Feeling Lucky: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Chicago’s Hottest Destinations
Clover
What a stroke of luck! One of the biggest citywide celebrations of the year is almost here! From the best spots to see the Chicago River dyed green, to cozy corners to enjoy a green mimosa, beer or Guinness with friends and the perfect place to get glitzed and glam for the holiday, we have rounded up the top St. Patrick’s Day dining options, celebrations and specials in Chicago for locals and visitors alike to enjoy.
Get Lucky with Unique Beer Cocktails and Classic Green Beer
Lucky me, I have VU. VU Rooftop Bar, South Loop’s hottest destination located at 133 East Cermak, is celebrating the city’s favorite holiday, St. Patrick’s Day, by offering Chicagoans an assortment of Irish classics with a twist on Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17 from 4 p.m. to close. During the fun-filled weekend, patrons will enjoy Irish-inspired shareable plates and unique beer cocktails, in addition to the holiday’s staple – green beer. VU will kick off the weekend with an assortment of Irish classics with a modern twist. Patrons looking for something tender, and bursting with subtle spice, can indulge in Irish Lamb Sliders with braised lamb, cabbage, and garlic aioli, served on a potato bun. Colcannon, a traditional Irish recipe, will also be offered with red potatoes, braised cabbage, leeks, and crispy bacon lardons. Individuals seeking something slightly sweet can enjoy the Soda Bread Toast served with apple raisin compote and a whiskey whipped cream. To complement the classic menu offerings, guests will enjoy a selection of beer cocktail offerings, including Michelada Verde, Dram Mule and more! For more information about VU, visit www.vurooftop.com.
Enjoy Killer Views of the Festive Chicago River
This St. Patrick’s Day, celebrate the luck of the Irish at Raised Bar, the only rooftop bar located on the 3rd floor right across from where the Chicago River dyeing will be taking place on Saturday, March 16. Raised (1 W. Wacker Dr.) will be offering an Irish food and drink package complete with green beer, green mimosas, and more from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. Guests will be immersed in all things Emerald Isle with an exclusive food and drink menu complete with green beer on tap, unlimited mimosas and Bloody Marys. Food items on the package menu include Sausage and Rye with whipped garlic mash, beer mustard, peppers, and onions, Corned Beef Brisket with egg, Dubliner cheese, and roasted tomato jam, Crispy Chicken Waffle with Jameson-maple aioli, chive, carrot, and green cabbage slaw, and Egg White Spinach Wrap with spinach, herb roasted tomatoes, Irish cheddar, and potato hash. Patrons will also have the option to order items from the regular food and beverage menu starting at 8am. Tickets for the package are $75 per person and can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com. After 10 a.m., Raised will be open to the general public. These all-day celebrations at Raised will only be available for those 21+.
Refuel During Your Celebrations at the Heart of Downtown
To get Chicagoans and visitors to the city in true St. Patrick’s Day spirits on Saturday, March 16 before, during or after the festivities of the day, State and Lake Chicago Tavern is offering guests to wet their whistles with St. Patrick’s Day green Bud Light cans and Jameson shots, plus nice stout beers at the bar. No Leprechaun’s meal would be complete without the truly classic dishes, Irish Lamb, Barley Stew and the Reuben Sandwich. The delicious menu will feature a limited number of State and Lake Chicago Tavern’s top dishes and be available for brunch, a mid-afternoon snack, dinner and at the bar. For more information on State and Lake Chicago Tavern, visit https://stateandlakechicago.com.
Do a Jig with a Bagpiper and Exclusive Cocktails Paired with Traditional Fare
Staytion Market & Bar, located downstairs at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel, will also be offering a special a la carte menu with traditional fare and exclusive cocktails to keep the party going all day. To really get into the festive spirit, a bagpiper will be performing in both Raised and Staytion from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. After the river dyeing, guests can also make their way down to the lobby level Staytion Market & Bar for a DJ performance from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., along with a selection of a la carte menu items that will be offered throughout the day, including Irish Soda Bread French Toast, Brown Butter Biscuits and more. Themed drink options include Bloody Molly, with house-made Bloody Mary mix, Jameson’s Irish Whiskey, pickled spear, and a spiced rim, and Safe for Work, a non-alcoholic Irish coffee. The Staytion Bar will also offer Green Mimosas ($13) and Green Beer ($7).
Get Your Green On! Go In Style to see the Parade
Bringing the luck of the Irish to the Gold Coast, Bentley Hair & Beauty, Chicago’s new, Irish-owned luxury hair salon located at 43 E. Oak Street., is offering the lucky ladies and lads of Chicago a range of styles including braids and ponytails with a St. Patrick’s Day twist of added green, gold or silver glitter from March 11-16, 2019. To add to the fun, each guest will be able to toast to good times and great hair with a festive glass of green champagne during their appointment as well as 10 percent off on their entire full-service menu. The perfect way to spice up a look whether people are going to a parade, to see the Chicago River dyed green or getting together with a few friends at their favorite pub, adding glitter to the part or pony of a style has fast become one of the hottest trends in 2019! One of the easiest and most customizable ways to take a look to the next level without the commitment of traditional semi-permanent color, adding glitter to these styles ranges in price and can be booked via phone or their website.
Dine Like a King…. Er, Leprechaun
Fondue is getting an Irish twist at Geja’s Café on Sunday, March 17! Geja’s Café is offering a St. Patty’s Combo ($40/person) featuring a four-course corned beef and potato fondue dinner, which includes Geja’s Famous Cheese Fondue served with mixed breads, a crisp greens salad, a Corned Beef and Potato entrée with assorted veggies, and three magically delicious sauces including Green Peppercorn Dijon, Stout Mustard and Guinness BBQ. Of course, no Irish fondue dinner would be complete without decadent chocolate fondue served with green Rice Krispie Treats and assorted fruits or an Irish Mule, Emerald Cocktail or Dark ‘N Stormy for just $8 each. For more information on Geja’s Café or to make a reservation, call 773.281.9101, or visit Geja’s online at www.gejascafe.com.
Show Your Irish Spirit and Cheers with a Beer
Just steps from the St. Patrick’s Day excitement downtown, Columbus Tap, located at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park at 200 N. Columbus Dr., dishes up savory Midwest-focused menus with array of shareable snacks, salads, sandwiches, and main plates are available as well as a daily happy hour from 3-5 p.m. Drawing from Chicago’s rich history with nods to the Irish drink of choice, beer, Columbus Tap offers a wide variety of beer from several Chicago and Midwestern breweries — featuring a selection of 16 drafts on tap, as well as a vast array of malts, yeasts, adjuncts and curiosities, hops, ciders and sours, and more. For more information on Columbus Tap, visit www.columbustap.com.
