Time Out's Top St. Patrick's Day Happenings In NYC

Time Out New York has a run down of what to do, what to see, what to learn and what to eat on the ultimate Irish culture day in New York on Wednesday, March 17-- and, no, we don't mean a trip to McDonald's. TONY editor-in-chief Michael Freidson was here with the details.

• Forget your fruits and vegetables: "Guinness Is Good for You!" At least it is according to this class at the Institute of Culinary Education. Spend two hours there, uncovering the complexities of the world's most famous stout-from the history of the Guinness brewery to how its popularity spread-with the very busy Samuel Merritt. Tasting is, of course, part of the fun-you'll imbibe two stout cocktails in addition to a variety of the dark stuff, straight up. 50 W 23rd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (800-522-4610,iceculinary.com . Wed 17 7-9pm, $65.)

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• Corned beef gets loco at Irish-Mexican fusion restaurant Murphy & Gonzalez, which goes green with its beer ($3.50 from 4 to 8pm) and its margaritas ($8 from 4 to 8pm) on Wednesday 17. Their St. Paddy's Day meat comes with a helping of cabbage ($16), in the form of a sandwich ($10) or even in a chimichanga ($9). Keep the good times rolling at home with a full loaf of Irish Soda Bread for takeout ($8; must order ahead). 21 Waverly Pl at Greene St (212-529-1500, murphy-gonzalez.com)

• Travel back in time Bill and Ted style as Irish "servant" Bridget Murphy leads you along the back stairs of the Merchant's House Museum, the city's only preserved mid-19th-century family home. Built in 1832 and featuring many of the original furnishings, this guided tour of the red-brick and white-marble row house will include a sweep through the normally off-limits servants' quarters, and conclude with a taste of old New York by way of some gratis alcoholic green-tea punch and St. Patrick's Day cookies. Live actors will draw you further into the illusion by re-creating conversations that might have occurred between the servants and residents as you walk through the house. 29 E 4th St between Bowery and Lafayette St (212-777-1089, merchantshouse.org Wed 176:30-8:30pm, tours begin every 15 minutes; $10-$25.)

• Any Irish lad or lass knows that a patron saint deserves a weeklong party. Financial District mainstay Ulysses' Folk House is a true Irishman's pub, with six nights of food, fun and folk planned in advance of the holiday, including a concert by U2 cover band 2U on Saturday 13 (10:30pm) and a $20 Cobblestone Brunch-with unlimited food and a complimentary Bloody Mary, mimosa or Guinness-on Sunday 14. But the real carousing happens on Wednesday 17, when Ulysses' rolls out the green carpet (sod, to be precise) and closes down Stone Street to create a true Irish experience, starting with a free "The Starch Before the March" Irish breakfast (8:30-10am). The Jameson girls will get into the spirit, too, doling out $5 shots from 1pm to 3pm. Live music begins at 6pm, featuring Brooklyn's Canny Brothers Band. FREE 95 Pearl St between Coenties Alley and Hanover Sq (212-482-0400, ulyssesbarnyc.com Fri 12-Wed 17.)

• Irish Eyes are Laughing at comedy club Comix as Sean Donnelly welcomes some of the city's best comedians (not including Conan) to share a quick set and some of their most embarrassing moments. Andrew Maxwell (The Panel) and Patrice ONeal (The Office) are on the bill, and Magners Irish Cider ($4) and Irish whiskey shots ($5) are on the menu. 353 W 14th St between Eighth and Ninth Aves (212-524-2500, comixny.com Wed 17 at 7:30pm, $15.)

For more on what's happening in our area, check out the latest issue of Time Out New York on newsstands now or visit newyork.timeout.com.

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