First, a few St. Patrick’s Day fun facts:
St. Patrick wasn’t Irish.
Almost 37 million Americans claim Irish ancestry. (The rest just pretend on March 17.)
Nearly 13 million pints of Guinness are consumed on St. Patrick’s Day.
There are four towns in the United States named “Shamrock.” Texas has one of them.
My sister used to eat all the marshmallows out of the Lucky Charms box growing up.
Leprechauns exist.
Now, without further ado, we present a guide to boozing on the mean green holiday, organized by our favorite ‘hoods. We know we’ve left off some great bars that will be hosting great times (great time = green Irish beer, Celtic jams, and corned beef and cabbage), but this is just a little taste from a few different DFW territories.
ADDISON
The Flying Saucer
There are plenty of places to grab a pint and a pinch, but this beer-lovers paradise is an obvious choice. They’re serving $3 Irish pints all day (including Guinness, Smithwick’s, Harp, Murphy’s Red, Murphy’s Stout, and Harpoon Celtic) and hosting DJ JD, who’s on deck at 9:30 pm.
Sherlock’s Baker St. Pub
This bar is huge and a guaranteed good time. The big tent outside will be set up and ready for lots of party people, live music, green beer, and a DJ later in the evening.
ARLINGTON
J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill
This Irish watering hole is serving Irish nachos, green beer, and entertainment, including music inside and outside in the tent area, bagpipe players, Irish dancers, and live music by Hill City Band, Morning People, Sting Rays, and Clearfork. Party starts at 11 am.
FORT WORTH
Paddy Red’s Irish Pub
If a free price tag, green beer, complimentary party favors, Irish drink specials, corned beef and cabbage, and shepherd’s pie don’t excite you, how about the promised appearance of a leprechaun? Yeah. That’s what we thought.
HENDERSON AVENUE
The Old Monk
Opening early, this neighborhood favorite is offering live music from Homespun Remedies, Irish dancers, bagpipe performances, brunch from 10 am to 2 pm, and favorite Irish dishes like fish and chips, Shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, and corned beef Reubens.
UPPER GREENVILLE
The Greenville Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade goes right through this area, so expect a crowd. Any watering hole that offers you a chance to squeeze through the masses and get to the bar is a good place to rest.
LOWER GREENVILLE
The Block Party is what you’ll find has taken over this area post-parade. A measly $8 gets you in the gate . I won’t lie to you: Last year’s block party was entirely too crowded to be enjoyable, but if you’re looking to be in the heart of the mayhem—I mean action—this is your best bet. You can move in and out of bars, grab a cold brew and hamburger from street vendors, and hear live music.
Sundown at Granada
We’re been waiting for these guys to open up their roof-top patio and it’s finally happening. Three Reggae bands will be playing upstairs (including The Effinays, Melody Memory, and Basic5) and a $5 menu will be serving tacos (beef or black bean) and BBQ brisket sandwiches.
LOWEST GREENVILLE
Crown & Harp
Just like the real St. Patrick, this bar is half British, half Irish. Starting at noon and ending in the wee hours of the morning, you can expect three Irish bands (including Blarney Street Hooligans, Pratty, and Irish Blind), Irish dancers, DJs spinning Irish, Ska, Reggae, and Soul, and Irish edibles like green beer, Irish stew, fish and chips, and drink specials all day and night.
UPTOWN
Blackfriar Pub
As they’re sibling bars and close neighbors (across the street), we can’t highlight one without the other. The two-day parking lot party here also starts on Friday. On Saturday, enjoy a bagpiper, live music by Petty Theft, and Irish food favorites fish and chips, Irish Reubens, and corned beef and cabbage served from 11 am to 10 pm.
The Idle Rich Pub
As part of the two-day tent party, which begins on Friday, you’ll find live music by The Killdares, Irish dancing, bagpiping, and Irish food, including corned beef and cabbage plate, fish and chips, Shepherd’s pie, and corned beef reubens served from 11 am to 10 pm. Festivities start at 10 am.
OAK LAWN
The Library Bar
If green colored chaos isn’t your cup of whiskey, try this hotel bar for special Irish dishes (Reuben sandwich sliders with corned beef and Shepherd’s Pie), a fancy Emerald Isle Martini, and Irish beer specials (Guinness, Harp, and Killian’s Irish Red for $5). Available all month long.
DEEP ELLUM
Anvil Pub
It may not be an Irish pub, but it’ll sure look like one with the green decorations, Irish stew being served, and Jameson Irish Whiskey and Irish Car Bomb specials.
DOWNTOWN
The Chesterfield
This new hot spot’s keeping it classy with a limited edition house cocktail: the Irish Necktie. (A concoction of Jameson Irish Whiskey, ginger beer, and angostura bitters served in an old-fashioned glass.) Special menu items will include corned beef and magners cabbage and and Irish breakfast with black pudding, eggs, bacon, and soda bread, served until 11 pm.
FAR NORTH DALLAS
Mad Tavern
The new Alice in Wonderland-themed Irish pub way, way up in Far North Dallas will be open at 7 am (like they are every day) and serving Irish-themed drink and food specials. With nice weather (fingers crossed), the bar on patio will be the place to be with a band playing at 5 pm and 10 pm.
