Restaurant Specials, Parties: St. Patrick's Day Events Around Vienna

VIENNA, VA — St. Patrick’s Day is on a Friday this year, and local restaurants and bars will be swimming in Kelly green. There will be plenty of ways to celebrate Irish culture and heritage, so dress in your best green attire and head out to celebrate at Vienna's small businesses.

There's good news for Catholics who abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent but want to enjoy some corned beef and cabbage. In Northern Virginia, Bishop Michael F. Burbage of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington is granting dispensation from the abstinence from meat on March 17 this year. This extends to any Catholics who are in the diocese during St. Patrick's Day.

"Those taking advantage of this dispensation, however, are exhorted to undertake a work of charity, an exercise of piety, or an act of comparable penance on some other occasion during the Third Week of Lent," according to the diocese website.

For those seeking a safe ride home from St. Patrick's Day festivities, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program's 2023 St. Patrick’s SoberRide program is planned between 4 p.m. Friday, March 17 and 4 a.m. on Saturday, March 18. Because the holiday is considered a high-risk time for intoxicated driving, the program will offer a Lyft ride up to $15.

Below are restaurant specials and events happening in and around Vienna. If you know of other specials, leave a comment below or send an email to Emily.Leayman@patch.com.

St. Paddy's Day Specials at Bear Branch Tavern: Friday, March 17

Enjoy specials all day as well as live music starting at 6:30 p.m. There will be shepherd's pie, corned beef and cabbage, Guinness stew, Reuben sandwiches, Reuben egg rolls, green Irish mule drinks, frozen whiskey smash, Irish car bombs, hot and cold Irish coffee, and more.

St. Patrick's Day at Vienna Moose Lodge: Friday, March 17, 5 p.m.

Come out for beer specials from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., dancers from The Maple Academy of Irish Dance performing at 7 p.m. and a quick dance class afterward, and a sale from Rustic Love Vienna.

St. Patrick's Day at Inca Social: Friday, March 17, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Come to Inca Social for bar specials like green beer, Jameson and car bombs, and more.

St. Patrick's Day Storytime & Craft at Patrick Henry Library: Saturday, March 18, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

This event for children ages 3 to 6 features St.Patrick's Day stories, songs, and rhymes with Ms. Marina. Storytime will be followed by a craft. Registration is not required.

Saint Patrick’s Day Dance Party at Tysons Ballroom & Dancesport Center: Friday, March 17, 7 p.m.

Join this mini group class with food and drinks.

Mardi Bras 2023: Friday, March 17, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

While this fundraiser for nonprofit BRAWS isn't St. Patrick's Day themed, it falls on the holiday. Enjoy music, dancing, food, drinks, raffles, a photobooth and more at Westwood Country Club. BRAWS provides free menstrual items and undergarments to women and girls in Virginia. Purchase a ticket in advance to attend.

Ireland's Four Provinces St. Patrick's Day: Friday, March 17

Enjoy K'eggs" breakfast fare from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., three-course lunch and dinner seatings, live music in the dining room and on the patio, and an Irish favorites menu all day. Reservations are recommended.

St. Patrick's Day at The Auld Shebeen: Fairfax City's own Irish pub will offer its usual selection of Irish fare and drinks on St. Patrick's Day. Diners will also be able to enjoy traditional Irish music by The Flying Cows of Ventry and Conor Malone. Tim Trant will also be performing from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for a St. Patrick's Day Luncheon.

Cheers and Beers: Ornery Brewpub, which is located at 3950 University Drive in Fairfax, is celebrating St. Patrick's Day with the beer tapping of a dry Irish stout and Steal A Pint night. The Boyle School of Irish Dance will also perform at 6 p.m.

St. Patrick's Day at Kalypso's Tavern: Located at 1617 Washington Plaza in Reston, Kalypso's is offering a special Irish menu on Friday. Diners can enjoy corned beef and cabbage, Guinness lamb Irish stew, shepherd's pie, Ruebens and specials on Irish whiskey. Music will be provided by Adrian Chadwell from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Shorty Slim from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

St. Patrick's Day Party at VFW Post 9274: Friday, March 17, 5 p.m.

Enjoy $10 plates of corned beef and cabbage, jello shots and a 50/50 raffle at this event.

March Madness & St. Patrick's Day at Settle Down Easy Brewing: Thursday, March 16 and Friday, March 17

Watch March Madness games with beer and food specials at the Falls Church location.

St. Patrick's Day at Jimmy's: Jimmy's Old Town Tavern in Herndon, opens at 8 a.m., offering Kegs 'n Eggs until 11 a.m. The Beer Garden is open all day. Come enjoy an Irish menu, Irish music and libations all day. Irish Elvis makes an appearance at 4 p.m. Lyrics DJS from 9:30 p.m. until closing. "Lucky Charms Guess for Charity" from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and "Men in Kilts" Contest at 11 p.m.

St. Paddy's Day at Ned Devines: The Irish restaurant and pub in Herndon opens at 9 a.m. with Keg's & Eggs. Irish Dancers perform at 1:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Enjoy live music throughout the day, including The Cold North from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; La Unica from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; and the All Star Band from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

St. Patricks Day at Shipgarten: Friday, March 17, 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.

St. Patrick's Day kicks off a three-day event at Shipgarten. Come for free green swag for the first 50 people, live music, St. Paddy’s Day menu with Irish favorite dishes and drinks, green eggs and green beer special, games, leprechauns for photo opps, and a whiskey pop-up experience.

Skinny Wallace at JV's Restaurant: Friday, March 17, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Enjoy live music from Skinny Wallace in kilts for St. Patrick's Day along with beer and food.