By Beatriz Miranda, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – This Saturday, March 17th, Cariocas and Irish expatriates will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland’s most famous holiday. Becoming more popular in Rio every year, the date will be honored in the city with parties, shows and the typical green draught beer.
The St. Patrick’s Day marks the death of Saint Patrick, Irish catholic patron. One of the most expected moments of the year, St. Patrick’s Day is traditionally known for people wearing white and green clothes, drinking endless beer mugs and going to celebrate on the streets.
Today, St. Patrick is remembered with festivities all over the world, including Rio de Janeiro. Even though the official date is March 17th, there are plenty of events going on across Rio’s Centro, Zona Sul, Zona Norte and Barra starting from tomorrow, March 15th, until the end of the weekend.
In Barra da Tijuca, the Downtown mall will promote the St. Patrick’s Day Downtown. From this Thursday, March 15th, to Sunday, March 18th, 24 food and artisanal beer stalls will pay homage to the Irish culinary and beer culture. What’s more, groups Café Irlanda, Tailten and even a U2 cover band will present traditional and contemporary Irish music to the audience. For further details, check the official event.
Some of the best pubs and bars in Rio will not miss the opportunity to celebrate the date either. At Os Imortais, in Copacabana, there will be the traditional green draught beer (pilsen, IPA and a red ale), games and live music from Friday, March 16th, to Sunday, March 18th.
At the Shenaningan’s Irish Pub, in Ipanema, there will also be a musical and recreational line-up dedicated to St. Patrick from Friday to Sunday, with entrance costing R$10 and R$15.
The festivities also start early at the traditional Lapa Irish Pub, which will host the “Early St. Patrick” tonight, March 15th, with live Irish music and beer. There will also be an official St. Patrick’s event on March 17th, when musician Kevin Shortfall and band Punching Namard will perform at 6PM and 9:30 PM, respectively.
Those who want to experience the Carioca St. Patrick’s Day with culinary delights should check Copacabana’s Pub Escondido, where all the homemade burgers will be served in a green loaf.
At Botafogo’s Casarão 1903, the menu will include the “Saint Burger”, which consists in double burger, German sausage, cheddar, mustard aioli and spinach bread, and the “Tapioca’s Dices”, small cubes of green “tapioca” (the starch extracted from cassava root), accompanied by cheese and ponzu sauce with spicy sake. Casarão’s special menu will be served until the end of the month.
On St. Patrick’s official date, March 17th, Rio concentrates most of the events dedicated to the Irish patron. In Praça da Bandeira, Tijuca, restaurant Urbanito will host a party including open bar of brewery Motim’s green draught beer and chicken and veggie wraps (entrance R$80). Partygoers who dress up with Irish typical clothes will win a special gift.
Certainly one of the most promising parties, the St. Patrick’s Day Rio 2018 will take place at the Teatro Odisséia, in Lapa. Starting at 11PM, the event will include live music with band Café Irlanda, whiskey shots distributed on the floor, beer battles, chocolate coins and several DJs. Tickets vary from R$20 to R$40, and can be purchased here.
Another party happening on Saturday is the Casa da Matriz’ St. Patrick’s Day, in Botafogo. Promoting diverse beer games and promotions, the party will gather six talented DJs to spin eclectic music genres, from rock to pop music. In order to purchase a ticket, click here.
What: St. Patrick’s Day in Rio de Janeiro
When: March 15th to March 18th – time varies according to the event
Where: venue varies according to the event
Entrance: price varies according to the event