All Over Albany

St. Patrick's Day stuff to do 2015

Updated March 13

St. Patrick's Day is a big holiday in the Capital Region. It's on a Tuesday this year, so many of the activities commemorating it will be the weekend before -- Saturday, especially, will be St. Patrick's Day (observed).

Here are a bunch of local ways to celebrate the holiday later this month. From the parades, to food and drink, to music for the time of year where everyone is Irish, if only for a day.

And remember: It's St. Paddy's Day, not St. Patty's...

Parades

Albany St. Patrick's Day Parade
Saturday, March 14
The 65th annual Albany St. Patrick's Day Parade (FB page) starts at 2 pm. It steps off at the corner of Quail St and Central Ave, then heads down to Washington Ave on to State St and finishes at State and Lodge (parade route map). Bands, pipes, drums, and lots of green.

The North Albany St. Patrick's Day Parade
Saturday, March 14
A long-running neighborhood tradition that has ardent fans. It starts at noon 11:30 am, so there's time to make it downtown for the larger city parade. The parade route starts at the North Albany American Legion Post #1610 (map) and then travels south on Pearl, east on Emmett, north on Broadway to Wolfert Avenue, and then south again Pearl to the Legion post.

Food and drink

All sorts of bars and restaurants will be hopping for the holiday, but these places will be especially active this weekend and on St. Patrick's Day.

The Parting Glass
40-42 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs
For more than three decades the Parting Glass has been known for its atmosphere, beer and craic. A few years back it was recently named one of the top Irish pubs around the world. The menu isn't strictly Irish, but there are a few staples including: Shepherd's Pie, Lamb Stew, and Fish and Chips. There's St. Patrick's Day entertainment over the weekend with Hair of the Dog, Forthlin Road, and step dancers. And Tuesday, St. Patrick's Day, has a similar lineup of entertainment and specials.

Harvey's
14 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs
The former Irish Times became Harvey's about a year ago. It "embodies the spirit of Ireland located in the heart of Saratoga Springs." There's Irish-themed entertainment lined up for the weekend ahead of St. Patrick's Day and the actual day.

McGeary's Irish Pub
4 Clinton Square, Albany
An Albany St. Patrick's Day mainstay, McGeary's offers a mix of Irish-American pub fare and a healthy beer selection. This is a hotspot for food and drink after the parade.

Washington Tavern
250 Washington Ave, Albany
Another Albany staple and historically Irish-owned pub, the Washington Tavern also serves a mix of Irish-American pub fare (and pizza). And it usually has a menu of Irish specials in the days around St. Patrick's Day.

Stout
904 Broadway, Albany
Stout also offers a variety of pub fare with a few Irish staples thrown in for good measure. Stout boasts a spacious interior and Irish-American decor. It usually has music and all-day corned beef on parade day.

Pinhead Susan's
38 North Broadway, Schenectady
An Irish pub in downtown Schenectady. Its annual St. Patrick's Day block party is Saturday, starting at 4 pm, with drink/food specials and music ($7 cover).

Katie O'Byrne's
State and Erie Boulevard, Schenectady
"An authentic taste of Ireland on the boulevard." Its annual block party is Saturday starting at 6 pm ($7 cover).

Finnbar's Pub
452 Broadway, Troy
A pub in downtown Troy with a solid Irish-influenced menu.

O'Brien's Public House
43 3rd Street, Troy
The O'Briens opened this pub in downtown Troy in the old Trojan Hotel and celebrated their first anniversary in the space this past weekend. And this month O'Brien's is featuring Irish and New York beers.

Brown's Brewing
417 River Street, Troy
The brew pub has its annual "blessing of the bar" lined up with a pipe band on St. Patrick's Day, and a St. Patrick's Day themed menu.

Corned beef and cabbage
We got an Ask AOA question a few years back about where to get corned beef and cabbage: Verdile's in Troy was mentioned multiple times.

Music and entertainment

March 11: Caladh Nua at Troy Music Hall
Irish music quintet. 7:30 pm - $20 and up

March 13: The McKrells at The Spa Little Theater
A "festive Irish evening will showcase musical entertainment suitable for all ages." 7 pm - 15

March 14: The McKrells at The Madison Theater
Celtic music in the theater's recently opened performance space. 4 pm and 8 pm - $12 ahead / $15 at door

March 17: Get Up Jack at Revolution Hall
Former members from Hair of the Dog. 7 pm - $15 ahead / $18 at the door

March 17: Hair of the Dog at Normanside Country Club
Irish-themed buffet dinner (6-8 pm) and concert (7 pm), open to the public. $40 ahead / $50 day of

March 17: Saratoga Springs HS Fiddle Club St. Patrick's Day Show at Caffe Lena
"The group explores several types of traditional music including Bluegrass, Irish, Scottish, and French Canadian." 7 pm - $10 adults / $5 students

Places

Irish American Heritage Museum
370 Broadway, Albany
Chartered in 1986, the Irish American Heritage Museum has a space in downtown Albany. It's dedicated to telling the story of the nearly 40 million Irish Americans who claim Irish ancestry. The museum's collections and exhibits explore Irish American's contributions to history and culture. It has a range of event lined up this week, including annual pre-parade Family Day on Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm.

Shops
If you're looking for a few St. Patrick's day gifts or something to wear to your celebration, you might find it at one of these shops.

Tipperary at Tara
3956 Route 2, Brunswick

The Counties of Ireland
77 Third St., Troy

Lennon's Irish Shop
164 Jay St., Schenectady

Celtic Treasures
465 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
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Other ideas? Please share!

(Thanks to Elisabeth for her help in laying out the framework for this post in previous years.)