St. Patrick’s Day: Where to go in Philly

Philly has been celebrating St. Patrick’s Day since 1771, says the St. Patrick’s Day Observance Association. So we pretty much have it down. The parade is held every year on the Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day, with about 20,000 people joining in, along with marching bands, dancers and youth groups.

It kicks off Sunday at noon at 16th and JFK and goes up the Parkway. The performance area is right by Eakin’s Oval on the Parkway.

3 places to drink:

Howl at the Moon

The dueling piano bar’s big “St. Paddy’s Bash” is Saturday, with doors opening at noon, and specials including $4 green Bud Light drafts and $6 Leprechaun Bombs going until 5 p.m. Warning: The line for entry on a regular Saturday is always long, so expect a crowd. 258 S. 15th St., www.howlatthemoon.com

McGillin’s Olde Ale House

McGillin’s is expecting a lot of pub crawlers to stop by — plus impromptu bag pipers. The bar will be pouring celebratory Irish stouts including O’Hara’s from Ireland and Sly Fox’s O’Reilly’s. Or try an Irish Potato Martini. For food, dig into corned beef and cabbage. 1310 Drury St., www.mcgillins.com

Fado

This bar takes its St. Patrick’s Day celebrating seriously, and they’ve been going at it all month. On Saturday, live music kicks off at 3 p.m. with SideArm . Doors open at 8 a.m. on Tuesday for Pints and Pancakes (bring $5 to donate to the Ancient Order of Hibernians ). There will be live music throughout the day. 1500 Locust St., www.fadoirishpub.com

Soak up the booze with an order of When Irish Fries Are Smiling from Shake Shack. The crinkle-cut fries are topped with horseradish cream, scallions and applewood-smoked bacon, for $4.50. You can get them at the Shake Shack in Center City or University City or in the King of Prussia mall (the Plaza side) from Friday through March 17.