This was the line for McSorley's at 8:56 a.m., March 17, 2012

Hey, it's St. Patrick's Day. In case you didn't know already because your neighbors have recently discovered the Pogues.

Anyway! Forgot to check when McSorley's opens today... 9? 11?

... and around the corner... Leprechaun bus!

If you don't feel like waiting, then you may go to the Village Pourhouse on 11th Street and Third Avenue. They were open earlier. You may need a backpack to get in. Many people we saw entering the bar had backpacks. (Unfortunately, not depicted so well in this photo...) Change of clothes? Provisions? Textbooks? Stomach pumps?

If you are brave enough to venture out today (we recommend that you stay locked in your bathroom), then say hi. We'll be wearing a disguise from Gem Spa...

St. Patrick's Day at McSorley's in 1943

Courtesy of the McSorley's Facebook page...

An early start

On the Bowery...

... and Tompkins Square Park...

Photos by Bobby Williams...

A sneak preview of Sunday morning, March 18

Spotted on the Bowery...

...and nearby... one doesn't necessarily have to do with the other. But.

And we've alerted our friends at EV Heave. (Warning: Graphic photos of you know what)

[Broadway at 11th Street]

Today

EV Grieve holiday correspondent Bobby Williams passed by a few local St. Patrick's Day hotspots earlier today...

On Avenue C, a battle to be the 'St. Patrick's Day Official Party Headquarters!'

First, on Avenue C and 10th Street... at the East Village Tavern...

and across the way at Royale...

Meanwhile, you can find me in my bunker today.

[Photos by EV Grieve Holiday Correspondent Bobby Williams]

So, what's doing at McSorley's today?

Eater intern Thomas Garry has been live blogging all day from McSorley's.

Sample:

10:23: People standing at the bar at least two to three people deep. Nearly impossible to get to the bar to order. Some resorting to buying from people sitting at tables full of beer.

Meanwhile, EV Heave is on High Alert until the threat perception subsides, sometime likely never.

The green plastic hat zone (Pub Crawl Alert!)

Pub Crawl alert this weekend!...and it's just not any ol' pub crawl... It's the Guinness Book of Records Largest Pub Crawl — a
five-mile, three-day long crawl starts that starts this afternoon, continues tomorrow morning into the pee wee hours and wraps up on St. Patrick's Day.

Whatever you want to do, fine... but do the rest of us really have to be unwilling participants in your bar-hopping hijinks? Do you have to take over the sidewalks and run in the streets, paying no mind that it might be, say, 2 p.m., and other people aren't really in the green zone?



The participating bars hereabouts are:

Identity Bar
511 E 6th St.

Company
242 East 10th St.

Central Bar
109 East 9th St.

12th Street Ale House
192 2nd Ave.

Village Pourhouse
64 3rd Ave.

Finnerty's Irish Pub
221 2nd Ave.

Kingshead Tavern
222 East 14th St.

BarNone
98 Third Ave.



If this sounds fun, then here's your info on how to join.

Speaking of which, betcha all this will keep EV Heave busy this weekend. Oh, and here's a belated weekend report from EV Heave. (DO NOT GO here unless you want to see you-know-what...)

A St. Patrick's Day alternative

From the EV Grieve inbox:

CRAFTERMATH presents an LES alternative to St. Patrick's Day mayhem in a hybrid boutique/bar.
Punk crafts, film shorts, subversive song!
From 7 til 9pm-ish:

The CRAFTERMATH creative forces sell punk crafts and unusual art at a neighborhood treat-to-behold that features emerging designers and vintage goods. Our artwork is affordable, along w/the drinks. Happy Hour features a $5 beer and whiskey combo. We'll show a collage of films by NYC underground filmmaker LISA HAMMER on the gold-framed movie screen. JESSICA DELFINO will share a new song, perhaps on an uncommon instrument. You can celebrate Women's History Month w/us, and still make it in plenty of time to get out to some place far less cool-looking to drink your green beer - if you still insist!

The Dressing Room Boutique & Bar
75A Orchard Street (btw. Broome & Grand Sts.)
7 til 9pm-ish
FREE

Is it safe to venture out again?

I've come out of hiding...Is St. Patrick's Day over yet? And thanks to the jokester who sent me the info on the St. Patrick's Day bash at Turtle Bay on 52nd and Second Avenue...

Two posts from one year ago on EV Grieve...

East 7th Street, 4:50 p.m., March 16



Just wait until tomorrow.

AND:

You've been warned



AKA Amateur Hour.

You've been warned

AKA Amateur Hour.

East 7th Street, 4:50 p.m., March 16

Just wait until tomorrow.