The Chicago Traveler

• RedEye columnist Mark Bazer hosts “The Interview Show” at Hideout, where a variety of guests (including musicians, comedians, authors, and more) share their thoughts. (Every first Friday)
• The indoor-outdoor 23rd annual Irish-American Heritage Festival features live Irish music on five stages, folk dancing, food, arts and crafts vendors, and a raffle for a trip to Ireland. (July 11-13)
• You can browse through wood carvings, paintings, and jewelry from Asia, Africa, and Europe at the Black Thai International Arts and Crafts Fest in the West Loop. (July 9-11, Aug 6-8, Sept 3-5)
• More than 200 painters, sculptors, photographers, street musicians, …read more

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St. Patrick’s Day is coming, so dust off that neon green hat and invest in some green face paint. There are three different parades to celebrate the Lucky Irish here in Chicago and to get your fill of Irish brews.
• South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade. (March 9) If you can only make it to one parade, this is the one to go to. With well over 200,000 attendees and more than 100 floats, marching bands, bagpipes, politicians, dance schools, and clubs, this is an incredible event. And, of course, who are we kidding… there’s a LOT of beer …read more

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I can admit I went to my fair share of keg parties while I was in college. Back then, when the alcohol was free and I didn’t have much cash to buy my own, I didn’t get picky about what was in that keg. And let me tell you, I encountered plenty of nasty brews. Yuck.
Now that I’m older, I know that some of the best beers don’t have amusing commercials during the Super Bowl. Paramount Room offers a beer menu that has style without being stuffy, offering 12 rotating beers on tap and more than 20 bottles and cans. …read more

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My best friend and I went out last night to a small pub I had wanted to visit for a long time. It’s classic, cozy, and even haunted! The Red Lion Pub in Lincoln Park is full of Chicago history and is a must-see for history buffs and ghost-seekers.
There are several bars that line Lincoln Avenue in the neighborhood but you can’t miss the bright white sign with the red lion figure. The wood and brick building was originally built in 1882, and at the time it was on the northern edge of the city, surrounded by countryside and farms. …read more

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