3 Places To Toast The Marine Corps 248th Birthday This Friday

OAK LAWN, IL — From the halls of Montezuma to the bars of Oak Lawn, Marines of all ages and sizes will have three places to toast the 248th birthday of the few and the proud on Nov. 10. Expect to see a lot of Marines walking around this Friday because there is no such thing as an ex-Marine.

TC’s Too, 9906 Southwest Highway, Oak Lawn

The originator of the U.S. Marine Corps birthday bash, TC’s Too is setting up a big tent in the parking lot for revelers but don’t worry, the bar will be open inside if you want to get a drink or use the bathroom. There will be a shot bar inside, with the kind of shots Marines like plus hundreds of jello shots, which we hear were a big hit last year. Tone Capone Tacos will be selling a wide array of tacos. Bring in a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots and get a free taco.

The bash runs all evening long, but Marines and their friends are invited to stop by anytime for a drink when the bar opens at noon. The party starts around 8 p.m. when people really start showing up. From 9 to 11 p.m., the Emerald Society Bagpipes and Drums will perform, along with prizes for the oldest and youngest Marine in attendance and the cutting of the birthday cake with a saber.

The tradition of the Marine Corps birthday party was started over 20 years ago by Joseph Olson, the original owner of TC’s at its old location on 97th Street and Cicero Avenue. The bar was sold last year and moved to its second location, TC’s Too, on Southwest Highway.

“My dad started the tradition,” Bob Olson said. “He was in the service, but not the Marines. He had a lot of friends who were Marines, so that’s how it got started.”

Olson said as many as 2,000 to 4,000 Marines are expected to pass through TC’s Too on Friday.

The Irish Rebel, 9963 Southwest Highway, Oak Lawn

The Irish Rebel is also jumping on the Marine birthday bash bandwagon. The pub just completed a major remodel, so the owner wants to show it off. Karaoke will be happening all evening long, along with drink specials that the boys like.

Around 11 p.m., prizes will be given to the oldest and youngest Marine in attendance and the cutting of the cake, and maybe someone jumping out of it or dancing around it.

“We haven’t decided yet,” Irish Revel owner Darla Pitt said.

Uncle Bud’s, 9700 S. Cicero Ave., Oak Lawn

Not only is it the Corp’s 248th birthday, it’s also the one-year anniversary of Uncle Bud’s. Marines are invited to start coming by when the bar opens at 11 a.m. Drink specials include $3 Bud Bombs, $4 Fireball shots, $4 Jameson shots, $2 bottles, $5 cheeseburgers, plus $12 pizzas all day. Liam Durkin and the Mitchell Brothers start playing at 7 p.m. In honor of the U.S. Marine Corp birthday, Marines will receive 15% off food orders all day.