Butch McGuire's

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Butch McGuire's America's Original Singles Bar Since 1961.Over 10,000 couples have met here. World Famous Christmas D
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Butch McGuire, with a little money borrowed from his mother, opened his famous saloon in 1961, and the legendary bar corridor of Rush and Division was born. With a vision to create what he called the “singles bar.” Butch had the perfect hang-out for local Gold Coast and Old Town singles, most of whom happened to be Butch’s friends. In fact, through cocktails and conversation, it is believed that over 5,000 marriages have resulted from encounters at Butch’s throughout the decades. Butch, “the unofficial mayor of Division Street”, took an active part in the community and took a great interest in his employee’s lives. Butch was always proud to claim that hundreds of men and women have paid for all or some of their educations while working at the saloon. Butch was also quite an advocate for women, being one of the first Chicago bar owners to hire female bartenders and managers. Back in the earlier days, only women were allowed a seat at the crowded bar, men would either give up their seats or be thrown out.Ever the innovator, Butch is credited with the creation of the Harvey Wallbanger and Skip and Go Naked cocktails, as well as being the first to serve a Bloody Mary (still the best in town!) with a celery stick garnish. He also turned Christmas at Butch McGuire’s into a Chicago tradition. What started out as a few balloons and homemade ornaments has now turned into a stunning array of lights, garland, quirky mobiles, and two impressive double-decker trains that run throughout the main bar and antique room. Butch passed away in 2006 at the age of 76, through he lives on through the people he touched and the stories they love to recount about him.His saloon, still an icon of Chicago, continues to attract not only people from all around the globe, but also right around the corner. Butch McGuire’s continues to be family owned and operated after more than 45 years, and the tradition that have made the bar such a success still carry on today under the management of his son, Bobby McGuire. All of us here at Butch McGuire’s would like to thank all the friends who have helped create the story of Butch’s saloon, and we look forward to seeing the story continue…

Spooky season looks good on Butch’s 🎃👻
10/20/2026

Spooky season looks good on Butch’s 🎃👻

Cheers to 65 years! 🍻What a weekend! Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate 65 years of Butch McGuire’s with us...
10/19/2026

Cheers to 65 years! 🍻

What a weekend! Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate 65 years of Butch McGuire’s with us. From longtime regulars to new friends, you’re all part of what makes Butch’s so special.

Here’s to 65 years of good times, great memories, and many more to come! 🍀

Cheers to a great weekend ahead!! 🍀Shop our 65th Anniversary merch!!
10/16/2026

Cheers to a great weekend ahead!! 🍀

Shop our 65th Anniversary merch!!

Tomorrow we are going back to 1961 from 4-6pm!!!!! B**r & w**e!!!
10/16/2026

Tomorrow we are going back to 1961 from 4-6pm!!!!! B**r & w**e!!!

10/14/2026

Reminder to purchase tickets for this Friday, October 16th - a kick off party celebrating Butch McGuire’s 65th Anniversary!!

10/14/2026

Singles Night (65th Anniversary Edition) tomorrow night!!! ❤️

🥃 BOURBON RAFFLE UPDATE: We’re moving the drawing to SATURDAY NIGHT so more of you can get in on it.Here’s how it works ...
10/13/2026

🥃 BOURBON RAFFLE UPDATE: We’re moving the drawing to SATURDAY NIGHT so more of you can get in on it.

Here’s how it works now:
• Tiers 1–3 (Blanton’s Gold, E.H. Taylor 3-bottle set, Woodford special releases): buy online now or at the bar
• Tier 4, Weller 4-bottle set: $40, only 40 tickets
• Tier 5, Woodford Reserve Baccarat Edition: $100, only 25 tickets
Tiers 4 & 5 are sold in person only at Butch’s, starting tomorrow (Wh***ey Wednesday, half-price wh***ey open to close) through Saturday.

All five tiers drawn Saturday, Oct 17, around 7PM, right after Bobby addresses the crowd at our 65th Anniversary Party.

Every ticket benefits Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. Help us hit $10,000. Link in bio.

This Wednesday at Butch’s: half-off wh***ey, bourbon & rye all day, plus a 5-tier bourbon raffle for Mercy Home. Tier 5 ...
10/12/2026

This Wednesday at Butch’s: half-off wh***ey, bourbon & rye all day, plus a 5-tier bourbon raffle for Mercy Home. Tier 5 is a Woodford Reserve Baccarat Edition. Only 25 tickets. 1-in-25 odds. Sold in person only on Wednesday!!

Tiers 1–3 on presale now, link in bio. 🥃

10/12/2026

We’re kicking off our 65th Anniversary celebration with two nights of fun! 🎉🍻

Join us tonight for Comedy Night featuring some special guests, then come back tomorrow for Butch McGuire’s & Division Street Trivia!

65 years of good times, great company, and unforgettable memories. Let the celebrations begin! 🍀

10/11/2026

A little Chicago history from 1988. 🐻🏈

As the Bears take on the Packers today, we’re throwing it back to when the legendary Mike Ditka filmed a commercial right here at Butch McGuire’s.

A true Chicago icon and a forever part of Bears history. Here’s to Da Coach, Da Bears, and the city we love. 🧡💙

65 years is a long time. Long enough for a few generations, countless Christmases, a whole lot of drinks and more storie...
10/09/2026

65 years is a long time. Long enough for a few generations, countless Christmases, a whole lot of drinks and more stories than we could ever fit into one post.

Here’s Butch’s by the numbers.
And there’s still plenty more to add.

Butch’s has always been a place for singles to meet. Since 1961, more than 20,000 couples have met at Butch McGuire’s — ...
10/08/2026

Butch’s has always been a place for singles to meet. Since 1961, more than 20,000 couples have met at Butch McGuire’s — and on October 15, we’re keeping the tradition going.

Join us for Singles Night: Anniversary Edition.
Come single. You never know who you’ll meet.

Join us Saturday, October 17 for an all-day celebration of 65 years at Butch McGuire’s. We’re opening at 10am with throw...
10/07/2026

Join us Saturday, October 17 for an all-day celebration of 65 years at Butch McGuire’s. We’re opening at 10am with throwback food specials, anniversary merch, and plenty of Butch’s history throughout the day.

And from 2–4 PM drinks at 1961 prices. Bobby McGuire takes the mic at 6 PM.

65 years. One hell of a reason to celebrate.
We’ll see you at 20 W. Division.

10/07/2026

A Wednesday worth raising a glass to. 🥃

Join us October 14 for an anniversary edition of Wh***ey Wednesday featuring half-price wh***ey and our Mercy Home Bourbon Raffle.

Link in bio to purchase raffle tickets!

Good wh***ey, a great cause, and 65 years worth celebrating. We’ll see you at Butch’s. 🥃

10/06/2026

65 years on Division Street calls for a week worth celebrating. 🍻

Join us for Butch McGuire’s 65th Anniversary Week — filled with throwbacks, old favorites, live music, 1961 pricing, a charity celebration, and plenty of reasons to raise a glass.

It all leads up to our big anniversary weekend, October 16–18.

Here’s to 65 years of Butch’s — and everyone who’s been part of the story.

“If you‘re lucky enough to be Irish, you‘re lucky enough.“ — Butch McGuire
10/06/2026

“If you‘re lucky enough to be Irish, you‘re lucky enough.“ — Butch McGuire

Some Butch’s traditions are better left in the past. The 7 A.M. Saturday meeting was one of them.
10/05/2026

Some Butch’s traditions are better left in the past. The 7 A.M. Saturday meeting was one of them.

Address

20 W Division Street
Chicago, IL
60610

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 3am
Tuesday 11am - 3am
Wednesday 11am - 3am
Thursday 11am - 3am
Friday 11am - 4am
Saturday 8am - 5am
Sunday 10am - 3am

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