St. Patrick's Day began originally as a religious feast day in honor of Saint Patrick, the Bishop credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. However, today in the United States St. Patrick's Day is celebrated by the Irish and non-Irish alike, and it's one of the leading days for alcohol consumption.
The story of Saint Patrick is one of fact sprinkled with a bit of legend, and over the passing of time many have forgotten that the color traditionally associated with St. Patrick's Day was actually blue not green. Also lost, along with early traditions, is the interest in why we actually celebrate this holiday in the first place.
"We [Irish people] are always looking for a reason to drink," said Greg Sutton, who is part-Irish and plans to begin celebrating first thing Thursday morning.
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According to a 2009 report by City Melt, only 11.8 percent of Prince William County residents has Irish ancestry, but the celebration of St. Patrick's Day remains big business for local bars and restaurants.
"When you own a bar, you [have] to participate in one of the biggest drinking holidays," said Bob Geck, co-owner of . Although Geck has Polish roots, his staff dresses in green every year and some of them even wear face paint. In terms of alcohol consumption, Geck boasts that St. Patrick's Day is equal to the amount of business he receives during the Superbowl and even New Years Eve.
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Patrons of Brittany's agree that the St. Patrick's Day celebration is always fun, with a massive turnout, but at least two new bars have opened in Prince William County over the past 12 months, both of which will be competing against Brittany's for St. Patrick's Day business.
"We've been open only four weeks at this location," said Danny Bishop, an employee at . "But at our other locales we usually do pretty well." Bishop added that the owners of the Alehouse are part-Irish as well, and will be in attendance Thursday night, but the restaurant is not an Irish themed establishment.
If you plan to celebrate with a few pints of green beer, be sure to line up a safe alternative to driving home or use the Sober Ride Program. Call 1-800-200-8294 between the hours of 4 p.m. Thursday and 4 a.m. Friday to receive a free ride (up to a $30 fare).
Hours: 11 a.m. - 1 a.m.
Menu: corned beef hash, shepherd's pie, lamb stew, bangers and mash
Music: mainstream mix
Door prizes: yes
Green beer: yes
Hours: 11 a.m. - 2 a.m.
Menu: nothing special, half-priced boneless wings
Music: DJ Biondo
Games & prizes: cornhole and bar pong - $25 prize
Green beer: yes
Hours: 8 a.m. - 2 a.m.
Menu: eggs, pancakes, mulligan stew, corned beef & cabbage, shepherd's pie
Music: DJ ZX
Prizes: no
Green beer: yes
Hours: 12 noon - 1 a.m. (normally opens at 4 p.m.)
Menu: Irish Spring Reuben rolls, stew O' Guinness, O' Danny-Boy sandwich, "Luck O" the Irish platter
Music: satellite mix
Prizes: no
Green beer: yes
Hours: 11:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Menu: corned beef & cabbage, shepherd's pie
Music: mainstream mix
Prizes: no
Green beer: yes
Places only serving green beer: , , Chili's, &
