Seasonal & Holidays
Patch's St. Patrick's Day Fun Guide: 14 Places to Eat, Drink and Dance in Southeast Michigan
Do you want to go uptown, hipster or to a place where people talk about "dogs at the bar as if they were regulars"?
St. Patrick’s Day is a little less than a week away. What’s your plan for the celebration?
We went to Yelp reviews to get some ideas on the best places to spend the holiday in metro Detroit. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it does include some of the top-reviewed establishments in the area.
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Do you agree?
- What’s your favorite St. Patty’s Day hangout? Leave a review in the comments.
Danny’s Irish Pub, 22824 Woodward Ave., downtown Ferndale: Ashleigh M. of Mount Clemens celebrated St. Patrick’s Day there last year, and she thinks the holiday rush of wall-to-wall celebrants may have diminished her experience. But she did say the place was great for people – and dog – watching. “People keep talking about this dog,” she wrote. “I’m looking for him next time. Nothing better than dogs at the bar as if they were regulars.”
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Rosie O’Grady’s, 279 W. Nine Mile Road, downtown Ferndale: John C. of Waterford Township says: “Amongst all the pretentious options Ferndale has to offer, this place is like a breath of fresh air for a guy from the sticks. No poutine, no kale, no small plates, no hipsters. There are a million bars like this in America but it might be the only one in Ferndale. …”
Blarney Stone Pub, 27253 Woodward Ave., Berkley: This place boasts broasted potatoes “so good they will distract you from your burger.” Joe V. of Canton visited while the bar was showing a live broadcast of the Detroit Lions playing in London, and the server did a “solid job” covering the bar, he said. He calls the food “heart-stoppingly good food” and says he’ll be back to the “welcoming, divey atmosphere ... so long as my arteries hold up.”
The Royal Oak Brewery, 215 E. Fourth St., Royal Oak: When he was there last month, Robert L. of Dearborn waxed poetic about the brewery’s seasonal ale: “Ahhh... Never was I so pleased to be buried in a snowdrift – Snowdrift Winter Ale, that is. She arrived a beautiful, clear, inviting amber with a cute, lacy little head. She washed across my tongue with a sincere hops bite, but mellowed sweetly as she made her way to the back of my throat and into my belly, where her 7.5% ABV addled my brain – as any lover would – and kicked my liver out of its dietary slumber and into high gear. Oh, yeah. I think I’ll have another.”
The Rock On Third, 112 E. Third St., downtown Royal Oak: Ashleigh M. of Mount Clemens loves this bar, too. The icing on the cake during a recent visit: “Our waitress then comes over and tells us that Jameson is also on special and shots are free. I think my facial expression said it all because she took that as a yes. Jameson for free? It’s not St. Patricks Day! It’s a Thursday night where I just wanted one more beer before heading home. …
”SideStreet Diner, 630 St. Clair St., downtown Grosse Pointe: This might be a good place to start St. Patrick’s Day, for a day-after breakfast. Lindsay J. of St. Clair Shores goes there at least twice a week with her fiance. “The breakfast is always amazing,” she says. “Make sure you get the cranberry nut bread as your toast option. The Mexican omelette with veggie black bean chili atop is my favorite breakfast item to order. … Great place. Great service. I’ve never eaten here and left less than satisfied.”
Dooleys Tavern, 27 E. 14 Mile Road, Clawson: Red W., who visited from Albuquerque, NM, thinks the reviewers who dissed this bar are either “on drugs or anal retentive.” He praised the beer selection and staff, who were “attentive without being in your face,” guided by a manager who is “awesome, engaging and makes this place run smooth like a nubile angel skinny dipping in warm waters.” No, Red W. says, there’s no quinoa or hand-rubbed Kobe beef on the menu, “but that’s not why you come to an Irish bar.”
Sean O’Callaghan’s Pub, 821 Penniman Ave., Plymouth: Grace L. of Detroit writes Sean O’Callaghan’s is a “great find in downtown Plymouth.” She was impressed by the potato leek soup, served with crunch onion strings and filled with chunks of onions and potatoes. “I would definitely come back to try more dishes,” she wrote. “ “The prices are reasonable and while it’s a bar, there’s a really nice seating place where it’s quieter.”
Pat O’Brien’s Tavern, 22385 E. 10 Mile Road, St. Clair Shores: James H. of Clinton Township puts it simply: “Come for the original atmosphere, buy the perch for the meal. This place has enough unique offerings to make it a go-to place for the nights you don’t want to cook, or if you have a quick need for a bit of Irish offerings. Their Cottage Pie (think Shepherd’s Pie) is really. REALLY good.”
Clancy’s Irish Pub, 42012 Hayes Road, Clinton Township: Jason V. of Sterling Heights recommends Clancy’s for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration. “I love this place we eat there all the time,” he wrote. “It was perfect for St. Patricks Day. The burgers are awesome and I also dig the Bloody Mary. I want to try the Reuben pizza when I get a chance. I would recommend this to anyone looking for great pub food.The Clancy’s burger rocks.”
The Moose Preserve Bar & Grill, 43034 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills: Neil Y. of Hamtramck writes, “I’m a Michigan man and I love the log cabin, Up Northy feel. … If this is going to be your only visit I recommend the Road Kill Grill where you get quail, venison and wild boar. The fried chicken dinner is also delicious and enormous. Two can easily split most entrees. You will be hard pressed to find this anywhere else.” He also recommends the Bloody Moose, “one of the area’s best,” he says, and he promises “you’ll love the moose sausage in the garnish.”
Asahi Sushi,41860 Garfield Road, Clinton Township: Sushi isn’t Irish – but then, most of the St. Patrick’s Day celebrants aren’t either – so if you’re interested in adding some international flair to your celebration, the St. Patrick roll might just be the ticket, says M.W. of Clawson. “Still my go-to sushi and Korean place! Love the variety of rolls available and they literally have to best spicy mayo sauce EVER! I’m also a huge fan of their house ginger salad dressing, yum!”
Garage Grill & Fuel Bar, 202 W. Main St., Northville: Khadija K. of West Bloomfield likes the remodeled gas station/car shop, where memorabilia from the building’s past hangs on the walls and is featured in tabletop decorations, and gives the place an “A+ for creativity and charm.” Khadija said delicious pizza, a quick and friendly wait staff, extensive menu options contributed to an “overall an enjoyable eating experience.”
29 Park, 43155 Main St., Novi: If clubbing is on your St. Patrick’s Day party planner, Katie C. of Southfield says 29 Park is a great bet for those “want to go out for a night and just loosen up this is the place to go.” She likes that the dress code is strictly enforced and security is watchful. “When I was there last time I had a random guy bothering me; the security watches out for you. If they see an issue they will step in,” she wrote.” It is nice to know they are watching over you.”
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