St. Patrick’s Day is March 17—which, last year, unfortunately fell right when the world shut down. But this year, restaurants and bars are marking the holiday in creative ways. Toast with a pint of Guinness or a few fingers of Irish whiskey while partaking in one of these events, promotions or menus. Sláinte!
Best Buns
The bakery with locations in Tysons and Arlington is offering sweets and morning treats in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. Irish soda bread scones ($2.35) are made fresh daily with baking soda, buttermilk, raisins, and honey, and slathered with butter and raspberry; or choose traditional Irish soda bread ($3.65) to accompany soup or stew. A shamrock sugar cookie ($3.40) is dipped in royal sugar icing and decorated with Irish flair; the St. Patty’s Day cupcake ($3.75) is vanilla cake with icing in Irish colors and a shamrock favor; and their Irish take on King Cake ($18) folds almond paste into brioche dough finished with orange, green, and white royal icing. // Multiple locations
Colony Grill
Clarendon’s new family-friendly tavern is offering an interesting take for St. Patrick’s Day: from March 12 through March 17 from 11:30 a.m. until closing, the restaurant will pay tribute to its Irish roots with a thin-crust pizza topped with corned beef and cabbage ($13.45). In 1935, Colony Grill opened in an Irish immigrant neighborhood in Stamford, Connecticut, and since then has become famous for what is now its only menu offering: a one-of-a-kind, thin-crust pizza best served with its signature “hot oil” topping—a spicy, full-of-flavor, pepper-infused creation. // 2800 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington
Hi-Lawn
The expansive new rooftop eatery above Union Market is rolling out the “green” carpet (aka a large turf-covered lawn) for its inaugural St. Patrick’s Day celebration March 13 and 14, starting at noon each day. The event is reservation-only; each $60 booking includes admission for up to 6 guests at a socially distanced rooftop table for two hours plus branded glassware, swag, and a raffle ticket to win a tour, tasting, and tab at the Guinness Brewery in Baltimore. Order traditional Irish pub fare from The Dubliner, the oldest Irish pub in DC, including raw and grilled oysters and shepherd’s hand pies, and sip Jameson Irish whiskey cocktails from bar director Ian Fletcher, who has also curated a lineup of festive beers. COVID protocols include masks, stringent cleaning, contactless ordering, and sanitizing stations. // 1309 5th St. NE, Washington, DC
Arlington Drafthouse
The movie house will screen Boondock Saints, the story of two Irish Catholic brothers who become vigilantes and wipe out Boston’s criminal underworld in the name of God on March 17 at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $5 and must be reserved online; there will be green beer for $4, as well as the full menu available for purchase. Masks are required for entry and when not seated inside the theater; they may be removed for eating and drinking. // 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington
Fairmont Washington, D.C.
On March 17 to 20 from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. in the Loggia, Lobby Bar, and Courtyard of the hotel, executive chef Jordi Gallardo and his team are serving favorites from the Emerald Isle, including Shepherd’s Pie ($19) with lamb loin, root vegetables, and whipped potatoes; smoked brisket ($19) with wilted cabbage and baby carrots; beef pie ($19) with Guinness and wild mushrooms with puff pastry; and Guinness chocolate torte ($11) with Bailey’s, chocolate cremeux, and berry compote. Cocktails ($14) include The Barista Old Fashioned, Irish Sea, and Twisted Irish Tea, and there will also be Guinness Stout on tap ($5) and green beer ($9). No reservations are required, and guests with the most creative attire have a chance to win prizes. // 2401 M Street NW, Washington, DC
Fare Well
The plant-based diner is celebrating the Irish holiday with a St. Patrick’s Day cookie pack ($15), with 4 shamrock cookies, 3 leprechaun cookies, and 3 chocolate cake truffles, available to order online from March 12 to 17. They are also offering a heat-at-home Shepherd’s Pie ($18/serves 2–3) with ground seitan, herbs, and vegetables topped with fluffy mashed potatoes, available to order online all month long. // 406 H Street NE, Washington, DC
Baker’s Daughter
The boutique cafe and market is offering a CSA box with ingredients to make a three-course St. Patrick’s Day menu ($65), available by ordering online. Included with the box is a private Zoom cooking demonstration during which chef Matt Baker guides you through each recipe and step of the cooking process. The menu features green bean salad with radish, Marcona almonds, celery, and tzatziki; Irish lamb stew with potatoes, carrots, cabbage, Dijon mustard, and grilled sourdough; and chocolate Guinness cake. // 1402 Okie Street NE, Washington, DC
Taco Bamba
Available at the Ballston, Fairfax, Springfield, and Vienna locations of the popular taqueria, the Mich O’Laddy ($4) is a green take on the Michelada with tomatillo, serrano, and lime. // Multiple locations
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