St Patrick’s Day Parade Chicago, Green Chicago River and Irish Pubs
Every year the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a huge event in Chicago. It doesn’t matter if you are Irish or not, everyone is Irish for the day on St Patrick’s Day! St. Patrick’s Day is officially on Monday March 17th but the St. 
Patrick’s Day Parade in Chicago is on Saturday March 15th at 12 pm noon. It starts at Balbo going north on Columbus and ends at Monroe Street on Columbus Drive. This is always a fun parade and everyone turns out wearing all their best green clothing, clover and shamrocks. It’s a fun way to get out and celebrate everything Irish.
Before the parade you can watch the Chicago River be turned Green (a different shade than normal) by a few guys in a small boat with a bunch of food coloring dye. theChicago River Dyeing happens at 10:45 AM on Saturday March 15th. It lasts for a few days but it’s dramatic to see the bright green streaming from the boat and see everyone on the bridges cheer as they watch. It’s a ceremonial thing and the dye is not supposed to be able to harm the environment.
A traffic note: If you plan on going to the parade or to see the Green River, I suggest that you come downtown an hour early or more and take a cab, bus, the EL or a Metra Train to get there. The traffic can get clogged especially when the parade is starting and ending or when people have been drinking too much green beer. Please do not drink and drive. I am sure the cops will be out writing DUIs if they see anyone weaving in and out of lanes. Be responsible and take public transportation to the St. Patrick’s Day parade, party and pub or bar of your choice.
If you have seen the Green Chicago River and the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade and want a good Irish Pub to go to afterwards for some authentic green beer here are a few suggestions I have gone to and had a great time.
Fado @ 100 W Grand Ave Chicago, IL 312-836-0066. This Irish pub has great authentic Irish Food (Sheperd’s Pie and Corned Beef & Cabbage) and great variety of authentic beers. It has a old pub feel with wood paneling and an intimate feeling when you are inside. Expect a crowd on St. Patrick’s Day and the rest of the year visit to see Workd Cup and International Soccer (football) games on TV from Europe and overseas while you have a beer.
Abbey Pub @ 3420 W Grace at Elston Ave Chicago, IL 773-487-4408. The Abbey Pub has a whole event agenda planned for St Patrick’s Day already. They start with a bus (so you don’t have to drive if you want to drink) from the Irish pub to the St Patrick’s Day Parade. Then later in the day if you are still going strong, you can see a real live televised Rugby Game from over seas, Irish Dancers, Bands and bagpipes (loud!). They also have good food so bring your taste for Irish food.
And Happy St. Patrick’s Day to ya!
Stumble it!
The Emerald Loop is another good bet for Irish fare downtown. It opened about a year ago. You can get a full, traditional full Irish breakfast there–just don’t let them toast the brown bread!