It’s March, it’s New England and we’re not in a lockdown. While the storied South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade is back on for March 20, that’s not the only way to go full Irish in celebration of the holiday.
Across the city, state and region, restaurants and destinations are offering Irish-based fun not just on St. Patrick’s Day, but for the full weekend and in some cases, all month long.
Consider these options as either an add-on to a parade experience or a celebration in itself.
Bet on it: At Foxwood’s Resort Casino (foxwoods.com) you can enjoy the luck of the Irish all day.
Star with breakfast. At the Veranda Cafe, you can order up a true Irish breakfast (and yes, do eat the blood sausage! It’s good), or other meals with an Irish accent, like a Bailey’s French toast casserole.
Next, move to the gaming floor to try that luck in the Gold Kiosk Game. Starting Thursday at 9 a.m., any Foxwood’s Rewards Member (you can sign up right then) chooses a Pot of Gold. Choose the right pot and you could win your share of $25,000 in Bonus Slot Play, Foxwoods Rewards Points, a Designer Gold Necklace or up to $5,000 cash.
For a take, and taste, on tradition, reserve a table at Cedars Steaks & Oysters for a Corned Beef Brisket Special, or head back to Veranda for Corned Beef and Cabbage.
Sent to the Clink.: This St. Patrick’s Day, that’s a good thing, really. Clink. (clinkboston.com), the bar and restaurant in the space that once housed the Charles Street Jail (inside the Liberty Hotel), is laying on the holiday spirit.
Clink. will host a four-course meal prepared by Liberty Hotel executive chef Daniel Kenney on Thursday evening.
Kenney will team up with an Irish whiskey expert from Teeling Irish Whiskey to pair the four courses, including lamb, seared scallops, pork shoulder and Irish Blue Cheese Pudding (among other things), for a perfect evening of Irish tastes.
Reservations are required and come in at $155 per person.
Head to the coast: Who doesn’t love the coast of Ireland? While you may not be able to get there this quickly, head down to Ocean Edge in Brewster (oceanedge.com), where they’re embracing the Irish vibe all month long with their Second Annual Taste of Ireland.
For dining, you’ll find shepherd’s pie, loaded potato skins and a special Irish tasting menu over St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
They also offer guided whiskey tasting and mixology workshops, Irish dancing performances from the Kanaley School of Irish Dancing (you can even take a lesson), and special events like a “pour the perfect pint lessons,” (it’s an art), horseshoe games, pint glass etching workshops, a try your luck trivia contest and even a write your own Irish limerick session.
And they’re offering 10% off lodging all month.
Your own private Ireland: Want to celebrate your roots — or just indulge in your love of all things Irish — as a couple? The Fairmont Copley Plaza (fairmont-copley-plaza.com) offers a Pot O’ Gold getaway.
Available any night in the month of March, this package gives you an upgraded room and serves you — in room — a hearty Angus Beef & Guinness Pie served with colcannon potatoes and Irish whisky gravy, plus the necessary pint of Guinness.
Should you not have the time — or budget — to stay overnight, you can order up that same combination at Oak Long Bar & Kitchen Thursday through March 20 any time from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Zip down to the Irish Riviera: Scituate has long held the rights to be one of the most Irish towns in America. On March 20, you can take in their own St. Patrick’s Day Parade (weloveaparade.com), with floats, music and even an honorary grand marshal who wins that spot by raising funds for charity.
The parade runs from Gates School, down through the harbor and over to Jericho Road on the harbor front. It’s the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade on the South Shore. Want to pre-game? They host a St. Pat’s Plunge on Humarock Beach at high noon on Saturday. You can hack it if you’re Irish.