Updated March 2016
We may not dye the Mississippi River emerald green like our neighbors to the southeast do with the Chicago River, but we still know how to celebrate Irish culture and tradition on March 17—from the popular afternoon parade in downtown St. Paul to the evening parade down Marquette in downtown Minneapolis. On St. Patrick’s Day, “there are only two kinds of people in the world, the Irish and those who wish they were.” And if you’re not Irish (I’m German, Norwegian, Swedish and French), just remember a few key Irish expressions—and wear green—and you’ll fit right in: “Erin go bragh!” (Ireland forever!), “May the roof above us never fall in, and may we friends beneath it never fall out,” “May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks. May your heart be as light as a song. May each day bring you bright, happy hours, that stay with you all the year long” and “Sláinte!” (Cheers!).
50th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 17
Noon
Downtown St. Paul
The parade travels west along Fifth Street beginning at Wacouta Street, wraps around Rice Park and turns south at Fourth Street and Market. This is one of the longest running St. Patrick’s Day parades in the entire country. For more information, visit stpaulmn.org.
Minneapolis Parade
March 17
7:30 p.m.
Downtown Minneapolis
The Minneapolis St. Patrick’s Day Parade is just as much about promoting awareness and raising funds for charity as it is about having fun. Proceeds from the $5 button sales benefit Camp Needlepoint, providing unforgettable camping experiences for kids living with diabetes. The parade lines up on Marquette Avenue and 11th Street, starting at 6:35 p.m. For more information, visit mplsstpats.org.
St. Patrick’s Day Irish Celebration
March 17
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Landmark Center, downtown St. Paul
Enjoy regional and local Irish music, Irish dancing, Celtic vendors, Irish cuisine, pipe bands and children’s crafts and entertainment during the annual St. Patrick’s Day Irish Celebration. Tickets are $6 for adults, $4 for kids 5-12, and may be purchased at the door. For the lineup, visit irishmusicanddanceassociation.org.
Free rides March 17
Some of the state’s biggest celebrations will take place Thursday afternoon and evening in local Irish bars. In order to discourage drinking and driving, all Metro Transit rides will be free from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. — 29 bus routes, the Green Line, and Blue Line. Sponsored by Miller Lite, Miller Free Rides is a community service program in partnership with Metro Transit, J.J. Taylor Distributing Company, and Miller Lite. For a list of routes, visit metrotransit.org.
If you’re not sure where to celebrate, here’s a roundup of Irish bars in the area.
Excelsior
Jake O’Connor’s, 200 Water St., Excelsior. Authentic Irish food and drinks and a large, high-energy St. Patrick’s Day party March 17. jakeoconnors.com
Minneapolis
• Blarney Pub & Grill, 412 14th Ave. SE. (Dinkytown), Minneapolis. Live music and drink specials. blarneymn.com
• Keegan’s Irish Pub, 16 University Ave. NE, Minneapolis (St. Anthony East neighborhood). Erin Rouge at 3:30 p.m. Minnesota Police Bagpipe Band at 4:30 p.m., and Four Pints Shy at 7 p.m. Stick around for the tent party and special food menu 9 a.m.-midnight. Order a Guinness—Keegan’s is continuously honored by Guinness for the way they properly pour and serve their beer. keeganspub.com
• Kieran’s Irish Pub, 85 Sixth St. N., Minneapolis. Live music from Broken Spoke, Stirring Ashes, and Erin Rogue! Appearances by the Minneapolis Police Pipe Band and Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band. kierans.com
• Merlins Rest Pub, 3601 E. Lake St., Minneapolis. Order a full Irish breakfast (Merlins opens at 9 a.m. St. Patty’s Day) or corned beef and cabbage for lunch, and enjoy lively bagpipe music all day. merlinsrest.com
• O’Donovan’s Irish Pub, 700 N. First Ave., Minneapolis (across from First Ave). Live music starts early on March 17. odonovans.com
• The Local, 931 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis. Enjoy fish and chips and some good craic at The Local. the-local.com
Rosemount
• Celts Irish Pub and Grill, 14506 S. Robert St., Rosemount. (Visit celts-pub.com for more Celts Pub locations)
Stillwater
• Charlie’s Irish Pub at the Water Street Inn, 101 Water St., Stillwater. Enjoy a pint of Guinness or Irish whisky at this waterfront pub. charliesrestaurant.us
• Pub 112, 112 S. Main St., Stillwater. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with live music, free giveaways, an all-day party, and of course, cold beer. pub112.com
St. Louis Park
• Cooper Pub & Restaurant, 1607 Park Place Blvd., St. Louis Park. Traditional Irish food, the Vincent Burger, whiskey, beers, and fun for the Irish and Irish-loving people. cooperpub.com
• Kip’s Authentic Irish Pub, 9970 Wayzata Blvd., St. Louis Park. Lunch specials, live music starting at 2 p.m., featuring the Holy Ground, live Irish Dancers, and Tim Malloys. kipspub.com
St. Paul
• Half Time Rec, 1013 Front Ave., St. Paul. Half Time Rec is well-known as a fun place to celebrate all things Irish. The Irish Brigade Band will be playing from 2-6 p.m., followed by Roger Huerta from 7-11p.m. The menu features Irish grub with beer battered fish and chips, and Rueben poppers. halftimerec.com
The Liffey Irish Pub, 175 West Seventh St., St. Paul. The Liffey is a hot-spot following the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. theliffey.com
• O’Gara’s Bar and Grill, 164 North Snelling Ave., St. Paul. The party starts at 8 a.m. Live music in the dining room, Shanty, piano room, and tent. ogaras.com
• Patrick McGovern’s, 225 West Seventh St., St. Paul. Party in a tent on Thursday, March 17 featuring three DJs. Only cash will be accepted. patmcgoverns.com
• Shamrocks Irish Nook, 995 West Seventh St., St. Paul. Enjoy live music, an outside tent party, leprechaun look-alike contest, green hair contest, bag pipes, corned beef and cabbage, and drink specials on St. Patrick’s Day. crnook.com
Woodbury
• O’Malley’s Irish Pub, 1775 Radio Dr., Woodbury. Authentic Irish food and drinks (Finnegans, Harp, Guinness, and Smithwicks on tap). omalleys-pub.com
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