Our bride loves St. Patrick’s Day. So naturally, we planned her bachelorette weekend around the day Chicago dyes its river green. It also makes for great pictures.
Vegas, Nashville, Savannah, and Miami were off the table right away. Too common for our group. We thought about New Orleans for a minute, but Chicago won. It’s an iconic city with good food, and a lot of our East Coast group had never been, so it really was the perfect fit for us.
Here’s exactly how we did it: a long weekend in Chicago (Thursday to Sunday) for 13 people, what worked, what we skipped, and my tips if you’re planning the same.
Jump to a section
- Why Chicago works for a bachelorette
- When is the Chicago River dyed green?
- Where we stayed: an Old Town Airbnb that sleeps 14
- Thursday: arrival and pizza night
- Friday: sightseeing, Skydeck and dinner
- Saturday: parade day
- Sunday: checkout and recovery
- What our Chicago bachelorette cost
- Tips for planning a Chicago bachelorette
- Chicago bachelorette FAQ
Why Chicago Works for a Bachelorette
Watching the Chicago River turn green is a hella unique experience, and the whole city goes all in on St. Patrick’s Day, so the theme basically plans itself. On top of that:
- Flights from the East Coast are inexpensive
- The nightlife is legit
- Deep-dish pizza
- Marijuana is legal (21+)
- Walkable neighborhoods, each with its own vibe
When Is the Chicago River Dyed Green?
This is the most important thing to know before you book anything. The river isn’t always dyed on March 17. It’s dyed at 9 AM on parade day, and the parade is always on a Saturday: St. Patrick’s Day itself if it falls on a Saturday, otherwise the Saturday before.
In 2027, St. Patrick’s Day is a Wednesday, so the river dyeing and the parade are on Saturday, March 13, 2027. Build your weekend around that Saturday, like we did.
The official best viewing spots are where Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive meet the river, and along upper and lower Wacker between Michigan and Columbus. We watched from near the Reid Murdoch Building, a little west of there.
Where We Stayed: An Old Town Airbnb That Sleeps 14
We booked this Airbnb in Old Town, which sleeps 14, so all 13 of us were under one roof.
Old Town was clutch for logistics. It gave us:
- Easy access to River North, West Loop, and Wrigleyville
- Bars and restaurants within walking distance
- A big space to pregame, recover, and keep 13 people organized
With a big group, location matters more than aesthetics, but the Airbnb was still pretty cute.
Thursday: Arrival and Pizza Night
Check-in: 4 PM
Goal: Settle in, eat well
- Walked to Curaleaf (0.4 miles from the Airbnb) for our gardener girls
- Ordered delivery for a deep-dish pizza party. Choose from Lou Malnati’s, Giordano’s, My Pi, or Pequod’s. Ours came to about $200 total (around $17 per person). My favorite: Pequod’s.
Game idea: Order a few different pizzas and do a taste test. Everyone secretly votes for the best one. Whoever picks the same pizza as the bride takes 1 shot; everyone else takes 2.
Most of us hadn’t seen the bride in a while, so the first night was about catching up. Vibes: pajamas, wine, joints, and music. Anyone with extra energy could walk to Old Town bars like Happy Camper, but there was zero pressure to go out.
Friday: Sightseeing, Skydeck and Dinner
Goal: See Chicago and giggle
Morning
Green mimosas at the Airbnb, because we were committed to the theme. A splash of blue curaçao or a few chlorophyll drops turns them green.
Midday
- Millennium Park for photos at the Bean. A classic.
- Walked to Navy Pier for more pictures and lunch. Quick options: Portillo’s, Billy Goat Tavern, or the Navy Pier food court.
- We debated Skydeck, 360 Chicago, or a river boat tour. The boat tour lost because it was too cold.
- We went to Skydeck for more great group photos. Lines get long, so this skip-the-line Skydeck and Ledge ticket is worth booking ahead with a big group.
Afternoon
Break and regroup. Some people stayed out to explore more of downtown, and some went back to the Airbnb to rest and get ready for the night.
Evening
Dinner at Beatnik in West Town: Mediterranean food, around $60 per person, and a huge hit with the whole group.
Post-dinner drinks (walkable or a short ride):
Forbidden Root Brewpub, Beauty Bar, The Vig, Old Town Ale House
We chose Beauty Bar.
Clubs for the night owls:
Smartbar, Tao Chicago, Berlin
Saturday: The Shamrock Sh*t Show (Parade Day)
Goal: Be ridiculous and green
Morning
- Pregame with food, water, and layers. It’s March in Chicago.
- Watch the river dyeing at 9 AM. We stood near the Reid Murdoch Building.
Late Morning to Afternoon
Bar crawl, starting in River North. The big players:
- Joy District
- Three Dots and a Dash
- Hubbard Inn
- Mother Hubbard’s
- Electric Hotel
Either commit to one bar with ticketed entry, or be ready to bar hop and pivot when the lines get long. We ended up at Point and Feather, a dart bar across from Joy District, and found an empty corner for our group to take over. It didn’t matter which bar we picked. Our group brought the fun regardless.
More St. Patrick’s Day staples:
O’Leary’s Public House, El Hefe, O’Callaghan’s (open until 4 AM)
Evening
- Head back to Old Town for sit-down food: Azul, Old Town Pour House, or AliveOne (happy hour 4 to 6 PM)
- Or do a Wrigleyville crawl for a slightly calmer vibe, starting at Moe’s Cantina
For the unhinged who want to keep going:
Tao, Blind Barber, Disco, Nights & Weekends (West Loop)
Sunday: Checkout and Recovery
Checkout was at 11 AM. No plans, just hugs and iced coffees.
If some of your group is sticking around, go do the architecture boat tour we skipped on Friday. It really is beautiful, and it’s a big part of what makes Chicago so special. The classic is the 90-minute Chicago Architecture Center cruise on Chicago’s First Lady. Check the dates when you book, since river cruise schedules change with the season.
What Our Chicago Bachelorette Cost
A few real numbers from our weekend:
- Deep-dish pizza night: about $200 total for 13 people (around $17 each)
- Dinner at Beatnik: around $60 per person
- Skydeck: prices vary by date and time, so check current Skydeck ticket prices before you go
- Airbnb: split 13 ways, which is the biggest money saver of staying in one big house
Tips for Planning a Chicago Bachelorette Weekend
- Plan around parade Saturday: Check the parade date first, then book flights and the Airbnb.
- Pick your neighborhood wisely: Old Town or River North work best for groups.
- Build in downtime: Especially important in cold weather.
- Have a theme: Every party is better with one, and St. Patrick’s Day was built in. It made everything easy and memorable.
- Don’t overschedule: Hit the highlights and let people opt in or out. I really wanted to do a brunch reservation, but the group couldn’t rally in time (or didn’t want to).
- Pizza night at home beats another restaurant reservation.
Chicago Bachelorette FAQ
When is the Chicago River dyed green?
At 9 AM on the day of the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which is always a Saturday (March 17 if it lands on a Saturday, otherwise the Saturday before). In 2027, that’s Saturday, March 13.
Is Chicago too cold for a bachelorette in March?
It’s cold, so plan for it. Pack layers, build in breaks back at your Airbnb, and have indoor backups. The cold is the reason we skipped the river boat tour.
What’s the best neighborhood to stay in for a bachelorette group?
Old Town or River North. We stayed in Old Town and could easily get to River North, West Loop, and Wrigleyville, with bars and restaurants within walking distance.
How many days do you need for a Chicago bachelorette?
Thursday to Sunday was perfect for us: one chill night in, one sightseeing day, one big parade day, and an easy checkout morning.
Would I Plan a Chicago Bachelorette Again?
Yes. Chicago might not be the first city you think of for a bachelorette, but it was great, and it came with its own theme. For us East Coasters it felt original, especially over St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
Between the food, the neighborhoods, and the absolute madness of parade day, it gave us everything we wanted. If you’re already planning the next girls trip, I’ve written about Oaxaca and Banff with the girls too. And if a big group isn’t your thing, here’s why I took a solo bachelorette trip.
If your bride loves St. Patrick’s Day, plan the bachelorette in Chicago on parade weekend.