St. Patrick's Day in Los Angeles 2011

Casey's always throws one of the biggest St. Patrick's Day celebrations in LA. The festivities start at 6am, and the street in front of the Downtown LA pub will be closed for the all-day party. In addition to lots of beer, Jameson and Irish food, there will be live music; Young Dubliners play at Pershing Square at noon tribute bands including Petty Cash and Hollywood U2 perform at Casey's during the day.

You won't find any of its famous turtle races at Brennan's annual St. Patrick's Day party, but there will still be plenty to keep you entertained. The party starts at 6am and carries on all day with food and drink specials, green beer and live music from cover bands and bagpipers.

The party starts at 8am at this Culver City pub, with live music throughout the day, as well as beer, whiskey and a limited menu of Irish food: corned beef sandwiches, corned beef and cabbage, and beef stew. Depending on how crowded it gets, there may be a small cover charge later in the evening.

St. Patrick's Day is always lively at Molly Malone's, with die-hard St. Pat's fans settling in soon after the bar opens at 6am. Expect a selection of Irish brews and whiskey (no green beer here!) and corned beef and cabbage on the menu. Musical acts play all day long, including a bagpiper at noon and performances by bands including The Conroys and The Black Shamrocks starting at 1pm. Cover charge starts around 1pm.

This year, the doors open at 9am for Sonny's annual St. Patrick's Day bash. Get there early for the Irish-style breakfast, or fill up on corned beef and cabbage and corned beef sandwiches in the afternoon and evening. Six bands will perform live music all day long; there will also be plenty of brews flowing from some 36 taps and, just as important, extra bathroom facilities will be available to accommodate the thirsty crowds.

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a bit o' history: Tom Bergin's started serving in 1936, making it one of the oldest Irish establishments in Los Angeles. If you're looking for a more traditional St. Pat's Day, the bar opens early and a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu will be available.

The all-day party starts at 8am, with live bands all day long, Irish food and plenty of drinks. There will be a cover charge later in the day (exact time TBD, based on crowds).

The popular Santa Monica Main Street pub starts serving at 9am, with a special St. Patrick's Day pub grub menu, drink promotions and giveaways from Bushmills, Guinness and more. Live bands will perform starting at 1pm; a $10 cover will be charged beginning at 2pm.

There will still be plenty of St. Patrick's Day cheer at this South Bay party spot popular with surfers. The bar opens early and the party goes all day long with beer specials and Irish food.

Belly up to the bar with a pint of Guinness or sip some whiskey on the patio at this Main Street Irish mainstay that opens at 6am. Expect live music, plenty of brews and a cover charge in the afternoon.

SATURDAY, MARCH 12: Want to get the party started early? St. Patty's Fest returns to the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood with a huge selection of boozy beverages, snacks from Pink's Hot Dogs and other vendors, plus entertainment--Irish music, dancing and the shenanigans of Drevon the Leprechaun. 2pm-6pm; Tickets are $50 at www.stpattysfest.com.

THURSDAY, MARCH 17: The first St. Patrick's Day Beer Festival is set for three adjacent locations: the Pig N? Whistle, Maui N? Sons and Egyptian Theater courtyard. The party starts at noon with food and drink specials including $3 draft beers and $5 mixed drinks, Irish dancing girls and live Irish bands from 6pm to 9pm; after the live music, DJ Mike Palmieri will spin rock, hip-hop and club music until the after-party ends at 2am. Tickets are $10-$20 (www.californianightlife.com) and include entry to both day and night festivities plus a free drink ticket.

SATURDAY, MARCH 12: For some family-friendly St. Patrick's Day fun, the annual Hermosa Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade offers festive floats and costumes, bagpipers and drum bands, classic cars and more. The parade starts at 11am at the corner of Pier Avenue and Valley Drive near the Hermosa Beach Public Library; see the parade website (www.stpatricksday.org) for complete route information and details.

SUNDAY, MARCH 13: The Orange County Marketplace's weekend swap meet goes to the Emerald Isle from 9am to 4pm with performances by Irish dance troupes, Celtic musicians, stilt walkers and leprechauns. Green mint ice cream and green lemonade will be sold. Entry is $2, free for children 12 and under.

THURSDAY, MARCH 17: The first St. Patrick's Day Beer Festival is set for three adjacent locations: the Pig N? Whistle, Maui N? Sons and Egyptian Theater courtyard. The party starts at noon with food and drink specials including $3 draft beers and $5 mixed drinks, Irish dancing girls and live Irish bands from 6pm to 9pm; after the live music, DJ Mike Palmieri will spin rock, hip-hop and club music until the after-party ends at 2am. Tickets are $10-$20 (www.californianightlife.com) and include entry to both day and night festivities plus a free drink ticket.

THURSDAY, MARCH 17: The first St. Patrick's Day Beer Festival is set for three adjacent locations: the Pig N? Whistle, Maui N? Sons and Egyptian Theater courtyard. The party starts at noon with food and drink specials including $3 draft beers and $5 mixed drinks, Irish dancing girls and live Irish bands from 6pm to 9pm; after the live music, DJ Mike Palmieri will spin rock, hip-hop and club music until the after-party ends at 2am. Tickets are $10-$20 (www.californianightlife.com) and include entry to both day and night festivities plus a free drink ticket.