Wednesday 1st of September 2010 10:10:45 AM

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OK... Fado is a downtown chain bar, there are many better options these days. Clark St. Ale House, Rock Bottom, State & Lake, Kaseys, Villains, Hackneys, Jake Melnicks.

Walked in the side entrance on Grand, there were all manner of Irish knick-knacks, old signs, sewing machines, antiqued faux finished murals made to look tobacco-stained and from the old country. But all this was dreamed up in a corporate office somewhere, and comes off like a TGI Fridays version of a corner Irish Pub. All sorts of odd street signs and low ceilings designed to amuse and confuse tourists. At the bar, I look at the taps and notice beers that are available in most corner taverns in the city. The exception being 2 count 'em 2 Guinness nitro taps, and Boddingtons on nitro. Otherwise your run of the mill imports with the highlight being Hoegaarden. Harpoon IPA was the only craft, and they mentioned that it was "brand new"... it was $6+tax, lame. Bottles were all macro. Not one local/regional midwest beer to be found. The Scotch list was more exciting. The only reason I would come here would be to see a soccer match, although I didn't see any tv's in the place from where I was sitting.

Service was prompt, Patrick was my bartender and he took the time to make an introduction and chat beer for a minute. He said they don't really rotate seasonals except for the occasional Sam Adams.

Attention all business-traveling beer lovers working/staying in the Loop, you would be wasting your time going here. They offer zero local beer, minimal craft, and the same imports you can find anywhere. Avoid. Try Clark St. Ale House, Rock Bottom, or Jake Melnick's instead.

Reviewed on: 11-14-2009