Guide to St. Patrick’s Day 2012
It’s my favourite day of the year! Although we’re sure all of Kingston’s pubs and restaurants will be partying tomorrow, this year’s guide will focus on the spots that are advertising Irish food and drink specials and Irish music. With the incredible weather this week and the 17th landing on a Saturday, there’s no reason not to get out there, get your green on and have a fun, safe St. Patrick’s Day!
Ben’s Pub: The Kingston Irish Trio from 2pm-4:30pm and The Kingston Ceili Band from 7pm-11pm.
Brandees: Doors open at 11am, free apps from 12pm-3pm, green beer, a special St. Pat’s menu and live music from Little Betty and Dirty Mothers.
On Larocks: Tom Savage Trio will play Irish tunes from 5pm-9pm.
Overtime: Boru’s Harp will play from 10pm-2am.
Sir John’s Public House: Doors open at 11am. Two Irish feature meals will be offered for $9.99 add a pint of Guinness for $5 more.
The Loyal Oarsman: For the 4th year in a row, Kingston’s Irish Roots will play from 2pm-9pm.
The Merchant: Doors open at 11am, green beer, special St. Pat’s menu and live music at 10pm.
The RCHA: John Somerville will perform Irish music as well as singalong covers from 4pm-11pm.
The Rose and Crown: Tracie Morgan will provide tunes from 8pm-11pm.
The Toucan: Doors open at 11am for a St. Patrick’s Day breakfast and a pint for $10.
Sly Fox Tavern: Green beer and live music from Three Day Weekend. The party starts at 8pm, music at 9:30pm. No cover.
Tir nan og: We suspect the Nog’s yearly outdoor heated tent will be set up on Market Street. The Irish Folk Club will provide some live singalongs and Irish dancing every hour or so.
Thanks to asadc for supplying today’s photo, and sharing it via our ever-growing Flickr pool.
Having spent a few St. Pats in Ottawa, Montreal etc… I’ve noticed over the past few years that Kingston watering holes are really taking a step away from what I expect on St. Pats. Live Irish music is not that hard to come by, and it is essential to me when determining where to go. Sadly, too many local establishments are focused on putting up cardboard shamrocks, playing canned Irish music, or otherwise hiring bands that have no business playing on St. Pats.
Part of the problem with the lack of information lies with bars not updating their online entertainment listings, etc. Rather than single out those who are doing this poorly, I think the Mansion and Grad Club do a decent job of this, ad could serve as an example to others who are looking to/need to improve. There are likely more things happening in this City than what is shown above.
Kingstonians don't need another excuse to get drunk and wreck the city. Piles of green vomit do not a pleasant sunday morning make.
Certainly not advocating for a Springtime version of Aberdeen on St. Pats. It is rather sad that so many use this day as a reason to over-indulge, act ridiculous and ruin it for the rest of us. Case in point this year: London, ON.