Going Out Guide: Saint Patrick's Day events in Washington, D.C., area

Wednesday is St. Patrick's Day, and of course there are plenty of Irish cultural opportunities in the city. But let's be honest -- when it comes down to it, there's one place that really dominates this particular holiday: the bar. Here's what a handful of our favorite Irish pubs have planned for the big day:

Againn is transforming its free-standing raw bar into a beer station, pouring drafts of Guinness and Kilkenny Ale and offering Irish coffees and Irish Old Fashions topped with Jameson at the regular bar for $5. There also will be a special Irish menu and live music by O'Kane Mutiny.

1099 New York Ave. NW. 202-639-9830. Free.

Ireland's Four Courts opens at 10 a.m. and offers lunch specials until 2 p.m. with music all day in the tent out back as well as on the main stage. Tables and chairs will be removed in favor of satellite bars and a stew station.

2051 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. 703-525-3600. $10 after 5 p.m.

The Old Brogue is also celebrating its 29th anniversary with Irish meals in the Snuggery, live music in the pub from 1 p.m. until last call and traditional Irish beers poured at all three bars beginning at 11 a.m.

760-C Walker Rd., Great Falls. 703-759-3309. Breakfast $19.95 per person, lunch $35 per person and dinner $40-$50 per person. Reservations required for all. $10 cover for the pub.

Fado in Annapolis kicks off the day at 8 a.m. with Pints and Pancakes and a contest to win a trip to Ireland. Live music begins at 1 p.m. and includes performances by Hal the Piper, Kimber Clevland, Shag and the Rovers.

275 West St., Annapolis. 410-626-0069. Free.

The Dubliner, which has been throwing one of the city's largest Saint Patrick's Day parties for 33 years, opens its doors at 10 a.m. with live music and beer, both of which are kept flowing till close. Expect lines down the block at lunch and at 5 p.m., but don't expect that to have any effect on the festive mood within.

520 North Capitol St. NW. 202-737-3773. $10 cover.

Murphy's of Alexandria opens at 9 a.m., offering music all day on both floors along with green beer and an Irish menu. The first floor is standing room only to accommodate the holiday crowd, and musical performers include Rocky Guttman, Pat Garvey and Pat Carroll.

713 King St., Alexandria. 703-548-1717. Free.

Duffy's is rewarding early risers by giving away free shirts to the first 200 patrons. Green Jell-O shots join the familiar green beer, and the DCFD Pipe & Drum Corps drops by between 4 and 6 p.m.

2106 Vermont Ave. NW. 202-265-3413. $5 after 3 p.m.

-- Fritz Hahn