Thrillist, the New York-based guy’s version of Daily Candy, reminds readers in today’s email that, “For some, St. Patrick's Day is a reason to call in sick, then drink all day. For others, it's a reason to work 'til lunch, then drink all day.” With the St. Patrick’s Day parade and the Shamrock Fest a distant memory, is the same true for the District? Will your Irish or Irish-at-heart boss mind if you ditch work early?

For those hell-bent on embracing your inner Irishman, Fritz Hahn of the Post has done the legwork for you in his St. Patrick’s Day roundup of where to get your drink on with the masses. However, if you’re more inclined to avoid hordes of drunks, but would like to give a nod to your favorite Irish holiday, we offer these suggestions:

Pay tribute to your favorite bartender:
Since St. Patrick’s Day and booze are inextricably linked -- for better or for worse -- this may be the day to thank your favorite bartender for a great wine recommendation or for all those buybacks.
Cashions. 1819 Columbia Road NW.
Tunnicliff’s Tavern. 222 7th Street SE.

Forget the Irish, just go for the beer:
Since it’s connected to a pizza place and run by a guy named Thor, this may be the perfect destination for a beer pilgrimage away from the crowds. Birreria Paradisio offers 16 drafts and 80 bottled beers.
Birreria Paradiso. 3282 M Street NW.

Whiskey River, don’t run dry:
If beer doesn’t do it for you, there’s always the hard stuff. And of course, when we hear “whiskey” we think “...sexual athlete. Women want you and men want to be like you (or vice versa). You have class, talent, wit, and brains.” Though Bourbon’s whiskey is from stateside, Tabard Inn may have the Irish brand you seek.
Bourbon. 2321 18th Street NW.
Tabard Inn. 1739 N Street NW.

Seek out the best corned beef in town:
Corned beef and cabbage is not necessarily authentic Irish fare, but for whatever reason, we associate it with Irish, anyway. Pam the Butcher’s corned beef is legendary. In the case of this holiday, it may be a case of high demand, short supply. Call her at Brookeville Market ahead of time to see if she has it. For the more adventurous, we’re told by Mark Slater, Citronelle’s wine guru, that DeliCity offers, “The.Most.Unbelievable.Corned.Beef.Period.”
Brookeville Market. 3427 Connecticut Avenue NW.
DeliCity Restaurant. 2200 Bladensburg Road NE.

Dine with the Irish:
Book a reservation for the Tasting Room or the Bistro at Restaurant Eve, owned by Dublin natives Cathal and Meshelle Armstrong.
Restaurant Eve. 110 South Pitt Street. Alexandria.

Be convinced that Irish cuisine isn’t an oxymoron:
1789 offers a three course Irish dinner that dispels the myths that Irish food means boiled potatoes and cabbage. The menu includes Dublin Bay prawns with artichoke stew, braised beef brisket with foie gras, and of course, Irish soda bread, among other tempting items. Dinner is $52 a person.
1789. 1226 36th Street NW.