With the St. Patrick’s Day holiday falling Friday, the Windy City adores a good celebration of its Irish heritage.
Bars and restaurants are getting into the spirit by serving traditional food, hosting bashes with spectacular riverfront views and bottomless drinks, and bringing in Irish musicians and dancers. There are even over-the-top themed pop-ups and specials that go all month long.
Wear something green and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Chi-rish style at one of these spots, listed in order of geographic location. Some parties will sell out, so plan ahead rather than test your luck.
Downtown
Bar Pendry
An Irish whiskey flight and pastrami poutine made with Irish cheddar are offered in addition to the regular menu Friday. 81 E. Wacker Place, 312-777-9000, pendry.com
Brass Tack
The restaurant within the Waldorf Astoria Chicago hotel offers specials throughout the day Friday, with wagyu corned beef hash for breakfast ($27) and truffle short rib shepherd’s pie for dinner ($24). 11 E. Walton St., 312-646-1402, brasstackchicago.com
The Gage
Bagpipers from Fiddling Finnegans perform Friday at this contemporary restaurant in the Loop, and you can also try specials including corned beef and cabbage, fish and chips, shepherd’s pie and a corned beef sandwich with Guinness-soaked Swiss cheese. 24 S. Michigan Ave., 312-372-4243, thegagechicago.com
HUB 51
Specials offered through Friday include $8 Jameson shots, $6 green beer and a hot corned beef sandwich. 51 W. Hubbard St., 312-828-0051, hub51chicago.com
Pierrot Gourmet
The cafe within the Peninsula Chicago offers a special Baileys Pot O’ Gold dessert through Sunday made with Baileys Irish cream mousse, whiskey caramel sauce and gold chocolate nuggets. Come for lunch Friday through Sunday and you can also celebrate with Irish lamb stew or a Reuben sandwich. 108 E. Superior St., 312-337-2888, peninsula.com
Solita Tacos & Margaritas
The restaurant is decked out in floor-to-ceiling St. Patrick’s Day décor featuring rainbows, leprechauns and gold through Sunday. Book a spot for $15 and you’ll be welcomed with a margarita and chips and salsa. 431 N. Wells St., 773-312-4989, solitatacos.com
North Side & Near North Side
The Butcher’s Tap
Start celebrating early with a bash from 8-11 a.m. Saturday March 11 including select call drinks, mimosas, green Bud Light and a meal for $38. The bar offers $5 Jameson shots, corned beef specials, raffles and giveaways all day Frida. 3553 N. Southport Ave., 773-325-0123, thebutcherstap.com
Cody’s Public House
The West Lakeview bar hosts a Guinness glass giveaway and offers samples of Proper 12 and Bushmills Irish whiskey at 6 p.m. Friday along with specials including $6 Guinness pints, $5 Proper 12 and $8 Bushmills car bombs. 1658 W. Barry Ave., 773-799-8217, codyschicago.com
Farm Bar
Co-owner Ferdia Doherty celebrates her Irish roots by serving corned beef and cabbage Frida at this Lakeview restaurant. You can also get corned beef hash for weekend brunch or a corned beef sandwich on St. Patrick’s Day. 1300 W. Wellington Ave., 773-281-2599, farm-bar.com
The Full Shilling
Come by Friday for raffles, giveaways, $5 Jameson shots and corned beef specials. 3724 N. Clark St., 773-248-3330, fullshillingpub.com
The Green Post
The Lincoln Square bar celebrates its first St. Patrick’s Day through Friday by offering a corned beef dinner, housemade fish and chips, and Guinness and Magners on draft. Come by Friday for a Magners glassware giveaway from 3-5 p.m., or to get a Reuben sandwich from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 4-10 p.m. 4749 N. Rockwell St., 773-754-0632, greenpostpub.com
LG’s Bar & Kitchen
The Old Town bar offers specials through Sunday such as $10 Irish mules, $5 mystery Irish whiskey shots, $6 Irish pints and corned beef hush puppies. 1525 N. Wells St., 312-888-9368, lgsbar.com
Replay Lincoln Park
The pop-up bar has transformed into Paddy’s Pub from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” hosting flip cup tournaments and trivia based on the FX show at 7 p.m. Thursday. You can book an express entry spot Friday for $20, which includes two drinks. 2833 N. Sheffield Ave., 773-665-5660, replaylincolnpark.com
Utopian Tailgate
Celebrate from 6-8 p.m. on St. Patrick’s Day proper and your $10 ticket will get you a call drink or domestic beer. 1608 N. Wells St., 312-210-7799, utopiantailgate.com
West Side, Northwest Side & Near West Side
Flip-N-D’s
This Dunning neighborhood bar will offer free corned beef, cabbage and potatoes at 5 p.m. Friday, with a complimentary Jameson tasting at 7 p.m. Drink specials include $5 Jameson shots, $6 Irish Car Bombs and $4 16-ounce Guinness pours. Giveaways and DJ music will also be included. 3215 N. Harlem Ave., 773-853-2015, facebook.com/Flipnds
Gaijin
The Corned Beef Osaka offered through Friday puts an Irish spin on the West Loop restaurant’s signature savory pancakes incorporating spicy mustard, aonori and bonito ($25). Add a flight of three Japanese whiskeys for $30-$50. 950 W. Lake St., 312-265-1348, gaijinchicago.com
Ina Mae Tavern
Celebrate Friday with $5 Old Style drafts and $8 Bushmills Irish coffee. 1415 N. Wood St., 773-360-8320, inamaetavern.com
Lottie’s Pub
Emerald Society Bagpipers perform Friday, and specials include $5 corned beef sandwiches and $6 Guinness. 1925 W. Cortland St., 773-489-0738, lottiespub.com
Mac’s Wood Grilled
Irish-inspired specials offered through Friday include a Reuben sandwich served with housemade chips ($16), loaded potato soup with garlic bread ($9), $7 16-ounce drafts of Great Lakes Conway’s Irish ale, and $6 Ryan’s Irish cream shots. 1801 W. Division St., 773-782-4400, macswoodgrilled.com
Old Irving Brewing Company
A full weekend of fun awaits, starting at noon Thursday and lasting through Sunday. Expect Irish music, plus food specials and a Lucky Linny and Irish whiskey shot special. Get a special Old Irving Brewing glass with 16-ounce pours for $10, with $5 refills until you take the glass home with you. While no tickets or reservations are required, it is recommended that customers don green. 4419 W. Montrose Ave., 773-916-6421, oldirvingbrewing.com
Recess
Bingo Loco throws a St. Patrick’s Day rave features DJs playing music from the ’90s and ’00s, dance offs and prizes including a trip to Bali from 6:30-11 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $28. 838 W. Kinzie St., 312-801-1181, bingo-loco.com/chicago
Tuman’s Tap & Grill
Specials offered Friday include $10 corned beef sandwiches, $19 corned beef and cabbage dinners, $7 pints of Guinness and $6 shots of Paddy’s Irish whiskey. 2159 W. Chicago Ave., 773-782-1400, tumanstapandgrill.com
South Side & Near South Side
Chicago Firehouse Restaurant
Catch a performance from the Chitarra Irish Trio from 6-9 p.m. Friday while enjoying specials such as fish and chips ($28), soda bread with salted Irish butter ($5) and Irish coffee cheesecake made with Baileys Irish cream ($14). 1401 S. Michigan Ave., 312-786-1401, chicagofirehouse.com
Old Time Tap
Along with Irish-themed specials running all month long, this Hegewisch bar will host a St. Patrick’s Day party starting at 4 p.m. Friday, featuring drink specials, music and giveaways. 13501 S. Brandon Ave., 773-307-4209, facebook.com/OTThegewisch
The Promontory
A full weekend of St. Patrick’s Day festivities at this Hyde Park bar kicks off Friday with St. Pretty & Lucky, which offers free tickets for women until 10:30 p.m. and music from DJ TuneHendrixx. Shenanigans start early Saturday, with green-clad partygoers enjoying music from DJ Mike P starting at 4 p.m., followed by the Lucky You Soiree from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. West, 312-801-2100, promontorychicago.com
Suburban and multiple locations
Beatrix
Get your Irish coffee hot or iced through Friday. The pastry counter will also be offering shamrock cookies. Multiple locations, beatrixrestaurants.com
Bub City
Both locations will offer a Reuben made with house-brined corned beef served on griddled rye with a side of waffle fries for $20 through Sunday. 435 N. Clark St., 312-610-4200; 5441 Park Place, Rosemont; 847-261-0399; bub-city.com
Buffalo Creek Brewing
A St. Pat’s Shindig running from noon to 11 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday features green beer, Burning Red Irish ale, Reuben empanadas from Savory Crust, green corn muffins from Brothers BBQ and performances by the McNulty Irish Dancers, Flat Creek Highway and Peter Warren. 360 Historical Lane, Long Grove; 847-821-6140; buffalocreekbrewing.com
Easy Street Pizza & Beer Garden
A special St. Patrick’s week menu offered through Sunday at this pizzeria’s Irving Park, Portage Park and Park Ridge locations features $4 green beer, $6 Guinness, $14 fish and chips, $13 corned beef on rye and a Reuben pizza made with Thousand Island dressing, corned beef, sauerkraut, pepperoncini and Swiss and mozzarella cheeses ($18-$29). Multiple locations, easystreetpizzachicago.com
FitzGerald’s
Starting at noon Saturday, this Berwyn bar’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration will feature Babygold corned beef, Guinness and Irish coffees, which guests can enjoy along with entertainment from the Mayer School of Irish Dance, Switchback, The Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band, The Dooley Brothers and Fitz & the Celts. Tickets are $20, or $10 for children. 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn; 08-788-2118, fitzgeraldsnightclub.com
Fox’s Restaurant & Pub
Irish food specials through Sunday include corned beef and cabbage ($20), Guinness beef pot pie ($20), roasted Irish salmon with mashed potatoes ($23) and Donegal Irish bread pudding ($7). Sip on Irish coffee or mules, plus all the Guinness, Smithwick’s and black-and-tans one could care to drink, while enjoying Irish entertainment. 9240 S. Cicero Ave., Oak Lawn; 708-499-2233, foxsrestaurant.com
The Hampton Social
The restaurant with locations in River North, Streeterville, Skokie, Burr Ridge and South Barrington offers a green spin on its signature frosé made with vodka, rosé and peach purée for $16 through Friday. Multiple locations, thehamptonsocial.com
Hannah’s Bretzel
Offered all month long, the Dubliner sandwich at this fast-casual spot features corned beef from Tempesta Market, sauerkraut, juniper-Guinness glaze and horseradish dressing on a bretzel baguette. Multiple locations, hannahsbretzel.com
L. Woods Tap & Pine Lodge
Order a Reuben sandwich ($19) or corned beef & cabbage ($27) and finish your meal with a slice of Bailey’s Irish cream pie with Oreo cookie crust ($9.95). The specials are offered March through Sunday. 7110 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincolnwood; 847-677-3350; lwoodsrestaurant.com
M Burger
Celebrate all month long with a Minty Leprechaun shake made with vanilla ice cream and crushed mint cookies ($5.99). Multiple locations, mburgerchicago.com
Miller’s Ale House
All of the chain’s locations are celebrating through March 26 with specials including $16 Reubens, $14 Irish mule pitchers and $5.99 20-ounce Guinness drafts. Multiple locations, millersalehouse.com
Oaken Bistro + Bar
Executive chef Christian Alejandro offers specials throughout the day Friday, with corned beef hash for breakfast ($16), Reuben sliders for lunch ($18) and a corned beef dinner ($24). 200 N. Field Drive, Lake Forest; 847-582-6410; oakenbistro.com
Scratchboard Kitchen
Chef Grace Goudie offers St. Patrick’s Day specials all month long including green matcha yuzu pancakes, Lucky Charms scones, gluten-free Irish soda bread and Cozy Up, a spin on Irish coffee made with either Bailey’s or Frangelico. 5 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights; 847-749-3103; scratchboardkitchenah.com
Southsides Bar
Located in suburban Alsip, this bar will kick off its St. Patrick’s Day party at 7 p.m. with $2 green beer, drink and shot specials, split the pot raffles and free corned beef and cabbage. 11860 S. Cicero Ave., Alsip; 708-371-1133
Stan’s Donuts & Coffee
Treat yourself to an Irish Cream Bismark or an Emerald Dipped, Shamrock Sprinkled or Green River Glazed doughnut through Friday. Multiple locations, stansdonuts.com
Sweet Mandy B’s
You could win a prize pack including six cupcakes, a coffee mug and a reusable bag if you buy a The End of the Rainbow Cupcake, yellow cake decorated with chocolate buttercream and a rainbow ($4.50) on Friday and find one of the six treats filled with gold buttercream. Other specials available through Friday include Lucky Charms rice krispie treats ($5.50), shamrock cookies ($3.75) and a Luck of the Irish chocolate Guinness cupcake frosted with Bailey’s buttercream ($4.50). 1208 W. Webster Ave., 773-244-1174; 254 E. Ontario St., 312-255-1632; sweetmandybs.com
Thorn Restaurant & Lounge
Corned beef and cabbage served with baby carrots and horseradish sauce ($24) is offered all month long. Stop in on St. Patrick’s Day for green beer on draft. 5200 Pearl Street, Rosemont; 847-260-4774; thornrestaurant.com
Timothy O’Toole’s Pub
The Streeterville bar transformed into Timmy’s Leprechaun Lounge through Saturday, serving themed cocktails such as an Irish apple martini made with O’Toole’s vodka and the Pot O’Gold, a blend of Stoli Ohranj vodka and pineapple juice rimmed with gold glitter and garnished with rainbow candy and a chocolate coin (both $11). Visit the bar’s suburban locations in Gurnee, Libertyville and Lake Villa for bagpiper performances and giveaways Friday. Specials offered through Friday include Guinness beef stew served with Irish soda bread ($17), Reuben egg rolls ($13), corned beef on rye served with housemade spicy mustard ($15), $4.50 pints of green beer, $6 shots of Tullamore Dew and $8 Irish coffee. Multiple locations, timothyotooles.com
Wildfire
Celebrate Thursday and Friday with a corned beef & cabbage plate and chocolate stout cake. Multiple locations, wildfirerestaurant.com
