Where LA’s Irish Eyes Will Be Smiling

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Ah, St. Patrick’s Day. Like many of the great holidays, the ne plus ultra of Amateur Nights has transcended its origins and become an orgy of excess that has little to do with its namesake. That said, at least you’ll have an endless choice of places where you can get a pint or enjoy your whiskey amongst friends. Here are just a few, listed by their start times. (Updated 3/17)

Casey’s Irish Pub (6am)
613 S. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 629-2353
www.caseysirishpub.com
KROQ’s Kevin and Bean will be broadcasting at Casey’s from 6-10am, kicking off a day of drink specials, Irish food, live music and DJ sets.

Blue Palms Brewhouse (11am)
6124 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 464-2337
www.bluepalmsbrewhouse.com
If you want something a little different, Blue Palms will be tapping Guinness infused with dry cherries and espresso beans, along with hemp ale (the “other” green beer), Irish food specials and a Catholic School Girl contest.

Rush Street (11:30am)
9546 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 837-9546
www.rushstreetculvercity.com
With its extensive Irish beer list, the “Four Leaf Clover” of Irish Whiskeys, and music by the Dublin 4, the multi-level Culver City venue will be rocking from lunch onwards.

Bar*Food (12pm)
12217 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 820-3274
www.barfoodla.com
Whatever you do, don’t ask owner Jason Killalee for a green beer. Then again, with his fantastic pub grub and 45 Irish whiskies to choose from, why would you?

Hungry Cat (12pm)
1535 Vine St.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 462-2155
www.thehungrycat.com
The Cat will be celebrating with an all-day happy hour (1/2 price specialty cocktails and draft beers), plus $4 Murphy’s Irish Stouts, Irish Slings, and $6 picklebacks. That’s right, picklebacks.

The Edison (5pm)
108 W. 2nd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 613-0000
www.edisondowntown.com
“Celebrate the Luck of the Irish” during the Edison’s Cocktail Hour, from 5-7pm. Get a Murphy’s Red Irish Beer and a Reuben sandwich for $10, or have any mixer with Potato Vodka for $1 (one per guest, during Cocktail Hour only). For the rest of the night, the Edison will offer $9 Potato Vodka drinks and $5 Murphy’s Irish Reds.

Wilshire Restaurant (10pm)
2454 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 586-1707
www.wilshirerestaurant.com
$50 gets you an open bar from 10pm til close, including signature cocktails, Irish whiskies and beer.

Squid Ink has some great St. Patrick’s Day options and a couple of cocktail recipes, including the Token Irishman from Michael Shearin at Drago Centro.

For comprehensive lists of St. Patrick’s Day happenings, check out:

• Citysearch
• The Happy Hour Tour
• LAist
• LA Times

Wherever you end up, be safe my friends.

May your troubles be less,
And your blessings be more.
And nothing but happiness,
Come through your door.

Beannachtam na Feile Padraig!