The Ridge is already feeling the Irish spirit!
A mere 11 days separates most of the world from the glory that is Saint Patrick’s Day, but in Bay Ridge, every day in March is the 17th, and there is plenty to do.
On Friday, head over to Harp Bar (7710 Third Ave. between 77th and 78th streets), where you can get a pint of McGargle’s beer — straight from County Kildare on the Emerald Isle. The pub started slinging the tough-to-come-by Celtic suds from the beginning of the month, so strike while the keg is cool.
The Brits may have finally owned up to slaughtering 13 protestors in the 1972 massacre known as “Bloody Sunday,” but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take to the streets to honor the slain by reliving the Bay Ridge Irish American Action Association’s once-annual protest marches on Saturday. The Irish-American group showed solidarity with a march from Irish Haven (5721 Fourth Ave. between 57th and 58th streets) to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basillica (529 59th St. between Fifth and Sixth avenues) until 2011. Take a walk and say an “Ave” for the fallen.
Then break out the tenor banjo and tin whistle on Sunday, because Gaelic music will fill the Ridge. First drop by the Wicked Monk (9510 Third Ave. between 95th and 96th streets) for an Irish jam session at 4 pm. Woods and Friends will play a set of traditional Irish tunes on strings and woodwinds. If the group doesn’t play enough jigs to get you reeling, head to Irish Haven at 8 pm to catch Erin-born bard Niall Connoly play his politically-charged brand of folk.
And mark your calendar for next Friday, when Welsh bar Longbow Pub and Pantry (7316 Third Ave. between 73rd and 74th streets) will air the Six Nations rugby match between Ireland and Wales.
