There’s nothing quite like a neighborhood bar. They have been a staple of American culture for generations. These local watering holes provide a sense of community that can’t be found anywhere else. The old family run neighborhood bar is no different. Passed down from one generation to the next. The atmosphere is always friendly and welcoming and the bartenders know how to pour a mean drink.
Since 1890 a corner bar has been at 3758 S. Union in Bridgeport and owned by only 2 families.
One Of Chicago’s Oldest Bars
In 1890 Shallow opened the bar at 3758 S. Union. When you walk in you see a beautifully handcrafted antique mahogany Back Bar made by Brunswick in 1890. (Brunswick would later make a Back Bar for display at the 1893 World Fair in Chicago.)
A few years after prohibition was repealed on December 5, 1933, George Shinnick & Marry (Healy) Shinnick bought Bar in 1938 and named the bar, Shinnick’s Pub.
A Time Capsule of History
Character and history describes this Bridgeport Bar. In 1893 someone sat at the bar while siping his beer – he had just returned from the the Worlds’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 held in Chicago. In 1900 exhausted workers had shots of whiskey after dealing with the horrific daily working conditions (described in the 1906 Novel, The Jungle by Upton Sinclair years later).
The 475 acres of the Union Stock Yards was walking distance from the bar. When cattle would escape from the pens it was not uncommon for them to run by the outside of bar. Young men in 1917 having their final drinks with friends, saying goodby before left to fight in WWI . Customers entering the bar through a secret door during prohibition. (1920-1933) If anyone asked, nobody knew nothing.
Neighborhood people from the Greatest Generation taking a break from all their worries. Trying to figure out how they are going to make ends meed during the Great Depression (1929-1939) and then going off to fight in WWII. In 1945 Soldiers retuning home from WWII, thankful they helped save the world and made it home alive. Having a drink in remembrance of their friends who did not make it home.
Beer to go was served in buckets. Customers would walk in with an empty bucket and the bartender would fill up their buckets with beer and off they would go.
Don’t let a lie stand in the way of a good story.
Quote often made by George Shinnick Jr.
In the early 1950’s a young Richard J. Daley frequented the bar before his 1st bid for Mayor of Chicago. Law school student at the time and future Mayor, Micheal Bilandic was a friend of owner George Jr, Shinnick.
Shinnick’s Pub Celebrates
And the bar has seen many good times and continues to do so. Three White Sox World Series Championships (1906, 1917, 2005), Two Bears Super Bowls appearances (1985, 2006) Six Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup wins (1934, 1938, 1961, 2010, 2012, 2015). And of course the Bar is known for St. Patrick’s Day Celebration.
Charactor and Community
Shinnick’s Pub 3758 S. Union, is still a gathering place for people from the neighborhood. If fact, part of the community seems to revolve around this bar. Also people from around the world have been to Shinnick’s Pub.
The bartenders know your name, the regulars are like family, and you can always count on finding a familiar face when you walk through the door. The Bar continues to be a popular destination for both locals and world visitors alike. However, Shinnick’s is not just about the people it’s also about history.
It’s not uncommon to see three generations from the same family drinking together at Shinnick’s Pub
Shinnick’s Pub appeared on WGN 9 News
So whether you’re looking for a place to have a few drinks or simply want to experience some local history, be sure to pay your neighborhood bar a visit.
A Bit Of Chicago and Bridgeport Brewery History
Al Capone’s famed Manhattan Brewing Company (1893-1933) located at 3901 Emerald Ave., was blocks away from Shinnick”s Pub at 3758 S. Union as well as Schaller’s Pub and Brewery 3714 S. Halsted. They are no longer there but will be written about in a future edition of Neighborhood Journal.
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