Best Roadhouse This Side of Austin - Irish American News

June 2008 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS 23years they have been holding a St. Patrick’sDay Party. This year’s party willbe held Monday, March 17th with AprilVerch, The Dooley Brothers, MayerSchool Stepdancers, Kevin Flynn & theAvondale Ramblers, and The AvenueKids!For 27 years on the July 4th weekendthey hold the “American Music Fest.With the expansion FitzGerald’s is asmall conglomerate of good times. To theeast of the original bar is the WishboneRestaurant. In a few short years it hasbecome a neighborhood favorite boastingregulars from surrounding cities like OakPark, Chicago, Forest Park and beyond.To the West of the club is a permanentoutdoor tent and another building whichhouses the “Sidebar.” The Sidebar ismodern, comfortable and a great placefor a relaxing drink or two. No live musichere, but the jukebox is well stocked.Connected to the Sidebar are two otherFINANCIAL PLANNINGCorrigan Financial Services, Inc.Money Concepts Financial Planning CentreEstablished 1980Retirement Planning SpecialistforIndividuals - Families - BusinessInvestment - Tax - Estate PlanningCallMike & Chuck Corrigan(708)482-3800Member International Association for Financial Planningrooms. One for privateparties, and onefor small live concertsthat can hold up to 90patrons. Parties can beheld at the Sidebar forgroups of 25 to 150.Get the club involved,and a party can hold upto 500!FitzGerald’s owesmost of its success tothe eclectic nature ofthe music. Southern,Cajun, New Orleans,Zydeco, Texan, andBlues are the specialties.“I’ve seen somegreat acts come throughour doors,”said Bill.He’s right. Robert Cray,The Neville Brothers,Stevie Ray Vaughan,and Marsha Ball toname a few. “A lot ofgood vibes and memoriesare here. I’m constantlybeing remindedby my customers whatgood time they havehad here. Most of themusicians treat our customerslike family. The make sure theyhave a great time. The place marks timefor people,” he continued.FamilyBill’s mom and dad met on Chicago’sNorthside. Dad went to Loyola and momwent to Mundelein. They married andlived for a time in Rogers Park. Chris Sr.edited trade publications, and then gotinto writing greeting cards for AmericanGreetings and then Gibson’s in Cincinati,Ohio. Hallmark cards, the pinnacle of thegreeting cards business, came calling,but it was too late. Bill’s dad took a jobin Chicago as the editor of the prestigiousNuclear News Magazine, and the rest ishistory.The family business aspect has workedvery well. Many of the nine brothers andsisters have been involved over the years.Chris was a big part of the success. Afterthe restaurant closed Chris and his wifemoved back to Australia. Dad was heavilyinvolved until his death seven yearsago. He passed his shares on to othersiblings in the family. Bill’s daughterworks in various aspects of the businessand his sister Sheila’s daughter, Katie, isgetting married at FitzGerald’s in June.And the beat goes on!Bill is all American, with his Irishancestors many generations back onboth sides of family, but the Irishnessis there none the less. His quiet unassumingmanor can’t hide the strength,determination, and pride he has in theiraccomplishments.“Overall, my family can be very proudKate & Bill Fitzgeraldof what we’ve done here, and what thisplace means to the community,” saidBill.Yes, they can.Fitzgerald’s is located at 6615 W RooseveltRd in Berwyn; phone 708-788-2118.DANCE LESSONSM c NultyIrish DancersAdult & Children Classes(3 years and older)10 Suburban Locationsfor more information Contact:Barbara McNulty HeneghanT.C.R.G. 847-698-4434fax 847-518-0863email: irshdancr@aol.comwww.mcnultyirishdancers.com