A Decade of Irish Hospitality in Downtown Chicago

The Dearborn, the 8,000-square-foot tavern at 145 N. Dearborn Street in Chicago's Loop, celebrates its 10th anniversary this June with a monthlong lineup of nostalgic menu items, specialty cocktails, and brand collaborations.

Founded in 2016 by sisters Amy and Clodagh Lawless, the restaurant has established itself as a fixture among the city's dining scene, drawing theater patrons, business professionals, and locals seeking elevated tavern fare and what the owners describe as genuine Irish hospitality.

"For us, The Dearborn has always been about creating a place where people feel genuinely welcomed," said Co-Proprietor Amy Lawless. "We want guests to walk in and immediately feel the warmth, energy, and hospitality that shaped our upbringing in Ireland, while celebrating the incredible spirit of Chicago."

Menu Throwbacks and Limited Releases

Throughout June, Executive Chef Aaron Cuschieri will revive signature dishes from the restaurant's first decade, including the Pork & Lamb Meatballs with tomato bell pepper ragout and baked egg (2016), Octopus & Gnocchi with house-made chorizo and preserved lemon (2017), and the Chocolate Basque Cake (2024).

The bar program will also bring back archived cocktails such as Beware the Jackalope (2016), Hamilton: The Cocktail (2017), and Peaches, Peaches, Peaches, Peaches, Peaches (2023).

Brand partnerships will include a Four Roses 10-year, 10-month aged Select Barrel bourbon release and Half Acre's exclusive Galway Girls Lager, brewed specifically for the anniversary. The Dearborn also collaborated with North Shore Distillery on DB Gin #2 "DB Decade," which will be featured in special giveaways hidden within select June reservations.

Anniversary Event and Collaborations

The official celebration takes place Wednesday, June 10 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., featuring live music from Brooklyn Britches & The Whispers, balloon artistry, and specialty tastings. Guests can experience commemorative Guinness glassware engraving and samples poured through a custom Ketel One ice luge installation featuring The Dearborn's signature Celtic knot design.

"Over the years, we've had the opportunity to create dishes and cocktails that guests truly connected with, and it's exciting to bring some of those favorites back as part of this celebration," said Cuschieri, who has been with the restaurant since its inception and recently became Chef Partner at The Dearborn's new O'Hare International Airport location.

Looking Forward

Co-Proprietor Clodagh Lawless noted the milestone's significance within the industry. "Ten years later, we're incredibly proud that The Dearborn has become part of people's daily lives, celebrations, traditions, and memories," she said. "That kind of loyalty is something we never take for granted."

The Lawless sisters indicated two new projects are in development over the coming year as they pursue what they described as "thoughtful growth" while maintaining the restaurant's core hospitality values.

Why It Matters

The Dearborn's decade-long tenure in the Loop underscores the durability of chef-driven tavern concepts that balance approachable cuisine with hospitality-first operations. For operators, the restaurant's sustained relevance—bolstered by strategic menu evolution, brand partnerships, and anniversary activations—demonstrates the value of celebrating institutional loyalty while maintaining creative momentum.

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Written by FBM Publications Editors