Glascott’s Saloon—also known as Glascott’s Groggery—has been quenching thirsts since 1937, and is still owned and operated by a never-ending supply of Glascott’s (Four generations). The Glascott’s have been in the groggery business since the late 1800s, including one Glascott that formerly owned a bar that is now Irish Eyes. Joining nearby Kelly’s Pub and Burwood Tap, Glascott’s is one of the oldest bars in the area, over which time it has acquired a reputation of being the place where hundreds (if not thousands) of couples have “hooked-up” or had their first date, leading to marriage and the inevitable move to the suburbs. Glascott’s also throws a huge St. Patrick’s Day party, pulls a mean pint of Guinness and hosts some pretty wild parties in the back room. Voted one of Chicago’s BEST St. Patrick’s Day parties, there’s no shortage of Irish cheer at Glascott’s on St. Patrick’s Day, where bagpipers and a leprechaun sighting complete the scene. Glascott’s is also listed on beertravelers.com and realbeer.com as one of the best Irish pubs to drink in the Midwest!

The groggery originally opened in 1937 as “Larry’s Tavern,” named after the original owner, Lawrence Glascott. According to the Glascott’s, Larry’s opening his tavern was merely the continuation of a Glascott family tradition that started when Patrick Glascott, who immigrated to Chicago from Ireland, opened a saloon in the late 1800s on Ashland Avenue between Lake and Madison streets. Larry’s Tavern was renamed Glascott’s a few years after being opened and has been run by the Glascott Family ever since. One story from back in early Glascott days, is that Lawrence Glascott acquired a racing horse and kept it in the stables up the street, where Laundryland stands today, and once brought it over to the saloon to show it off. The regulars loathe the extracting of themselves from their barstools, chided Glascott and told him to bring the equine into the bar so they could have a better look. He did and, presumably after one of the regulars asked the thoroughbred, “Why the long face?” One good idea was superceded by another when Glascott slapped the horse on the ass to show how fast it could run… inside the bar. The groggery is long, but not that long. Stop in and see why Glascott’s is one of the oldest and finest Irish saloons in Chicago. You will feel the history that has made Glascott’s a gathering place for building friendships and family memories for decades.

Glascott’s is located at the base of a redbrick, three-flat at the southwest corner of Halsted and Webster in the heart of Lincoln Park. Once literally a meat market, the building served as “James Morley Soft Drinks” during Prohibition – can you say speakeasy?