Lincoln Park Irish Pub marks major milestone

At the corner of Armitage and Lincoln, in the heart of Lincoln Park, a neighborhood bar that has survived and thrived for eight decades.

"We opened up August 15, 1946 by John Cloherty, Cloherty was the founding family," said Eliza Poznanski, Marketing Manager, Lodge Management Company, who bought the bar in the 1980's.

"We were one of the earliest liquor licenses in the city after Prohibition, we opened a year after the end of World War II. Along the way, we tried to stay true to those Irish roots. We used to be an Irish American working neighborhood and while the neighborhood around us has changed, River Shannan has really stayed a constant over the decades."

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River Shannon is one of Chicago's longest standing neighborhood bars. Much of the inside decor serves as a bit of a time capsule.

Much of the pub's original interior, including the tin ceiling, stained glass and ornate wood details, has been preserved, celebrating Irish culture.

"We've preserved so much of the original building. Our original Brunswick bar, the antique Brunswick bar anchors the space, we have stained glass windows, we have our tin ceilings that have been preserved. A lot of what's here has been here for 80 years."

The walls are donned with black and white photos--decades of community, milestones and memories.

"We have photos of the opening ceremony so you can feel that day, the excitement back in 1946. You can really feel the history when you look at those photos. We have people, grandparents who've brought their grandkids, their kids who come back, people who've fallen in love here who come back and celebrate anniversaries. It's always been a special place for so many generations," smiled Poznanski.

"You feel the Irish hospitality when you walk through the doors."

River Shannon will be celebrating the entire month of august with drink specials, events and prizes.

Poznanski says their biggest days continue to be St. Patrick's Day and Bears Sundays.

"Oh yea, St. Patrick's Day is still our biggest day. We also have a bagpiper on that day so people come for that. We do the Guinness pours all day. WE love any reason to being the community together. Our top three events are Bears, St. Patrick's Day and Cubs games. We're all here for those community oriented events. "

And while the bar scene has changed a lot, River Shannon has remained the same, Poznanski says that's the part of River Shannon's charm.

"That's what special. We cater to everyone who walks to the doors but we're also not trying to be a tourist bar. WE try to remain the neighborhood bar and you know that when you walk in the doors. We still have lots of regulars.

Polnanski says the key to survival in the ever changing hospitality and tourism scene: Irish hospitality, tradition and consistency.

"Along the way, we've tried to stay true to the Irish Roots. Lincoln Park was an Irish American working class neighborhood when we first opened. While it's changed around us, River Shannon has stayed a constant regardless what's happened around us."

Throw in a pint, and a celebratory cow bell- and it's a recipe for laughter and longevity for generations to come.

"Grandparents have brought their grandkids, people who've fallen in love here and come back to celebrate the anniversaries. It really is a special place for so many generations. We love seeing those families with several generations come through the doors and celebrate all kinds of milestones. " she smiled.

For the bar's 70th celebration 10 years ago, The Cloherty family, led a "re-christening ceremony" with water from the actual River Shannon in Ireland.

This year, for the 80th, there will be celebrations the whole month of August.

• Thursday, August 13 at 5pm: Sam Adams Stein Holding Competition featuring $8 Sam Adams drafts
• Fridays in August from 12pm to 1pm: 80¢ Bud Light Draft Power Hour
• Saturday, August 15 at 2pm: Mr. & Mrs. River Shannon Elections celebrating the pub's most beloved regulars
• Sunday, August 16: National Rum Day featuring $8 Bacardi cocktails
• Tuesday, August 18 at 8pm: Pup of the Month Party crowning monthly winner and honoring River Shannon's dog-friendly community
• Thursday, August 20 at 7pm: Where It All Began celebrating couples whose love stories began at River Shannon, plus $8 Shiner drafts
• Saturday, August 22 at 6pm: 80s for 80 Years featuring throwback music, decor, and themed programming
• Sunday, August 23 at 11am: Hair of the Dog Pajama Party featuring $8 Tito's Bloody Marys and $8 Pizzas
• Thursday, August 27 at 6pm: Bring Your Neighbor Night inviting neighbors to bring a friend to River Shannon, featuring Pacifico samplings
• Saturday, August 29 at 11am: Dog Days of Summer Patio Party closing out the anniversary month with a dog-friendly neighborhood celebration

In addition to special events, guests can enjoy Happy Hour every Monday through Friday from 4pm to 6pm throughout August featuring $8 pizzas, $12 pitchers of Michelob Ultra and Bud Light, and $14 Stella Artois pitchers. Rotating anniversary drink specials, spirit samplings, and partner activations will also take place throughout the month.

The celebration will also feature surprise anniversary merch giveaways throughout the month including commemorative pins, anniversary shirts, pint glasses, shot glasses, bottle openers, tote bags, and more– available during select giveaway windows while supplies last. Guests can also shop limited-edition 80th Anniversary merchandise, including exclusive Cubs and White Sox patch hats, anniversary tees, bucket hats, and commemorative collectibles created especially for the celebration.

River Shannon is open Monday through Friday from 12pm to 2am, Saturday from 11am to 3am, and Sunday from 11am to 2am. For more information, please visit River Shannon’s website.