Brehon Pub: Your Go-To Spot for Great Food and Drinks

In 1980, the Brehon Pub first opened its doors. It was started by two Irish-American boys named Burke who got ideas from their background. 

The name of the pub comes from the Brehon Laws, which were a set of medieval Irish laws that are proudly shown on their family coat of arms. Interestingly, the pub’s past is linked to a unique part of Chicago journalism. 

The Chicago Sun-Times rented the space and used it as the “Mirage Tavern” during a sting operation against dishonest city inspectors before it became the Brehon Pub.

The only thing that might be false at the Irish Food Chicago today is your sobriety. 

This is especially true on St. Patrick’s Day when the pub celebrates and everyone is happy to be “Oirish.” The Brehon Pub is a typical Chicago neighborhood pub with an Irish feel on any other day. 

It has a friendly vibe, a good selection of drinks, and a menu with bar classics. It reminds me of popular Chicago spots like O’Callaghan’s in River North, River Shannon in Lincoln Park, Finley Dunne’s in Roscoe Village, and Emerald Isle in Rosedale.

Neighborhood and the Spirit of “Ung Roy, Ung Foy, Ung Loy”

At the northeast corner of Wells and Superior, in the middle of River North, is the Brehon Pub. It’s only a few steps away from the Chicago Brown Line El stop at Chicago Avenue. 

This famous business is at the base of a cute four-story red-brick building with green-painted edges that honor the building’s Irish roots. The name “Irish Food Chicago” is written in beautiful gold writing on big windows with green-and-white-striped awnings.

The Burke family coat of arms, which means “de Burca” in Gaelic, is proudly displayed on a red wooden sign above the plate glass door. The sign also says “Ung Roy, ung foy, ung loy,” which is French for “one king, one faith, one law.” 

At night, neon shamrocks give off a bright green light that makes the pub easy to find. During the warmer months, there is a sidewalk café on the Superior side of the bar with six white plastic tables and chairs. 

Step Inside: A Classic Chicago Barroom with Irish Flair

When you walk into this hidden gem in River North, you’ll feel like you’re in a classic, small Chicago barroom. The green-painted tin ceiling goes nicely with the white-and-green striped linoleum floor, which matches the awnings outside. 

Globe lights from the past give the pub a warm glow that adds to its retro feel. Along the northern wall is a long wooden bar with high-backed wooden chairs. 

The famous Brunswick woodworking company made this beautiful piece, and the Schlitz logo on it is a nod to Chicago’s beer past. Along the southern wall, across from the bar, there are long cocktail tables that offer plenty of seats. 

Head to the front windows for the best place in the house. From there, you can relax and enjoy the view of Wells Street, which is lined with trees. There are two fun things to do in the main room: a Golden Tee machine and an electric dartboard in the back. 

There are Irish-themed decorations all around them, such as framed photos of famous Irish writers, a shillelagh, a taped hurling stick, and an Irish football jersey from the 1994 World Cup. The collection also has a tribute to Chicago’s past with a picture of Mayor Richard J. 

Daley, who was famous for having trouble speaking. Flat-screen TVs and Irish flags finish off the mix, making it a cozy mix of old and new. There is a doorway to the back room just past the main bar. The back room is smaller and has its special charm. 

This area has a smaller bar with a metal top, exposed brick walls, and low-slung wooden tables lit by light bulbs in the Tiffany style. 

For your entertainment, there is a small pool table, a few old TVs, and a lot of old pictures that show the Irish Food Chicago as the notorious Mirage Tavern during a famous sting operation. 

Not Everything Is as It Seems: The Intriguing History of the Brehon Pub

The Brehon is in a building that has a long past. It may have been built soon after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The first floor has been home to many businesses over the years, such as the United Linen Supply in the 1950s and the Firehouse Restaurant in the 1970s.

It was rented to the Chicago Sun-Times (yes, that Chicago Sun-Times) from August to October 1977, and they turned it into the “Mirage Tavern.” 

Some people might wonder why a big city newspaper one of my friends once said it wasn’t even good enough to wrap fish would open a bar. 

They also found a plan by state liquor inspectors to steal taxes. Frost took these pictures from a secret spot in the back of the front room, on a platform above the men’s bathroom. Surprisingly, 34 people were found guilty after the sting. 

Mike Wallace told it on 60 Minutes, and Zekman and Smith almost won a Pulitzer Prize for their five-week investigative series. The series was supposed to last for 25 weeks at first. In their 1979 book The Mirage, Zekman and Smith wrote about the whole probe.

Step Into History at the Brehon Pub: Food, Drinks, and Stories 

You can learn about Chicago’s past at the Brehon Pub, which is more than just a place to get a beer. The Burke brothers opened the pub in 1980, and it gets its name from its Irish background and an interesting part of the city’s journalism history. 

The Irish Food Chicago has a great history that goes back to the “Mirage Tavern” sting operation. It is now a favorite spot in the neighborhood and serves delicious food and drinks.

Conclusion

There’s more to the Brehon Pub than just drinking. It’s an important part of River North and has a long past that includes Irish roots and a key moment in Chicago journalism. 

The Irish Food Chicago has a fascinating history that adds to its charm. It was opened by the Burke brothers in 1980 and played a key part as the “Mirage Tavern” in a groundbreaking sting operation. 

It’s still a popular spot in the neighborhood, with great food, drinks, and a friendly vibe for everyone who comes in. 

You can enjoy a pint on St. Patrick’s Day or learn about the Brehon Pub’s interesting background. It is still a place where history, heritage, and community come together.

When did the Brehon Pub open, and who founded it?

The Brehon bar opened in 1980. It was started by the Burke brothers, two Irish-Americans who were moved by their heritage to make Chicago a more traditional Irish bar.

What is the significance of the Brehon Pub’s name?

The name “Irish Food Chicago” comes from the old Irish legal system called the Brehon Laws, which is shown with pride on the Burke family coat of arms.

What is the history of the Brehon Pub before it became a bar?

Before it became the Brehon Pub, the building was rented by the Chicago Sun-Times in 1977 and used as the “Mirage Tavern” during a sting operation against dishonest city inspectors. This event was very important in the history of news in Chicago.

What kind of food and drinks does the Brehon Pub offer?

Many traditional bar foods are available at the Brehon bar, such as fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and hearty sandwiches. There are many beers, whiskies, and cocktails on the menu, but most of them are Irish.

Can I learn more about the pub’s history and the “Mirage Tavern” sting?

Yes! The “Mirage Tavern” sting story is often shared and talked about at events held at the Brehon Pub, especially with groups like the Society of Professional Journalists. It’s a fun way to learn about this interesting part of Chicago’s past while relaxing in a cozy pub.