A 5,000 mile hike from Southern California to Ireland to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day every year just sounds exhausting. Being hungover for that flight back sounds even worse. Odds are you might not have enough PTO time accrued to even make the green journey to partake in the festivities. The good part is no matter where you are in SoCal, there’s plenty of ways to celebrate America’s unofficial favorite drinking holiday, St. Paddy’s Day! (Yup, it’s Paddy’s, not Patty’s.)
Seven Grand Whiskey Bar
If green beer isn’t your thing, whiskey probably is. This spot in Los Angeles is the premiere whiskey spot for a wide variety of traditional and specialty whiskeys, even some of those rare, hard to find favorites that you rarely see outside of spirit stores and personal collections. This might also be more of your vibe if you’re looking to avoid the typical ‘college-esque’ St. Patrick’s Day parties and looking for something more laid back. Check it out at 515 W. 7th St. #200, Los Angeles.
Old World Irish Fest
Slide down to Orange County for the annual Old World Irish Fest that happens all three-days of St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Every year, Old World Biergarten takes a break from its usual German beer and menus and embraces the culture of Ireland with their Irish Fest. Live music and bands perform throughout the weekend and the Wiener Dog Races on Sunday are a must-see. Best of all? Parking is free. Set that GPS for 7561 Center Ave. #49, Huntington Beach.
Malarky’s Irish Pub
For over 45 years, a Newport Beach staple in the St. Patrick’s Day scene has been Malarky’s Irish Pub. Voted Top 5 best bar owners in Newport, the crew at Malarky’s put together a St. Patrick’s Day party every year like no other. Malarky’s starts the party at 6am with choice Irish breakfast dishes through 2pm. After that, bagpipers take center stage and entertain the beer drinkers starting at 1pm. CBS TV even voted Malarky’s the best corned beef and cabbage in Orange County, likely because of the four unique ways they serve it: for breakfast, as a hash, with cabbage, and in a taco. Get a taste at 3011 Newport Blvd. Newport Beach.
Tom Bergin’s Public House
Why not kick start your St. Patrick’s Day morning with an Irish coffee? We have the perfect spot to start your Irish celebration and you can get your caffeine kick to keep you up through the day. Tom Bergin’s Public House in Los Angeles is known worldwide for its nearly perfect Irish coffee. For you newbies, Irish coffee consists of hot coffee, brown sugar, fresh cream and Irish whiskey. Settle in with your pick-me-up with a wide menu of Irish traditions like corned beef and shepherd’s pie. Swing through at 840 S. Fairfax Ave. Los Angeles.
Tartan of Redlands
If you’re closer to the Inland Empire, you’re already close to one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations every year in Redlands. Tartan of Redlands boasts the ‘best corned beef and cabbage in town’ with their menu of Irish food and drink traditions. The front door of Tartan of Redlands kicks open at 11am and the celebrations continue all night with live music, bands and bagpipe players. Celebrate here 24 E. Redlands Blvd., Redlands.
