The region's year-round Irish haunts
do it up like no other on St. Paddy's Day. Here's your guide
to the action:
Barley House
As well known for the eye candy as the souped-up pub grub, the Barley House is sure to host one of the livelier crowds this St. Patrick's Day. The Barley Girls — the joint's young and pretty waitstaff — typically dress in tight shirts and kilts, not to be confused with the old guy with bagpipes you may have seen at the parade. A parking lot tailgate begins at 10 a.m., featuring beer, liquor, and corn beef for $6 each. Green Blossom Special will strum Irish ditties starting at 10:30, and things get rockier with Vegas Baby at 5. Bagpipes and dancers will play backup throughout the day.
1265 West 6th St., 216-623-1700,
Hours: 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Charles Stewart Parnell
No-nonsense was never so much fun. "If you want breakfast, it'll have to be Jameson," one manager told us. Besides the booze, standard pub grub will be available all day, priced at around $7.50. Bagpipers and Irish dancers from Murphy's Dance School perform starting first thing in the morning.
2167 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights,
216-321-3469. Hours: 7 a.m. to close.
Claddagh
This Legacy Village location pulls out all the stops: All day live Irish dancers and bagpipers will rock out along with a series of local acts, including the Richard Brentar Band from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., and Forsythe Special from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Six Nations rugby finals will be on the telly all day, and the Cleveland Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club will be auctioning off a 50" flatscreen to goad you into watching weird foreign sports.
25389 Cedar Rd., Lyndhurst,
216-691-0534, claddaghirishpubs.com.
Hours: 8 a.m. to midnight.
Flannery's Pub
Flannery's prides itself on pouring a perfect 20-ounce Imperial pint, displaying an uncommon commitment to Old World authenticity, mathematical precision, and beer. Breakfast burritos will be served until noon, and an all-day menu will feature homemade corned beef, boxty, fish and chips, and other "hand-held" food priced from $4 to $7. The Celtic punks Boys From the County Hell will play from 1 to 8 p.m.; a $5 cover charge goes into effect when the show begins.
323 E. Prospect, 216-781-7782,
flannerys.com. Hours: 5:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.
Flat Iron Café
The Flat Iron maintains the feel of a cozy neighborhood tavern, with comfy furnishings and a vintage bar. Breakfast will be served until 10 a.m., and a lunch and dinner menu will be available after that. Musician Donald O'Shaughnessy brings the pipe and drum music at noon. A courtesy shuttle makes runs up the hill to the St. Patrick's Day Parade starting around noon.
1114 Center St., 216-696-6968,
Hours: 9 a.m. to close.
Great Lakes Brewing Company
Great Lakes doesn't just add green food coloring to the keg to spread their Irish cheer: They've got their very own seasonal brew at the ready! Conway's Irish Ale — which pairs smashingly with corned beef — just may turn out to be the day's go-to libation. A free shuttle service will get you to the parade in one piece. For traditional music, stop in for Ceud Mile Failte from noon to 3 p.m., or the Cleveland Firefighters Memorial Pipes and Drums band from 8:30 to 9 p.m. For something more eclectic, the Irish punk band Craic will be performing at 5:30, mixing old-school Irish instruments with electric guitars and punk rock spirit.
2516 Market Ave., 216-771-4404,
greatlakesbrewing.com. Hours: 10 a.m.
to 11:30 p.m.
