Everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day (And Nearly Every Bar is an Irish Pub)

Although St. Patrick’s Day is affectionately known to bar/restaurant industry insiders as “amateur night,” it’s also a darn good reason to wear that usually forgotten Kelly green shirt and try out your best Irish accent (hint: go Colin Farrell, not Lucky Charms).  Even if you’re not remotely Irish, you can join in the holiday spirit at one of the following local venues.

• Hooley’s Grossmont Center

Of course notable Irish pub Hooley’s Bar & Grill is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in style—Hooleyfest, running from 5 p.m. to midnight, will feature live music, lots of green, and even safe shuttle rides home within a 5-mile radius.

The green beer will be a-flowin’, along with generous portions of corned beef and music during Shenanigan’s holiday celebration.

In addition to regular happy hour specials on food and drinks, Mr. G’s will offer deals on Guinness, arguably the most Irish of all Irish beers.

The Regal’s St. Patrick’s day celebration will include $5 Jameson whiskey shots and $5 “Irish Car Bombs,” a delightfully Irish drink featuring Guinness, Bailey’s Irish Cream and Jameson.

• Dessert and a Movie

If surrounding yourself with pint after pint of green beer and bar patrons with terribly fake Irish accents isn’t your ideal way to celebrate the holiday, try whipping up a batch of cupcakes with Irish Cream frosting (seriously, what is better than alcoholic frosting?) and popping in a movie made on the Emerald Isle, such as Michael Collins (inspiring), Angela’s Ashes (depressing, but life-affirming) or Waking Ned Devine (charming).