Top St. Patrick's Day Parties In Philadelphia

St. Patrick's Day falls on March 17th, but Philadelphia is celebrating all week long with pub crawls, parades, parties and more. Are you looking for a place to head for some Irish-good cheer and green beer? Try one of the parties listed below.

Erin Express
Various venues
www.erinexpress-philly.com

Date: March 12, 2016 at 12:00 p.m.

Erin Express has been a St Patrick's Day pub crawl in Philadelphia for over 30 years. During the day, on March 12, more than 10 buses shuttle between 15 different bars including Cavanaugh's, Smokey Joe's, the Blarney Stone and the Millcreek Tavern. The buses appear every 15 minutes outside all of the bars from noon until 6 p.m. This event is free - there is no cost for the buses or bars (only drinks and food).

McGillin's St. Patrick's Day Party
McGillin's Olde Ale House
1310 Drury St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 735-5562
www.mcgillins.com

Date: March 17, 2016 at 10:00 a.m.

McGillin's Olde Ale House is the oldest continuously operating pub in Philadelphia having opened the year Lincoln was elected president in 1860. Throughout the year, McGillin's throws some of the best parties in the city, but none of them are as great as the one held on St. Patrick's Day. In fact, this Irish pub opens an hour early for the celebrations. The full day will include plenty of green beer and cheer – specials on drinks and food and Irish music galore.

Philadelphia St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl
Tavern On Broad
200 S. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 546-2290
www.barcrawls.com

Date: March 17 at 5:00 p.m.

On St. Patrick's Day itself, join hundreds of party goers as they make their way through the city streets celebrating the Irish holiday. For $10, check in at Tavern On Broad (between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.) in Center City where you'll receive a wristband, cup, and map for your night of debauchery. Venues are found throughout the city in Rittenhouse Square, Old City, University City and Northern Liberties. Drink specials are offered at every bar for wristband holders. For $5 more, you can purchase a two-day pass, which includes a bar crawl on Saturday, March 14.

Related: Top Spots For Irish Pub Food

Running of the Micks
Crabby Cafe
1050 N. Hancock St., Suite 1
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 574-9700
www.erinexpress.com

Date: March 12 at 12:00 p.m.

The Running of the Micks is a Philadelphia bar crawl that takes you to Northern Liberties, Center City and South Philly with busses running every 30 minutes from 12:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. between participating venues. The wristbands cost $30 and can be picked up at Crabby's Café in the piazza. The wristbands are needed for unlimited bus transportation, drink specials and entrance to all bars including Gunner's Run, Kings Oak and Voltage. If you really want a St Patrick's Day hangover, purchase the VIP ticket and head to Crabby's Café from noon until 2:00 p.m. for a Miller Lite Open Beer Bar.

St. Paddy's Day 2016
XFinity Live!
1100 Pattison Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(267) 443-6415
www.xfinitylive.com

Date: March 12

XFinity Live, an entertainment complex near the South Philly sporting arenas, is celebrating St. Patrick's Day the Saturday before with live Irish music and cash prizes (including a cash balloon drop). Specials include $3 green beer, $4 cocktails and $5 Irish car bombs. The band Lima Bean Riot will play in the Victory Beer Hall, one of six bars that reside within Xfinity Live. This entertainment destination is easy to get to by taking the subway directly there from the city or by driving (parking is free after 8).

Related: Top Irish Bars In Philadelphia

Kelly Neilson is a freelance writer living and working in Philadelphia. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.