St Patrick's Day Events on Capitol Hill

Photo Courtesy Star & Shamrock

This weekend and next week, Capitol Hill turns green for St. Paddy’s Day. The neighborhood has just about everything you need from green beer, to live music, a parade, and even Shamrock-shaped pasta. If you’re planning to celebrate all things Irish, be sure to check out a few of these events and happenings…

Hill’s Kitchen
It’s easy to get into the Irish spirit at Hill’s Kitchen. They are selling a number of Kelly green and orange-themed products. There’s also shamrock pasta, shamrock cookie cutters, and shamrock sprinkles for sale.

Live Music and Early-Hours at Star and Shamrock
H Street’s Star and Shamrock pays tribute to both Irish and Jewish heritage. The bar is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and Purim, a Jewish day of feasting and good tidings. Star and Shamrock opens early from Saturday-Monday (10 a.m.) and throughout the weekend, there will be live performances and music.

St. Peter’s Irish-Catholic Mass and Dinner
For traditional Irish music, St. Peter’s Catholic Church will host a St. Patrick’s themed mass on Saturday. There will be live performances by the Cullkin School of Irish Dance, as well as a food reception of suds, spuds, salmon, and soda bread to follow. Prelude begins at 4:15 pm and services begin at 5 p.m.

Celebrate 40 years at The Dubliner
St. Patrick’s Day is always a grand affair at The Dubliner, and this year it’s extra special — the bar is celebrating its 40th anniversary. A few years ago President Obama swung by for a pint on St. Patrick’s Day. No indication if there will be a visit from POTUS this year, but you can sample the new whiskey menu which was recently launched.

The Washington, D.C. St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The annual St. Patrick’s Day parade is a family-friendly event that takes place just off Capitol Hill. The parade runs down Constitution Avenue and is accessible from the Federal Triangle, Archives-Navy Memorial and Smithsonian metro stations. The marching begins on Sunday at noon. Here are some spectator tips.

Shamrockfest
And, just in case your idea of St. Patrick’s Day involves drinking in a parking lot outside of RFK Stadium, the Shamrockfest, a one-day concert and festival, takes place on Saturday, March 22nd.  But, be wary of those who have had one too many on this booze-filled day. We’re sure The Hill is Home’s resident-curmudgeon, Tim Krepp will be on guard.