The big day may not be until Wednesday, but you can start celebrating now with these picks.
Forever Green
Shamrock the house Friday at this party hosted by the Young Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago. The Young Dubliners and hometown favorite Michael McDermott will provide the music. Ireland will provide the beer–plenty of Guinness, Harp and the newly available Smithwick’s are included in the ticket price. Go ahead and drink up–trolley shuttles will run from the Grand Red Line stop to Navy Pier every 15 minutes. Proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Bucks for Burn Camp. 6-10 p.m. Friday. $50 at the door. Navy Pier Grand Ballroom, 600 E. Grand Ave. 773-868-3010.
Dyeing of the Chicago River/ Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade
For a tradition that dates back to the reign of the first Mayor Daley, we still think turning the Chicago River green is kind of punk rock. To see how they do it–two little boats and a whole lotta dye–show up at the event’s new location at the river between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive by 10:45 a.m. Saturday. Grab a spot on the Michigan Avenue bridge or along the river walk for a prime view. After the river flows green, head south on Columbus for the parade, which starts on Balbo Drive and Columbus and heads to Monroe Street. Here’s a tip: The east side of Columbus tends to be less crowded. Dyeing of the River: 10:45 a.m. Free. Parade: noon. Free. Columbus Drive between Balbo Drive and Monroe Street. 312-942-9188.
South Side Irish
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Everyone’s welcome at Sunday’s parade, but only if they promise to behave themselves. Organizers, eager to curtail the drunken shenanigans of years past, have encouraged police to crack down on rowdies who flout bans on open containers and use neighborhood streets as urinals. (We think the public toilets that began appearing at the last few parades have helped the latter problem.) Word to the wise: Leave the beer in the bars. Noon. Free. Parade steps off at 103rd Street and Western Avenue, then heads south on Western to 115th Street. 773-393-8687.
Shamrock Martini and seafood boxty
Get in the Irish spirit without the suds with the Shamrock Martini at Galway Arms ($5). Made with equal parts Baileys, DeKuyper pumpkin liqueur and blue curacao, the drink offers a fruity substitute to the usual minty holiday drinks. Also try Galway’s seafood boxty ($17.95), a “potato burrito” made with scallops, shrimp, crab and a double-sherry cream sauce. It’s an upscale version of what’s usually considered an Irish workingman’s lunch. 2442 N. Clark St. 773-472-5555.
Bohola and Gaelic Storm
Celtic music lovers can double their pleasure this weekend. On Friday catch Gaelic Storm, famed for their appearance in “Titanic,” at a free 5:15 p.m. in-store performance at Borders on North Avenue. Later, acoustic act Boholo plays a 9:30 p.m. show at Martyrs’ ($10-$15). Want more? You can also see Gaelic Storm on Saturday at House of Blues (9 p.m., $20) and Boholo on Sunday during a free 5:30 p.m in-store set at Borders. Martyrs’, 3855 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-404-9869; Borders, 755 W. North Ave. 312-266-8060; House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St. 312-923-2000.
Goin’ south?
Many North Side taverns plan on sponsoring shuttle buses to Sunday’s South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade (some even provide pre-trip food and drink). Space is limited and tends to fill up by departure time, so call ahead.
Emmit’s
Reservations required. Includes breakfast. 10 a.m. $25. 495 N. Milwaukee Ave. 312-563-9631.
Glascott’s
Includes coffee and beverages. 9 a.m. $20. 2158 N. Halsted St. 773-281-1205.
Hoghead McDunna’s
Includes breakfast, free drinks and a Bloody Mary bar. 9 a.m. $35. 1505 W. Fullerton Pkwy. 773-929-0944.
Peg Leg Sullivan’s
This ride is BYOB. 10 a.m $10. 2721 N. Halsted St. 773-529-1700.
Rock Bottom Brewery
Includes full breakfast menu, Bloody Marys and beer. 9 a.m. $35. 1 W. Grand Ave. 312-755-9339.
P.J. Clarke’s
Brunch and a T-shirt. $35. 1204 N. State St. 312-664-1650.
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Hitting the green
Coming up in metromix/RedEye:
Get the scoop on food made with beer on Monday, green drinks on Tuesday, and then come back on Wednesday for our St. Pat’s Day guide with parties, concerts, Celtic cuisine and more.
Now online:
Find parties, our favorite pubs, Irish music sessions and everything else you need for a shamrockin’ St. Pat’s Day on metromix.com.
