This Chicagoland Irish Pub Poured More Than 1M Pints of Guinness

In a village best known for Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Irish Times Pub & Restaurant has become a destination all its own—where locals proudly bring visiting family, sports fans claim their favorite barstools, and suburban Chicagoans plan entire evenings around a perfectly poured pint and a plate of comfort food.

 

Celebrated for its genuine Irish hospitality, timeless charm, and unmistakable neighborhood warmth, Irish Times has accumulated an impressive list of accolades over the years. It has been voted Best Irish Pub in Chicago in multiple public polls—including one with more than 100,000 votes—and remains one of the region’s most beloved Irish establishments. The pub’s hearty, traditional dishes and warm atmosphere have also been featured on Chicago’s Best, while its expansive beer garden has won WXRT’s Listener Poll for Best Outdoor Patio.

 

Open since 1991 and now approaching its 35th anniversary in 2026, Irish Times is more beloved than ever.

 

Authentically Irish—From Its History to Its Heart

 

 

Owned by Martin Lynch, a native of Athenry, County Galway, Irish Times operates with a mission he’s shaped over nearly two decades: to provide a one-of-a-kind Irish pub experience defined by authentic décor, multi award-winning cuisine, a passion for the perfect pint, and genuine hospitality in a warm, welcoming environment that feels like home.

 

Inside, warm lighting, rich wood, Tiffany-style lamps, antique Irish memorabilia, local artwork, and whimsical fairy doors create a cozy, immersive experience. Walking in feels like stepping into a pub in Galway or Dublin—just with conversations about the Bears, the kids’ activities, and weekend plans drifting through the air.

 

Since purchasing the pub in 2008, Lynch has expanded the space significantly—adding dining rooms, private event spaces, a larger parking lot, and one of Chicagoland’s most celebrated beer gardens. Through every enhancement, he has remained committed to protecting the character and consistency that built the pub’s sterling reputation.

 

As Lynch often says, “Brookfield is known for two things—the Zoo and Irish Times. Now it’s three: the Irish pub that has poured more than a million pints of Guinness.”

 

A Guinness Pour with Legendary Status

 

In November 2022, Irish Times celebrated a milestone few pubs worldwide can claim: Guinness officially confirmed that the pub had surpassed one million pints sold.

 

The moment marked decades of loyalty from regulars, meticulous keg care, and bartenders trained with precision in the 119-second Guinness pour that produces the trademark creamy head.

 

Head Bartender Tom Kelly explains:
“We’re serious about our Guinness. Pouring it correctly is the first thing everyone learns here.”

 

Seven-year bar veteran Taylor Callahan adds:
“A smile goes a long way, but a smile with a Guinness in your hand goes further.”

 

In July 2025, Irish Times gained even more recognition when internet personality Prime Mutton declared that the pub not only serves “proper creamers,” but pours the best pint of Guinness in Chicago.

 

 

Award-Winning Food Rooted in Irish Tradition

 

 

Irish Times seamlessly blends classic Irish comfort food with American pub staples—many based on recipes passed down in Lynch’s family. Having grown up in his family’s fish-and-chip shop in Athenry, Lynch brought that legacy to Brookfield, crafting one of the most acclaimed fish-and-chips dishes in Chicagoland.

 

Other customer favorites include:

 

  • Traditional shepherd’s pie

  • Corned beef dinners & sandwiches

  • Fresh ½-lb homemade burgers

  • Chicken curry

  • A popular children’s menu



Visitors from Ireland regularly say the dishes taste “better than home,” and Irish Times consistently appears in local dining awards and best-of lists.  

 

An Award-Winning Patio and Beer Garden

 

 

Irish Times is renowned for its sprawling outdoor beer garden—an inviting space that spills onto a side street and transforms into Brookfield’s unofficial summertime backyard. With long communal tables, outdoor TVs, historic carriage-house buildings, and twinkling lights, the patio combines energy and charm in equal measure.

 

It has earned:

 

  • Best Outdoor Patio in Chicago – WXRT Listener Poll

  • Features in numerous Chicagoland dining guides

  • A reputation as one of the Midwest’s premier outdoor pub experiences



Visitors travel from across Chicago and beyond—sometimes from out of state—to enjoy the atmosphere under the lights.

 

A True Community Hub

 

More than a pub, Irish Times serves as a community living room. It hosts over 400 private events each year, including weddings, showers, memorials, corporate dinners, birthdays, fundraisers, and Metra pub crawls. Its St. Patrick’s Day celebration—complete with pipers, Irish dancers, and live traditional music—is one of the most spirited in Chicagoland.

 

Locals visit after work, families gather for dinners, Irish Times sponsors multiple local sports teams and visitors from near and far make it a must-stop destination before or after a Zoo trip. Some regulars even travel from northern Michigan specifically to enjoy the craic, the food, and the perfect pint.

 

Its proximity to Cinespace Studios attracts high-profile guests, from Chicago athletes and local musicians to ambassadors, actors, and production crews from hit NBC series.

 

The People Behind the Magic

 

Lynch credits Irish Times’ success to its team of nearly 50 staff members.


“We’re a team, and we rise together,” he says. “We invest deeply in making sure every staff member is confident, knowledgeable, and genuinely welcoming. Our reviews show the impact of that commitment—I couldn’t be prouder of the people I work with at Irish Times.”  

 

A true family business, Lynch is supported daily by his wife Lauren and their children Emma, Seamus, and John.

 

Looking Ahead: A Bold Future for Irish Times

 

As Irish Times prepares for its 35th anniversary, the pub is planning its most ambitious chapter yet: a 10,000-square-foot expansion that will transform the guest experience.


The upcoming project includes:

 

  • A state-of-the-art kitchen

  • Rooftop bar

  • A covered, all-weather patio

  • VGT Gaming Area

  • A large event venue capable of hosting 300+ guests



This expansion will allow Irish Times to welcome more guests, host larger celebrations, and continue growing as one of the Midwest’s premier Irish pub experiences—while staying true to the warmth, authenticity, and Irish charm that built its legacy.

 

A Must-Visit for Pub Lovers Everywhere

 

After nearly 35 years, countless awards, a legendary Guinness milestone, and a reputation that extends far beyond Brookfield, Irish Times remains one of the most cherished Irish pubs in Chicago—and the entire Midwest.

 

Irish Times isn’t just a pub.
It’s a gathering place.
A tradition.
A home away from home.

 

And as it looks toward its 35th anniversary—and its most exciting expansion yet—its legacy and craic are only growing stronger.