Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant
| Address: | 5157 Main St, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA |
| Phone: | +1 630-969-0600 |
| Site: | ballydoylepub.com |
| Rating: | 4 |
| Working: | 11AM–1AM 11AM–1AM 11AM–1AM 11AM–1AM 11AM–2AM 11AM–2AM 11AM–10PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 11
A
A Private User
This place needs a serious change... Ive grown to be highly disappointed in Ballydoyle over the years... The DG location is no exception! I love April when she is our server, so I cant complain that I dont get service with a smile when shes around! My problem is usually with the tab and the food. The food is just ok. It has gone downhill significantly over the years along with the clientele (well get back to them). When Phil began focusing on the new locations he lost focus here. The prices went up and the quality went way down! Id really rather spend my money somewhere else for better quality food.Im friends with a couple of bands. A few of us end up assisting with set up most of the time. Weve been to BD in DG countless times for their gigs. Weve had issues with the clientele that is coming off the trains over the past few years. Im not talking about the DG townies so much as the pub crawlers that creep off the trains and make BD their last stop for the night. In past incidents, drunkards have attempted to pick up and toss both band and bar equipment. Theyve also attempted to climb on stage and grab the band members. Luckily, we always bring our own "bouncers." Theyve saved every piece of equipment and prevented harm from coming to our friends on stage. The unfortunate part is that the bars bouncers have not done their part to assist. On one occasion BDs bouncers kicked out a couple of girls only after they picked up the bars subwoofer and tried to throw it into the dancing crowd. We were the ones to take the said subwoofer out of their hands and ask them to back away from the stage. Ten minutes later the bouncers let them back into the bar. They were in no condition to walk let alone be in a bar being served more drinks!There are definitely other places to go if youre looking for quality Irish food at a reasonable price!
A
A Private User
Ballydoyle of Downers Grove has the uncanny ability of hiring only mean-spirited wait staff, doormen, and bartenders. Not a one of these folks are attentive or kind or service-oriented. They are especially bad during live band nights, a time which you might as well BYOB because you will wait and wait for someone to get your order. I have been among Ballydoyles first patrons when they opened; at one point in 2004, I was a daily lunch patron for many months. Wait staff was fantastic at that time. Forget it now. If they want to go home early, they will just close the bar by turning on the lights and yelling out "the bar is closed" while picking up all the chairs around you. No "thank yous" or 5 minute warnings, nothing. You just get a bad vibe the whole time you are there. I only go to see a certain band that plays there, and nothing more. Now that Another Round is opened just a few doors down, with their less expensive fare and better atmosphere, hopefully they will take on some of the more popular bands and I wont have to come back to this pit of despair. As an aside; I have been to the Bloomingdale location several times and it is a very pleasant time compared to this place.
KA
Kathryn Stepp
Ive been to this place several times. Once was a wake and their private rooms were great, it was an Irish wake. I also attended a paranormal investigators meet up. We had a different private room it was nice as well. Now if you go during a busy time or event there is usually a cover charge. They have lots of live music outdoor seating when the weather is nice. It gets very crowded and you may or may not get food service if a waitress can get to you, or if you can get to the bar. Both can be challenging when busy. They have some great food. First time I had fried pickles, suprisingly tasty.
LI
Lindsay Whalen
Worst singular service experience tonight at any restaurant ever! Waited 15 minutes for the waiter to stop by, ordered a simple drink and waited 20 minutes for a return. Only 2 other tables in the entire place had customers? I have never done this but finally walked out when the drink never made it. Walked 3 storefronts down to last call and this place was packed! Within 1 minute of sitting down ordered the same drink and 2 minutes after that It was in hand. Not sure if I just got a young server on his first night, but I will have a hard time ever coming back! Horrible...
MA
Marlene Merow
Loved it! First time there. Sat outside where its uniquely decorated like a quaint euro-village street. Good service and great food. Salad called "The Shredder" was again unique in its blend of fresh ingredients and a creamy, sweet poppyseed dressing. We also had an appetizer of corned beef and cream cheese, breaded and deep fried! Delish! Nice to have a change from the same old choices at most places. We were there early, but posting showed nightly live bands on their inside small stage adjacent to the bar. Well definitely be back to check that out! Highly recommend!!
DA
David Kandell
Walking in....place was pack. The Bouncer was a Cool Dude. Most helpful getting us a table. Ordered the recommended Signature appetizer Cornbeef Bites....which DID bite! They forgot to put in the Cornbeef. We ate 2 out of the 6. Waiter (Patrick) walked past the table several times and never asked how the appetizer was or if we wanted another beer. The Band (Wild Child) was good. Undecided, probably would go back again, this was our second time.
KR
Kristofer Bochat
This place is great. I love the food especially the corned beef bites. I have also had the fish and chips, beef & Guinness stew and shepards pie. The live entertainment is good, and the outdoor seating is great when the weather is nice. The hold back I had for five stars is once in awhile you get someone from service that disappears for 1/2 an hour getting drinks, and the place is not packed.
A
A Private User
We take our kids (3 and 5) all the time. I was really surprised to see the negative review. We live in the neighborhood and everyone likes this place. The smoke did use to be annoying if you stayed in the front room, but it doesnt matter anymore with ban. Service is consistently above average. Sounds like the bad reviewer just caught the place on a bad day or maybe theyre English.
TA
Taylor Tayfel
The place has a very rustic feel to it. I was there for a baby shower so we were in a private room, but the place itself was amazing. The service was great, Im surprised they could keep up with my crazy family. There was a live band too, but we left before that occured. I really would have liked to see them. The food was amazing too...overall a great experience.
BA
Barbara OConnor
My son and his bride had their reception at Ballydoyles on 7-17-15. The restaurant was closed for this special event. Everything was excellent and everyone had a good time. The staff and owner were very helpful and gracious. This was a perfect beginning to their married life. Thank you, Ballydoyles. Barbara OConnor, the grooms mom.
JO
John Schmitt
Cool place in a great downtown area in the Chicago burbs. Pretty interesting design/atmosphere: lots of wood & stained glass with a nice stage for live music. Many good/great beers on draught (gotta spell er that way cuz its an Irish pub) and an above-average bar food menu. The fish & chips are excellent.
