As holidays go, St. Patrick's Day is among the most loved and misunderstood. It's easy to find fans of catchy cocktails like the Irish Car Bomb (Jameson whiskey and Bailey's Irish Cream liqueur dropped into a half pint of Guinness stout). But beyond the drinking, eating and next-day hangover, not much thought goes into this festival of Irish heritage.
Traditionally, St. Patrick's Day honors the Patron Saint of Ireland, and the spread of Christianity to the island. But the holiday is more broadly celebrated in the South Sound, where after a few Guinnesses, anyone can be Irish.
For many South Sounders, Sunday, March 17 will be dedicated to wearing green and drinking gratuitous amounts of green beer and Irish whiskey. They'll chew their way through Guinness with its dark, rich and deep flavors. They'll chow on corned beef dishes. And they'll end the day of shenanigans with images of leprechauns dancing in their dreams. Come Monday, the pots of gold at the end of the rainbow will be replaced with wicked hangovers. Many an Excel document will not be opened.
If there any South Sounders out there who can't remember their last few St. Patrick's Days, here's what to expect.
The downtown Tacoma brewpub will feature a plethora of culinary goods from the Emerald Isle including corned beef and cabbage, Shepherd's Pie, lamb sliders and all-you-can-eat fish and chips beginning at 3 p.m. Live entertainment will be provided by the Pierce County Pipe and Drum Band at 4:30 p.m. 1938 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
The downtown Tacoma bar will serve corned beef and cabbage as well as Shepherd's Pie Friday-Sunday St. Patrick's Day weekend. Expect live music in the afternoon and evening Sunday. 1904 Jefferson Ave., Tacoma
The waterfront fine-dining house will serve traditional Irish fare and drink specials Friday-Sunday, with Irish dancers, bagpipers at The Cottonwood Cut-ups Saturday night, then a big brunch Sunday. 3017 Ruston Way, Tacoma
The Sixth Avenue joint is going big St. Patrick's Day. It will hostthe vibrant bluesy tunes of Vicci Martinez. It is a general admission, first-come first-serve show and sure to sell out fast. 2803 6th Avenue, Tacoma
It could be the close quarters to Doyle's Public House that's to blame or maybe they are just party animals because the Harmon Tap Room isn't just partying for one day - It's a weekend affair. The Stadium District brewpub will showcase several bands from Friday, March 15 until Sunday, Saint Patrick's Day - both on stage and outdoors under a tent. It's sure to be a doozy. 204 Saint Helen's Ave., Tacoma
The downtown Olympia barbeque joint will host a St. Patrick's Day party in its Pig Bar featuring rockin' jugband Mudcat at 6 p.m. Expect food and drink specials right when the doors open at 4 p.m. 619 Legion Way SE, Olympia
Dirty Oscar's will liven up its usual Saturday evening with live music from Dava Tara. Sunday, it will be a full-on Irish brew tap takeover with foodie specials for the hungry starting at 8 a.m. 2309 Sixth Ave., Tacoma
Of course the downtown Tacoma arcade is celebrating St. Patrick's Day.Sorry kiddies, Dorky's is going adult Sunday night allowing gamers to get their beer and wine on. 754 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
The Olympia house of Irish begins its St. Patrick's Day bright and early at 7 a.m. with breakfast. Bangers and mash? You bet - with a beer garden, bagpipes and Irish sessions music from start to finish. Reservations in family area accepted. 4411 Martin Way, Olympia
The historic downtown Olympia restaurantwill host Loch Dhu - a quintet that will keep the evening lively with upbeat and wild Celtic tunes beginning at 8 p.m. 114 Fourth Ave., Olympia
Doyle's Public House in Tacoma's Stadium District enjoys the distinction of being the number one Jameson Irish Whiskey bar in the Pacific Northwest, and was voted one of Esquire magazine's Best Bars in America. The self-proclaimed site of Washington state's largest St. Patrick's Day celebration, Doyle's features an enormous outdoor beer garden in a revival-like tent with live music, shenanigans and boisterous merrymaking March 14-17. Besides the outdoor tent with a draft trailer, soccer and food specials, expect live music from The Fucking Eagles, Bog Hoppers, Phasers on Kill and others. 208 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma
The Tacoma joint will also put your stamina to the test with an all-weekend shindig. Friday, Loch Dhu performs at 9 p.m. Saturday, George Grissom entertains at 9 p.m. Sunday, The Fire Inside kicks the day off at noon with Grissom back at 6 p.m. and the Pierce County Pipes and Drums at 10 p.m. Is Paddy's employment of the most Irish-accented lads on staff a coincidence? We think not. 815 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
The Irish restaurant in DuPont will go big this weekend hosting a beer garden, live music, DJs and drink specials Friday-Sunday. 1595 Wilmington Dr., DuPont
O'Malley's has loaded St. Patrick's Day with music featuring The Fun Police, Shivering Denizens, DB & The Struggle, Menace, Smoke Like Daddy, Joel and Lauren Lively, Mr. Blackwatch, Seamus and Suzanne and the Fireman Pipes and Drums on indoor and outdoor stages. 2403 Sixth Ave., Tacoma
Pint Defiance hosts Alex, Dion, Greg and Andrew from Airways Brewing Company for an evening of laughs, beer and brewery swag giveaways. The beer store/tavern will pour Airways' new Oatmeal Session Pale Ale, Tropical Stout (chocolate stout with toasted coconut) and Pint Defiance's exclusive Hopped-Up Hag. Airways will pour its brand new cans of Oatmeal Session Ale and Pre-Flight Pilsner. Sky Hag attire is encouraged! 2049 Mildred St. W., Tacoma
What other partieis are going down? Comment below.