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I'm on an Irish kick with St. Patrick's Day coming up, so today I'm going to highlight one of the best kept secrets in Chicago: The Fifth Province at the Irish American Heritage Center
I came across this little gem on a cultural assignment for a college course several years ago. The Irish American Heritage Center is a full blown cultural center with a 500+ seat auditorium, brand new library, museum, multiple classes and classrooms, and of course, the Fifth Province Pub. Because seriously, what self-respecting Irish American Heritage Center would be caught dead without a pub? Every Friday and Saturday night there is great live Irish music for all to enjoy. Hop inside and I'll tell you more.
IAHC has been operating for over twenty years. They took over an abandoned school that had turned over owners a couple of times since originally being built in the early 20th century. The building is massive and the parking lot they have is beyond generous. Many people thought the IAHC was an absurd venture because even now they don't use close to the entire building. A couple of things have helped keep revenue even out. First, all of the construction work has been done entirely by volunteers. Second, The Fifth Providence Pub and party rentals brings in good money.
Now since this is a cultural center, the Fifth Province is only open Friday and Saturday nights. Each night there is live Irish music starting around 9pm and that usually goes past midnight. The pub is stacked with all of the Irish regulars and little else. The bartenders tend to have thick Irish accents and are only accustomed to Irish drinks.
One time a friend of mine went up to the bar and asked the bartender if they served Long Island Ice Teas. The bartender looked into the distance trying to remember what was in such a drink. After a couple of seconds the bartender said, 'Yeah, um yeah, I can make that'. The bartender went directly to the kitchen area where I could see there was a drink wall guide. The bartender studied it for a couple of seconds, came back, and started preparing the drink. One older gentleman at the bar started glaring at the drink and finally asked the bartender 'What the feck is that? (feck is not a typo or a polite way to say, well you know, anyway look feck up while you are at it)' The bartender just shrugs his shoulders and motions over to my friend Joe. The older gentleman then glared at Joe for what seemed an eternity until we got our drinks (I ordered a Harp) and we returned to our seats. So yeah, unless you want to become a social pariah there, stick to beer and whiskey.
What would you pay for cover to such a place? How about free? Nothing? Zero! While most places with music charge you IAHC does it for free. You can explore the building, enjoy the authentic Irish pub, sing along to Irish favorites with the crowd, and one regular patron always gets up and dances with his wife so no one else feels embarrassed about stretching their legs either. IHAC just started having a 'First Friday Film Series' so DailyKos people will have the extra option of seeing a great Irish flick before grabbing a pint. $5 dollar suggested donation and I'm sure they will let you take a pint into the auditorium, but don't quote me on that.
The only downside to IAHC/Fifth Province is its location. It's not all that easy to get to. I have told people to use Trip Planner in the past, but the directions they give are really funky for IAHC, so I'll give it straight here. Take the #3 King bus going northbound. Your bus ride should be about 10-15 minutes. Get off at the Jackson stop and walk about 3 or 4 blocks west on Jackson to the Jackson Chicago Transit Authority train blue line stop. Take the Blue Line train going towards O'Hare (northwest bound). Your train ride should be about 25 to 30 minutes. Take the train to the Montrose stop. Once you get off at the Montrose stop, Go east on Montrose to Kilbourn. Take a left on Kilbourn (north) to Wilson Ave. Take a left on Wilson (west) to Knox Ave. Take a right on Knox (north) and you'll see a huge school like building with a parking lot. You have arrived. Yeah, it's a little complicated, but that walk is not that long. There are just a lot of little turns. Once you are there, I promise you will have a great time.
A picture of the Fifth Province during the day (it looks even better at night)
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An example of a volunteer hard at work adding to the Irish American Heritage Center Image may be NSFW.
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Irish American Heritage Center's auditorium
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Main entrance to Irish American Heritage Center looking more like a school then it already does
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