Where To Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 2019 In Houston

St. Patrick’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick, is held on March 17 each year, the anniversary of its namesake’s death. Patrick was a priest who spent his life working to convert Irish pagans to Christianity. Wearing green is in honor of Patrick, as he used the three-leaf shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagans. Since it’s also a day where Lent restrictions are lifted for some Christians, it’s also become a big drinking and feasting holiday.

St. Patrick’s Day isn’t the only holiday that falls on March 17. By probably no coincidence whatsoever, it’s also National Corned Beef and Cabbage Day. Restaurants and bars all across the city are offering food and drink specials for this sure to be epic Sunday Funday. Here’s a list of some of the best offerings in Houston.

The patio at Eight Row Flint. Photo by Joshua Black Wilkins.

Eight Row Flint, 1039 Yale: Sure, “Whiskey, Beer, Tacos” doesn’t sound like the standard St. Patrick’s Day party, but there’s never a wrong time to relax on this Heights patio. Eight Row Flint is marking the day with a lot of drink specials, including $2 green jello shots, $3 green Lone Star beers, $8 green Ranchwaters (a cocktail made with Sotol Blanco, lime juice, grapefruit oil and salt, discounted from the normal $11), and specials on Jameson whiskey and Irish Car Bombs.

The Goose’s Acre, 21 Waterway, The Woodlands: It doesn’t get more authentic than this bar that was moved from Ireland to The Woodlands in the mid-2000’s. The party begins on Saturday with a Pre-Paddy’s Party featuring “leprechauns”, giveaways and drink specials. Sunday starts early with an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet for $15.95 from 8 to 11 a.m. along with two stages of live music beginning at 10 a.m. Other festivities throughout the day include Irish dancers, bag-pipers, green beer, more leprechauns and much more. The event is strictly 21 and up after 2 p.m. and no pets are allowed on Sunday.

Hugh O’Connors, 7620 Katy Fwy: Special events start here on Friday the 15th with Godfrey’s Rangers Celtic Folk band playing Irish tunes from 6 to 9 p.m. Show off your fancy footwork with traditional Irish dancing and music from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday. There are also specials on green beer and Irish whiskey cocktails all day long. Sunday gives guests another chance to dance to traditional Irish music from 12 to 3 p.m. with live music to follow and food and drink specials all day long. Hugh O’Connors is welcoming your “little leprechauns” on Saturday and Sunday for face painting, balloon twisting and caricature drawings from 2 to 5 p.m. The venue is 21 and up after 5 p.m.

Jack and Ginger's
A sampling of food and drinks at Jack & Ginger’s. Photo by Regina Pyne.

Jack & Ginger’s, 2416 Brazos: This Midtown Irish Pub is holding its inaugural St. Patrick’s Day celebration. With 82 beers on tap, there will be plenty for all tastes, including green Miller Lite and Guinness. Jack & Ginger’s has a full kitchen that always serves plenty of dishes inspired by the “Emerald Isle,” including the full Irish breakfast, Guinness-battered fish and chips, or The Irish — a short rib patty with crispy smashed potatoes, Irish cheddar and whiskey onions on a brioche bun. The party begins at 10 a.m. with live music from 12 p.m. to 2 a.m. There is a cover charge to attend the 21-and-up event.

Jonathan’s the Rub Memorial Green, 12505 Memorial: Start the day with a special brunch featuring traditional Irish dishes such as Guinness Irish Potted Beef and Cabbage or Irish Coddle — a comforting stew made with potatoes, sausage and bacon that’s cooked slowly for hours. There are also a myriad of Irish whiskeys and cocktails available, plus a large selection of normal-colored beer. The Irish brunch is in addition to the regular brunch menu, and the restaurant is serving both from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

corned beef platter at Kenny & Ziggy's
The St. Patrick’s Day corned beef and cabbage platter at Kenny & Ziggy’s. Photo courtesy of Kenny & Ziggy’s.

Kenny & Ziggy’s, 2327 Post Oak Boulevard and 5172 Buffalo Speedway: What do kosher delis have in common with the Irish? The answer is a deep love of corned beef, so it’s unsurprising that both Kenny & Ziggy’s locations are joining in the festivities. (There are actually plenty of Jews with Irish heritage as well.) All day long, guests can get a plate of corned beef and cabbage and a bottle of beer for $21.95. The plate includes three-quarters of a pound of corned beef, two sides and a house salad. Save room (at Kenny & Ziggy’s, that’s harder than diners might think) for the special Guinness Beer Ice Cream Float.

Milano Bar on the first floor below Radio Milano at Hotel Sorella. Photo courtesy of Hotel Sorella.

Milano Bar, 800 Sorella: Celebrate a day early at a special event featuring Tullamore DEW, one of Ireland’s premier whiskey distillers. Milano Bar is offering discounts on Tullamore shots and cocktails, as well and those who arrive early have a chance for special giveaways. The 4 – 7 p.m. Both happy hour from 7 to 4 p.m. and reverse happy hour from 9 p.m. to midnight are in effect as usual, too. Reservations aren’t required, but can be made by calling the bar at (713) 827-3545.

Pimlico Irish Pub, 810 Waugh: Its bagpipes and green beer all weekend at Pimlico Irish Pub. Saturday and Sunday feature two full days of bands and Irish dance team performances. Expect specials on domestic beers plus a special Stella Artois promotion and Bushmills Irish Whiskey galore. Don’t Have a Clue BBQ is keeping the pits smoking all weekend.

Poitin, 2313 Edwards St. #100: There are only 100 tickets available for this massive, all-inclusive Irish feast featuring Irish brown bread with smoked salmon, seafood chowder, black pudding with scallops, Boxty sour cream and chives, shepherd’s pie, colcannon, bacon and cabbage with parsley sauce, and apple tart with Bailey’s Irish Cream for dessert. Each ticket also includes four drinks: a glass of Lion’s Kiss welcome punch, a Tipperary Whiskey Sour made with Teeling small batch Irish whiskey, a Gibson, and an Irish coffee. Tickets to the feast are $80 (not including the Eventbrite fee) and may be purchased online.

Revelry on Richmond, 1613 Richmond: Revelry is hosting a no-cover patio party with plenty of entertainment and even more food and drink specials. Rounding out the drink specials are $3 green beer and $6 Guinness, but Jameson pours are also only $5 while Jameson Caskmates IPA (Jameson whiskey finished in craft IPA barrels) is a mere $7. Because this is Houston, Revelry is also serving up all-you-can-eat crawfish all day long. Wash those spicy mudbugs down with The Southern Irish cocktail — a refreshing mix of Seersucker gin, Irish tea, lemon juice and fresh mint.

Saint Arnold Brewing Company’s Beer Garden has a great view of the downtown Houston skyline. Photo courtesy of Saint Arnold Brewing Company

Saint Arnold Brewing Company, 2000 Lyons: Saint Arnold’s annual celebration features live music, special beers, commemorative glassware, delicious food and competitive beer games. Teams of two can sign up to enter the World Elevated Beer Pouring Championship, in which one person will pour beer from a scissor lift into a bucket on the other person’s head. The kitchen is putting out corned beef and cabbage in addition to the regular menu, and the brewery is putting Winter Stout and other special release beers on tap. Irish bands Murder the Stout, The Real McCoys are jamming on the stage in front of the beer gardens and that gorgeous downtown skyline view.

Wherever you choose to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, please bring a designated driver or use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. Cheap green beer and Irish whiskey have a tendency to sneak up, and it’s best to be prepared.

Josh Armendariz is Houston Food Finder’s lead freelance beer and cocktail writer. He can often be found on a stool at your favorite bar, sipping a hoppy craft beer and talking about the Astros with anyone who’ll lend an ear. Follow him on Instagram at @drinkwithjosh.

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