As 2022 flies by, St. Patrick’s Day is the next holiday ready to be celebrated. It’s time to stock up on the four-leaf clover decorations, all green attire and the “Kiss Me I’m Irish” gear before the big day. The Garden State has a number of interesting ways to spend the holiday. From bar crawls, parades and even festive dinners, here’s how locals can celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day in New Jersey.
Bar Crawls
St. Patrick’s Day is a special occasion that celebrates the patron saint of Ireland. Generally, a traditional feast is made to celebrate, but a few drinks at a bar crawl could work as a supplement! From Asbury Park to Hoboken, the opportunities are endless.
Located right on the Jersey Shore, the Luck of the Irish Saint Paddy’s Pub Crawl at Asbury Park is one that cannot be missed. Join the hundreds of attendees covered from head to toe in green as they celebrate the luck of the Irish. After purchasing a ticket, you will be given a wristband and a map, which will guide you from venue to venue. Each pub crawl stop will also have a number of drink specials for purchase.
Atlantic City is also holding its second annual Saint Patrick’s Day celebration as well as Ryfe Bar and Restaurant. Located in the Lower Chelsea District of Atlantic City, doors open right at 9 a.m. on March 12 to start the celebration early. Ryfe Bar is the first stop on the bar crawl. Guests will receive a complimentary souvenir cup and a breakfast sandwich between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Tickets are currently $9 which includes a free shuttle to all participating bars in the crawl.
Local Parades
What is a better way to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day than with a festive parade? There are several parades throughout New Jersey that are great alternatives if you cannot make the New York City one.
One of the top Saint Patrick’s Day parades is in Belmar, which will take place on March 6 at 12:30 p.m.. The parade will commence on the end of Lake Como at 3rd Ave and North Blvd. The parade will go on regardless of the weather.
Asbury Park will also have a Saint Patrick’s Day parade filled with rock bands, zombies and many other interesting characters. It will take place on March 13 with the parade route beginning on the Asbury Park Boardwalk on Ocean Ave. The parade will begin at 1 p.m.
In Clinton, The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Hunterdon County will be holding its seventh annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. The charity organization will be holding its very own parade on March 13. There will be over 40 marching units with five pipe and drum bands as well as horses, dogs and a number of community organizations.
In addition to many other small towns holding Saint Patrick’s Day parades, Rumson is holding a parade and a festival. Beginning on March 13 at 1 p.m. The event features eight bagpipe bands, decorated floats, marching bands, Irish step dancers, traditional Irish dishes, antique cars and much more.
Enjoy a Traditional Irish Meal
Besides bar crawls, parades and other festivals, enjoying a traditional Irish meal is an ideal way to honor St. Patrick. Luckily, New Jersey has different Saint Patrick’s Day dinners occurring at many restaurants.
From March 14-18, Zeppelin Hall in Jersey City will be having a four-day-long celebration. The menu offerings include corned beef and cabbage, bangers and mash, fish and chips and a number of other festive meals. On Saint Patrick’s Day specifically, at 9:30 p.m., the rock band The Itinerants, will be playing Irish music.
For a bar food type of experience, Mulligan’s Pub in Hoboken offers Cornish pasties, sausage rolls and an Irish breakfast which they serve all day.
Another great bar to check out is St. James’s Gate Publick House in Maplewood. This pub anticipates all year for Saint Patrick’s Day to come, which can be seen by the yearly countdown they have on their website for the holiday. St James’s Gate Publick House prides itself on its traditional Irish dishes and classic drinks. Whether it is an Irish whiskey or an Irish coffee, this spot has everything Irish. On the exact day of the holiday, specifically, there is a one-day-only menu as well as live music.
In Belmar, Sweet Tease Tea Room is hosting festive afternoon tea until March 19. This tea special includes smokey sweet potato soup with mixed greens, as an homage to the Irish flag. The second course includes regular cucumber tea sandwiches, Shepherd’s pie and an Irish quiche filled with asparagus, potato and parmesan cheese. Lastly, dessert is something that cannot be skipped. From carrot cake, pecan pie bars and Irish potato – coconut cream rolled in cinnamon – there is something to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth.
How will you be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in New Jersey? Let us know!
Main photo by RODNAE Productions
