Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day: 13 things to do this weekend

By Joshua Encinias

Grab your Guinness, Brooklyn’s oldest St. Patrick’s Day parade returns this Sunday. Can’t wait that long? The Irish Haven in Sunset Park opens at 8 a.m. on Friday for pre-Manhattan St. Patrick’s parade libations and Time Out Market is having its own all-day gathering.

If that’s not your thing, don’t worry. There’s plenty more to do this weekend. For example, a Taylor Swift Party on Friday and, on Saturday, an evening with Yo La Tengo at Brooklyn Steel. There’s also a three-day all-women maker’s fair at City Point. Here’s what’s happening around the borough for whatever you want to get into.

Friday, March 17

The Irish Haven’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration
8 a.m. to 4 a.m.
Everyone’s a little Irish on St. Patrick’s Day (except the Scottish), and The Irish Haven is opening bright and early for a day of revelry — its first without Covid restrictions since 2019. The Irish Haven serves cold beer from 8 a.m. on Friday to 4 a.m. on Saturday morning. Meet for a pint before the big parade in Manhattan and come back for lunch or dinner and try their corned beef sandwiches from 12 to 7 p.m. The Brooklyn Bards perform from 2 to 4:30 p.m. and they’ll be showing the March Madness games too. All ages (yes, actually). 5721 4th Avenue at 58th Street.

St. Patrick’s Day at Time Out Market
11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Head over to Dumbo on Friday because they’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day from opening to close at Time Out Market. Enjoy $8 “green” beers (their quotes, not ours), a $15 specialty cocktail called “Luck of the Irish & Cold Irish Coffee” courtesy of Bushmills Whiskey, and a “pot of gold” surprise giveaway offering comped drinks. The Brooklyn Irish Dance Co. performs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., so whet your whistle and stick around for the show. 55 Water Street. Free.

The All-Women’s Makers Show
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday
More than 40 women-owned businesses will bring their arts and crafts to the mixed-use retail platform for small businesses this weekend and next at City Point in Downtown Brooklyn this weekend and next. where Highlights of The All-Women’s Makers Show include a live panel discussion, “Breaking The Glass Ceiling,” in partnership with Bridge Built by Citi. The diverse lineup of women-owned small businesses include: Rompzz, BKLYNBARSOAP, SAYSO, Honey Bunch Lettering, Annie’s Potteries and more. BKLYN STUDIOS at City Point. 445 Albee Square West.. Free. RSVP here.

St. Patty’s at Gay Ridge Speakeasy
9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Bay Ridge became known as “Little Ireland” around 1845 when Irish immigrants moved to Brooklyn after the famine in their homeland. And on Friday, you can gaily (and gayly) celebrate the heritage at Status Q Billiards. The bar is throwing a St. Patrick’s Day party called The Gay Ridge Speakeasy, with dancing, billiards, and an arm wrestling contest that sounds messy (in the best way). It wouldn’t be St. Patty’s without a fight or two. DJ Cilla is spinning records all night and yes, there will be a big, queer, Irish sing-a-long! 8218 3rd Avenue. Tickets are $23.

The Taylor Party: Taylor Swift Night
9:30 p.m. doors, 10 p.m. party
Calling all Swifties: The Bell House just announced a Taylor Swift dance party on Friday night. Sing and dance with your besties as the house plays songs from every era of Taylor’s music. Grab your tickets soon because they’re going fast! And remember: if you start any drama on the dance floor Friday night … it’s you, hi, you’re the problem, it’s you. 21+. 149 7th Street (Between 2nd and 3rd Avenues). Tickets are $20.

Saturday, March 18

Brooklyn Children’s Museum: Brooklyn Circus!
11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. showtimes
Swing on silks, learn how to juggle, test your balance, or take a spin on a gigantic wheel at the Brooklyn Circus on Saturday! This animal-free circus is presented by The Muse Brooklyn. Your kids will learn about the world of circus arts through a day of interactive performances and hands-on workshops. Tickets for the Brooklyn Circus grant all-day access to the Museum. Ages 4 and up with a guardian. 145 Brooklyn Avenue. Tickets are $12 and $13.

Shane Torres Live Special Taping
7 p.m.
Shane Torres is a Brooklyn-based comedian and actor, and on Sunday, he’s taping his first stand-up special at The Sultan Room, presented by fellow comedian Bert Kreischer. You may know Torres from his Comedy Central show “Shane Torres Conquers Your Fears” or his Paramount Plus show “How Good Can It Get With Shane Torres,” and even if you don’t, it’s pretty dope he’s filming his first special in Bushwick. 21+. 234 Starr Street. Tickets are $25.

Drag Out Loud: A Live-Singing Drag Show
7 p.m. doors, 7:30 p.m. show
A singing drag show with a performer named Stevie Dicks? We’re sold. Anson Reign presents Drag Out Loud, Brooklyn’s live-singing drag show featuring kings, things, femmes, and thems! Bring your dollar bills and join in the fun at Purgatory on Saturday for the drag concert of your dreams. Other performers include Daddy Dallan, Mötley Crüde, and Lena Horné. 21+. 675 Central Avenue. Tickets are $10 and available online or at the door.

An Evening with Yo La Tengo
7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show
On Monday, Yo La Tengo performed the second half of their show at The Basement East in Nashville in drag. They were protesting recently passed legislation in Tennessee that restricts drag performances in public. We can’t promise they’ll be in drag during Saturday night’s show at Brooklyn Steel, but there’s a pretty good chance they’ll play “Autumn Sweater.” 16+. 319 Frost Street. Tickets start at $94.

​​Sunday, March 19

St. Patrick’s 5K & 10K
9:30 a.m.
Another holiday, another 5K. Never Stop Running Foundation is hosting a St. Patrick’s 5 and 10K run on Sunday, rain or shine. Put some green laces in your running shoes and head over to Veterans Memorial Pier to run along the boardwalk with fantastic scenic views of the Verrazano Bridge. If you sign up early your registration comes with a St. Patrick’s run t-shirt. American Veterans Memorial Pier 11209. Registration prices vary and they increase on race day.

48th Annual Brooklyn St. Patrick’s Parade
Mass at 10:30 a.m., parade kick-off at 12:30, and goes to 2:30 p.m.
Brooklyn’s oldest St. Patrick’s Day Parade actually takes place the Sunday following the holiday. The day starts at 10:30 a.m. with a Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Church at 245 Prospect Park West, followed by the parade kick-off at 12:30 p.m. The celebration begins at the Prospect Park Bandshell and snakes through Park Slope. Come pay tribute to the many Irish immigrants who contributed to the melting pot that is Brooklyn. All ages. 62 West Drive.

Black Southern Migration Exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum
11 a.m to 6 p.m.
For this Brooklyn Museum exhibit, contemporary artists and writers reflect on America’s Great Migration between 1915 and 1970 through newly commissioned works ranging from large-scale installation, immersive film, and tapestry to photography, painting, and mixed media. “Legacies of the Great Migration” shows the Black Americans who left the south for Brooklyn, an important migration destination, and introduces people who stayed or returned to the South during this era of American life. 200 Eastern Parkway. Ticket prices vary.

The Roller Wave
Opens at 11 a.m.
Roll bounce your way to this new family-friendly pop-up skating rink at the Atlantic Terminal Mall. The Roller Wave pays homage to the aesthetics of old-school skating rinks and features live music from DJs and performers. The 9,000 square-foot rink features food and beverage offerings, an arcade, special VIP space, and family programming in addition to skating lessons and exercise events. Get your endorphins flowing this Sunday at Roller Wave. 625 Atlantic Avenue. Ticket prices vary.