NORTH SIDE/Saturday
The city’s official St. Patrick’s Day festivities start Saturday with the dyeing of the river. Then the 50th go-round of the parade promises more “Kiss me, I’m Irish” pins and green clothing than you can shake a shilelagh at–just hope for warm weather for the kilt-wearing pipers. After the parade wraps up, keep the party going at these Emerald Isle-style shindigs.
Bar Louie
This all-day party kicks off at 8 a.m. (Guinness for breakfast–yum!). Get $4 pints, special Irish dishes, and bead and hat giveaways. Plus, bagpipers are on hand to up the Irish ambience. 8 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday. No cover. 47 W. Polk St. 312-347-0000.
Abbey Pub and Restaurant
Doors open at 7 a.m. for the Ireland vs. France rugby match. Fuel up with a traditional Irish breakfast ($8.95) before the 9 a.m. bus ride to the parade. Come back at 1 p.m. for Celtic entertainment, including The McCabes, the Spriorad Damasa Irish Dancers and more. $10 includes cover and bus. 3420 W. Grace St. 773-478-4408.
Grace O’Malley’s
Go Gaelic at this pub with plenty of traditional eats, drinks and live music. Learn how to pour the perfect pint from Guinness brewmaster Fergus Murray at 1 p.m., then come back at 8 p.m. for a live performance from the Shannon Rovers. 9 a.m.-2 a.m. No cover. 1416 S. Michigan Ave. 312-588-1800.
SOUTH SIDE/Sunday
After you’ve recovered from Saturday’s debauchery, stumble out of bed in time to make it to the Beverly ‘hood by noon Sunday. The South Side parade of dancers, bands and bagpipers promises to be a rollicking good time, as always.
Try to squeeze into the packed Irish pubs on the west side of the parade route, but beware if you get stuck on the other side of the parade barriers with throngs of rowdy partygoers–the east side of Western Avenue is dry and drinking outdoors is a big no-no. Need a ride? Not to worry–these bars have you covered!
Casey Moran’s Tavern on Clark
Hitch a bus ride from this Wrigleyville tavern to the parade and BYOB. Cubs fans headed to the South Side? This could get crazy. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $10. Reservations recommended. 3660 N. Clark St. 773-755-4444.
Glascott’s
This Lincoln Park bar offers a round-trip ride, plus coffee and beer on the bus. Coffee’s great, but only if it’s Irish. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. $20. Registration: glascotts.com. 2158 N. Halsted St. 773-281-1205.
P.J. Clarke’s Brunch and Bus
Fill up on a buffet of scrambled eggs, fries and corned-beef hash, then down all-you-can-drink Pilsner Urquells, Irish coffees and Absolut bloody marys. Cheers to that! 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $35. Reservations required. 1204 N. State St. 312-664-1650.
What’s the pint?
More parties!
Take a leap
Work off the extra calories from guzzling green beer at the St. Paddy’s Day 5K Run & Walk. Afterparty at Peg Leg Sullivans (2721 N. Halsted St. 773-529-1700). $20. Diversey Harbor at Lake Michigan. 10 a.m. Sunday. 773-868-3010.
Pick a flick
Catch up on Emerald Isle cinema at the 6th Annual Irish Film Fest Wednesday through Sunday. Most screenings take place at the Society for Arts (1112 N. Milwaukee Ave). Check metromix.com for the full schedule. 773-445-3838.
Mega-guzzling
Forever Green–reputed to be the city’s largest St. Pat’s Day party–happens Friday at Navy Pier. The annual fundraiser features Irish dancing and live music. Bonus: open bar! 6-11 p.m. $40-$55. Proceeds benefit the MGR Foundation, Misericordia and Gateway Green. Tickets: young irish.com. 600 E. Grand Ave. 312-902-1943.
Get your brogue on
The Irish American Heritage Center is throwing an all-day shindig featuring traditional and progressive Celtic music and dance, Irish food, dance lessons, live music and more. 1 p.m.-midnight Saturday. $12-$15. 4626 N. Knox Ave. 773-282-7035, ext. 10.
Take it to the streets
50th Annual Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The celebration kicks off with the traditional dyeing of the Chicago River at the Michigan Avenue bridge at 10:45 a.m. Saturday. The parade kicks off at noon–see floats, dancers, bands and more–and steps off at Balbo Drive and proceeds north on Columbus Drive to Monroe Drive. Free. 312-942-9188.
27th Annual South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The more raucous of the two parades, this one features a slew of floats, bands, Irish dancers and politicians. Stepping off at 103rd Street and Western Avenue at noon Sunday, the parade heads south on Western to 115th Street. 773-393-8687.
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Which is better?
Vote now for your fave: North Side or South
Side parade. (Here’s Tuesday’s tally.)
SOUTH SIDE 77%
NORTH SIDE 23%
