Grab a Guinness, Saint Patrick’s Day Events Are Here

Polk is the perfect place for a pub crawl – photo from lepraconsf.com

In San Francisco, Saint Patrick’s Day brings us some of the most fun events. You’ll find some traditional and not-so traditional ways to celebrate the holiday throughout the week. With rain in the forecast, I predict we see some epic poncho-filled pub crawls and maybe even a few folks trying to Irish dance in a puddle or two.

I’m really looking forward to celebrating my Irish heritage during some fun Saint Patrick’s Day events. As of late, my Dad has been getting really into genealogy. He’s reached the age where his fascination with our family heritage has him staying up past midnight most nights on the hunt for more family stories he’s compiling into a book. Thanks to sites like Ancestry.com, we’ve learned that we have some deep Irish roots. We’re even related to those in Blarney Castle (explains my gift for gab).

Here some are some I’m looking forward to the most (many of them indoors).

Events start THIS Saturday the 11th as well as next week’s official date of the 17th.

SATURDAY, MARCH 11th. San Francisco Saint Patrick’s Day

San Francisco’s Annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade

The SF parade kicks off a week of fun events for St. Patrick’s Day around The Bay. You’ll have to brave the rain to enjoy this annual favorite but I bet it will be entertaining to see people Irish dancing in puddles. The San Francisco Saint Patrick’s Day parade kicks off at 2nd & Market. It will dance its way all the way to City Hall. Dogs are welcome.

The Irish Bank, San Francisco

My favorite San Francisco Saint Patrick’s Day block party is for sure Irish Bank’s annual bash.
They have TWO events celebrating the occasion. First is this Saturday, March 11th starting at 11am – the perfect place to escape to after the SF parade. Their second event is on Saint Patrick’s Day, Friday, March 17th.
10 Mark Lane, San Francisco

United Irish Cultural Center’s Annual Post-Parade Party And Corned Beef Meal

This place really puts on a great party and this year they will have a full WEEK of events for Saint Patrick’s Day. It might be my favorite place to celebrate the holiday because they have so many traditional Irish elements in every event. You’ll see Irish dancers as well as traditional Irish music. Kicking off the week this Saturday with a Post-Parade Party, the center encourages all to attend the parade and then head over to the Irish Cultural Center in the Outer Sunset afterward.
2700 45th Ave, San Francisco, CA
Their full list of events this coming week is here

Baggy’s By The Lake will have a St. Patrick’s Day Party on March 17th

FRIDAY, MARCH 17th. SAINT PATRICK’S DAY EVENTS

Baggy’s By The Lake, Oakland

There are a ton of really great Irish pubs throughout the Bay Area. This historic Oakland bar has been around for decades and has always had an event to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day.
March 17th @ Baggy’s By The Lake
288 E. 18th Street, Oakland
Corn Beef, Mega Irish Menu, music by DJ Provo

Starry Plough, Berkeley

I suppose I didn’t mention that my Dad plays traditional Irish music. When he lived closer, he would often play at The Starry Plough during one of their weekly sessions. Sessions for Irish music are on Sundays and you can catch Irish dancing on Mondays regularly. That’s all to say that the Starry Plough has lots of Irish events if you’re unable to attend this Saint Patrick’s Day. They open at 11am. After 5pm there will be a sliding scale entry fee. Expect to hear some music and see some dancing throughout the night.
3101 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley

Heart and Dagger Saloon’s Annual Bash, Oakland

I love the laid back vibes at this Oakland bar. Starting at noon on Friday the 17th, Heart and Dagger is going to celebrate with the must-have green beer, giveaways and more. No cover but tons of fun to be had. Oh! They’ll also have cocktail specials featuring the Slane Irish Whiskey.
504 Lake Park Ave, Oakland

Crawl SF Hosts a Pub Crawl in San Francisco

Both Friday the 17th and also Saturday the 18th will have pub crawls starting at Mayes Oyster House on Polk at 6pm.
Check in by 9pm to officially be part of the pub crawl. You will get a map with all of the bars participating in the crawl along with their individual specials. More information is here and also on lepraconsf.com

Note: Maybe obviously, these are just a handful of fun Saint Patrick’s Day events! Chime in below with which one you hope to attend this year.