The dyeing of the Chicago River (10:45am Saturday) and <a target="_blank" href= "http://www.chicagostpatsparade.com/parade.html">St. Pat's Parade</a> (noon) are civic traditions that—unlike other fine traditions (Cubs collapses, City Hall corruption)—are made better by beer. Actually, those get better with beer too, but for now let's focus on St. Pat's.
This party will feature the requisite green beer (and a few spicy Bloody Marys, if you're so inclined), but the real draw is the spread of Guinness pancakes doused in Irish whiskey syrup, green eggs and ham, corned beef hash, and bacon and sausage. Consider it carbohydrate insulation.
The viewing party at the riverside cove combines all your favorite things about St. Patrick's Day: the river, green beer and three DJs spinning before noon. Okay, maybe that last one isn't a traditional favorite, but there's also gallons of bacon-and-cabbage soup just in case.
Even all the $5 pork belly sandwiches and Irish coffees in Dublin aren't enough to remove the chill from your bones on a cold mid-March morn'. What you need is the gentle protection of a heated outdoor patio where you can watch the river slowly turn bright green—because the only thing nipping at your nose should be whiskey. And maybe a leprechaun.
Nothing against green beer, but this brewpub is offering a regal buffet of scrambled eggs, French toast, sausage, bacon and baked potato hash at this pre-parade breakfast bash—along with locally brewed American Stout and Irish Red Ale. But we know you'll be thinking green.
St. Pat's is about more than just beer, shenanigans and dancers wearing garter belts. So as you down another all-you-can-eat corned-beef slider or chat with one of the pretty, lithe barmaids as she hands you your Irish whiskey at this Misericordia benefit, remember you've done some good today.
