Erin Express

For those of you who do not know what this title means, it is time for you to pencil in a trip to Philadelphia next St. Patty’s Day.  Although I typically talk about Philly nightlife in this blog, I am sure that St. Patty’s day is an acceptable exception.  Erin Express is Philadelphia’s largest all-day BAR CRAWL.  During this event the bars open at 9am and stay open until 2am.  Starting at noon buses run free rides to every Irish bar from the Center City area to University City area.  Since I have been 21 years old I do not think I have missed one of these.  Kids just get crazy and drink starting when they wake up and see how long they can last throughout the day!

The one thing I did notice about the event from last year is that some places are crazier than others and it depends on the location.  Since Cavanaugh’s started the event 30 years ago in University City and it is near two party schools, the plays gets absolutely packed and crazy by 11am.  The one thing I would like to warn people about is that if you are arriving to Cav’s in the afternoon sober, you might just get annoyed with the drunken kids.  I personally do not know how the bartenders can handle the mayhem that is let loose on this day every year.  If you are looking for better bars to just hang and have a good time while drinking, Center City is the place to go.  I enjoyed Drinker’s in Rittenhouse a lot because in the middle of the day it wasn’t crowded.  This is where many of my friends like to start because all 10-15 of us can get a section in the bar and interact without getting knocked around like you would in University City. 

There is also the ‘Running of the Micks’ that takes place down by Finnigan’s and McFadden’s in Northern Liberties (around 2^nd and Spring Garden).  I have never attended this event but I was told this past weekend that it is also a great place to hang out and the atmosphere is kind of in between the University City atmosphere and the Center City Atmosphere. 

So if you do not have plans for St. Patty’s Day next year, let me suggest one of these events for you.  I promise you won’t be disappointed.  Also, how can you beat free shuttle rides around to your favorite bars!  Below is a list of the participating Erin Express bars:

•         Mill Creek Tavern | 42nd & Chester Street | 215.222.1255
•          Smokey Joe's | 40th & Walnut Street | 215.222.0770
•          The Blarney Stone | 3929 Sansom Street | 215.222.5340
•          New Deck Tavern | 3408 Sansom St | 215.386.4600
•          Cavanaugh's | 39th & Sansom Street | 215.386.4889
•          Slainte | 30th & Market St | 215.222.7400
•          Mace's Crossing | 17th & The Ben Franklin Parkway | 215.564.5203
•          Green Room | 1940 Green Street | 215.870.0586
•          Kelliann's | 16th & Spring Garden | 215.563.6990
•          Gallagher's on the Parkway | 22nd & Spring Garden Street | 215.751.0998
•          Drinkers West | 39th and Chestnut Street | 215.397.4693
•          T.A. Flannery's | 11 South 21st Street | 215.561.1193
•          Bonner's Irish Pub | 23rd & Sansom Street | 215.567.5748
•          Callahan's Grille | 26th & South Street | 215.732.6332
•          Westy's | 1440 Callowhill Street | 215.563.6134
•          Cavanaugh's Rittenhouse | 1823 Sansom Street | 215.665.9500
•          Copabanana | 40th & Spruce | 215.382.1330