Fun for Everyone: St. Patrick’s Day Festivities

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Joe Parello, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

St. Patrick’s Day is nearly here, and Worcester has plenty of options for anyone trying to have some Irish-themed fun. Whether you are looking for a family-friendly place to take the kids, or hoping to party the night away, GoLocalWorcester has you covered. Here are the places to be on St. Patrick’s Day.

The Grey Hound Pub: For those looking to get an early start on St. Patrick’s Day, come to The Grey Hound Pub at 9 a.m. to watch the Irish National Rugby team compete in the Six Nations Rugby Tournament. St. Patrick’s Day is the final day of the tournament, and you can enjoy food and drink while Ireland takes on rival England in the tournament’s finale. Cover charge is $20, and children under 15 get in free with a parent.

Tower Hill Botanic Garden: If you want traditional Irish music, look no farther than Aine Minogue, an Irish vocalist and harpist performing at the Garden. The doors open at 6:30, but Minogue’s performance does not begin until an hour later. In the mean time, help yourself to light refreshments and a cash bar provided by the Garden. Tickets are $20 for Garden members, and $23 for the general public.

Acclaimed Irish songstress Ainge Minogue will be performing at the Tower Hill Botanic Gardens

Worcester Hibernian Cultural Center: The “O’fficial” St. Patrick’s Day Celebration hosted by the Cultural Center is a day full of music and dance. Bring the kids for the two Irish bands gracing the stage from noon until 8:30 pm., and then put on your dancing shoes as DJ Arnie Hamm takes you through through the rest of the evening. Tickets are $5, and there will be plenty of food and drink available throughout the day.

The Blue Plate Lounge: Traditional Irish music will be on the menu, along with plenty of food, as local folk band Mulligan Stew performs inside The Blue Plate Lounge. Come in to hear your favorite sing-alongs, and to learn some obscure Irish tunes you’ve never heard before.

Nuovo Restaurant: Finish your night out at Shrewsbury Street’s newest hot spot. Admission is free at Nuovo, and food and drinks will be served until early in the morning Also, be prepared to compete in various games for prizes until closing.

Lucky Dog Music Hall: Rock out from 8:30 p.m.-2 a.m. at the Lucky Dog to the sounds of two Boston area rock bands. Ghosts of Jupiter and their gritty classic rock sound take the stage first, and are followed by Sun Jones’ high-energy guitars and vocals. Tickets are $10, but you can save $5 with a public or student WOO Card.