Local Businesses Green Up for St. Pat's Weekend

Lincoln Square’s German heritage doesn’t mean it won’t don the shamrocks Saturday and Sunday. From live music to Irish dancers and corned beef, neighborhood staples are getting ready for St. Patrick's Day. 

“It makes us excited just like other people get excited about Oktoberfest,” Brauhaus owner Harry Kempf said. “It’s sort of an international holiday and celebration. On that day, we all want to be Irish.” 

Here are some local businesses gearing up for St. Pat's.

The Grafton Pub
Doors open at 9 a.m. Saturday at the bar that’s Irish all year round.

Corned beef will be in abundance, both served with cabbage and in a sandwich all day and night. Live Irish music by Tim O’Shea and Patrick Buckley will start at 9:30 p.m.

On Sunday, the bar opens at 10 a.m. with beer available at 11. Live Irish music will start around 6 p.m. with the same food specials.

Lincoln Square Lanes
The party starts at 10 a.m. Saturday at the newly-renovated bowling alley. Test stamina by staying out until 9 p.m. when the Polkaholics take the stage. Drink specials include: $6 car bombs, $4 Jameson shots, $5 Guinness $4 Crispin, $10 pitchers of green beer and $3 cans of Old Style.

Himmel’s
The European bistro is adding Irish to its mix. Beer-braised corned beef in the restaurant’s wood fired oven and cabbage join a shamrock-shaped Reuben Pizza and green beer.

Chicago Brauhaus
Just in case people miss the beer house on St. Pat’s, they’ll be serving corned beef and cabbage with horseradish cream sauce until March 21.

Irish dancers perform at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Amy’s Candy Bar
Irish whiskey truffles and caramels

Café Selmarie
The bakery and kitchen are getting in the Irish spirit. Irish soda bread and shamrock sugar cookies can be a nice compliment to corned beef and cabbage.

Oh, and Irish coffee will be served throughout the day.