The luck of the Irish is upon us. Chicago celebrates it’s ginger freckled heritage with green die, kilts on parade and glasses of Guinness. St. Patrick’s Day is the time of year to embrace the color green and four leaf clovers but it is a dangerous time for your pot of gold.
While St. Patricks Day is on March 17 this year, Chicago’s South Side is celebrating Sunday, March 10 and the heart of Chicago is celebrating Saturday, March 16. The next two weekends will be full of parades and drinks but be careful with your budget.
The South Side Irish Parade is back again by popular demand, after disappearing for a couple years. The parade is more family-friendly, focusing more on tradition and less on the drinking.
With this being said many Irishman can’t help but have a drink on this lovely green day, but be warned security will be tight and prices will be high.
For example McNally’s on Western said ‘cans’ of beer will cost $5 after a $10 cover charge at the door. Many bars will be charging very high entrance fees to help control the chaos.
When asked, only a few South Side bars shared their drink specials. Cork and Kerry’s said they are holding their normal $10 bud bucket Sunday special and Mrs. O’Leary’s Dubliner said they are planning on having specials on Guinness, long islands and Irish coffees but wasn’t sure on the prices just yet.
According to Facebook, Slackers on Western is offering $2 off all of their drinks if people purchase their $15 parade T-shirt, which you could also win if you spend over $40 at the bar.
The only bar that seemed to be completely prepared for the budgeting south siders was 115 Bourbon Street. Along with their normal $3 Bloody Mary and UV cocktail Sunday specials, there will be a $5 cover after 2PM and an $8 buffet bracelet from 2-7PM. Not the best place for a budget but it’s the best you will find on Parade Day.
From experience, the best budget idea would be to hit up McDonald's before the parade and a house party afterwards. The bars will be out to steal your pot of gold.
Now that you know what to expect on the South Side, stay tuned for the deals in the heart of the city.
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