Greener pastures

Our guide to St. Patrick's Day

By Eliana Fiore, Sarah Han, Jenny Miyasaki, and Chris Sabbath

› a&eletters@sfbg.com

All events take place March 17 unless otherwise indicated; times and cover charges are given when available.

BARS AND CLUBS

Abbey Tavern 4100 Geary; 221-7767, www.abbeytavern-sf.com. 2pm. Enjoy free corned beef hash and cabbage while watching live soccer matches broadcast from Ireland and listening to Irish music, including performances by bag pipers. Finish off the night with Euro disco and DJs spinning Irish tunes until 2am.

Blarney Stone 5625 Geary; 386-9914. 4pm. Between 4-6pm pints of Miller Light will be just $2, which will give you plenty of time to practice your Irish jig before live traditional Irish music will begins at 5. A DJ will take over later in the evening to carry you through to the end of the rainbow.

Buena Vista Cafe 2765 Hyde; 474-5044, www.thebuenavista.com. 9 a.m. Kick off your St. Patty's Day with Buena Vista's famous Irish Coffee; in fact, end your day with it too, after enjoying traditional Irish dancing, music, and food all day long.

The Chieftain 198 Fifth St; 615-0916, www.thechieftainirishpub.com. 9am. After feasting on a traditional Irish breakfast, stay for the music of Quinn and performances by Irish dancers and bagpipers.

Copper Kettle Irish Cafe and Bakery 2240 Taraval; 731-8818. 6am-5:30pm. Get your fix of corned beef and cabbage or Irish boiling bacon and cabbage at this home of traditional Irish goodies.

Costello's 4 Deuces 2319 Taraval; 566-9122. 10am. Get down to Costello's for some corned beef and cabbage and live music.

Dog's Bollix 408 Clement; 752-1452. Call for time. The Hooks and Foleys Scrotum perform at this Irish bar.

Durty Nelly's 2328 Irving; 664-2555. 10am. Craic for all awaits those revelers who come to this Sunset neighborhood bar, featuring live music, food, and an evening performance by Odie McLaughlin.

Goalpost 1334 Noriega; 566-6466. 8am. If you're not a big corned beef fan, you're in luck because the Goalpost features bacon and cabbage, as well as music.

Great American Music Hall 859 O'Farrell; 885-0750. 8:30pm. $20. Local Irish rock band Culann's Hounds headline the show with old-timey bluegrass band the Early Brothers and six-piece traditional Irish band Quin.

Harrington's Bar and Grill 245 Front; 392-7595. 5pm, $3. Ben Hunter and Celtic Scandal with Andre McNamara and the Kennelly Irish Dancers perform.

Harry Harrington's Pub 460 Larkin; 775-1150. 7am. Come to one of the hottest spots in town, where you won't need the luck of the Irish to get yourself a pint of green Guinness. Live bands will be playing traditional music all night long.

Ireland's 32 3920 Geary; 386-6173, www.irelands32sanfrancisco.com. 9pm. Sample the large selection of Irish whiskeys and beers on tap, preferably before you challenge your mate to a game of darts. Live music starts at 9 p.m., featuring Dan Lawless on the accordian, as well as the Bog Savages and Tickets to Ride.

Irish Bank Bar and Restaurant 10 Mark Lane; 788-7152, www.theirishbank.com. 6-10am. This Irish restaurant presents its wildly popular block party, which includes a live broadcast by Alice Radio 97.3FM, DJ sets, bagpiping, and a performance by special guest band the Smokehouse Gamblers.

Johnny Foley's 243 O'Farrell; 954-0771. 11:30am. This Irish pub, which recently reopened its doors after a two-month renovation, presents its "St Patrick's Day Hooley" party featuring music by the Skindivers.

Kate O'Brien's Irish Bar & Grill 579 Howard; 882-7240, www.kateobriens.com. 2pm. The St. Patrick's Day festival at Kate O' Brien's is perhaps the hottest green scene around. Get here early to claim a good spot in the beer garden where you can listen to live music and feast on a catered meal.

Keane's 3300 Club 3300 Mission; 826-6886, www.geocities.com/~newspixie. 9am. Where else but in the Mission can you find a corned beef taco on St. Patrick's Day? Celebrate your Irish ancestors at the historic 3300 Club, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with a weekend-long St. Patrick's Day party.

Kezar Pub 770 Stanyan; 386-9292. 6am. Enjoy Ireland's favorite pastime, drinking, with specials all day long on Guiness and Irish whiskeys while indulging in America's favorite pastime — watching sports.

Martin Mack's 1568 Haight; 864-0124. 10am. This bustling Haight Street locale will knock your socks off with its heaping amounts of tasty corned beef and cabbage. Don't miss the piper whose blaring bagpipes will stuff your ears full of shamrocks.

Mighty 119 Utah, SF; 626-7001, www.mighty119.com. 10pm. $5. Honor the shamrock at "Mighty St. Patty's Day Shamrockin' Breaks," a dance party hosted by House of Lotus and Netamp, with DJs Shissla, Alibi, Deep Eddy, Sir Shvits, Beth Murphy, Mancub, Lub Dub, Lantz, Tonic, and special guest Disco D.

Napper Tandy Irish Bar and Restaurant 3200 24th St; 550-7510. 9am. Sip on a pint of green beer while chomping down on some corned beef and cabbage at the Napper Tandy, where you'll also be treated to live music by Ivor Collins, followed by a DJ.

O' Reilly's Irish Pub and Restaurant 622 Green; 989-6222. 11am. Come to the pub where everyone is Irish for the day. Sing, dance, and throw down pints of Guinness at the annual St. Patrick's Day Block Party — the most exciting Irish experience in North Beach. Live Celtic music by the Highgates and Hy Brassyl begins at 4pm.

Phoenix 811 Valencia; 695-1811, www.phoenixirishbar.com. 9am. The hippest Irish hangout in the Mission is throwing an all day celebration, so make plenty of room for their appetizing traditional Irish treats.

Pig and Whistle 2801 Geary; 885-4779, www.pig-and-whistle.com 11:30am. This Irish watering hole provides all-day drink specials on beer and Irish whiskey and has a dartboard and pool table in their cozy back room for those who want to dodge the Irish shenanigans.

Plough and Stars 116 Clement; 751-1122. www.theploughandstars.com. 9pm. Andrew MacNamara and Michael Landers, as well as The Gas Men, round out this evening of traditional Irish Music.

Royal Exchange 301 Sacramento; 956-1710 11am. Located in the heart of the city's financial district, this pub closes off Front Street (between Sacramento and California) to cram in all of its St Patty's Day diehards. The Wonderbread Five, a Jackson 5 cover band, will perform while you stuff yourself silly with Irish goodies.

Sam Maguire Irish Pub 2457 Noriega; 759-1408. 11am. Do a jig at this party featuring tasty free appetizers, drink specials, and music.

San Francisco Brewing Company 155 Columbus; 434-3344, www.sfbrewing.com. Noon. Tonight, the Nova Jazz Quartet performs. The house special on the menu is rainbow trout, but the restaurant will also be serving their special Irish Day menu.

Temple Bar 600 Polk; 931-5196. 10am. Get a heapin' helping of corned beef and cabbage and Irish stew while you enjoy one of the Temple's drink specials.

Tiernan's Restaurant and Irish Pub 685 Beach; 673-9700. Call for time. This traditional Irish restaurant presents a night of entertainment featuring Tony McMahon, Pat Hamilton, and Martin Lacey.

Wilde Oscar's 1900 Folsom; 621-7145. 11am. If you're up for some craic, get over to this Mission Irish bar, which will provide food and live music to celebrate the green day.

BAY AREA

19 Broadway 17 Broadway, Fairfax; (415) 459-1091, www.19broadway.com 7pm. $10. Let the "green" times roll this shamrock day to Jeb Brady and Zepperella.

Albatross Pub 1822 San Pablo, Berk; (510) 843-2473, www.albatrosspub.com 9:30pm.$3 cover. "Berkeley's oldest pub" presents Blind Duck, an untamed collective churning out music for your "green" heart. Limited quantities of corned beef, soda bread, and potato salad plates will also be available.

Beckett's 2271 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com. 11:30am. This true Irish pub will serve up a traditional Irish breakfast to patrons all day, as folk bands Finnoula and Kinsella get you to do the jig and work off all that Guinness spinning in your gut.

Blakes 2367 Telegraph, Berk; (510) 848-0886, www.blakesontelegraph.com. 11am. Throw back a friendly mug of green beer while tantalizing your taste buds with a corned beef slider . Throw your hands in the air to the beats of Chozen Muzic.

Cafe Van Kleef 1621 Telegraph, Oakl; (510) 763-7711, 9 pm. $5. The only thing going on that's Irish at this Oakland bar will be the massive amounts of drinking. The Blue Bone Express, Hot Pink Feathers, Blue Note perform.

Little Fox Theatre 2209 Broadway, Redwood City; (650) 369-4119. 8pm. $27. Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks perform folk jazz.

McGees Bar and Grill 1645 Park, Alameda; (510) 522-3470. 11am. Corned beef — check! Cabbage — check! Green beer — check!

McGrath's Irish Pub 1539 Lincoln, Alameda; (510) 522-6263. 7pm. www.mcgrathspub.com This small neighborhood joint is Alameda's best-kept secret, but things get a little hectic on St. Patty's Day. Come celebrate a fun-filled evening of Irish drinkin' and eatin' with music from The Jewgrass Boys.

McNally's Downtown Irish Pub 5352 College, Oakl; (510) 654-9463. 10am. Blow an eardrum or two to the braying bagpipes of the All Irish Pipe Band. T-shirt giveaways and other prizes will mark this "green occasion." The usual Irish delicacies apply.

O'Neill's Irish Pub 34 South B St, San Mateo; (650) 347- 1544, www.tisoneills.com. Noon. Enjoy an extravagant beer garden, corned beef and cabbage, and the music of Blue and Green.

Starry Plough 3101 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 841-2082; www.starryploughpub.com. 11am. Irish dancing, bagpipes, food, and traditional Irish music from Driving with Fergus round out this festival of green happenings. Entertainment begins at 6pm.

Time Out Bar and Patio 1822 Grant; 798-1811. 9pm. $7. This rockin' party features performances by Planting Seeds, 13 Inches, and Sound Boy.

Triple Rock 1920 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 843-2739, www.triplerock.com. 11:30am. Wash down servings of corned beef and cabbage with a pint of this brewpub's special Irish red, "The Blarney Stone."

Vbar Hotel Valencia, third floor, 355 Santana Row, San Jose; (408) 551-0010. 5pm-1am. South Bayers, don't be green with envy over all the St. Patty's Day partying going on over in SF — the Vbar offers specials on Irish beer and cocktails and a live DJ pumping up the party.

EVENTS

Organic Tasting: #209 Distillery and La Bonne Cuisine California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard, SF. 321-8000, www.calacademy.org. 3-5pm. $2-$7 museum admission. Toast St. Patty's day by sampling gin on the rocks from #209 Distillery and treat yourself to five-star French fare from La Bonne Cuisine Catering's executive chef Christophe Kubiak.

St. Patrick's Day and Farley's 17th birthday celebration Farley's, 1315 18th St; 282-2225. All day, free. Get your morning cup of joe along with an earful of bagpiping and other live Irish music at this all-day celebration; Potrero Hill Friends of Old Time Music perform at 7pm.

St. Patrick's Day annual lunch and dinner United Irish Cultural Center, 2700 45th Ave; 661-2700, www.irishcentersf.org. Noon-midnight. Celebrate all-day long with dancing, family events, and live music by Louise and Shades of Green, Pat Ryan's Celtic Junket, and the Shannon Céilí Band.

St. Patrick's Day Hornblower Cruises 3 Embarcadero Center; 788-8866. 11:30am and 7pm. Call for price. This cruise line celebrates St. Patrick's Day with a daytime brunch, a casino night, and an evening dinner-dance.

St. Patrick's Day Festival Buena Vista Café, 2765 Hyde, 474-5044, www.thebuenavista.com. Fri/17, 9am-2am, music 11pm-2am, free. Enjoy bagpipe music and traditional Irish dances while savoring lamb stew, soda bread, cabbage, corned beef, and the Buena Vista's famous Irish coffee.

BAY AREA

50th Annual St. Patrick's Day BBQ and Fundraiser Dance Palace Community Center, Fifth and B St., Point Reyes Station. (415) 663-1075, www.dancepalace.org. Noon-4pm. $7-$12. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day and support local churches while enjoying barbeque, live music, a raffle, a cake booth, and more.

Dublin's St. Patrick's Day Festival Amador Valley Blvd. between Regional and Donohue, Dublin, (925) 833-6645, www.dublinstpats.com. Sat/18-Sun/19. Pancake breakfast, 7am-10am, $3-$5; parade, 9:30am, free. Join the city of Dublin in celebrating St. Patrick's Day with a pancake breakfast in the town's fire station, and a parade including over 60 floats, with marching bands and bagpipers, and much more!

"Shamrock Day" Habitot Children's Museum, 2065 Kittredge, Berk; (510) 647-1111. 9:30am-5pm, free. The Shamrock Ceilidh Band performs at this kid-friendly event featuring green art activities and a hunt for hidden pots of gold.

"Stop the Stumps!" Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo, Berk; (510) 548-3113. 8pm. $10 minimum, sliding scale admission. Wear green or dress up as a leprechaun, elf, or Irish hero at this dance party featuring performances by Funky Nixons, Gary Gates Band, Day Late Fool's Band, Ren and Skimpy, and Richard Hubbard; videos and information about north coast forests; a silent auction; and more. Proceeds benefit the Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters and Earth First.

"St. Patrick's Day Romp" Boundary Oaks Country Club, 3800 Valley Vista Rd, Walnut Creek; (925) 937-4744.Fri/17, 8pm-midnight, $20-30. Calling all Bay Area singles, wear your most dapper green gown or suit to this cocktail affair featuring dancing, ice breakers, entertainment, and party favors — and if you're lucky, you'll get pinched. *