How to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 2022 in Chicago
All green everything.
Nobody does St. Patrick’s Day quite like Chicago, where the emerald enthusiasm stretches from Roger’s Park to South Shore, leaving no (Blarney) stone unturned, no pot o’ gold unchecked, and no green beer undrunk. Whether you’re vying for the absolute best place to watch the river turn green, searching for the ideal Guinness-fueled bar crawl, scouting out a new booze cruise, or trying to stake out a prime viewing point along the official St. Patrick’s Day Parade’s downtown route, we’ve put together this who’s-who of 2022 St. Paddy’s Day events. Just remember to hydrate.
Saturday, March 12
Columbus Drive between Balbo Drive and Monroe Drive
Chicago’s annual St. Paddy’s Day parade is back in action, standing tall in its 67th year as one of the largest of its kind in the entire US. Don your best greens and hit the route at noon sharp for a front row seat to all the festivities including performances from The Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band, Irish step dancers, marching bands, bagpipers, drum corps, local politicians, and floats dressed to the nines. Dedicated to Chicago’s fearless essential workers, the whole shebang kicks off at Grant Park before taking over Columbus Drive. Fancy folks can upgrade their experience to the VIP level with private restrooms and a special viewing platform at Buckingham Fountain.
Cost: Free to attend; VIP grandstand admission runs $60 per person
Saturday, March 12
Various locations
What better place to take in the revealing hordes along the riverbank than atop the emerald depths themselves? Hop aboard one of several St. Patrick’s Day cruises to watch the water Hulk out amid live bagpipe music, themed cocktails, and other holiday delights. Options include, but are not limited to: St. Patrick’s Day Clover Cruise from Chicago’s First Lady, St. Patrick’s Day Cruise from Wendella, St. Patty’s Day Green River Cruises from Chicago Fireboat Tours, Architecture River Cruise from Shoreline Sightseeing, Green River Dyeing Cruise with Seadog, and St. Patrick’s Lunch Cruise with City Experiences.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Saturday, March 12
River North
Day drinking is a veritable St. Patrick’s Day rite of passage, so why not gear up for the shenanigans with an elevated Irish-style breakfast buffet plus plenty of classed-up booze at the Fremont Chicago in tony River North? Tickets get you two drinks and food on the house, and you can up your (pre)game by emailing RSVP@4Cbars.com to reserve a table or booth of your very own.
Cost: Tickets run $35 per person; additional prices vary
Saturday, March 12
Various locations
You ain’t done St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago until you’ve done St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago via trolley. Hop aboard this roving pub crawl through the city and get your fill of green-dyed swill at standout bars including Brickhouse Tavern, Uproar, and Liqr Box. Wheels up is at 11 am, and you’re more than welcome to bring along all the road sodas your heart desires (granted you avoid glass bottles). Drink specials, lots of laughs, and general mayhem will ensue until the trolley calls it quits at 2 pm.
Cost: Tickets run $65 per person; additional prices vary
Saturday, March 12
Various locations
Prefer your pub crawls motorless? Sign up for one of Social Scene’s beer-fueled promenades and keep your feet on the ground while you booze it up all over the north side from noon to 6 pm. Tickets not only guarantee a spot in the mix, but also grant crawlers a $10 food and drink voucher, a scavenger hunt, a “St Patrick’s Day Hooligan Gift,” and discounted specials at participating venues. Expect access to such illustrious watering holes as Bourbon on Division, Subterranean, Debonair, Big Mini Putt Club, Bangers & Lace, Gold Star Bar, Fatpour Tap Works, Frontier, Ina Mae Tavern, SWIG, Standard Bar and Grill, the Point, Cheesie’s Pub, and Emporium Arcade Bar, which will simultaneously be celebrating Goose Island’s 312 Day (more on that later).
Sunday, March 13
103rd Street & Western Avenue
This long-running neighborhood-centric tradition is the largest community-based St. Patrick’s parade outside of Dublin, offering a more chill experience than its more famous downtown compatriot. It’s notably shifted to a more family-friendly format in recent years and alcohol and drunken behavior is strictly forbidden—though it’s still a helluva good time. Hit 103rd and Western Avenue at noon to join in on the (restrained) ruckus.
Cost: Free
Sunday, March 13
Norwood Park
Northsiders get a parade of their own this year at this Norwood Park celebration, which takes the pavement at noon in front of William J. Onahan School before venturing south on Neola Avenue then north along Northwest Highway to Harlem Avenue. A similarly booze-free event, keep your eyes on the party’s website for updates on the highly anticipated afterparty, said to include food, drinks, and activities for the kiddos.
Cost: Free
Saturday, March 12
Old Town Pour House
Nothing pairs quite like scrambled eggs and draft beers, amirite? See for yourself at this annual Kegs & Eggs event at stalwart taproom Old Town Pour House, where a massive breakfast buffet stocked with all the tasty mainstays (cheesy eggs, bacon, sausage, cinnamon rolls, fresh fruit, potato casserole) plus $5 green beer, Guinness, Bloody Marys, and Mimosas await. The hotel pans reveal themselves at 8 am on Saturday, so come hungry.
Cost: Tickets run $30 per person; additional prices vary
RPM Seafood
If the aforementioned kegs and eggs party doesn’t exactly have you jumping out of bed, this upscale bash at scenic RPM Seafood might just strike your silk pajama-clad fancy. Grab a seat by the floor-to-ceiling windows to enjoy views of the river while indulging in all-inclusive passed appetizers, brunch and fresh seafood stations, an open bar (!!), and all the bragging rights.
Cost: Reservations run $190 per person
Sunday, March 13
Wrigleyville
St. Patrick’s Day just ain’t St. Patrick’s Day without some good old-fashioned green beer, as the kind folks at Gallagher Way are here to remind us. Roll on over to the Wrigleyville plaza on Sunday at 11 am for traditional live music, Irish dance performances, kid stuff like face painting, balloon artists, magic shows, arts and crafts, and family-friendly lawn games, plus all the draft beer, specialty cocktails, Irish coffee, and hot chocolate you can stomach (and no, that’s not a dare). And if you want to kick things into gear a tad early, make a weekend of it by stopping by Budweiser Brickhouse Tavern for its St. Patrick’s Day brunch at 9 am on Saturday, where your ticket scores four premium cocktails and a fully loaded Irish breakfast buffet.
Cost: No cover; additional prices vary
Saturday, March 12
LondonHouse Chicago
As if the gorgeous panoramic views from LondonHouse Chicago’s epic rooftop bar weren’t enough, the architecturally stunning downtown hotel is adding to the allure by hosting its own river-dyeing event this Saturday. Ascend to the 22nd floor for bottomless green beer, a live DJ set, breakfast bites, and one of the best vantage points in town, whether from the open-air terrace or the headed indoor lounge. VIP tables with bottle service are also available, if you’re so inclined.
Cost: GA tickets start at $200 each
Friday, March 11 - Sunday, March 13
Swissotel Chicago
Thanks to its prime riverfront location, Swissotel Chicago is one of the finest home bases from which to catch all the holiday hijinks, from the river-dyeing ceremony to the official St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This year, the world-renowned venue is getting into the emerald swing of things with a inroom breakfast processions spanning Crab Cake Benedict, Steak and Eggs, Lobster Omelets, and more from The Palm downstairs, served alongside picturesque views in the comfort of your plush hotel room.
Cost: Room prices vary
Friday, March 11 - Sunday, March 13
Pendry Chicago
If your tax refund is already burning a hole in your pocket, consider wooing your boo with a banging St. Patrick’s Day suite at Pendry Chicago. The limited-time Lucky You package combines a two-night stay in the luxe Pendry Suite with a helicopter tour of the city during the river-dying event, chauffeured Cadillac Service, an Irish whiskey tasting, an upmarket take on a Full Irish breakfast, turndown service with special touches, dinner for two at Venteux, tickets to the Irish American Heritage Center, and a $300 hotel credit for your add-on enjoyment. Two words: worth it.
Cost: Packages start at $12,000 each (call 312-777-9000 to book)
Friday, March 11 - Thursday, March 17
Gaijin
Is your mind screaming St. Patrick’s Day while your palate demands Japanese street food? Settle the battle once and for all at Gajin, where you can pick up delectable Corned Beef Osaka-style Okonomiayaki complete with spicy mustard all week long.
Cost: Orders run $19 each; additional prices vary
Saturday, March 12
Various locations
A show-stopping Chicago-centric meeting of the minds is going down this Saturday, when Goose Island’s annual 312 bash falls on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day, ensuring a beer blast to end all beer blasts. Toast the occasion with roving performances from Suicide Machines, Afters… with Case Oats, Local H, Yo La Tengo, Metz with Melkbelly and Negative Scanner, and a secret show yet to be announced staged at popular venues like Thalia Hall, Lincoln Hall, and Fitzgeralds. All that plus taproom exclusives like variant flights spanning 312 Malort, 312 Coffee, 312 Dry Hopped, OG 312, and Raspberry, Blueberry, and Mango jams in addition to 312 cans and drafts for just $3.12 each. (Psst: Keep your eyes glued to Goose Island’s instagram for details on gold coin-decked Pot of Gold posters plastered around the city, and you might just find yourself winning a prize or two… )
Cost: Ticket and menu prices vary
Saturday, March 12
Old St. Patrick's Church
Go the wholesome route this year by eschewing the Fireball shots and instead making your way to this all-day post-parade block party in the West Loop. A heated beer tent entertains the grown-ups while live music, food, kiddie activities, Irish dance performances and lessons, bagpipers, and more keep things lively from noon to 6:30 pm.
Cost: Advanced GA tickets run $10 per adult ($15 at the door)
Ongoing
Deuce's Major League Bar
Holiday-themed pop-ups abound in Wrigleyville, and St. Patrick’s Day is no exception. Head to Charm’d, Deuce’s Major League Bar’s annual Irish bonanza, all month-long to partake in a multi-tiered boozy St. Patrick’s Day experience. Expect rooms upon rooms of leprechaun-style fun including tons of Irish whiskeys and cocktail specials like a jumbo Irish coffee and a spiked shamrock shake sprinkled with Thin Mints and chocolate shavings, plus Irish-style bites and more photo-ops than you can count. Reservations are required, so make sure to plan ahead.
Cost: No cover; menu prices vary
Monday, March 7 - Sunday, March 13
Various locations & virtual
Expand your horizons instead of just your waistline this St. Patrick’s Day by dropping by this annual film festival’s 22nd time around the sun. Features, docs, and shorts hit the big screen at the Logan Theatre, Gallery Theater, and Theater on the Lake from March 3 through 6, while virtual programming runs until March 13.
Cost: Individual ticket prices vary; in-person passes start at $127.50 per person ($85 for virtual)
Saturday, March 12 - Thursday, March 17
The Gage
Check your green beer at the door and settle into a menu of bonafide Irish cuisine at the Gage’s week-long St. Paddy’s Day fest. The gastropub is peddling a menu fit for a Taoiseach, with perfectly poured Guinness pints setting the stage for dishes like Corned Beef Sandwiches with Guinness-soaked Swiss cheese, pickled cabbage slaw and housemade remoulade, Smoked Haddock Cakes with spicy horseradish, “Not Your Grandma’s Colcannon” (whiskey-braised pork, truffled potato, cabbage), and homemade Corned Beef and Cabbage served with new Potatoes and horseradish creme fraiche.
Cost: No cover; menu prices vary
Sunday, March 20
Grant Park
If exercise is nature’s antidote for overindulgence, consider this multilevel St. Patrick’s Day run/walk the answer to our beer-soaked prayers. Challenge yourself to a breezy 8K course through the Loop, stretch your legs on a leisurely two-mile trek along the lakefront, or ease into things at The Mile event on Saturday, March 19, where runners of all abilities dish up waves and smiles through Grant Park. Depending on the race, registration goodies include official Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle Nike t-shirt, a festive knit hat, drink tickets for the post-race party, an official finisher’s medal, an event bib and timing device, and your liver’s eternal gratitude.
Cost: Registration starts at $25 per person