As sure as the Chicago River swallows its annual dose of green dye, St. Paddy’s Day revelers will toast the Emerald Isle with a pint of beer — Guinness, green-tinted PBR or otherwise. But there’s more to celebrating St. Pat’s than discounted drafts of Smithwick’s. Step outside the pint with these party-ready suggestions.
1. Mick Mojito
Sip this Irish-inspired mojito ($5), made with Green River soda and peach vodka, plus the usual lime juice and mint, at Debonair Social Club, 1575 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-227-7990.
2. The Tossers
Rock out to these local Celtic-punk vets, whose smart, fun and well-crafted madness doesn’t require full-on sloshedness to enjoy. Sing along Saturday at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St. 773-549-0203. 9 p.m. $16.
3. Chocolate-Guinness cupcakes
Indulge in one of these stout-laced sweets ($3.50), available starting Tuesday at Gold Coast cupcake boutique More (1 E. Delaware Pl. 312-951-0001). They won’t get you tipsy, but they’ll give you one heck of a sugar high.
4. Obnoxious green gear
Assemble your parade ensemble from the range of goofy hats and clover-printed scarves at Michigan Avenue accessory shop Temptation II, 316 N. Michigan Ave. 312-920-0299.
5. Irish breakfast
Come hungry for this traditional breakfast ($12) at Bananas Foster (1147 W. Granville Ave. 773-262-9855). Though owner John Winslow hails from England, he does his Irish great-grandmother proud with this meal, which skips the black pudding but boasts a heap o’ food.
6. Irish Bacon Sour
Leave it to mixologist Adam Seger at Nacional 27 (325 W. Huron St. 312-664-2727) to mix up something unexpected for St. Patty’s. This cocktail combines green apple- and bacon-infused Bushmills Irish whiskey with lemon juice, maple syrup and egg white for a foamy topper ($10).
7. Guinness-crust pizza
Nothing goes with pizza like beer. Except more beer. Save yourself the trouble of double fisting with a slice of special St. Pat’s Day pizza ($8, available 4:30-10 p.m. March 17) from Frasca Pizzeria (3358 N. Paulina St. 773-248-5222), which bakes the Guinness right into the crust. Topped with potatoes, bechamel sauce and onions.
8. Flatfoot 56
Revel in the Celtic-punk mayhem of these Metromix Rock ‘n Vote alums. On St. Pat’s, the South Side rockers just may explode. 6:30 p.m. March 17. $5-$8. Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave. 773-278-6600.
9. St. Patrick’s Night o’ the Irish
Class it up at booze boutique Drinks Over Dearborn (650 N. Dearborn, 2nd Fl. 312-337-9463) as owner Kyle McHugh hosts a tasting of whiskies, cheeses and mini-corned beef sandwiches — plus a few Irish beers, if you’re into that sort of thing. 5:30 p.m. March 17. $25-$35.
10. ‘Patti Vasquez: Tequila and Shamrocks’
Hear funny stories from local comedian Vasquez about growing up in a multiethnic family with Mexican and Irish roots. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. $12. Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, 777 N. Green St. 312-733-6000.
11. North of North Side partying
Avoid the city’s St. Pat’s mayhem and head north to the Celtic Knot’s (626 Church St., Evanston. 847-864-1679) daylong celebration, with Irish dancers at noon, Irish folk bands at 6 p.m. and an Irish acoustic duo at 9 p.m.
12. iCream deal
Don some form of St. Pat’s flair on March 17 and get a 10 percent discount at just-opened “customizable ice cream” spot iCream (1537 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-342-2834). All of the shop’s made-to-order ice cream will be green that day. Unless you request otherwise. And we can imagine why you might.
13. Irish whiskey flights
Get your drink on with Ireland’s other alcohol of choice and order up the whiskey flight ($10) through March 31 at Dine (733 W. Madison St. 312-602-2100). Includes tastes of Jameson, Tullamore Dew and Feckin Irish whiskies.
14. Free trolley rides
Leave the car behind and hop a free trolley during your pre-Pat’s escapades. Cricket trolleys run along Michigan Avenue from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends through March 23. Route planner: getsomerespekt.com
15. Luck o’ the Irish cooking class
Learn to make Guinness-battered onion rings, corned beef and other festive fare on March 17 at both locations of The Chopping Block (222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Ste. 107, and 4747 N. Lincoln Ave.). $75. R.S.V.P. required. 312-644-6360.
16. Celtic thrillers
Engross yourself in an evening of free movies and popcorn March 15 at Fat Cat (4840 N. Broadway. 773-506-3100) during screenings of “The Boondock Saints” at 8 p.m. and “The Leprechaun” at 10 p.m.
17. Bird’s-eye view
Ditch the crowds to watch River North’s St. Pat’s Day chaos 15 floors above it all at Cityscape (350 W. Mart Center Drive. 312-836-5000) while sipping the best-named cocktail of the season: LeprechaunSpit ($6), made with Apple Pucker and Irish whiskey.
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metromix@tribune.com
