How did I just find out about this place? It's so cute! You could easily drive right by it if you don't know it's there. The service was really friendly. Which is saying something because usually these neighborhood places aren't friendly to unfamiliar faces.
The beer list is decent with good prices and the bloody mary is to die for! If you like spice order the spicy bloody mary. Trust me. It's a very small place, but we grabbed seats with no problems. The regulars seemed like a friendly bunch as well.
They also do all kinds of events (check the website). Everything from beer tastings to dinners and trivia nights. They had lots of things that sounded really fun. I may become a regular here myself.
Still lovely. And never saw a cleaner bar in my life (everywhere! tables, bar, bathroom! spotless!) Â All dressed up for Halloween as well. Friendly staff who know what they're doing and reasonable prices.
The only thing I would change is the volume of the music. It does not need to be deafening. I really would like to maintain my hearing for the long run. Â I should not have to scream/bellow/holler into my companion's ear (2 inches away) to be heard over Safety Dance, or Footloose (sigh, and that's another story, to be sure) especially after we've asked the bartender ever so politely to turn it down just a bit. Other than that? Love it. So much like bars I saw in Dublin--same warm feel.
I not a major drinker, but this is my "goto" spot. The friendliest bar I've ever been to. Listen, if you come here thinking "I want to drink in a place that makes me feel like I'm in Ireland", slap yourself first. Although JJ's does have some nice Irish decor, remember, IT'S A BAR IN BERWYN! There's only so much Dropkick Murphys you can listen to before you remember that. But I digress, I love this place because they treat you like family. I've attended Super Bowl parties here, had fantasy football and fantasy basketball drafts here, had Way-Too-Much-To-Drink birthday gatherings here and so on. But you know the one constant? I've had a blast either way. CHEERS!
Review Source:Ah James Joyce, JJ's, Double J's....have been frequenting this watering hole for many a moon now. "Hey, it's so and so's birthday this Friday. Â Cool. I see you at J's around 10."
Its tiny, it's a tad loud, but totally rad.
Great neighborhood bar with friendly bar maids that are quick and know their ish.
See you on Friday!
What a great way to feel like I am back in Dublin!!
James Joyce has rich wood and tiny nooks and crannies. Â There is fresh Guiness, Bass, and Harp on tap. Â Not to mention, several Irish whiskeys to choose from. Â The Irish bartenders add to the ambiance and are always up for some conversation.
What do I love the best about knocking back several pints of Irish beer? Â The prices. Â I cannot pass up $5 pints!
Thank goodness this little gem is less than 10 minutes from my job and a great place to swing by after work every now and again!
Notable for being Berwyn's only true douchebag bar. Â Looking for frat boys drinking Jameson? Â This is the only establishment in the area that caters to those seeking the fake Irish pub experience. Â Â I will rate a full two stars, because the joint is always clean and the bar staff is friendly (though ditzy).
Review Source:The beauty of this place is that it is JUST a bar. Â No suffocating theme (It's Irish, but not in a fake, cheesy, overwhelming way), no food, just a place for booze. Â That said, it's not like a seedy, sad, dark, drinking problem-y place, either. Â Everyone behind the bar is friendly and professional. Â A great place to stop by for a drink, a game, or for one too many. Â It's just fun.
Review Source:This review has been saved (but not posted) here on Yelp for almost a year now, because I wanted to make sure to say just the right things to convey how awesome this place is, and why I love it. Â But try as I might, I can't really articulate it what it is, exactly, that makes this place so welcoming. Â So here's my best shot.
The James Joyce is just a great pub. Â The bartenders and the proprietor are friendly, and they have a nice selection of beer and liquor. Â The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming, with lively conversation. Â It just has a cozy feeling, overall, and I felt like I was a regular the fist time I stopped in a few years back. Â They pour the best pint of Guinness I've ever had. Â And last, but certainly not least, they host a super fun pub quiz every other Tuesday night that brings me out to Berwyn all the way from Hyde Park, rain or shine. Â Stop by this pub. Â I bet you'll be glad you did.
My friend and I ventured to this spot for the first time last night (May 13th 2011) and we had a great time.
You definitely do get the Irish feel, being that the bartender had a bit of an Irish accent as well, but more than that you get a very homely feel from this place. I particularly enjoyed the bars layout and the stained glass dividers with Celtic symbols on them.
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The clientele were pleasant and everyone seemed to be having a relaxing yet enjoyable time.
Music is certainly a key factor in my decision about a bar from the get
go but also gives you an idea of what kind of music the patrons
enjoy which ranged from classic rock to pop and some new wave in between which was more than alright by me.
We definitely plan on returning and hopefully next time we'll
be bringing a group of friends with as well.
Its a very nice irish pub right by the tracks off of Harlem in Berwyn and, yes, they serve guinness! Â I like to stop every now and then to get a pint of guiness on the way home. Â The place is kind narrow and is difficult to navigate when there is a crowd so probably best to avoid it on busy evenings. Â I made the mistake of going on St Patricks day and it took me about 20 minutes to get from one end of the bar to the other. The crowd was mainly hispanic but there was an irish guy playing some awful bagpipes in the corner.
Review Source:I have been living 1/2 a block from this place for a year! I finally decided to check this joint out. It was my boyfriend's bday and he wanted a low-key celebration. When we walked in, there were a few peeps in there. We got a huge table and just started drinking the night away. This was the most relaxing night I have had in a few years! I loved it. I loved it even more, when I found out they had Def Leppard and Journey on the jukebox. It was a bitchin' time!
Review Source:My husband and I almost didn't leave Berwyn because of the James Joyce. It's a great bar, a great atmosphere, and the perfect post-work or weekend hangout. We loved coming here for a fun, noisy, but oddly low-key good time.
You've got to go to the James Joyce. In fact, you've got to become a 'regular.' It's great!
I have to give it a low rating. i don't knbow why everyone seems to be a fan of this place. It is small and crowded most of the time. There is nothing special about it and there must be a hundred of irish bars just like this one around. The trains coming around so often are disruptive and the beer tastes flat most of the time.
Review Source:The Romero's love James Joyce!! somehow or another we always seem to wind up here for ICB's and a great time. Â I have to agree with the previous reviews, this is the type of place where you think you're going for one beer but stay for hours. Â The staff is friendly and they have a great beer selection.
Review Source:My second favorite bar in Berwyn. Â The service is always quick with a Smithwick's (or Smittik's as I was corrected only once). Â
The bar was built to be as authentic to Ireland as it's owners and it shows. Â I always feel comfortable there whether I'm having a pint by myself or with friends.
Just check the parking restrictions... Â I ended up buying the most expensive round of my life thanks to a mandatory gratuity to the Berwyn Police Department.
I live in the city, which is rife with Irish pubs from Beverly to Rogers Park. So why the hell would I make a pilgrimage every other Tuesday to the James Joyce, you ask?
First and foremost, the awesome pub quiz. Entry is $5 per person, and the winning team takes home all of the cash. The competition is fierce, as many teams have been coming for years. Â The host, Chalky, delivers plenty of sass to keep egos in check. Get there early- most tables are gone long before the action starts!
Beyond that, the pints of Guinness are poured with tender loving care, which is really the only way to drink Guinness. Good luck staying for only one round.. you won't want to leave.
Little pub with a great feel. Â Old school stained glass and that raw wood Irish feel. Â Bar tenders are nice and courteous. They have a flight of heavy beers that is money! Each of the six beers is placed in this wood holder contraption. Â All the beers were tasty, I like the snake bite the best. Â
James Joyce you Rock!
What the heck...a proper Irish pub in the burbs?! Â Hoorah for The James Joyce! Proper pints, great conversation, immaculately clean bathrooms,
No food is served, but they don't have a problem with you ordering a pizza or bringing in some viddles. For being a small place, it is suprisingly acommodating for groups.
The best kept secret as far as Irish pubs go in the Suburbs! I discovered the James Joyce a couple of years after moving to Berwyn and I love it. Very small, great atmosphere, OK price wise, but very authentic.
If you think Irish Times in Brookfield is the be-all-end-all of Irish Pubs in the Western Burbs check out the James Joyce.
What? Â I never reviewed this place before? Â How is that possible? Â This is a great place- very cozy in both the summer and winter months! Â In the summer, you can drink any of the numerous Irish ales they have and in the winter, they make an outstanding Irish coffee! Â Complete with sugar rim! Â Incredible!
Review Source:I stopped over to James Joyce the other night to check it out. Â It is just a couple blocks from home and it's always nice to have a good bar within walking distance. Â This place seemed nice enough. Â I went in on a Sunday night, it wasn't too busy. Â I got my drink in a timely manner, the bartender was courteous and the customers seemed to be having a good time. Â I don't really have anything bad to say! Â I will probably check it out again sometime.
I checked the James Joyce out again the other night and had a very good time. Â The bartender was especially nice. Â The drinks are kinda pricey though. Â Both times I have been there was on a Sunday, so I do not know what kind of place it is on the weekends. Â I will go back for sure.
A wonderful neighborhood pub. Â Owners and staff are great (be sure to ask Ernie if he knows any magic tricks). Â I'm lucky enough to be within walking (perhaps stumbling on occasion) distance. Â For those not so lucky, there's a Metra station across the street and the bar is right off Harlem Ave.
Review Source:A really nice neighborhood Irish pub. Â Even if you aren't a regular, you're treated like one. On the weekends they have live entertainment, and very often it is Celtic related. Â It is a nice place to kick back and enjoy one of their many beers they have on tap. Â It is never overly noisy, so you can have a conversation without shouting to be heard. Â And there is a pretty decent Chinese place right next door to order take out from, so food is only a phone call away.
Review Source:This is a great neighborhood pub. Â The crowd is an interesting mix of people. Â They have many selections of beer on tap and if you want to try different beer, try a flight! Â If you like Guinness, you love this bar! Â They do not serve food here, but you can have Chinese delivered from next door or pizza from Michael A's! Â Good place to go hang out with friends close to home!
Review Source:
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