Sip and savor on St. Patty’s Day at these local spots.
While St. Patrick’s Day is sure to conjure up images of packed pubs with over-served patrons sloshing their green beers, there are more ways than one to celebrate the holiday in Reno-Tahoe. Whether you’re into Guinness or whiskey, corned beef or shepherd’s pie, you’ll find a little something for everyone.
The Auld Dubliner Irish Pub and Restaurant
After a day on the slopes at Squaw Valley Ski Resort, head into the village for a pint and meal at The Auld Dubliner. Designed with a rural Irish pub in mind, the restaurant serves up interesting twists on Irish fare, such as the Guinness-style Dubliner Hot Wings and Corned Beef Sliders, as well as classics, including bangers and champ (sausage and mashed potatoes mixed with scallions and butter) and a variety of the traditional Irish potato pancake, boxty.
1850 Village South Road, Ste. 41, Olympic Valley
530-584-6041 • Aulddublinertahoe.com
The Auld Dubliner’s bartender Rachel Graf poured beers to warm spirits on St. Paddy’s Day 2018
O’Skis Pub & Grille
O’Skis opened 18 years ago on St. Patrick’s Day, so the holiday is extra special for the family-run pub. O’Skis rounds out its huge selection of whiskeys and Irish beers with fusion dishes, such as the shepherd’s pie fries covered in ground beef, veggies, and melted cheese and the Irish tacos filled with corned beef, sauerkraut, cheese, and Thousand Island dressing.
840 Victorian Ave., Sparks
775-359-7547 • Oskispub.net
The Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry
The 27th annual “testicle festival” is slated for Sat., March 16, in historic Virginia City. Taste a variety of “beef fries” during the event as cooks compete for the most creative and appetizing way to prepare cow and sheep testicles. The quirky event features a costume contest for the best St. Patrick’s Day getups, live music, and a parade. Ticket prices range from $7 – $50, depending on the number of tastings.
86 S. C St., Virginia City
775-847-7500 • Visitvirginiacitynv.com
McP’s Taphouse Grill
If the 20 TVs and 40 beers on tap aren’t enough to draw you into McP’s Taphouse Grill, then maybe the half-pound burger topped with corned beef, sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing, and Swiss cheese on a rye bun will. The South Lake Tahoe restaurant is known for its nightly live music and rich comfort food. Try the Irish Idaho Pizza with mashed potatoes, bacon, green onions, tomatoes, and Irish white Cheddar over béchamel sauce or the shepherd’s pie with ground Angus short rib, veggies, and a white-Cheddar-mashed potato crust.
4125 Lake Tahoe Blvd., Ste. A, South Lake Tahoe
530-542-4435 • Find McP’s Taphouse and Grill on Facebook
Reno Leprechaun Crawl
Thirty bars, restaurants, and nightclubs in The Biggest Little City are banding together for the seventh annual Reno Leprechaun Crawl on March 16. With a range of drink specials, giveaways, themed live entertainment, and a commemorative map and cup, it’s sure to be a raucous event. Don’t forget to wear green! Tickets are $5 each.
For details, visit Crawlreno.com/event/leprechauncrawl.
Mountain Valley Meats
Don’t feel like braving the crowds? Head to Mountain Valley Meats to pick up a raw corned beef brisket or corned bison brisket to cook at home and pair with a side of cabbage.
11209 Brockway Road, Ste. 101, Truckee
530-550-7197 • Mountainvalleymeats.com
Claire Cudahy is a Zephyr Cove-based writer who is proud to say she has moved past the green-Jell-O-shots-at-a-bar St. Patrick’s Day celebration to a let’s-sous-vide-a-corned-beef-brisket-at-home type of holiday. You can reach her at Clairecudahy@gmail.com.
The Auld Dubliner Irish Pub and Restaurant at Squaw Village serves up hearty Irish fare, like this Guinness beef stew, for St. Patrick’s Day.
