Patch Picks: St. Patrick's Day Parties

Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day! Right? It also gives those legally allowed to drink an excuse to start partying at 7 a.m. So, Thursday is the day and there are plenty of parties in store for the "everybody is Irish" holiday. It's time to get your green drink on! Well, on Thursday at least.

Here are a few picks from the area:

• Ferndale: , 279 W. Nine Mile Road, is going all out, as you might expect for a space called Rosie O'Grady's. The Irish festivities start off early, at 7 a.m., with a free breakfast buffet and drink specials running until noon. There will also be live music throughout the day starting at 8 a.m. and running to 2 a.m.
• Ferndale: The Irish festivities begin at 7 a.m. Thursday at Danny's Irish Pub, 22824 Woodward Ave., and continue until 2 a.m. The Irish pub will have Irish music all day, some of which will be live. Although it won't have green beer on tap, it has the green drops of food coloring if you really want it, so just ask. Also, all the Irish whiskey one can drink.
• Berkley: The is going all out for St. Patrick's Day. The Woodward Avenue watering hole, which is painted the colors of Ireland – green, orange and white, with a few shamrocks thrown in for good measure – will get the party started at 7 a.m.  Thursday. Bagpipers will set the tone throughout the day and special items such as corned beef and cabbage, Irish beef stew and Shepherd's pie will be on the menu. Green beer will be served inside and in a heated, outdoor beer tent. "You just never know with Michigan weather," manager Bo Burton said with a laugh. "Keep your fingers crossed. The luck of the Irish maybe." This year it appears Irish eyes are smiling on us: St. Paddy's Day is expected to be partly sunny with a high near 60 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
• Royal Oak: , 31501 Woodward Ave., is a mainstay for St. Patrick's Day revelers. The lines will start before most people are on their way to work and the partying will go on into Friday morning. The bar/restaurant will open at 7 a.m. and serve a special menu of corned beef, lamb stew and Shepherd's pie. From 7-9 a.m. 99.5 WYCD-FM will broadcast live and from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. JJ Walker from 104.3 WOMC-FM will entertain the crowd. You haven't experienced St. Patrick's Day until you have partied at Duggan's. If you are in the mood to try another destination, in the Northwood Shopping Center at 13 Mile and Woodward opens at 7 a.m. with bagpipes beginning at 11 a.m.
• Clawson: Black Lotus Brewing Company, at 14 Mile and Main, might be the hot spot for heel-clicking partiers looking for signature craft beers, live entertainment and Irish food specials. The bar plans to be open from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. on St. Patrick's Day with musicians from the Celtic rock band Odd Enough performing.

And... as always, drink responsibly and drive safely.