Where to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Sonoma County

From green-themed races and festive parades to delicious Irish fare and drink, Sonoma County goes all out to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Hold on to your lucky clovers and check out where to go green on March 17.

Paddy On

From a green-themed bar crawl through Santa Rosa (named the Best Beer City in California and #10 in the nation) to an evening of live Irish music and festivities in Petaluma, Sonoma County has plenty of ways to go green on St. Patrick’s Day. Check out our Calendar of Events as new events get scheduled, and don’t forget about our outdoor experiences that will have you seeing green or catching rainbows!

The Irish ‘Spirit’

No St. Patrick’s Day is complete without a good Irish toast. Sonoma County serves up some of the best beer, cocktails and mocktails yearround. Local distilleries offer seasonal treats, and even our wineries get in on the fun with fun pairings and festivities to get you in the spirit.

Graton Resort & Casino shares two cocktail recipes from Jessica Christensen, mixologist for Graton’s lounges and bars (Sky Lounge, G Bar, Lobby Bar, Pool Bar, 8 Bar and 630 Park Bar), that are sure to get you in the spirit.

A Lucky Charm

1 oz vanilla vodka
½ oz Crème de Banana
½ oz Midori
1 oz pineapple juice
1 oz aquafaba
Marshmallow crème
Crushed Lucky Charms

Prepare a Collins glass by using the back of a spoon to create a swirl of marshmallow creme inside the glass, then use it to rim the glass and dip it into your crushed lucky charms. Add all your ingredients into a shaker tin with ice and shake for about 20 seconds to ensure it creates enough foam. Strain over fresh ice and garnish with a light sprinkle of crushed Lucky Charms.

Irish Espresso Martini

1 oz Jameson Irish Whiskey
1 oz Borghetti di Vero Café Espresso Liqueur
1 oz Guinness Draught Stout
3 Drops of Angostura Aromatic Bitters

Shake all ingredients with ice, excluding the Guinness, for about 20 seconds to ensure it creates enough foam. Strain into a coupe glass and slowly pour in your Guinness. Garnish with espresso beans, 3 drops of bitters and edible gold dust.

St. Paddy’s Day Feasts

For Irish fare, head to Murphy’s Irish Pub & Restaurant in Sonoma, McNear’s Saloon in Petaluma, or Rio Nido Roadhouse in Rio Nido. Toad in the Hole Pub in Santa Rosa is known to serve up a special Irish menu in the outside beer garden, complete with traditional bagpipes, singers and dancing.