Ocean City is gearing up for one of the most festive events of the year, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade! We’ve heard it referred to as “the locals New Year’s” and in our opinion, that couldn’t be more fitting. Locals find themselves hibernating or traveling during the winter months in OCMD, particularly during winters that were as abysmal as this one was. Spring is a BIG deal for those of us that live at the beach, with the St. Paddy’s Day Parade serving as the first big event of spring in the resort town. Locals and visitors fill the streets, showcasing their finest green and Irish apparel while enjoying the parade of businesses and non-profits from 58th Street to the 45th Street Village. After the parade, the options are endless. For starters, many of our favorite watering holes will be re-opening their doors this weekend (Belly Busters, Fish Tales, and Shenanigans to name a few). Bars and restaurants will be featuring deals and specials for the event, along with contests, giveaways, and live entertainment. We plan on starting our day at Belly Busters, as its 45th Street location makes it the perfect place to grab lunch and enjoy the festivities. From there, well, you decide…
309 N. Atlantic Avenue (4th Street and the boards), Ocean City, MD
410-289-7181
It’s not a St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Ocean City without a stop at the only Irish Pub on the Boardwalk! Shenanigan’s doesn’t take St. Patrick’s Day lightly…they even have an active countdown on their website. It’s the 25th Anniversary of their beloved Paddy’s Day Bash, which actually spans several days with food and drink specials, live entertainment, and more. Head over to their website or FB page for all the details.
117 W. 49th Street, Ocean City, MD
410-524-4900
It may seem odd to celebrate an Irish-themed event in Jamaica, USA, but it is Seacrets after all, and we know they know how to throw an epic party. Seacrets will celebrate all day Saturday with their Irie-ish Music Fest. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade party will include 7 live bands, 5 live DJs, and Ocean City Pipes and Drums. The live entertainment starts at 1pm and continues throughout the night. And look for the balloon drop at 6pm as Seacrets rings in the ‘locals New Year’s.”
Route 54, Fenwick Island, DE
302-436-4716
Further north, just outside of the Ocean City limits on Route 54 in Delaware, Smitty McGees will be celebrating the upcoming holiday (which is Tuesday, March 17 FYI) with a St. Practice Day Weekend extravaganza. This Saturday, practice celebrating with green beer and liquor specials, giveaways, and corned beef and cabbage. There will also be performances by DJ Wax, DJ Magellan, and the Ocean City Bagpipe Band.
Fager’s Island
201 60th Street, Ocean City, MD
410-524-5500
fagers.com
If you’re looking for the ultimate parade after-party, Fager’s Island has you covered. It’s not a St. Paddy’s Day celebration without a few pints of Guinness and some extra helpings of corned beef and cabbage. After refueling with food and drink post-parade, get ready to enjoy three live bands and a DJ. Live entertainment starts at 2pm with Opposite Directions w/ Sean Loomis, The Stims, Animal House, and DJ Robcee. The party continues until 2am.
Fish Tales
2207 Herring Way (22nd Street and the bay), Ocean City, MD
410-289-0990
www.ocfishtales.com
One of the true indicators of the return of warm weather is seeing Fish Tales open up shop again. The outdoor bar and restaurant is only open during the warm months (of course) and will be open this weekend for the festivities. What’s in store you ask? Well, there’s $3 Jameson and Jameson Black Barrel Shots, $2 Killian Red Drafts, $2 Green PBR drafts, $3 Guinness Blond pints, $3 Smithwicks and Harp Drafts, $4 Guinness Drafts, $2 Irish Coffees and $4 Irish Car Bombs. Fingers crossed that the rainy forecast is wrong so we can enjoy a Guinness on the docks!
12933 Sunset Avenue, West Ocean City, MD
410-213-8110
If you plan on heading back over the Route 50 Bridge on Saturday after the parade – or if you’re skipping the parade altogether – Sunset Grille is the prime place to be. Irish food specials, happy hour drink prices, live music with Doug Segree starting at 5pm, and more!
No matter where you end up for your post-parade fun, we encourage everyone to be safe. Checkpoints are typical in and around Ocean City on the day of the parade, so opt for cabs or appoint a sober driver if you’re heading out with a group. Better yet, it’s the off-season, so why not take advantage of the off-season deals by getting a hotel for the night. We love happy and safe crowds in OCMD, let’s keep it that way! See you all out and about (rain or shine) and look for our photos on FB and Instagram all weekend long.
