Where To Celebrate St. Patrick's Day In Chicago

By Jessica Mlinaric in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 10, 2016 6:10PM

Credit: Jessica Mlinaric/Chicagoist

For Chicago, St. Patrick's Day almost feels like a month-long affair. Don your best green outfits and head out to any of these awesome events throughout the month to get into the St. Patrick's Day spirit.

SATURDAY, MARCH 12

Chicago River Dyeing- 9 a.m.
Watch the river turn green(er) with other 400,000 spectators. The best views are from the East side of the Michigan Avenue bridge, the West side of the Columbus Drive bridge or upper and lower Wacker Drive between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive.
Wacker Dr. between Michigan Ave. and Columbus Dr.

Downton St. Patrick's Day Parade - 12 p.m.
Get in the green spirit along with parade floats, marching bands and step dancers. The parade starts at Balbo and Columbus and proceeds north on Columbus Drive for about three hours.
Viewing stand located in front of Buckingham Fountain

Credit: Jessica Mlinaric/Chicagoist

312 DAY at Bottom Lounge 8 p.m.
Goose Island and the Chicago Reader are throwing a free 312 DAY party featuring Alkaline Trio, Jeff the Brotherhood, and 312 giveaways.
1375 W. Lake St.

Bridge House Tavern - 8 a.m.
Get there early for a view of the merrymaking along the Chicago River and a $10 Irish breakfast buffet.
321 N. Clark St.

Emerald Loop - 8 a.m.
Within stumbling distance of the Chicago River, stop by for bagpipers, green beer, and Irish music all day.
216 N. Wabash Ave.

The Grafton - 10 a.m.
Try corned beef and cabbage and beef Guinness stew. Tim O'shea and Friends direct from Ireland take the stage at 6 p.m.
4530 N. Lincoln Ave.

Hidden Shamrock - 9 a.m.
Start the day with Kegs n Eggs ($40) or stop in later for live music by Over the Side and Slap Happy.
2723 N. Halsted St.

House of Blues - 9 a.m.
Get your Irish on after the river turns green with live Irish music from New Element, 6’10”, and The Great Whiskey Project. RSVP online for free entry.
329 N. Dearborn St.

Irish American Heritage Center - 1 p.m.
The annual family-friendly festival includes Irish music, dance, and children's activities (adult tickets $12, children free). Grab a Guinness at Chicago's most authentic Irish pub in, the Fifth Province, inside the IAHC.
4626 N. Knox Ave.

Johnny's Grill - 10 a.m.
In addition to the regular Irish breakfast, Dublin native chef Sara Jordan will be serving a Corned Beef Sandwich and Corned Beef Hash for $12 each.
2545 N. Kedzie Ave.

Irish Breakfast at Johnny's Credit: Potluck Creative

The Kerryman - 12 p.m.
Groove to Irish DJs throughout the day with appearances by bagpipers, Irish dancers, and face painters.
661 N. Clark St.

Lady Gregory's - 10 a.m.
Bring the kids early for face painting and return at night for a DJ and pours of Guinness, Harp, Smithwick's, Magners, and, of course, green beer.
5260 N. Clark St.

Lizzie McNeill's
Watch the Chicago River dyeing from a beer tent at one of the city's largest St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
400 N. McClurg Ct.

O'Donovans Bar & Grill - 10 a.m.
Breakfast buffet and four hour premium bar package ($25). Don't miss the live bag pipe performance at 6 p.m.
10 a.m. 2100 W. Irving Park Rd.

Paddy Long's - 8 a.m.
Enjoy a full Irish Breakfast along with corned beef and cabbage. The tap will feature irish themed craft beers from Local Option, Solemn Oath and Great Lakes Brewing.
1028 W. Diversey Pkwy.

Paddy O'Fegan's - 10 a.m.
Green Miller Lite ($4) and Paddy's Whiskey Shots ($6) will be on special at this West Loop watering hole. Order the Mini Reuben Rollers and enjoy a pipe band performance.
204 N. Halsted St.

Poag Mahone's- 9 a.m.
Stop by this Loop watering hole after the parade for performances by the Shannon Rovers bagpipers and Identity Irish Dancers as well as complimentary Jameson toasts throughout the day.
333 S. Wells St.

Public House - 8 a.m.
Tap O'The Morn at Public House and Bull & Bear (ticket prices vary) includes a 50 Shades of Green Power Hour and bottomless breakfast bites.
400 N. State St.

Shoreline Sightseeing St. Patrick's Day Cruises
Celebrate from a safe distance aboard a cruise featuring a traditional Irish buffet and a 75-minute tour focused on how the Irish shaped Chicago ($59). Multiple tour times available.
600 E. Grand Ave.


Credit: Ken Gilbertson

SUNDAY, MARCH 13

Northwest Side Irish Parade - 12 p.m.
Now in its 13th year, this Norwood Park parade begins at William J. Onahan School running south on Neola Avenue to Northwest Highway before heading north on Northwest Highway to Harlem Avenue. Keep the party going afterwards with a Danny Boy Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner and live entertainment.
Northwest Hwy. between Harlem Ave. and Neola Ave.

South Side Irish Parade - 12 p.m.
Keep step with a Chicago classic as the parade marches through Beverly from 103rd and Western to 115th. A one-mile race, the Emerald Isle Mile, precedes the parade at 11:30 a.m.
Western Ave. between 103rd and 115th

Barney Callaghan's
Catch the South Side Parade from this prime Beverly location along the route.
10618 S. Western Ave.

Horse Thief Hollow - 10:30 a.m.
93XRT's Jason Thomas and Tito's Vodka host the South Side parade day revelry. Don't miss Horse Thief Hollow's newly released Pat Mac Irish Ale.
10426 S. Western Ave.

Peggy Kinnane's Irish Restaurant and Pub - 12 p.m.
The St. Patrick's Family Day celebration includes balloonist Lucky Leprechaun, face painting, and a performance by the Trinity Irish Dancers.
8 N. Vail Ave, Arlington Heights

Credit: Peggy Kinnane's

THURSDAY, MARCH 17

Celtic Knot Public House - 12 p.m.
Sip on a Guinness Blonde special ($3) at this Hooley with traditional and modern Irish folk performances throughout the day.
626 Church St, Evanston

Chief O'Neill's - 12 p.m.
Recreate the ancient traditional Celtic Pig Roast to the soundtrack of Irish musical and dance talent in the covered garden.
3471 N. Elston Ave.

Emmit’s Irish Pub
The Shannon Rovers are in the house performing and import drafts are on special.
495 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Reggies - 8 p.m.
Free shows sponsored by Guinness feature The Beer Nuts, Black Actress, Major Threat, and The Hamburglars in the Rock Club and Moist Guitars and Callaghan in the Music Joint!
2105 S. State St.