For some, St. Patrick’s Day is a time to recognize their Irish heritage and celebrate a rich culture. For others, it’s a chance to drink Irish whiskey and beer. Whatever the case, Portland has a number of St. Patrick’s Day events, many of which start the day before, with parties on Friday, March 16 in addition to Saturday, March 17. While St. Patrick’s Day is a great and fun excuse to drink stouts and whiskey, it’s never an excuse for irresponsible drinking. Use Lyft, Uber, Trimet, or a designated driver when leaving parties—everyone deserves a good, safe time. Where will you be celebrating the Luck o’ the Irish? Let us know on our Facebook or Twitter.

 

One of Portland’s most popular Irish pubs, Kells has been throwing its annual St. Patrick’s Day party for almost thirty years now. Seats in the smoker tent on Friday, March 17 are sold out, but the party on Saturday goes all day, with music, boxing, dancing, Irish food and drink specials, and more. Tickets are $30 and available at the door, and allow access to the pub, restaurant, and the tent, and the events go from 11 AM until late. Sunday is family day, when the tent is open from 8 AM to 5 PM, and minors are welcome, though the pub is still 21+. (112 SW 2nd Ave.; 503-227-4057)

 

The Northwest location of Kells will be hosting the Second Annual Irish beer festival in the covered, heated patio. The party sees twenty-plus local breweries, as well as a few Irish ones, serving up themed beers and ciders. Entertainment includes Irish dancers, bagpipers, fortune tellers, and meet the brewer sessions. General admission, which includes a souvenir festival glass and seven tokens, will cost $10 for Friday between Noon and 5 PM; $20 for Friday from 5 PM to 1 AM; and $20 all day Saturday. Most beers will cost one token for a taste or five tokens for a full glass; both ciders and select beers will cost additional tokens. Minors are welcome each day until 4 PM. (210 NW 21st Ave.; 503-719-7175)

 

The place that’s essentially named for the holiday has to go all out, and Paddy’s never disappoints. The festivities kick off at 11 AM on Saturday, March 18 with a family-friendly, tented party outside of the bar. Inside, guests will find all sorts of St. Patrick’s Day specials on food and whiskey. Seven live bands, traditional bagpipers and Irish dancers will serve as the weekend's entertainment and the event is free until 2 PM, after which there’s a $15 cover. Kids are welcome until 6 PM. Guests will also have the chance to enter a raffle throughout the weekend to win a three day trip for two to Ireland, complete with airfare, lodging and a tour of the Guinness brewery. The party continues on Sunday with an Irish breakfast for the Shamrock runners (and anyone else), and more music, with no cover. (65 SW Yamhill St.; 503-224-5626)

 

Though less explicitly so than some other places in town, Raven & Rose is an Irish and British themed restaurant, with cuisine inspired by the Emerald Island. This year, Raven & Rose is celebrating the holiday all weekend, with live music on Friday during lunch service as well as Saturday night in The Rookery Bar. The bar will also be serving some special dishes, as well as Irish whiskey flights and cocktails. (1331 SW Broadway; 503-222-7673)

 

Though not at all an Irish bar, Punchbowl Social is getting into the spirit of things with a special punch bowl, The Tickle Your Leprechaun, made with Irish whiskey, mint currant syrup, spiced plum tea and fresh lemon juice. There will also be Irish themed food specials, and the usual games and entertainment. (340 SW Morrison St., 3rd Floor; 503-334-0360)

 

 

It’s a Mexican inspired restaurant, but that doesn’t mean Alto Bajo, in the Hi-Lo Hotel, can’t also be Irish for the day. The restaurant will have specials throughout both brunch and dinner service, including corned beef hash, corned beef and cabbage, warm chocolate fudge brownie and vanilla-mint ice cream, and green eggs available all day. (310 SW Stark St.; 971-222-2111)

 

Jack Rabbit’s Chef Chris DiMinno will be serving Irish inspired bar snacks in the bar and Duniway Hotel lounge for $10 each, including potato brandade fritters with lemon aioli and a corned beef hash. The bar will be serving a Flight of the Irish ($17), a trio of Irish whiskeys each paired with Jackrabbit's house pickling brines, including Jameson, Teeling Single Malt, and Redbreast 12 Year. (830 SW 6th Ave.; 503-412-1800)

 

A relatively newer Irish pub, T.C. O’Leary’s is celebrating all week with events leading up to Saturday’s big celebration. From 7:30 PM to 9 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, find live Irish music, like Celtic harp and sing alongs. Wednesday evening brings bingo and Irish trivia. The bar opens early for the big day, with live music from noon to 10 PM, including Irish dancing, bagpipes, and other Celtic tunes. There will be no cover charge for the event, and for those that just can’t get enough St Patrick’s Day, Sunday the 18th will have even more Irish Dancing, at 3 PM. (2926 NE Alberta St.; 503-477-5969)

 

The famous local brewery and building restoration chain, McMenamins is hosting St Paddy’s Day events at many of its locations. None of the events have a cover.

Edgefield: The vineyard and music venue has Irish dancers starting at 1 PM, live music all day, and specials including Irish stout, Irish coffee, corned beef and cabbage, Irish reubens and Irish stew. There’s also a distillery tour from 3 to 5 PM, and a golf tournament. (2126 SW Halsey St, Troutdale, OR 97060; 503-669-8610)

Kennedy School: The inn, venue, and pub will host Irish dancing from 11:30 am to 1 PM, with live Irish and Celtic music all day. Guests will also find holiday specials including Irish stout, irish coffee, and corned beef and cabbage. (5736 NE 33rd Ave.; 503-249-3983)

Grand Lodge: Live music will be playing all day at O’Kanes, Father Luke’s, and the Fireside Courtyard at the Grand Lodge, including the Bend Fire Pipes and Drums. Food and drink specials include Irish stout, Irish coffee, corned beef and cabbage, and Irish reubens. (3505 Pacific Ave., Forest Grove, OR, 97116; 503-992-9533)