Let’s be honest: no one feels like going out to Manhattan and enduring the cold morning winds for the St. Patrick’s Day parade. Also, no one wants to deal with the lines out the doors of pub crawls on the Lower East Side, and of course, the green aftermath on the sidewalk around the corner from said bars.
Saint Patty’s Day was originally for celebrating the saint’s holy work of converting people to Christianity, as well as myths of him driving the snakes out of Ireland. Today, the American-Irish descent has made the day about celebrating Irish pride instead. So, here’s some local festivities, maybe you’ll get lucky and find a pot of gold!
1. St. patrick’s vegan shop-up
We’ll see you at the end of the rainbow for a St. Patrick’s Vegan Shop-Up! On Saturday, March 16, from 12 p.m. to 5p.m., at Pine Box Rock Shop in Bushwick, the local vegan and craft-beer bar.
Discover the best locally made vegan foods, goods, and more (maybe a pot of gold?) at NYC’s all vegan pop-up market! They are featuring Cruelty Free Car Bombs and lots of delicious vegan Irish goodies.
Pine Box will be open at 11 a.m. to get your shamrock shake game on early! Don’t forget your reusable tumblers and shopping bags to keep all your new lucky charms safe.
2. St. Patrick’s Very Superstitious Tour
Madame Morbid Trolley Tours are the perfect way to spend St. Patty’s day exploring the rich history of Irish superstitions and the origination of Halloween (which was 4,000 years ago!). Along their dark history tour of Brooklyn, they will explore the origins of superstitions and the role they still play to this very day. The Victorian Trolley boasts “BOO-klyn’s” spookiest sightseeings and tours covering over 400 years of murder and mayhem. Make sure to not walk under any ladders beforehand!
The tours are one hour and 30 minutes. Pick-up and drop-off are at Driggs Ave. Between North 8th and North 9th Streets. Walking distance from the L Bedford Stop. They will be held on March 17 at 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Also, 10 percent of all ticket sales will go towards feeding New York’s homeless.
3. Get shamrocked at the brooklyn cider house
Brooklyn Cider House will be having an all-day brunch bash for St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. They will be serving their brunch menu with favorites like the “ciderosa” (fresh orange juice and Brooklyn Cider House’s Bone Dry cider) and classics like ribeye steak and eggs.
St. Patrick’s Day food and drink specials include the “Luck of the Irish,” which is a shot of Jameson plus a glass of Brooklyn Cider House cider ($9), Green Eggs and Ham ($12), Corned Beef and Cabbage ($14 entree, $9 small plate), and lots of green cider ($7-8). Come get lucky!
4. all saynts day at house of yes
Not into green beer? We hear you. Come embrace your inner sinner at House of Yes‘s party collaboration with NSFW: New Society for Wellness. This St. Patrick’s party is a yearly sacrilegious celebration which gives everyone carte blanche to misbehave without fear of eternal damnation.
All Saynts Day is a costume-required event where you will be treated to experiences that will elevate your spirits through sound and visual stimulation, so prepare your Sunday best. Witches, priests, pharaohs, elders, nuns, monks, rabbis and jedis are all welcome to tear down the walls of religion to truly bring us closer together.
Doors at 8 p.m. on March 17. Get your tickets here.
5. Brooklyn St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Did you know Brooklyn had its own parade for St. Patrick’s day? The parade happens in Park Slope and Windsor Terrace. The parade kicks off at 1 p.m. and runs from Prospect Park West and 15th Street down to 7th Avenue and Garfield Place then back over to Prospect Park West and the starting line. This one will be extra special, as it marks the first time an Irish LGBTQ+ group will be marching in the Brooklyn St. Patrick’s Day parade! Come by and say hi to marchers on March 17, and enjoy bagpipe ensembles, traditional Irish dancers, and more!
6. Grand Street Pub Crawl
Join the 8th Annual Grand Street St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl on March 17, hosted by the Grand Street Business Improvement District. With 13 bars on six blocks offering 29 drink specials, why would you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day anywhere else?
Offers include $5 shots of Jameson Caskmates at Crystal Lake, $7 Irish Margaritas at Los Tacos McOndo, $5 grilled cheese at Noorman’s Kil, and $5 beer and shot combos at Redd’s Tavern. Free food will also be available at Dar 525: a free pizza with the purchase of a draft beer. Bushwick Country Club has free BBQ. Go here for more information.
Cover image courtesy of Gavin Whitner.
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