St. Patrick’s Day New York Style!

St. Patrick’s Day this year falls on Thursday, March 17th. The date marks the death of Saint Patrick, Ireland’s most celebrated patron saint.

There will be green as far as the eye can see. After all what would St. Patricks Day be without a parade? Starting at 11am at 44th Street, marching up Fifth Avenue—past St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 50th Street—all the way to 79th Street. It finishes around 4:30-5:00pm at the American Irish Historical Society at East 80th Street. More than 150,000 people march in it each year.

The Irish Arts Center at 553 W 51st Street (Between 10th and 11th) opens its doors for an Irish extravaganza, filled with authentic music, dances, craft workshops and delicious tea. Learn to play the tin-whistle, get your face painted, experiment with tap-dancing, or simply sit back and watch the artists perform at this celebration of Irish culture. Best of all it’s free.

Head to the Merchant’s House Museum, 29 E 4th Street (between Bowery and Lafayette St) on March 18th for the “Spirit of the Irish” Candlelit Ghost Tour. Uncover the mystery of some of the bizarre occurrences that took place in the servants’ quarters, and face the specters of family members who passed away in the house. This is New York’s only preserved 19th-century, home that takes you through its fourth-floor servants’ quarters, which were carefully restored and repainted in their original colors. Learn about the daily successes and struggles of the Irish immigrants who worked as staff in the mid–19th century.

Times Square and Hell’s Kitchen have a vast amountof restraunts to have Corned Beef and Cabbage or Bangers and Mash. Here is our list of where to head for a riproaring good time.

Brickyard Gastropub: 785 9th Ave., between 52nd and 53rd St.

Connolly’s Pub: 121 West 45th St., between Broadway & 6 th Ave.

D.J. Reynolds: 351 West 57th St., between between 8th and 9th.

Emmett O’Lunney’s Irish Pub: 210 West 50th St., Between Broadway and 8th Ave.

Gossip Bar & Restaurant: 733 9th Ave., between 49th and 50th.

Hurley’s Saloon: 232 West 48th St., between Broadway and 8th.

Jake’s Saloon: 875 10th Ave., between 57th and 58th.

Langan’s Bar & Restaurant: 150 West  47th St., between 6th and 7th Ave.

McHales Bar & Grill: 251 West 51st St., between 9th and 10th.

Molloy’s Irish Pub: 50th and 9th Ave.

O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Restaurant: 134 West 46th St., between 6 Ave & 7 Ave

O’Donoghue’s Pub and Restaurant: 156 West 44th St., between 6th and 7th Ave.

O’Lunney’s: 145 West 45th St., between Broadway and 6th Ave

Playwright Celtic Pub: 732 8th Ave., Between 45th and 46th St.

Pig ‘n’ Whistle Times Square: 144 West 46th St., between 6th Ave and 7th Ave.

The Irish Rogue: 356 West 44th St., between 8th and 9th.

The Long Room: 120 West 44th St., between 6th Ave and Broadway.

The Perfect Pint: 123 West 45th St., between Broadway & 6th Ave.

The Mean Fiddler: 266 West 47th St., right off 8th Ave.

***Tir na nOg, Times Square: 315 West 39th St., between 8th and 9th. This is our personal favorite!

Quinns Bar And Grill: 356 West 44th St., Between 8th Avenue and 9th.

Bars will start opening as early as 9 a.m., serving Irish breakfasts with pints on the side. At some spots, the earlier people arrive, the cheaper the booze. Pubs will be exceedingly crowded, so plan ahead, pick your favorite and stick to one location. Above all arrive early.

To some, St Patricks Day in New York City is one of the most serious days of the year – and by serious, I mean serious partying!

New Yorkers be wary the St Patty’s Day Pub Crawl is also on the 17th.

The U2 tribute band “Unforgettable Fire” plays March 18th at Drone, 85 Ave. A. Since 1995, UF has a reputation to be one of the closest live U2 show.

Also Check out Maxine Linehan’s tribute to U2