St. Patrick's Day Weekend, One Year Later
The festivities in 2020 were the last big hurrah before the pandemic shut down everything. What to expect this time around and how we can avoid the same fate.
Monday, March 16 was the day Chicago, and the majority of cities across the country, issued a shelter-in-place order for residents due to Covid-19 arriving with a vengeance. That followed after a weekend of hardcore partying in celebration of the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day.
Though the city had strongly encouraged residents to observe social distancing, staying six feet apart from others, those pleas went mostly ignored. There were still lines down the street, with clusters of revelers packing into dining and drinking establishments late into the night.
The complete shutdown of Chicago’s restaurants and bars was devastating, eventually leading to permanent closures and skeleton crews at those that were left. One year later, many restaurateurs tell me that their biggest challenge now is finding folks to work for them.
But back to St. Paddy’s Day.
I conducted an informal poll over the weekend on social media to see how folks were feeling about heading out to restaurants again — even though vaccinations are in full force. Approximately 100 people answered, and 75 percent stated they were staying home. Some went on to explain that they would continue doing takeout and delivery.
Many operators have taken customers’ hesitancy into consideration and are paring down festivities for St. Patrick’s Day. What’s interesting is that the City of Chicago decided to increase indoor capacity at bars and restaurants a few weeks before the parties get started. Capacity at bars, restaurants, and other businesses “can increase to the lesser of 50 percent or 50 people,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot recently announced. In addition, bars can serve liquor until 1am. I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that folks don’t get out of control because St. Patrick’s Day traditionally is one of the rowdiest events of the year.
To avoid a repeat of last year — and years past for that matter — many establishments have dramatically changed their formats. D.S. Tequila is selling two-hour maximum, ticketed-only tables for their event, and they’re enforcing patrons to stay in their seats unless they’re going to the bathroom. The Gage, one of the most popular St. Patrick’s destinations people frequent after attending the dyeing of the Chicago River (it’s canceled this year along with the parades), is limiting capacity and encouraging guests to do takeout and delivery. And PB&J in the West Loop is staging an outdoor pop-up bar that will be well ventilated.
My recent WGN Morning News segment spotlighted some additional establishments aiming to keep guests safe with fun, inventive ideas for St. Patrick’s Day. They include creative meal and cocktail kits to ideas appropriate for the entire family.
If you’re planning to head out for St. Patrick’s Day, I highly encourage you to be proactive. Wear a mask. Continue to observe social distancing. And don’t forget to wash your hands. Let’s all keep each other safe.
[Photos: The Rambler Kitchen + Tap (top), The Dearborn (middle), Recess (third); all photos were provided by the establishments]
Thank you for the update!