Bar of the month

Trinity
2721 N. Halsted

 

The Basics

Where you’ll find it: 2721 N. Halsted. (773) 880-9293. www.TrinityBarChicago.com.

When it’s open: 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday through Friday; 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Sunday.

Peak time: Saturday and Sunday afternoons are busy with football fans, especially from Northwestern and Notre Dame. Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings can get packed later in the evening.

What you’ve heard: You won’t recognize the place if you were a regular at the old Peg Leg Sullivan’s — and that’s a good thing. Polished up and looking sharp, it didn’t take long for this place to build quite a following. ... Incredible drink specials and good bar food from the same owners of Halligan on Lincoln Avenue.

History in short: It formerly was home to an Italian restaurant called Porcino’s, and an old brick pizza oven is still visible in the back. For many years after, it was an Irish pub called Peg Leg Sullivan’s. After better than four months of renovations, it re-opened as Trinity on St. Patrick’s Day of this year.

Visual Aids

First impressions: A huge stained-glass window in the front is welcoming and allows for plenty of people-watching. Lots of dark wood, large mirrors and classic old pictures of the Chicago add character. ... Trinity has three different levels and a different bar on each, making it easy to order drinks and secure a spot for groups to chat. Plenty of spacious booths upstairs and downstairs. ... It’s hardly overwhelming in size, which creates a cozy ambiance, but Trinity makes the most of its space to make it feel larger than it is. ... Going smoke-free before they city-wide ban is a big selling point for many.

The atmosphere: You get the feel of a classic Irish pub, only one that is probably the cleanest bar in the city. A younger crowd enjoys a casual atmosphere where singles and groups of friends can co-exist with ease.

What you’ll tell your friends: “Good bar at a great location with several other drinking venues to choose from in the area. They have Fat Tire available, which is always a positive. The bar has both an upstairs and a small downstairs to somewhat break up the traditional bar layout and keep things from getting too packed.”
— Mike, 31, Lincoln Square

“This place has been popular with a fun, attractive, laid-back crowd since it opened. It’s just got this positive vibe to it, and it’s spotless. How many bars can you say that about?”
— Megan, 25, Lincoln Park

The Experience

At your service: Bartenders manning the three different bars in Trinity is a huge asset, and they are as quick as they are friendly. Waitresses are available in the upstairs portion during the evenings and on weekends. It’s not uncommon for bartenders know a lot of their customers’ names.

Get your drink on: A total of 12 beers on tap, with imported specialties like Guinness, Hacker Pschorr, Harp, Smithwick’s, Newcastle and Blue Moon. The recent addition of the popular Fat Tire was big, and $3 Effen Cherry drinks every day is a big draw.

Menu variety: Tired of paying close to $10 for a burger, wings or a chicken wrap? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Load up on some great pub fare at reduced prices. Tasty appetizers like fried calamari, a basket of fries, spinach artichoke dip or grilled chicken skewers are $4 or $5, burgers and sandwiches like the Southern pulled pork, Mediterranean chicken wrap or South Side breaded steak topped with mozzarella and marinara are $5. Three different salads cost only $6. Pizzas, including a tempting buffalo chicken variety, are the best around, according to more than a few patrons. And we can’t forget to mention the deep-fried cheesecake to finish things off, topped with your choice of caramel, white chocolate, dark chocolate, raspberry, key lime or mango sauce. A smaller but still satisfying late-night menu is available starting at 10 p.m.

Specials: Monday: $1 domestic bottles; Tuesday: $2 call drinks and drafts; Wednesday: Half-price drinks; Thursday: $1.50 Miller Lite pints, $2 Corona and Amstel Light, $5 Ketel One martinis; Friday and Saturday: $2.50 Miller Lite pints and bottles; Sunday: $3 Bloody Marys and $2 domestic bottles. ... Everyday specials include $3 Guinness, $3 Effen Cherry drinks, $4 Ketel Citron drinks and $5 Fat Tire drafts.

Who you can expect to see there: On weekends, it’s a lot of 20-something young professionals, with football fans rooting on their teams during the afternoons. Trinity has more of an after-work crowd that’s a little older and more low-key during the week. Don’t expect the place to clear out when the clock moves past midnight from Thursday-to-Saturday, as a lot of people have a hard time leaving.

It’s a good spot to … “drink and eat on a dime.” ... “go with a group on the weekend, grab a booth upstairs or in the little basement lounge and enjoy the night with your friends.” ...
“host private parties that start at just $10!” ... “have a $3 Guinness any day you want.” ... “take a break from the family on Thanksgiving and Christmas. They’re open both days.”

What the manager thinks: “We have great employees who know the customers and make it fun. The food is priced well, and you really can’t beat our specials. It’s a great, young neighborhood where people like to go out. And a bonus is, you can wake up the next morning and not smell like smoke.”

– Jessica Smith

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