St. Patrick’s Day is that one time of the year when everyone’s got a little Irish in them.
And, if you ever dated an Irish guy, you know what I mean by that. Although the official holiday isn’t until the 17th, there are a lot of events leading up to the big day, and not all of them involve watered-down green beer.
Kick off your celebration early during Fort Lauderdale’s 9th Annual Shamrock Run, on Saturday, March 12. Starting at 7 a.m. with a four-mile run, the Shamrock Run begins at Huizenga Plaza and follows Las Olas Blvd. After the race festivities, the annual Fort Lauderdale St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival follows the same path. Downtown Hollywood’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival will be held the following day, on Sunday, March 13 between noon and 6 p.m. It includes live music, food and drinks, and an Irish-themed parade with festive floats, marching bands, and more.
If your idea of celebrating the holiday tends more toward food and drink, there are a few spots offering specials on the 17th. Dubliner Irish Pub will permanently close after this year’s event to make room for yet another artisanal pizza place, so it will be a huge party. The festivities will include live bands, DJs, bagpipes, and Irish dancers. 435 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, 561-620-2540, Sub-Culture.org/Dubliner.
Hamburger Mary’s will offer green beer for $3 and Jameson shots for $5 and since it will also be “Tipsy Thursdays,” beginning at 10 p.m., there will be a variety of $5 drinks specials.
The Field will offer traditional Irish music with Ian Millar from the Irish Rovers and the Banyans as well as Irish dancers. Reservations are required, with three seats: lunch (10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.), afternoon (3-6:30 p.m.) and dinner (7-11:30 p.m.). 3281 Griffin Rd, Fort Lauderdale, 954-964-5979, thefieldfl.com.
At Duffy’s Sports Grill throughout March there will be a “Taste of Ireland” menu, including potato soup, Irish potato skins, a half-pound certified Angus beef patty topped with shaved corned beef, and a shamrock pie with chocolate mint ice cream. Drinks include a Creamsicle Martini with Jameson Orange Irish Whiskey and a Dublin Drop with Guinness draft, Baileys Irish Cream, and Jameson Cold Brew Whiskey. On St. Patrick’s Day Duffy’s will have all-day specials such as corned beef and cabbage, green Miller Lite, Guinness pints, and Jameson shots. 1804 Cordova Rd, Ft. Lauderdale, 954-713-6363, DuffysMVP.com.
Bona Italian offers live entertainment in its Aperitivo Lounge from 5:30-8:30 p.m. I’m certain someone will request a rendition of “Danny Boy.” 2468 Wilton Dr., 954-565-7222, bonaitalian.com.
One of the town’s newest spots, Big Buns Damn Good Burgers, a fast-casual restaurant next to the Wharf Fort Lauderdale, will offer a Luck O’ the Irish milkshake with the option of adding Irish whiskey or Irish Cream (or a mixture of both). 301 SW 1st Ave., Fort Lauderdale. 954-686-8181, EatBigBuns.com.
American Social will have $8 Jameson shots and $6 Guinness through March 18 and on March 17 there will be an all-day “Eat, Drink & Be Irish” party from 11:30-2 a.m. with green beer and additional drink specials. 721 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. 954-764-7005, AmericanSocialBar.com/las-olas.
Casa Sensei, the pan-Asian/Latin-fusion restaurant will highlight St. Patrick’s Day-inspired sushi such as a Green Dragon Roll and two special cocktails, the Mint Leprechaun martini, and Shamrock Punch. 1200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. 954-530-4176, CasaSensei.com.
Coco Sushi Lounge & Bar will dish up pale green, crescent-shaped pan-fried dumplings filled with Wagyu beef and shiitake mushrooms, a Maki Roll with spicy salmon sashimi and asparagus, wrapped with avocado, and topped with edamame and green tobiko, a green tea shot with Jameson Irish Whiskey, and a green tea mojito. 25 NE Second Ave., Delray Beach, 561-908-2567, CocoDelray.com.
The Lenore Nolan Ryan Catering & Cooking School will have a pop-up St. Patrick’s Day dinner on March 17 from 4-9 p.m. In addition to free house-made Irish soda bread and whiskey-dried fruit butter, the menu will include corned beef and cabbage spring roll, green onion potato cake with Irish smoked salmon, baked salmon cake, and an all-you-can-eat platter of Florida Keys stone crabs. Dessert will feature Irish whiskey caramel bread pudding and Irish coffee. 3311 N. Ocean Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-491-2340, Facebook.com/LenoreNolanRyanCookingSchoolandCatering.
Rick Karlin is SFGN’s food editor. Visit SFGN.com/Food to read his previous reviews. Have a culinary tip to share? Email Rick at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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