Green, glitter and beer – St. Patrick’s Day in New York City

St. Patrick’s Day in New York City.  Where kelly green is hip, outrageous leprechaun ties, kitschy shamrock scarves, face painting, green and white clown hats and t-shirts accessorized by flashing green bead necklaces are the norm.  

Don’t believe me? Check out some of the pics, ‘the good, bad and ugly’, courtesy of WPIX.com, here.

How extraordinary to walk through Times Square at 8.30 AM,  only to realise the true St. Patrick’s Day revelers have already been toasting St. Patrick since the wee hours of the morning. Saw dust floored McSorleys Ale House are among those Irish institutions in the city that have opened their doors before sunrise for more than 150 years to the brave hearted – all in the name of Irish heritage. One can’t help but admire the gumption, strong livers and devotion of this crowd that begins the day by standing in line around the block – only to drink up or be forced to leave. Beer at 8.00 AM???? Hmmm…..

If you’re not wearing green in New York City on St. Patrick’s Day, one thing is clear, you feel out of place. Forget your own heritage, Hispanic, African, Asian, Jewish… it doesn’t matter. When in New York on March 17, wear green or be prepared to explain why your wife threw away your favourite green t-shirt or how the dog ate your plastic shamrock pin.

Beer taps flow, jaws gape on the street at how short the skirts have become – how do these girls sit down (do they?).  Meetings are cancelled and colleagues mysteriously disappear for the rest of the afternoon…

Celebs abound to add further sparkle to this green day. Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler are in town promoting their new movie, ‘The Bounty Hunter’. Gerard Butler heats up the ‘Good Morning America’ studio with his good looks and Scottish charm.  He may be Scottish, but he is surely a Guinness man! Jay-Z, Beyonce and Swizz Beatz later make headlines by taking the stage with Alicia Keys.  Can’t help but wonder, what does a wrap up party at Madison Square Garden for this group of A-listers look like on St. Patrick’s Day in New York City? So close but yet so far to be a fly on that wallpaper!

Can normalcy be found?

A hurried slice of pizza on Times Square, broken green beads strewn across the sidewalk.  Jubilation and flirtation for those on the high of a fabulous beer buzz lead to weariness, stubble and a dire need for Tylenol.

What a memorable day New York City for this redhead (courtesy of her Irish bloodline).  Here’s to you St. Patrick.

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