Celebrating Over 35 Years of Spirited Inspiration
In 1986 after a historic $180 million dollar renovation (the most expensive hotel renovation ever at the time), the Hilton Chicago decided they wanted to create a bar experience like no other in Chicago. The decision was made to create a most authentic Irish pub that would sit on the lobby level of the hotel at the corner of Michigan Avenue and 8th Street.
To achieve this authentic look and experience, Hilton sent members of its food and beverage team over to Ireland where they visited over 40 Irish pubs to ensure they had the menu, experience, cocktails, and most importantly the pints all down to a science.
Another key component of Hilton Chicago’s new Irish pub would be a name that showcased to travelers what the experience at the bar would be like. The name chosen was Kitty O’Sheas after Katherine O’Shea who was an English woman of aristocratic background married to Captain William O’Shea, a Catholic Nationalist MP for Galway Gladstone in the late 1800’s.
By far the most compelling move made to ensure that the Irish experience was as authentic as it could be was to bring over 13 staff members from Ireland to staff almost all the front of house positions including bartenders, servers, and management positions. Many of those opening crew team members at Kitty’s still work for Hilton in various positions around Chicago and around the US. That tradition continues to this day with many current Kitty’s team members who were born in Ireland and came to the US to work at Kitty’s.
Any visitor to Kitty’s will find many of those same traditions still alive and well today as we celebrate over 35 years of proudly serving Chicagoland. Many of the traditional Irish dishes are still on the menu along with some new favorites. The patio on Michigan Avenue is still a favorite to grab a drink and meet friends while enjoying views of the skyline and Grant Park.
After 35 years, Kitty O’Sheas is still the finest place to welcome all travelers in search of the perfect pint.
Menus
Opening times:
Open seven days a week
Brunch service from 7am-11am daily
Unique Chicago Venue – Private Parties Available
Please contact us via email or at (312) 922-4400 for information.
