Why do we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?
Ever wonder why we celebrate St Patrick’s Day every year besides the obvious of excuse of getting together with some friends for an excuse to day drink? Typically celebrated on or around March 17th, St. Patrick’s day is a cultural and religious celebration commemorating the death of Saint Patrick, Ireland’s most famous saint of the Catholic church.
Saint Patrick was an Irish bishop and Christian missionary. Known as the “Apostle of Ireland”, Saint Patrick was the primary saint of Ireland from the fifth century. Folklore and legends chronicle a tale of Saint Patrick teaching the Irish about the holy doctrine through the use of the shamrock to describe the holy trinity. Legend also has Saint Patrick banishing all snakes from Ireland. Over time, symbols such as shamrocks and vibrant displays of the color green have become intertwined with the legend of Saint Patrick and have become synonymous with Irish culture.
St. Patrick’s day has grown to become an even larger celebration in North America than it is in Ireland. People gather from all walks of life wearing green clothing and adorned in shamrocks or green accessories. The St. Patrick Day parades actual started in North America in the 18th century and eventually spread into Ireland but not until the 20th century. There has been plenty of speculation as to the origin and meaning of the shamrock. Some believe it is a representation of the holy trinity to Irish pagans.
The association of the color green came apart of Irish mythology where Moses placed his staff on the snakebite of Goídel Glas, leaving a green mark that would stay with him as he leads his people to a land that would be free of snakes. Evidence of the St. Patrick’s day celebrations and the color green date back to the 1600s when people were evidenced wearing green ribbons and shamrocks.
St Patrick’s Day is not a legal holiday in the United States, however St. Patrick’s Day is widely recognized and observed throughout the country to celebrate Irish and Irish-American culture. Celebrations are typically observed through parades, religious observances, prominent displays of the color green, and copious amounts of alcohol consumption. St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated in the United States since the 18th century.
Now that you know what and why you are celebrating, get out and enjoy the holiday.
Philadelphia has a vibrant Irish-American community and Philadelphia’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are some of the best in the country.
Here is a list of some of the events, bar crawls, and things to do in Philadelphia for St Patrick’s Day.
St. Patrick’s Day Events
St. Patrick’s Bar Crawls
The Original Erin Express
($)
Organizer: Cavanaugh & Smokey Joe’s University City
Admission: Free
Neighborhood: University City and limited Logan Square locations
Atmosphere: No Frills, Younger clientele, Dive Bars
Time: 9am-6pm
St. Patty’s Day Hack: Skip the buses. Most of the action will be at the University City locations with outside activities. Save yourself the hassle and head straight there and walk between the University City locations
Sample list of participating bars: Visit here for the updated list.
Cavanaugh’s Restaurant & Sports Bar
Where:
119 South 39th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Get Directions
Website: cavanaughsrestaurant.com
Phone: 215-386-4889
Neighborhood: University City
Smokey Joe’s
Where:
210 South 40th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Get Directions
Website: smokeyjoes.com
Phone: 215-222-07709
Neighborhood: University City
New Deck Tavern
Where:
3408 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Get Directions
Website: newdecktavern.com
Phone: 215-386-46009
Neighborhood: University City
Copabanana
Where:
4000 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Get Directions
Website: copabanana.com
Phone: 215-382-1330
Neighborhood: University City
Blarney Stone
Where:
3929 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Get Directions
smokeyjoes.companygoods.com
Phone: 215-222-5340
Neighborhood: University City
The Market Tavern
Where:
3000 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Get Directions
Website: themarkettavernphilly.com
Phone: 215-222-7400
Neighborhood: University City
Wahoos Tacos and More
Where:
32nd and Chestnut
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Get Directions
Website: Wahoos Facebook
Phone: 215-382-1330
Neighborhood: University City
Mace’s Crossing
Where:
1714 Cherry Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Get Directions
Phone: 215-564-5203
Neighborhood:Spring Garden
Westy’s Tavern & Restaurant
Where:
1440 Callowhill Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Get Directions
Website: westtavern.com
Phone: 215-563-6134
Neighborhood: Spring Garden
Liberty Bar
Where:
2204 Market St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Get Directions
Website: Liberty Bar Facebook
Phone: 215-964-9455
Neighborhood: Logan Square
23rd Street Armory
Where:
120 South 23rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Get Directions
Phone: 215-567-5748
Neighborhood: Logan Square
Cavs Headhouse
Where:
421 S 2nd St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Get Directions
Website: cavsheadhouse.com
Phone: 215-928-9307
Neighborhood: Queen Village
Cavs Headhouse
Where:
421 S 2nd St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Get Directions
Website: cavsheadhouse.com
Phone: 215-928-9307
Neighborhood: Queen Village
Cavs Rittenhouse
Where:
1823 Sansom St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Get Directions
Website: Cavsrittenhouse.com
Phone: 215-665-9500
Neighborhood: Rittenhouse
For 30+ Years the Erin Express has be St. Patty’s Day bar crawl in Philadelphia. From the minds of the owners of Cavanaugh’s and Smokey Joe’s in University City. For 2 consecutive weekends surrounding St. Patrick’s Day, ten buses make loops around University City and Center City Bars. Buses run from 11am -6pm and take spot at participating bars. The concept seems simple the Erin Express has been a very popular event that has gained notoriety over the years. The buses are school buses that make a loop around the city dropping you off at many of the local Irish bars.
The Erin Express tends to attract a younger clientele due to its free nature and focus on the University City Bars. Typically those are the busiest locations as well because even tho the bus seems like fun to ride most of the people end up in University City at the college bars. Every year they incorporate sponsorship too for discount drinks on specific brands.
If you are looking for a no-frills bar hop, this is certainly the bar crawl choice of many young Philadelphians.
St. Paddy’s Day at Springfest Live!
Organizer: Xfinity Live!
Admission: $45
Neighborhood: South Philadelphia (Outside of the Stadiums)
Atmosphere: Beed Festival
Time: 2pm-6pm
Website: Xfinitylive.com
St. Patty’s Day Hack: This event is more of a beer festival than a true St. Patrick’s Day party but if you love beer, this is the place to be.
Xfinity Live!
Where:
1100 Pattison Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19148
Get Directions
Phone: 267-534-4264
An afternoon of sampling over 170+ beers from 75+ breweries. Live Irish bands and green beer make this festival a creative option to your typical bar crawl. Xfinity Live! offers both an indoor & outdoor area to enjoy the Saint Patrick’s Day festivities right here in Philadelphia.
Shamrock Crawl
Organizer: Cities2Night & Upcoming Events
Admission:
Individual: (Less than 5 Tickets purchased at one time): $12.95-$19.95
Group (6 or more tickets purchased at one time):$9.95-$14.95
Neighborhood: Center City, Manayunk, Old City, South Street, Fishtown/Northern
Liberties,University City
Atmosphere: No Frills, Various Bars to choose
Time: 12pm-2am
Website: Shamrockcrawl.com
St. Patty’s Day Hack: Most of the bars on the list do not charge cover and allow access to all patrons. If you are not planning on taking advantage of the drink specials or coupon book to point where the savings do not match the ticket price you will be better off just heading to the bars you want to go to. Every bar in the city is running drink specials regardless if you purchase the wristband or not. You will also have to head into a check-in location which may take time depending on what time you show up. If you are going to take advantage of the coupon book, swag, and drink specials on available with the wristband then the ticket will be worth it.
The Shamrock Crawl offers no cover charges at all participating locations. Every locations entertainment will be based on what they choose to program, green swag, drink specials (12pm-6pm) from sponsors, map, and coupon book. 50+ locations are participating in the bar crawl but most are open to the public with no cover charge. Many bars participate in several different St. Patty’s Bar Crawls. Bars located throughout Center City, Manayunk, Old City, South Street, Fishtown, Northern Liberties, and University are participating in the bar crawl.
St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl Manayunk
Organizer: OneUp Events
Admission: Individual: $5- $20
Neighborhood: Manayunk
Atmosphere: No Frills, Younger clientele
Time: 12pm-8pm
Website: oneupevents.com
St. Patty’s Day Hack: Early planning is the move with this event as ticket start at only $5. The early check-ins will get the swag. We suggest you arrive early to grab your t-shirt. Mad River typically ends up being the busiest place.
6 Participating bars with drink specials
4th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Philly Official Bar Crawl
Organizer: OneUp Events
Admission: Individual: $14.95- $20
Neighborhood: Midtown Village, Center City
Atmosphere: No Frills, Various Bars and Locations
Time: 12pm-8pm
Website: oneupevents.com
St. Patty’s Day Hack: Early planning is the move with this event as ticket start at only $14.95. The early check-ins will get the swag. We suggest you arrive early to grab your t-shirt. Check-in locations tend to be the busiest of all the bars.
St. Patty’s Day Hack: This bar crawl is very center city-centric. You should call to see if the participating bars will charge a cover for the day. Many will not or some will charge a nominal cover. Just make sure the saving is greater than $20 between cover and drink specials.
Sample list of participating bars:
Tavern on Broad
Where:
200 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA, 19102
Get Directions
Phone: 215-546-2290
Website: tavernonbroad.com
McGlinchey’s
Where:
259 S. 15th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Get Directions
Phone: 215-735-1259
Website: mcglincheys.com
Howl at the Moon
Where:
258 S. 15th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Get Directions
Phone: 215-546-4695
Website: howlatthemoon.com
Fox and Hound
Where:
1501 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Get Directions
Phone: 215-546-4695
Website: foxandhound.com
Each bar has its own drink and food specials. Please check the promotion for each venue to make sure you get the most out of your St. Patrick’s Day ticket! Many of these bars are participating in multiple bars crawls.
