In our melting pot of a country, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations allow anyone willing to don some green a chance to party. Whether participants have a little “Erin go Bragh” in them or not, the District has celebrations for the Irish holiday all month.
National ShamrockFest
March 24 – 12:30 to 9:00 p.m.
RFK Stadium Festival Grounds
New Orleans has Mardi Gras, New York City has New Year’s Eve and the National ShamrockFest wants to shift the focus from Boston to D.C. as the place to be for St. Patrick’s Day. National ShamrockFest 2012 offers huge festival grounds with 10 stages and 15 party areas, over 50 live bands and DJs including Dropkick Murphys and Gavin DeGraw, carnival rides, games and seemingly endless supply of beer and food vendors.
Fadó Irish Pub
March 17 – 7 a.m.
808 7th St., NW
This bar’s motto, “You can’t drink all day if you don’t start in the morning,” will set the tone for a celebration to come. The week before St. Patrick’s Day includes performances by Irish Celtic Rock band “The Rovers,” along with an extensive whiskey tasting. The main event, with a cover charge of $10, begins Saturday at 11 a.m. with a full day of drinking, dancing, live music from 40 Thieves and LDE and watching 6 Nations Rugby live, a popular sport in the island nation.
St. Patrick’s Day parade
March 11 – 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th streets, NW
The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade down Constitution Avenue includes more than 100 groups, including Irish dance schools, decorated floats and marching bands from across the country. The antique fire trucks always draw crowds, and a highlight this year includes Bolivian dance groups joining along with local D.C. dignitaries.
Rumors’ Shamrocks & Shenanigans
March 17 – 3 to 11 p.m
Corner of 19th and M streets
Rumors may not be the most Irish place in town, but college students are nevertheless invited to the free-flowing beer and dance music that doesn’t require Irish heritage for partygoers to enjoy. Beginning at 11:30 am, the festivities include special drink offers, door prizes, dance contests, bagpipers and a live DJ at night.
Duffy’s Irish Bar
March 17 – 11 a.m.
2106 Vermont Ave., NW
During the week of St. Patrick’s Day, the restaurant features events like a post-parade buffet with Irish soda bread, corned beef and cabbage, a St. Patrick’s Day-themed pub quiz on March 14 and visits from the Guinness girls on Thursday and Friday. After paying a $5 cover charge on March 17, guests are given entrance into an Irish celebration. Doors open at 11 a.m. and Duffy’s offers both classic Irish food and drink, as well as a DJ spinning Irish favorites, old and new. Other scheduled performances include bagpipers and Irish dancing.
