St. Patrick’s Day, recognized on March 17, may be an Irish-American holiday that commemorates death, but it’s celebrated a variety of different ways. Whether you’re looking for a pub crawl, a history tour, or a more cultural experience, D.C. offers Washingtonians the chance to do all of the above and more!
1. Kick off the festivities with a bar crawl
One of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day draws for many is the bar crawls it brings. Good news, Washingtonians—this year you can partake the weekend before or during the actual holiday, giving you multiple chances to get in on the fun!
- Washington DC Clover Crawl (March 16 & 17th)
2. Strut, sip, and learn from drunken history in this history tour pub crawl
Down for a bar crawl but still want to learn a little along the way? D.C.’s History Tour Pub Crawl has both! Getting a little tipsy in the name of history? That’s a win to us!
3. Visit the Embassy of Ireland
A unique aspect of D.C. that beats out the rest is access to embassies and cultures worldwide. So if you’re feeling a bit more historical this year, check out the Embassy of Ireland!
4. Explore St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in D.C.
Another more historical option, is to check out St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in D.C. With its beautiful architecture and a parish established in 1794, you can take in the beauty, snap a photo, or attend its special St. Patrick’s Mass at 12:10 p.m. on Friday, March 17.
5. Check out the ‘Ireland at The Wharf’ festival
On Saturday, March 16th, from 12 to 6 pm, you can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style at Ireland at The Wharf! The event will feature live performers, bagpipes, rugby, and so much more! In addition to the Irish beer on supply, patrons of the event can also enjoy authentic Irish treats to snack on during their visit! The event is free to attend, but due to road closures and expected traffic, its best to plan on taking the metro to get there; the best route it to take the metro to Waterfront Station and then walk five minutes to get to the event area by The Wharf.
6. Eat out at an Irish pub
Great year-round, chow down and slam some drinks at a traditional Irish pub from the comfort of D.C. No matter where you choose you’ll get great fare and beers to match!
- The Dubliner
- Duffy’s Irish Pub
- Kelly’s Irish Times
- Kirwan’s on the Wharf
7. Indulge in St. Patrick’s Day specials
Even some of the non-Irish D.C. restaurants and bars have some celebratory menu items in store!
- Ted’s Bulletin (Bangers and mash, corned beef and cabbage, loaded potato soup, Paddyshakes, & more!)
- Dacha Shaw (Green beer)
- Dog Haus – St. Patty’s Melt – Green Beer, $6 Jameson Shots, and $7 Pickle Backs.
- Bar Louie – $3 Drafts of Green Beer, $4 Jameson Irish Whiskey Sidecar, $5 Guinness.
- The Greene Turtle – $4 Jameson, Green Tea and Baby Guinness Shots, plus $5 tall Guinness drafts and $6 Irish Car Bombs – $12.99 Reuben Sandwich and $15.99 Corned Beef & Cabbage.