Schaumburg's beloved watering hole reopens in Skokie
Remember Curragh Irish Pub in Schaumburg? Sure you do. Even if you attended - or more likely, stood in line to get into - any of the pub's massive St. Paddy's Day celebrations, you probably have some recollection of the bustling Saturday nights and weekly, hopping Celtic bands.
Indeed, the Curragh was as well known for its green-themed shindigs and perfect Guinness pints as for its multiple drinking rooms and authentic pub-style bars (made in Ireland, of course). But when the pub suddenly closed shop behind Woodfield Shopping Center more than two years ago, it seemingly disappeared altogether, joining the ranks of neighborhood watering holes overtaken by restaurant chains - or in this case a jewelry store.
Of course, Curragh never meant to abandon the suburbs' nightlife scene forever. On May 9, the pub reopened its doors in Skokie with plans to open a second location in Edison Park this fall. Though Skokie residents initially disapproved of plans for the pub and its proposed late-night beer garden, they've since warmed to both. On a recent evening, the place was packed -- with bar staff already talking about plans for next year's St. Paddy's Day.
Motif: You should know straight away that Curragh's Skokie pub is a good deal smaller than the former Woodfield-area establishment that divided itself into three separate rooms. But instead of coming off as a miniature replacement for the real deal, Curragh manages to create its own identity, which coincidentally falls in line with the friendly, comfortable vibe it honed in Schaumburg. Staying true to its Schaumburg roots and Irish mentality, Curragh installed its old Trophy Room bar and original granite bar tops into the new space (another of the three original bars will soon head to its forthcoming Edison Park location).
The bar dominates the room, and rightfully so. Finally given a chance to shine in a smaller space, the full-wall Trophy Room bar's sleek wood craftsmanship harkens back to the overseas place where it was originally crafted. As such, this is the hot spot in the house, from which bar owner Declan Walsh likes to oversee the crowd and keep all pints full and plates piping hot with the kitchen's specialties. In fact, Walsh is likely the first face you'll see upon entering Curragh, so expect to have a pint in hand within seconds of sitting down.
Crowd: It's no secret that Schaumburg devotees have already tracked down the new pub. Curragh family owner Lydia Leongas confirms it, confessing that while Skokie residents patronize quite a bit, a sizable portion of the clientele can already be traced back to the old days. On the night we visited, Curragh hosted a bar's worth of after-work brew drinkers, tables full of thirsty couples and plenty of singles enjoying girls' nights out or watching the soccer match on TV.
Liquid Consumption: Few places go out of their way anymore to perfect the art of pouring a Guinness, not to mention pulling off the "shamrock in foam" trick that's rarely attempted even on St. Patrick's Day. Lo and behold, Walsh gave me both - and I didn't even ask! Note to naysayers: No, he didn't know about my ulterior motives as a bar reviewer. That's how he serves them to everyone, he says, no matter what day of the week.
Don't expect your Smithwick's or Harp to come quite as fancy, but certainly expect both to be cold enough to satisfy your burning thirst on a hot day. All other Irish-minded brews and concoctions are also available, including several choice whiskies and every other bar shot you remember ordering at Schaumburg's Curragh.
Sounds: Outside of moderate TV sports noise, easy-listening and rock tunes pipe their way into Curragh's main pub and out to the side patio, which remains open through the summer until 10 p.m. But that's only temporary, according to Walsh, who says he plans to revive the Curragh's live music tradition within the next couple of months. Sure, there might not be room for a full band of Celtic dancers, but acoustic guitarists and singer/songwriters should turn up on the docket soon enough.
Food: "Ever had Irish hot wings?" That's the question Walsh posed as we browsed the menu. Our response? Well, "no," of course. Minutes later, we were presented with a plate of sesame-coated wings that went unnervingly well with a pint of beer. "It actually tastes like chicken," my bar-going pal and Beep's contributing reviewer Kristin exclaimed! So true. Among other pub-style offerings, Curragh kept many of the Irish dinners it became known for the first time around.
Parking: Free side-street parking should suffice on almost any day of the week, plus if you're lucky enough to get there early, Curragh supplies a limited amount of parking in its lot behind the bar and patio.
Overall: A more petite version of its Schaumburg self, Curragh's new Skokie location manages to capture the same hustle and bustle that made it known among Woodfield-area businesses despite its size. Immaculate service and a friendly face from Declan Walsh hammers home regulars' nostalgia for the old place, but a perfect Guinness pint and killer wings make it worth while to drive the extra mile for the new one.