Lots going on this St Paddy’s since it falls on a Saturday night. More art events have been added on Saturday, plus some St Patrick’s Day events. Check this week’s issue of the Santa Monica Mirror for my “Where the Irish Go” article as part of my column “Talk of the Town.”  Also I have added a couple downtown events as well for this special day! Enjoy the day…

Pick of the Week is Saint Patrick’s Day of course! I mean what’s an Irish broad to do??? Get to the nearest bar of course. I realize my name is Italian, but my Mom was Irish and believe me, we know how to celebrate in NYC, on Saint Paddy’s Day….everyone is Irish. Mama’s craving her yearly feast of corned beef and cabbage. Though, I’m not really a beer drinker….on this day, gotta have me a Guinness. Hey it only happens once a year, so pace yourself.

Before we get to the POW...We have a NEW LA ART PARTY CONTEST…..Win Two Tickets to the Blankenship Cabaret Theatre’s premiere event. FIND ME at any of these events (to find out what the code phrase is)...I will be at ALL of them. Don’t worry, if we have never met, you won’t be able to miss me! I will be wearing a green feather boa and a black and green tutu…yeah, you heard me!

Remember, find me at any of these events and ask me for the key phrase to be entered into the raffle to win two $20.00 tickets for Blankenship Cabaret Theatre’s premiere show on March 31st in downtown LA. For more info, see Upcoming Events. Don’t worry….the contest goes on until March 25th, so you have plenty of time to find me!

Back to the POW…

I remember when I first moved here ten years ago and St. Patrick’s Day rolled around, my new LA friends thought I was nuts when I suggested meeting at an Irish bar at noon. It seemed LA folk just didn’t take this holiday as seriously as we did in New York.  I finally just realized I had to find the pockets of Irish pubs where all the action happens. It became my mission to find out where the Irish in LA celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day.

Here’s my list kids, hey St. Patrick’s Day is this Saturday….so put on any and everything green  that you have in your closet and get to the nearest bar. I’ll be out there in my green boa and tutu. You can get into the spirit early at O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, located at 2941 Main St. Santa Monica, CA 90405.

Doors open at 6:00 a.m. so you can start off the day with a Guinness and eggs along with white and black pudding, Irish sausage, Irish bacon and baked beans.

O‘Brien’s offers traditional Irish fare throughout the day such as delicious corned beef and cabbage, shepherds pie, fish and chips, bangers and mash and a special Guinness beef stew.

Just in case you haven’t had enough, enjoy a Guinness float for desert. Live Irish music starts at 4::00 p.m. 310.396.4725; http://www.obriensonmain.com/

Just down the street, Finn McCool’s Irish Pub (2702 Main St.), is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Opening at 8:00 a.m., various Irish bands start crooning at 1:00 p.m. The Drunken Monkeys perform from 9:00 p.m. till close. Classic Irish dishes will be served.

Owner Geraldine Gilliland (see image to left), originally from Belfast boasts “Saint Patrick’s Day allows us a great opportunity to celebrate our Irish traditions and culture with folk who are proud of their Irish ancestry. We’ve 17 draft beers, 200 whiskeys and an array of “kick-ass” Irish cocktails, so our celebrations are as brilliant as only the Irish can make them.” 310.452.1734; http://www.finnmccoolsirishpub.com/

Also in Santa Monica, Sonny McLean’s Pub (2615 Wilshire Blvd., SM) celebrates with four bands and a bag piper starting at 10:00 a.m.

Owner, Grant Woods explains, “Out back we have a beer garden as well as 40 taps for beer and Guinness will be plentiful.” 310.449.1811; http://http://www.sonnymcleans.com/

West 4th and Jane (1432 4th St.) offers free admission and a corned beef & cabbage slider special (3 for $10), plus $5 Guinness Beers all night.

Owners Keith O’Brien and Steve Lieberman remind us, “Since there are so many transplants on the west-side, many Irish and non-Irish drinkers love to come out and party.” Enter their costume contest to win a free pint of Guinness and dinner for two. 310.395.6765; http://west4thjane.com/.

One more Irish celebration not to be missed takes place at Brennan’s Pub, (4089 Lincoln Blvd., Marina Del Rey).

Complete with green beer, a beer garden and live bands, the line begins to form by 4:00 p.m., so get there early. 310.821.6622; http://brennanspub-la.com/.

Now I haven’t forgotten my downtown peeps….This one sounds like lots of fun and it supports a wonderful art event….Backyard Blowout – St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser for Downtown L.A.’s light art event, “Autumn Lights.”

The doors open at 9 AM and the St. Patrick’s day backyard blowout will start promptly at 11AM. There are eight bands, five food trucks, and drink specials. There is a $5 cover and proceeds go towards our fundraiser.  Food trucks include Kogi, Grilled Cheese, Meet N Potatoes, Frysmith, & Coolhaus.

The Escondite
 is located at 410 Boyd St, Downtown 
LA, 90013. For more info call  
213-626-1800
 or check their website at http://theescondite.com/

The Crocker Club DTLA hosts a St. Patrick’s Day Party with DJ E-ROK IN THE MIXXX~! in the main room and DJ A-SKI in the Ghost Bar. Specials like $5.00 Shamrock Shots all night and it’s free admission before 10:00 pm. 

RSVP at info@crockerclub.com or call 213 239-9099.

The Crocker Club is located at 453 S. Spring St. LA 90013. http://www.crockerclub.com/

All of these establishments offer traditional Irish food and live music. Most places charge $10.00 admission after 1:00 pm, unless otherwise specified.

Wear your green best, be safe and have a fun Saint Patrick’s Day. Pick a designated driver, stay local or take a taxi. Remember, If you’re lucky enough to be Irish, you’re lucky enough!