The green beer will flow as freely as the corned beef and cabbage served up along with Irish hospitality and charm at Peninsula and beachfront establishments and throughout San Diego this year on St. Patrick’s Day. 
An official Christian feast day since the early 17th century, St. Patrick’s Day commemorates Ireland’s patron saint and the arrival of Christianity. It is celebrated in more countries than any other national festival with public parades, the wearing of green attire or shamrocks, and the consumption of green-dyed beer.
Because St. Pat’s falls on a Sunday this year, many local events marking the occasion are actually happening the day before on Saturday. But regardless of when you celebrate, here are a few things to do, and places to go, wearin’ green on March 16 or 17: Ocean Beach/Point Loma – Luck O’Loma: This inaugural family- and dog-friendly outdoor neighborhood block party will take place Saturday, March 16 from noon to 10 p.m. featuring live music, booths, food from Surf Side Deli and local brew on Rosecrans Street in Point Loma Village. The block party spans from the Goodbar to Surf Side Deli parking lots, with entrances at both establishments. There is free entry for those who RSVP online arriving before 3 p.m. A portion of proceeds will benefit local dog rescue. The Animal Pad will also be showing off adoptable canines. For more information, visit nightout.com/events/luck-o-loma-block-party/tickets. – The Harp Irish sports bar at 4935 Newport Ave. will be celebrating St. Patrick’s weekend in style. On March 17, two bands will perform: Full Moon Fever, a Tom Petty cover band, starts at 2 p.m.; The Upshots, a rockabilly ’50s and ’60s rock and roll band, performs at 9 p.m. There will be traditional Irish music played in between the two headliners. “We’ll be doing music over the complete weekend starting Friday evening at 9 p.m., Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. and Sunday afternoon, said The Harp owner Kevin Gallagher. “We will be opening early for EPL soccer and breakfast, including traditional Irish breakfast with Irish coffee, Saturday at 7:45 a.m. and Sunday at 7 a.m. In addition, there will be corn beef tacos, fish ‘n’ chips, shepherd’s pie and corn beef and cabbage.” He added there will be “plenty of Guinness and various Irish whiskies.”
– Eppig Brewing Waterfront Biergarten at 2817 Dickens St. will have a couple of stouts on special for St. Patrick’s Day. – Pacific Shores at 4927 Newport Ave., is kicking off the St. Patrick’s Day weekend with a corned beef and cabbage buffet on Friday at 4 p.m. with Jameson promos throughout the night, said Kariann Medina of the establishment, which has served OB since 1941. “We’ll have domestic beers and well drinks for $3.50, and $5 shots of Jameson all weekend,” she said.
– Raglan Public House at 1851 Bacon St. is having Guinness and Jameson specials all weekend and “just good cheer all around,” said staffer Ben Rosien. “The drink special will be Thursday through Sunday,” he said. “We’ll also have a corned beef and cabbage special with boiled potatoes and carrots for $14.99 Wednesday through Sunday.” 
– Sunshine Company Saloon at 5028 Newport Ave. will have beer specials on St. Paddy’s Day. 
– Oggi’s Pizza & Brewing Co. at 2562 Laning Road in Liberty Station will have a St. Patrick’s Day special all weekend long, a pint of Guinness and a shot of Jameson for $10.
– Bay City Brewing at 3760 Hancock St. will have a special on crowlers, the canned version of a growler. St. Pat’s weekend, 32-ounce crowlers will be $9.
– Breakfast Republic, with locations at 4839 Newport Ave., Suite 106 in OB and 2865 Sims Road in Liberty Station, will start St. Paddy’s Day off right with drink specials like Kiss Me Kiwi Mimosa and Luck of the Irish Lattes with Bailey’s Irish cream, as well as enjoy green menu choices like Leprechaun mac and cheese.
– Fig Tree Cafe at 2400 Historic Decatur Road has two March drink specials, Matcha Green Tea Latte and End of the Rainbow Mimosa Flight. Order the March special of the month, Irish coffee pancakes, with cream-filling topped with a whiskey glaze. Pacific Beach/Mission Bay – Mission Bay party cruise: Starting at Bahia Resort Hotel at 998 W. Mission Bay Drive aboard the William D. Evans sternwheeler, the cruise takes place from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Saturday, March 16-17, with a stopover at the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa at 11:15 p.m. For $15 per person, guests can jig and swig all night long with $5 Guinness and $4 Jameson drink specials, plus two floors of DJs aboard. – Lucky Charm-pagne at Oceana Coastal Kitchen: Located inside Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa at 3999 Mission Blvd., Oceana will be offering green-dyed champed paired with a decadent brunch buffet on March 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.The buffet includes braised duck chilaquiles, prime rib, waffle Romanoff and Alaskan king crab legs. Brunch is $62 for adults, $28 for children ages 5 to 12.  – Bub’s at the Beach at 1030 Garnet Ave. will celebrate with their corned beef and hash sandwich, plus festive drink specials including Green Mimosas and their Cup of Gold Mule of the Month, comprised of Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey, ginger beer, fresh lime and bitters, garnished with a rainbow gummy and gold coins. Cafe Bahia and Tangier Bar: From Friday, March 15 through Sunday, March 17, all St. Patrick’s Day weekend guests can celebrate with corned beef and cabbage sliders, as well as Guinness beef stew in a sourdough bread bowl, which will be available for dinner at both Café Bahia and Tangier Bar at 998 W. Mission Bay Drive. Guests can also enjoy live music Friday night and karaoke Saturday night at Tangier Bar. Leprechaun Run on Garnet: Score a pair of green socks, sunglasses and either a tutu or headband at this second-annual, Irish-inspired 5K and Kids 1K Fun Run on Saturday, March 16 starting at 9 a.m. for the 5K and 10:30 a.m. for the Fun Run. Hosted by the same squad that does the San Diego Santa Run, participants get custom finisher medals and a drink ticket to Mavericks Beach Club. The race starts at Garnet Avenue in front of Bank of America and ends in front of Pangea on Garnet. Participants can run with strollers but not dogs. There is a post-run party at Mavericks. Tickets are $25-$45. La Jolla
– Hennesy’s Tavern: Located at 7811 Herschel Ave., Hennesy’s will be offering food and drink specials all day on March 17 from 8 a.m. to close. Dine on Irish treats like Sheppard’s pie and Irish bread pudding. Guinness, Coors, and Blue Moon will be available on tap, and shots of Irish whiskey including Jameson will be $5. 
– Hotel dining and drinks: Head to the 11th floor of Hotel La Jolla at 7955 La Jolla Shores Drive where Cusp Dining will be offering bubbly around the clock. Glasses of champagne with a hint of Irish spirit will start at 4 p.m. for just $4, and go up $1 every hour. 
– Nautilus Tavern: Enjoy a St. Patrick’s Day-themed menu here at 6830 La Jolla Blvd. that includes a grilled pastrami sandwich and corned beef with cabbage and potatoes, plus green beer and great specials on Jameson, Guinness, and other cocktails throughout the day.
– Sprinkles Cupcakes: This dessert shop at 8855 Villa La Jolla Drive will get you into the Emerald Isle spirit by serving up their festive shamrock cupcakes now through March 17. The decadent Belgian dark chocolate cake is studded with mint dark chocolate M&Ms and a rich green mint frosting, and topped with a bright green shamrock.
– St. Patrick’s Day Swim: What better way to celebrate St. Paddy’s then with an early morning swim? Each year, the La Jolla Cove Swim Club hosts its annual St. Paddy’s Day Swim beginning at La Jolla Cove. Head down to 1100 Coast Blvd. on March 17 from 9 to 11 a.m. for a fun free swim. The club will provide coffee and muffins for participants afterwards. Downtown San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Parade: The largest parade west of the Mississippi kick’s off on Saturday, March 16 at 10:30 a.m. Launched from Fifth Avenue at Laurel Street, thousands of marchers and spectators gather to celebrate with more than 120 parade entries. The parade is followed by an Irish festival in Balboa Park at Sixth and Maple. The fest features live entertainment on three stages showcasing Irish step dancers, folk singers and bands. There are also craft booths, a Celtic food village, a beer garden and a Kids Zone. For more information, visit stpatsparade.org.