Join us for $8 pitchers of Miller Lite and 40 cent wings!

As always, brunch served all day along and Bloody Mary’s and Mimosas are on special

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A quirky soul and an art lover, Butch loved to decorate the bar with unique and hand-made creations from his talented customers. In fact, Butch often let some of the more noteworthy artists trade a piece of their artwork in exchange for free drinks. It was a bartering system that worked out well for both parties—the artists enjoyed refreshing cocktails while Butch got to add to his vast collection of beautiful artwork.

Local Chicago artist Bill Olendorf was one of the many significant artists that were known as regulars at Butch McGuire’s. As a resident of the area, Olendorf would stop in often and strike up conversations with Butch himself while enjoying the fine spirits offered.

Instead of paying cash for his bar tabs, Olendorf would bring in paintings to the bar, many of them often still wet with the glisten of fresh paint, and Butch would then determine how much his painting was worth in the form of bar credit. Depending on how much Butch enjoyed the painting, Olendorf was then able to use the credit from his painting toward drinking for a weekend or sometimes even a full month. An entire wall of the Butch McGuire’s kitchen is dedicated to a mural that Olendorf painted when the kitchen was remodeled.

LeRoy Neiman, another notable artist and regular at Butch McGuire’s, often sold his paintings to Butch in exchange for a bar credit. Over the years, Butch came to love Neiman’s paintings so much that to this very day his wife Mary Jo has about a dozen originals hung up in her house. Current owner and son of Butch, Bobby McGuire, recalls the stories Mary Jo would tell him about how Neiman used to sit at the bar and do sketches of the building for Butch. “She always told of how Neiman would create paintings and sketches for my father while he was sick in the hospital,” says McGuire. “My father had a real appreciation for art, which current customers can take notice of at the bar.”

Thanks to talented artists and Butch’s clever bartering system, Butch McGuire’s now serves as a portfolio of sorts for Chicago artists of days gone by, which means patrons can enjoy a slice of history and culture along with their drinks. And that makes for a museum that will never get boring!

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Please join us for our first Bob’s Big Dinner.  Every month we will travel to a different region of the US through a delicious four course meal.  Reservations are required and there is limited availability, so get your tickets now!

 1^st Course

Native American Origins

Winter Succotash with Wild Mushrooms, Parmesan Polenta, Buffalo Sausage

2^nd Course

Wild Rice Beer Cheese Soup, Michigan Harvest Salad

3^rd Course

Meat and Potatoes

Beer-Braised Short Rib, Gnocchi with Smoked Cheddar and Root Vegetables

4^th Course

Apple Crisp

Maple Candied Apples, Vanilla Ice Cream, Caramel Sauce

Wednesday, Februrary 22, 2012 at 7:30 PM

Tickets $30.00

Tickets can be purchased in the bar and are also available online here

Alcoholic beverages, tax, and gratuity not included

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Of course, Butch McGuire’s patrons are probably most fond of our elaborate double-decker Christmas Train. The train wraps around the upper perimeter of Butch McGuire’s and over the years it has grown to two impressive double-decker trains that run throughout the main bar and antique room. Not only is it a stunning display, but it is also offers Chicagoans an opportunity to give back to their communities and get into the holiday spirit.

Every year, Butch McGuire’s donates generously to the Chicago Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, an amazing and worthy Chicago-based charity that helps kids in need in our communities. During the holiday season, businesses and organizations can rent train space on our famous train line. The cost of the train, plus custom artwork, is $300.  Then, with at least a $200 dollar donation to Mercy Home, you get a space on the track. All proceeds go directly to Mercy Home. Not only will you get great exposure, you get to be a part of this historic Chicago tradition and help deserving kids in need.

Customers can also help us support Chicago Mercy Home for Boys and Girls by bringing in much-needed winter gear such as coats, hats, and gloves. You can also donate toys, toiletries, and other gifts. Let’s make this a Merry Christmas for everyone in Chicago! You can visit http://www.mercyhome.org/ to learn more, or you can email dominique@butchmcguires.com.

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Since the day Butch McGuire opened the doors to his saloon in 1961, the beloved Chicago bar has been setting industry standards. Not only was Butch McGuire’s one of the first Chicago bars that hired female bartenders and managers, but the bar also was one of the first to allow female patrons (and when women did enter, men had to relinquish their seats to the fairer sex!).

Along with championing chivalry, Butch was also a master bartender and an innovative mixologist. In fact, the classic Bloody Mary that most of us enjoy with brunch actually got a unique and important twist from Butch—he was the first to add a celery stalk to this morning libation. He was also the first to serve the Harvey Wallbanger, a potent and delicious combination of vodka, orange juice, and Galliano.

These days, Butch McGuire’s continues to set the bar high for its competition. From our extensive beer list to our unique ambiance to our creative menu that features everything from award-winning chili to Car Bomb French toast, Butch McGuire’s still remains one of Chicago’s most beloved bars, and it still carries on the spirit of its creative, fun-loving, and hard-working founder.

Though many years have passed since Butch McGuire’s first opened, we believe that you will still find that old Chicago feeling of civic pride and family hospitality within these doors…not to mention, plenty of cold drinks and lots of fun! Come in today to warm up from holiday shopping with a hot bowl of chili, or stop by with family and friends and enjoy some of our drink specials. Happy Holidays!

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Just as Division-Rush is popular among today’s youth for its lively atmosphere and flowing drinks, in the Prohibition days, Chicagoans looking for a cold drink and a hot time turned to Kelly’s Pleasure Palace. Kelly’s Pleasure Palace was located in part of Butch McGuire’s current location, and although the place was small and unassuming, it was popular for its “dancers” as well its back-room booking deals.

After Prohibition was repealed, business here got a wee bit sweeter, as Fannie May Candy Shop opened at this address in 1933. (The first Fannie Mae retail location in the country opened in Chicago in 1920).  Now, when customers stopped by 20 W. Division, they were looking for chocolate cordials and licorice instead of stiff drinks and adult entertainment, but the neighborhood was still alive with piano lounges, strip joints, cabarets, porn shops, flophouses and restaurants (most of which were controlled by the Mafia).

When Robert Emmett “Butch” McGuire purchased the location in 1961, he had plenty of ideas up his sleeve and the drive needed to make these dreams a reality. With a mind towards catering to young people, Butch revamped the location with a front-facing window towards Division and plenty of quirky accents.

In those days, women rarely were seen at bars, so Butch devised a plan to chaperone and host ladies at this bar so that they could safely enjoy drinks and conversation with members of the opposite sex.  There was even a standing rule that men had to give up their barstools to any woman who was in need of a seat. As such, Butch McGuire’s became known as the first singles’ bar in the country. And, although those years of chivalry and chaperoning are long over, thousands of couples still profess that Butch McGuire’s is the singles bar in the country—and they have the marriages and the families to prove it!

So, the next time you are in the mood for a little history with your libations, look no further than Butch McGuire’s…a place built upon hard work, tradition and the American dream.

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Bob Sirott’s One More Thing About Butch McGuire and Singles Bars: MyFoxCHICAGO.com

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Purple Haze is a crisp, American style wheat beer with raspberry puree added after filtration. Therefore, you may see raspberry pulp in the beer. The raspberries provide the lager with a subtle purple coloration and haze, a fruity aroma, and a tartly sweet taste.

This beer is best served with salads or light fruit desserts, such as soufflés or chiffon cakes. Many people enjoy it with chocolate desserts. Purple Haze pairs well with certain cheeses, such as ripened Brie or any dessert made with Mascarpone. It’s also great paired with entrees prepared with fruit, especially citrus. Consider enjoying Purple Haze alone at the end of your meal as dessert.

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On Friday March 11th Butch’s and Bushmills will host a sampling of their Irish whiskey to gear up for St.Patricks Day. The event starts at 10 and goes until 11:30.

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You asked for it,you got it. We have brought back the darts. Come play authentic steel tip darts at Butch’s.

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Rent the Donovan booth at Butch’s for St. Patrick’s Day!

Saturday March 12th and Thursday March 17th 2011.

Not only the best place to sit, but the only place to sit and its near the bar with a table. The booth seats six or seven and is feet away from the bathroom’s, jukebox and the bar. A high traffic area that overlooks the whole bar, its great for people watching and great service without having to move.

*Includes a gift bag for up to six people, with some of Butch’s Merchandise and much, much more…

When renting your table give us your sizes and we will have your goodie bag ready for you.

Hurry, the luck of the Irish won’t last long!

For more information or to rent the table email; justin@butchmcguires.com or call 773.569.8524

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As you all know, we are famous for our Christmas decorations, not the least of which are our 4 tracks of LGB trains.  Our trains run from November through January and each year thousands of people come to Butch McGuire’s to see them. To honor Butch’s own spirit of giving and community, and increase the awareness of a great Chicago charity we are “renting” our train space.
What will it cost you? The cost of the train, plus custom artwork is $300.  Then, with at least a  $200 dollar donation to Mercy Home, you get a space on the track. You can give us the money to give Mercy Home or do it yourself and show us the receipt. Either way they will get 100%.
What you get? Obviously you get exposure to all our clients who come in for our famous holiday decorations. More importantly you get to help some of the greatest kids in Chicago and their families when they need it most.

Last year we not only raised thousands of dollars and awareness for Mercy home during the Holiday season, but our staff and customers also bought gifts and winter clothes as well. You can be a part of this generous effort by dropping of toys, books, coats and toiletries directly at Butch McGuire’s or visiting www.mercyhome.org to see how you can help.

For more information please email dominique@butchmcguires.com

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Cool Stuff!

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