Locate that worn-out green T and throw a few gold doubloons in your wallet—St. Patrick’s Day season is already underway. From bar crawls to all-day parties to road trips, we’ve rounded up several holiday events worth a look.
Leprechaun Lap Bar Crawl
March 11, 3-10 p.m.
Take advantage of drink specials—such as $4 “shamrock shots” and $8 car bombs—as you move among several Arlington bars, including B Live, Clarendon Ballroom, The Lot and Pamplona. Enjoy DJ-crafted playlists and snag themed swag and other giveaways. Registration runs from 3-6 p.m. // B Live, 2854 Wilson Blvd., Suite A (Clarendon). Age 21+. Tickets $20.
Colony Grill
March 11-19
This Clarendon pizzeria continues to honor its Irish heritage—dating back nearly 90 years to its inaugural location in an Irish neighborhood in Connecticut—with a corned beef and cabbage pizza. The thin-crust pie blends cheese with cabbage, corned beef, Dijon mustard and hot oil, and is only available for a limited time. // 2800 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Jammin Java
March 16, 7:30 p.m.
Get the holiday started a night early with a performance from the Seán Heely Celtic Band, led by the eponymous D.C.-based fiddling champion, harpist and singer. Expect up-tempo dance songs as well as Irish and Scottish folk tunes you can sway to. // 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna. Tickets $20-25.
Patty O’s Cafe
March 17
Get out of town for the night and join chef Patrick O’Connell—the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award winner who helms the three-Michelin-starred Inn at Little Washington—to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the inn’s more casual sister, Patty O’s Cafe. The restaurant and bakery, housed in a former gas station, is serving a four-course meal with Irish touches and accompanied by Irish music. The menu includes Guinness beef stew with braised root vegetables and egg noodles, curried cauliflower steak and sweets from the magical “dessert trolley.” // 389 Main St., Washington, Virginia. $195 per person.
Caboose Commons
March 17, 7 a.m.-Close
Pop into Caboose on St. Paddy’s Day to try four guest beers, as well as green pints and pitchers of ‘Boose Lite American Light Lager. Food specials, including pastrami hash, start at 11 a.m. The Murphy Academy of Irish Dance performs at 1:45 p.m., and a live band will keep the music going from 6-9 p.m. Prefer to raise a glass at home? The brewery also is offering 15% off Fog Hazy IPA cans for takeout. // 2918 Eskridge Road, Fairfax (Mosaic District). Free admission.
Ireland’s Four Provinces
March 17, 8 a.m.-Close
Want to get the party started early? Head to this beloved pub in the heart of The Little City for beer and breakfast, aka “k’eggs.” Stick around (or come by later) for a three-course lunch or dinner (reservations required) in the dining room, and enjoy classic Irish music from Gerry Timlin. // 105 West Broad St., Falls Church City
Mattie & Eddie’s
March 17, 9 a.m.-Close
Start the day at this Westpost tavern from chef Cathal Armstrong, which serves Irish breakfast all day, plus other favorites, from Black Velvets (Guinness and Magner’s) to corned beef sandwiches. Live entertainment starts at noon, and Irish dancers will perform at various points in the day. // 1301 S. Joyce St., Arlington (Westpost)
Samuel Beckett’s
March 17, 10 a.m.-Close
Find live music from Rook Richards, the Lenny Burridge Duo and Eddie Pasa throughout the day and night at this Shirlington pub named for the Irish novelist and playwright. Love a good Celtic jig? They’ll have intermittent dance performances, too. // 2800 S. Randolph St., Suite 110, Arlington (Shirlington)
Wilson Hardware
March 17, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Score discounts on Guinness and Jameson drinks the whole day long at this Clarendon watering hole, and stick around from 3-7 p.m. for happy hour specials. In the evening, get your groove on at a St. Paddy’s Day-themed dance party. // 2915 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
The Celtic House
March 17, 9 a.m.-Close
After digging into all-day Irish country breakfast, or bangers and mash from the special St. Patrick’s Day menu, kick back with tunes from the Pádraic Keane band, led by a pro at the uilleann pipes (a form of Irish bagpipe). // 2500 Columbia Pike, Arlington
Irish Madness Fest at Clarendon Ballroom
March 17-18
Why choose between watching the NCAA tournament and celebrating St. Patrick’s Day when you can do both? This two-day blowout promises live music, a bottomless buffet, drink specials and more. The festivities include cornhole and giant Jenga, specials on Guinness and Jameson, green Jell-O shooters, and views of the games on a 50-foot projector wall. // Clarendon Ballroom, 3185 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington (Clarendon). Age 21+. No cover charge.
ShamROCK’N Roll
March 25, 2 p.m.
Just because St. Patrick’s Day has come and gone doesn’t mean you’ve got to put that green plastic necklace away. The Lot (which will be open for its final season) will be keeping the party going with live music, games, food trucks and all-day drink specials. Throw on your best verdant duds and head over for some day drinking.// The Lot, 3217 10th St. N., Arlington (Clarendon). No cover charge.
Guinness Open Gate Brewery
Now-March 26
This draught destination about 10 miles outside of downtown Baltimore is the first Guinness brewery in the U.S. What better time to pay a visit than St. Paddy’s Day season? The brewery is staging an Irish Village every weekend (Thursday-Sunday) through the end of March, where revelers can enjoy new beer releases, live music, trivia nights, a special menu and beer dinners. On St. Patrick’s Day proper, enjoy extended hours from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. // 5001 Washington Blvd., Halethorpe, Maryland. Free admission.