Local Chicago Bars for St. Patrick's Day

While Chicago is believed to be a city with many different immigrants, on St. Patrick's Day everyone's Irish. It doesn't matter whether St. Patrick's Day falls on a Monday, Friday or Sunday, this city is packed and partying. As a long-time resident, I've tried a number of venues for St. Paddy's Day but here's three of my favorites.

Butch McGuire's - 20 W. Division St.
Located in the touristy section of Rush and Division St., this legendary bar is packed with St. Patrick's Day revelers but it's a manageable crowd with a surprisingly large number of locals. Small green shamrocks and other Irish tchotchkes hang from the bar's ceiling (similar to the bar's infamous Christmas decorations) throughout the bar's three rooms. The bar serves traditional Irish fare (don't miss the Mini-Reubens), offers a good Guinness and Harp on tap and staffs its bar with seasoned, friendly bartenders.

Oh yeah, there's plenty of Jameson shots to go around on St. Patrick's Day.

There's no street parking so take the red line to Clark and Division, or the Division and Clark Street buses.

O'Brien's - 1528 North Wells
This Old Town bar throws a good old-fashioned party on St. Patrick's Day. In the side garden section, the bar puts up a tent and serves draft beer with live Irish music playing the entire day. It has a street-party atmosphere (it's crowded and warm so be prepared to ditch your coat) with traditional Irish food including Corned Beef sandwiches and an Irish buffet.

There's also the indoor section but really, the party's in the tent.

Stick with public transportation options: Red line at Clark and Division, Brown line stop Sedgwick or North Avenue bus.

Irish Oak - 3511 N. Clark St.
Wrigleyville's authentic Irish bar is nestled among the crazy Clark St bars. On St. Patrick's Day you'll find the crowd seated among its traditional tables and seats, chatting and listening to Irish music at the back of the bar. There are Irish beers on tap and lots of Irish shots to go around; the food offers something for everyone but I'd recommend the French fries (chips) and the Fish N'Chips.

You'll find a lot of locals here on St. Paddy's Day with a good mix from the old country.

Again, take public transportation, there's no parking: either the Clark St Bus or the red line to Addison.