Even though the 2019 St. Patrick’s Day parade has been cancelled, that doesn’t mean you can’t still celebrate. From Irish jigs and pop-up shops to whiskey and bottomless green mimosas, check out any of these events to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this weekend.
If you’re looking to catch an Irish themed show with Irish dancing..
Dubbed the “most energetic and eclectic band” in D.C. by the Washington Post, Irish group Scythian will be performing at Union Stage along with the Maple Academy Irish Dancers. The acclaimed dancing troupe has had the honor of performing for both President George W. Bush and Obama. Be sure to bring the family and enjoy the full food and drink menu featuring local and national craft beers and handcrafted pizza. (Union Stage, March 17, 5 p.m. doors, 6 p.m. show, $22-$40)
The Washington Chorus will pay tribute to Irish conductor Christopher Bell’s homeland with their St. Patrick’s Day concert featuring sing-alongs, pipeplayers, fiddlers, and choral arrangements. Irish duo, guitarist John McIntyre and fiddler Zoe Conway are expected to make an appearance as well as students of the Culkin School of Traditional Irish Dance and folk band, Irish Inn Mates. (Kennedy Center, March 17, 3 p.m., $18-$72)
If you want to shop and snack on chocolate…
Swoon Chocolates is hosting a pop-up shop with Irish chocolates made with local and seasonal ingredients all made in D.C. Choose from a host of truffles and Ireland-inspired flavors, including Irish whiskey. (Shop Made in DC, March 17, 12 p.m.-3 p.m.)
If you’re looking to make some St. Patty’s treats…
Bring the family to decorate cookies at Baked & Wired’s “St. Patrick’s Day Big Ass Cookie Decorating” event this Friday. Additionally, the restaurant will be offering a collection of St. Patrick’s Day themed desserts like their Bomb cupcake: a chocolate cake filled with whiskey ganache and topped with Bailey’s buttercream and shamrock sprinkles. Plus, any of the ‘big ass cookies’ decorated and prepared by the Baked & Wired kitchen will be available for purchase throughout the weekend. Young children must be accompanied by an adult. (Baked & Wired, March 15, 4 p.m.-6 p.m., $7)
Put on your aprons and learn to prepare a menu of Irish dishes at Tastemakers’ St. Patrick’s Day Cooking Class. The meals prepared include cheddar & Guinness dip, shepherd’s pie, and Bailey’s Irish brownies. Tickets for this event are $75, and include a welcome snack, dinner, and a wine or beer of your choice. (Tastemakers, March 15, 7 p.m., $75)
If you’re looking to get in shape before the main event…
Fitbit Local is hosting a St. Patrick’s Sweat workout event featuring a core workout bootcamp followed by a yoga session with a live DJ. The invitation is open to any and all, so feel free to bring a group of friends. You don’t need to own any Fitbit products to participate, but you could win a Fitbit tracker during the event. (W Hotel, March 16, 12 p.m.-1 p.m., FREE)
If you want to celebrate all week long…
The Dubliner is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day all week with special tastings: Wednesday features Powers Irish Whiskey; Thursday is a “Spotlight on Spot Night: Green & Yellow Spot Tastings”; and tastings of Jameson “Caskmates” Stout & IPA Editions on Friday. The Pre-St. Patty’s Day celebration kicks off on Saturday at noon with an all-day party featuring live music and ballroom dancing. The Dubliner hosts its grand finale on Sunday starting at 9 a.m. with 45-cent Guinness until 10 a.m., and live music all day, with three bands on two stages. (The Dubliner, through March 17)
Both Valor Brewpub and The Ugly Mug are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this weekend with a list of food and drink specials. The sister establishments are offering: $5 Smithwicks, $5 Harps, $7 Black & Tans or Black and Ambers, and $6 Patty’s Irish Whiskey. There’s also a special Bogan Burger on offer, featuring Halpern Farm Ground beef, smoked cheddar, Valor Porter bacon onion jam, arugula, pickles, DRG sauce for $11.
Logan Tavern is hosting an all-day St. Patrick’s celebration with $10 food and drink specials including Corned Beef Poutine with Guinness Gravy and two signature cocktails: a Jameson & Midori cocktail named The Luck of The Irish and a Dublin Mule made of Jameson, fresh lime juice, and ginger beer. Additionally, happy hour will be extended from 3 p.m.-close in select areas. (Logan Tavern, all locations, March 17)
The Alex Speakeasy celebrates St. Patrick’s Day this weekend with Irish whiskey flights and food offerings. Guests can choose tasting flights from either Glendalough Irish Whiskey or Connacht Whiskey Company, with a full size pour of their favorite for $15. These flight specials can be paired with food deals like corned beef spring rolls ($12) and shepherd’s pie ($20) with braised pulled pork, available from open to 10pm. In authentic Irish fashion, whiskey flights are served from open til close. (The Alex Speakeasy, March 15-March 17)
Both City Tap Dupont and City Tap Penn Quarter will be serving a St. Patrick’s Day menu featuring beer-battered fish and chips, corned beef and cabbage spring rolls, and bread pudding. Guests will also be able to order any beer of their choice in a half-pour and top it off with Guinness. Anyone lucky enough to find a shamrock sticker underneath their beer glass wins a voucher for a free drink at a later date. For their brunch menu, the two locations will also serve a Irish breakfast platter and french toast topped with Lucky Charms marshmallows and whiskey syrup. On St. Patrick’s Day, the first 24 guests that buy a Guinness beer will receive a special etched glass with the City Tap and Guinness logos engraved. (City Tap Dupont, City Tap Penn Quarter, March 14-March 17)
City Winery is putting a special twist on their sauvignon blanc for St. Patrick’s Day. The restaurant will dye your glass of wine green per request. Additionally, shepherd’s pie is on the menu. (City Winery, March 17)
Pennsylvania 6 will celebrate St. Patty’s with bottomless melon green mimosas and unlimited pancakes topped with whipped cream, maple syrup, and shamrock sprinkles. If you’re looking to brunch in traditional Irish fashion, guests can order “Bangers & Hash,” made with an Irish banger, hash browns, and two shamrock-shaped fried eggs in a green bell pepper. (Pennsylvania 6, March 17, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.)
This post has been updated with more information about the Dubliner’s events.