Main Street Bars Prepare St. Patrick's Day Festivities

St. Patrick's Day has special meaning for Donnie Crouse, whose his father passed away six years ago on the holiday.

He'll have little chance for quiet reflection on the day, however, as he's also the owner of Donnie Boy's & Chubby's, one of the downtown Waukesha establishments expecting huge traffic on St. Patrick's Day.

It is widely known across Waukesha that the Main Street bar scene is the place to be on St. Patrick's Day from 9 a.m. to close. The back parking lot for Donnie Boy's, as well as House of Guinness and Magellans, will be blocked off for the whole holiday in anticipation of the large crowds. 

For the bar owners on this busy holiday, the goal is to stand out from the crowd to offer bar hoppers an attraction they won't want to leave once they're inside. Donnie Boy's for example, is offering free Jell-O shots, $2.50 pints of green beer and T-shirts available for purchase with the slogan, "Our shamrocks are bigger than yours." House of Guinness is offering Irish breakfast and lunch and all-day giveaways.

Playful t-shirt phrases aside, Crouse views the holiday tradition as a friendly time for the whole block, not just its own bar. 

"I don't see it as a competition," he said.

How are you celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Waukesha? Is Main St. the best place to go? If so, what bars in particular?