Introduction to Mary Jo McGuire’s
LINCOLN PARK — The family behind Butch McGuire’s, Chicago’s first singles bar and one of the most popular watering holes on the North Side, is opening a sister saloon in Lincoln Park named after the family’s grandmother, Mary Jo McGuire.
The Grand Opening
Mary Jo McGuire’s opens Friday at 2249 N. Lincoln Ave. It will be run by two of Butch’s grandsons, Connor and Patrick Stewart.
History of Butch McGuire’s
Butch McGuire opened his namesake bar in 1961, and he met his future wife and business partner, Mary Jo, two years later. Together, the two managed Butch McGuire’s, a place for young people to mingle that became a main attraction on the lively strip along Division Street in the Gold Coast.
Legacy of Butch McGuire’s
The tavern is credited with thousands of marriages and the invention of the Harvey Wallbanger and the Skip and Go Naked cocktails, according to the Sun-Times.
Mary Jo McGuire’s Impact
Mary Jo McGuire helped create Butch McGuire’s female-friendly reputation. In its early days, the saloon reserved barstools for female patrons and was known for protecting them from harassment.
The Next Generation
After Butch’s death in 2006, Mary Jo stayed on as an integral part of the business while assisting one of her sons, Bobby McGuire, in carrying on the bar’s tradition for a new generation.
The New Bar
Mary Jo and Butch McGuire. Provided/McGuire family.
Patrick and Connor Stewart started working at Butch’s when they were 17, busing tables during Christmas and summer breaks. Over the years, they worked their way up from doormen to bartenders and eventually into manager positions, learning the ropes from Mary Jo, the quiet maestro of Butch’s.
The Concept Behind Mary Jo McGuire’s
“We’ve worked at Butch’s but also had different corporate jobs, and at the end of the day, the bar and restaurant business is what we’re most passionate about,” Patrick Stewart said. “We brought the idea to our Uncle Bobby and our parents and decided the best way to get more involved was to open another location in our grandmother Mary Jo McGuire’s name and to keep that sister-bar connection.”
Traditions and Ambiance
Mary Jo’s will also carry on the McGuire family’s Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day traditions with its festive decorations and holiday lights — a staple of the original bar.
Food and Drink Menu
The new two-story space will feature the same vintage charm and dark wood finishes familiar to Butch’s regulars, but with its own Lincoln Park flair. The upstairs will host live music under the banner “Mary Jo McGuire’s Live,” with plans to feature local bands on weekends and private events during the week.
Downstairs, customers can expect a lineup of comfort food — smash burgers, wings, flatbreads and bar snacks — and a drink menu that mixes McGuire family classics with new seasonal cocktails. The bar will also offer local craft beers and a rotating list of whiskeys in tribute to Butch’s signature saloon style.
Customer Service
“Our uncle, and Butch before him, always said the No. 1 thing that makes Butch’s what it is isn’t just the décor or the bar top — it’s the way people are treated,” Connor Stewart said. “Customer service is everything. We want people to feel taken care of, like this is a place they can call home, even though it has its own identity.
“We’re here for the long haul. Just like Butch’s, we hope to be around for decades.”
Conclusion
Mary Jo McGuire’s is a new addition to the Lincoln Park neighborhood, bringing with it a rich history and tradition of excellent customer service. With its unique blend of vintage charm and modern flair, it is sure to become a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
FAQs
Q: Where is Mary Jo McGuire’s located?
A: Mary Jo McGuire’s is located at 2249 N. Lincoln Ave in Lincoln Park.
Q: Who runs Mary Jo McGuire’s?
A: Mary Jo McGuire’s is run by Connor and Patrick Stewart, two of Butch McGuire’s grandsons.
Q: What kind of food and drink does Mary Jo McGuire’s offer?
A: Mary Jo McGuire’s offers a lineup of comfort food, including smash burgers, wings, flatbreads, and bar snacks,! as well as a drink menu that mixes McGuire family classics with new seasonal cocktails.
Q: Does Mary Jo McGuire’s have live music?
A: Yes, the upstairs of Mary Jo McGuire’s hosts live music under the banner "Mary Jo McGuire’s Live," with plans to feature local bands on weekends and private events during the week.
