Bust out the green and “Kiss Me I’m Irish” tees because St. Patrick’s Day is almost here. This March 17, there are plenty of spots in Los Angeles and Orange Country to get your drink on. And with the holiday falling on a Saturday, you won’t even have to call in sick to work this year. Check out the best bars for celebrating St. Paddy’s Day in the City Of Angels.
Rock & Reilly’s
It doesn’t get wilder than the Sunset Strip. Rock & Reilly’s is hosting its 7th annual Block Party to benefit MVP: Merging Vets & Players. Starting at 10 a.m., the back lot party will feature DJs, food, games and 100 kegs of green beer. The prohibition-era style hotspot will also be open during the party and offers 45 exclusive, hand-crafted whiskeys, making it the largest stock of Irish whiskey in all of Los Angeles. There is also no shortage of draft beers and a massive food menu including their famous Irish Nachos featuring homemade kettle chips topped with peppered bacon, Irish cheddar, scallions and corn salsa.
8911 W. Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, rockandreillys.com/sunset-strip, @rockandreillys
Casey’s Irish Pub
Arguably the site of Downtown’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day bash, Casey’s Irish Pub will host a 21+ street festival, four blocks long, from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. featuring 450 kegs of beer, 1,200 bottles of Jameson, over 30 bartenders and Irish fare provided by Casey’s Irish Pub. Guests will enjoy live music and dancing, as well as the 900 square foot The RideYellow lounge. Covered in green astroturf, the lounge will include plenty of sitting area, corn hole games and giveaways from RideYellow. Admission is free before 1 p.m. and after 1 p.m., admission is $20 and gets you into both the festival and Casey’s Irish Pub (guests can purchase at the entrance). If you want to get an even earlier start, head into Casey’s at 6 a.m. for a wake-me-up pint.
613 South Grand Ave., Los Angeles, 213hospitality.com/project/caseys/, @caseysirishpub
Tom Bergin’s LA
Follow the glowing green shamrock sign to Tom Bergin’s. Since 1936, Tom Bergin’s has been serving up their famous Irish Coffee, made with Tullamore DEW and there’s better to sip on St. Patrick’s Day to wake you up and give you a buzz that will get you ready to celebrate in style. The bar also features a wide Guinness selection and is famous for its pickleback shot made with whiskey and housemade pickle juice. To eat, order the Shepherd’s Pie or the Alice & Willard’s Short Rib made with A&W root beer sauce.
840 S. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036, tombergins.com, @tomberginsla
Muldoon’s Irish Pub
Muldoon’s Irish Pub in Newport Beach is hosting a hell of a St. Patrick’s Day Party starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The bar will offer Irish specialties for breakfast, lunch and dinner, faster fare in The Celtic Bar, two Live Bands and dancing all night long. Best part? No cover charge! Don’t be intimidated by their extensive drink menu; we suggest opting for the Irish Mule with Tullamore DEW ginger beer and lime.
202 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, www.muldoonspub.com, @muldoonsnb
Dublin 4 Gastropub
Dublin 4 Gastropub opened its doors on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2012 so it’s two celebrations in one. This OC spot always has Guinness on tap as well as nine rotating, locally made beers. If you love gin, try their Bells and Whistles, a cocktail made with Hendrick’s Gin, muddled red bell pepper, chartreuse, lime and honey. Hungry? Grab some classic fish and chips or the Kurobuta Pork and Braised Napa Cabbage.
26342 Oso Parkway, Mission Viejo, dublin4gastropub.com, @dublin4gastropub
Busby’s East
Do you feel lucky? Hit up the Second Annual St. Patrick’s Day Comedy Showcase at Busby’s East featuring performances by Veronica Kwiatkowski, Christine King, Brandon Lawrence, Andy Southern, Renaldo Evans, Kalea McNeil, Nicci B, DevenBouchet, Pau Jarius, Justin Glockler and Christina Morador. The night will also celebrate the birthday of comedian Trent Jones. The afterparty will be St. Patrick’s themed featuring plenty of drinks, food, music and bar games. Bring your own cigars if you want to check out the cigar lounge too. Pre-sale tickets are $15 online and $20 at the door.
5364 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, Busbysla.com, @busbys.east
Malarky’s
Opening at 6:30 a.m. (damn that’s early), Malarky’s on the Balboa Peninsula is hosting an 18 hour St. Patrick’s Day bash. This pub is always popular, especially on the holiday, so be sure to get there early to avoid a line. Once you’re in, order a Glenfiddich on the rocks or neat; the only real way to enjoy this delicious whiskey. The bar also has a seemingly endless list beers and also serves up breakfast bites like Corned Beef Hash & Eggs and Cinnamon French Toast to help get the day started.
3011 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach, malarkysirishpub.com, @malarkysnb
The Craftsman Bar & Kitchen
Known as Santa Monica’s friendliest beach side bar, The Craftsman Bar & Kitchen is set in the living room of a 1920s Craftsman-style house. The casual set has games, live music and serves up happy hour everyday (yes, even Saturdays). Take advantage of their cheap beers and snack like deviled eggs, buffalo chicken fingers and their world famous tater tots. To get in the St. Paddy’s spirit, order the Whiskey Mule, a variation of the traditional mule includes Tullamore DEW Irish Whiskey, lime juice, sugar and ginger beer.
119 Broadway, Santa Monica, Thecraftsmanbar.com, @thecraftsmanbar
The Phoenix
If rowdy parties or green beer aren’t your scene. class it up at The Phoenix on 3rd St. This quieter spot may not be a traditional Irish bar but it certainly serves up a loooong list of whiskies including Balvenie 21-Year Portwood and Irishman Founder’s Reserve. Pair it with their Grilled Lamb Sausage or Skirt Steak.
8480 W 3rd St., Los Angeles, Thephoenixla.com, @thephoenixla
MiniBar Hollywood
Why hit up one spot when you can tear through seven? MiniBar Hollywood will be leading the second “Hollywood Crawl of Fame”, a St. Patrick’s Day Parade through Hollywood. Attendees will celebrate the special holiday by enjoying premium signature cocktails at some of Los Angeles’ most popular mixology hotspots, with Live Irish Music and a party at the finish line. The venues participating include MiniBar, Ever Bar, The Parker Room, Sassafras, Sunset & Vinyl, Lost Property, and Three Clubs. Each venue will feature a signature cocktail created with a spirit from Disaronno International’s portfolio. Standouts include The Irish Godfather at The Parker Room made with Irishman Founder’s Reserve, Disaronno and an orange peel and The Rich Mahogany at Sunset & Vinyl made with Writer’s Tears Irish Whiskey, Becherovka, allspice, bitters and expressed orange.
The Walsh Whiskey Distilleries line of premium Irish whiskies will also be featured at several of the stops on the parade. The $25 ticket includes a taste of three liqueurs and three whiskies, along with a brief education on each, and the kickoff cocktail at MiniBar. The Parade begins at 3:30 p.m.
6141 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, Minibarhollywood.com, @minibarhollywood
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