Patch Picks: Best O’ Blarney on St. Patrick’s Day

Patch Picks highlights both editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off, and more.

This time around, let us suggest the greatest places to spend St. Patty’s Day. From Celtic tunes to Irish fare, there are plenty of places to go to celebrate. If you’re a college basketball fan, consider the day a double whammy. The NCAA tournament kicks off that day also. Not to worry, our local favorites are tuning up the TV’s for March Madness also. So, throw on your best green outfit, and/or team regalia, and head out for a fantastic night o’ fun.

– It doesn’t get more authentic Irish than this in Media. On the menu, they’re serving ham and cabbage, bangers and mash, Irish stew and Shepherd’s pie. Sligo is known for its Irish beers on tap, including Guinness, Smithwick’s and Harp Lager. Irish whiskey is also available. You can bet on live Irish music too. The NCAA tournament will be on downstairs, and upstairs too on their 10 foot HD TV.

– There will be plenty o’ Irish eyes smiling at The Plum on St. Pat’s. Specials include traditional ham and cabbage with boiled potatoes. Guinness and Smithwick’s will be the beers on special. Basketball fans are sure to like the hi-def TVs all around the bar to catch every March Madness minute.

– This historical restaurant has St. Pat’s Day covered from food to drink to music. They’re serving Angus corned beef and cabbage at both lunch and dinner, and a special Irish stew for dinner. Toast with green beer, Irish beer and Irish whiskey. There will be green hats and Irish potatoes for guests, who will also enjoy performances by bagpipers and a troubadour.

Springfield Country Club – Celtic rock band, Blackthorn, who has drawn crowds in the Delaware Valley for two decades, is taking the stage at Springfield Country Club this year. The St. Patty’s party also includes Irish food, Irish beer and Irish dancers. They’ll also have TVs set up for the NCAA tournament. For more information, and advance tickets, visit the Web site.

JD McGillicuddy’s Brookline – With a name like JD McGillicuddy’s, you know it’s bound to be a good Irish time. There’s Guinness on tap, and Harp and Bass in bottles. For the Irish whiskey drinker, they’ll have $5 "Big Gingers" on special, which are drinks made of Jameson and ginger ale. There are many other happy hour drink and appetizer specials, and also on Thursdays from 7 to 11 p.m., pizzas are half off. McGillicuddy’s also features several big screen TVs for the basketball action.