{"id":12711,"date":"2011-03-08T06:00:26","date_gmt":"2011-03-08T12:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=12711"},"modified":"2016-12-15T12:48:30","modified_gmt":"2016-12-15T18:48:30","slug":"boston-hotels-parties-and-pints-top-3-cities-for-st-pattys-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2011\/03\/boston-hotels-parties-and-pints-top-3-cities-for-st-pattys-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Parties and pints: Top 3 cities for St. Patty’s Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The dyeing of the Chicago River on March 12 ushers in the city's St. Patty's Day celebrations. Credit - Tripp-<\/p><\/div>\n

By Valerie Moloney<\/em><\/p>\n

Back in the day, when U2’s Joshua Tree was on constant rewind and playback on my cassette machine, little did I know that my life would be forever changed by an Irishman\u2014and no, his name isn’t Bono. In the 12 years that I’ve spent with my husband, a Croom, Co. Limerick native, I’ve learned this about the Irish: 1)That they can play music with spoons. 2)That black and white pudding are equally strange and delicious. 3)A night at the pub always ends better with a snack box, a perfectly packaged meal of plump chips and fried chicken.<\/p>\n

This St. Patrick’s Day, I’ll be joining the rest of America in celebrating my adopted Irish pride at my favorite downtown Chicago Irish bars. A note to out-of-towners: Many Chicago hotels<\/a> are located near the parade route, making it even easier to combine your pub crawl with a stroll to see the infamous Chicago River being dyed green on March 12. Check out these Chicago hotels, plus a few more in Boston and New York that set the Celtic mood way before March 17. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Chicago<\/strong>
\nMust-stop:<\/strong> Celtic Crossing<\/strong>
\nWith wood booths, a fireplace and none of the bric-a-bar defined by sports bars feigning as Irish taps, Celtic is the textbook Irish pub. Even if you don’t make it here on parade day, stop in for a quiet pint earlier in the week to “have yourselves a chat” before the mayhem ensues.<\/p>\n

Suggested hotel:<\/strong> Trump International Hotel and Tower<\/a><\/p>\n

New York
\nMust-stop: Paddy Reilly’s<\/strong>
\nThe Prodigals, the resident band, won’t be there for St. Patrick’s Day, but will be playing on March 11. Belly up to the bar for a pint of Guinness, and get ready to dance your arse off.<\/p>\n

Suggested hotel:<\/strong> The James New York<\/a><\/p>\n

Boston
\nMust-stop: Flann O’Brien’s<\/strong>
\nThe Irish pride themselves on a lack of pretense, which makes this no-frills Brigham Circle tap a reliable hangout for pub grub and pints. Skip the burger for the breakfast of champions: the traditional Irish breakfast.<\/p>\n

Suggested hotel:<\/strong> Fairmont Copley Plaza<\/a><\/p>\n

Insider tip: <\/strong>Book a St. Patrick’s Day package<\/a> on Orbitz by March 11 to snag savings at select Chicago, Boston and New York hotels.<\/em><\/p>\n

Related resources<\/strong><\/p>\n