Duke of Perth

2913 N. Clark St. (2900N, 600W)
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 477-1741

While being cheaper than a trip to Edinburgh and more pleasant than a poke in the eye, the Duke of Perth is the best Scottish pub in Chicago. Okay, it's only one of two Scottish pubs in Chicago, but it's still pretty cool (and we like Ole St. Andrew's Pub further north as well). And folks, it's a pub. There aren't any televisions at the Duke, so you may have to talk to somebody. Known for its $8 all-you-can-eat fish and chips on Wednesdays and Fridays, 75 blends of single-malt scotch (best variety in Chicago), and very cute waitresses (hand-picked by the owner), the Duke has something for everyone and their brother. And, since everyone and their brother comes in, it can get very crowded. This makes the Duke a better choice for weekday or early weekend afternoon patronage. I recommend it after a trip to Barnes and Noble, Curl Up & Dye (hair salon of the same name as Carrie Fisher's in the Blues Brothers), or after catching a flick at the Century City Mall movie theater.

For the beer enthusiast, the Duke offers such British ales as Fuller's ESB, Abbott's, Boddington's, Tenant's Lager, McEwan’s Ale, and of course, Guinness and Harp. Not sure you like single-malt Scotch? Just ask for a recommendation at the bar, and maybe you'll get a free sample. Prior to going to the Duke one Tuesday night, I had only tried Scotch once and had regretted it. My friend bought me a snifter of Scotch for $7, and reluctantly, I tried it. It was glorious. Now I recommend the Laphroaig ($8.25 for the 15-year-old blend) and Craic to anyone wishing to try Scotch. And, for those of you who decide to put ice in your Scotch, the mounted deer on the wall wearing a Chicago police hat might have you arrested.

The Duke is rather small, but it has two rooms. The official dining room is in back and offers a refuge for non-smokers. This room is complete with track lighting, a faux fireplace, Scottish agriculture implements and other Scottish memorabilia mounted on the walls. The phone and one-seater bathrooms are also in the back. Regular Duke of Perth patrons may be disturbed that the cartoons, written in Scottish brogue, are no longer framed on the wall but instead are laminated under a few table tops in the dining room. The front room is where the smallish, wooden bar is located, surrounded by a random collection of furniture that would rival any college student's apartment.

Head through the dining room, and through the glass door and you'll find the Duke's beer garden. Here you will find several plastic tables, a few trees in garden plots, and a large cement fence adorned with a coats of arms. The space is very pleasant in the all-too-short Chicago summertime, and is reminiscent of the romantic beer garden located just a few doors down at one of my favorite French restaurants in the city, La Creperie.

While Irish food is becoming more commonplace in the area, the Duke stands out in its variety and authenticity of selection of British food, similar to that of The Globe Pub and Red Lion Pub. In addition to the standard fish & chips – all-you-can-eat on Monday and Wednesday nights –, one can enjoy shepherd's pie, stilton and pear salad, Scotch eggs, steak & kidney pie, half-pound "Sean Connery" and "Rob Roy" burgers, chicken sandwiches, Hebridean potato and leek pie, and "haggis wings." My advice regarding the fish and chips: substitute the peas for English-style fries or "chips," and douse them with plenty of malt vinegar. Brilliant.

The food is great, the liquor is potent, and the authentic pub atmosphere is tough to beat – only bars like Cullen's, the Red Lion and Chief O'Neill's even come close. This has made the Duke of Perth my favorite bar in which to partake in 2 a.m. drinking sessions on Tuesday. If you find yourself having the same, grab a gumball or Runt for the road from one of the machines on you way, and be careful of the broken steps that lead out from the front door. I would also recommend that you try to avoid any Seinfeld-ian public urination incidents at the Century City Mall due to "uromisitisis," or like the one I had the misfortune of seeing behind Wrigleysville Dogs (yes, that is the correct spelling). For its efforts, the Duke of Perth was awarded Best Scotch by The Official Chicago Bar Guide (2001)So, if you're thinking about heading to the Duke, remember: if it's not Scottish, it's crap!

~ Have a good story relating to this bar? E-mail it to me. ~

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– written by Sean Parnell

"I just saw your site and I have a tale from several years ago that you'll enjoy. Before we moved from Chicago, I had a fraternity brother (APO) visit my family and I... we lived off Belmont and Seminary at the time. I had been to Duke of Perth's previously and, Marty wanted to go there so, we walked the few blocks down to the pub. On the way I was getting my taste buds set for THE Macallan's... MY favorite single malt... but, upon arrival Marty wanted beer, Bass Ale to be precise. As the barkeep took the order, a voice from the end of the bar said '...and put it on MY tab!' Almost on cue, Marty's and my necks swiveled down there just at the time to hear the fellow say '...I'm the Bass Ale salesman!' Well, he joined us and bought us FOUR pints of this GOOD stuff! We had a fine conversation and, the concept of the free beer was a nice touch. Afterwards, Marty and I found that it was a GOOD thing that home was close by as we were very close to LOW-CRAWLING back there but, being the artilleryman HE was and, the (former) infantryman I WAS, we navigated under our own power. How? I'll never know. My wife (who is a non-drinker) says Marty began making hibernation noises on one couch while I collapsed on the other. A nice memory from a great pub... one I shall return to someday!"

– F.L. (June 17, 2005)