Just because St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Tuesday (March 17) this year, doesn’t mean there won’t be large, boisterous celebrations. At restaurants and bars across Vancouver, expect to find revellers clad in lucky green clothing, hoisting pints of Guinness—or green beer—and tapping their feet to fiddle and pipe music well into the night.

In fact, these events are expected to be so well attended that many restaurants and bars are starting their St. Patrick’s Day celebrations a few days early with festivities planned for the weekend. If you’re interested in partaking in the holiday that honours Ireland’s patron saint, options are listed below.

The Irish Heather

At Gastown’s Irish Heather (210 Carrall Street), Ireland-raised owner Sean Heather promises there won’t be any green beer on site on St. Patrick’s Day. Instead, diners can enjoy authentic food and drink including hearty Irish fare (pot pies, fish & chips, and bangers & mash are all on the menu), pints of Guinness and other beer, and a large selection of whiskey throughout lunch and dinner service. Live entertainment will include Irish pipers and dancers. Due to the space constraints of the Irish Heather, guests will have the option of enjoying food and drink at neighbouring Rainier Provisions while waiting for a table. Reservations are recommended.

Doolin’s Irish Pub

A number of events related to CelticFest Vancouver have already been taking place at Doolin’s Irish Pub in the lead up to St. Patrick’s Day. On Tuesday, the party gets started at 11:30 a.m., with a different musical act taking the stage every few hours. Enjoy pub favourites, including shepherd’s pie and Irish stew, during lunch and dinner, as well as over 20 beers on tap. For people not working the next day, DJ’d music and dancing continue until 3 a.m.

The Blarney Stone

Why limit your St. Patrick’s Day celebration to just a day? At Gastown’s Blarney Stone (216 Carrall Street), revellers can enjoy five days of festivities starting Friday (March 13). During the daytime, family-friendly entertainment open to all ages will include live Celtic folk and rock music, Irish dancers, circus performers, face painting, and balloon artists, while a full Irish menu and green beer will be served. Each night, the party will continue for those 19 years and over, with DJ’d entertainment and alcohol specials, such as $4 Caesars and $6 Irish pints. An Irish brunch will be served on the weekend. On Monday night (March 16), a St. Patrick’s Day Eve party will include a countdown and balloon drop at midnight. The entire 200 block of Carrall Street will be closed to pedestrian traffic only on Tuesday for a free street party that kicks off with a St. Patrick’s Day brunch buffet at 9 a.m.

Ceili’s Modern Irish Pub

While Ceili’s Modern Irish Pub (7331 Westminster Highway) has closed both of its Vancouver locations, a St. Patrick’s Day celebration is still planned for its Richmond restaurant. A large party that includes live music, Irish dancers, bag pipers, and gallons of green beer is expected for the event. The food menu includes a selection of Irish-inspired dishes as well as typical pub fare—burgers, soups, flatbreads, and finger food. If green beer isn’t for you, Ceili’s houses over 20 beers on tap, with drink specials that include a $5.50 featured pint. Reservations are recommended.

Donnelly Group restaurants

For the month of March leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, all Donnelly Group restaurants—which include over a dozen locations across Vancouver—will feature $5 shots of Jameson whiskey and $6 pints of Guinness. For every shot of Jameson purchased, customers will be entered to win a trip to Ireland to visit the Jameson distillery in Dublin. The draw takes place at the Lamplighter Public House (92 Water Street) on Tuesday at around 9 p.m. and the winner must be present in order to claim the prize. While at the Gastown restaurant and bar, enjoy fresh pub grub, 50 different beers on tap, cocktails, and wine.

Johnnie Fox’s Irish Snug

A bright red door will help you identify this cozy Irish bar in the Granville Entertainment District. Johnnie Fox’s Irish Snug (1033 Granville Street) has several events planned leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, including live music daily from 3 to 6 p.m. Catch the restaurant’s float in the St. Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday (March 15) downtown and then warm up with some Guinness and beef stew, potato-bacon soup, and “Irish poutine” topped with a grilled banger. Then menu pairs well with the selection of Irish beer, cider, and whiskey.

Mahony & Sons

The family-owned Mahony & Sons will host St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at all three of its locations. At its restaurant on UBC’s Point Grey campus (5990 University Boulevard), singer-songwriter Torben Brown will take the stage at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday. At its Burrard Landing (1055 Canada Place) and recently opened Stamps Landing (601 Stamps Landing) locations, festivities get started earlier at 1:30 p.m. and continue through the evening. Enjoy a different food menu, large selection of beverages, and drink specials at each location.

The Charles Bar and Colony Kits

At Gastown’s The Charles Bar (136 West Cordova Street), revellers can enjoy $6.75 pints of Guinness, $4 sleeves of domestic beer, and $4 shots of Jameson whiskey on St. Patrick’s Day. Local performer Mark Woodyard will provide music from 4 to 7 p.m., before moving over to Colony Kits (3255 West Broadway) for a set from 8 to 11 p.m. At the Kitsilano restaurant, diners can enjoy $6 pints of Guinness and $4 shots of Jameson.

The Lennox Pub

While this Irish bar on the corner of Granville and Robson streets doesn’t have a big party planned for St. Patrick’s Day, it’s certain to be a popular spot—if only for people-watching before and after the parade on Sunday. Over the weekend and on Tuesday, a selection of prizes will be up for grabs when diners order pints of Guinness, Kilkenny, or Harp at the Lennox Pub (800 Granville Street). The restaurant has a large food menu and is well known for its Jameson-infused Irish coffees.

Darby’s Public House

For St. Patrick’s Day, the Kitsilano pub will offer a vertical lineup of Dead Frog Brewery’s Commander Imperial Stout. Try the rich, dark beer from different years while enjoying a variety of pub snacks and larger dishes. Darby’s Public House (2001 Macdonald Street) also has 30 beers on tap and will offer drink specials throughout the day on Tuesday.