Yes, it’s Saint Paddy’s — not Patty’s.

I’ve somehow managed to write about something law-related in every article I’ve contributed to this blog so far. Today, however, I’m choosing joy. Coming off of spring break and realizing that morale is still… let’s call it… fragile in Crim Law, I think it’s time we talk about something more exciting than case briefs and writing competition materials.

Maybe spring break wasn’t enough of a celebration for you. Maybe you want to keep the ball rolling. Maybe morale is already low in your section and you need to do something more exhilarating than reading opinions about intent and causation this weekend. 

Whatever your reason, St. Paddy’s Day weekend in Boston is here (yes, I know the actual holiday isn’t until the 17th—welcome to Boston, where the population finds early and frequent reasons to celebrate), and as someone who’s witnessed it here for almost five years now, allow me to offer an unofficial field guide.

Before we begin: none of this is sponsored. No one is paying me to tell law students to go outside and celebrate. My credentials? Just Irish enough to wear a Claddagh ring and plenty of St. Paddy’s weekends roaming Boston in something green to have opinions.

First, a quick public service announcement. It’s Saint Paddy’s Day, not Patty’s. “Paddy” comes from Pádraig, the Irish name for Patrick. “Patty’s Day” sounds like we’re celebrating hamburgers. And while law school may be slowly eroding our sanity, we can at least maintain some linguistic accuracy while we drink green beer.

If you want the full Boston St. Paddy’s experience, the bar crawl route is always a solid option. One of the popular ones happening this weekend is the Get Lucky Pub Crawl.

Expect large crowds, a sea of green outfits, questionable Guinness pours, and at least one person wearing a full leprechaun costume before noon. But the real key to planning your weekend is deciding which part of Boston you want to celebrate in, because every neighborhood has its own St. Paddy’s vibe.

Fenway is usually the epicenter of college chaos. If your ideal celebration involves packed bars, loud music, and groups in matching themed outfits, Fenway is your place. Faneuil Hall tends to be the tourist-friendly version of the holiday. It’s still lively and fun, but full of visiting friends, parents in town for the weekend, and people who Googled “Irish bars Boston” approximately five minutes earlier.

The West End is something of a sleeper pick. It’s festive but usually a little easier to navigate than the bigger nightlife areas, which means you might actually be able to get a drink without committing to a 20-minute wait at the bar. The Financial District brings a slightly different energy. Lots of young professionals, big crowds, and a general vibe of people who definitely intended for the day to stay casual but lost control of the plan somewhere around drink number three.

And then there’s the Seaport and the Theatre District. The Seaport is best described as expensive chaos: trendy bars, packed crowds, and drinks that will absolutely remind you that Boston rent isn’t the only thing that’s expensive here. The Theatre District is where the night tends to continue once things get later. Think crowded dance floors and people realizing at 1:30 a.m. that they accidentally stayed out all night.

A quick disclaimer about these bar crawls before you commit!* Yes, you do have to buy a ticket. And before you ask: no, that does not guarantee immediate entry anywhere, and no, drinks are not included. Like I said earlier, if this were sponsored I’d probably be contractually obligated not to mention that last part. What the ticket usually gets you is a wristband that tells the bouncers you’re part of the crawl and overrides your typical cover. Could you go out and try to wait in line at these bars without one? Sure. But don’t be surprised if you finally make it to the door only to get turned away because you don’t have a wristband resembling the ones passed out for Barristers. 

*TLDR: prepare for lines and to pay for drinks regardless of your crawl ticket status.

Of course, no guide to St. Paddy’s weekend in Boston would be complete without mentioning the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Or, if you’re trying to sound like a real local, the Southie parade. You can find details about the route, timing, and logistics here.

The Southie parade is one of Boston’s most iconic traditions and draws massive crowds every year. Expect bagpipes, huge groups of people in green, and the kind of chaotic festive energy that only a Boston parade can deliver. Just make sure you prepare accordingly. Unless you have a friend with an apartment on Broadway, bathrooms are… limited. You may find yourself waiting in line and paying to use the bathroom at a 7-Eleven at some point during the day. Totally not speaking from experience, of course.

If the thought of huge crowds makes you want to quietly retreat back to the law library, there are also more relaxed ways to celebrate. There’s a St. Patrick’s Weekend Celebration with live music happening over the weekend at Sam Adams Brewery on Germania Street, for instance.

You still get the festive Irish atmosphere, but without quite as much shoulder-to-shoulder bar crawl energy. Alternatively, you can simply wander into almost any Irish pub in Boston this weekend and you’ll find live music, Guinness flowing, and plenty of people leaning into the holiday spirit.

And if you want to fully commit to the Boston experience, a little birdie told me the Dropkick Murphys are playing at MGM Music Hall from March 13–17. Hearing “Shipping Up to Boston” performed live while physically standing in Boston during St. Paddy’s weekend might be the most Boston moment possible.

Law school is stressful. Writing competition is looming, outlines are waiting, and someone somewhere is probably reading for Crim Law right now. But St. Paddy’s weekend is one of those classic Boston traditions that’s worth experiencing while you’re here. Whether you’re at the parade, on a bar crawl, listening to live music, or just grabbing a pint with friends, take the opportunity to enjoy the city for a bit.

Just remember to hydrate, get home safely, and (once again for the people in the back) it’s Saint Paddy’s, not Patty’s.

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Bella Calise is a first-year student at BC Law. Contact her at calisei@bc.edu.