Any real drinker knows enough to stay away from the Irish pubs today, because it’s too hard to get a beer. But if you’re willing to attempt to get a Guinness when it’s five deep at the bar, we certainly have enough places to go in Chicago.
That’s the Merchandise Mart all lit up green. Inside the Mart you’ll find Dunphy’s (near the Franklin and Kinzie corner) but right outside you’ll find the much livelier Shamrock Club (210 Kinzie). From there you can make your way north, only having to hoof it a few blocks between bars like The Pepper Canister, Oleary’s Public House, Fado, The Kerryman, The Brehon, Garrett Ripley’s, Celtic Crossings… well you get the idea.
In honor of the holiday there’s a shot of the corned beef and cabbage I made last weekend, although I probably have relatives rolling over in there graves since the cabbage is bok choy.
If you can get lucky enough to get a seat at The Celtic Knot during their St. Patty’s Hooley, put aside your embarrassment and grade school humor and order the Spotted Dick. Although unfortunately named, it’s truly a thing of beauty.