The annual St Patrick’s Day happens on Mar 17, and as always, Irish pubs and local restaurants unleash their own parties and celebrations during that weekend. Besides the iconic sea of green, the day commemorates the death of Saint Patrick, a patron saint of Ireland and also celebrates the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. More so, it celebrates Irish culture and heritage. This is the day where alcohol restrictions are lifted and encouraged instead. In Singapore, you can do that legally (ugh, that 10:30pm ban) at these parties.
St Pat’s Day at Crossroads Cafe (Mar 15-18)
Sitting snug on the crossroads of Orchard and Scotts Road is this sidewalk bar and cafe that’s always crammed with lost tourists and weary shoppers alike. But you might not be bothered by that as the festive mood sets in on this weekend. Dig into their beef Guinness pie, that combines the Irish beef with Guinness sauce, topped with mashed potato crust ($22), Irish stew with shallot, carrot and herbs ($22) and enjoy a pint of Guinness for $8 from 3-6pm and 11pm till closing.
How much: Admission is free, food from $8
Where: Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
The Official Singapore St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl! (Mar 17-18)
The famed Boat Quay pub crawl is back for a shamrock-themed affair. There will be an open top party bus that will chauffeur you to three Irish pubs and a club—all with free entry—along the river. Enjoy special drink deals and freebies while you’re at it. It’s pretty mysterious: you’ll only find out exactly which pubs and club you’ll be heading to on the day itself. Same goes with the special promotions.
How much: $50 (single), $160 (group of 4)
Where: Singapore Pub Crawl, 80 Raffles Place
St Patrick’s Day Street Festival (Mar 17-19)
Join in the sea of green at Circular Road for the street festival celebrating St Patrick’s Day, featuring Irish pub Molly Malone who’ll be serving food like Boxty, a traditional Irish potato pancake with sausages and bacon for $12 and together with the half pint of Guinness for $20. There’s a couple of live performances from the likes of Gan Ainm (Mar 19, 10pm), Singapore’s original Irish band; The Alterboys, a duo consisting of Irish musician Gerry Cox (Molly Malone, Mar 15) and Rock Rosettes, an all-female quartet who will be playing U2 songs. Join the parade happening on the 19th with the herd of bagpipe and drum musicians making their way from Asian Civilisation Museum to UOB Plaza.
How much: Free
Where: Circular Road
Paddy’s Fest at McGettigan’s (Mar 17-19)
Irish bar and restaurant McGettigan’s, all decked out in lots of mahogany wood and plush leather banquettes, is hosting three musicians to celebrate St Patrick’s Day: Broken Pokers, who plays jigs, reels, hornpipes, waltzes and polkas; Gan Anim, Singapore’s leading Irish band; and Gerry Fox, Irish musician from County Waterford in Ireland. Besides the music performances, there’ll be Irish dancers performing on Mar 18, 5:30pm and the screening of the RBS Six Nations rugby match between Ireland and England. Enjoy all these activities with their Irish breakfast set that includes two eggs, black pudding, sausage, rashers, tomatoes, baked beans with tea or coffee and toast ($15). Draught beer and house spirits are $10 and jager bombs are $5 each.
How much: Admission is free, drinks from $5
Where: McGettigan’s, #01-01C 3 River Valley Rd.
St Patrick’s Broga Workshop (Mar 19)
If you’re looking for something quiet and away from the crowd, there’s the men-only “broga” workshop hosted by local yoga studio Sagehouse. Johnson Chong, founder of yoga studio Exodus Retreat and experienced yoga and pilates teacher, will be leading the one hour 15 minute class. After the session, reward yourself with a special dinner prepared by Andrew Ballentine (from North Ireland), with dishes like grilled salmon with lemon and sage, quinoa garden salad consisting of cherry tomatoes, sunflower seed, shrimps and pesto and ending it off with coconut ice cream with berries and nuts parfait.
How much: $125
Where: Sagehouse, 163 Tembeling Rd.
