Vancouverites celebrating at the The Blarney Stone in 2009; photo from the Blarney Stone
As a person of Irish heritage (there’s actually a Lynch Castle in Ireland; it’s now a bank), I have to admit to a special soft spot for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. How can anyone not love all the green and shamrocks and crazy leprechaun hats?
Which is one reason I was truly disappointed when the 2010 Vancouver St. Patrick’s Day Parade was cancelled because of the Paralympic Games. (CelticFest, the Parade’s organizers, feared a scarcity of resources.) The Parade will be back in 2011, but its absence this year doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty of St. Patrick’s Day partying around town!
And where better to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than at one of Vancouver’s best Irish pubs?
Top 5 Places to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Vancouver
1. The Blarney Stone – The Blarney Stone’s St. Paddy’s Day celebrations are so big they cover three days, March 14 – 17, culminating in an all-day-and-night “Finale Day” extravaganza of Irish food, green beer, live music, Irish dancers, and more.
2. Doolin’s Irish Pub - Doolin’s has a whole week of events, from March 13 – 17, that includes live bands, Celtic folk singers, Irish food, dancers and more.
3. Irish Heather – Want a more intimate St. Patrick’s Day? This Gastown favourite is cosy and authentic, and has the largest whiskey selection in Vancouver (in the Shebeen Whiskey House room).
4. Ceili’s Irish Pub & Restaurant – The opposite of intimate, Ceili’s is Vancouver’s largest Irish pub and guaranteed to be packed with revelers on March 17.
5. Darby’s Pub – One of Vancouver’s oldest pubs, this Kitsilano favourite will celebrate St. Paddy with green beer, whiskey sours on special, Irish music, a dance floor, and no cover.
St. Patrick’s Day is March 17, 2010. Where will you be celebrating?
12:51 pm
Not too sure how I found this blog but glad I did find it. Think I was looking for something else on yahoo. Not sure I agree 100% with what you say, but have bookmaked and will pop back to read to see if you add any more posts. Great website
2:33 pm
The Corner of Davie and Seymour, 17th to 20th. They are giving away a trip to Ireland. I’m defo going be there!
5:14 pm
Wow, great tip! Thanks Paul!
1:14 pm
It would have been a good idea I think, to have included the addresses of the 5 pubs listed.
1:16 pm
Ignore my previous comment. I just realised the names are linked to web sites. (-:
7:45 am
Can’t wait for CelticFest to return to Vancouver next year.
1:27 pm
It’s a pity that none of the students in my school was celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this year. :(
11:04 am
Happy St. Patricks day everyone!
Thanks for the 5 pubs listed, as today is my Bday I will try to get into one of them…
Thanks
Rick (O’) Magnussen
9:35 am
that’s me in the background in my mayo shirt! yipppeee!!