It’s St. Paddy’s season, and the celebrations are getting underway.
St. Patrick’s Day (17 March) is around the corner, so it’s time to
bring out the shamrocks and all things green and down pints of Guinness
(if you’re into that; no pressure, if not!). Here’s where you can immerse yourself in this joyous Irish occasion this year in Singapore. Sláinte!
1. St. Patrick’s Day Street Festival Singapore
Circular Road at Boat Quay turns into a raucous sea of green during
the St. Patrick’s weekend when its annual St Paddy’s festival kicks into
gear. The epic festival, which is supported by Mogambo Bar &
Restaurant, Hero’s, Molly Malone’s, The Public House and Boomarang, is
the ultimate celebration of all things Irish. So expect a whole lot of
revelry coupled with good food, fun activities, street performers, Irish
bands and more. There’d be live music across two stages over the
weekend, and Irish dancers too. Psst, there’s something for the kiddos
as well. So clad yourself in something green and soak in the lively
atmosphere. Heck, try the Irish jig while you’re at it.
About: Free admission. From March 15 to 17, 6pm to 10pm (March
15) and 2pm to 10pm (March 16 and 17). At Circular Road. For more info,
visit here.
2. Peranakan Place’s St. Patrick’s Mini Festival
Get a head-start on the St. Paddy’s revelry at this “mini festival”.
Four bars at Peranakan Place are offering Guinness draught beers at
$10++ a pint and $6++ for half pints, so you can drink to your heart’s
content. Try tapping your own pint, or bring home a personalised
Guinness cup with your name engraved on it. Other activities include
life-sized outdoor backyard games such as Human Billiards and Giant
Jenga. How fun!
About: On March 8, 7pm till late at Acid Bar, Alley Bar, Black
Nut and Hej Kitchen & Bar, 180 Orchard Road, 238846. RSVP for free
entry here.
3. Guinness’ St. Patrick’s Festival
Image: Guinness
Good news for those who have names that start with Pat! Whether
you’re called Patrick, Patricia, Patsy, Patrice, or even the endearing
Ah Pat, you’ll be entitled to a whole lot of perks, thanks to Irish
stout brand Guinness. You’d get discounts off GrabFood (first time
customers only), coupons off your Grab ride, Redmart discounts and more.
Remember to join in the street party at Maxwell Road on March 16, where
there’s beer (of course), good music, games and delicious food to be
had. If you’re Irish or you’re friends with one, you’d be entitled to
some benefits, such as Vespa tours, pop-up KTVs and discounted pints and
Guinness merchandise. Want to learn cool skills like how to pour the
perfect Guinness pint and how to make Guinness cocktails? There will be
dedicated masterclasses held as well, so you get to impress your friends
in future. Oh and did we mention innovative Guinness cocktails and $5
off Guinness pints if you sign up for the St Patrick’s Festival?
Look out for the Guinness roving van across Singapore (at Mapletree
Business City on Mar 6, 11.30am to 2.30pm; Guoco Tower on Mar 7, 3pm to
7pm; on GOGOVAN on Mar 12, 1pm to 3pm and The Exchange @ Asia Square on
Mar 13, 12pm to 2pm) where you get a taste of free Guinness draught and
ice cream infused with Guinness. Yum!
About: Free entry. On March 16, from 1pm to 10pm. At 30 Maxwell Rd. For more info, visit here. Sign up for the festival on get.guinness.com.
4. McGettigan’s Clarke Quay’s Paddy’s Weekend
McGettigan’s is celebrating St Patrick’s with a weekend full of live
music from talented musicians. We’re most excited about its headline
act, Irish singer-songwriter Gavin James, who has opened for Ed Sheeran
and Sam Smith on their tours. The 27-year-old has snagged the Choice
Music Prize Irish Song of the Year award twice, and recently played to a
15,000-strong crowd in his first arena show at 3Arena in Dublin. Other
performers include Celtic band Gan Ainm, Irish solo act Gerry Cox who
plays pop, rock and folk tunes, and more. You can also expect
performances from Irish Inspirational Dancers at
their outdoor stage — how fun! In need of a few laughs? As part of
their participation in the Magner’s Comedy Festival, there’ll be
a special Irish Comedy nighton
Saturday from 7.45pm (early bird $20, standard $35), where two Irish
stand-up comedians — Aidan Killian and Kevin Gildea — will take to the
stage. Best of all, you get to shake your shamrocks like the Irish while
sipping on $14 (nett) draught beers and bottles of Magners all day on
Saturday and Sunday. It’ll be a weekend of booze, great tunes and craic!
About: Free admission for live performances. From March 15 to
March 17 (9pm to 1.30am on March 15, 2pm to 3.30am on March 16, and 2pm
to 2am on March 17). At McGettigan’s (Clarke Quay, Singapore), Blk A, 3
River Valley Road, Merchant’s Court, 179020. For more info, visit here.
5. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2019
Photo: St Patricks Day Parade Singapore’s Facebook page
Get your green on and march to the beat at the annual St. Patrick’s
Day Parade, which promises to be a sight to behold. Organised by
Singapore River One and sponsored by St. Patrick’s Society Singapore,
the parade is a lively spectacle that will see throngs of people,
from bagpipers to drummers to musicians and festivalgoers, walk around
the Central Business District in various shades of green. All in
rollicking good fun, the celebrations will get you in the mood for a
pint later.
About: On March 17 at the lawn in front of the Victoria Concert
Hall. Meet from 2.15pm to start walking at 3pm. For more info, visit here.
6. The Drunken Poet
Image: The Drunken Poet
Tuck into classic Irish fare such as Guinness Pie ($24), Shepherd’s
Pie ($20), Irish Breakfast Pizza ($25) and Irish Potato and Bacon Cakes
($12) at this Irish pub and don’t forget to wash that down with some
Guinness beer. Pssst, enjoy unlimited pints at $10 if you like their Facebook page,
show them the ad and whisper the code #IGotLucky. No social media? Get
your beers at a not-too-shabby price of $25 for two pints or $13 for one
pint. Besides good nosh and drinks, boogie to live music from Tina, a
band which consists of experienced musicians Emira & Tim. Need we
say more?
About: From March 15 to March 17, opening til late. At The Drunken Poet, #01-29C, Orchard Towers, 400 Orchard Road, 238875, tel: 6734 2924.
7. Muddy Murphy’s Irish Pub and The Penny Black Victorian London Pub
Muddy Murphy’s and The Penny Black, which are both owned by Muddy
Murphy Holdings, will be holding a series of promotions, activities and
entertainment that are fit for the jolly occasion. You get to enjoy four
pints of Guinness beer for just $50 at both spots from March 1 to 10,
but March 11 to 17 is when the fun really starts — you get five pints of
Guinness for $60 plus five complimentary freshly shucked oysters. Next,
test your knowledge of all things Irish and stand a chance to snag a
bottle of The Irishman single malt whiskey by taking part in their St
Patrick’s Trivia, which will be held on March 12 for The Penny Black and
March 14 for Muddy Murphy’s. The latter will also have an evening of
live Irish folk songs from Irish musician Paddyman on March 15, then
both bars will air the final round of Rugby Six Nations Championship
live from 8.30pm on March 16. On March 17, expect a traditional roast
lunch at 11.30am at Muddy Murphy’s, followed by live band performances
at 2pm (Paddyman) and 6pm (Gan Ainm). At The Penny Black, live music by
Paddyman will begin at 6pm.
Toast to the popular Irish festival with some
unique concoctions and exclusive pours, led by Bread Street Kitchen’s
bar manager William Pravda, a recent champion at the inaugural Pilsner
Urquell Tapster Singapore Competition. Knock back an O’hara Stout —
which exudes a robust roast flavour and mingling liquorice notes — or an
O’hara Red Ale — which has a smooth creamy caramel tone — at half-price
(S$9++). Or get a Leprechaun
cocktail (S$14++), which is a refreshing whisky concoction from Dublin.
There are delicious bites, such as burgers and fish and chips, to
accompany your drinks of course, and these will not disappoint.
9. The St. Patrick’s Ball by the St. Patrick’s Society Singapore
Photo: St. Patrick’s Society Singapore’s Facebook
Established in 1925, the St. Patrick’s Society Singapore aims
to extend a warm welcome to anyone with an Irish heritage, or who simply
have a love of, or interest in, Ireland. Its annual dinner, the St.
Patrick’s Ball, is their key event, where, in their words, they “raise
more than a glass of Guinness to celebrate our Patron Saint”. It’s a
glamorous event where the dress code involves ball gowns and black tie,
so don’t expect the same boisterous merrymaking as that of an Irish bar,
but it’ll be no less fun. The dinner will kick off with a champagne
reception accompanied by Irish Harp music, followed by a five-course
gourmet dinner that is accompanied by free flow wine, beer and Guinness.
Entertainment include Irish dancing, and afterwards if you’re in the
mood, you’re invited to dance the night away into the early hours.
Supper will be provided.
About: On March 16, from 7pm at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore, 22
Orange Grove Rd, 258350. Members pay $275 while non-members pay $300. To
buy, email stpatsticketing@outlook.com. For more info, see here.
