Oh, Danny Boy

The Irish greet tragedy with a smile and a beer. Throughout a history rife with difficulty -- from the potato famine to occupation to a less-than-friendly welcome at Ellis Island -- the good people of the green isle have survived and prospered, thanks mostly to their unmatched penchant for merriment. It’s an understatement to say Irish people know how to party.

You don’t have to wait for St. Patrick’s Day and you don’t have to be Irish to join in the drowning of weekday sorrows at John Martin’s. Every Thursday night, popular Irish folk duo Grand Auld Time plays a variety of toe-tapping, beer-glass-clanking, fiddle-heavy Irish drinkin’ tunes. The bar serves half-price Bushmill’s to ensure the crowd sings along, even if they don’t know the mostly unintelligible lyrics. Complete the theme with dinner -- the joint offers an incredible Irish burger with Dublin white cheddar cheese and bacon. Get jiggy with it tonight at 9:00. Call 305-445-3777, or visit www.johnmartins.com.
Thursdays, 9 p.m., 2007