Tuesday, March 17, is St. Patrick's Day, the one day, according to a sign at the Guinness factory in Dublin, everybody is Irish.
That means it's time to wear green, eat corned beef and cabbage, and hoist a few pints to celebrate both the life of the patron saint of Ireland and the Emerald Isle itself.
Because the holiday falls on a Tuesday, many of the celebrations start this weekend. Check the dates carefully so you don't miss out.
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Coral Gables St. Patrick's Day Festival
The South Florida Emerald Society will host the 36th-annual festival Saturday, March 14, at Ponce Circle Park, 2800 Ponce de Leon Blvd. From noon to 6 p.m., enjoy Irish food such as corned beef and cabbage, shepherd's pie, soda bread, and whiskey cake and a full bar. There will also be Irish crafts for sale and a Leprechaun Corner for kids.
St. Paddy's Block Party
Mary Brickell Village's Fado Irish Pub will host its yearly megafestival at Mary Brickell Village over the course of a few days.
Saturday, March 14, at 5 p.m., Fado will host a St. Baldrick's head-shaving event to raise money and awareness to fight children's cancer. The pub hopes to beat its $10,000 goal. Want to shave your head for charity? Visit stbaldricks.org to sign up.
Sunday, March 15, Fado will throw a St. Practice Day celebration from 2 to 11 p.m. Five dollars gets you a 21-and-over party wristband and access to two DJ stages, bars, and multiple beer gardens. From 2 to 6 p.m., a $30 Sunday Funday Party Pass allows you to drink $2 Jameson, Fireball, Naked Turtle rum, Absolut vodka, Bud, and Bud Light.
Tuesday, March 17, beginning at 9 a.m. (meaning you probably should call in sick for this one), there will be DJs, beer gardens, dancers, and surprises. Purchase tickets in advance for either Sunday or Tuesday at fadoirishpub.com.
John Martin's Irish Pub
At John Martin's, the celebration begins Sunday, March 15, with a St. Paddy's Day brunch served from noon to 2 p.m. and a complimentary bloody "molly."
Tuesday, March 17, party from noon to 2 a.m. Bagpipers will perform from noon to 3 p.m., and the Paddy Kelleghan Band will play from noon to 8 p.m.
The Shelborne Wyndham Grand
The Shelborne will celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a plethora of Irish dishes and cocktails. At the poolside Oasis, corned beef on rye or have a traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner at the hotel's Petite Bistro or at the Drawing Room Bar & Lounge. The Drawing Room will also offer Guinness, Boddington, and Jameson whiskey. You can also indulge in a cocktail made with Irish whiskey, such as an Irish Manhattan or a mint "dewlep."
Drink Green at Touché Rooftop Lounge & Restaurant
If you're in the mood to ingest something green that's not beer, head to Touché for the Touché-tini, made with Stoli, simple syrup, lemon juice, muddled cucumber, and basil and garnished with a cucumber slice ($14).
When Irish Fries Are Smiling at Shake Shack
There are two things in the world that everyone loves -- a good pun and Shake Shack. That's why Shake Shack's St. Paddy's Day celebratory dish is so fabulous. The "When Irish Fries Are Smiling" are crinkle-cut fries topped with horseradish cream, scallions, and crisp, all-natural applewood-smoked bacon. They're $4.50 and available at Shake Shack this Friday, March 13, through Tuesday, March 17. While you're at it, try some Mast Brothers chocolate-mint frozen custard, available Monday, March 16, through Sunday, March 22.
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