Today is St. Patrick’s Day and that means that a lot of you are going out to some bars to celebrate. Every bar and pub turns into a an “Irish Tavern” today, but there’s some taverns that are Irish 365 days of the year. I went to seven of them here in Peoria yesterday to make this handy and dandy little St. Patrick’s Day list for your bar-crawling pleasure! And here it is: Ready, Set...Sláinte!
Donnelly’s Irish Pub • 4501 N. Rockwood Drive • 309-681-0800
Donnelly’s St. Pat’s Stats: Opens at 11AM with drink and food specials all day and night. Donnelly’s Irish roots go all the way back to The Shamrock which Terry and Molly Donnelly opened back in 1971. These days their son Ryan is running things and you owe it to yourself and Peoria to have at least one drink at one of Peoria’s oldest Irish taverns and traditions! I’ve been going there since I’ve been 16-years-old, but don’t tell Molly!
Irish Villa Pub • 3333 N.E. Adams Street • 309-688-3782
Irish Villa St. Pat’s Stats: I’m not even sure if this place will be open, but it’s worth the trip just in case! Let’s just say this place keeps “eccentric” hours! I’ve only been here once when it was open and I was lucky enough to get a blog out of it after owner Bob Buchanan refused to have his picture taken for the first half an hour. After that he made us all Lemon Drop Shots! If it’s not open today, well then check out this post and pretend you’re there!
Kelleher’s Irish Pub & Eatery • 619 S.W. Water Street • 309-673-6000
Kelleher’s St. Pat’s Stats: They open up at 8AM with food and drink specials all morning, noon and night! There’s tents and a street party outside with balloon artists, face painters and multiple appearances by The Celtic Cross Pipes and Drums. Live music inside is by one of the best Irish bands in Peoria: Turas. If someone would buy Jeff Putnam a pint or two when he goes on break I’d greatly appreciate it. I’d do it, but I’m home hiding under my futon now.
Kenny’s Westside Pub • 112 S.W. Jefferson Avenue • 309-676-1693
Kenny’s St. Pat’s Stats: Doors open at 8AM with food and drink specials. There’s a party in the alley outside and live music by Roundstone Buskers after the parade and Still Shine later on. This is the first St. Patrick’s day in the new Kenny’s Westside location, so have a drink and help them celebrate the first St. Pat’s of many more to come! O’Cramer got off of his couch for this, so you could at least stop by for one drink with him and owner, Sean Kenny! Tell them MBIP sent you and get your bill doubled on the spot!
Ulrich’s Rebellion Room • 631 Main Street • 309-676-1423
Ulrich’s St. Pat’s Stats: They open at 8AM with...yes, that’s right, food and drink specials all day and all of the night, to quote The Kinks. There’s live music by The Four Leaf Rovers and Irish Bag Pipers will be on hand in case your Irish Bag needs Piped!
Jimmy’s Bar • 2801 W Farmington Road • 309-676-4021
Jimmy’s St. Pat’s Stats: I was told to go look at the facebook page for all the specials and things going on, so go look at the facecrack page and find out for yourself! And just so you know, if you’re reading this right now, they’re open! Jimmy’s has been an Irish venue and tradition since the early ‘80’s so you definitely need to make it a stop today. Plus it’s one of the few bars that has never thrown me out, so they’ve got that going for them!
W.E. Sullivan’s • 4538 N. Prospect Road • 309-839-8097
W.E. Sullivan’s St. Pat’s Stats: There’s a 9AM breakfast and the obligatory food and drink specials all day and all of the night. W.E. Sullivan’s is the new Irish bar in town and they are doing it up right for their first St. Patrick’s Day party. They’ve got the street shut down for a full-blown party outside with tents and live music by legendary local Irish band, Bogside Zukes (11AM to 1PM and then 10PM to 1AM.) See if you can find Bogside Zukes founding member, Matt Coker pictured above!
Alright, have a happy and snappy St. Patrick’s Day everyone! Too rah loo rah loo rah and we’ll see you all tomorrow!
Related Posts: Saturday Night Cheeseburger @ Donnelly’s Irish Pub, Two Beers And A Lemon Drop Shot @ The Irish Villa and Thursday Night @ Kenny’s Westside Pub (The Second Act).