This year St. Patrick's Day, the biggest and best excuse to call in sick and drink all day day, has fallen on a Sunday... This doesn't bode well for those hardcore Irish that want to spend the day drinking, but have other obligations to attend to like the honey-do list, church or that pesky buzzkill known as...work the next morning. Also, many bars in the state of Michigan do not possess the special liquor license needed to allow them to open before 12 noon on a Sunday. Finally, the turnout for a Sunday St. Patrick's Day may be greatly diminished compared to non-Sunday falling years due to the school of thought that dictates that going out on the Saturday before a Sunday St. Patrick's Day would be the best alternative to going out on the day of. Many bars would agree with this logic, as several have advertised their St. Patrick's Day parties to be on Saturday, March 16th.
All that aside, when it comes to finding a place to drink Irish Car Bombs and Jameson, eat something colored green that normally isn't colored green, and get intoxicated before the whistle blows for lunch break, downtown Detroit, as it always does, has you covered. Here are some of the best places to check out on Sunday, March 17th, 2013 in downtown Detroit:
Buffalo Wild Wings Detroit
While it may be the new kid in town as far as bars go and seemingly not the slightest bit Irish, Buffalo Wild Wings, aka BW's, has a propensity to join the party in any way it can. In this case, expect BW's Detroit to open at 8 am and feature (on it's 2nd floor only) all-you-can-eat green wings (traditional and boneless), green eggs & ham and potato wedges for $12.99. This special will be going on from 8 am to 11 am, but you can expect the green beer to be flowing all day long especially with the potential for MSU and/or U of M to be playing in a Big Ten Tournament championship game later on in the day. If all of this is still not Irish enough for you, next door sits...
Old Shillelagh
The unquestioned king of downtown Detroit Irish bars. If you or someone you know has been to downtown Detroit at some point in the last 10 years, odds are they stopped by the Old Shillelagh, whether they can remember it or not. This year, Old Shillelagh opens its doors at 7 am with the outdoor tents opening at 12 noon. They claim to be having body & face painting, show your shamrocks, souvenir photo booth, a Southern Comfort dunk tank, beer pong and flippy cup. You'll be foot stomping to a Dropkick Murphy's song or two with the live music of Black Mist & Stone Clover. While everyone is officially Irish on St. Patrick's Day, not everyone gets down with traditional Irish music. For the type of energy only dance music can provide head across the street to...
Delux Lounge
Also, not known as a year round Irish establishment, Delux, is known for pumping out martinis, shots and thumping beats from the dance floor. You may not have the courage to step out on the dance floor in the wee hours of the early morning, but by noon you'll be recreating moves from LMFAO's "Sexy and I know It" video thinking you ARE that good a dancer. Delux opens its doors at 9 am and will feature $4 Guiness, $4 Irish Whiskey, $2 Miller Lite and $2 Molson til 2 pm. Also, expect an appearance by the Jameson Girls handing out free swag before 2 pm. If you're looking for some of the best Irish food in Detroit to go along with all that drinking walk on over to...
Foran's Grand Trunk Pub
Foran's is known more as an easy going lunch and after work hang out as opposed to the wild, drunken, pass out-on-the-floor type Irish bar. The food at Foran's is their true calling card. Perhaps the best corned beef in Detroit comes out of this little from the outside, huge from the inside establishment. Their doors will be opening at 10 am on Sunday. For more amazing eats from a place near Greektown that not so many people know about, but should, head over to...
The Detroit Pub Greektown
The Detroit Pub celebrates it's Irish heritage by adorning its signage and bar with Irish paraphernalia. There are pool tables, dart boards and DJ/jukebox music. As stated, this bar is typically not well known, but features a fantastic menu with excellent corned beef. They will of course be carrying green beer, but the real win here is the "pub pack". This daily special includes 1 pitcher of domestic beer and 4 Faygo bomb (vodka mixed with your choice of Faygo pop) shots for $15. You can upgrade your pitcher to any draft beer (foreign or domestic) and 4 Faygo shots for $20. The Detroit Pub opens its doors on St. Patrick's Day at 7 am. Not a bad way to get your green game face on for a day of serious St. Patrick's Day Irish celebration (drinking).
Happy St. Patrick's Day Detroit! Enjoy, be responsible and don't burn yourself out all in one day! Remember, Detroit Tigers Opening Day is Friday April 5th, which is only 19 days after the green ball drops on St. Patrick's Day 2013. Erin go Bragh!
Buffalo Wild Wings Detroit is located at: 1218 Randolph St., Detroit, Michigan 48226 and can be reached at: (313) 961-9453.
Old Shillelagh is located at: 349 Monroe St., Detroit, MI 48226 and can be reached at: (313) 964-0007.
Delux Lounge is located at: 350 Monroe St., Detroit, MI 48226 and can be reached at: (313) 962-4200.
Foran's Grand Trunk Pub is located at: 612 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48226 and can be reached at: (313) 961-3043.
The Detroit Pub Greektown is located at: 1326 Brush St., Detroit, MI 48226 and can be reached at: (313) 963-3500.
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