Saint Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious celebration that marks the death of the foremost patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick.
While most people don’t give a shit that the holiday commemorates the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, they do care that it’s a chance to let loose and party with friends. (Yes, any Lent vows are lifted on this day.) It’s a day of debauchery most notably associated with green beer and pinching unsuspecting people at the bar.
Gainesville is no stranger to the Irish celebrations, so find something green and head to one of these places.
The Swamp
The front lawn is always an awesome place to be and this holiday is no different. They claim to have stocked enough green beer, Irish car bombs and Jameson for all of Ireland, so that means it’s enough to satisfy at least half of Gainesville. It’s going to be packed with college students, so get there early so you don’t have to pinch your way to the bar. The specials for the day include free beer from 3 to 5 p.m. upstairs, $5 Paddy Irish Whiskey, $6 pitchers of green beer and $7 car bombs.
Loosey’s Downtown
You just finished up your last green beer pitcher at Swamp and as the afternoon shifts to evening, where are you going to get an authentic Irish dinner? Well, Loosey’s wings with a side of truffle fries is a religious experience bar food-wise, but St. Paddies day is all about really embracing your inner-Irish self. Loosey’s is offering an Irish Lamb stew. You read that right: Lamb stew. I was skeptical at first, but knowing Loosey’s, it’s safe to say that they will perfect that stew and it will be a hit.
After the meal, and of course, some more drinks, DJ Bill Mcfadden will spin the turntable into the night as fans will gather to enjoy Loosey’s fantastic beer selection. Loosey’s is where your night will really start. After a long day of drinking, this downtown dive will rejuvenate your Irish spirits.
The Crafty Bastards
This is a stop for all things Irish. And yes, that means some of less-celebrated traditional Irish dishes. Crafty Bastard will be throwing their second annual St. Patty’s Day celebration, so head over and celebrate in true Irish fashion: Guinness in anything and everything. Enjoy some Guinness stew and slow cooked corned beef and cabbage. There will be barrels of Guinness Extra Dry Stout, Killian’s Irish Red and Wexford Irish Style Crème Ale all to fuel your night of shenanigans. For updates, text “CRAFTY” to 435-06.
Mother’s Pub & Grill
We’ve all been to Mothers to drink $2 PBR tall boys, and eat 40-cent wings, but on St. Paddy’s day, Mothers has even more to offer. Being an Irish pub, St. Paddy’s day seems like the most important day of the year for Mothers; a limited menu with one of the Irish’s most famous dishes: corn beef and cabbage. Sure the food will give your St. Paddies day the authentic touch that it needs, but what about the drinks? Don’t worry, specials on green beer, Guinness and Irish car bombs will help you wash down that cabbage quit easily. Mothers is an authentic and intimate environment that should be your first stop on your St. Patrick’s Day bar hop.
First Magnitude
To celebrate with live music, special release beers, some classic Irish food and a costume contest, stop by local brewery First Magnitude. The Dozenaires will be playing Irish jig music from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and there will be two Irish First Magnitude beers on draft - their Irish Red Ale and Time Out Irish Stout. Off the Griddle will be adding a few classic Irish dishes to their regular menu to pair oh-so-perfectly with all that beer. Dress up in your best St. Patty’s Day attire for a chance to win a free 32oz growler of either of their two Irish beers. The best outfit will be judged by their highly trained bartenders.
The Jam
Celebrate St. Patty’s Day with the local intellectual hippies at The Jam. NYC trio Consider the Source will be providing the soundtrack of good times. “Drawing from progressive rock, fusion and jazz, with alien sounds soaked in Indian and Middle Eastern styles, CTS blends disparate parts into a striking, utterly original whole.” We have no idea what that means, but The Jam is always good fun, so head there for music and cheap beer.
Durty Nelly’s
Nobody does St. Patty’s Day quite like your local Irish pub. Scuttered The Bruce will be rocking the stage and if you’re feeling extra-Irish, specials include corned beef and cabbage alongside some other surprises. Need we say more?
The Bank
Frequent The Bank for Irish drink specials galore, including $2 Green Beers all night & tons of Bailey’s Drink specials. There will be 6 hours of live DJ’s like Side Trakd and Hellow. And because we know drunk you loves free things, there will be numerous ticket giveaways to Lucid Events. Don’t worry, they didn’t forget the drinking games either.
So Gainesville, we’ll leave you with an old Irish blessing that we found from a very hasty Google search: “May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light. May good luck pursue you each morning and night.” (And may your hangover be mild, too.)
