By Gary Bennett
Along with being Irish for a day, “kiss me — I’m Irish” proclamations, and wearing green, for many people, St. Patrick’s Day means it’s time for a pub crawl.
The term “crawl” refers to the slow and steady pace of moving from one bar to the next, as opposed to rushing in and out — although it could also refer to the slower pace of movement as the evening wears on and inebriation sets in. But let’s hope not.
Pub crawls differ from bar hopping because of the organized nature of the event. Bar hopping is spontaneous. Pub crawls are planned. Bar hopping typically takes you to the same old haunts. Pub crawls should take you to places you have never tried. Typically, with crawls, there is a set route to follow from bar to bar.
Crawlers can walk, take taxis or sometimes even a special “pub crawl” bus, and costumes are often encouraged — or at least tolerated.
HISTORY
Inconceivably, pub crawls do not necessarily trace their origins back to St. Patrick’s Day. Other holidays — Halloween, Cinco de Mayo, Christmas and New Year’s Eve — were often used to build pub crawls around. But often, no holidays were needed at all!
By most accounts, pub crawls date back to early 20th-century London, home to closely situated pubs on just about every street. The first pub crawl is credited to Oxford University students in 1910, who visited 18 English pubs in one night to blow off steam and socialize with likeminded colleagues.
Today, much of the civilized world celebrates pub crawls for birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, random get-togethers and yes, St. Patrick’s Day. There are even tour organizers who specialize in pub crawls.
For a pub crawl to be fun and exciting, you need a substantial number of closely situated bars to visit. We are fortunate to have plenty of bars, breweries and distilleries situated in downtown Frederick.
Unfortunately, as of this writing, there are no official pub crawls scheduled for Frederick on March 17. There are many scheduled in D.C., Alexandria, Baltimore and even Westminster and Cumberland.
But Frederick’s lack of a pre-planned pub crawl doesn’t mean you can’t organize your own!
MARKET STREET CRAWL
For your crawling pleasure, here is a suggested list of 10 bars in the downtown Frederick area to visit on St. Patrick’s Day, listed by the most efficient walking route. It stretches for about a mile.
Be sure to check websites for the most up to date information on St. Patrick’s Day specials. Please drink responsibly, go with friends and don’t drink and drive.
1. Begin at Olde Towne Tavern on North Market Street, where parking is plentiful. Olde Towne has a warm, neighborhood-bar feel and features several specials on Monday nights. Happy hour lasts from 4 to 7 p.m. with $1 off all drinks and $5 personal pizzas. Enjoy ping pong, pool, darts and foosball.
2. Head south on Market Street for about two blocks to really get your Irish on at Bushwaller’s, one of Frederick’s two traditional Irish pubs. For early risers, the green-adorned Frederick institution opens at 8 a.m. on March 17 for “Kegs and Eggs.” They will also host live music throughout the day.
3. Turn the corner onto Second Street and head into Frederick’s other Irish pub, Magoo’s. Proprietor Jennifer Daugherty has planned a special St. Patrick’s Day menu with traditional Irish dishes, Guinness on tap, Smithwick’s Irish Ale, Harp Lager and Kilkenny Irish Cream.
Note: Because our two Irish pubs are in such close proximity, the area around Market and Second streets are sure to be packed with humanity, spilling out into the street. Be advised it might be hard to belly up to the bar at either location. You may be better off making a reservation for dinner.
4. Next, turn into Agave 137, less than a block away on North Market. Agave is typically closed on Mondays but will open on St. Patrick’s Day with extended hours.
5. Next up is Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar, just steps away from Carroll Creek on North Market and just a block or so from Agave 137. Co-owner Eric Weller has big plans for March 17. They will be hosting their fourth annual fundraiser for muscular dystrophy in conjunction with Frederick Career Firefighters. The event will go on all day, enhanced by live music and a party atmosphere very possibly at the large parking lot right next door.
6. Next door to Shuckin’ Shack is pleasantly named Hootch and Banter. Their lounge is not usually open on Mondays, so please check their website for any St. Patrick’s Day activities.
7. Head just around the corner from Hootch and Banter to try out Frederick’s “pour your own” destination, Frederick Social. Here, you’ll have plenty of room to spread out. With a large patio area and Carroll Creek as a backdrop, you can choose from a selection of dozens of beers, wines and cocktails on tap to toast St. Patrick.
8. After your stop at Frederick Social, turn around, get your bearings, and head back up North Market for one block. Take a slight detour onto East Patrick Street and arrive at JoJo’s Restaurant and Tap House. On March 17, enjoy an all-day happy hour featuring $2 off draft beers, $1 off bottle and can beers, and $2 off all wine by the glass.
9. After JoJo’s, keep walking north on Market Street to a Frederick favorite, Brewer’s Alley, which will offer a “Kegs and Eggs” breakfast buffet along with special drinks and Irish-themed food on St. Patrick’s Day. Their rooftop bar will be open the entire weekend.
10. After Brewer’s, tuck in behind their building to finish your evening at White Rabbit Gastropub. Plans had not yet been finalized at the time of writing but, I’m told, may include a block party in their sizable parking lot. Call 240-651-1952 for information closer to the holiday. You can expect specials though, such as green beer, shamrock shakes and Shepherd’s Pie pizza among other unusual offerings.
If you prefer to get off Market Street and venture down Carroll Creek, you can make a night of it at RAK Brewing, Idiom Brewing, Attaboy Beer and Steinhardt Brewing, all of which are within close proximity.
RAK Brewing promises several specialty beer releases on St. Patrick’s Day, including a Dublin stout. Idiom will host live music, green beer and food specials. Steinhardt will feature live music along with $1 off pints of celebration (Dry Irish Stout), Irish Red and Green Kolsch from March 14 to 17.
Gary Bennett is a longtime Frederick resident who spends his time hiking, biking, volunteering and providing childcare for grandchildren. He is married and retired from his career as a nonprofit marketing executive.