This is how Detroit does St. Patrick’s Day

By: Karen Dybis | March 14, 2022

Detroit has one of the oldest Irish neighborhoods in the Metro area in Corktown, and some of the best Irish bars in Michigan as a whole. So, it makes sense that you can have a daylong celebration of St. Patrick’s Day within the city limits and into the suburbs if you want to enjoy being Irish by birth… or just for the day. 

What’s special about St. Patrick’s Day in Detroit is that is not just one day. It is a week-long event that starts with the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Corktown, goes through the day itself, and ends with another weekend of events, green beer and food fit for the Irish gods. You can fit it all in on the day itself, or you can spread out your celebration across the week. 

What also makes Detroit unique in the way it celebrates is that it also finds things for people to do whether you are a kid looking for a family-friendly event or a group of college friends getting together to raise a Guinness or two. You can sing at the Old Shillelagh; you can revel with the Corktown bar-goers or you can enjoy an Irish meal while you sip a green beer. 

You should think before you drink if you indulge in adult beverages, and you can take a Lift or Uber to any of these destinations around Detroit. You also will find lots of people willing to walk home with you, especially if you’re wearing green. 

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Here are five Metro Detroit events that will make this your best St. Patrick’s Day celebration yet.

Annual St. Patrick’s Day Party

There is no place in Detroit that’s more Irish than the Old Shillelagh. Come down for four full days of celebration, including live music, Irish food and lots of people who enjoy being Irish together. The Old Shillelagh has three bar levels including its heated rooftop deck, and everything will be open from 7 a.m. forward. A giant, heated party tent in the parking lot will bring in even more revelers with live music from 10 a.m. forward. 

St. Patrick’s Day Bash

The Detroit Shipping Company is offering an evening event that highlights the comradery that St. Patrick’s Day is best known for. The event starts at 4 p.m. and goes through 10 p.m. with live music from Paul Winterhalter from 5-8 p.m. There will be Irish cocktail specials, green beer and Irish-themed food specials from its restaurants. This is an all-ages event, so feel free to bring kids and friends for some fun.

St. Paddy’s in the Park 

St. Clair Shores Parks & Recreation is hosting this St. Patrick’s Day event on March 19 from noon to 9 p.m. The event, which will be held at Blossom Heath Park on Jefferson, features food trucks including BBQ Daddy, Little Donut Factor and Lil Bros Burgers along with other vendors, beer and live entertainment. The event is free to the public. 

Corktown Popes

There’s no better neighborhood bar if you want food, friends and frivolity than the Cadieux Café in Detroit. This St. Patrick’s Day event starts at noon March 17 and continues through 11:30 p.m. with a live show featuring journalist and podcaster M.L. Elrick and performances by Odd Enough Celtic Band from 2 to 7 p.m. and the Corktown Popes from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Doors open at 11 a.m. for Guinness Stew and Corned Beef. 

St. Patrick’s Day at Eastern Market

Lots of the local eateries and bars will be open around Eastern Market for St. Patrick’s Day, including the popular Eastern Market Brewing Co. EMBC will be open from noon to 10 p.m. for people to come by and enjoy some St. Paddy’s Day beers it created especially for the day, including its Irish Red IPS, Irish Cream Stout and pitches of green beer.

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