Chicago hosts one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the world, centering on the tradition of dyeing the Chicago River bright green and parades held throughout the city and suburbs.
You can watch the dyeing on March 14 from a riverfront bar or restaurant or join one of the many other parties happening throughout the weekend and on the actual holiday, March 17, featuring Irish beer and food, live music and dance performances. You’ll find everything from the traditional — Guinness, Jameson and corned beef and cabbage — to the playful with Irish cream brownies and corned beef and cabbage tacos. Plenty of places start celebrating even earlier with tastings, giveaways and specials.
Regardless of your own heritage, you can don something green and celebrate Chicago’s deep Irish roots at one of these 57 spots.
The Loop and Near North Side
Brews & Bites
The Riverwalk restaurant hosts parties from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday, featuring Irish-inspired food, live music and themed drinks like green beer and Shamrock Sours. General admission is $15-$20, but you can opt for an all-inclusive package for $125. (201-231 W. Riverwalk, 312-291-1075, brewsnbites.us)
Bub City
A high-end whiskey tasting ($95) at 6 p.m. March 17 features pours of three varieties of Pappy Van Winkle, plus two of the bar’s single-barrel picks along with passed appetizers. (435 N. Clark St., 312-610-4200, bub-city.com/chicago)
City Winery
A river dyeing party ($100-$150) on the Chicago Riverwalk includes a buffet of Irish classics and unlimited Guinness, green beer, wine, seltzer and liquor from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday. (11 W. Riverwalk South, citywinery.com)
The Dearborn
The Loop spot serves Irish-inspired dishes, including fish and chips and corned beef Reubens Thursday through Tuesday. It also hosts a Guinness tasting and giveaways Wednesday and Thursday. Irish folk band The Chancers performs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. (145 N. Dearborn St., 312-384-1242, thedearborntavern.com)
FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar
Watch the river dyeing from the heated patio 8 a.m. Saturday while drinking green beer and listening to music from Hannah Heavin. Indoors, you can tuck into a full Irish breakfast ($17), with a Reuben sandwich ($16), corned beef plate ($25), and fish and chips ($26) offered after 11 a.m. (221 N. Columbus Drive, 312-477-0234, firelakechicago.com)
The Gage
Bagpipers from Fiddling Finnegans perform Saturday and March 17, and you can also try specials offered throughout the week, including corned beef and cabbage, Guinness-braised short ribs, shepherd’s pie and a corned beef sandwich with Guinness-soaked Swiss cheese. (24 S. Michigan Ave., 312-372-4243, thegagechicago.com)
Hopsmith
The Gold Coast bar offers a package ($110) from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, including appetizers, call liquor, domestic beer, Jameson and Irish stout. (15 W. Division St., 312-600-9816, hopsmithchicago.com)
Industry Ales
The Loop brewery hosts a pre-parade party from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, with packages ranging from $20 for entrance and a beer to $80 for a buffet and unlimited beer. The party continues from noon to midnight with bagpipers and a menu including corned beef and cabbage, Irish cream brownies and green beer. Specials offered through March 17 (except on parade day) include shepherd’s pie, corned beef Reubens, and stout and brisket stew. (230 S. Wabash Ave., 312-496-3624, industryales.com)
I|O Godfrey
A rooftop bash ($125) 8 a.m. to noon Saturday includes a breakfast buffet and bottomless beer, mimosas and bloody marys. (127 W. Huron St., 312-374-1830, iogodfrey.com)
Kindling
James Beard Award-winning chef Jonathon Sawyer teams up with Manny’s Deli for a wood-fired Reuben made with Manny’s corned beef, raclette cheese, gochujang-spiced Russian dressing, kimchi and sauerkraut served on rye with a kosher pickle and fries Thursday through March 17. (202 S. Franklin St., 312-789-5992, kindlingchicago.com)
LondonHouse Chicago
Get a view of the river dyeing from the LH Rooftop and the LH on 21 indoor lounge while enjoying bottomless green beer, mimosas and festive cocktails plus breakfast bites for $300. The hotel is also hosting a family-friendly party in its Grand Ballroom ($188, kids tickets are sold out) that includes a four-hour premium bar for adults, bottomless green nonalcoholic drinks, a brunch buffet, face painting and a play area. Both parties run from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. (85 E. Wacker Drive, 312-357-1200, londonhousechicago.com)
Michael Jordan’s Steak House
Irish-inspired specials offered Saturday through March 17 include a Reuben sandwich ($25), corned beef wagyu short ribs ($62), shepherd’s pie ($20), boozy shamrock shakes ($17), green mimosas ($10) and pints of Guinness ($13). (505 N. Michigan Ave., 312-321-8823, michaeljordansteakhouse.com)
Miru
Enjoy spectacular views of the green river at a bash ($185) from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, including Japanese bites, beer, wine, select liquors, specialty cocktails and a DJ. (401 E. Wacker Drive, 312-725-7811, mirurestaurant.com)
Navy Pier
A Shamrockin’ at the Pier pub crawl (starting at $12) from 8 a.m. to noon, noon to 4 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Saturday features drink specials, live music and giveaways at seven venues, including Margaritaville, Billy Goat Tavern and Harry Caray’s Tavern. (600 E. Grand Ave., navypier.org)
The Northman Beer & Cider Garden
Get a front-row view of the Chicago River dyeing at a party ($78-$89) from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1-4:30 p.m. Saturday that includes a Tullamore D.E.W. cocktail and your choice of corned beef and cabbage, Guinness stew or a Chicago dog. Catch Irish music, bagpipers and performances by the Trinity Irish Dancers throughout the day. (233 E. Riverwalk, thenorthman.com)
Pippin’s Tavern
The bar hosts bagpipers at 4 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Saturday and 12:15 p.m. March 17, with Irish folk band The Larkin and Moran Brothers playing 1-4 p.m. March 17. A special menu includes a corned beef dinner, shepherd’s pie and Guinness beef tips. (39 E. Chicago Ave., 312-982-2752, pippinstavern.com)
Raised, An Urban Rooftop Bar
Watch the river dyeing at a bash ($230-$280) from 8:30 a.m. or 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday that features an Irish-inspired buffet, draft beer and wine, and signature cocktails, plus music from a DJ and bagpiper. (1 W. Upper Wacker Drive, 312-795-3444, raisedbarchicago.com)
River Roast
Enjoy views of the green river while taking advantage of a package ($103-$143) including monkey bread, breakfast sandwiches, green beer and mimosas, and themed cocktails from 8 to 11 a.m. (315 N. LaSalle Drive, 312-822-0100, riverroastchicago.com)
Robert’s Pizza & Dough Co.
Share a St. Paddy’s Pizza made with speck, purple potatoes, leek crema, baby kale and cabbage salad, and sherry maple gastrique ($29) along with drink specials including $8 green Miller Lite pints, $9 Guinness drafts, and $14 Irish coffee offered Friday through March 17. (465 N. McClurg Court, 312-265-1328, robertspizzacompany.com)
ROOF on theWit
Costumed performers and a DJ provide entertainment during a bash ($114) from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday that includes Jameson cocktails and Irish fare. (201 N. State St., roofonthewit.com)
The Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown
Watch the river dyeing at a party ($247) from the hotel’s penthouse from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday while indulging in mimosas, pastries, brunch dishes, green beer, wine and Irish-inspired cocktails. (71 E. Wacker Drive, 312-346-7100, eventbrite.com)
Shaw’s Crab House
Slurp oysters paired with $5 pints of Guinness all day on March 17. (21 E. Hubbard St., 312-527-2722, shawscrabhouse.com)
State and Lake Chicago Tavern
A $40 Irish buffet on Saturday includes cottage pie, Irish soda bread, Reuben spring rolls and whiskey tiramisu. Add on drink specials including $9 green beer, $12 green tea shots and $18 Irish mules. (201 N. State St., 312-239-9400, stateandlakechicago.com)
Sweetwater Tavern & Grille
The bar’s annual Kegs n’ Eggs pre-parade bash from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday includes $6 green beer and Guinness, plus a buffet with scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese, corned beef hash and Bailey’s-battered French toast for $25. (225 N. Michigan Ave., 312-698-7111, sweetwatertavernandgrille.com)
Three Dots and a Dash
The River North bar serves a twist on a mai tai made with Jameson, lime juice, almond orgeat and dry curacao ($18) March 13-17. (435 N. Clark St., 312-610-4220, threedotschicago.com)
Travelle at The Langham, Chicago
A St. Patrick’s Day brunch includes croissants, eggs Benedict with Irish rasher, quiche, shepherd’s pie, mini corned beef sandwiches, and a bloody mary or mimosa plus music from an Irish fiddle duo from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. Tickets are $225 or $350 for a river view and include a $130 or $255 dining credit. (330 N. Wabash Ave., 312-923-7705, travellechicago.com)
Utopian Tailgate
A rooftop bash ($80-$85) running from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday includes call spirits, domestic beer, bloody marys, mimosas and hard seltzer. (1608 N. Wells St., 312-210-7799, utopiantailgate.com)
Woodie’s Flat
The Old Town bar offers a package ($100) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday that includes appetizers, call liquor, domestic beer, Jameson drinks and Irish stout. (1535 N. Wells St., 312-643-0093, woodieschicago.com)
North Side & Northwest Side
Avenue Tap and Kitchen
Walk-ins are welcome for a Kegs n’ Eggs party featuring a breakfast buffet, domestic drafts, sangria and well cocktails for $35 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Throughout the day, you can drink $4 green beer, $7 Guinness and $8 car bombs. (3407 N. Paulina St., 773-871-1200, avenuetapchicago.com/stpats)
Barcocina
The Lakeview spot offers breakfast and an open bar package ($105) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday that includes beer, seltzer, house wine and margaritas. (2901 N. Sheffield Ave., 773-687-9949, barcocinachicago.com)
Budweiser Brickhouse Tavern
The Wrigleyville bar offers a breakfast buffet and four drink tickets for $43 from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. (3647 N. Clark St., 773-377-4770, brickhousetavernchi.com)
The Butcher’s Tap
Celebrate with green beer, mimosas, call cocktails, party favors and bagpipe performances for $75 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. (3553 N. Southport Ave., 773-325-0123, thebutcherstap.com/events)
Chief O’Neill’s Pub & Restaurant
The Irish pub celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with a packed schedule of festivities, including live Irish music and dance performances Friday through Sunday, with a $10 cover beginning at noon Saturday. A $48 buffet of Irish favorites offered Saturday and March 17 includes fish and chips, corned beef and cabbage, and shepherd’s pie. Chief O’Neill’s serves as the kickoff spot for the Avondale St. Patrick’s Day parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, with doors opening at 8 a.m. (3471 N. Elston Ave., 773-583-3066, chiefoneillspub.com)
Cody’s Public House
Celebrate from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday with $4 green mimosas, $4 green beer and $5 Guinness. On March 17, get your dog’s picture put on a pint of Guinness at 6 p.m. and see a performance from Shannon Rovers Bag Pipers at 7:30 p.m. Specials, including $6 Proper 12 and $8 car bombs, are available all day. (1658 W. Barry Ave., 773-799-8217, codyschicago.com)
The Graystone Tavern
The Wrigleyville bar offers specials through Tuesday that include $6 green beer, $7 Tullamore D.E.W. shots, $8 Guinness, $10 car bombs and $14 Reubens. A $40 package offered from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday includes a breakfast buffet, green beer, mimosas and bloody marys. (3441 N. Sheffield Ave., 773-666-5450, graystonetavernchicago.com)
The J. Parker
A rooftop bash ($80-$85) from 9 a.m. to noon features DJs and four drink tickets that can be spent on select spirits, hard seltzer, hard cider, bloody marys, mimosas or beer. (1816 N. Clark St., 312-254-4747, jparkerchicago.com/happenings)
Lark
Specials offered Friday through March 17 include $5 green Bud Light, $6 Guinness pints and $8 car bombs. The bar offers corned beef and shepherd’s pie from 5 to 9 p.m. and hosts performances by the Hogan Irish Dancers throughout the weekend. (3441 N. Halsted St., 773-799-8968, larkchicago.com)
Lottie’s Pub
Start celebrating at 8 p.m. Thursday with Guinness and Proper 12 Irish whiskey sampling and come back Friday for a Guinness glass giveaway at 6 p.m. and Jameson sampling. A $60 package offered from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday includes eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, chicken tenders, hash browns, green beer and mimosas. On Sunday, the bar offers $6 Tullamore D.E.W., $6 bloody marys, $10 breakfast burritos and $12 hangover burgers. Get a $6 pint of Guinness topped with a picture of your face at 4 p.m. March 17. (1925 W. Cortland St., 773-489-0738, lottiespub.com)
Park & Field
Bring your pooch for a party at 6 p.m. Thursday featuring shamrock shake pup cups and a treasure chest of treats. Tickets are $5. The bar offers a brunch buffet with an omelet bar, sweets table and bottomless green beer, mimosas, bloody marys and rosé for $40 from 9 a.m. to noon and 12:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday. (3509 W. Fullerton Ave., 773-360-7373, parkandfieldchicago.com)
Summer House Santa Monica
Grab themed cookies from the restaurant’s cookie bar March 12-17. (1954 N. Halsted St., 773-634-4100, summerhouserestaurants.com)
West Side & Near West Side
Bandit
The bar’s second floor gets decked out in green decor for a bash ($60) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, including mimosas, well cocktails and passed bites. (841 W. Randolph St., 312-878-3111, banditliquors.com)
Cruz Blanca
Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Saturday for an O’Bueno Fest featuring corned beef and cabbage tacos, potato and egg breakfast burritos, shamrock margaritas, Irish coffee with Jameson, Pot O’ Gold Mexico Calling Lager Especial, a DJ and a draft truck. (904 W. Randolph St., 312-733-1975, cruzblancachi.com)
Fatpour Tap Works
A bash spread across two floors includes call drinks, domestic beer, Jameson, Irish stout and appetizers for $60-$65 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. (2005 W. Division St., 773-698-8940, fatpourtapworks.com)
Mac’s Wood Grilled
Irish-inspired specials offered Saturday through March 17 include Reubens ($17), loaded potato soup ($13), Guinness drafts ($7) and Paddy’s Irish whiskey shots ($6). (1801 W. Division St., 773-782-4400, macswoodgrilled.com/events)
Old St. Patrick’s Church
The fifth annual family-friendly Shamrock’n bash ($35-$65; $10 for kids ages 6-10) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday features a pop-up pub serving food and drinks, plus performances by Whiskey Mick, kids’ activities and a raffle. (625 W. Adams St., 312-648-1021, oldstpats.org/shamrockntheblock)
Ranalli’s West Loop
A party package ($44) includes call drinks, beer, wine and a brunch buffet from 8-11 a.m. Saturday. (1326 W. Madison St., 312-981-7100, ranalliswestloop.com)
Tuman’s Tap & Grill
Specials offered Saturday through March 17 include $12 corned beef sandwiches, $21 corned beef and cabbage dinners, $8 Guinness, and $6 shots of Paddy’s Irish whiskey. (2159 W. Chicago Ave., 773-782-1400, tumanstapandgrill.com)
South Side & Near South Side
Weber’s Bakery
Pick up Irish soda bread and festive treats like Bailey’s Irish Cream layer cake, shamrock cookies and Bailey’s brownies. (7055 W. Archer Ave., 773-586-1234, webersbakery.com/holiday-seasonal)
Suburban and multiple locations
120 Live
From 8 a.m. to noon Saturday through March 17, start the day with a traditional Irish breakfast ($16), egg sandwich ($10), Irish coffee ($5) or a pint of Guinness ($4). The bar hosts Irish dancers Saturday, Sunday and March 17 and offers Irish dinner specials, including corned beef ($18) and Reuben bites ($10). (120 W. Bartlett Ave., Bartlett, 630-855-8349, 120livebartlett.com/events)
Beatrix
Get your Irish coffee hot or iced March 12-17, along with other specials like a $19 turkey pastrami Reuben and $5.95 decorated sugar cookies. (Multiple locations, beatrixrestaurants.com)
Happy Camper
Celebrate in Old Town or Wrigleyville at events ($75-$115) from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday with a pizza and breakfast buffet plus call liquor, domestic beer, Irish whiskey and Irish stout. (1209 N. Wells St., 312-344-1634 and 3458 N. Clark St., 312-872-5959; stpaddyschicago.greencurtainevents.com)
Hewn
Place an order by 8 p.m. Thursday to pick up Irish soda bread ($9.85), a pair of corned beef and cabbage hand pies ($14), or shamrock sandwich cookies filled with chocolate mint ganache ($14) Saturday, Sunday or March 17. (Multiple locations, hewnbread.com)
L. Woods Tap & Pine Lodge
Order a Reuben sandwich or corned beef and cabbage and finish your meal with a slice of Bailey’s chocolate mousse. The bar will be whipping up grasshoppers and Key lime pie martinis. The specials are offered through March 17. (7110 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincolnwood; 847-677-3350; lwoodsrestaurant.com)
Stan’s Donuts
A special lineup of treats offered through March 17 includes cake doughnuts topped with shamrock sprinkles, Irish cream bismarks, green chocolate-dipped doughnuts, and doughnuts topped with a lemon-lime glaze inspired by Green River soda. (Multiple locations, stansdonuts.com)
Sweet Mandy B’s
Specials available Friday through March 17 include Lucky Charms Rice Krispies treats, shamrock cookies and pot of gold cupcakes. (1208 W. Webster Ave., 773-244-1174 and 254 E. Ontario St., 312-255-1632; sweetmandybs.com)
Tokio Pub
Feast on bottomless pork nachos and 10 types of sushi, including holiday-themed rolls, for $35 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. March 17. Wear green and you’ll get a 15% discount. (1900 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, 847-278-5181, tokiopub.com)
Wildfire
Celebrate March 16-17 with a corned beef and cabbage plate ($35) and chocolate stout cake ($11). (Multiple locations, wildfirerestaurant.com)
Samantha Nelson is a freelance writer.
