St. Patrick's Day Guide to Lake County
By: Jonathan Jones 03/10/2015
You have the luck o’ the Irish if you are celebrating you St. Patrick’s Day in
Lake County. They are home to many well-known Irish establishments like
Mickey Finn’s in
Libertyville, Timothy O’Toole’s in
Gurnee, Port of Blarney in
Antioch and many others.
Besides the aforementioned, there a slew of restaurants that has the green beer, the corn beef hash and more traditional Irish eats and sprits around Lake County. As you know on Tuesday, March 17 (and the weekend before), everyone will be a little Irish. So let’s explore the pot o’ gold that you’re sitting on in Lake County. Here’s to “good health, good life and good beer!”
Port O Blarney
Port O’ Blarney will providing the Irish 
cuisine you desire all weekend. From Friday March 13 to Tuesday March 17, the Port will be serving all you can eat corned beef and cabbage soup. ‘You can ship off to Boston,’ (or Ireland for that matter) the proper way with live Irish music from the Pat Gaughan Duo and drink specials like 20 oz. green beers for $3, and $4 for an Irish coffee.
No reason to stop the party from starting early. On March 14,
Long Grove historic Village is hosting their
Seventh St. Patrick’s Day on the square and
Beans & Leaves Coffee & Tea Café. The coffee venue will kick off their first Irish Soda Bread Baking Competition. The square will also provide entertainment from the Rivellino School of Art, the McNulty Irish Dancers, R.J. Express and much much more. Don’t the miss the celebrations and stop in to
Village Tavern for some
corned beef and green beer.
6:30-10:30
Village of Lake Villa St. Patrick's Day Parade & Luncheon
You better believe you’re going to hear some bagpipe action going on at Lake Villa’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Luncheon. The parade route will begin at Palombi School and run for a half mile ending at the Lake Villa train station. Immediately following the outdoor festivities, there will be an Annual Corned Beef and Cabbage Luncheon at the Lake Villa VFW Hall.
Saturday, March 14 @ 12 p.m.
St. Patrick’s Dinner at the Waukegan Yacht Club
Reservations must be made for the Waukegan Yacht Club 
Chef’s finest Irish dishes. This St. Patrick’s Day Dinner will include a choice of Guinness Cheddar Cheese Soup or the Emerald Isle Salad as an appetizer, Irish Soda Bread or Brown Bread and the main dish that will be your selection Corned Beef and cabbage, Gaelic Steak and Guinness Fish and Chips. Dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. and the Tulley Irish Dancers from Glencoe will perform at 7 p.m.
St. Patrick’s Day @ Bonnie Brook
Scheduling conflicts could make it difficult for you to actually celebrate St. Paddy’s day on the day. Bonnie Brook offers Tuesday, on St. Patrick’s Day for $12.95 a corned beef buffet dinner and Wednesday – the day after is a plated corned beef dinner. Bonnie Brook offers great Irish tradition through their tasty eats.
Tuesday, March 17 from 4-8 p.m. and Wednesday, March 18; 5-8 p.m.
KeyLime Cove
The weather’s getting warmer and
KeyLime Cove is ready to bring in the summer. KeyLime Cove in
Gurnee arranges the
Bring Your Own Leprechaun to KeyLime Cove – which is a family fun memory for the youngin’s that, includes an overnight package. Besides the thrilling action happening in the Lost Paradise Waterpark, activities will include treasures, festivities, luck o’ the Irish, crafts, food specials, contests and much more. Let your leprechaun jump in the pool so he or she can catch their lucky charms!
If you can’t stay overnight, you could still chow down on the St. Patrick’s Day Specials at the Crazy Toucan. Their menu will feature corned beef and cabbage with caramelized carrots and red potatoes. Irish themed drinks will also be included like Irish Car Bombs and 16 oz. green beers.
Tuesday, March 17; this special includes overnight accommodations for 6 with admission to the Lost Paradise Waterpark, St. Patrick's Day activities and more. Rates starting at $139.95. See website for restrictions.
Barrington
From Friday through Tuesday, come to downtown
Barrington where everyone becomes Irish at the
Fifth Annual Barrington Celtic Fest. The festival will be held in Downtown Barrington and renowned Irish establishment
McGonigal’s Pub. You will celebrate with live entertainment, Irish food options, retail merchants and family friendly events during the day. Down the road,
Chessies's will also offer St. Patrick’s Day Specials including Reuben egg rolls, corned beef, cabbage or lamb’s shepherd’s pie.
Friday, March 13-Tuesday March 17
Wauconda’s
Shamrock the Block is an event you don’t want to miss. The festivities begin at
Lindy’s with WIIL Rock’s live broadcast from 5-7 p.m.
The pub crawl will then commence. Saturday in Wauconda is jammed packed starting with a Jog n Java four-mile run or two-mile saunter down Main St. The Wauconda St. Patrick’s Day will ensue and that will be followed by the Leprechaun Plunge. The rest of the day is your opportunity to grab some green suds and bob your head to live music. Sunday-Tuesday include a bike ride, head-shaving event, full Irish menu specials, more live music, a raffle drawing and much more.
The Docks will also be providing traditional Irish Food for you individuals with Celtic pride.
It’s almost been a decade and
Mickey Finn’s is kicking off their
Ninth Annual St. Paddy’s Day remote with Tom and Emily from WIIL Rock. The doors will open at 7 a.m. and the first 100 people inside will receive a free t shirt. A free Irish breakfast will be served including scrambled eggs, corn beef and Swiss cheese. You can stay all day at the Libertyville brewery, or take a break before traditional Irish band called the Fitz and Celts perform at 7 p.m.
Sideouts
Sideouts allows you to get in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit all weekend before the holiday. Starting on Saturday, Sideouts will serve a special Irish menu including corned beef, cabbage, corned beef on rye, cheddar ale soup, shepherd’s pie and numerous drink specials. For live entertainment, Hot Sauce Committee will be jamming on stage with their 90’s cover music.
Wadsworth
Wadsworth
On St. Patrick’s Day, Tuesday March 17, enjoy a traditional corned beef and cabbage meal with Guinness Stew and Shepherd's Pie for only $12.95. Served with soup or salad at the Savannah house.
