Cullen’s Bar & Grill

We honestly liked Cullen’s so very much.
To all you Cullen’s people, owners, managers and wait staff, bussers, bartenders and of course cooks and dishwashers, all be well with you now and always. Thank you for having so many times helped to make our lives more wonderful. It’s good to have you permanent residents in our memories and forever more in our hearts. We wish we didn’t have to miss you as we do and will.
~Peter O, S, and Mother T

Great Food. Fabulous Staff. A Home Away From Home for Many Neighbors & Merchants. A Destination for International Travelers. A Wonderful Owner with a Heart of Gold. A True Pioneer of Southport. Thank you Michael & Staff/​Friends for MANY wonderful memories! You’ll be Greatly Missed :(
As Quoted on the Bar — «Never Lose the Common Touch»

Sadly, Cullen’s closed on February 27, 2015. It was a great place, my family’s home away from home. I was there on my wedding day and countless birthdays, kids’ birthdays, anniversaries, and other important days of my life. It will be missed.

Cullen’s, pay attention to your service/​staff. Just because you get a lot of unintentional and non-​destination customers due to your proximity to the Music Box and Mercury doesn’t mean you shouldn’t strive to be a great pub. Read your Unilocal reviews.
Your service is mediocre at best. The server we had last Friday night was, to be honest, a total b. She argued with us about what a black & tan was (Guiness and Bass, or sometimes Harp) then brought me some dark mug of something. When I questioned why it wasn’t separated into a light and dark half, she told me they use 2 dark beers and it was exactly as it was supposed to be. 2 dark beers for a black and tan? We suspected she was making it up and had just messed up our order. She took my dates food order and began walking away, without taking my order, clearly miffed that I asked about the «black & tan» thing. We had to call her back so I could order, and this continued for the rest of the meal, she would ask if we needed something, we needed ketchup, she walks away and we wait…10 minutes later she is walking by and asks if we needed anything, I said, yes we still need ketchup. She acts like we had never requested this before but eventually brings it. My date wanted me to leave a poor tip to reflect the bad service and attitude, but I left 20% despite my better judgement. The food was just meh by the way, nothing special. Oh, and the employees/​regulars having a screaming conversation clear across the room as one was leaving was just annoying. This place needs someone who knows how to manage it properly, pour a proper beer, and fire the crappy servers, or you could do nothing and watch your ratings and your business drop off month by month.

I’ve been coming to this bar for almost 4 years. It is great when you are catching a show at either theater next to it. Great place to get a serious drink, a well poured Guinness…
However in the last year i have noticed the food quality take a nose dive. Their fish and chips are no longer meaty filets, but obviously pre-​made puny frozen things. Same with chicken fingers. Their veggies aren’t crisp and fresh like they used to be, probably also pre-​cut now.
Finally last night the service was lousy. They only had 1 waitress for the WHOLE bar. There were shows at both theaters and the place was full… this lead neglectful service and long wait times for everything.
Time to up your game again Cullens– you can do better.

We came here while waiting for dinner at Tango Sur. We shared the artichoke dip while we sipped our beers… it was to die for! Creamy, hot, delicious crust on top wit the melts dip under. I would 100% order that again! Hoping to get back here sometime soon for an actual meal!

Since this place was attached to the Mercury Theater, Boyfriend and I decided that this was where we were going to have dinner before our showing of Avenue Q.
I ordered their flautas (odd choice for a pub, I know, but they sounded amazing at the time and I was craving Mexican food) and Boyfriend chose a sandwich (I think it was their BLT). The food was pretty good, especially since they brought it out to us pretty quickly since I made sure to inform the waitress that our show was next door and starting pretty soon (though she also had reassured us that we would definitely get our food, eat it all and be seated with time to spare before the show started).
It’s a dimly lit restaurant that gives off the air of a dive bar — but not one of those scary-​looking ones. Think of it as more of a neighborhood dive that may not seem outwardly inviting but is totally friendly once you get past the door. I love all the décor on the walls and that it’s, essentially, a no-​frills pub-​like place for you to eat and drink at.

Still likin’ this place as the food is good, the service is spot on and I like that I can sit and watch the world pass by as I enjoy my food.
Street parking is easy along Southport (surprisingly so) and I think the food is pretty good for a bar as well. The other night we had the nachos and the chicken strips and the chicken actually had almost a «tempura batter» on them which was a nice change from the typical deep fried chicken batter.
Cullen’s continues to be my «go to» spot on Southport!

As far as Irish bars goes Cullen’s does a mighty fine job pouring a healthy Guiness and providing an ambiance of the Emerald Isle. The food is just fine so I would skip here for dinner and just stop in for a pint.
¹⁶⁴⁄₃₆₅

Curry Fries and the most perfectly poured Guinness, that is all that needs to be said.
I had no intention to getting any food but when I saw they had curry fries for an appetizer I was sold. I love those but it is so hard to find. The reuben Egg roll were good but the order was so small, we got only 2 small rolls cut in half :(
I ordered the mac and cheese and was surprised how large the bowl was and how good it was, very creamy and the noodles were cooked perfectly. However, my wife ordered the fish and chips and her serving was rather small, only 3 small pieces of fish that were soggy.

Comfortable and great service. The Mac and cheese looks amazing, I had a rueben which was ok, could have been more toasted and the corned beef was a little fatty. Didn’t have any drinks, but the beer selection seemed abundant. I’ll be back!

Partner and I stopped here for dinner before an event at the very nearby Music Box. We loved the space. The staff was friendly and efficient. The food was good. It’s an Irish pub kinda place and the menu befits an Irish pub. We each order the Shepherd’s Pie; he accompanied dinner with a coffee and Irish Cream; I with a Calypso Coffee. The drinks were good despite the fact the coffee was awful. The entrée was good albeit not great. I suspect the mashed potato topping began in a box. Overall, we were both happy with the meal and won’t hesitate to return when in the neighborhood.

Had a little time to kill last night (Sun 1÷12÷14) before a movie at Music Box next door so stopped in here. It wasn’t terribly busy and the gentleman behind the bar got us menus quickly enough but was difficult to engage to actually order anything when we figured out at least our drinks within a few minutes. He was busy with whatever, the service bar, one or two other customers, and we looked up from our menus, made eye contact, yada yada, the usual signs after five minutes that «hey, we’re ready to order here!» But I pretty much had to verbalize that when he paced from one side of the bar to the other for the umpteenth time.
Nice bottled and draft beer selections. We got the artichoke dip app and it was sublime. Ultra rich, nice onions, great cheese flavor with a perfectly bubbly brown crust. Served with rye bread triangles.
The bar has a historic Irish feel to it and come to find out the «Codger of Cullen’s,» our bartender, has the Irish brogue. Brooding Barkeep with Brogue… that’s what I’ll call ‘eem!
Place has potential, just needs to be friendlier.

Stopped in for a bite and a few drinks before a show at the Music Box. We had an hour and change to kill, so no rush.
We got sat in a fine booth, next to the kitchen. The server was attentive and cordial. No complaints there. We got the ham sandwich, tuna melt, wings, and a few drinks. Both sandwiches were subpar, the drinks were expensive, and everything was just blah. Fries were totally unseasoned the curry sauce was bland. It would’ve been a 3 star review, but it ended up being almost $ 80.
I suspect they’d get a ton of clientele regardless of whether their product is any good based on location alone. I can’t wait for Blue Bayou to open back up. I will not be coming back.

Went here around 9 on a Friday night after a show at The Music Box and had dinner and drinks with the wife and was pleasantly surprised.
I usually like to review the service, menu and atmosphere but in all fairness to the staff, a whole large group of us descended on the place all at the same time. And given that there seemed to be one waitress for the whole place, I’ll give the staff some slack.
That being said, service was still quite good despite that. We were promptly seated, given menus and our drink orders were taken and received in a fairly short period of time, regardless of crowd size. What I appreciated about our server is she managed to keep a good attitude and a smile on her face despite it being nearly impossible to navigate between the hordes of people jammed into the bar area (and a really drunk loud guy who seemed to be hell bent on knocking into everybody and spilling their drink).
I had the Shepherd’s Pie and the wife had the Chicken Pot Pie and both were excellent. The Shepherd’s was a nice size, filled with well seasoned beef and topped with mashed potatoes. I appreciated that it was more meat than potatoes (like some places you get this in). HP steak sauce was a nice bonus too.
The Chicken PP was HUGE and filled with chunks of real chicken and a nice sauce. A perfectly flaky crust topped it al and it was so big the wife couldn’t finish it. Again, quite excellent.
Our food came out quickly given the crowds so we were happy about that.
One thing to know about the place is it’s a tight. We were at a table near the window and there was no room to move your chair and people will bump into you as they try to walk by to get to the bar. So I wouldn’t call this a first date place. Or maybe it is because you will be very close to each other for the entire evening.
Overall I’d definitely go back as between the food, service and atmosphere, it’s a nice change of pace from the usual Wigleyville places that surround it. And 15% off with a ticket from the Music Box makes it a bargain too.

Great Reuben egg rolls. Sauerkraut, corned beef wrapped in dough then fried, then dipped in thousand island. Not healthy but delicious!
Limited appetizer selections.
Wine selection is limited to: red or white.
Good beer selection.
Friendly staff.

Like many other reviewers, I’ve met some friends here several times for a quick dinner and drinks before or after a movie at the Music Box. It is always the same. My friends insist we have to go to Cullen’s because Cullen’s is great. I’m sorry, but it isn’t. It is just okay, and I always leave disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, Cullen’s was a perfectly adequate bar and grill. They have a good beer selection, the menu is varied, and the atmosphere was very comfortable and welcoming.
Unfortunately, the food is usually bland and always over priced. I order something different every time, and I’m always disappointed. Everything is also incredibly over priced. When your «small plates» cost as much as full entrees with sides, then there is a problem. My suggestion? Skip the food and stick to drinks. The bar has a good selection of drinks and the bar tenders are usually very friendly and helpful. Serves are also very friendly and charming, though some are better than others. Service tends to be on the slow side, so just keep that in mind.

Wandered in here for a late lunch on a Sunday and I quite enjoyed the place. I love an Irish pub and this place did not fail to affirm my affection.
I was quite surprised to see the new Guinness gravity glasses here and new taps as another Irish bar I know claims to be the only one in the city with them. Well, well, not anymore. My beer was also poured nicely and tasted fresh and delicious.
The menu was expansive, but the selections seemed a little pricey– especially with their «small plates» costing as much as the full entrees. My friend and I both ordered the burgers, though I went with the California. I don’t think it had any sauce on it, but the goat cheese, avocado, and cucumber on it went really well with my perfectly cooked medium rare burger. I loved the char on it and the bun was toasted to perfection as well. The fries were a little lacking, but that’s ok, because I didn’t need to add them to my waistline anyway. I did really enjoy my burger and beer though and considering that’s a combination I often crave, I’m glad it went beyond my expectations.

I’m a regular here for a few reasons. 1) It’s close to my house (always a bonus). 2) The food is pretty damn good. As a vegetarian I’m very happy with the veggie burger. They also have a sweet veggie wrap. All of my carnivorous friends have also repeatedly smacked their lips while eating here. 3) The bar staff is very friendly and are generous to familiar faces.
They have a decent sized patio for the more hospitable months. The restrooms are clean and the ladies’ room has many stalls (I don’t know why but it always makes me happy to have some freaking room in the bathrooms and not be crowded in some tiny stall). It’s adjoining the Mercury Theater so they open it up at intermissions and stuff for the theater goers. I even saw a guy from the show step into the bar to check the Hawks score! And speaking of the Hawks, they play the games with audio. The TVs are a bit small and you have to get a good spot to really be able to see it well. I recommend the bar if you’re really there for the game. The crowd is definitely mixed — yuppies, families, locals, loners and as mentioned the theater crowd. I like that they host my German conversation group once a month.
So if you’re in the neighborhood, stop in for a beer and say hi to me :)

I’m not going to change my star rating, but I have to say that my last 2 visits were not as good as usual. I visited for lunch and service was really slow and the food was ok (I did switch up what I normally order) and then I visited for a drink at the bar…
When my friend and I stopped in for a drink, and when the bartender asked what I wanted, I said that I thought they had a pinot grigio and asked for that. The bartender proceeded to insinuate that I wouldn’t know the taste difference between a pinot grigio and anything else (actually, he said that). Huh? Not sure where that came from, but I was not amused. I got less amused when he proceeded to continue to make weird comments to us. Now, I realize most people probably drink beer in this place — however, I know they have more than one wine and I don’t understand the attitude. I have never had this happen to me before and it shouldn’t matter what I order. This was early in the evening before dinner — weird.
I will keep coming back as I like visiting for a casual dinner — but what the heck? I shouldn’t feel the need to have to justify my order at a casual, local bar. UGH!