Suburban pubs offer Irish options beyond green beer

For Irish pubs, St. Patrick's Day means Irish music and corned beef washed down with green beer — or a pint of Guinness.

Here is a sampling of suburban venues and how they are celebrating the “luck of the Irish.”

Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant, 28 W. New York St., Aurora, (630) 844-0400, ballydoylepub.com

The weekend kicks off with the McNulty Irish Dancers at 7 p.m. Friday, March 14, followed by the Whiskey of the Damned band at 9:30 p.m. Cover charge is $5. On Saturday, March 15, the Wild Colonial Boys perform at 2 p.m.; the McNulty Irish Dancers take to the stage at 7 p.m. Cover is $5. The St. Patrick's Family Day fundraiser begins at noon on Sunday, March 16. Events for the entire family include face painting, music, jewelry-making, performances by the McNulty Irish Dancers and more. Admission is by donation. Monday, March 17, offers more dancing from the McNulty Irish Dancers at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and the Whiskey Brothers band at noon. $10 cover.

Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant, 5157 Main St., Downers Grove, (630) 969-0900, ballydoylepub.com

Celebrate with Irish music and dance performances from Friday, March 14, through Monday, March 17. Performers include Aidan O'Toole, the McNulty Irish Dancers and others. Cover charge is $5 on Friday, March 14, and Saturday, March 15. No cover on Sunday, March 16. Cost is $10 after noon on Monday, March 17.

Claddagh Irish Pub, 1702 Commons Drive, Geneva, (630) 208-0337, claddaghirishpubs.com

Claddagh starts its St. Patrick's celebration with music from Terry Buck at 8 p.m. Friday, March 14. Saturday, March 15, features Celtic Sounds at 1 p.m., the Irish Dancers at 6:30 p.m., and the Mike and Eileen Duo at 8 p.m. On Sunday, March 16, the band Trillium headlines at noon, followed by the Irish Dancers at 5 p.m. On St. Patrick's Day, the Celtic Sounds perform from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Trillium performs from 3 to 7 p.m., followed by the Irish Dancers from 4 to 6:30 p.m. There is no cover charge.

Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine, (847) 358-9150, durtynellies.com

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day a few days early on Saturday, March 15, at Durty Nellie's. The day kicks off with an Irish breakfast at 8 a.m., followed by Palatine's St. Patrick's Day parade at 11 a.m. At noon, a day of Irish music, beer and food begins at the club. Performers include the Trinity Irish Dancers, Kevin Flynn & The Avondale Ramblers, Rod Tuffcurls and The Bench Press and others. Admission is $7 after 3 p.m. On Monday, March 17, Durty Nellie's will feature Irish music all day, beginning at 12:30 p.m., with no cover charge.

Finn McCool's Irish Sports Pub, 1941 E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg, (847) 303-5100, finnmccoolschicago.com

Finn McCool's hosts a four-day St. Patrick's fest under a tent from Friday, March 14, through Monday, March 17. Events include bands, green beer, bagpipers, a corned beef-eating contest, bar-dancing leprechauns and more. Check website for hours and cover charges. Families are invited to the free Irish Family Fun Day from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 16.

Five Roses Pub, 5509 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 233-0077, fiverosespub.com

Highlights include drink specials and giveaways on Friday, March 14. Events begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, and include bagpipers, giveaways and drink specials. On Sunday, March 16, dig in to an Irish breakfast buffet from 9 a.m. until noon ($9.95 adults/$4.95 for kids ages 10 and under). Lunch buffet runs from noon to 5 p.m. ($19.95 adults/$8.95 for kids ages 10 and under), followed by a pig roast in the afternoon. Get corned beef and cabbage and drink specials on Monday. March 17. No cover charge.

Irish Mill Inn, 26592 N. Route 83, Mundelein, (847) 566-7044, irishmill.com

An all-ages St. Patrick's Day Bash features live music from Whitey O'Day, Paddy Teglia and others, running from 10 a.m. Monday, March 17, to 1 a.m. Tuesday, March 18. Free giveaways and raffles are highlights. Cover charge is $8 and includes a beverage.

McGonigal's Pub, 105 S. Cook St., Barrington, (847) 277-7400, mcgonigalspub.com

McGonigal's Pub joins in the celebration for the Fourth Annual Barrington Celtic Fest, running Friday, March 14, through Monday, March 17. The event, taking place on the 200 block of Park Avenue, features live music, a heated outdoor tent and more. Musical headliners include Sixteen Candles and the Beatles tribute band American English. Pub festival hours begin at 11 a.m. Friday, March 14, through Sunday, March 16. Events begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 17. There is a $10 cover charge on Friday, March 14, and Saturday, March 15, for the evening tent activities, which are free during the day. For full schedule, visit mcgonigalspub.com.

McGruder's Irish Pub, 1350 E. Chicago Ave., Elgin, (847) 931-0130, mcgrudersirishpub.com.

McGruder's will celebrate St. Patrick's Day from Saturday, March 15, through Monday, March 17. Music, specials on Guinness pints and a corned beef and cabbage dinner (for $6.95) are featured. No cover charge.

Mickey Finn's Brewery, 412 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, (847) 362-6688, mickeyfinnsbrewery.com

Mickey Finn's will offer a weekend celebration, running Friday, March 14, through Monday, March 17. Events include Irish music and food, with a menu including fish and chips and corned beef and cabbage. This will be the last St. Patrick's Day for Mickey Finn's at its current location — the club will be moving across the street to 345 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, later this spring.

Mullen's Bar & Grill, 3080 Warrenville Road, Lisle, (630) 505-0240 or mullensbarandgrill.com

Green beer (for $4), corned beef and cabbage and Reuben sandwiches are the featured fare for the St. Patrick's Day celebration at Mullen's Bar & Grill in Lisle. Events kick off at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 15, and run through 11:30 p.m. Monday, March 17. Musical performers include the Jethro Riley Band, Love & Money, Tres Moustache, the Naperville Bagpipes and others. There is no cover charge.

Peggy Kinnane's, 8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. (847) 577-7733 or peggykinnanes.com

Peggy Kinnane's celebrates St. Patrick's Day with three days of Irish food, drinks and more. Events run from Saturday, March 15, through Monday, March 17. Irish bagpipers are featured between 7 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 15. Cover charge is $5 (deducted from guest's restaurant tab). From 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, the pub hosts a free family day, with a balloonist, face painting and more. Events on Monday, March 17 are $5 (deducted from restaurant tab).

Quigley's Irish Pub, 43 E. Jefferson St., Naperville, (630) 428-4774, quigleysirishpub.com

Festivities begin at noon on Monday, March 17. Featured bands include the New Element Band and Celtic Sounds. $5 cover at the door. Events are for ages 21 and older.

Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery, 1140 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, (847) 413-2000 or visit tiltedkilt.com

An Irish Hooley menu is offered through Monday, March 17. Fare includes shepherd's pie, corned beef hash, corned beef and cabbage, Scotch eggs and more. The pub's St. Patrick's Day weekend festivities feature bag pipers, Irish dancers, live music and more.