St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago is one of the most notable events in the city every year. Irish bars and pubs are full of locals, whether of Irish heritage or not, reveling in one of the biggest parties of the year. Chicago’s Irish parade is one of the largest in the country and has been an official city event for over 60 years.
The event is perhaps most famous for the dyeing of the Chicago River. Every year, the river is dyed a deep shade of emerald green which draws tens of thousands of visitors yearly to see the festive splendor.
Make sure you don’t miss out on any of the activities this year. Some restaurants are offering Irish specials in the days or weeks leading up to the day, and every restaurant on this list is hosting a full day of festivities on Saturday the 12th.
And after facing the day head-on and reveling in a full day of debauchery, the day after the St. Patrick’s Day celebration is often a day where most people are less than enthusiastic about cooking food at home.
Because of this, the Sunday after the city-wide celebration is a popular day for many restaurants to offer great Sunday brunch options. Whether you’re looking for a hair of the dog relief or just a plethora of tremendous food options, you’ll find whatever you’re looking for below on this list.
- The Dearborn Tavern
- The Gage
- Hub 51
- Emerald Loop Bar & Grill
- The J. Parker
- Stan’s Donuts
- The Irish Oak
- The Kerryman
- Wilde Bar & Restaurant
- Old Town Pour House
- Homeslice
The days leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, on March 11th, 12th, and 17th, The Dearborn Tavern will be offering Shepherd's Pie, Corned Beef Reuben, Pork Belly, and Seafood Chowder. Personalized engraved Guinness pints are also available on March 16th from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. The Dearborn is a great option for those looking to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day in the Loop.
The Gage is offering a wide variety of specials for St. Patrick’s Day this year including a long list of classic Irish dishes like Smoked Haddock Cake, House-Made Corned Beef, Corned Beef Sandwiches, and Colcannon along with a long list of classic cocktails.
At Hub 51, from March 12 to March 17, enjoy food and drink specials including a Hot Corned Beef Sandwich and Homemade Sauerkraut. Drink specials are $6 Jameson Shots, $10 ICB Shots, $6Green Beer, $6 Irish Coffee Shots, and $8 Guinness Pints.
Emerald Loop opens at 8am on March 12, the day of this year's St. Patrick’s Day parade and river dyeing. Enjoy green beer, bagpipes and more as Emerald’s Loop celebrates the festivities.
Unlike the previous options on this list, the St. Patrick’s Day celebration at the J. Parker is a ticketed event. Purchasing a ticket secures you an unlimited food buffet, open bar, and special St. Patrick's Day cocktails. You can avoid long lines and party in style on this rooftop with views looking out over the Lincoln Park Zoo and Lake Michigan.
If you’re in need of a quick pick me up while walking between bars, don’t let the festivities end. All of Stan’s Donuts locations are selling special St. Patrick’s donuts: chocolate emerald dipped, chocolate green mint dipped, green river glazed, and Irish cream bismark. These awesome treats will be available from March 10 - March 17 only. Make sure you go try them before it’s too late!
As they say at this Wrigleyville bar on St. Patrick’s Day, everyone’s Chi-rish at Irish Oak. A ticket is required to enter and the drinks package is available until 1pm with which you can enjoy call liquors, domestic beer, Jameson drinks, Irish stout, and appetizers.
Down in River North, you can find one of the most iconic and classic Irish Chicago bars, The Kerryman. Their Saturday Paddy package includes a drink package with draft beer, Titos, Jim Beam, El Jimador, Jameson, Bloody Marys as well as an Irish Breakfast Roll. You can enjoy the festivities from 8am - 11am at which point the package deal ends, but you can stay all day and keep the St. Patrick’s Day party rolling.
Wilde Bar in Lakeview features chef specials including corned beef & cabbage, Bangers & Mash and many more of Wilde’s Irish favorite dishes from March 4 -17. On Saturday March 12 and Sunday March 13 doors open at 10am and brunch is available from 10am - 2pm. Join them on actual St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, at 11am for authentic Irish food, music, beers, and a live bagpiper.
Join Old Town Pour House for their St. Patrick’s day celebration, the Kegs & Eggs party. Green beer, cinnamon rolls, Bloody Marys, and bacon, with tickets for $30, it also includes a breakfast buffet of scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese, applewood smoked bacon, breakfast sausage links, cinnamon rolls, fruit salad, cheesy potato casserole. The drinks specials are $5 Green Beer (Miller Lite), Guinness, Bloody Marys & Mimosas.
The GA Drink Package and Buffet at Homeslice includes a drink package from 9am - 12pm and a brunch buffet. The drink package will offer draft beer, house red/white wine and well mixed drinks. Tables are also available for an additional price.
Make your plans and prepare to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in style this year at one of the many restaurant & bars in Chicago!