Mar

How To Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day In DC

Lifestyle

March in The District may be brimming with activities, but its St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are by far the most festive. Whether you’re looking to honor your Irish heritage, delve into the history of the homeland, or sample spirited hops, we’ve got you covered. From bars to historic buildings to can’t-miss events, keep reading for the best ways to channel the luck of the Irish this year in our nation’s capital!

#1 Hang Out At An Irish Pub: Duffy’s is the definition of a welcoming neighborhood bar, a decades-strong Dupont Circle haunt known for its chicken wings and craft beer selections, which also happens to mix up some delicious Bloody Marys. The atmosphere is exactly what one would expect from an Irish pub, with plenty of Guinness available (the bar boasts of its perfect 20-ounce pours) and plenty of seats to be had.

#2 Visit An Iconic Church: Home to the oldest Catholic parish in DC, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church dates back to 1794, when it was a simple frame chapel designed to accommodate Irish immigrants working as stonemasons during the construction of the White House and the US Capitol. In fact, the parish’s second church was designed by the previously mentioned White House architect James Hoban, who was a parishioner. The church also played a role in the invasion of DC in 1814, hosting Sunday mass for British soldiers in the city. In modern times, the church has many cultural activities on tap, making it the perfect educational detour this St. Patrick’s Day.

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#3 Enjoy Live Music: Established in 1974, The Dubliner is as true to its name as a bar can get. The beloved abode has become a Capitol Hill institution, modeling itself after authentic Dublin pubs and still standing strong as one of the nation’s great Guinness purveyors. The Dubliner also serves up its own special brand of Irish whiskey to go along with culinary classics, such as Irish beef stew and fish ‘n’ chips!

#4 Head To Ireland At The Wharf: On the Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day, all of The Wharf transforms into an Irish wonderland. Kirwan’s is of course at the center of the festivities, which are free to attend. The waterfront will come to life with a festival featuring live Irish music, Irish dancers, and more in partnership with Kirwan’s on the Wharf, Jameson, Miller High Life, and Guinness.

#5 Celebrate At Guinness: The Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Baltimore and the home of Guinness in the US will kick off its highly anticipated month-long St. Patrick’s Day celebration, starting Saturday, March 1. Festivities will take place throughout March when the brewery is open; every Thursday through Sunday.

For four weeks, guests can experience limited-edition holiday beer releases and merchandise, traditional Irish dishes, live music, exclusive beer dinners and an Irish Village lawn takeover with interactive activities. The Irish Village will be back and packed with beer, food and fun including live music from local talents such as the 19th Street Band, Starcrush and traditional Irish dancers.

Guinness-curated food stalls will line the entire village. As part of this celebration, you can also take part in an educational guided food and beer pairing with one of our local beer experts. Enjoy four sample beers along with a small food pairing and explore how each will compliment each other to unlock a new flavor experience.

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#7 Embark On A Scavenger Hunt: If you’re in the mood for a challenge this St. Patrick’s Day weekend, Dacha Navy Yard is bringing back its themed scavenger hunt just in time (all day on Saturday the 15th). Previous iterations have required participants to solve crossword puzzles to extract clues, look for local landmarks, take photos with strangers, and ask them to sign petitions. Bring a team of three to six people and get ready to let your competitive spirit shine!

#8 Give Back At Boundary Stone: Each year, Boundary Stone hosts a fundraiser for the St. Baldrick’s foundation’s childhood cancer research. On March 9th, local teams will compete to collect donations before taking their turn in the barber’s chair. Participants get their shaves done on site at Boundary Stone the day of the event. 2025 marks Boundary Stone’s 11th year hosting a shaving party for St. Baldrick’s, and they absolutely love doing it!

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-powered charity that funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the US government. Get involved and you’ll be giving hope to infants, children, teens and young adults fighting childhood cancers!