St. Patrick’s Day is here once again, a time for drinking and hanging out with friends. But the day holds more significance for some than simply going out and partying.

St. Patrick’s Day is the Irish feast day that celebrates the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick. It is recognized as a legal holiday in the Republic of Ireland and is celebrated worldwide by the Irish. The Roman Catholic Church also recognizes St. Patrick’s Day as it always falls during the season of lent.

St. Patrick’s Day has come to be celebrated more and more by non-Irish descendants as well.

The first public celebration of St. Patrick’s Day in what is now the United States took place in 1737 in Boston, Massachusetts.

If your preference is to drink on St. Patrick’s Day then let me add an additional incentive. What better way to celebrate the midway point of the semester and relieve the stresses of school than to go out and have a drink. If you’re looking for a place to have a few drinks and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, here are a few suggestions of places I checked out.

Ireland’s 32, located at 13721 Burbank Blvd. in Van Nuys, will have an array of features for St. Patrick’s Day. Their doors will open at 9 a.m. They will feature four bands between 10 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. as well as Irish step-dancers and possibly bagpipers. Corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew and sandwiches will be served. Average drink prices run between $5 and $7, though there are drinks with higher prices. Ireland’s 32 offers Smithwicks, Harp, and two Guinness taps. There will be a cover charge after noon.

Timmy Nolan’s Tavern, at 10111 Riverside Drive in Toluca Lake, is a hot spot on St. Patrick’s Day. The tavern will offer corned beef and cabbage and Irish stew. Timmy Nolan’s will not offer any drink specials but their prices are reasonable. Bagpipers have been known to make an appearance on St. Patrick’s Day. Timmy Nolan’s will have a $5 cover charge after 5 p.m., and has two full bars. Two flat panel televisions as well as two regular televisions are available in one of the bars. Timmy Nolan’s will be open from 10 a.m. and last call will be around 1:45 a.m.

Pickwick’s Pub, at 21010 Ventura Blvd. in Woodland Hills, is re-opening after it had burned down in 2005. It opened for business as of last weekend and is preparing for the holiday. Pickwick’s is an English pub, and will be offering Irish stew as well as corned beef and cabbage, fish n chips, and bangers and mash. Irish music will be offered on the holiday. Two flat screen televisions are also available as well as dartboards. Pickwick’s will not have a cover charge for that day. Beer prices range from $3.50-$5 and mixed drinks begin at around $5.

White Harte Pub is another English pub, located just down the street from Pickwick’s at 22456 Ventura Blvd. If you plan to check out the White Harte, I suggest you head out there early as they will be closing at 9 p.m. Their doors open at 10 a.m. They will not have a cover charge. They offer 15 different beers on tap and 17 bottled beers.

If you’re looking for something closer to campus, try Oh Grady’s on 17633 Chatsworth St. No food will be offered but a shuttle service to individuals who live within the local area will be available.

With the large amount of crowds that gather at these bars on St. Patrick’s Day, I would recommend you get out there early. Be safe and drink responsibly this St. Patrick’s Day.

Victor Flores can be reached at lauren.robeson.79@csun.edu.