St. Patrick’s Day a ‘big celebration’ along US 280
To say that St. Patrick’s Day is popular in America is an understatement.
The holiday has “spread across the U.S. as one of its biggest cultural celebrations,” and “cities from coast to coast have cultivated their own St. Paddy’s Day traditions,” says wallethub.com.
Birmingham is certainly no exception, with plenty of bars and restaurants — including several in the US 280 corridor — where you can eat, drink and get your green on.
Here’s a partial list of watering holes — and a couple of other businesses — getting into the St. Patrick’s spirit along US 280.
Bars
► The Red Shamrock. 42 Manning Place, Mt Laurel. The bar will not host its outdoor, multi-band Shamfest this year, but rest assured the party will go on. “We always have a band and a big party inside the bar on St. Patrick’s Day,” said co-owner Kay Dailey. The musical duo Whiskey Dix will play March 17 at 8 p.m. There’s no cover. Whiskey Dix is “the best band in Birmingham,” Dailey said, adding that it has “amazing singers” and is “like a comedy club and music.” The Red Shamrock is “always packed” on St. Patrick’s, Dailey said. 408-1515. theredshamrock.com.
► Black Market Bar, 3411 Colonnade Parkway, Suite 800. BMB will offer drink specials and Irish food all day March 11 — the day of the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Five Points South — and again March 17, the actual holiday. The bar will have live music. Last year, it had such food as corned beef sandwiches, Reuben sandwiches and cabbage stew. 967-8787. evilbartenders.com.
► Tilted Kilt Pub and Eatery, 14 Perimeter Park S. This Scotch-, Irish- and English-flavored pub will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a big way, decorating the bar in green and offering drink and shot specials, including “The Belfast Bomb” with Guinness, Jameson whiskey and Kahlua. They will also have a special food menu from Feb. 26-April 2, featuring such items as fish and chips, Scotch eggs, corned beef and cabbage and shepherd’s pie. 972-0204. birmingham.tiltedkilt.com.
► Courtyard Oyster Bar, 4683 U.S. 280. This seafood restaurant and bar will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with music from The Ringers (6-9 p.m.) and Bedlam (10 p.m-2 a.m.). They also will offer $2 green beer, $5 Bushmills shots and $6 Irish Car Bombs. 980-9891. Facebook at “Courtyard Oyster Bar.”
► Blackwell’s Pub, 3151 Green Valley Road. This popular Cahaba Heights watering hole will celebrate with live music, Irish car bombs, $2 green beer and specials on Jameson whiskey. The pub will offer such Irish-themed food as corned beef and cabbage and shepherd’s pie. 967-3798. blackwellspub.com.
► On Tap Sports Café, 810 Inverness Corners. On Tap will celebrate March 17 with all-day beer specials, including green draft beer, Guinness, Guinness Blonde, Killian’s and Smithwick’s. Irish whiskey will be on special, too. The bar will offer Car Bombs, Jameson shots and Irish coffee. On Tap also will show all the games from day two of NCAA basketball March Madness. 437-1999. ontapsportscafe.com.
Other places to go Irish
► The Fresh Market in Inverness, 4700 U.S. 280. Fresh Market will get into the St. Patrick’s spirit with plenty of Irish beer, including Guinness, in stock. The bakery will offer decorated desserts, including cupcakes and soda bread. They will stock such Irish staples as cabbage and corned beef brisket. There will even be green flowers. 991-0294. Facebook at “Fresh Market - Inverness/280.”
► Bunch Bakeshop (formerly The Funky Muffin), 4647-B US 280. This gluten-free bakery will offer some Irish-themed items, including sugar cookies and brownies decorated with clover. 408-9825.