Anxious about the hordes of St. Patrick’s Day revelers ready to stumble their way through the neighborhood tomorrow? The Local is here to help. We called dives around the neighborhood to find out which ones would rather you not show up in a green top hat with shamrocks painted on your face. Here are your shelters from the drunken storm.
International Bar, 120 First Avenue, 212-777-1643
“I celebrate drinking at two in the afternoon every day. St. Patrick’s is a day where, all of a sudden, drinking in the afternoon is fun, and it ruins it for us,” owner Molly Fitch said. “I do not want a St. Patrick’s day pub crawl in my bar in any shape or form.”
Blue & Gold, 79 East Seventh Street, 212-777-1006
“This place is going to the anti-anti-anti haven. We’re not an Irish bar; we’re a Ukrainian bar. People will pack in here to get away,” said bartender Mike Roscishewsky. “We are absolutely not doing anything.”
Manitoba’s, 99 Avenue B, 212-982-2511
“In a 64 box of Crayola, green and yellow might be my two least favorite colors. We have nothing against the Irish people, they are lovely,” said owner Dick Manitoba. “We’re a rock ‘n roll bar. If you want to not be blown away by a million drunk, throwing-up college students wearing green, we’re a safe haven with a wonderful diversity of females. You can hide from the lunatics.”
Coal Yard, 102 First Avenue, 212-677-4595
“It’s dark and you can feel completely safe here. This is the ultimate hiding spot,” said bartender Sebastian Jaramillo.
Lucy’s, 135 Avenue A, 212-673-3824
“The Irish used to come to me, but within the last few years, they haven’t come by. I didn’t even think about Saint Patrick’s Day, so you’re welcome to come in and relax,” said owner Lucyna “Lucy” Mickievicius in Polish.