Try to imagine St. Patrick's Day as a national holiday. We would get a paid day off for partying. Rivers of green beer would flow in the streets. And we could enjoy an even bigger hangover the day after. There's a real campaign behind this silly idea, but it's more of a publicity stunt by beer giant Guinness. (Check out Proposition317.com.)
The Twin Cities' own Irish patriarch, bar owner Kieran Folliard, found such a lark amusing but "completely ridiculous." Fans of St. Paddy's Day don't need the government to tell them when to party, he said.
Indeed, Folliard and his brethren in the bar scene have a cavalcade of parties planned, making this year's St. Patrick's Day the most anticipated Tuesday since election season. With so many to choose from, we offer some suggestions for finding your ideal St. Paddy's Day party.
For dancing an Irish jig: With three stages of music, there will be plenty of dancing going on at Kieran's Irish Pub. The Belfast Cowboys headline the tent outside. It's a special St. Paddy's Day with this year marking the 15th anniversary of Kieran's.
1 p.m. Tue. 330 2nd Av. S., Mpls. $5. 612-339-4499. kierans.com
For real Irish drinkers: The Nomad Pub offers its annual "Break the Seal" challenge, where beer is free until someone pees. Last year, free beer flowed for two hours. Afterward: dirty limericks by the fire, cover bands and more shenanigans.
Doors open at 3 p.m. Tue. (and lock at 4 p.m. for the challenge), 501 Cedar Av. S., Mpls. Free. 612-338-6424. nomadpub.com
Not quite Irish, but close enough: The folks behind Brit's Pub welcome their Irish friends with a party in the third floor Clubhouse Bar. It has a great view of the Minneapolis St. Patrick's Day parade (which starts at 6:30 p.m.). The Como Avenue Jug Band plays at 7 p.m. Bagpipers, too.
