Where to Go and What to Drink on St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day in college is no longer about celebrating the real St. Patrick who the holiday was originally named after. It is now an excuse to go out with your friends and get hammered on the specially concocted holiday drinks.

There are so many different parties and events hosted for St. Patrick’s Day that it is hard to pick which one to attend. For those who are 21 and older, an event that is close to home and to Bloomsburg, is the annual “St. Paddy’s” pub-crawl that takes place in Philadelphia for St. Patrick’s Day.

St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Monday, but the Saturday before, on March 15, is when the pub-crawl will begin. If you wish to attend there are different passes to fit your drinking needs that range from $5 to $50, Saturday through Monday. Anyone who purchases tickets will have access to all of the best drink specials at all of the best bars in downtown Philadelphia. The best part about the event, and no doubt the safest part of the event, is that the bars are all within walking distance of one another.

The specially concocted drinks for St. Patrick’s Day in Philadelphia are a huge incentive to attend.

Start your day off with The Eye Opener: It is an Irish Coffee that includes one mug of hot coffee, 2 sugar cubes, and 1 ounce of Irish whiskey topped with whipped cream.

Once you have woken up with an Eye Opener, you may want to start your day off slow before pounding back mixed drinks and shots with Philadelphia’s special Drafts.

Dock Street Brewing Company: Dry Irishman is “A roasted bitter flavor and subtle chocolate notes. The dry flavor is complemented with smoothness from flaked barley.” (ABV 4%) You’ll need a growler to bring this one home.

Prism Brewing Company: Red Zone is a “spicy ale is based on an Irish Red. The cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice and local maple syrup are featured prominently over the pale, aromatic, roasted barley, and Cara-8 malt, Northern Brewer and Fuggle hops. (ABV 6.6%) Beer finder.”

Victory Brewing Company: Donnybrook Stout is a “Low alcohol and roasted barley make this a clean and flavorful session stout. Smell the peat through whole flower British and Slovenian hops. (ABV 3.7%) Beer finder.”

Yards: Love Stout is “A traditionally creamy yet slightly sweet stout with roasted malt and luscious notes of coffee and chocolate. (ABV 5.5%) Beer finder.

Yuengling: Black & Tan is a combination of “their dark brewed porter with premium beer. Hints of caramel and coffee give it a smooth finish. (ABV 4.7%) Beer finder.

The Drink That Shall Not be Named could be called “an ‘Irish Coffee Drop’ or ‘Danny Boy’s Boilermaker’. (Either way, don’t look for it in Ireland. Like corned beef and cabbage, it’s not a thing there.) It includes a 1/2 pint Irish Stout, 1/2 ounce Irish Cream, and ounce Irish whiskey.

After you have gotten your buzz on, it’s time to get serious with mixed drinks and shooters.

Everybody’s Irish includes 2 ounces of Irish whiskey, 1 tablespoon of green crème de menthe, and 1 tablespoon of green chartreuse.

The Emerald Isle includes 1 ounce of gin, 1 teaspoon of green crème de menthe, and 2 Dashes Bitters.