Los Angeles embraces St. Patrick’s Day as celebrations abound

By Helene Seifer

March 17 has been designated as St. Patrick’s Day since 1631, but it wasn’t until the 20th century that drinking beer became associated with the holiday. Beer, of course, along with Irish whiskey and corned beef and cabbage, is central to the celebration these days, and there are myriad places to indulge in our area. For those who would like to start the day a wee bit Irish before leaving the house, a traditional Irish breakfast is the perfect fortification before joining the crowds. Most of us have eggs, tomatoes and beans in stock, but a visit to the MacNamara Irish Import Shop will provide the key elements of black-and-white pudding, blood sausage and Irish bangers. The store is a good source of “Kiss me, I’m Irish” T-shirts, as well.

MacNamara Irish Import Shop, 742 Vine St., 323-4984445.

Although The Cat & Fiddle styles itself as an English pub, it embraces the green for St. Patrick’s Day. From noon to midnight they will serve the requisite corned beef and cabbage, along with corned beef sliders, and will feature Harp and Guinness beer. Their crowd-pleasing entertain- ment will feature burlesque by Miss Marquez. to 9 p.m.

The Cat & Fiddle, 742 N. Highland Ave., 323-468-3800. Fairfax Avenue is crowned “Green for a Day” when crowds descend on the Original Farmers Market, Molly Malone’s and Tom Bergin’s for lively Paddy’s Day festivities up and down the street.

At the Original Farmers Market, strolling bagpipers, the Merry Minstrels, will provide the ambiance. Bar 326 and E.B.’s Beer & Wine will offer spirits and green beer. Both Magee’s Kitchen and Dupar’s Restaurant and Bakery will fuel the day with corned beef platters and sandwiches.

The Original Farmers Market, 6333 W. 3rd St., 323933-9211. Open from 9 a.m.

Just a hop down Fairfax Avenue is a watering hole that will be throwing its 54th St. Patrick’s Day party; Molly Malone’s Irish Pub. Owner Damian Hanlon says that their St. Patrick’s Day hours will be 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. Starting at 10 a.m., provisions will include Irish stew in addition to corned beef options. The Margaret Cleary Dance Company takes the stage at 11:30 a.m. with 7- to 19-year-old Irish step dancers. Bagpipers will play intermittently until 7 p.m., when five different bands lead the transition to a nighttime vibe.

Molly Malone’s Irish Pub, 575 S. Fairfax Ave., 323-9351577.

Further south on Fairfax, just south of Wilshire, Tom Bergin’s has been operating only four days a week, but that won’t stop its offering another St. Patrick’s Day to remember. As co-owner Francis Castegnetti states, “My brother [co-owner David Castegnetti] and I are excited to celebrate! There’s not a square inch of space here you won’t have fun in.” The action starts at 6 a.m. with a breakfast of corned beef, roast potatoes, eggs and toast. A corned beef and cabbage plate and sandwich will appear later. Three bars outside and two inside will serve Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey, Lost Irish Whiskey, Irish Coffee, beer and special Irish Mule cocktails to the day’s expected 12,000-person crowd. DJs will spin a mix of rock and traditional Irish music. Castegnetti teases that there might be some last-minute surprises.

Tom Bergin’s, 840 S. Fairfax Ave., 323-936-7151.

Whichever way you choose to mark St. Patrick’s Day, may this Irish proverb rule your fortunes: May your troubles be less, your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door.

Community block festival set for Spring

A community-wide, allblocks party is set to take place this spring on Ninth Street between Hauser Boulevard and Cochran Avenue.

“It’s a block party for all blocks,” said Greg Goldin, president of the Miracle Mile Residential Association (MMRA).

A date has yet to be set for the four-block-long event.

“We want to renew and bring a couple of things on the horizon,” Goldin added.

Also upcoming is the annual MMRA meeting. Check the website for a date and time.

Additionally in the planning stages is Operation Sparkle, where volunteers show up to clean a portion of the streets in Miracle Mile. This year, the street frontages of businesses along Wilshire Boulevard will be made to sparkle. The event takes place on a weekend morning, and everyone is invited.

“Businesses on the street have had a very hard time the last decade,” Goldin said. “We’re trying to come out of the fog of the pandemic, which has made it very hard for everybody.”

For more information, visit miraclemilela.com.