St Patrick’s Day 2015: From Greenwich Dance’s Ceili and The Shard’s silent disco to the St Patrick’s Day parade, here are the best things to do this weekend
It's that time of year when your liver either cries and begs you to stay in for the night, or rubs its hands with glee at the thought of getting some of the black stuff.
Whether you hate the crowds of drunks staggering around in oversized hats, or indeed are one of those said staggerers, you cannot fail to notice that St Patrick's Day is upon us.
As usual there will be plenty of celebrations throughout the weekend and on the day itself. Here's our guide to the best things to do for St Patrick's Day 2015.
Friday
What: The Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising's Irish Night
We appreciate a museum might not be top of the list for your St Patrick's Day plans, but bear with us. This museum has stout.
The Notting Hill-based gallery is offering a free drink to celebrate its Guinness exhibition, as well as themed drinks and cocktails, live entertainment, a themed treasure hunt around the museum and a ceili “to riverdance along to”…
Lots of big hats, and lots of beer (Source: Getty)
Saturday
What: “Intensive” pub crawl and murder mystery bar hop
Think you can keep up with the best of them? Then maybe you should go on Thinking Bob's bar crawl-slash-murder mystery tour around London, starting at Covent Garden. You have to become a member to sign up but it sounds intriguing.
Good grief (Source: Getty)
What: St Patrick's Day Ceili
Fancy a raucous night out? The traditional St Patrick's Day Ceili will take place at Greenwich Dance on March 14, with live music from eight-piece band Threepenny Bit and an expert caller to guide those of us blessed with two left feet through the moves.
But if you haven't already got your tickets I'm afraid the event has sold out. You'll just have to wait until next year…
What: Classy St Patrick's Night at the Shard
Here's how to celebrate in style. The Shard is hosting a silent disco – “including some craicing Irish music”, it says – on the Level 69 viewing gallery, and the ticket includes a glass of Jameson's with ginger ale on arrival, plus one refill.
If you aren't put off by the £40 ticket, it'll easily be the highest St Patrick's Night party of the lot.
Source: The Shard
What Cheesy St Patrick's Night at Club de Fromage
If you prefer your celebrations more full-tilt, and the word “fancy” only applied to your dress, the annual Club de Fromage St Patric's event may be better.
The Islington event is perhaps not the most authentic but makes up for it with plenty of alcohol.
Sunday
What: St Patrick's Day Parade
The annual parade will take place on March 15 this year, and will include Irish-themed floats, marching bands from across the UK, sports clubs and Irish dancing schools.
The 1.5 mile route will pass some of London's most iconic landmarks including The Ritz, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and onto Whitehall for midday.
What: Trafalgar Square Festival
If you're looking to enjoy the day from a single spot, Trafalgar Square will be home to a stage for music, singing and dancing, with stalls selling Irish food and plenty of activities for kids.
St Patrick's Day parade in London (Source: Getty)
Actual St Patrick's Day
What: Irish-themed Lego and cake
If your liver hasn't packed in by the time we get to March 17 itself, Drink, Shop & Do is holding a “Leprechaun Lego & Irishishy Goodness” evening for free from 7pm onwards. You'll get a slice of Guinness cake, a pint of O'Hara's IPA and “some good old fashioned lego building”.
There will also be Irish dancing and music played during the evening.
What: Drinking in the best Irish pubs in London
There are plenty of Irish pubs claiming to be the best in London. But whether it's Waxy O'Connor's in Rupert Street, The Toucan on Carlisle Street or the cavernous Porterhouse in Covent Garden, one thing is certain – there will be plenty of beer.
And some novelty sunglasses thrown in for good measure (Source: Getty)