Patch Picks: Celebrating St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day was made an official feast day in the early 17th century, and has gradually become a celebration of Irish culture. The day is filled with the wearing of green (the color of shamrocks) and the lifting of Lenten restrictions on fasting and drinking.

For our Patch Picks today, we list nearby celebrations to help get your “green” on.

1)  O’Loughlin’s, Arnold 

How could we not start with this local gem? For local residents who don’t want to stray too far from home, they promise they have a couple of pounds (OK, hundreds) of corned beef and enough pints to celebrate in style.

2)  Brain Boru’s, Severna Park

This restaurant is ready for day-long revelers with special St. Patrick’s menus for lunch and dinner. Live music is also available today featuring the Brothers McGuiness at 2:30 p.m., Swamp Candy at 6 p.m. and Dave Tieff at 9 p.m.

3)  Fado Irish Pub, Annapolis

Fadó opened the bar Thursday morning at 6 a.m. for “Pints and Pancakes,” with WRNR broadcasting live. Music will be performed all day starting with Hal the Piper, Broisener School of Dance, Weems Creek, Rock n Roll Stereo and headlining are The Rovers from 10 p.m. to close. (Local firefighters, police, rescue workers or military can bring ID to skip the cover.)

4)  Ram’s Head, Annapolis

Promising the biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Annapolis, they begin festivities at 2 p.m. that include no cover cost. From 5 to 7 p.m., they are offering free bratwurst with German Potato Salad. Free music from The Pressing Strings starts at 10 p.m.

5)  Galway Pub, Annapolis

This pub in Historic Annapolis offers special St. Patrick’s Day to-go and dinner menus Thursday. For entertainment, they offer Ray Weaver until 5:30 p.m. and Matt McConville from 6:30 p.m. to closing, with a $5 cover starting at 2 p.m. Patrons can also try their new Irish Flight Sampler and sample the best of Irish beers for $8.99.