Restaurant Review: For St. Patrick’s Day, West Loop’s Guiness Open Gate Brewery is a path to Dublin
Arthur Guinness started brewing beer in Dublin, Ireland in 1759. More than 260 years later, the Guinness Brewing Company brought the Guiness Open Gate Brewery to the West Loop, providing a taste of the Emerald Isle in Chicago. It’s also one of the best ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 2025!
The Chicago Guinness Open Gate Brewery features a Taproom, Restaurant, and the first-ever Guinness Bakery. As they say on their website, Guinness Open Gate Brewery (OGB for short) is the innovative, experimental arm of Guinness breweries. The OGB focuses on creating new and innovative beers, serving unique and global cuisine alongside beers, and highlighting the spirit of community, inclusivity, and hospitality that are the hallmarks of the Guinness brand.
The building itself is a mix of old traditions and new purpose. Located in a 123-year-old railroad building and opened in 2023, the brewery is a tribute to its Irish roots, featuring a 7,700-pound metal harp overhead, and round light fixtures that look like beer bubbles.
It’s family-friendly 362 days a year, but during St. Patrick’s Day weekend, they’re limiting the age of your young’uns to 21+. And they’ve got some special festivities planned, especially as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off on Saturday, March 15, around 12:15pm. This year’s parade starts at the intersection of Columbus and Balbo Drives, continuing north on Columbus and concluding at Monroe Street.
The Guinness Open Gate Brewery ensures that you can celebrate every day in March with a specially crafted prix fixe menu. The menu is available through March 31:
Start with a rich Potato Soup, then choose from three delicious entrées: Corned Beef & Colcannon (a mix of mashed potatoes and cabbage,) Bangers & Mash (sausages, mashed potatoes and gravy,) or classic Fish & Chips, with a tangy beer-battered pollock. But … leave room for their delicious Brown Bread Pudding, made with Guinness Stout-infused brown bread.
For the ultimate experience, optional beer pairings like Irish Barley Lager, St. Francis Abbey, or Clover Honey Ale are available to complement your meal. Book your table today for this limited-time experience by clicking here.
Ticketed Sessions St. Patrick’s Day Weekend
They’ve planned quite the celebration for St. Patrick’s Day Weekend. Their ticketed sessions will include live music, classic Irish fare, Dublin and Chicago-brewed beer, giveaways, and most importantly, $5 from every ticket sold will be donated to the Chicago’s Greater Food Depository, with Guinness matching the first $10,000 in donations.
Table tickets include: guaranteed seating for two hours in their tap room and guaranteed free giveaway. Their Brunch menu is available from 8am-1pm and their Dinner Menu from 1:00pm-8:00pm. Tickets will be required for sessions on these three days. Secure your spot now by clicking here.
Reviews on point
A recent Google review captures the experience:”I recently had the pleasure of visiting the new Guinness brewery in Chicago, and I must say, it was an incredible experience from start to finish! The space Itself is beautifully designed, blending modern elegance with the rich history of the Guinness brand.
What truly stood out, however, was the warm and friendly welcome I received from Dillon, the bartender. From the moment I arrived, Dillon’s enthusiasm and knowledge about the brewery’s offerings made me feel right at home. He was not only attentive but also gave fantastic recommendations, ensuring I got to try a unique flight of beers that perfectly suited my palate.
The ambiance was lively, yet comfortable, and the beer—unsurprisingly—was outstanding. Whether you’re a Guinness aficionado or just curious to explore, this place is a must-visit. Kudos to Dylan and the entire team for creating such a memorable experience. I can’t wait to come back!”
The Chicago Guinness Open Gate Brewery is located at 901 W. Kinzie Street They are open Monday–Friday, 11am–11pm, Friday 11am–12am, Saturday from 9am–12am, and Sunday from 9am–10pm.
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
