Every year thousands of Irish expatriates, Irish-Americans and paddyphiles make the pilgrimage from Long Island to New York City to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
Understandably so, but let’s not forgot about Long Island’s proud tradition of Irish debauchery. There’s a long list of Irish pubs on the Island that will be hosting Guinness-fueled merriment this evening.
Consider a stop in the shamrockin’ town of Bay Shore, where three great Irish pubs, each with its own unique feel, are a quick stumble away from one another on Main Street.
The Half Penny, for example, will be offering free corned beef and cabbage. Bartender Katie Niles describes the atmosphere as “very happy and festive.” Throw in two bona fide Irish bartenders and you’ve got yourself a genuine hooley (party).
Beer snobs might consider strolling over to TJ Finley’s after their corned beef and cabbage for, well, some more free corned beef, and to have a look at their 27 taps and cask.
Once you’ve had your fill of fancy froth, saunter a few doors down to the party at the Nutty Irishman, where you’re bound to find some enthusiastic revelers adorned in all things green.
If a Bay Shore pub crawl isn’t your bag o’ potatoes, give the Irish Coffee Pub a call. They still have a few seats available for Irish lunch — which includes, of course, corned beef and cabbage as well as Gaelic chicken topped with whiskey brown sauce, mushrooms and onions — but reservations are suggested. Later in the evening they’ll be hosting dinner and a show, featuring Irish step-dancers, pipers and the Celtic stylings of the Gabe Hickey Band. You’ll need $48 and reservations to get in, as space is limited.
“We get just about everybody,” says catering manager Jason O’Neill. “They come out full-force.”
