St. Patrick's Day roundup

Ireland is half a world away, but that doesn't mean the party is far from home. Get ready to celebrate St. Patrick's Day Baltimore-style with events and specials at bars all around town—some starting as early as March 1.

Canton Irish Stroll, 301-652-7712: Not sure how to kick off your St. Patrick’s celebrations? The Canton Irish Stroll on March 1 offers specials at bars around the ’hood, including Looney’s Pub, Portside Tavern, Smaltimore, McGiddy’s, and Tavern on the Square. And your bar hopping can help benefit the less fortunate, as the event is partnered with the Maryland Food Bank, and anyone who brings two canned goods can get a $5 discount on their event ticket. Participants can enjoy Irish snacks and other happy hour-priced drinks while they stroll with bagpipers and leprechauns.

Federal Hill Irish Stroll, 301-652-7712: If Canton’s Irish Stroll left you wanting more, and you can’t bear to wait for St. Patrick’s Day, head down to Federal Hill on Saturday, March 8. The leprechauns and bagpipers will be back for more fun at another round of bars, including Stalking Horse, McGerks, Rowhouse, and Ropewalk.

James Joyce Irish Pub and Restaurant, 616 S. President Street, 410-727-5107: Baltimore wouldn’t be the same without the St. Patrick’s Day parade, and the James Joyce Pub is holding its annual auction on Sunday, March 9 to help support that tradition. Funds from the sales, which will include a baseball bat signed by Cal Ripken Jr., will benefit the parade. You can also catch Irish folk-rock band The Shamrogues at the pub at 7 p.m. on March 16.

Slainte Irish Pub and Restaurant, 1700 Thames Street, 410-563-6600: The tradition of celebrating the weeks leading up to St. Patrick’s Day continues at Slainte. Each night from March 1-17 will feature a different and vibrant attraction, from live music to Irish trivia to rugby match viewings. Slainte will open at 6 a.m. on St. Patrick’s Day and keep the party moving all day with traditional music and Irish dancers.

Mick O’Shea’s, 328 N. Charles Street, 410-539-7504: Get started early with a traditional Irish breakfast at Mick O’Shea’s on March 16 and 17. The pub will open at 9 a.m., serving rasher, black and white pudding, eggs, and potatoes—the perfect cure for that St. Pat’s hangover. Live music will begin in the afternoon, featuring Gaelic Mishap following the parade on Sunday, and The Donegal X-Press at 5 p.m. on Monday.

Howl at the Moon, 22 Market Place, 410-783-5111: The Saint Paddy’s Bash at Baltimore’s piano bar starts at 4 p.m. on March 15, and admission is free until 10. Get into the spirit with green beers, Irish car bombs, and leprechaun bombs. The dueling pianos will keep the holiday spirit strong by playing rollicking Irish tunes.

Claddagh Pub, 2918 O'Donnell Street, 410-522-4220: “Meet in the Street,” Claddagh’s annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration, will take place over March 15 and 16, and will feature Kristen and the Noise. The event will be held rain or shine. Don’t forget to try the selection of Irish whiskeys, including Jameson, Black Bush and Bushmills.

PBR Baltimore, 2 Market Place, 443-680-9433: If you don’t want to miss out on the festivities, but feel more at home in Dallas than in Dublin, the Green Solo Cup party at PBR Baltimore is just the ticket. Starting at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 14, guests can get in and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day the cowboy way.

Ryan’s Daughter Irish Pub & Restaurant, 600 E. Belvedere Ave., 410-464-1000: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Ryan’s Daughter with live music throughout the day. Guitarist Brendan Pelan and Irish folk band Maggie’s Leap will perform in the evening on March 17. Don’t forget to fill up on the pub’s house-brined and roasted corned beef or fish and chips before the shows.

Liam Flynn’s Ale House, 22 W. North Avenue, 410-244-8447: Thirsty for Irish whiskey? Head down to Liam Flynn’s, which will be hosting a Tullamore Dew whiskey tasting at 7:30 p.m. on March 17. A traditional Irish music session will take place that evening. The bar will also open early the weekend leading up to the holiday.

The Harp Restaurant,
 8706 Belair Road,
Nottingham, Maryland, 410-529-4277: Another weekend-long party will be held at the Harp, with events from March 14-17. Live music, including the Great Train Robbery and Ernie Fowler, can be heard both inside and in the party tents outdoors. Don’t miss Kegs and Eggs, a breakfast buffet on Sunday morning featuring Guinness and, of course, Harp Lager.

Tír na nÓg Baltimore, 201 E. Pratt Street, 410-483-8968: Want to help support the Baltimore St. Patrick’s Day parade and indulge in happy hour-priced drinks at the same time? Stop by Tír na nÓg’s parade fundraiser at 3 p.m. on March 2. A donation of $5 will get you in. The event will include live and silent auctions, a 50-50 raffle, and music by Danny Burns. Be sure to come back March 16 and 17, as the bar features Irish breakfast and $2.50 Guinness and Jameson.

To take a St. Patrick’s Day quiz, see our March issue, on newsstands Friday.