Family-owned saloon honors the beloved matriarch behind one of Chicago’s most iconic establishments
For more than 60 years, Butch McGuire’s has been a Division Street landmark, credited as Chicago’s first singles bar and cherished as a place where couples meet, friendships form, and traditions carry on through generations. This fall, Butch’s grandsons are expanding that legacy with the opening of Mary Jo McGuire’s in Lincoln Park: a sister saloon named in honor of their grandmother, the often-unsung force behind the original.
While the bar’s namesake, Butch McGuire, is remembered as a charismatic Irishman who brought a bold vision to Chicago nightlife, it was Mary Jo, his wife and business partner, who helped turn that vision into a lasting institution.
The two met at the saloon in the early ’60s, shortly after Butch began reserving barstools for unaccompanied women, an innovative move that sparked new connections and, ultimately, their own. Married in 1963, they ran the bar side by side for over 40 years.
After Butch’s passing in 2006, Mary Jo remained an integral part of the business, reviewing daily reports and supporting operations as their son, Robert “Bobby” McGuire carried the saloon forward. Her presence still lingers at her favorite booth, marked with the Donovan family seal—her maiden name and a quiet tribute to her legacy.
“Mary Jo was the heart of our family and the soul of the saloon,” said Patrick Stewart, Mary Jo’s grandson and co-owner of the new saloon. “Opening Mary Jo’s is our way of honoring her legacy and the lasting impact she had on our family and the city of Chicago.”
“Our grandmother understood that what made Chicago special was its people,” added co-owner Connor Stewart. “She saw the saloon as a place where neighborhoods come together, through good times and bad. Mary Jo’s reflects her friendly and fun-loving spirit, the connections she fostered, and what a true saloon means to a neighborhood.”
Spanning two floors, the new saloon will blend traditional millwork and hand-picked antiques to create a maximalist mix of color and texture that feels both timeless and full of character. The main floor will feature two bars, 20 draft lines and an expansive collection of spirits, echoing the Division Street original with updated touches. Upstairs, guests will find another wraparound bar and a stage that will celebrate Lincoln Avenue’s musical legacy, showcasing local talent and marquee acts. The intimate 2nd floor venue will accommodate up to 250 patrons for live music, game-day festivities and private events.
“If it looked like it belonged in a saloon 100 years ago, we tracked it down,” said co-owner Connor Stewart. “We hit more than 15 states, from backroad barns to hidden antiques dealers, in a search for the kind of pieces that would bring warmth and charm to an already historic building.”
Mary Jo’s will also carry on the McGuire family’s beloved Christmas and St. Patrick’s day traditions with handcrafted decorations, dazzling lights and sparkling garland from floor to ceiling during the holiday seasons. In December, guests can visit Santa and toast the season with the saloon’s signature “Christmas in Your Mouth” shot.
The menu draws from Butch’s classics, with an expanded tavern-style pizza offering made possible by the location’s specially outfitted ovens. Guests can stop by to enjoy burgers, reubens, wraps and shareable bar bites—all made from scratch. Behind the bar, staples such as the Harvey Wallbanger, Butch Fizz and Mary Jo Margarita will be joined by rotating seasonal cocktails, a broad beer selection, and an elevated wine program.
At its core, Mary Jo McGuire’s is about more than food and drinks, it’s a place where neighbors, friends, and cherished family can come together to create lasting memories in a setting that feels like home.
“With Mary Jo’s, our goal is to carry on the spirit that’s defined our family’s saloon for generations, while welcoming new neighbors into the tradition,” said Bobby McGuire, co-owner of the new saloon.
Mary Jo McGuire’s will open in October 2025 at 2249 N. Lincoln Ave. in Lincoln Park. Reservations will be available for private events of all sizes. For more information, visit www.MaryJoMcGuires.com or follow @maryjomcguires on social media for updates.
Mary Jo McGuire’s Opens in Lincoln Park, Expanding Butch McGuire’s Legacy
