When it comes to the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade, we know you can take care of the drinking. But better to leave the driving to someone else. Here are eight ways to hitch a ride.
Trinity Bar
2721 N. Halsted St. 773-880-9293
Gear up with $3 Guinness pints and Jameson shots at the bar before boarding the bus for a domestic beer-filled ride. At 4 p.m., board one of 15 buses to head back to the bar for half-price appetizers and $6 vodka lemonade pitchers.
Party start time: 8 a.m.
Cost: $20
Reservations: Required by March 10. 773-880-9293
John Barleycorn
3524 N. Clark St. 312-850-8196
This popular parade trip hosted by the Chicago Sport and Social Club is sure to sell out. The two-way trip includes matching T-shirts and domestic beer en route, plus $7 Coors Light pitchers at Barleycorn all day long.
Party start time: 9 a.m.
Cost: $20
Reservations: Required.
chicagosocial.com
Emmit’s
495 N. Milwaukee Ave. 312-563-9631
This River West pub’s annual bus trip has been going strong for nearly 15 years. Wake up with bloody marys and mimosas before cruising on a coach bus custom-made with four-seater booths and stocked with beer coolers.
Party start time: 9:30 a.m.
Cost: $40
Reservations: Required. 312-563-9631
J. Patrick’s Irish Bar & Grill
1367 W. Erie St. 312-243-0990
West Town’s classic Irish pub shuttles debauched revelers to and fro on three school buses. Fuel up on domestic brews en route, then order $15 Coors Light buckets to keep the party going back at the bar post-parade.
Party start time: 9 a.m.
Cost: $20
Reservations: Recommended.
708-636-0909
O’Donovan’s
2100 W. Irving Park Rd. 773-478-2100
This Irish pub joins the parade caravan with its first-ever parade bus trip. BYO “backpack” and lounge on a coach bus complete with 45 plush seats and a restroom — a luxury that should come in handy after a full day of imbibing.
Party start time: 10 a.m.
Cost: $25
Reservations: Recommended. chicagobarevents.com/parties
Merkle’s Bar & Grill
3516 N. Clark St.773-244-1025
At this Wrigleyville spot, a breakfast buffet will provide the needed sustenance for a day’s worth of drinking. Six trusty school buses stocked with domestic beer will shuttle you to and from the parade scene.
Party start time: 9 a.m.
Cost: $25
Reservations: Required. 773-244-1025
McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon
1206 N. State Pkwy. 312-475-9450
Gold Coasters, get your motor running with a pre-parade food and drink package featuring a well-stocked brunch buffet. BYOB for the round-trip ride and swill $3 cocktails back at the bar post-parade.
Party start time: 7 a.m.
Cost: $45
Reservations: Required by March 10. alicia@mcfaddenschicago.com
Reggie’s Music Joint
2105 S. State St. 312-949-0120
This Near South Side bar shuttles you to and from the parade in a hard-core school bus decorated with a skull and crossbones — for free! Hit the bar early for a $7 buffet and live music by Hey Negrita (10 a.m.). Post-parade, sip half-price Irish pints and jam to bands The 409s, Soraia and others. Buses make multiple trips beginning at 10:30 a.m. and return after the parade until 5 p.m.
Party start time: 9 a.m.
Cost: No cover
Reservations: None
Parade planner
Get the 411 on the city’s parade action here:
31st Annual South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade
When: Noon Sunday, March 15
Where: 104th Street and Western Avenue
Route: Begins at 104th and Western and heads south on Western to 115th Street
Tips: Partiers, park it on the west side of Western; families stick to the east side. Drinking outdoors is a no-no.
Get there: Take Metra’s Rock Island District Line to the 103rd Street Beverly Hills station.
Info: southsideirishparade@yahoo.com
54th Annual Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade
When: Noon Saturday, March 14
Where: Columbus and Balbo Drives
Route: Begins at Columbus and Balbo Drives, then heads north on Columbus to Monroe Street
Get there: Take Blue or Red Lines to the Loop; walk east to Columbus. Brown, Green or Orange Line riders, exit at Wabash Avenue and walk east to Columbus.
Info: info@chicagostpatsparade.com
