By Jessica K.
Walking through the heavy wooden doors of Mary Jo McGuire’s feels like stepping into a sepia‑tinted photograph. This 1890s‑inspired saloon opened its doors in November 2025, tucked inside a 130‑year‑old building on Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Park. From the minute you push past the swinging saloon doors and hear the crackle of vinyl playing Ella Fitzgerald, you forget you’re in modern Chicago at all. The bar’s proprietor, Mary Jo herself, has lovingly restored every gilded mirror and Tiffany lamp, creating a time capsule for Chicagoans and visitors alike.
A saloon with a story
There’s a palpable romance to a space that has witnessed over a century of foot traffic, and Mary Jo McGuire’s fully leans into its historical bones. According to local restaurant coveragee bar occupies a former saloon built circa 1890 and nods to its past with mosaic tile floors, exposed brick walls and a hand‑carved mahogany bar. Instead of sterile modern minimalism, expect warm candlelight, mismatched wooden chairs and the faint smell of pine and yeast. The aesthetic is not just for Instagram – Mary Jo aims to revive the social club atmosphere that defined Chicago’s taverns in the early 20th century. Her team dressed the waitstaff in suspenders and newsboy caps, curated a vinyl jukebox and salvaged vintage arcade machines so you can sip an Old Fashioned while playing pinball.
The saloon’s namesake is a Chicago culinary veteran and proud queer business owner. Mary Jo cut her teeth in the city’s punk scene and later co‑founded a beloved pizzeria before striking out on her own with this concept. “I wanted to recreate the places my grandfather told me about, where you could nurse a beer and share stories for hours,” she shared during our chat at the bar’s corner booth. “There’s an authenticity to these old taverns that’s missing from a lot of modern restaurants. People come here to feel connected—to each other and to the past.” Her words resonated with me; as someone who juggles investor meetings with date nights, I crave spaces that make time slow down.
Sourdough pizzas that make hearts flutter
While the atmosphere may be antique, the menu is pure 21st‑century indulgence. Mary Jo’s culinary partner is baker and pizza maestro Frankie B., known for his naturally fermented sourdough crusts that have fans lining up around the block. Each crust ferments for 48 hours, resulting in chewy edges with a crackling exterior. The pizzas arrive on metal stands like centrepieces, each topped with a generous sprinkle of love (and mozzarella). House specialties include a wild mushroom pie drizzled with truffle honey and a pepperoni‑banana pepper combo that balances heat and tang. My personal favourite? The “Windy City White” with ricotta, roasted garlic and a mountain of arugula. The bitter greens cut the richness of the cheese, making it dangerously easy to finish the entire pie.
If you’re not in the mood for pizza (who are you?), the menu also offers shareable appetizers like house‑made pickles, Bavarian pretzels with beer cheese, and a charcuterie board loaded with local meats and aged cheeses. But trust me when I say: order a pizza. The fermentation adds depth you can’t replicate at home, and the charred bubbles along the crust beg to be photographed. Eater Chicago notes that Mary Jo McGuire’s is one of several notable restaurant openings this fall, and it’s easy to see why.
Cocktails, microbrews and vintage amusements
Behind the bar, bartenders stir and shake cocktails inspired by Prohibition‑era recipes. You won’t find machine‑dispensed slushies here; instead the team muddles fresh herbs and crafts their own bitters. Their Gin Rickey is bright with lime and coriander, while the Chicago Flip blends bourbon with housemade walnut liqueur and a whole egg for frothy decadence. Mary Jo is a whiskey aficionado, so the selection of bourbons is deep, including several single‑barrel picks from local distilleries. If beer is more your style, the saloon features rotating taps of microbrews from around Illinois, plus a house lager that’s crisp enough to pair with that mushroom pizza.
After a couple of rounds, you’ll want to explore the vintage arcade corner. Mary Jo scavenged pinball machines, a 1970s skee‑ball lane and a hand‑cranked fortune teller from estate sales. There’s also a stand‑up piano that patrons are encouraged to play after 9 p.m. On my visit, a group of thirty‑somethings started an impromptu sing‑along to Billy Joel’s “Piano Man,” prompting cheers across the room. It struck me as the kind of evening my grandparents might recall fondly – strangers becoming friends over shared tunes and pints.
Why this matters for Chicago’s bar scene
Chicago’s nightlife has undergone a renaissance in recent years. Developers have transformed industrial buildings into sleek lounges, and Michelin‑starred restaurants command three‑figure tasting menus. Yet there’s a growing hunger for approachable, immersive spaces where people can connect without pretense. Mary Jo McGuire’s bridges this gap by offering craft food and drink in an environment that feels lived‑in, accessible and unpretentious. It’s more than a themed bar; it’s a love letter to the city’s working‑class taverns and the women who kept them running.
The timing of the opening is significant. Many new restaurant projects launched this November, including chain expansions like Devil Dawgs and franchise behemoths like Jack in the Box Amidst that buzz, Mary Jo’s project stands out because it’s deeply local and independent. She personally greets guests, donates a portion of profits to the Greater Chicago Food Depository and hires her staff from the neighborhood. In a world where dining can feel transactional, there’s something refreshing about a proprietor who knows your name by your second round.
Getting there and what to know
Mary Jo McGuire’s is located at 3210 N. Lincoln Ave., just south of Belmont Avenue. It’s easily accessible by the Brown Line (Paulina stop) or the #77 bus. The saloon opens at 4 p.m. on weekdays and noon on weekends, staying open until midnight (later on Fridays and Saturdays). Reservations aren’t necessary, but they do accept calls for large groups. If you’re planning to visit during the weekend, expect a short wait; the bar only seats about 60 people, and word has already gotten out. Dress is casual – think flannels and jeans – though you’re more than welcome to don your best suspenders to match the staff.
Pro tips for your visit
- Arrive hungry. Even if you’ve eaten dinner, you’ll want to share at least one pizza. The dough is the star, but the toppings don’t hold back.
- Bring cash for the arcade games. They work on old‑school quarters, and there’s an ATM in the corner if you forget. Nothing kills the mood like leaving a pinball game for an ATM run.
- Mind the neighbors. The building’s age means sound carries, so keep your merriment respectful when the front windows are open.
- Check the calendar. Mary Jo plans to host monthly live jazz nights and vintage costume parties. Follow their official Instagram for announcements (see link below).
- Support the cause. A percentage of sales goes to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Enjoying a cocktail while supporting a local food bank is a win–win.
A space for celebrating life
For a woman like me, balancing early morning investor calls with late night cravings for connection, Mary Jo McGuire’s fills a niche I didn’t know I needed. It reminds me that Chicago’s charm lies not only in its skyscrapers and high‑end tasting menus but also in its neighborhood haunts where laughter echoes off brick walls. On my last visit, I watched a young couple share a first date over pepperoni pizza while a group of retirees reminisced over whiskey. At the next table, a family celebrated their daughter’s art school acceptance with root beer floats. That multigenerational mix underscores Mary Jo’s mission: creating a place where everyone is welcome and time slows down just enough for you to savor the moment.
If you’re searching for a winter refuge that marries vintage whimsy with the best sourdough pies around, add Mary Jo McGuire’s to your Chicago bucket list. Whether you’re a history buff, a pizza fanatic or just someone who wants to experience the city’s evolving bar scene, you’ll leave with a full belly, a happy heart and maybe even a prize ticket from that skee‑ball machine. See you there, and save me a stool at the bar.
Essential links
- Check out Mary Jo McGuire’s official website for menus, hours and event announcements (https://maryjomcguires.com).
- Learn more about the Greater Chicago Food Depository and how to support their mission (https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org).
Category: Culture