The parades are over, but the good green fun’s just kicking into high gear. Try your luck at these swell Irish shindigs.
Gunther Murphy’s
Start your night early with bagpipers and the Fonnmohor dancers at 3 p.m. Stick around, and you’ll catch the Spirorad Damhsa Irish Dancers and the Celtic band Gan Bua, beginning at 8 p.m. $10. 1638 W. Belmont Ave. 773-472-5139.
Shenannigans
Even though this Gold Coast pub is open all day, its Shamrock & Roll bash doesn’t kick off until Bobby Skafish broadcasts live from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on WXRT-FM 93.1. The band Dada plays and so do Native American rockers Indigenous and Irish band The Elders. The green beer will be flowing with chartreuse-hued Miller Lites for just $2.50. 5:30 p.m.-4 a.m. No cover. 16 W. Division St. 312-642-2344.
Full Shilling
This Wrigleyville bar has some great drink specials, including $2 Bud Lights, $3 Guinness and $4 Jameson Sours. Stop in before 10 p.m. and you’ll get a free corned beef sandwich with any beverage. Great giveaways include two rooftop tickets to a Cubs game and a trip for two to Ireland. Entertainment includes a bagpipe performance. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. No cover. 3724 N. Clark St. 773-248-3330.
Fado
Though this Disneyfied version of Dublin raises the ire of pub purists, if you’re looking to get a jump on the St. Pat’s crowd, stop by for an Irish breakfast at 9 a.m. You’ll find giveaways throughout the day including Guinness and Bass T-shirts and hats as well as miles of those green beads. Rock band Jack the Lad performs from
2 to 6 p.m., and country-inflected hometown favorite Michael Heaton plays after 9 p.m. Get there early–a line of latecomers may stretch around the block by the time Heaton takes the stage. 100 W. Grand Ave. 312-836-0066.
FitzGerald’s
This Berwyn joint is positively jumpin’: three stages of entertainment, Celtic cuisine and flowing Guinness. Here’s just some of tonight’s lineup: the Mayer Step Dancers, the Dooley Brothers and at 9 p.m., Lost Souls of The Great Lakes, featuring Frank Orrall and other members of Poi Dog Pondering. The party starts at 1:30 p.m. $3-$7. 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn, 708-788-2118.
Mystic Celt
This metromix/RedEye gig is a must-hit (if we do say so ourselves) for the giveaways alone. You could win a DVD player, an MP3 player or a ton of other loot. But that’s just the beginning: The Spirorad Damhsa Irish Dancers show off their footwork at 7:30 p.m.; at 8 p.m., Irish band Gael Sli takes the stage. 6 p.m. No cover. 3443 N. Southport Ave. 773-529-8550.
Clybar
This Lincoln Park lounge may be anything but Irish, but it still knows how to throw a party. Drink up with $2 pints of green beer and $5 Shamrock martinis, and get decked out in the free beads, feather boas and hats. Giveways include a free party at the bar.
9 p.m.-2 a.m. No cover. 2417 N. Clybourn Ave. 773-388-1877.
McDuffy’s
Tonight, this South Side hang offers up the ancient Celtic art of . . . Sumo wrestling? That’s right, from 8 to 11 p.m., don a puffy, air-filled suit and take on your best friend–or try and lure that cutie in the corner to grapple. DJ Bill spins retro hits. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. $2-$3. 11050 S. Spaulding Ave. 773-779-3033.
Cullen’s
This popular pub will be packed to the hilt tonight. Hungry? Dig into corned beef and cabbage or Irish lamb stew, which have been added to the menu in honor of the holiday. Michael Heaton plays from
4 to 8 p.m., and Red Pop Theory takes over from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Also: giveaways of T-shirts and more. 3741 N. Southport Ave. 773-975-0600.
McCormick & Schmick’s
Yes, this seafood restaurant is hosting a St. Pat’s Day bash. DJ Martin “Boogieman” Luna spins from 6 p.m. to midnight. Guinness, Harp and green beer pints are just $3, and there’s a cool bar menu from 3:30 to 6 p.m. with items priced at $4.95 per item (think mussels steamed in Guinness). Pucker up to play Kiss the Blarney Stone and winners walk away with gift certificates. 4-10 p.m. No cover. 41 E. Chestnut St. 312-397-9500.
Green scene
Paper shamrocks and green beer do not an Irish pub make: Check out our picks for the most authentic taverns in town. Page 22. Hot potatoes: Boxty is a tasty Irish treat that’s a cross between latkes crepes. Page 26. Get your morning fix: We pick our favorite Irish breakfasts. Page 27. Find even more parties and St. Pat’s picks on metromix.com.
