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 day 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 an Irish festival featuring ample Guinness and Jameson, as well as live bands, Irish dancing, and even live rugby on The Wharf’s big screen.
#5 Attend VA Irish Fest: An annual tradition in the DMV, ShamrockFest is an all-out St. Patrick’s Day party that typically features loads of live music, lots of on-site vendors, and partiers galore. Now re-named VA Irish Fest, the 2024 celebration will take place on March 16th at One Loudoun.
#6 Celebrate At Guinness: Guinness may have closed its Baltimore County production facility last summer, but the Irish brewery’s taproom and experimental brewery in Halethorpe is still going strong. Since Guinness retains such strong ties to St. Patrick’s Day, it’s holding events over four weekends, including a four-course beer dinner with Sean Hunter, the executive chef at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin (March 1); live music Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons (March 1st-24th); traditional Irish music and dancers on Saturdays and Sundays (March 9th-10th and 16th-17th); and an Irish Village with beer tastings, food stalls, oyster and beer pairings, and ticketed events (March 8th-10th and 15th-17th).
#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 16th). 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 five people and get ready to let your competitive spirit shine!
#8 Give Back At Boundary Stone: One of the spring’s feel-good events — this year held on March 12th from 3-7 PM — is Boundary Stone’s annual fundraiser for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which raises money for research into childhood cancers. Regulars at the Bloomingdale tavern, faces from the bar scene, and teams from local breweries will all pledge to shave their heads in exchange for charitable donations. The vibe is lively — be prepared for the emcees to hit you up for cash donations — and there are prizes and raffles throughout the day, including a trip for two to Ireland, and the chance to have a drink for a wonderful cause!
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