St. Patrick’s Day

St. Paddy’s Day Crime Statistics

By ARLnow.com

The statistics on St. Patrick’s Day are in from the Arlington County Police Department. Police responded to more than two dozen alcohol-related incidents as revelers packed local bars to celebrate the holiday.

ACPD reported the following crimes on Saturday, denoted by the number of separate incidents officers responded to.

  • Drunk in Public — 13
  • Assaults where alcohol was involved — 7
  • Driving Under the Influence — 4
  • Urinating in Public — 1
  • Drunk parent at bar with baby (referred to Child Protective Services) — 1

Each incident resulted in at least one arrest or summons, according to police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

St. Paddy’s Day Is Almost Here — Tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day, so expect some crowded bars and some intoxicated individuals along the R-B corridor. See our 2012 St. Patrick’s Day Guide for a list of some of the local watering holes that are holding special St. Paddy’s Day events.

Groundbreaking on New Courthouse Apartments — Construction is now underway on Grayson Flats, a 67-unit luxury apartment building located at 1200 N. Rolfe Street. The developer, Tysons-based Insight Property Group, say the building will be convenient to the Courthouse Metro station. Construction is expected to wrap up this fall. [Washington Business Journal]

Arlington Dems Get New Website — The Arlington County Democratic Committee launched a redesigned website earlier this week. In a blog post, the organization acknowledged that their old website was “lame.” [Arlington Democrats]

T.A. Sullivan Starts Removing Gravestones — Gravestones are apparently starting to be moved off the old T.A. Sullivan & Son property in Clarendon. The cemetery monument business, and every other business on the block, has closed or is closing to make way for a new office complex. [Clarendon Culture]

Arlington St. Patrick’s Day Bar Guide 2012

By ARLnow.com

This year, St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Saturday. That means there will probably be more people than usual heading out for some Irish cheer at the local watering holes. Here’s a list of a few places around town that have special celebrations planned.

Arlington County police will have an increased presence in Clarendon and other areas expected to have a large number of people celebrating the holiday. They’ll also be distributing information about SoberRide, which is offering free cab rides home from 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 17, until 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 18.

  • Capitol City Brewing Company (4001 Campbell Ave) — The brew pub will tap two one-of-a kind cask brews: Irish Red Ale and Irish Dry Stout. A traditional Irish food buffet will be offered from 5:00-9:00 p.m.
  • Ireland’s Four Courts (2051 Wilson Blvd) — Doors open at 7:30 a.m. for those interested in starting early. Five different bands play all day starting at 11:00 a.m. Extra bars and a heated tent will also be set up for the celebration.
  • O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub (3207 Washington Blvd) — Live Irish music throughout the day. The Boyle School of Irish Dance will perform at 5:30 p.m.
  • P. Brennan’s Irish Pub (2910 Columbia Pike) — The green beer starts flowing at 9:00 a.m. The festivities include a performance from the Boyle School of Irish Dance at 3:00 p.m., followed by live music throughout the evening. Bagpipers are also expected.
  • RiRa Irish Pub (2915 Wilson Blvd) — Irish breakfast buffet starts at 8:00 a.m. Irish dancers will perform, and the first of three bands will start at 11:00 a.m. The party will benefit the locally based children’s charity The Reading Connection.
  • Samuel Beckett’s Irish Gastro Pub (2800 S. Randolph St) — Opens at 8:00 a.m. for watching rugby tournament matches, with the big Ireland-England game showing at 1:00 p.m. Music starts at 3:00 p.m. There will be a prize for the best Irish costume.
  • Sine Irish Pub (1301 S. Joyce St) — Discounted beer throughout the day and a buffet from 5:00-10:00 p.m.
  • Union Jack’s (671 N. Glebe Rd) — Specials throughout the day, with a free Irish breakfast buffet offered from 8:00-10:00 a.m. DJ starts at 5:00 p.m. Patrons can participate in the Sexy Leprechaun Contest.
  • Whitlow’s on Wilson (2854 Wilson Blvd) — Doors open at 9:00 a.m. for breakfast, and Irish fare will be served starting at 11:00 a.m. Live Celtic music runs from 1:00-6:00 p.m. and a cover band begins at 8:00 p.m.

If you’re looking for something a little more family friendly, here are a few ideas.

  • Washington-Lee High School (1301 N. Stafford St) — Arlingtonians for a Green Environment is hosting the annual Green Living Expo from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. The free event features green living seminars, a raffle, exhibitors, cooking demonstrations and children’s activities.
  • Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre (1611 N. Kent St) — The Arlingtones Barbershop Chorus presents “Spring Tonic 2012” at 2:00 p.m. Ticket information can be found online.

2011 St. Patrick’s Day & NCAA Tournament Guide

By ARLnow.com

If there was ever a day to skip out of work after lunch, this is it. Between the nice weather, the start of the NCAA basketball tournament and — of course — the fact that it’s St. Patrick’s Day, this is not a day that should be spent cooped up in an office filing TPS reports.

Here are a few places you can go to wear the green, watch the game or otherwise have a good time.

  • Arlington Cinema Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike) — Tonight at 7:15 p.m. everybody’s favorite gun-wielding, God-fearing Irish brothers will kick some Mafia butt as the Drafthouse holds a special screening of the movie Boondock Saints.
  • Clarendon Grill (1101 N. Highland St.) — The Grill opened its doors at 11:00 a.m. for its St. Paddy’s Day celebration. Drink specials at the bar and March Madness on the TV. Energetic local band The Fuzz takes the stage at 9:00 p.m.
  • Ireland’s Four Courts (2051 Wilson Blvd) — Doors opened at 10:00 this morning. The always-packed St. Paddy’s extravaganza at Four Courts includes Irish food specials, cash-only satellite bars, music on the main stage all day, and a heated tent behind the restaurant.
  • Iota Club and Cafe (2832 Wilson Blvd) — Raucous Irish band O’Tasty performs, with warm-up act Hellfire and the Brimtones taking the stage at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $12.
  • Kitty O’Shea’s (2403 Wilson Blvd) — No cover and March Madness on the TV. Open all day with an all-Irish food menu.
  • O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub (3207 Washington Blvd) — Irish bands all day starting at noon. The Michael Patrick Band perfomrs from 4:45 to 8:45 p.m. and Willem Dickie performs from 9:30 p.m. to closing time.
  • P. Brennan’s Irish Pub (2910 Columbia Pike) — This is the first St. Patrick’s Day celebration for the cavernous, 11-month-old Irish pub. P. Brennan’s opened at 11:00 a.m. for an all-day and all-night event featuring Irish music, Irish dancing, Irish food and anything else Irish-related. $5 cover after 6:00 p.m.
  • Ragtime (1345 N. Courthouse Road) — Happy hour specials from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., green beer starting at 4:00 p.m., a traditional Irish menu and NCAA games on the TVs. Local funk/jam/rock band Aquatica becomes O’quatica for a performance from 9:00 p.m. to close.
  • Rhodeside Grill (1836 Wilson Blvd) — Irish specials and NCAA basketball all day. Plus: green beer.
  • RiRa Irish Pub (2915 Wilson Blvd) — Starting at noon, RiRa is holding a charity basketball shoot-out on the back patio. The hoops will benefit the charity PeacePlayers International, which helps to unite young people in divided areas of the world like Northern Ireland. Live music includes Kilmaine Saints starting at 3:00 p.m. and Dr. Fu at 9:00 p.m. Naturally, there will be a traditional Irish menu and NCAA games on the big screens.
  • Samuel Beckett’s Irish Gastro Pub (2800 S. Randolph St.) — The newest Irish pub in town will host acoustic folk/pop/rock artist Taylor Carson at 7:00 p.m. There will also be authentic Irish food, plenty of Irish beer and whiskey and a special menu, all served by a straight-off-the-boat Irish staff.
  • Sine Irish Pub (1301 S. Joyce St.) — Green beer, no cover and an Irish buffet starting at 3:00 p.m.
  • Spider Kelly’s (3181 Wilson Blvd) — SK opened at 11:00 a.m. for St. Patrick’s Day and March Madness specials all day long. The popular nightspot also added Guinness to its taps for the occasion.
  • Tortoise and Hare (567 S. 23rd St.) — Tortoise and Hare is offering “plenty” of food and drink specials. The all-day celebration features a full Irish menu, green beer, car bombs, Guinness and Smithwick’s, etc. etc. etc. Plus March Madness on TV and hip hop cover band Flow in the Dark taking the stage around 9:30 p.m.
  • Whitlow’s on Wilson (2854 Wilson Blvd) — Irish menu until 11:00 p.m. Bagpipers providing music plus Celtic band Shannon Tide at 6:00 p.m. March Madness games and drink specials.

Clarendon Mardi Gras Parade Date Set

By ARLnow.com

Last year, the Clarendon Mardi Gras parade became a St. Patrick’s Day parade due to a snow-related postponement.

This year, the two holidays are close enough together that organizers are planning to make the parade a joint Mardi Gras/St. Patrick’s Day affair.

The Clarendon Mardi Gras/St. Pat’s parade will place take this year on Fat Tuesday, March 8. Further details are still in the works.

(St. Patrick’s Day is Thursday, March 17.)

Arlington Police Make St. Paddy’s Day DUI Arrests

By ARLnow.com

Arlington bars, including Ireland’s Four Courts, McGinty’s and RiRa, were packed last night. Arlington police, meanwhile, were well-prepared for the inevitable few revelers who decided to drink and drive.

After deploying extra patrols and a DUI checkpoint, Arlington police say they made at least seven DUI arrests yesterday. Four of the arrests were made at the checkpoint, according to police.

To Do Tonight: Wear the Green

By ARLnow.com

Whether you’re Irish or not, there’s something special about St. Patrick’s Day. The green attire and green beer seems to go hand-in-hand with the greener grass and warmer weather.

No matter where you live in Arlington, there are plenty of options for going out and celebrating with a pint or three.

If you are going to participate in the traditional St. Paddy’s Day drinking ritual, you’ll also have plenty of options for getting back home safely. Designate a driver, take Metro, or call a free cab from the SoberRide program at 1-800-200-TAXI (8294). Red Top Cab is among the taxi companies participating in the SoberRide program.

If you’re still thinking about driving, consider this: Arlington police will be stepping up patrols and establishing a DUI checkpoint tonight.

Photos From the Clarendon St. Paddy’s Parade

By ARLnow.com

Last night’s Clarendon St. Patrick’s Day (eve) parade had it all: bagpipers, kids dancing, Mardi Gras beads, roller derby girls, a leprechaun on a unicorn, a Republican congressional candidate, white guys in sombreros, and — of course — drag queens. If you missed it, don’t worry… we took plenty of photos.

Check out the photos after the jump.

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Four Courts Four Miler a Success Despite Rain

By Barry Skidmore

More than a thousand runners braved heavy wind and driving rain on Saturday to compete in the inaugural Four Courts Four Miler road race, part of an early St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

“How do you like this traditional Irish weather?” an organizer called out to the crowd just before the race began.

The race started at Ireland’s Four Courts in Courthouse and took runners along an out-and-back course down Wilson Blvd, through Rosslyn, and past the Memorial Bridge on Route 110.

The course made for a relaxed downhill first half with a tough uphill return including a steep quarter-mile hill just before the finish line.

“The climb from Rosslyn was incredibly arduous, but seeing the crowd at the final hill really inspired me to finish strong,” said race participant Elyssa Lacson.

The rain, which had been coming down in sheets before the race, relented to a light drizzle by the 9:00 a.m. start time. The initial deluge left participants soggy, but in good spirits.

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