10 Pubs that get it Craic’n for St. Patty’s Day Weekend

EVERYONE in Chicago is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day!  We are the city with the largest Irish population in the world (excluding the homeland Ireland), and we party the harder than any other city on St. Patty’s Day (including the homeland Ireland).  If you like to show your Chi-rish on this beer-infused holiday, then your plans are probably already set.  But,  if the only plans you have are to wear green and eat a bowl of Lucky Charms for breakfast, get in the spirit and check out any one of these 10 pubs where you can celebrate the luck of the Irish.  Let’s get it craic‘n!

Avondale: Chief O’Neill’s Pub & Restaurant, 3471 N. Elston, (773) 583-3066 — No other restaurant keeps it real on St. Patty’s Day like Chief O’Neill‘s–named after former Chicago Chief of Police and collector if Irish traditional music Francis O’Neill.   Of course, they have the staples for any good St. Pat’s celebration (i.e. beer, songs and dancing), but the menu is where Chief O’Neill’s separates itself from the pack.  When it comes to tradition, it  beats out any restaurant in the city hands down!  Fish and a chips, bangers and mash, Celtic Pig Roast are just a few of the traditional delicious delectables served at Cheif O’Neill’s.

Beverly: Keegan’s Pub, 10618 S. Western, (773) 233-6829 — For all you Southsiders out there looking to party closer to home check out Keegan’s Pub.  It’s our kind of place: The drinks are  cheap; the bartenders are friendly; and the jukebox is top-notch.   PLUS they have the best Guinness pours on the south side and maybe the best pour this side of the pond!  Before you head over though, make sure you have a pocket full of cash and some food in your belly because the bar is CASH ONLY and they don’t serve food (but you can order in if you need to which eventually you probably will).

Gold Coast: Butch McGuires Tavern, 20 W. Division, (312) 337-9080 — If you’re looking to get lucky on St Patty’s Day, Butch McGuire’s claims to be Chicago’s original singles bar, connecting people since 1986!  They also offer a breakfast buffet and cold sandwiches (served all day) for the entire weekend.  Now, if you want VIP status, take a look at their Donovan Booth package.  It offers the “best and only seat in the house” during the St. Pat’s Parade which includes a seated area for 6, gift bags and direct access to the restrooms (which will be extremely important as the day goes on).

Lincoln Park: Halsted Harp, 2138 N. Halsted, (773) 348-3665 – Halsted Harp shows pride in its Irish roots year-round playing LIVE traditional Irish music every Tuesday at 8pm.  They also have Karaoke Fridays and Live Music Saturdays on the regular.  For St. Pat’s, Halsted Harp is offering a breakfast buffet package that includes well cocktails and lite drafts for just $30 a person.  Plus on Saturday DJ Bloodshot Scott will be on the 1 and 2s, then Trinity Irish Dancers will be in the house on Sunday.

Linkin House, 2142 N. Clybourn, (773) 857-1111 – Normally, Linkin House would not make our St. Patty’s Day pub list, but rumor has it that there will be a very POSH party underway on Saturday that includes  green beer specials and festive St. Pat’s t-shirts (available for $10). Click here to RSVP.

Near North: McFadden’s, 1206 N. State Pkwy (312) 475-9450 – McFadden’s is always one of our FAVORITE places to celebrate St. Patty’s Day!   You can start your day off with their Green Keg & Hammered Package which offers all you can eat and drink green eggs and beer (the breakfast of champions) for just $20.  McFadden’s take their party to the next level with stilt walkers, leprechauns, body painters and a live broadcast by KISS-FM with a trip giveaway to top it off.  To get more info and purchase tickets click here.

River North: Fado Irish Pub, 100 W. Grand, (312) 836-0066 – Fado’s  has the best St. Patty’s Day weekend lineup hands down!  They really get in the spirit hosting enough events to make your head spin: St. Baldrick‘s Foundation Charity Event, Guinness giveaways, a raffle to win a trip to Ireland!  Check them all out here.

Celtic Crossings, 751 N. Clark (312) 337-1005 – Celtic Crossing was dubbed “the most traditional Chicago Irish pub” by USA Today, and we would have to agree.  Their distinctive Victorian exterior combined with the old style bar inside featuring a high ceiling and smattering of tables and chairs will make you feel like you’ve stepped into an authentic Irish watering hole.  So if you’re looking for a cozy, comfy atmosphere with none of, or at least less of, the St. Patty’s Day crazy, the Celtic Crossing will surely satisfy your taste for a more mature celebration.  Now they don’t have any St. Patty’s specials but instead have year-round specials because they believe everyday is an Irish holiday. 😉

South Loop: Bennigan’s, Various locations throughout US and abroad — Ok, ok…so Bennigan’s is about as commercial as you can get when it comes to Irish pubs, but for those of you who might not have as many options as we do here in the Windy City, you can still get in on the fun and check out the nearest location to celebrate.  They even have a neat little Facebook promotion going on called Honor the Irish where you can bestow a Badge O’Honor on your Facebook friends, view the Irish O’Grams photo gallery or enter to win a trip to Ireland!

Streeterville: Lizzie McNeill’s, 400 N. McClurg, (312) 467-1992 – If you want to catch the dying of the Chicago River or the St. Patty’s Day Parade, Lizzie McNeil’s is the place to go as it’s merely steps away from all the action.  Lizzie McNeill’s is a premiere St. Patty’s Day party pub, and they do not take reservations so make sure to arrive early.

Slainte! (Cheers!)