St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago is a celebration like no other. With a substantial Irish population — and one of the biggest city-wide St. Patrick’s Day celebrations anywhere — Chicago is the perfect place to spend this holiday.

If you’re looking for a barstool to call home for the day, Chicago’s many local bars and restaurants get into the Irish spirit with specials and celebrations all March long.

Whether or not your ancestors came from the Emerald Isle, or you’re just honorary Irish for the weekend, these are some of the best ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 2024 in Chicago.

Bars and restaurants to watch the Chicago River dyeing

St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago

Pizzeria Portofino: Enjoy signature cocktails, passed appetizers, pizza stations, and a front-row seat to the dyeing of the Chicago River at Pizzeria Portofino. Grab your tickets today for general admission and VIP table reservations.

Raised, An Urban Rooftop: Get a bird’s eye view of the river dyeing from this heated rooftop terrace, where guests can enjoy an open bar with green beer, mimosas, bloody mary’s, and entertainment from a live DJ and bagpiper.

LH on 21 & 22: This rooftop bar atop LondonHouse Chicago will be celebrating St. Paddy’s Day with a green river viewing party, featuring an open bar with bottomless green beer, breakfast bites, live DJs, and epic views of the festivities below.

Travelle at The Langham: At this casually elegant River North restaurant, admire dazzling views of the river dyeing festivities from floor-to-ceiling windows while enjoying the sounds of a live Irish fiddle duo and noshing on green waffles, corned beef, and more brunch bites. 

St. Patrick’s Day at Pizzeria Portofino

The Kitchen American Bistro: This waterfront spot will be serving a brunch menu full of festive Irish fun, with bottomless green drinks and great eats. Reserve your table today.

RPM Seafood: Enjoy an upscale St. Patrick’s Day at this swanky seafood spot with sweeping river views. Watch the river turn green as you enjoy passed appetizers, a brunch buffet, a premium bar package, and more.

Miru: The new upscale Japanese spot inside The St. Regis Chicago, Miru will be offering a bird’s eye view of the St. Patrick’s Day festivities from their two expansive terraces.

St. Patrick’s Day bar and restaurant specials in Chicago

Cork & Kerry: The south side of Chicago is known for having deep Irish roots. Those who want to get into the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day at an authentic Irish pub should consider one of the Cork & Kerry locations. Whether you choose the Bridgeport or Beverly location, the luck of the Irish will be with you.

Charm’d: This pop-up experience in Wrigleyville features floor-to-ceiling decorations and over-the-top themed drinks, like the Pot o’ Gold or the Irish Mule. Make your reservations today.

Lizzie McNeill’s Irish Pub: Located along the Chicago River, this friendly Irish pub will have a tent set up with live music all day Friday and Saturday. Buy your tickets online to skip the line.

Paradise Park: In Wicker Park, Paradise Park will open early with a brunch and pizza buffet, music, an all-inclusive drink package, and more.

Three Dots and a Dash: This award-winning tiki bar in River North will be serving up a special Jameson Mai Tai, exclusively for St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

Guinness Open Gate Brewery: One of the only Guinness taprooms outside of Ireland, this West Loop brewery will be hosting a quintessential Irish St. Patrick’s Day celebration with live music, brewery pours, food service, and more.

The Dearborn Tavern: Owned by two Irish sisters, The Dearborn goes all out for St. Patrick’s Day with food and drink specials, Guinness swag, beer painting, and more.

Three Dots and a Dash_ cocktail
Three Dots and a Dash

Hopsmith Tavern: Tickets to this Gold Coast celebration include a bottomless Irish drink and appetizer package all morning long, plus music and more party antics.

The Gage: The Gage is a great dining choice for those hoping to catch the St. Patrick’s Day parade and river dyeing. Whether you’re more into The Gage’s impressive selection of spirits or a Guinness on tap, everyone will appreciate the proximity to festivities, as well as the historic building and thoughtful ambiance.

Chief O’Neill’s: Not only has it been called the best Irish pub in Chicago, but it has previously been voted one of the 10 best in the entire world. It’s the place to be for an all-out Irish pub St. Patrick’s Day experience. Reserve a table to enjoy the buffet, proper pints, and a roster of all-Irish musicians.

Mrs. Murphy’s & Sons Irish Bistro: Another great example of a Chicago Irish pub, Mrs. Murphy’s & Sons Irish Bistro in North Center provides a lively venue for those wanting an authentic way to celebrate the holiday. Reserve a table upstairs for traditional food and live Irish music,

Charm'd Chicago shakes
Charm’d Chicago

Emerald Loop Bar & Grill: Only a stone’s throw from the river, this is an ideal location to take in all things green. The bar opens early on for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations so you’ll get to savor a whole day of Irish food and Guinness pints.

Gaslight: Get ready for a St. Patrick’s Day brunch party on March 16 at this popular neighborhood bar in Lincoln Park. As a live DJ and an Irish pipe band amp up the energy, savor an impressive brunch buffet spread and sip on house cocktails and green domestic beer. 

ROOF on theWIT: Soak in the St. Patrick’s Day festivities from 27 stories up, with plenty of Irish fare, giveaways, themed cocktails, and bottle service.

Sweetwater Tavern & Grille: Head to this Michigan Avenue spot bright and early for kegs and eggs, just steps away from the parade and the river dyeing.

The Reveler: In Roscoe Village, this neighborhood favorite will be offering up green beer, mimosas, party favors, bagpipe performances, and more for St. Paddy’s Day.

Tin Roof: Head to Wrigleyville for St. Patrick’s Day weekend, where Tin Roof will have green beer, green shots, and live music all weekend long.

Fora: In the West Loop, sip green beer and mimosas while enjoying special dishes like the corned beef hash skillet or the Guinness-battered cod.

Highline: Located only a block from the Chicago River, this lively sports bar is hosting a ticketed party that includes drink tickets, an Irish breakfast buffet, games, and live entertainment by the Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band. 

Kirkwood: Come raise a glass at Kirkwood on March 16, and look forward to build-your-own corned beef sandwiches, drinks, and breakfast favorites, including scrambled eggs, hash tots, and bacon.