Finally! After the last several years of calling in “the Irish flu” the next day at work, St. Paddy’s Day falls on a Saturday this year. That means more time all day long to sample an Irish breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Midcoast (and beyond) with a nip or two of the good stuff. As we said last year, get your Uber money ready or get a DD who drives responsibly!

Belfast

Rollie’s Bar and Grill
One of the few places that opens at the crack o’ dawn (6 a.m.) Rollie’s does a special St. Paddy’s Day every year starting with their Irish breakfast. Then, ease on into the day for Guinness drink specials and prize giveaways for best outfit.

Three Tides/Marshall Wharf

The  brew store opens at 11 a.m. with a new SMB-25 Oatmeal Stout on tap to drink here, and in growlers to go. Three Tides is featuring a Morse's Sauerkraut Irish banger plate, MW stout corned beef tacos, and a chocolate Irish stout cake with smoked salted Irish whiskey sauce and Bailey’s pastry cream. The Oystermen ( Old Grey Goose w/ stand up bass ) start playing at 7p.m. Slainte!

Front Street Pub
Hosting the “Luck o’ the Irish 17 hour party,” Irish culinary addicts will get their fix with Darby’s Irish fare starting at 9 a.m. with 17 hours of traditional dishes, cocktails, Irish beers, for breakfast, lunch, Happy Hour, and dinner followed by a late night dance party til 1 a.m.

Bowen’s Tavern

Bowen's Tavern will feature the Midnight Ramblers for a special Saint Patrick's Day acoustic evening from 8-11 p.m. The Midnight Ramblers are an acoustic Alt Country Roots & Blues duo with Mike Cole and Will Neils. This evening they will add a selection of their favorite Irish Songs to celebrate their Irish Heritage.

The Country Rose

It’ll be more country than Irish jig, but no matter, The Country Rose (100 Searsport Avenue) is throwing an annual St. Paddy’s day party. They will be playing rocking country hits all night as well as great drink and food specials will be going on all night and giveaways. No cover. Starts at 9:30 p.m. and goes until 1 am.m

Lincolnville

The Whale’s Tooth
The Whale's Tooth Pub and restaurant is throwing their annual St. Paddy’s Day party with live music from the T’Omally brothers at 6 p.m. and traditional fare such as shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, and classic Irish beverages. It's going to be packed, so reservations are a good idea. Everything kicks off at 5:30 p.m.

Camden/Rockport

The Drouthy Bear

Just like Rollie’s, this Scottish pub is celebrating the Celtic vibe all day long starting at 8 a.m. with whisky/ey and porridge and pints of the black stuff. A full menu begins at 11 a.m.  There will be some fiddle in the evening and some craic all day!

Horsefeather Grille

Along with traditional Irish dinner specials such as corned beef and cabbage and Irish stew, they will have Smiling Irish Bastard on tap, featuring the band The Postman Cometh with a variety of Irish tunes from 6 to 8 p.m.

Rockport Opera House

The Rockport Opera House is throwing a special March 17 dance party to benefit Ashwood Waldorf School, featuring The Right Track, Midcoast's 11-piece R & B Soul/Funk band. Doors open 6:30 p.m. A dance lesson start at 7:00 p.m. and the band starts 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Available at Ashwood Waldorf School, (207) 236-8021.

16 Bay View Vintage Room

The Vintage Room at 16 Bay View in Camden will offer special food options: House Brined Corned Beef on Caraway Roll, Colcannon, Irish Mashed Potatoes and cabbage, Whiskey Pudding with Buttery Shortbread, and featuring beer specials.

Rockland

Trackside Station

Join Trackside for their second 5K run and walk fundraiser of the year on St. Patrick's Day. While the runners are out there giving their all (starting at 10 a.m.) there will surely be enthusiastic bystanders with green beer cheering them on.  There will be prizes for the fastest male and female and for the best dressed Leprechaun. Prizes also will be given in age categories for both male and female runners. to register: Leprechaun 5K

Myrtle Street Tavern

Last I checked, The Tune Squad wasn’t an Irish band, but that’s not stopping the Myrtle from celebrating St. Paddy’s Day and wearing o’ the green that night. The drummer’s name is Matt Green, so that counts. The band starts at 9 p.m.

Rock City Coffee

Under the newly employee-owned business, Rock City is hosting a special St. Patrick’s Day Irish Music Session going from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Rock Harbor Pub & Brewery

Rock Harbor is getting in on the St. Paddy’s action with the band The Karmaceuticals playing from 8 to 11:30 p.m.

Hope

Hatchet Mountain Publick House

Hatchet Mountain’s annual St. Paddy's Day celebration is the place for good, authentic Irish tunes and boiled suppah, along with the usual liquid libations! It all starts at 5 p.m. and goes to 11 p.m.  Note: Get there early—seats fill up quickly!

Warren

Simplicity Brewing Co.

From 12 to 6 p.m. the brewing co. is celebrating St Patrick's Day offering Porter Ice Cream floats along with Potato Cakes infused with cabbage and corned beef. They are donating 10% of all proceeds to Funds for the Fallen 2018.

Killer Road Trips

Around the state, there are are few well known authentically Irish pubs that will feel like you’re smack in the center of Dublin. Geaghan’s Pub in Bangor is one of them, having celebrated this “Holy Day” for the last 41 years. Starting at 9 a.m. they’ll have a day of family, fun, and live music starting at noon. They’re “just a bit of the Emerald Isle in York County,” and The Kerryman Pub in Saco is celebrating their 40th St. Patrick’s Day with live music all day, starting at 10 a.m. and the usual lineup of Irish food and drink, plus The Hurricanes hit the stage at 2 p.m. Byrnes Irish Pub (in both Bath and Brunswick) will also be throwing a St. Paddy’s Day party in the Brunswick location.

If you want to know the real story about St. Patrick, the legend behind St. Patrick’s Day, get your history fix here!

If you’re a bar or restaurant doing something special, please contact Kay Stephens at news@penbaypilot.com