PJ O’Reilly’s
As the most authentically Irish venue in the city, we wouldn’t be at all surprised to see a Batman-style shamrock beamed into the sky above Le Royal Méridien come March 17. But, as far as hard facts go, we do know PJ’s will be laying on a traditional fiddler, a raucous set from new house band White Rabbit and late night Irish tunes courtesy of DJ Chris Delaney. Best of all, though, not only will they be doing it all again on Friday (with a slightly bleary-eyed band, we’d expect), but extended opening hours and a second, outside bar by the pool mean you’re free to swill down the Irish brews all the way until 3.30am. Yikes.
Thursday and Friday, March 17 and 18. Noon-3.30am
Heroes
Of course, if a mere 48 hours of Irish-themed fun sounds like child’s play to you, then you’ll be pleased to know the folk at Heroes are taking things a step further, spilling their green-hued shenanigans into Saturday as well. Copious amounts of Irish beverages aside, they’re also offering a special (presumably potato-centric) menu for the weekend, as well as a ‘surprise band’ to keep resident strummers The International Playboys on their toes – it probably won’t be U2, but it ought to add a little variety to the proceedings nonetheless. Then, on Saturday, there’s the potentially crucial Six Nations clash between Ireland and England to get stuck into. Expect this to be the one match of the year where white shirts are outnumbered by green.
Thursday-Saturday, March 17-19. 7pm-2.30am
The Tavern
Irish brews and a special menu of stodgy Celtic treats aside, there’s an extra reason to factor a stop at the Sheraton’s homely watering hole into your weekend’s festivities. Turn up garbed entirely in green and you’ll be greeted with a complimentary glassful of Irish brew, and in the process prove wrong all the naysayers who said you’d never get another use out of that leprechaun outfit you ‘foolishly’ shelled out for back in 2004. Better still, there’s also a full programme of Irish tunes planned for the evening – think string-heavy, jig-inspiring hits rather than the demented warbling of Sinéad O’Connor.
Thursday, March 17. 6pm-2.30am
Coopers
Given that it’s home to the city’s longest happy hour, you’ll find the Irish spirit alive and well at this no-nonsense bar pretty much every day of the year. But they’re kicking things up a notch for their celebration of the Ginger Isle, drafting in Irish rockers Natural Gas – complete with fiddles, accordions and leather flat caps – to provide a laid-back, folky soundtrack while you carry out your assault of the bar. With special drinks promotions promised on Irish brews, expect the buzzy atmosphere that’s made Cooper’s a favourite among uptowners to be stronger than ever.
Friday, March 18. 7pm-2.30am
Captain’s Arms
As anyone who’s tried to muscle their way to the bar at Captain’s on a Thursday knows only too well, this is already one of the most popular post-work drinking spots in the city. Throw national pride and hilarious foam hats into the mix, then, and you’ve got a minor riot on your hands. Luckily, in honour of St Patrick, the pub’s outdoor drinking deck will also be taking over Le Méridien’s entire central lawn, which you can expect to find packed chock full of folks in orange wigs slurping authentic Irish stew. Then, a little later on, DJ Beta will be dropping some tunes – providing she survives the attention of the affectionate, mostly male crowd.
Thursday, March 17. 5pm-midnight
