St. Patrick's Day is Sunday, but some folks and business owners are trying to turn this into a three-day holiday. For some, that might mean a three-day drinking binge.
Butch McGuire's on Division and Dearborn was packed by 5 o'clock Friday, nearly two days before St. Patrick's Day.
"It's kind of a very traditional holiday for a lot of people," says Butch McGuire owner Bobby McGuire. "They plan ahead, they make it a big weekend."
The people are loving the "holiday" weekend.
"Wonderful. Woo!!" bar patron Dan James says. "Tons of crazy ladies screaming in your ear all weekend long."
Celebrating the Irish holiday also means plenty of drinks will be flowing. Some bars offering multiple pub crawls throughout the weekend.
Bar owners say the holiday isn't as rough as you may think.
"If we have the right people working, the right amount of people working, then we leave the problems outside," McGuire says. "They don't come through the front door."
If violence or lewdness spills out, many areas around Chicago's north side are stepping up patrols.
Aldermen, like Bob Fioretti say the goal is to take care of one another and to make no one is out there drinking and driving.
"St Patrick's Day is actually the day that Saint Patrick died on, so it's in honor of him. We don't want any deaths here in the city," Fioretti says. "The word is out that you've got to be careful out there and I hope people live up to it."
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Tuesday, February 5 2013 3:09 PM EST2013-02-05 20:09:54 GMT
Millions and millions of people tuned in to watch the Super Bowl, and including our friends serving overseas. Thousands of Chicago-style pizzas were sent overseas Tuesday.
Millions and millions of people tuned in to watch the Super Bowl, and including our friends serving overseas. Thousands of Chicago-style pizzas were sent overseas Tuesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 3:22 PM EDT2013-05-23 19:22:35 GMT
The Obama administration has picked a private attorney and former federal prosecutor to head the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced Thursday.
The Obama administration has picked a private attorney and former federal prosecutor to head the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced Thursday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 3:03 PM EDT2013-05-23 19:03:12 GMT
BREAKING UPDATE: The jury reached a verdict in the Donald Trump condo trial on Thursday afternoon. The verdict will be read at 2:15 p.m. and the Dirksen Federal Building.
BREAKING UPDATE: The jury reached a verdict in the Donald Trump condo trial on Thursday afternoon. The verdict will be read at 2:15 p.m. and the Dirksen Federal Building.
Thursday, May 23 2013 2:22 PM EDT2013-05-23 18:22:23 GMT
Things are going to be very busy at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport this weekend. Many travelers will also hit the roads for Memorial Day, and they'll pay the price at the pump.
Things are going to be very busy at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport this weekend. Many travelers will also hit the roads for Memorial Day, and they'll pay the price at the pump.
Thursday, May 23 2013 2:18 PM EDT2013-05-23 18:18:06 GMT
Illinois legislation allowing public possession of concealed guns has passed the House Judiciary Committee. It was a compromise backed by Speaker Michael Madigan.
Illinois legislation allowing public possession of concealed guns has passed the House Judiciary Committee. It was a compromise backed by Speaker Michael Madigan.
Thursday, May 23 2013 2:15 PM EDT2013-05-23 18:15:44 GMT
Antwone Price had just moved into a new house in the south suburbs, and he was talking about finally marrying the woman he'd been with for several years — the woman with whom he shared a baby girl.
Antwone Price had just moved into a new house in the south suburbs, and he was talking about finally marrying the woman he'd been with for several years — the woman with whom he shared a baby girl.
Thursday, May 23 2013 2:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 18:07:37 GMT
A 25-year-old man has been cited for driving the wrong way on the Chicago Skyway after a head-on crash with a pickup truck Thursday morning that sent four people to hospitals.
A 25-year-old man has been cited for driving the wrong way on the Chicago Skyway after a head-on crash with a pickup truck Thursday morning that sent four people to hospitals.
Thursday, May 23 2013 2:00 PM EDT2013-05-23 18:00:59 GMT
Mayor Emanuel spoke out for the first time since Chicago's historic school vote on Thursday, in a one-on-one interview with FOX 32 Political Editor Mike Flannery. The district voted to close 50 schools.
Mayor Emanuel spoke out for the first time since Chicago's historic school vote on Thursday, in a one-on-one interview with FOX 32 Political Editor Mike Flannery. The district voted to close 50 schools.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:16 AM EDT2013-05-23 15:16:31 GMT
Solemn Oath Brewery in Naperville is one of the hottest local breweries in the area, and is featured in the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild's Chicago Craft Beer Week 2013.
Solemn Oath Brewery in Naperville is one of the hottest local breweries in the area, and is featured in the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild's Chicago Craft Beer Week 2013.
