With a shuttle running to and from the melee of St. Paul's downtown parade (which begins at noon), Shamrocks is a solid staging area for St. Paddy's Day partying. Budget-minded barflies can earn a free box lunch for marching with team Shamrocks, and all can get a pair of green Jell-O shots for $6. Plus, we're told the bar's prices haven't changed in four years, so you're saving something on inflation, right?
In the face of light-rail construction, this University Avenue haunt isn't hosting its usual tent party this year. But inside, the lovable dive bar will be cranking up the Celtic tunes and slinging double Jameson gingers for $8.50. What the Dubliner lacks in a hot-spot location, it makes up for in working-class charm.
If you just can't contain your Irish spirit till Saturday, Kieran's is celebrating its 18th anniversary Friday with discounts on former pub patriarch Kieran Folliard's 2 Gingers Irish Whiskey and Finnegans' brand new Blonde Ale. You can't sleep there, but you're welcome to return at 9 a.m. for a bagpiping bash featuring two stages of live music and a DJ spinning in the heated tent party ($5 cover).
