St. Patty's Day Hotspots

While you may being looking for a pot of gold, you may just end up with a pot belly when all is said and drunk this St. Patrick's Day. We've got your guide to the festivities, starting with this weekend and carry on through Tuesday. The party doesn't stop until you do, so make sure you snack on corned beef and cabbage in between the car bombs and Guinness. Even though you can probably swing by your neighborhood Irish pub and find other revelers, here's a few of the places advertising a good time, all in the name of good ol' St. Patrick:

Friday, March 13th:
9:30 club:
If you figure you'll need food to make it through the whole day, check out the 10th annual "Kegs and Eggs" at 9:30. Doors open at 7:15 and admission is free. Filter, Hoobastank and Carbon Leaf will be in attendance. If the event is presented by Guinness, you know it has to be good.
815 V St. NW, Washington, D.C.
202-393-0930
http://www.dc101.com/pages/ke gsandeggs10.html

Ireland's Four Courts:
on Friday the 13th they'll have food and drink specials from 4 - 8 p.m.
2051 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA
703-525-3600
http://www.irelandsfourcourts.com

Fado:
"St. Baldrick's Charity Event." From 2 - 10 p.m., shave your head for charity. The website says you'll be helping find cures for childhood, so I'm hoping they just left out a word or that's the strangest charity I've ever heard of.
808 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C.
202-789-0066
http://www.fadoirishpub.com

Saturday, March 14th:
Pre-Shamrock Fest Brunch:
Clarendon Grill's got you covered if you need to fill your stomach before drinking. Pay just $15 for a breakfast entree and three drink tickets for for mimosas or bloody mary's. If those aren't your thing, they'll also have specials on Miller Lite and Kaluha and coffee. They'll even let you stay past the concert start date, in case you get a late start. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
1101 N. Highland St., Arlington, VA
703-524-7455
www.playaasl.com/bargames.asp

Shamrock Fest:
10 stages with over 50 bands playing rock, irish, reggae, retro and folk. Performers include Flogginy Molly (if they're coming, you know the fest means business) and Junkfood, among others. Joel and Benji Madden, of either Good Charlotte or Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton fame, will be taking a turn as DJs. There will also be two carnival-style amusement zones with games, rides, and entertainers. 1 - 9 p.m.
RFK Stadium and Festival Grounds
2400 E. Capitol St. SE, Washington, D.C.
http://www.shamrockfest.com

Ireland's Four Courts:
Head over to Four Courts after Shamrock fest, since it's the official post-party pub. If your ears aren't buzzing yet, Four Courts will be playng live music all day.
2051 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA
703-525-3600
http://www.irelandsfourcourts.com

K Street Lounge:
Drink specials and a DJ all night, presented by Capital Club of Washington. The attire is "urban leprechaun" which I can only assume means more than one "leprechaun" in a mini dress and heels. $10 or $20, from 9 p.m. - 12 a.m.
1301 K St. NW, Washington, D.C.
202-962-3933
www.http://kstreetdc.com

McFadden's:
Practice makes perfect. Their "St. Practice Day Party" features mini versions of Guinness drafts, car bombs and Jameson shooters. The rest of the night is all about competition. Beer pong and flip cup at 7 p.m., dance contest at 9 p.m., uniform competition 10 p.m. and a St. Pat's pitcher contest at 11 p.m.
2401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.
202-223-2338
http://www.mcfaddensdc.com

Sunday, March 15th:
DC's 38th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade:
This is probably the only event to make this guide that's family friendly and doesn't involve alcohol. The theme for the parade this year is "Irish Tradition in Word and Song." It travels down Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Street NW. The parade starts at noon and is limited to 2.5 hours. Grandstand tickets $10.
http://www.dcstpatsparade.com

Ireland's Four Courts:
Recover with their Sunday traditional Irish brunch, from 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. A taste of Ireland will only set you back $14.95, but reservations are recommended.
2051 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA
703-525-3600
http://www.irelandsfourcourts.com

Murphy's:
You can enjoy their grand Irish brunch as reknowned harpist Carolina Gregg plays in the background.
713 King St., Alexandria, VA
703-548-1717

Monday, March 16th:
Ireland's Four Courts:
Monday's "St. Practice Day" Irish themed pub quiz starts at 7:30.
2051 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA
703-525-3600
http://www.irelandsfourcourts.com

Tuesday, March 17th - Saint Patrick's Day:
Biddy Mulligan's:
There's more than one reason to celebrate this St. Patrick's Day. Biddy Mulligan's is set to reopen, and the Guinness will be flowing.
1500 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.
202-483-6000

Duffy's:
Call in sick to work (don't tell them I told you to) and head over to Duffy's. The pub opens at noon, and the first 100 get a Guinness T-shirt. From 12 - 2 p.m. you'll get 1/2 off Smithwick's Irish Ale and corned beef and roast turkey sandwiches. Just tell your boss you were getting in touch with your heritage, as you watch Irish dancers and pipers and a DJ plays Irish favorites. Swing by the ATM on your way over, since today the pub is cash only.
2106 Vermont Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.
202-265-3413
www.duffysdc.com

Fado:
Traditional Irish food, pints, live music and more. You can also register to win their "Ultimate Insiders Trip to Ireland," which includes roundtrip airfare and $500 spending money.
808 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C.
202-789-0066
http://www.fadoirishpub.com

Finnegan's Bar and Grill:
Taking over the space formerly occupied by Kirkpatrick's, Finnegan's ends its three day opening on St. Patty's. They'll have music from 3 p.m. - close, St. Pat's specials and a heated tented patio with an outside bar. The place is starting out on the right foot by not charging a cover.
44050 Ashburn Village Blvd. Unit 199, Ashburn, VA
703-723-5885
http://www.kirkpatrickspub.com/

Ireland's Four Courts:
The pub will be celebrating the big day with a traditional Irish lunch from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., and a day of music from five different performers on both the mainstage and in a tent.
2051 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA
703-525-3600
http://www.irelandsfourcourts.com

Ireland's Four Fields:
Four fields is another place starting the party early. They'll have live music from 11 a.m. to close.
3412 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.
202-244-0860
http://www.irelandsfourprovinces.com/

McFadden's:
Their flyer for St. Patrick's ominously states "let it happen to you." They'll have kegs and eggs at 8 a.m. to get you ready for what's to come. Beat the clock drafts start at 25 cents and last until noon. After that, they'll have $2 Miller Drafts and $5 Guinness until 7 p.m. The night will include a ton of giveaways and competitions, like a bikini contest and carbomb races. Don't expect to leave with any semblance of sobriety.
2401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.
202-223-2338
http://www.mcfaddensdc.com

McGinty's:
If nothing else, you've got to go and check out the leprechaun they're advertising. Stick around for acoustic music, Irish dancing from 4:30 - 6 p.m., and traditional and modern Irish music during their 3rd annual celebration. They'll also be serving classic Irish dishes.
911 Ellsworth Dr., Silver Spring, MD
http://www.mcgintyspublichouse.com

Ned Devine's:
Ned Devine's is taking a page from Duffy's book and starting the celebrations early. They open at 10 a.m. to serve green beer and traditional Irish food. Music begins at 11 a.m., and the last band doesn't take the stage until 10 p.m.
6208 Multiplex Dr., Centreville, VA
703-266-2194
http://www.neddevines.com

O'Sullivans:
Three different live bands will be taking turns playing from 4 p.m. - 1:30 a.m. If you get there early, you'll benefit from half-priced appetizers and happy hour prices on drafts and bottled beers.
3207 Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA
703-812-0939
http://osullivansirishpub.com

 

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