Last Minute St. Patrick’s Day Plans

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, nuts! The day of green beer, four leaf clovers and general merriment is upon us. Whether you’re truly Irish or Irish-for-the-day, we’re here to help you make some last minute plans that are sure to make your St. Paddy’s a smash hit.

1. Guinness Irish Stew

Perhaps you don’t plan to hit the pubs today, but still want to celebrate with a little Irish flavour. What’s more Irish than Guinness? The most popular alcoholic beverage in Ireland, it’s popularity extends further than Ireland alone. 1.8 billion pints of this beer are sold worldwide each year! This recipe for slow-cooker Guinness stew only takes 20 minutes of prep time and a couple of hours in the slow cooker. If you throw it on this afternoon, you can be sitting down to dinner by 5 p.m… Or, if you’re planning to swing by a pub after work, you can throw this stew on and come home to a mouth-watering late-night dinner.

Image via simplyrecipes.com

2. Shamrock Tortillas

You’ve decided to take one for the team and host the St. Paddy’s party tonight. Three cheers for you! Unfortunately, you left the prep to the last minute and the grocery is completely out of green food-colouring for your to concoct an array of green baked goods. Damn. Never fear. We found this super simple shamrock tortilla recipe on Pinterest that transform already-green spinach tortillas into the most talked about treat at the party. All you need is a shamrock cookie cutter  and you’re set! But, as we noticed yesterday, after hitting three different craft shops, those bad boys are also hard to come by last minute. Never fear. We’re a month out from Valentine’s Day and the stores have fully restocked their supply of heart-shaped cookie cutters. Hoorah! Follow the pictures below for just as good results!

3. Organic Green Beer

Like we mentioned above, green food colouring is likely cleaned right off the shelves by March 17 – not to mention, in large quantities the stuff is not good for you! So, since you’re probably planning on putting back a few pints today, try this organic alternative. Head to Herb & Spice Shop on Bank Street, or any other health food store in the area, and you’re likely able to find either Spirulina or Powdered Wheat Grass Juice. Both are so green that only a tiny, tiny amount is needed to succeed in turning your beverage into the colour of the day. So don’t be alarmed by the funny names and smells of these products, they will do the trick without spoiling the taste of your beloved beer AND are high in nutrients and other goodness for your body. Happy Nutrition Month! I mean, St. Patrick’s Day!

4. Pub Crawling Around Town

Now you’ve got beer, food, even shamrock tortillas.  All you need is a spot to settle yourself for the rest of the evening and enjoy the green infused festivities. We nuts are partial to a downtown pub crawl on St. Patty’s Day, stopping for (at least) one at all three of our favourite Irish pubs in Ottawa.

But, if you aren’t celebrating downtown there are many other destinations serving cold, green beer, with dance floors begging for an Irish jig.

For those of you celebrating in Old Ottawa South, we have two favourite, perhaps more low-key locations in mind:

1. Quinn’s:  Cozy quarters will bring you a great selection of beers and a unique atmosphere to enjoy on St. Patty’s day. Try the famous  Full Monty burger, topped with all the fixings.

2. Patty’s Pub: Not far down the road, you’ll find a slightly more lively location and a nutshell favourite spot, Patty’s Pub. Find a traditional Irish bar without the chaos of downtown with live music all day featuring John Allaire & Gilles Arsenault from noon – 6 pm and Whiskey Mike & Rob  Dillon from 7- midnight.

If  venturing to the center of town is not in the cards for a Monday night St. Patrick’s Day celebration, there are a few spots to check in to on either side of the city:

1. Connor’s Pub: Located in the heart of Orleans on the St. Joseph Blvd. Connor’s has an unbeatable drink special of bar rail for $3.99, not to mention live music all day and night.

2. Greenfields: Stop in to Greenfields in Barhaven for a pint (or three) and catch some live music at their annual St. Patrick’s Day party with door prizes for the best jiggers, singers and story tellers.

And finally, three of our favourite spots, in the heart of the Byward Market:

1. Darcy McGees: Often drawing crowds from the Hill, we suggest Darcy McGees to begin the celebrations. Located on Sparks Street, Darcy McGees is an Ottawa favourite for pints of Guiness and Irish fare. Darcy Mcgees will be celebrating with live music at their Legendary Annual St. Patty’s Day Party!

2. Aulde Dubliner: Located at 62 William St., Aulde Dubliner is the optimal mid-day crawl destination. With ample seating and a hearty, Irish menu, this is our pick to stop for some Irish grub before the night gets any…greener. Try the Shepherd’s pie or chicken curry and chips to keep the cuisine as authentic as the day’s alcohol consumption.

3. Heart & Crown: Although Heart & Crown is renowned for having live music, seven days a week, on St. Patrick’s Day this is the destination to end your night. Expect line ups around the block through the day and into the night but, if you can bare the wait, this bar is a party like no other to celebrate the day of Saint Patrick. Live music will be pumping all day long, on all three stages within the cavernous bar with such bands as The Paddingtons,  Brandy’N’ Port and The Neil Emberg band.