Break out your green finest – St. Patrick’s Day is coming.
Here in Brooklyn, the whole month seems to be dedicated to the holiday, with special events and shows planned on and around March 17. Here’s a look at some of the highlights and best places to be to celebrate being Irish, even if you’re not.
On March 11, Irish legendary group The Wolfe Tones play Bally Bunion in Bay Ridge. “We gained many friends and fans in Brooklyn over the years and we are looking forward to renewing our friendship and meeting the next generation and playing the songs and stories of Ireland for them once again,” Brian Warfield, the band’s vocalist, banjo, harp and bodhrán player, as well as the lead songwriter, told us the last time the band played Brooklyn – this past summer at Aviator’s Irish Festival – and it’s certain the sentiment still rings true for the upcoming show.
The show is at 9:30 pm. Tickets are $20 in advance, available at the bar, and $25 at the door. Cash only. Bally Bunion is located at 9501 Third Ave. For more information, call 718-833-2801.
That same night, another band with Wolfe Tones roots takes to the stage in Brooklyn. Derek Warfield, one of the founding members of the original band, plays Rocky Sullivan’s in Red Hook with his new project, The Young Wolfe Tones, bringing the Irish song tradition to a whole new generation.
Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door, with the show at 8 pm.
Rocky Sullivan’s continues to celebrate the Irish spirit in song, as Celtic-influenced hip-hop band Seanchai & the Unity Squad play three engagements over the course of the week, starting March 13 as part of the 11th Annual Unrepentant Gathering with Gary Og, direct from Glasgow , and Declan McLaughlin, direct from Derry, and St. Patrick’s Day itself with Og again. The band also plays its regular Rocky Sullivan’s Saturday gig March 20.
As far as the St. Patrick’s Day show goes, “It should be quite a gathering as there are a ton of people from overseas (from Ireland, Glasgow, and London) making their annual pilgrimage to the pub,” says Seanchai singer Chris Bryne. “St. Patrick himself generally makes an appearance toward the end of the night.”
The March 13 and 20 shows are at 9:30 pm, and the March 17 is at 8 pm. Rocky Sullivan’s is located at 34 Van Dyke St. For more information, call 718-24601973.
City Reliquary is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, and itself, in a way, with a benefit concert for the museum on St. Paddy’s night at the Knitting Factory in Williamsburg. Performers include historic glass armonica virtuoso and lecturer Cecilia Brauer, electronic zitherer Brian Dewan, acoustic duo Drink Me, bluegrassy string band Frankenpine, and New Orleansy brass band Lucky Chops.
Tickets are $20, with the shot at 7 pm. The Knitting Factory is located at 361 Metropolitan Ave. For more information, call 347-529-6696.
If you’re looking for an authentic Irish trad session, head up to Williamsburg to Spike Hill for their weekly Monday session, happening March 15 the week of St. Patrick’s Day, at 8:30 pm, and a special guest planned for the day of as well. The Bedford bar is a destination spot for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day the whole week as well, with Irish pub grub (corned beef and cabbage, shepherds pie, fish and chips, a Guinness stew, and Irish breakfast.) available all weekend beforehand and the week of.
Spike Hill is located at 184 Bedford Ave. For more information, call 718-218-9737.
Since St. Patrick’s Day can also be about eating – not just drinking – another Brooklyn spot for traditioanl fare is Eamonn’s (174 Montague St.) in Brooklyn Heights. A lively spot on St. Patrick’s Day all day long, the restaurant plans on having bagpipers on the menu for the day, as well as some specials, including the traditional corned beef and cabbage. You could also get some Irish sausage and mashed potatoes, battered fish and chips, and a hearty shepherds pie on the big day. Of course, be sure to down it all with a settled pint of Guinness.
Reservations are recommended for groups larger than four. For more information, call 718-596-4969.
For other authentic Irish hangs in Brooklyn, head to Ceol Pub (191 Smith St.) in Cobble Hill, always wild on St. Patrick’s Day, Peggy O’Neill’s (1904 Surf Ave.) in Coney Island, and, in Bay Ridge, Kitty Kiernan’s (97-15 Third Ave.), T.J. Bentley’s (71-10 Third Ave.) and The Wicked Monk (3415 Fifth Ave.).
