Luck O’ the Los Angelino:
Venues Hosting Some of the Most Exciting St. Patrick’s Day Events in Woodland Hills

To many unseasoned in the culture of the Irish, St. Patrick’s Day means little more than corned beef sandwiches and wildly rampaging leprechauns seeking that proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But the inherent meaning behind the holiday goes much deeper than that – St. Patrick’s Day celebrates the Roman Catholic feast day of the patron saint of Ireland, who wasn’t actually Irish but Roman British and who was kidnapped into slavery and brought to Ireland. He escaped to a monastery in what we now know as France and converted to Christianity, where he eventually became a bishop and was named Ireland’s patron saint. Celebrations in Ireland were understated, believe it or not, and it wasn’t until the Irish emigrated to the U.S. that the bigger celebrations and parades we see today were created.

Indeed, everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, sometimes even for the whole month of March, and there are plenty of ways to get your Irish on in L.A. during the St. Paddy’s season. In Woodland Hills, a smattering of Irish and English-esque pubs await to sweep you away to a land of dancing girls in frilly dresses, joyful jigs and Celtic traditions. Here are our picks for the locales hosting some of the most exciting St. Patrick’s Day events in Woodland Hills…

The White Harte Pub, also known as The White Harte Public House, located at 22456 Ventura Boulevard, is regularly visited by locals who are often called some of the best people to meet in the Valley, and is a great spot for your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. From quality food and premium drinks to impeccable service, White Harte is indeed “the real deal” with over 40 drafts and by-the-bottle beers; Happy Hour from 4 to 7 pm Monday Through Friday including $3 domestic bottles, $5 import pints, $6 cocktails and appetizers. A weekend brunch menu beckons with $5 Bloody Marys and mimosas, while a full-service restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Originally the sister pub of Fox & Hounds in Studio City, The White Harte Pub has been under new ownership since 2007 and has quickly become one of the hottest spots in the West Valley. Give this hidden countryside English pub-esque venue a consideration for your St. Patrick’s extravaganzas.

Pickwick’s Pub, located at 21010 Ventura Boulevard, is known as “the pub with heart” and has been a local Woodland Hills favorite since 1974. Here, a friendly atmosphere combines with interior elements that include white walls, dark wood beams and a small heated and covered patio in addition to live music on Fridays and some of the best pub food in all of L.A. With Irish, British and American style breakfast, lunch and dinner served by the most enthusiastic of staff, it’s clear Pickwick’s can be your base of operations this St. Patrick’s Day. An extensive menu redefines “inviting,” what with its 14 craft beers and three craft beer corners including Irish stouts and lager, English ales and cider, and Pickwick’s full bar comes fully loaded with premium liquors, too.

JJ Sullivan’s Irish Pub, located at 22917 Ventura Boulevard, has been described as “a little piece of Ireland in the heart of Woodland Hills,” making it one of the most obvious picks for our St. Patrick’s Day hangouts roundup. This Irish pub specializes in an extensive selection of whiskeys as well as good, old-fashioned Irish craic, and since its inception in 2012 has been providing the Woodland Hills and West Valley communities with a uniquely Celtic experience. From a speakeasy-esque ceiling to a friendly staff and mellow, non-confrontational crowds, JJ Sullivan’s deserves your attention on St. Patrick’s Day.

Casey’s Tavern, located at 22029 Sherman Way in Canoga Park, has become renowned for its quirky, approachable bartenders, competitively-priced drinks and inviting atmosphere. This UK pub-like venue is the place if you don’t care for your St. Patrick’s Day celebratory rituals too rowdy or laced with profanities – Casey’s simply won’t allow it. On Thursday nights, Casey’s draws quite the crowd when its jazz band takes to the stage, adding to the tavern’s cozy, relaxing and reserved vibe. If your idea of an awesome St. Patrick’s Day is to snuggle up to your significant other while kicking back to some well-played jazz tunes, Casey’s Tavern is your ticket.

In the same vicinity as Casey’s Tavern (and one of the more popular venues hosting St. Patricks Day events in Woodland Hills) is Scotland Yard, situated at 22041 Sherman Way in Canoga Park, a social hotspot always bubbling with good drink and good cheer. A low-key, relaxed feel couples with well-priced drinks and activities such as pool and darts, while a DJ spins 90’s hits and new hip hop tunes to kick back to and enjoy a beer. Often called “one of the coolest dive bars in the Valley,” Scotland Yard offers a great beer selection, friendly bartenders and a relaxed atmosphere to get your St. Patrick’s Day mojo on.

St. Patrick’s Day in Los Angeles takes a little bit of planning – with regard to a drinking holiday in a car-centric city, that is – but with our guidance, you’ll be toasting the Irish in no time.