Looking for some place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Washington, D.C? The District of Columbia has many places to celebrate the infamous Irish holiday. Whether you are new in town or you just need some help finding out where to party, this St. Patrick’s Day party list can help you find the St. Patty’s Day hot spots for D.C. in 2010.
Image: Wburris (Flickr)What: Washington D.C. St. Patrick’s Day Parade
When: Sun., March 14, noon
Where: The parade will proceed down Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Streets NW in our nation’s capital.
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the best-attended parades in Washington. The Parade through downtown D.C. lasts about 2.5 hours. This year’s parade theme is “The Irish That Built America.” The parade was started as an Irish community endeavor by the Irish American Club and is now held in cooperation with the National Capital Park Service. Complete with bands, public figures, dance groups and floats, this parade is for everyone. So take your family out and enjoy a well-planned event where everyone is Irish, at least for the day.
What: Leprechaun Lap
When: Sat., March 6, 1 – 9 p.m.
Where: The annual St. Patrick’s Day bar crawl begins at Mackey’s Public House at 1823 L St. NW, Washington, D.C.
The Leprechaun Lap is a charity-sponsored pub crawl that includes food and drink specials at Rumors, Sign of the Whale, the Front Page, McFadden’s, Porter’s, the Bottom Line, Recessions and the Madhatter. Be sure to register from 1-6 p.m. at Mackey’s on March 6. The cost is $10 with two cans of food to donate to a local charity and $13 without.
What: The National Shamrock Fest
When: Sat., March 13, 1 – 9 p.m.
Where: RFK Stadium, 2400 E. Capitol St. NE Washington, DC.
Complete with live music, food, drinks and dozens of activities for all ages, this street festival is great for the entire family. The Shamrock Fest is the largest Saint Patrick’s Day party in the region, featuring more than 40 live bands performing on seven stages. Enjoy a daylong festival of rock, Irish, blues, retro and folk music.
What: The Dubliner Irish Pub
When: March 17
Where: 520 N. Capitol St. NW, Washington, DC 20001
According to many D.C. locals, this is the place to be on St. Patrick’s Day. The Dubliner features live Irish entertainment seven nights a week, and a vast selection of beers, including some of their own. The Dubliner is packed with people on St. Patrick’s Day, who watch the street below on the open-air patio that faces Massachusetts Avenue. The pub food is surprisingly good. If you get a chance, you should try the fish and chips, but do not expect them to have much food available on St. Patrick’s Day. It will be standing room only, and the beer will be flowing heavily.
What: The Red Derby Bar
When: March 17
Where: 3718 14th St. NW, Washington, DC 20010
If you are looking for a great Irish dive bar, here is one with cheap beer, cute servers and greasy yet delightful food. This bar is as quaint as it gets with board games and friendly patrons who may just buy you a drink. Established as a place to hang out, there are old movies projecting on the wall and the bartenders and wait staff are likely to sit down and have a drink with you. When you first walk in, you may feel like you have trespassed and entered a private club because there is no sign for this place from the street other than a red derby that hangs above the door. Located in Columbia Heights, this bar is not in the best of neighborhoods, but it is safe, well-lit and there is always a big crowd there. If you are feeling adventurous on St. Patty’s day this year, this is one cozy bar that is cheap, friendly and charming.
April Lentini writes for Apartment Guide in Washington, D.C.
