Teddy O'Brian's

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  This is easily my wife and my go-to bar.  Yes, it's a bit divey.  Yes, it's a bit dirty and unrefined.  But, sometimes that's exactly what you are looking for.  The staff is great and very friendly.  We had only been there a couple of times before both Dennis and Lois knew us by name as we walked through the door.  
  Beware... thier mixed drinks are not for the weak.  These guys got rid of the standard 1.5oz. or 4 count pour a long time ago.  Mixed drinks will come in a pint glass and, if you are lucky, have enough mixer to color the alcohol.  There...warning is over.
  Other then that... a pool table, some silver strike bowling and darts for only a quarter.  I can safely say that this is just flat out a "comfortable, neighborhood, blue collar dive bar", and no body should take that in a negative way at all.

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  Posted on 03.21.13 Jimmy M.

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  Overall a pretty decent place in the suburbs. Have seen some great live bands here and the drinks are cheap. Also, they service is good and the people working there are very friendly. The crowd is very hit or miss though, and the bar is either fairly empty or packed with mostly kids from ages 21-24. They're are also a lot of underage kids that get in, which brings down the experience. Overall though a decent place to chill put and get a few drinks.

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  Posted on 09.15.12 Lyle T.

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  Awesome selection of craft beers. Even a couple on tap. We went on sunday (3/11) to grab a drink for a friends turning 21 at midnight. Whoever the bartender, mid 50's gentleman, was plenty accommodating and polite and turned me on to a new brewing company that just came around the area. defintely nothing bad to say about him. The set up and interior are pretty much a college kid diver, which doesn't surprise me since that's the main demographic to cater to in highwood, at least in the summer time.
  
  I'm definitely willing to return on a busier night (there were only 5 others beside us) so I can see if I would give it more stars. Until then i can only comment on what i know, rather than what i have heard.

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  Posted on 04.02.12 Dave V.

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  I do not understand how this bar has such high ratings when Highwood has so much more to offer!  Teddy O'Brian's is a dive bars with a bunch of drunk kids who just turned 21 and can barely stand after a drink.  The drinks are cheap, the bar is dirty and the people are rowdy.  Last night in the 2 hours I was there I broke up two fights... I mean come on really people?!  
  
  The part that bothered me the most is they had a shot special posted and when I asked for it the bartender didn't even know how to make it.  My friend and I wanted two different shots and this annoyed the bartender.. he asked why we couldn't just order the same shot.  Ummm... because we don't want the same shot!  We are paying you to do this... why are you making it seem so difficult to mix a drink?

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  Posted on 12.04.11 Taylor M.

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  Teddy's is the best. Great big outdoor patio, laid back, you can play bags outside, jukebox has a good mix of old and new music, GREAT bar food - sandwiches, fried food, pizza. This is pretty much the only bar I like going to in Highwood - Gabe's is sleazy and tries too hard, Nickel is closed, Silver Dollar/Hunter's are for old people. Teddy's is a great spot!!

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  Posted on 10.14.11 Elizabeth A.

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  This is my favorite local pub. Although it is where I run into everyone I went to high school with from LFHS. But, not a problem.  I like going here to grab a beer, listen to live music, play some pool, and see old friends.
  
  The staff is very laid-back. I love Christy!  She always makes our drinks to perfection!  
  
  They just remodeled the place. Although I did like it better before. Now it's just a little bit more open. More space.  They started doing the $20 minimum on credit cards after their remodeling.  But the staff is usually pretty lenient when it comes to that.
  
  I love the outdoor patio, the juke box, staff, and even the bar food.  The munchers are my favorite. This is the kind of place for college kids coming home to visit, and other locals, I also see lots of 'stay at home' moms.  It's rare you see anyone over the age of 50 in there.  
  
  But I love it, Ill be back!

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  Posted on 07.27.11 Meagan H.

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  Let me start this review off by saying that I used to bartend in Highwood about ten years ago.
  
  I've spent my fair share of hours, beers, shots, and dollars at Teddy O' Rainbows.
  
  Teddy is a great guy, and has always been a rather gracious host.  Hence the extra star.
  
  I can't say the same about the bartenders.
  
  I walked into Teddy's tonight with a crew of late-twenty/early-thirty-somethings, only to be stared down by a bunch of college kids, looking at us as though we were invading on their territory.  Junior, please.  Me and my fake ID used to hit up Rainbows back when you were learning the subtle nuances of "dodgeball" back in third grade gym class.
  
  So, I make my way to the bar, and ask the bartender (who's been there for at LEAST ten years), "Hey, when did you guys get a grill?"
  
  She answers, "About 3 years ago," then walks away and serves at least 5 other patrons.  The people I was standing next to at the corner of the bar asked me, "Wow, what did you do to piss her off?"  I wasn't quite sure, so I made pleasant conversation with the seemingly amused regulars.  
  
  Eventually, the other bartender came over, and told me that I'd have to "wait around for some Maker's Mark...Teddy's gotta go downstairs".  I decided to go with some Beam instead, purchased drinks for my friends and I, and headed toward the back room.
  
  Round 2:  I ask for a pitcher of Miller Lite for the table and a Makers and 7 for myself.  I watch the bartender pull a half-full pitcher out of the bottle fridge, fill the remainder with BUD Light (which I don't object to, but wasn't what I ordered), and bring it to me, along with my cocktail.
  
  When I called her out on it, she said, "Oh, it's OK, I just filled it up a few minutes ago."  Trying not to be a dick, I didn't make a big deal.
  
  LAST CALL!!!
  
  I make my way toward the bar again.  I make eye contact with both bartenders several times, yet for some reason, they bypass me in favor of customers who just walked up to the bar.  Finally, after about 10 minutes, I get a drink, and ask for my tab, which was $30.
  
  I left a $3 tip and a note along these lines:
  
  "I've been hanging around Highwood for about 10 years.  I don't know what I did to piss you off, but thanks for ignoring me.  I usually tip VERY well."
  
  The response?
  
  Bartender # 2 comes out from behind the bar to bust my balls, and inform me how accommodating she and her partner were by asking Teddy to go get a fresh bottle of Makers for me in round one.  You know...the one in which I gave up and settled for some Beam instead.
  
  Teddy, you're a good man.  If I happen to be in Highwood again anytime soon, I'd be happy to have a drink with you...at the Nickel.

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  Posted on 10.31.09 Dan M.

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  4 stars for the patio alone. In the summer, Teddy's is the place to be for anyone under the age of 23 (and of course over 21). I remember spending countless summer nights catching up with friends. Every once in awhile I'll hit up Teddy's when I'm in the area and now that I'm in my mid twenties, I automatically feel old because the only people I recognize are my younger brother's friends. Tuesdays are karaoke. The bartenders are very sweet, but the strength and taste of drinks is very inconsistent. But they're cheap, Teddy's is fun, and the outdoor patio rocks, so I can't complain too much.

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  Posted on 04.23.08 Kathryn M.

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  Teddy O's is great...I still call it Rainbows...ah the good old days.
  
  Great for drinks and running into some locals.
  
  I have the best time here when it's warm and the patio is open outside.
  
  Pricing is reasonable.

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  Posted on 01.11.06 gnat c.

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  I looooove Teddy O's...best bartenders (Love you Melinda!!!) and the owners are amazing....Teddy and Brien, best guys ever!  This is a great bar if you want to relive your crazy college bar nights!  If you go, I suggest you have a MAI TAI...they will knock you on your butt for sure!

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  Posted on 12.08.05 Jenna I.

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