NEIGHBORHOODS: Santa Monica
Progressive, eclectic Main Street in Santa Monica is notable for its green businesses. With organic cafes and boutiques catering to environmentally conscious living, this shopping street just steps from the Pacific is a great place to go green. But on St. Patrick’s Day, going green means something else altogether. Between Hill Street and Rose Avenue, Main is prime for a bar crawl -- with taverns, lounges and alehouses aplenty -- making it an ideal place to toast the Irish spirit.
O’Brien’s Irish Pub
This beer-soaked neighborhood dive is usually at capacity by noon on St. Patrick’s Day. A traditional Irish breakfast is served from 6 to 11 a.m., and live Irish music begins at 3 p.m. Dig into hearty Guinness pie -- a rich beer stew topped with puff pastry -- finished off with a Car Bomb: a shot of one part Baileys and one part Irish whiskey dropped into a half pint of Guinness. 2941 Main St., (310) 396-4725, www.obriensonmain.com.
Finn McCool’s
Irish Pub
With Celtic murals and a wood-paneled bar shipped in from Ireland, Finn McCool’s serves up Irish tradition on St. Patrick’s Day. Nosh on boxtys (Irish potato pancakes stuffed with meat and vegetables) while enjoying live folk music and dancers direct from “Riverdance.” Choose from a wide selection of Irish whiskeys or sample Budweiser’s special Go Green Get Lucky brew, featured for one day only. 2702 Main St., (310) 452-1734, www.gerrigilliland.com/finn/.
Rick’s Tavern
Situated halfway between O’Brien’s and Finn McCool’s, Rick’s is an ideal midpoint for your pub crawl. Though not Irish in theme, the tavern is awash in emerald, from the green walls to the bar backlit in green light. Since St. Patrick’s falls on a Tuesday, snap up the Tuesday special -- a half-pound burger and fries for $5.99 -- with your Guinness. 2907 Main St., (310) 392-2772.
Library Alehouse
This cozy shrine to all things ale features more than two dozen international microbrews and hearty pub fare. A second Guinness tap is added on St. Paddy’s to keep up with demand. Enjoy corned beef and cabbage served all day long. 2911 Main St., (310) 314-4855, www.libraryalehouse.com.
Hidden
This candlelighted indoor/outdoor restaurant and lounge offers a sophisticated hideaway from the pub madness. Happy hour gets going early at 3 p.m. with drinks like the Leprechaun Soup (white peach sangria with Midori). For dinner, there’s Guinness beer- battered fish and chips or bourbon-glazed short ribs with braised cabbage. 3110 Main St., (310) 399-4800, www.hiddenrestaurant.com.
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