The Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade may have been called off due to COVID-19, but that doesn’t mean that St. Patrick’s Day itself is cancelled.
Plenty of area bars and restaurants are welcoming people for some much-needed stress relief this weekend — as well as the actual holiday Tuesday — with a few strong drinks of Irish whiskey and beer, plus hearty plates of corned beef and cabbage, Reubens, and other traditional fare.
One caveat: Be sure to check with the spots before you head out, because there is a possibility some events could still be called off due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Stay home if you’re green around the gills, but otherwise don some emerald and celebrate at these 20 spots.
Ann Sather: The Swedish restaurant goes Irish through Tuesday, offering a $15.95 meal of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and its signature cinnamon rolls. You’re welcome to bring your own Guinness or other booze. 909 W. Belmont Ave., 773-348-2378; 3415 N. Broadway, 773-305-0024, annsather.com
Benchmark: A $65 package includes a buffet featuring tater tots, corned beef sandwiches and scrambled eggs plus four drinks from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. 1510 N. Wells St., 312-649-9640, benchmarkchicago.com
The Dearborn: A special food menu available Saturday through Tuesday includes shepherd’s pie ($24), a corned beef Reuben ($16) and Blackout Irish Trifle, made with Baileys mousse and a Guinness caramel swirl ($12). 145 N. Dearborn St., 312-384-1242; thedearborntavern.com
The Fifty/50: The Wicker Park sports bar offers green Miller Lite, Jameson, Irish coffee and a comfort food buffet for $30 from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. Find tickets at eventbrite.com. 2047 W. Division St., 773-489-5050; thefifty50.com
The Irish Oak: The Wrigleyville bar offers a $60 package including appetizers, Jameson cocktails, call drinks, domestic beer and Irish stout from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Find tickets on the bar’s website, but act fast — they’re almost sold out. 3511 N. Clark St., 773-935-6669; irishoak.com
The J. Parker: The rooftop spot at Hotel Lincoln offers a $60 package from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday including domestic beer, well drinks and passed appetizers. A DJ will spin hits, and the bar will dole out party favors and serve $6 Tullamore D.E.W. shots all day. Tickets are at eventbrite.com. 1816 N. Clark St., 312-254-4747, jparkerchicago.com
Mason House: The new restaurant in Found Hotel Chicago opens at 10 a.m. Saturday to serve specials including $11 corned beef with cabbage, $7 corned beef egg rolls and $6 Guinness drafts. 613 N. Wells St., 312-642-0449, masonhouserestaurant.com
The Old Plank: The Logan Square sports bar offers a variety of themed specials through Tuesday, including $15 fish and chips, $12 corned beef or Reuben sandwiches, and $8 cocktails such as the Top of the Mornin’ to Ya — a blend of Teeling Irish whiskey, Campari and coffee liquor. 2700 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-661-2190, oldplankchicago.com
Offshore: The rooftop bar celebrates on Saturday with a $10 package sporting a corned beef sandwich, a Guinness and a shot of Jameson. Add a frozen Irish coffee, another Guinness or a shot for $5 more. You can also come for brunch and dine on eggs, beans, toast, bacon, grilled tomato, Guinness and Jameson for $15. 1000 E. Grand Ave., 312-535-6660, drinkoffshore.com
More Top Picks Best Gaming Mice
Pennyville Station: Graze on a buffet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday during a boozy brunch that includes mimosas, bloody marys, frosé, sparkling wine and key lime martinis. Find tickets for $60 at eventbrite.com. 112 Main St., Park Ridge, 847-720-484, pennyvillestation.com
Prairie Grass Café: Come for brunch Sunday and order corned beef hash topped with poached egg, sautéed potatoes and a green hollandaise — made without food coloring ($16.50). On Monday, the restaurant will offer a special Reuben-esque dip, made with sauerkraut, shredded corned beef, housemade thousand island dressing and Swiss cheese — take a scoop and spread it on rye toast crostinis ($12.50). For Tuesday, you can enjoy a traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner served with a slice of housemade Irish soda bread ($24.50). Pair your meal with a $6.50 glass of Guinness, or sip on the Irish Eyes are Smiling cocktail, made with Jameson, Baileys and cream ($13). 601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, 847-205-4433, prairiegrasscafe.com
Prairie Moon: The bar offers a dozen Irish food and drink specials through Tuesday, including Irish beef stew ($8.95), bangers & mash ($11.95), corned beef and braised cabbage ($16.95) and an Irish Old-Fashioned made with Sexton single-malt Irish whiskey and a touch of Drambuie Scotch. 1635 Chicago Ave., Evanston, 847-864-8328, prairiemoonrestaurant.com
The Rambler: Start your celebration with a $25 Kegs and Eggs breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday featuring corned beef hash, sausage, biscuits and gravy, bloody marys, mimosas and green beer (not to mention themed swag). If you come in later, you can order a $10 corned beef plate, $5 Paddy’s Irish whiskey shots and a $20 Pot of Gold featuring five Goldschlager shots. 4128 N Lincoln Ave., 773-799-8881, theramblerchicago.com
Recess: The West Loop newcomer offers themed specials all weekend long, including a Green River cocktail made with vodka, lime, vanilla syrup, Green River soda and whipped cream ($10); and a Reuben-inspired burger made with pastrami-spiced beef, housemade sauerkraut, thousand island dressing and Swiss cheese and served with a side of sauerkraut-flavored potato chips ($16). 838 W. Kinzie St., 312-801-1181, chicagoinrecess.com
Replay: The Lincoln Park beercade has gone green with a Shrek-themed pop-up, which you can check out during a Swamptastic St. Patrick’s Day party, featuring a breakfast buffet and bottomless green beer, bloody marys and premium cocktails for $25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Stick around after for a flip cup tournament running from 2-4 p.m. and awarding $400 in cash prizes. Teams of four can enter for $10, which includes express admission. 2833 N. Sheffield Ave., 773-665-5660; replaylincolnpark.com
Sable: Get an early start on drinking at the River North bar, which is offering $7 Guinness, $13 Irish coffee and $12 pints of Guinness with a shot of Jameson, starting at 8 a.m. Saturday and Tuesday. Food specials offered both days include $16 housemade corned beef hash and a $15 Reuben sandwich on thick-cut pumpernickel bread. 505 North State St., 312-755-9704, sablechicago.com
Sheffield’s Beer and Wine Garden: The Wrigleyville spot opens at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday to serve brunch, accompanied by $5 Jameson shots until noon. A corned beef sandwich on marble rye with coleslaw, bourbon mustard and horseradish cheese sauce, plus your choice of side, is available for $13 Saturday through Tuesday. 3258 N. Sheffield Ave., 773-281-4989, sheffieldschicago.com
Sheraton Grand Chicago: Take a selfie in front of a Blarney Stone and play games of bags and giant Jenga while enjoying an $11 Absolut bloody mary bar with 20 choices of toppings, 16-ounce cans of Guinness for $9, $8 Jameson shots and $10 Powers Irish whiskey cocktails from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. Singer-songwriter Robbie Gold performs at 8 p.m. 301 E. North Water St., 877-242-2558; register at eventbrite.com
State and Lake: Starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, you can order Irish-inspired specials, including a Wagyu beef Reuben with fries ($17), beef and Guinness stew ($19) and Irish cheddar mac-and-cheese ($13, with grilled Irish bacon for $5 extra). 201 N. State St., 312-239-9400, stateandlakechicago.com
Theater on the Lake: The venue’s third-annual St. Patrick’s on the Lake bash from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday features Irish food and drink specials, plus performances from the Sullivan Brothers, In Spite of Ourselves, Whiskey Mick, David Dunne and the Shannon Rovers. The special menu is also available from 5-9 p.m. Tuesday, and Dunne will again be providing live music. Come before 7 p.m. to pick up a personalized Guinness pint. 2401 N. Lake Shore Drive, 312-414-1313, theateronthelake.com