Grab your greenest garb, prepare your gut for an onslaught of cheap whiskey, and don’t forget to hydrate — it’s St. Patrick’s Day in Detroit! The Corktown St. Patrick’s Day parade happens on Sunday, March 13 and most of the neighborhood’s bars will be throwing this biggest party of the year. Here’s a short list of the shindigs we’re most looking forward to.
Sunday, March 13
Corktown Paddy's Parade Party
This enormous St. Patrick's Day extravaganza is set to have it all. Nearly 20 DJs will be spinning, there will be a huge heated tent, plenty of food, and a full bar stocked with Irish whiskeys and beer — and the whole thing will be hosted by Detroit party-starters Jody Haddad, DJ Godfather, Andrus McDonald, Craig Jelinek, and Scott Rutterbush. Presale general admission is $15, but bus pickup packages are also available for $40. Pickup locations include Revel & Roll in Ann Arbor, Penn Grill and Post Bistro in Plymouth, One Under in Livonia, Starters in Dearborn, The Stand in Birmingham, Daily Dinette in Ferndale, Thomas Magee's and Coliseum in Detroit, Dooley's in Roseville, and Rochester Bistro in Rochester.
2000 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 855-536-5433; 248-566-4499; corktownpaddy.com; neptix.com/events/33791
Sunday, March 13
Bobcat Bonnie's
Bobcat Bonnie's will be celebrating its first St. Patrick's Day by throwing a special shindig for parade day. They'll open their doors at 8 a.m., with a tent out back to offer even more space to party. There will be a $10 cover to enter said tent, but it will go to Detroit firefighters, so it's for a good cause. There will be live music inside and out, and they'll be serving a limited menu all day long.
1800 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-1383; bobcatbonnies.com
Sunday, March 13
Irish Gaelic League
Doors open at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Irish Gaelic League for the tradition of the Corktown St. Paddy's Day parade. The establishment will offer two stages of entertainment today. It's $10 to get in, or free if you're a Gaelic League member.
2068 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-964-8700; gaelicleagueofdetroit.org
Nemo's
St. Patrick's Day just might be the biggest day of the year for this two-story Corktown bar and they'll be throwing not one, but two parties to make the Irish-ish fun last a little bit longer. In accordance with the parade on Sunday, March 13, they'll have a huge tent party with live music from the Balduck Mountain Ramblers, plenty of drinking, and a limited menu of corned beef sandwiches and burgers. An identical party will take place on St. Patrick's Day proper.
1384 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-965-3180; nemosdetroit.com
Sunday, March 13
Corktown Tavern
Despite some wild speculation, Corktown Tavern has not permanently shuttered. Rather, they closed up shop for some cleaning and repairs and plan to reopen on Friday, March 11, just in time for St. Patrick's Day festivities. The dive will have live music from prolific local bands like the Muggs, Howling Diablos, and Reefermen.
1716 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-964-5103; corktowntavern.com
St. Cece's Pub
St. Cece's is the only bar on this list that isn't located on Michigan Avenue, but its Bagley location isn't too far from the parade route. It'll be a little more chill here, but the Sunday before St. Patrick's Day is still their busiest day of the year. They'll have live music by the Detroit Hemis, a classic rock cover band, plus corned beef and cabbage and plenty of beer.
1426 Bagley Ave., Detroit; 313-962-2121; stceces.com
Two James Spirits
Hit this Corktown distillery starting at 11 a.m. on parade day for an outdoor party taking place in their parking lot. They'll be serving a limited menu of cocktails both inside and out and will have some beer and whiskey available as well.
2445 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-964-4800; twojames.com
McShane's Irish Pub
This Corktown standard will open at the bright and early hour of 7 a.m. come parade day. They'll have a tent, live music, and traditional Irish fare (think: corned beef and cabbage, Reubens, and shepherd's pie) and no cover. Though they won't have any outrageous drink specials, they promise to not up their drink prices just because it's their busiest day of the year.
1460 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-961-1960; mcshanespub.com
PJ's Lager House
Live music is the name of the game at PJ's Lager House this parade day. Doors open at 9 a.m. and local Irish band Stone Clover will take the stage at 11 a.m. playing traditional Irish tunes as well as high energy originals. Billy Grogan's Goat, a Detroit-Irish rock band, will play from 3 to 6 p.m. The best part? There's no cover all day.
1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-961-4668; pjslagerhouse.com
