Check out these local favorites for events worth more than a pot of gold Friday. There is plenty going on around Gainesville to keep you busy all day and night, whether you’re going for the corned beef and cabbage or the green beer.
Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub
Start your celebration off early, and check out Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub, located at 208 W. University Ave., which will open at 11 a.m. to serve a traditional Irish meal.
This pub has been a staple in Gainesville for more than 22 years. Started by an Irish family, you’ll get the authentic experience Friday.
Durty Nelly’s will open early to serve corned beef and cabbage to its loyal customers. The corned beef and cabbage will be served with potatoes in a parsley sauce. To finish it off, dessert will also be provided. The food will be served until supplies run out, so make sure to arrive early to guarantee you don’t miss out.
The party will be 21 and older after 6 p.m., with no cover fee. Musical guest Scuttered the Bruce will provide entertainment starting at 5 p.m.
The green beer will be flowing in copious amounts, and you have plenty of time to take advantage of the specials before moving on to another location for more St. Paddy’s Day fun.
Mother’s Pub and Grill
College sports lovers can rejoice, because Mother’s Pub and Grill, located at 1017 W. University Ave., plans to host a St. Paddy’s Day Bash with a sprinkle of NCAA first-round games.
Come early and stay late, because food and drink specials will be served all day and night.
On the lower end of the price spectrum, you can enjoy $5 biscuits and gravy and $3 green beers.
For those with deeper pockets, splurge on the $10 shepherd’s pie or an $8 Irish car bomb. If you’ve never had a car bomb, you haven’t properly celebrated St. Paddy’s Day.
This cocktail is made by dropping a shot of Irish cream (like Baileys) and whiskey into a glass of stout.
It’s not for the lighthearted, but you’re guaranteed to get an Irish buzz going.
After enjoying some college sports and cheap food, keep it moving to the next St. Paddy’s Day celebration location.
Block party at The Atlantic and Arcade Bar
For those who want to get hammered and don’t care about the corned beef, head downtown for your festive fix.
The Atlantic, located at 15 N. Main St., and Arcade Bar, located at 6 E. University Ave., are hosting a block party with no cover that will start at 9 p.m.
This 21 and older event is sure to be a hit.
With Danny DeVito from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” as their Facebook event photo, expecting anything less than complete chaos would be an understatement.
You’ll be able to hide from the suddenly cold weather inside The Atlantic or Arcade Bar but still have the option of the real block party experience by heading outside.
Once you’re jolly and wasted, play some classic arcade games, and wrap your night up around 2 a.m., when the party is scheduled to end.
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A true Irishman also knows how to satisfy his or her sweet tooth, so make sure to stop by McDonald’s and get one last Shamrock Shake before they’re gone for the year.
