people and only cost 10 dollars. I had the chicken finger basket which was good, but not the best. The fried shrimp basket was way over priced with small shrimps that were advertised as "jumbo shrimp", but there was a healthy supply of fries underneath; but definately not worth 11 dollars. They should just do a popcorn shrimp basket instead..... One of the cool things is the Big Timmy Challenge, if you can eat 2 1/2 lb patties w/ lots of cheese, onion straws, bbq sauce, and fries/onion rings you get a free O'toole t-shirt but this will set you back 19.99. I have not given this a try yet.... Pro: good service, lots of flat screen TVs, most of the items are reasonably priced Cons: loud dining area, jumbo shrimp means normal size shrimp, nacho was a bit weak on the cheese sauce, long wait times if you go late. 20 dollar minimum on NFL sunday, sporting, and special events Hidden gem: Daily drink specials!
(3)Derek D.
I don't go here enough! I just had an unreal BBQ Ranch Wrap and sat at the bar with a co-workers. One thing that stood out was the bartender checked my ID and called me by my first name. VERY COOL. It felt a lot more personal then the usual bar situation of begin ignored. Thank you for a good lunch! d
(5)Aliya E.
Worst comedy I have been to. Not only did the crew make fun of us and make us feel shitty but after the show they tormented us made us feel shitty for participating in whatever they call comedy. Waste of time I highly recommend spending your time knitting for the homeless instead of spending your time on this crowd of lame asses.
(1)Ashley C.
2.5 stars. We came here for lunch/brunch. The brunch food was okay - the belgium waffle was just nothing special. I felt like I could have made it at home had I had the right equipment. The wings were the biggest let down of the group. I blame this on Great Expectations essentially. We came here because they won at 2009 wingfest. The general consensus after trying the wings was "they won?" Bit of a letdown. They weren't bad but I wouldn't market them as the best. The sauce and the amount of the sauce were the biggest complaints. Had the wings been better, the place would have had three stars. Service was okay. Our waitress was friendly enough. This just isn't exactly a spot that I would frequent. Would I go back for brunch? If need be, yes. Would I go there for a drink at night? No way. One review (which I can't remember who) said it best - just add a "Bennagin's" sign. That explains the decor spot on.
(2)Brian Z.
This place was great. Sports on the tube, a lot of beers on tap, and the wait staff was really nice. It's a pub. If you're expecting 5 star service, then look elsewhere. But if you want a filling inexpensive meal, this is the place.
(5)Rachel A.
They say first impressions last, right? We'll get down to the nitty gritty, right off the bat. I'm obviously not from Chicago. I was visiting here over the weekend, and we just happened to have tickets to a Bears game. So we decided to go the shuttle route, instead of trying to find parking at Soldier Field. And Timothy O'Toole's was our shuttle destination (my brother found them on the internet). The staff was rude. In fact, one person in particular was so rude that we left the bar and waited for the shuttle outside. he was demeaning and condescending and just downright nasty. I wanted to smack him for the way he was speaking to us. I had a wonderful vacation in Chicago until I went to this establishment. They seriously put a damper on my time in the Windy City. Please bring your money elsewhere. Go another shuttle route. Do not waste time, energy or money here.
(1)Lia V.
Timmy Timmy Timmy. Basically just a good sports bar. It's like a dark dungeon (because it's underground) with lots of t.v.'s, pool tables, a big bar, and yummy beer and food. They sponsor my softball team so we go after games. They're accommodating and friendly. The food is better than your regular bar food. I got this wrap with chicken, avocado, goat cheese, almonds, and cranberries - it was prettttttttttty delicious. They have this goat cheese quesadilla that is out of this world too. Don't neglect the marinara sauce that comes with it - it enhances the flavors. Trivia on Mondays (which is always fun wherever you go) Big mugs of beer (seasonal) for 6.50 which is a great deal! I had two and was feeling pretty fine. Fun place to check out. I wouldn't go out of my way for it, but if you're in the area it's worth stopping by!
(3)Tara M.
Love this bar! Great atmosphere. Reasonably priced. No one working there was Irish though; so if you love listening to that Irish brogue, like I do, you won't get that here.
(5)WP L.
Good place for drinking but skip the food. Was at a small get together last night. Most of the food looked barely appetizing and reheated. I ordered there "famous" wings, what a disappointment. They were dry and definitely reheated and barely had any buffalo sauce on them. The quesadila was pretty good and the hummus.
(2)Mikey J.
A Northwestern classic! First off, this place is big. Much bigger than I expected. The beer prices are good, not great, and the place has a nice atmosphere to it. Very comfortable and neighborhood bar like. Food is decent. Overall, a reliable and great place. Kind of like a Dell computer.
(3)Bryan D.
Good solid sports bar fare.......great place to watch a game. Never a shortage of energy among the patrons.
(4)Binh D.
Food: Good bar food and great beer selection. Had the Big Timmy Challenge, it wasn't really hard at all. So save your money and buy something else on the menu. Ambiance: Irish Bar with a vast amount of TVs. Definitely a great place to catch the game and grab a good meal. Service: Corey, our waitress was really nice and friendly. Food came out in a timely manner. Price: About $15 - $20 a person for meal and drink. Overall: Great Irish themed sports bar.
(4)Amelia I.
Lets begin with this place was PACKED on Saturday!! They had a ton of people by the bar which instantly made me think, 'oh crap headache lunch here we go'! but the hostess must have seen my look of apprehension and directed us towards the right which is more of a dining room. Still PACKED with tvs but more quiet. Now let me start with the menu isn't THAT extensive if you ask me, but the food is freakin DELICIOUS. You HAVE to try the Irish 'nachos' ie fries with cheese. Mmmm and bacon and sour cream *drool* I had a reuban on their sour dough bread which was amazing THOUGH the thousand island is a little pale? Its almost like it had too much pickle juice and not enough ketchup/mayo. I didnt ask if its 'home' made or bought; but it was still good for the corned beef. And BOY was that corned beef delicious and actually *GASP* seasoned!!! I got tatter tots as me side which was yummy, I should have tried the coleslaw (They have two different kinds I believe) but tatter tots just came out of my mouth and I ate them all like a greedy squirrel! The boyfriend has some kind of spicy burger with jalapenos, cheese, and all kinds of other things that looked delicious but too spicy for me! There's a ton of other appetizers I want to try and the french dip also sounded amazing but I could only eat so much!!! And on a side note about the wait staff; they were all super nice. I know some reviews mention rude people but we had Jenny and she was awesome!! She was on top of drink refills and to go boxs like a magician! And she didnt give me a hard time when I asked for extra thousand (I get glares some times, sue me!). The entire lunch was amazing and everyone else around looked happy with the food and waitresses. Though can only speak for the dining room; the bar was way too rowdy for me even at one-ish in the afternoon. Prob a march-madness game or something. Give them a try! AND the deserts sounded amazing too! Alas, my belly failed me with leaving me extra room! More reason to come back again!
(5)Denise L.
came here after our flight got into Chicago. Our friend's husband had an after-party with his Northwestern peers on Friday. it was much bigger than i expected. You walk down a flight of stairs, and there's a large bar area. It was PACKED (got there around midnight). it felt like a club where you had to squeeze your way through the standing patrons. we got to the back area, which was reserved for the NW folks, and again, it was PACKED. we found a booth, and her hubby got our drinks. My drink wasn't strong at all. We were hungry, and I was eyeing the nachos that every person seemed to be ordering. They looked good! So did the french fries! A little after 1, a busboy said it was a last call. We rushed to the nearby bar, and they gave us a hard time, that last call was 10 minutes ago. My friend told him we were JUST told, so he caved in and made us our drinks, but was a bit rude about it. He told us we could go to the front bar though. Not sure why the last calls would be different times? Maybe the back bar is not normally open? Confused. all in all, a decent pub, but way too packed. wished they made the drinks stiffer too.
(2)Daniel Q.
I have been to this place a few times now and mostly for the wings and to watch a game at the bar with the monster TV's. The Food I have had the Wings and the Wings Basket. I like them spicy. The spice is right, the sauce is good but the wings can be a little small. The fries are a great compliment to spicy wings. The Drinks I am a bit of a snob when it comes to Rum (my drink of choice) so it is hard for me to give them a great grade when the best rum they have is Captain Morgan. They have a lot of different beers and other spirits so you will find something to your liking for sure. The Service The servers and bartenders have been attentive and check on you regularly. When I sat at the bar, despite the bar being a busy Friday afternoon, they two bartenders would ask how I was doing if they saw I was running low on my drink. The servers and bartenders in general provide good service and you don't see or hear of patrons complaining or waiting to long to order or receive what they ordered. The Atmosphere You can get a table or sit in the bar area. I have eaten at both. The bar area is not for kids in my opinion. People are drinking, having a good time, getting mad or excited at their favorite team that they are watching at one of the many TV's they have all over the restaurant. They also have pool tables and what seemed like a good Friday Happy Hour vibe. I could see this as a place as somewhere I go to after work to catch the game while enjoying some happy hour food and drinks.
(4)Tarra T.
Good bar with surprisingly good food considering it's a neighborhood pub. Great spot to catch a game or just grab a quick, inexpensive bite to eat while in the Streeterville, downtown area.
(3)Ken O.
Went for lunch. The menu had a great variety of food to choose from. I had the Bailey Burger. The burger was perfectly done and juicy. The portions for good size. The servers were friendly and non-rushed. I would highly recommend this restaurant for food and drinks.
(4)Jim L.
Was looking for a place to watch the Knicks\Celtics game in Chicago near East Ohio street. I figured I had a good chance because all of the Chicago teams were off. Not just playing out of town but completely off. I ordered the wings. Very good wings. Minimum order is 10 but you can get different seasonings split 5 and 5. I opted for the spicy and ginger garlic both were very good. Place was packed but the service was fast with multiple fly bys of "You Ok?, Need anything?" Nicky was the waitress and she was excellent. Large 20 oz micro brew beers for $ 5.50. Outstanding and unexpected low drink prices. But here is what really impressed me about this sports bar. It has somewhere north of 40 large flat screens. If you are watching one you can see three. So the Knicks game is on one far away and over the bar. I could see the action but not the scores. So I ask the waitress what the score is? She points to a TV right across from my table and says do you want me to put the Knicks game on that one? Before I said yes I looked around and made sure no one was watching the game. The Islanders were getting crushed by the Penguins. So I said sure. She changed the channel in a minute. I said how did you do that so fast? She said they have a master split screen console with broadcasted games on top and the bars TV schematic on the bottom I just drag and drop the broadcast to the TV I want. I fell in love momentarily and asked her to drag and drop the Yankee game next to the Knicks game. Again, request fulfilled. I proceeded to watch the Knicks loose and the Yankees win (thank you Mo). One of my favorite sports bars ever.
(4)Charmie S.
We went to Timmy's because it was across the street from the Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites, and it was late. It's apparently a good sports bar. We were just hungry. We ended up getting a burger and sweet potato fries and a side of green beans. The best of the three was the fries. They have something on those fries. They were thin, crispy and sweet -- like sugar sweet. Well done. But that was about it. The burger was nothing special. The green beans were tasteless. I ended up dipping them in honey mustard to get some flavor. I didn't go there with high expectations of the food, so it wasn't that big of a deal to me. It satisfied my hunger, and that's about it.
(3)Sam C.
My wife and I are in the process of moving to Chicago and we were hungry and went to the closest place we could find: Timothy O'Toole's. And, what a find it was. The food was yummy and reasonably priced. My reuben was as good as it gets. And, our server, Weston, was incredibly personable and helpful. We will definitely be going back once we move to The Windy City.
(5)Dan L.
Great neighborhood sports bar. Better than average bar menu with quality food. They have a terrific beer selection (if you're a beer snob), friendly and attentive servers and bartenders. I enjoy coming here for brunch on a weekend, for a drink after a long day at the office or with friends to watch a game.
(4)Tyler P.
I happened to be in Chicago for the big game this year and this place was recommended to me, as a fun place to watch the game. Seeing as it was directly across the street from my hotel, I thought I would check. I will definitely give kudos to the person that recommended this hangout. I know that some of it had to do with the big game being on, but the buzz that was in the air could be felt from the moment we stepped into the door. There weren't enough tables but they set us with another group of fantastic people at a community table. However, with the addition of some excellent brews we were quickly socializing with our newfound friends. The food here was also surprisingly good for bar food (I would recommend the Chicago Dogs). All-in-all if you are looking for someplace to watch a sporting event, enjoy some frosty beers, and conversate with some nice people, check out Timothy O' Tooles.
(4)J D.
Location- mere blocks from miracle mile, John Hancock blg, cathedral district, etc Ambiance- loud Irish pub/sports bar, diverse crowd, cool music Food- good quality, typical new american cuisine, healthy portions... This is what gave them the third star Drinks- whatever, if you like a real drink don't get anything that requires a mixer of any sort- including coke, juice, etc Greeters- fun, animated, attentive Wait staff- boarder line useless... Not enough staff, you will not be checked in with (good thing our drinks didn't require refill) and when they screw up don't expect an apology. The best was as soon as the food arrived we asked for barbecue sauce (a table spoon for which you'll be charged) ... 8min nothing... Get waitresses attention and she says oh someone's bringing it... Another 8min .... Get waitress again still no BBQ sauce... 6min later everyone at the table is done with their food except for the person waiting on the sauce.... Which has finally arrived- way to go!
(3)Arian M.
Great for lunch. The atmosphere tends to be quieter during lunch, less people. I always enjoy their nachos...nice and gooey! Service always seems to be spot on, not too attentive. I don't like to be bother every 2 mins when I'm gossiping with friends or getting my grub on. I think you should check out this place.
(4)Alan L.
Place is awesome! Good food, GREAT bar staff. One place not to miss in Chicago!
(5)Frankie T.
The fish n' chips were pretty good. Highlight of the visit: $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon tall cans. What a bargain for me. Cool looking joint too!! Will return and do recommend!!
(4)Brian J.
This place had the best wings I have ever had in my life. So take my advice and try the maple BBQ wings, they are phenomenal. Great atmosphere and obviously a popular DT spot, as it was hard for us to find a bar seat the three times that we went.
(5)Mara W.
Truffle fries are delicious!! My burger was good but not great. I ordered the California burger on a pretzel bun medium; the burger was not as juicy as I would have hoped for and the bun was cold and untoasted. My husband had chicken fingers and truffle fries. He liked the chicken fingers but didnt love them; they were small in size also.
(4)Tiffany H.
Stopped by Timothy O'Toole's since all the good wing and beer places closed at 10pm in downtown Chicago. My friends and I ordered the Irish Nachoes (which are actually French fries), some wings, and a bunch of beer. Don't expect much for the wings, they taste the same as the frozen ones you buy at the market and microwave. Unless that's the way Chicago folks like their wings, I was not impressed. On the other hand, the Irish Nachoes were really good! All that cheese with bacon, yum! I don't know if it was good or if the beer made it good but whatever, the combination of the two was fabulous! I'd go back!
(4)Jamie B.
This review pertains to the service at the bar. The burger and wings were great. The service pretty much sucked. I counted 6 bartenders, none of which could manage to ask us if we needed another round. When we finally did flag someone down to bring us more drinks, he must have gotten distracted, because five minutes went by, still no drinks, then we see him leave with his cash drawer for the evening. ?? So then we flagged down another bartender who brought us our beers. At this point we were done with our food. A beer really would have went well the burger and wings, but oh well. Next task was trying to leave. We had our credit card sitting out on the bar, ready to go for over 10 minutes. Counted 5 bartenders meandering by with no concept of looking out for these sort of details. FINALLY asked one of the dudes to bring us our check. Would have wanted to stay longer if the service was more attentive and appeared to give a shit. The two drunk girls sitting next to us seemed to get plenty of attention and free shots however, so maybe you just need to be a wasted chick sans husband/boyfriend to get served here?
(2)Lisa G.
This place inspired my first Yelp review! Hubby and I are in Chicago on vacation and Yelper advise this is a great place to watch sports. We walk in and see that there aren't two seats together at the bar, so the hostess gets us a table right away; then we see two seats open up at the bar and she has no problem seating us at the bar with a smile and an offer to turn any of the TVs to a particular game if we want. Off to a good start! Five stars for service! Bartenders were quick to refill drinks, knowledgeable and had several suggestions to help us decide. At one point I dropped a nearly full drink (I wasn't drunk, I swear! It just slipped out of my hand) and within two minutes I had a replacement drink, club soda to clean off my shirt, and a busboy cleaning up the spill. Outstanding! Great vibe! I'm a sports bar kind of girl and this place is right up there for atmosphere. We were there when four different major games were on (Stanley cup finals, OKC / San Antonio basketball semi-finals, two baseball games) and it was so fun to see different groups cheering different plays! Quite full for a Wednesday. We were very tempted by the "build your own grilled cheese" but opted for the "spicy" wings and some fries. Minus one star for the wings. The sauce was very flavorful but it was by no means spicy, and sweeter than your traditional wing sauce. Kind of a cross between BBQ and wing sauce. Don't get me wrong, it was tasty, but not what I was expecting. If you are looking for heat, maybe try the next level up. The fries were an excellent complement to the wings: fried with the skin on, done perfectly, and served with three dipping sauces. Would definitely recommend this place!
(4)Nicole C.
Loaded double baked potato soup. Enough said!
(5)Ben K.
You don't see a lot of sports bars that have this solid a tap list. They had some really good local craft plus they had some Three Floyd's drafts which don't exist where I live. The food was solid and the service was friendly.. I'd go back then next time I'm in Chicago.
(4)C Ann G.
I am not impressed with the food or the ignorant loud workers that frequent the bar. The bartenders do not seem to know when females are being slobbered on you should cut off the drinkers. Not so great a family atmosphere but a 20-30 year old clientele fits right in.
(2)Carol K.
Timothy O'Tooles is a bit of an Irish bar crossed with a sports bar. Located in the basement of a building, upon entering your senses are immediately assaulted by all that is going on- you won't know where to look first! I was surprised that on a Wednesday night- that the place was as packed as it was. After all- it was after 10 and this place just doesn't give off a neighborhood bar vibe. But almost every seat was taken as we were seated off to the side by the host/server/bouncer (he seemed to be doing it all on the night I was there) They have these huge beers- seriously they were at least 32 oz of beer in these giant steins. They also have many ways to entertain you-from bar darts, to golden tee to 3 pool tables and a juke box that just won't quit. Couple that with at least 15 TV's showing games and there is a ton of activity in this space. But the server was friendly and fast, the beer relatively cheap so I was happy just to sit and catch up with friends. Parking is easy on the street and there is a pay garage located just across the street. Doubt that this would be a destination bar for me- but the next time I am in Streeterville and looking for a place to get the "biggest beer know to man", I'll definitely pop in here again.
(3)Mike L.
Went here to watch the AFC Championship. Great beer selection. Was able to cross Zombie Dust off my bucket list. Huge number of TV's, good menu. I loved the basket section of the menu...so many times you want wings or tenders or something, but that's not a meal...add fries, throw it in a basket...perfect beer and football meal. Wings were great (and hot), staff was awesome and attentive.
(4)John F.
Tuesday night. Kinda busy and slow service. But what the hell lots of TVs and good music playing. Food was very good for bar standards!
(4)Beth W.
We decided to hit this place because the overall ratings here on Yelp looked ok and it was really close to our hotel. I expected bar food and I got it. The overall ambience seemed very fun--very Chicago bar. The food....meh. I asked the waitress if the hot wings were 'drippy sauce' wings because I didn't want that and she assured me that they weren't. Boy howdy was she wrong. Yuck. But the beer was good. It was entertaining to watch the other people in the bar, and we got a kick of out of a Thanksgiving contest that they were advertising---the Turkey Testicle Festival. That in and of itself had us laughing and having a good time. This place is what it is and doesn't pretend to be anything else. That's ok I suppose. :)
(3)Shradha A.
Went back last week to try their veggie burger and nachos - Veggie burger was not bad but I hate how they charge 50c extra for a couple of pieces of onion!!! (and pretty much anything else you ask for - sauce, salsa, tomato - it's a standard 50c additional). The nachos were okay - nothing great either because they don't have vegetarian beans at all. They came slightly soggy because of too much sour cream and came with too little jalapenos and too little salsa. We asked for a little bit of salsa and a couple of jalapenos, the server didn't even tell us any of these things will be additional, and then went on to charge 50c + 50c + 50c!!! Especially when we're saving them all the money on the meat that we didn't put in the nachos - the least they can do is give us 2 pcs of jalapenos for no extra charge!!!
(3)Chris R.
3.5 stars. To me this place and Jake Melnicks are direct competitors. Both bars have similar feel, feature wings, and good beer selections. Jake's wings are better and a lot spicier (volcano vs xxx) but the overall menu of ToT is a bit better. Beer selection at Jake's is better with more craft beer features. That being said ToT selection is not bad by any stretch just not as good. Ambience: The dining area of ToT is better but the bar area of Jakes is better. Jakes also has a veranda which is great and something a basement bar like ToT cannot compete with. You cannot go wrong with either Jakes or ToT but if you are a chili head than the wings are Jakes are at a whole other level of heat!
(4)David L.
there's a bartender here who looks EXACTLY like triple H, so go here if you are WWE fan k
(5)Meagan H.
Every time I walked past this place I thought it was some tiny dive-like bar located in the shopping district of Chicago. So I never felt compelled to go in. The moment I walk in, I realize that the entire bar is in the basement. I go downstairs to realize that it's pretty big! Although big, finding a spot to sit down is quite difficult. I can't recall if they play music. So I'm gunna go ahead and say that if they do, you can't hear it. This is a great place to go with co-workers to watch sports and play pool. Not a good place to go out and dance. I think it's either a good starter bar, or a good ending bar. Meaning, a good bar to start the night, and a good bar to end the night. But if you'd ask me if it's a good spot for a birthday party or for a night out with the girls I'd shrug and say "Meh". Maybe a good place for a boys night out. They play sports on their 50 TV screens throughout the place. Actually I was pretty bored there and actually ended up delving into a documentary about Herschel Walker. Poor guy. Or actually IDK maybe it's more sad that I'm sitting their watching a documentary about him. But anyways, not bad not great. I'm sure I'll be there again because my Sheraton hotel friends get half off their entire bill (minus specialty beers which we learned after we got the bill and couldn't reverse).
(3)Stacie S.
Our server Ray, was amazing - knows his beer craft like it's nobody's business. He set us up after the first round with the perfect pairings. Food is average American fare, items done well but nothing super spectacular. The beer list, however, well worth the trip.
(3)Hawk O.
Love this place.Great sports bar.Fun,fun place!
(5)James K.
not my dream bar but it's stumbling distance from my home and i've had good times. The last time I ate, the burger was bad but the service was perfect. how do you rate that? the prices are solid as is the selection. they honor my friend's industry discount as well. The decor looks like a dive bar but they have a million TVs. O'toules is good for what it is. classic sports bar
(3)Mike K.
I think 25 visits is about enough to finally have enough of a feel for a place to generate a decent review. I've been to O'Toole's approximately that many times (maybe more) over the years thanks mostly to my erstwhile domicile on Randolph. The latest visit was just recently for a few beers with a girl whose face looks like the map of Ireland. Irish Fever. O'Toole's is your typical sports bar. The only thing Irish about O'Toole's is the name. Wait. The only things Irish about O'Toole's on this night were the name, Kelly and my ass. I'm only part, but I go with it. Fixed. O'Toole's consists of the restaurant area, the bar area and the pool table area. Televisions are ubiquitous. You're not going to miss any games. You won't even miss Hawks games, I imagine. They didn't televise half of them when I consistently patronized O'Toole's back in the day. As to the food at O'Toole's, I'd stick with a burger, as they are always good. At the latest visit, which was supposed to only be for a beer or two, we ended up going for the nachos with the chili topping to pad our stomachs for the unexpected overtime. That was a mistake. I don't like peanut butter in my chocolate or kidney beans in my nachos. I also hate it when you pick up one chip and the entire canopy of cheese comes up with it. I longed for Dylan's nachos. So I'd consequently recommend against the nachos. Funny how I endorsed the nachos six weeks ago and then got fooled for my trouble. I digress. As for the patrons at O'Toole's, you'll find that it's mostly tourists and people who work in the area, so it doesn't have much of a feel or a soul. That's alright though. It's still a decent place to grab a burger and catch the game. I'm sure I'll be back at some point. Another K. We'll see what happens. Four stars.
(4)Travis F.
I can dig this place. The house/techno music mix and largely Northwestern student crowd suggest I should have stopped in about 10-15 years ago, but there is still much to offer a non-student. There are many, many beers on tap, along with who-knows-how-many others available by bottle or can. I stayed simple and had a PBR tall boy followed by a Patron Silver shot, but you can pretty much Google any adult beverage and be confident they will have it. Didn't try the food, but what I saw come out of the kitchen looked tasty and generous in portion size. 3-4 pool tables and a dart board or two are sure to keep anyone entertained when the ubiquitous flat screens aren't showing a live game. Had I ordered food and enjoyed it I would give Timothy O'Toole's 5 stars, but I can't speak for the food yet, so 4 will have to do.
(4)Adam A.
Great great bar. High Life Tall Boys for $3? Yessir. Huge menu, pool, darts, a million TVs. All I need! Oh, and the bloody mary and mimosa bar for weekend brunch is solid.
(5)Kelly W.
When I worked in Streeterville, this place was a fun stop after work. It is in the basement so it feels quite homey. (Cell reception is bad so there are never people sitting around, talking on their phones.) The beer specials are nice and it never seems overly crowded. I've gone during the week and on Fridays too. I would recommend either choice. I've never had any food so I can't really say much about that. But after the movies or on your way home from Navy Pier, I recommend making a quick stop in.
(3)Rich U.
Welcome to the birthplace of "Black Arrogance." Whoa - slow down all you easily offended PC disciples. Black Arrogance is a drink combining Guinness and Arrogant Bastard - a masterful variation on a Black and Tan. And it's here where bartender Deron Powell (a genuine celebrity you can meet in person at Timothy O'Toole's) invented this potent concoction. Deron is a good sport and a great innovator. He even jokes about how the drink could just as easily have been named "Black Bastard." We both had a good laugh about how a lily white patron like me could go about ordering the drink from him (he's not lily white) without getting beat up. Indeed, the bartenders here are great - as is the first rate draft selection. Seasonal specials in giant mugs are a bargain ($6.50). And every beer drinker will find something here to suit their taste (even the swill drinkers who prefer Miller Lite - blech!). Timothy O'Toole's offers good pub food (especially the Irish Nachos) in a sports bar atmosphere. They also have a solid Sunday brunch with an "all you can drink/make your own" Bloody Mary/Mimosa bar. So what if it's in a basement? If you happen to play the trivia game (the machine, not the Monday gathering), look for my "player name" at the top of the general category. I go by "Bo Knerr" or "Hugh Jas." You knock me out of the high score ranking at your own peril.
(4)Liz M.
I have to be honest, I'm a little biased- I live across the street so this is my go- to place. Food - great. Love the wings, salads/ wraps, and burgers. Drinks - can be pricey, but they have great specials each day of the week. Great beer selection. Bloody Mary bar during brunch is AMAZING! Atmosphere- crowded and loud. LOTS of out-of towners come here since they are staying in the hotels in the area. Watching middle aged men act like fools is rather entertaining. Beware ladies- especially if you are alone or with a small group. Aside from those guys, fun young crowd. Staff- always pleasant and fun! Some of these guys I've known for years and somehow they are always in a great mood despite the madness that is going on around them.
(4)Quan L.
What happened to this place? I used to come here and shoot some pool, play darts, or have a few drinks and watch a game. Now you can't even sit down at a bar table without being seated by a hostess. The pool table is covered up. The darts are all broken. Is this a bar or TGIFridays?
(1)Tim B.
Pretty nice basement bar with good food and drink specials. We hit Happy Hour and would gladly visit again.
(4)Elizabeth R.
My hopes were not high the first time I went into Timmy's. However, over my past few visits, I've been pleasantly surprised. I've only ever sat at the bar, so I know this is a great place to go if you want to catch a game on TV, have some beers and a little bar food. I've tasted the wings and nachos, but I really think the best thing on the menu are the salad wraps. Call me a girl. If you drink whatever, the daily drink specials are pretty good. Service is sufficient. Overall, Timmy's is a place to go if you want a few drinks, watch the game and maybe get a bite to eat when you're tipsy. Cheers.
(4)Nicki W.
This would not have been my first choice, but a friend lives a block away and we were hungry after a night of drinking. It's located in the basement which is always alluring to me for some reason. The bar itself was nothing special and the food was not bad. We had the nachos with chicken and the wings which were pretty small. Our bartender was very friendly. The absolute best part about this spot was the fact that people were singing karaoke. It doesn't get much better than that. I'm surprised I didn't drag myself up there and belt out some notes for all those lovely bar patrons. I'm left with pretty awesome memories of the night itself so thanks Timothy O'Toole's for being part of that.
(3)Aaron S.
For my #200, I decided to finally review Timothy O'Toole's - and my first Man v. Food challenge. So please keep in mind that I'm not a bar person and didn't get anything alcoholic, and I'm not a sports fan so the 30-something high-def screens and their near-blinding light went rather unnoticed by me. But what I did notice was the Big Timmy Challenge. Challenge: Two 1/2-pound burger patties, cheddar, jack, mozzarella and swiss cheeses, bacon, onion straws, BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomato and red onion along with a big helping of fries & onion rings on the side Time Limit: None People: 1 Prize: Free T-Shirt Rules: No substitutions I guess if there's one thing I need to work on when it comes to food challenges, it's my hatred of certain foods that sadly will be there and won't go away. The hardest part of this challenge was eating the tomato. Really. I knew I had to get it out of the way as soon as my food arrived so I could enjoy the rest of the challenge. After hemming and hawing at the large menu, even my girlfriend Char O. eventually gave in and decided to take the challenge with me. We waited in anticipation, and eventually they brought out these large trays with our burger taking up one-third of the space, with each of the other thirds engulfed in a pile of french fries and onion rings. First down, the dreaded tomato - eyes closed and 30 seconds in, I felt the hardest part was over. Luckily, the buns on this burger were of relatively-normal size, but I know they can be tricky so I ate the dry bun tops by themselves along with the lettuce and a handful of fries in a pseudo-sandwich. If Man v. Food has taught me anything, it's that starches and carbohydrates will ruin you if you wait too long to deal with them. I'll let Char tell you her side of the story in her own review, but she handled this challenge like a champ. I went with the knife-and-fork approach to take down all of the meat and cheese. Handling the burger with my hands would have wasted too much time with napkins and/or licking fingers. The meat was very juicy and they did a good medium-rare. I liked the shoestring onions on the burger and the BBQ sauce was very tasty and went well with the giant strips of bacon. The french fries were seasoned nicely, but couldn't hold a candle to those onion rings. It's not often that you see onion rings with grill marks! The batter was light and seemed to be a beer-batter, too. The onions were done nicely and not too stringy or tough. At the end of the challenge, we were able to hold our empty plates in victory. I give Char credit for being the 1st to finish (yes, I got "beat by a girl") but I'm not a sprinting eater - I'm a marathon eater. Which is why I was able to come home and have dessert. Frankly, I was contemplating ordering the famous Irish Nachos while we were waiting for some drink refills. Speaking of which, I guess I should mention what I took note of at this place besides the burger challenge. The entryway is kind of cramped, in that people entering and exiting through the main hallway bump into each other constantly. Funny to watch if it's not you, but bumping into drunks on the way in and making that exit with 2-3 pounds of food in your belly are no laughing matter. The server was patient with us while my girl perused all the items on the menu before deciding to go with the challenge, but as soon as the food was ordered, we were not visited frequently. We both had empty glasses and had to flag her down while she was standing NEXT to our table with new patrons, and even then she only refilled mine. (My girl has horrible luck with servers giving refills sometimes.) I guess if we had alcohol instead of free-refill sodas, they might have cared more about our service. My last discussion point is the free T-shirts. They're a prize for winning the challenge, meaning you ate over 2 pounds of food successfully (and paid $20 for the privilege). And you're telling me the largest size of shirt you carry is 3XL? AND that you're OUT of that size? People - these are the shirts that you SELL on your website and in the restaurant, and you're telling me you don't keep things stocked and also don't feel like catering to the larger clientele of Chicago? I was almost okay with the situation and walking out with a free 2XL shirt that I'd never really be able to wear comfortably, until... Server: "We just have the 2XL, but don't worry because it runs big." It "runs big"? Well, I ALSO "run big", if you happen to have functioning eyeballs. And almost ALL shirts "run big" because they shrink when you wash them - even if it says "pre-shrunk". I was fine with you telling me you stock poorly and this is the best accommodation you can make for my prize. But don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining. I'm fat, but I'm not an idiot. All in all, good food. I may be back. Oh, and in this battle of Man v. Food - MAN WINS! Happy 200th review! (Pics will be posted too!)
(4)Steve R.
Not bad at all, better than I expected. It's a pretty generic after-work irish style pub, with some extra cool points 'cause it's a basement. Otherwise it's sorta like a green 'n brown. Upper average tap selections, college-kid heavy clientele. Average bar food. I wouldn't avoid it, perfectly agreeable but I wouldn't come here on a weekend.
(3)Ren H.
This is actually a pretty fun place! Its always got a good crowd for the games and its always a fun time... They have good specials and pretty good food!
(4)Katie Q.
Timothy O'tooles? You must mean TOTS. Because that's what we've come to call it. The thing that's great about TOTS is that it's a laid back bar located in the middle of Rivernorth/Streeterville club & lounge madness. When you're feeling like a burger and a beer on a low key night, this place works like a charm. I've spent many fine afternoons meeting my friends here for a drink or two, which have ultimately led to us taking down a few tallboys (be careful, the Matilda tall boys were 19.00) Easy TOTS, let's not get too fancy - remember you have pool tables and dart boards in the back. It's ok though, I digress.... The wait staff is so friendly (particularly Dusty) that one particular day a few friends of mine and I ended up staying much longer than necessary, chatting it up with our waiter and the bartenders. One of my friends was actually offered a job. Who knew, endless entertainment AND employment opportunities? TOTS. As far as I'm concerned, I'm home.
(5)David N.
Stopped in late on a Saturday night. Didn't have a problem getting a table, even with the place being pretty crowded. Waited a while before our server checked in at our table. Thrown off a bit at first, as she seemed to be a bit on the shitty side. Luckily for both of us, her frown seemed to turn upside down by night's end. Crude at times, overly hospitable at others. Anyways, drink and food menus were solid. Plenty of beer choices outside of Miller and Bud; Craft and Micros aplenty. Food menu was well-proportioned and fairly extensive for pub grub. Burgers, sandwiches, plenty of apps, and some English favorites; Fish & Chips, Shepherd's Pie, etc.. If you're feeling froggy, which I just so happened to be that fateful night, try the Big Timmy Challenge. After all is said and done, easily 3 pounds of food once you combine the double cheese burger, fries, and onion rings. It's an ass-kicker, but well worth it. Burger was cooked perfect and juicy. Bun, cheese, bacon, onion straws, BBQ sauce; all excellent. Prices seemed close to market, maybe a tad high, but it's the city right? Pretty good first time experience at Timmy O'Toole's. I'm sure we'll be back for another Challenge soon.
(4)Stephanie L.
Wow, this place was packed on a Tuesday night. They had $15 buckets....nice. Also, we had the sampler....it was hummus, spinach dip, taziki dip along with pita, veggies, etc. It was pretty good. This place seems like a chill little watering hole. I was only there for a couple of beers. Plus, stella is on tap....BONUS!
(4)Chris M.
Excellent location with a excellent steak sandwich. Once your done with your food you can go to the bar to enjoy the rest of the night. Don't get to Chicago much, but next time I'm there I would go here again.
(5)Charlotte O.
So, Aaron S. and I have recently became fans of "Man Vs. Food"on the Travel Channel. Aaron came across this place's "Big Timmy Challenge" while looking for his own food challenges. I on the other hand really wanted to check it out because I kept hearing good things about them from my co workers, and because I enjoy a pint of Guinness on occasion. We enter and it's in the basement a flight of stairs and a narrow door way where people sometimes bump into each other. It's full of people, full of big screen TVs and very loud I liked the all wood benches, and dimmed lights We were greeted right away. The waitress was pretty friendly and pretty patient with us considering It took me a while, and a little convincing from Aaron, to actually do the Big Timmy Challenge. I liked that they have a pretty extensive menu for a bar. Two 1/2 pound burger patties, with cheddar, Swiss, Monterrey jack, and mozzarella cheese, bacon, BBQ sauce, fried onion strings, lettuce, red onion and tomato. Served with a heaping side of fries AND onion rings. While we waited I told him that I didn't think I could do it, and trying to talk was tough because of all the bar noises. I found it funny that I kept hearing people randomly breaking into song. It came. Along with some refills of soda. This tray of food in front of me. Oh no! How to tackle it? I picked at the fries because there was just so many of them. Then I cut my burger in half so it would be easier to pick up. The burger was actually really tasty. My meat was nicely seasoned and juicy. The bacon nice and thick and just crisp enough. The BBQ added a nice smokey/sweet taste which complimented the meat and tied all the flavors together nicely. The onion strings added a nice onion taste without it being overbearing, So first half of the burger down. I choose then to tackle more of the fries. The fires were a nice fresh cut potato with just enough salt. Though the clear winner of the two sides were the onion rings. They had a nice thin coating of batter, and had a hint of beer flavor to them, so it was clear to me that it was a beer batter. They were even grilled because there were some appealing grill marks on them. This was the hardest part of the challenge for me. The fries began to dry out my mouth and required way too much chewing is also where I was getting full, I do not know how I managed to eat all of them. I left a few onion rings and ate the rest of the burger. Once that was done I realized I only had a few bites of Onion Rings. Done! Aaron was still working, I couldn't believe I ate it all and that fast. I sat there grumbling because my stomach was so full. So I kicked foods ass this round. Once we were both done and had pick T shirt sizes, there was some disappointment that Aaron could not get the size that he wanted and that the waitress said "They run big though!" I think my one gripe about the place would be the service. You really have to flag them down for refills and it was no easy task because of the noise level/crowd level. Hopefully we'll be back to try the wings and maybe some Irish Nachos and enjoy a pint or two.
(4)Brandon D.
Standard American corporate bar/imitation Irish-Pub. Lots of food and drink choices with fairly consistently good server staff. The place is overpriced for what you get, but you pay for the real estate. If you are a sports fan, they have 30+ tv's to satisfy. It's close to work so it's typically the de facto location. They do split bills, offer NU and NMH discounts and the food is consistent if only satisfactory. When I go there to drink, I always have a good time, but I am left with the nagging feeling I am paying too much for a pint.
(3)Lauren W.
After a long day in Chicago, we decided to grab a bite to eat and grab a few drinks. Our server was very nice and attentive to our needs. We ordered chips and salsa for $5, and it was very good! Crunchy, warm chips and delicious salsa. They have a build your own burger deal for $8.99, and I got a chicken breast with lettuce, tomatoes, jalapenos, chipotle mayo, and jack cheese on a whole wheat bun. Soooo good! There are tons of options to put on your burger, and I recommend you doing this to make it for your own taste! Afterwards, we found a table near the bar and had a few drinks and watched the Olympics, which was covered on about half of the TVs (there were a lot!). Typical sports bar, but great atmosphere and pretty busy for the time that we were there.They had a comedy club going on, but we couldn't go since it started at 9 and we had to eventually take the train home.
(4)Rishabh A.
This bar is really close so I visit their often. It's open till late so that helps. Nice dinner options. Though i have always just had drinks there and i would say that drinks are pretty cheap on some nights. For Long island iced tea my friend paid $4.5. Also, they have a good variety of beers. and variety of other alcohol as well. The only sad thing about the bar is that the doorman acts weirdly. He does not let people in even when they are pretty good. And even if people are slightly drunk, its fine till they are not falling around and able to walk. The manager should do something about it. It disappoints a lot of people. But otherwise, a good place to hang out, they have pool tables, moderately priced drinks, good food, and nice ambiance.
(4)Mike O.
I was attending a seminar at the Double Tree Chicago Centre Hotel half a block away and we had an hour for lunch. Originally, I had hoped to go to Boston Blackie's but my boss suggested this place and offered to buy for me and my co-worker. Well, we went down the stairs to the dining area. There was a very short wait and it wasn't even crowded, considering it was 12:15, peak lunch hour for local businesses. We got our table and we sat there for 20 minutes before our waitress appeared, apologized for being so late, and asked us to order drinks. Another 10 minutes passed before drinks arrived. We quickly ordered our food, realizing half our lunchtime was over. I was tempted to try a burger, but watching a deer hunting show on their big-screen TV reminded me of Wisconsin, so I decided on fish & chips instead. Bad move! The breading on the cod was chewy and tore away from the fish. Any self-respecting fish fry place in Wisconsin or Michigan's UP would put Timothy O'Toole's fish to shame. And to top that, the breading tasted stale and lacked any flavor it seemed. I normally don't use tartar sauce but the fish was so bland I had to dress it up a little. I was disappointed that coleslaw was not included, considering that a similar order anywhere else would have included some. We wolfed down our food to finish in time and scrambled back to our seminar across the street. I can't believe a place like this would be so grossly understaffed at peak lunch time. I would not recommend this place for its poor service and equally poor fish platter.
(2)Lindsay A.
Good food, good selection (even into the late night hours) and the service has always been friendly. Timothy's is a block away from our crew hotel and after making the trek from Los Angeles to Chicago it's always on the to do list after a shower and nap.
(4)David E.
I went there with some friends the waitress was good. It's ok for beer and hanging out. I do have a suggestion though...The bouncer should not have control over the music volume. Do not play any money on the Juke box! (not a dime iam serious) Why? The idiot Bouncer would not turn up the music even though I spent money to hear music and could not hear it! He said "people are trying to conversate I cannot turn up the music" I said i paid to hear the music and no one is trying to conversate turn up the music! he did not...(guess how much i tipped the bartender for also not turning up the music?) Zip zero not a penny! give me bad service and I will not tip and I will be sure not to recommend people to go to tim Otoole's....(oh and so many people value my opinion if they only knew)
(2)Kristin G.
I have lived on the same block as Timmy's for about 7 years. I have been there at least 50 times and realized I have never written a review. I think this is because sometimes Timmy's is great and sometimes it is not. I really enjoy the food and get take-out often. They have great bar/ american food. I think it is definitely up a notch from other similar places. The wings, quesadillas, burgers, bbq ranch chicken wrap and the fries are some of my favorites. Unfortunately, the staff can be off-putting at times. The other day I went in with one of my friends to have dinner, beers and to go over some work. There was no one at the hostess stand for about 5 minutes so we sat ourselves at a booth. After getting our papers out AND ordering the drinks, the manager came over to us to tell us they needed the table for a bigger party and that we had to move to a smaller table near the bar. Very annoying. We left and the manager could not care less. Having said that, I have had some great times watching football and basketball games there.
(3)molly c.
pricey. dan and i stopped here on a sunday before we saw spider man 3 at the AMC 21 around the corner. food was decent, beers were cold. it was pretty empty and our service was pretty slow. decent but slow. it's close to the movie theater and it's open at noon, so that's always something! i don't make a habit to go here unless i am in the area and hungry...chipotle and potbelly's weren't speaking to me that day! it is what it is. o'neils was SO much better :(
(3)Lindsay G.
My friends and I decided to stop in Timothy's after watching the latest Harry Potter at the AMC East. The bar is your typical pub-- loud, dimly lit and lots of paneling. It was pretty busy, but we put our names on the list to be seated, grabbed a drink from the bar and hung out til they called us about 10 minutes later. We ordered quickly and our food came just as quickly. Please note that I was really hungry, so most anything would have tasted excellent....however, I decided to try the Goat Cheese quesadilla. I LOVE goat cheese and if you love it too, this is the quesadilla for you. Every single bite was dripping with warm and gooey cheese. I got the veggie version, so there were bell peppers, onions and mushrooms mixed in. It totaled to $9.00, and the portion was so large I couldn't finish it all. My friends seemed satisfied with their hummus platter, and except for our waitress trying to herd us away from the table the minute we finished eating, the entire ordeal was a great way to spend a Friday night with friends.
(4)Spencer S.
This visit was truly a disaster. Stopped by for a meal on our walk home from Navy Pier. Now, admittedly, visiting a sports bar in the early afternoon during the week might not be the optimal time, but they were open. Things started poorly when it took us several minutes to get seated even though there was an employee standing at the entrance who was engrossed reading something the whole time. We ordered a burger, a Rachel, and a French Onion soup to begin. The soup was very cheesy, but the yellowness and taste of the onions gave the sense that it wasn't cooked long enough. The sandwiches came out and while the hamburger itself was rather good, it was actually served on a cold bun - very off putting. The delta cole slaw that I ordered was rather bland which was disappointing after the description by the waitress. My wife's Rachel had almost no Thousand Island on it so she asked for some more and the mashed potatoes she ordered were just ok. Then things got interesting when we got the bill and discovered we were charged extra for the small cup of a Thousand Island and for substituting the mash potatoes. The waitress and then the manager both insisted that this substitution cost is listed in the menu - at almost the cost of a side itself. We did not bother arguing the point since we were more disturbed by the waitress failing to mention this, but looking at the menu outside the restaurant (their website appears to be currently down so I cannot check online) this does not appear to be mentioned at all, let alone as prevalently as the manager implied. I definitely get the impression that they try to nickel-and-dime you, but really their prices are not that cheap where I believe that is needed. Would give the place 1 star, but the manager did waive the extra cost and the burger itself was decent (but I'd pay the additional $1 for a Weber Grill burger). If something amazing was happening at this place I would go back, but I doubt I will otherwise.
(2)booby d.
Fun for people ages 35 and older. No youngins here. Food menu looked good but went purely because it was the first place we saw for late nite liquor. Margaritas were dull. I give it a "meh".
(3)M S.
My local bar, tried and true for over 5 years now. It's usually packed on Fridays and Saturday nights, with pool, trivia games, and lots of fun, interesting people. It's also a great place to grab a drink or two after work, with excellent beer and mixed drink specials throughout the week. Come over!
(5)AJ H.
I would give it 3.5 stars. There is nothing special about it, but the food and drinks are good, and the service is decent. It is a great place to grab lunch, but it can sometimes be full of drunken tourists/businessmen at night.
(4)Geoff M.
I come here whenever I want to watch sports in a bar. They have myriad TVs and are good about putting on whatever game you want. It would be nice if they caught up to the flat screen craze, though. The food is above average, especially for a sports bar with solid burgers, wings, etc. The prices are about average - 8 or 9 dollars for a burger - but they have decent drink specials. Service is hit or miss.
(3)Liliana S.
Good Specials and a fun, lively bar, but its a little too secluded from the rest of the River North venues.
(3)Peter L.
I come here way too much cause it's around the corner. Dinner, quick beer, sports games, hazy nights of drunkenness. If you live more than four blocks away, it isn't worth the effort to come here. It's your typical dark, wood-paneled, TVs and pool tables bar with deals that really aren't that good. Go to D4 and get some quality beer or head to Lucky Strike if you're with your girl and don't want to put up with drunken idiots yelling obscenities and begging the Bacardi Girls for more free shots (me last weekend). In terms of food, it ain't too bad. Usually get wings and a bucket of fries. Nothing to write home about.
(3)Lisa M.
Best Irish pub in the downtown area. They have pool tables, btw!
(4)Becca S.
I've never had a bad time here! I used to work blocks away and I'd go often for happy hour. The drinks are good, the food is good, the service is good, the pool tables are good, and there is always sports on the televisions. That doesn't actually appeal to me, but I hear that is in fact a benefit of a sports bar. This is the one place I went marathon weekend that seemed prepared for the crowds. Even though we took the last empty table and the bar was standing room only, we got prompt service and our server came by often to refill our drinks. It's not the finest food in Chicago, but it delivers what it promises.
(5)Heather H.
Drinks have always been ok, but tiny. The hummus is excellent, I love it, but veggie burger is just ok. It's your classic grab and go bar food, nothing wonderful but does the job. Loud as hell sometimes, servers have always been good, almost always a beer promotion going on, but awesome in the fact the tourists don't know it's there, it's a little hidden unless you know what you are looking for, so when you are starving on a tourist filled weekend, run there, you will actually get to eat!
(3)Jennifer B.
Sometimes, I feel like Timothy O'Toole's is like going into the beer abyss....you descend the stairs, into a smell of beer + cologne...not knowing what to expect... Then you realize it's basically just a city basement bar where you can watch the game, grab a beer, an munch on a burger. This place isn't fancy by any stretch of the imagination. But when it's November, and freezing outside, and the Bears are playing...this basement bar is a nice place to frequent.
(3)Mandy P.
I love this place. This was my previous neighborhood bar and always the spot I went to for a good meal. The food is good; standard American bar fare, and the place is cozy. It's a good place for a winter happy hour.
(5)Aaron E.
Good place to watch a game. Mother Hubbards had more screens but there were enough here. Food looks pretty good but haven't had the little Timmy yet. I started out at dikas ( mike ditka that is) but terrible place to watch a game. That's a shame in my opinion if you have Ditka in the name here in Chicago. Anyway if you want a lively atmosphere and want to watch s game I recommend Timothy O'Toole's in downtown Chicago.
(4)abs t.
dependent on the game or fight that's on, definitely a cool place to come. Saw a mayweather fight here and it was packed with great atmosphere. Watched a college football game here, same thing. Came on a random sunday afternoon for afternoon football, and it was pretty quiet. Still always had good service, the food was good for what it is - pub/sports bar food. One day had the apple cobbler for dessert and it was so good..tried it another day and it was just meh. Depends on the day, i guess, and the person who makes it.
(3)Katie B.
When I used to live in Strreeterville I came here all the time but it had been years. When we dropped in Friday night I was kinda expecting a nightmare of green beads and belligerence. It was totally crowded but really fun, we got a table right away. The waitress was being patience with our indecision and the food came quickly and was delicious. The chicken nachos were not great, but the irish nachos were perfect. The scene was completely fun. Nice to revisit this great place.
(4)