Irish or not, who can’t get behind a holiday that gives us an acceptable excuse to swill suds at 6 AM? From the expected green beer to chocolate Guinness doughnuts, and costume contests with cash prizes to all-day live music, bars around Baltimore have plenty planned for the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. Here’s our list of some of the top spots around the city, and beyond, to find specials and entertainment for the holiday.
 

This casual Federal Hill Irish bar is encouraging St. Patrick’s Day inspired attire for their all-day celebration featuring live music by the Whiskey Feathers from 5–10 PM, Irish dancers at 6:30 PM, and three Irish-themed basket giveaways, as well as a host of drink specials. Sip $5 Guinness, Guinness Blonde, Harp, Smithwick’s, and Delia Foley’s Irish Amber drafts, $5 Jameson shots and simple mixed drinks, $4 rail drinks, and $3 domestic bottles. (1439 S Charles St.; 443-682-9141)
 

This stadium-adjacent sports bar with plenty of entertainment in the form of televisions, arcade games, and a variety of other games like skee ball, pool, and air hockey, is featuring St. Patrick’s Day specials including $3 Rolling Rock, $3 Jack Fire Shots, $5 Jameson shots, and $10 Corned Beef and Cabbage. (1400 Warner St.; 410-385-0100)
 

If the concept of the luck of the Irish is true, there may be no better day to pop into the casino for some gambling than St. Patrick’s Day. Drink specials include $10 green beer pitchers, $4 specialty Irish cocktails, and $9 Irish car bombs. There will also be a Beer Stein Hoisting Competition for a chance to win a $100 Dining Certificate to Guy Fieri's Baltimore Kitchen + Bar and a doubles beer pong tournament with a $300 cash prize for the winners. (1525 Russell St.; 844-777-7463)
 

This corner bar in Locust Point kicked off St. Patrick’s week with its 2nd annual block party on the March 12 and intends to continue the celebration throughout the week with its traditional Irish fare and plenty of whiskey and beers on the drink menu. (1371 Andre St.; 667-303-3681)
 

This Harbor East mainstay is a popular spot to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day every year, either in the pub or in their outdoor heated tent. Beat the crowd and arrive at 6 AM when the festivities begin. Live music starts at 10 AM and extends throughout the day including local bands like O’Malley’s March, Laura Byrne and Friends, Danny Burns Band, and Fair Trade. (616 S President St.; 410-727-5107)
 

Stop into this popular Irish pub known for its live music on St. Patrick’s Day for an all-day celebration featuring a traditional Irish menu and a wide range of brews on tap. Some of it will be colored green for the holiday. (22 W North Ave.; 410-244-8447)
 

Celebrating on both March 17 and 18, Life of Reilly is opening at 8 AM for Scotch Eggs and Kegs (and their new chocolate Guinness doughnuts), and the first 20 people to arrive get their choice of “swag” from Guinness and Jameson. At 11 AM, the special St. Patrick’s Day food menu will roll out, and can be washed down with $5 car bombs or any of their enormous array of Irish whiskey. (2031 E Fairmount Ave.; 410-327-6425)
 

This Federal Hill sports bar will be jointly celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and the first round of the NCAA tournament with a host of drink specials and food from 11 AM–9 PM. Specials include $2 Green Beer (Miller), $5 Guinness, $5 Jameson, $6 Irish Car Bombs, $8 Irish Green Crushes, $10 Mai Tai Madness Buckets, and Corned Beef Sandwiches and Irish Nachos. (1110 S Charles St.; 410-727-2333)
 

Start the holiday off with Irish breakfast at 10 AM on St. Patrick’s Day at this Mt. Vernon Irish pub, or swing by later for live music from Donegal X-press starting at 4 PM. (328 N Charles St.; 410-539-7504)
 

This small Irish pub is a laid-back alternative to the bars on the Square just a few blocks away. Sip whiskey or down a few pints of Guinness in the cozy bar adorned with plenty of artwork and historical items representing Ireland. (1129 S Clinton St.; 410-534-2200)
 

This Belvedere Square spot will feature its regular authentic Irish menu as well as all-day giveaways and live music starting at 11 AM. (600 E Belvedere Ave.; 410-464-1000)
 

Known for opening early for EPL and rugby games, this Fells Point pub has been celebrating St. Patrick since March 1 with its 17 days of St. Patrick. Slainte will be opening bright and early at 6 AM to kick off the holiday on Thursday. (1700 Thames St.; 410-563-6300)
 

This Inner Harbor Irish bar will feature live music all day including the Shamrogues, Danny Burns Band, and Ernie Fowler Trio. Given the forecasted unseasonably mild temps, the patio with a wide water view may be an ideal spot to nosh on dishes like shepherd’s pie, beef and Guinness stew, or Irish nachos while swilling a few pints. (201 E Pratt St.; 410- 483-8968)
 

Outside Of The City
 

The annual celebration at Timonium’s An Poitin Stil starts at 9 AM in the pub and noon in the outdoor tent with live music all day and a Guinness glass engraving from 4–7 PM. Start early to get tiered drinking deals. Harp, Guinness, and Smithwick’s will be $2.17 from 9–10 AM, $3.17 from 10–11 AM, $4.17 from 11 AM–12 PM, and $5 for the remainder of the day. Tullamore Dew drinks will also be $5 all day, and the tent will feature two happy hours (4–6 PM and 10:30 PM–Close) with 2 for $5 Miller Lite, Blue Moon, and Coors Light. (2323 York Rd, Lutherville-Timonium, MD; 410-560-7900)
 

This Nottingham pub will kick off its celebration with a live DJ on Wednesday night followed by four days of drink specials and entertainment including raffles, music, an outside tent, a beer garden, and a pig roast. Beat the clock drafts start at 10 AM on St. Patrick’s Day for $1 and the Ernie Fowler Trio Band will play from 2–6 PM. On Friday, March 18, enjoy beat the clock draft specials and live music from Synful Pleasure. Beat the clock draft specials are back on Saturday, and enjoy live music from The ROLLEX Band. Sunday is Family Fun Day with family-friendly entertainment from 1–4 PM including free face painting and balloon art. (8706 Belair Rd, Nottingham, MD; 410-529-4277)
 

This Ellicott City Irish pub will be featuring $3 Guinness pints and Irish coffees from 10 AM until noon as well as live music by Craig Rosendale from noon until 4 PM, and Mark Hopkins and the Hotels from 8 PM until midnight. (8480 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD; 410-418-9076)
 

Opening at 11 AM, this Towson mainstay will be serving Irish fare and drinks from a special menu from open until 10 PM. There will also be a beer tub/cash bar and giveaways. (506 York Rd, Towson, MD; 410-825-2650)
 

MaGerk’s Bel Air
MaGerk’s in downtown Bel Air will be kicking off festivities starting at 10 AM. Enjoy plenty of drink specials all day, like $4 Irish beers, deals on Irish drinks and shots, and Beat the Clock pricing on Guinness and 2 Gingers Irish Whiskey. The restaurant will also feature a special Irish menu for the day as well as a Deep Eddy vodka ice luge. Live music will start at 1 PM with The Fair Trade and continue at 4:30 PM with Jake and The Burtones. From 8 PM–close there will be a DJ dance party. There will also be a “Best Dressed” costume contest with $1000 grand prize for the winner. (120 S Bond St, Bel Air, MD; 410-638-7701)

Photo via Flickr user Joopey