Loop Landmark Reaches Decade Milestone

The Dearborn, the Irish-influenced tavern at 145 N. Dearborn Street, is celebrating 10 years in operation this June with a monthlong anniversary program featuring nostalgic menu items, limited-edition spirits, and special events.

Founded in 2016 by sisters Amy and Clodagh Lawless, the 8,000-square-foot restaurant has become a fixture in the Loop's dining scene, drawing theatergoers, business professionals, and regulars. The anniversary falls on June 10, with festivities running throughout the month.

Culinary Retrospective

The celebration will revisit signature dishes from across the restaurant's decade, including:

- Pork & Lamb Meatballs with tomato bell pepper ragout and baked egg (2016)
- Octopus & Gnocchi with house-made chorizo and preserved lemon (2017)
- Hamachi Collar with house steak sauce and pickled Fresno chili (2018)
- Rabbit Curry Pot Pie with confit rabbit and coconut curry sauce (2019)
- Chocolate Basque Cake (2024)

The bar program will revive archival cocktails including Beware the Jackalope (2016), Hamilton: The Cocktail (2017), and Peaches, Peaches, Peaches, Peaches, Peaches (2023).

Special Releases and Partnerships

The Dearborn has commissioned DB Gin #2 "DB Decade" through North Shore Distillery, and Four Roses released a special 10-year, 10-month aged Select Barrel bourbon for the occasion. Half Acre Brewery created an exclusive Galway Girls Lager for the milestone.

Guests with reservations throughout June will have a chance to win "Golden Tickets" hidden in select bookings, offering discounts, cocktails, gift certificates, merchandise, and bottles of the anniversary gin.

June 10 Celebration

The official anniversary event runs 5–7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10, featuring live music from Brooklyn Britches & The Whispers, balloon artistry, and interactive tastings. Guinness will offer complimentary glassware engraving, and Ketel One is installing a custom ice luge featuring The Dearborn's Celtic knot design.

Leadership and Growth

Executive Chef Aaron Cuschieri has been with the restaurant since its opening and recently became Chef Partner for a new Dearborn location inside Chicago O'Hare International Airport's Terminal 5.

"For us, The Dearborn has always been about creating a place where people feel genuinely welcomed," Co-Proprietor Amy Lawless said. "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."

Clodagh Lawless added: "Ten years later, we're incredibly proud that The Dearborn has become part of people's daily lives, celebrations, traditions, and memories. That kind of loyalty is something we never take for granted."

Chef Cuschieri noted: "The Dearborn has always encouraged creativity and collaboration. 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."

The Lawless sisters indicated that two new projects are in development over the coming year as part of their planned expansion.

"Reaching ten years in this industry is incredibly meaningful," Clodagh Lawless said. "We're proud of what we've built, excited for all that's ahead, and honored to continue serving the city we love."

Why It Matters

The Dearborn's longevity in the competitive Loop dining market underscores sustained operator success built on consistent hospitality and menu innovation. The restaurant's expansion to O'Hare and planned new projects signal confidence in the brand's growth potential, while the monthlong anniversary program offers a case study in customer engagement and partnership leverage for operators marking milestones.

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Written by FBM Publications Editors