By: Sara E. Teller

St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick’s Day has grown over the years from a traditional Irish holiday to a worldwide sensation, and metro Detroit is no exception when it comes to joining in on the fun. Whether you are hoping to grab a drink with friends, check out a St. Patrick's Day festival, or feast on traditional Irish fare, there are plenty of places to head in and around town. Here’s a look at local bars and eateries, and all-things-Irish St, Patrick's Day events.

Best Places for a St Patrick’s Day Drink

Grabbing a drink (or two) on St. Patrick's Day is an annual tradition – and not just for the Irish. If you’re looking for a spot to stop and celebrate, here are a few St. Patrick's Day bars that top the list:

Century Banquet Center, 33204 Maple Lane Dr., Sterling Heights, MI 48312. Join the Center in celebrating the 15th Annual St. Patrick & St. Joseph Party, Saturday March 14 @ 6:00-11:00 pm. Choose from an Eastern Market corned beef sandwich or a Dearborn kielbasa sandwich with all the fixings. Beer, wine and soft drinks are included, and a cash bar is also available. O'Misty Blues will keep the party going so you can sing and dance the whole night through. For more information and to buy your tickets, visit www.century-banquetcenter.com/event/12th-annual-patrick-joseph-party.

Downey Brewing Company, 13121 Prospect St., Dearborn, 48126, (313) 288-8442. Downey is ready to make up for St. Patrick’s Day 2020 being canceled by celebrating double this year on March 17th! It's open up to 25% capacity with the main brewery area up and running and a newly renovated large event space perfect for Irish drinking songs and dry Irish stouts. The bar is also offering a St. Practice Day on March 13th for guests so can pick which day to be Irish...or celebrate on both!

Dunleavy’s Pub, 6004 Allen Rd., #2639, Allen Park, 48101, (313) 382-4545. Brothers Tom and Brian Dunleavy opened their pub with a goal of making every customer who walks through its doors walk out a bit happier. Stop by this St. Patty’s for a wide variety of beer options and service with a smile.

Irish Tavern, 29028 Campbell Rd., Madison Heights, 48071 (248) 591-4039. With a friendly atmosphere reminiscent of Ireland itself, the tavern is known for its full bar of rotating taps, as well as shuffleboard, darts, and other fun to-dos.

O’Toole’s, 205 Fifth Ave., Royal Oak, 48067, (248) 591-9226. This downtown hotspot is one of the best-known St. Patrick's Day bars offering forty beers on tap, a full menu, and plenty of room to gather with your guys and gals!

Sherwood Brewing Company, 45689 Hayes Rd Shelby Twp., 48315, (586) 532-9669. Sherwood is offering Irish tea and coffee, traditional fare, beer and limericks 9 am-9 pm. Due to capacity limits, reservations are required and there are several packages available at www.sherwoodbrewing.com/lucky. Just for fun, you can also join St. Practice Day the weekend before and enjoy $6 lunch specials and stout releases.

The Ultimate Craft Studio, 28370 Joy Rd., Livonia, 48150, (313) 685-8654. The Ultimate Ladies Night presents a St. Patrick's Day Block Party at the studio, an all day indoor/outdoor event, 12 pm to 6 pm, with food, drinks, a live DJ, vendors, raffles and more. The day wouldn't be complete, of course, without mobile bars, photo booths to capture those candid moments with friends, and an outdoor tent to gather. Early bird tickets are on sale now through 2/28 at only $20 per person. After that, tickets are $30 per person.

For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/141429177477.

Where to Eat like the Irish

If authentic Irish cuisine is your jam and you’re searching for the best St. Patrick's Day food in metro Detroit, consider these spots:

Bread Basket Deli, 2011 Southfield Rd., Lincoln Park,48146, (313) 386-3354. The Deli is serving up its annual St. Patrick's DayCo corned beef and cabbage dinner special Monday, March 15th through St. Patrick's Day (or until sold out). The famous meals include a generous serving of its delicious corned beef, redskin potatoes, carrots and a quarter cabbage all seasoned and marinated with an award-winning “secret” blend! Inside ordering and carryout will be available on St. Patrick's Day only, and delivery is available through Doordash. Visit www.breadbasketdelis.com.

Dick O’ Dow’s, 160 W. Maple Rd., Birmingham, 48009 (248) 642-1135. Thanks to a lot of love from locals, this hometown favorite is toasting to twenty years of all things Irish. Stop by this St. Patty’s to celebrate the restaurant’s favorite holiday!

Duggan’s Irish Pub, 31501 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, 48073 (248) 549-3659. Thirty-six years and counting, Duggan's has offered a full menu featuring its famous Big Chief Burger and 52 draft beers on tap – one to celebrate every week of the year…all on one day!

frame (joebar), 23839 John R Rd. #2, Hazel Park, 48030, (248) 291-5711, is offering a New York Carnegie St. Patrick's Day Kit on March 17th. The kit comes complete with an authentic St. Patrick's Day Feast straight from Carnegie Deli, including house-cured and simmered corned beef, traditional seeded rye bread, Carnegie's sour pickles (32-ounce jar), a 9-ounce jar of its delicious deli mustard and its famous cheesecake. Guests can also add on other exclusives and enjoy with some Irish-approved Guinness.

Jake O’Malley’s Irish Pub, 11417 26 Mile Rd., Washington Twp., 48094 (586) 232-4255. Come in and enjoy traditional dishes from Sheppard's pie to Rueben tots, and mashed potato balls. Jake O’Malley’s is also known for its “True Irishman,” one pound of thinly sliced corned beef with sauerkraut and 1000 island dressing stuffed into a giant bun topped with Swiss cheese.

John Cowley & Sons Irish Pub, 33338 Grand River Ave., Farmington, 48336, (248) 474-5941. The Cowley’s emigrated from Ireland to Detroit in 1949 to lay down roots locally and began their legacy. Now, family owned and operated for over four decades, John Cowley & Sons Irish Pub features traditional Irish fare with a modern, tasty twist.

O’Connor’s Public House, 324 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307 (248) 608-2537. O’Connor’s is a Guinness-sponsored pub known for its authentic Irish food, extensive craft beer selection and live music every Wednesday through Friday.

O'Malley's Supper Spirits & Song, 15231 Farmington Rd., Livonia, 48154, (734) 427-7775. The name says it all! Stop in for the best Irish food, drinks, and live entertainment Livonia has to offer.

Pat O’Brien’s Tavern, 22385 E 10 Mile Rd., St. Clair Shores, 48080 (586) 771-5715. This eatery has been a favorite for the whole family since 1948 serving fresh caught lake perch and a variety of signature dishes including shepherd’s pie, Rueben sandwiches, and fish ‘n chips. A fully stocked bar includes over fifteen Irish whiskeys, scotches, craft beers, and a wide range of wines. Kids eat free on Monday nights and everyone loves Pat’s prime rib Fridays!

Sheehan’s On the Green, 39450 5 Mile Rd., Plymouth, 48170, (734) 420-0646. Sheehan’s comes equipped with game-worthy HD TVs, weekday happy hour drink specials, and a beloved trivia night every Saturday at 8 pm. The local favorite also has a full menu with wings, burgers or wraps, and more.

St Patrick’s Day for Families

Looking for a few, family friendly St. Patrick’s Day events? Get your green on and check out these around-town happenings:

Annual St. Patrick’s Day Story Time, Pontiac Public Library, ONLINE VIA ZOOM, Saturday, March 13, 3:30-5:30 pm. Join the library for a virtual day of Irish music, leprechauns, and pots of gold! Families can also snag a treat bag through curbside pickup. Register for this free event at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-st-patricks-day-story-time-tickets-138837473621.

Sacred Heart Parish's Legacy Raffle and Corned Beef Dinner, Sacred Heart Catholic Church’s Parish Hall, 22430 Michigan Ave., Dearborn 48124, Sunday, March 15, 12:30-3:00 pm. Stop by the hall for some Irish themed entertainment and great food. More information can be found at www.shparish.org.

St. Patty's Day Cake Decorating Class, The Bakehouse, 52588 Van Dyke Avenue, Shelby Twp., MI 48316, (586) 262-4548, March 13, 10:00-11:30 am. Each person will receive a 6″ vanilla cake (serves 12) & all the necessary tools to create your work of art. The Bakehouse staff will guide you step-by-step through the process and box them up to take home to share! The cost is $40 per person. Call for tickets.

St. Patrick's Gnome Gnight with portrait artist Carla Garrison-Mattos, ONLINE, March 1, 6:00 pm. Share quality time with your family and celebrate the holiday in the comfort of your home with a fun gnome craft! The instructor will send all the materials you'll need to create a St. Patrick's Day themed sock gnome, and then guide you through the process in a virtual class. Kids 3+ are welcome to participate with adult assistance. The cost is $35 per person. Purchase tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/st-patricks-gnome-gnight-tickets-139086227651?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch.

Festivals + Parades

Detroit’s Annual St. Patty’s Day Parade, Corktown -- Detroit. (CANCELLED) March 2021. The parade has been Detroit tradition since the 1950s, but it has been cancelled for the second year in a row due to the coronavirus.

Sacred Heart Parish's Legacy Raffle and Corned Beef Dinner, Sacred Heart Catholic Church’s Parish Hall, 22430 Michigan Ave., Dearborn 48124, Sunday, March 15, 12:30-3:00 pm. Stop by the hall for some Irish themed entertainment and great food. More information can be found at www.shparish.org.

St. Patrick’s Day Family Fun Day & Party, Beacon Park – Detroit. (CANCELLED) March 2021, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm. The park is usually transformed into an Irish pub complete with live entertainment throughout the afternoon, lawn games and free activities for kids. The 2021 event is cancelled due to Covid-19.

St. Patrick's Day, Ludington. March 13, all day event. Head downtown for an Irish 5k/10k jog, pub crawl, St. Patrick's Day parade, ‘Follow the Rainbow’ scavenger hunt and lots of other fun, family friendly St. Patrick’s Day activities. For more information, visit www.downtownludington.org/stpatricksday.