Gearin’ up for the green
Courtesy of McMinn’s Pub and Grille
A St. Patrick’s Day reveler at McMinn’s Pub and Grille, Castle Shannon
Courtesy of McMinn’s Pub and Grille
The green beer will be flowing at McMinn’s Pub and Grille in Castle Shannon on St. Patrick’s Day.
Courtesy of McMinn’s Pub and Grille
The atmosphere is festive at McMinn’s Pub and Grille in Castle Shannon.
Courtesy of 31 Sports Bar-Grille
Reubens will be featured as part of the St. Patrick’s Day food fare at 31 Sports Bar-Grille in Bridgeville.
Courtesy of Silver Mark Cellars
Silver Mark Cellars co-owners Jim Ceklosky and Zack Ritz will be wearin’ the green – and kilts – on St. Patrick’s Day.
St. Patrick’s Day may be several days away but the celebration started yesterday at three local establishments with Pittsburgh’s traditional parade.
For the first time in 24 months, Irishmen and friends alike can observe the holiday Thursday in a more normal pre-pandemic fashion. Restrictions and fears diminished the day the past two years, leaving many to cry in their green beers.
“It will be festive,” said Mary Ann Curran, who totally enjoyed the St. Patrick’s Day season partying yesterday on parade day and anticipating Thursday’s traditional celebration.
Curran, who lives in Bridgeville, said her spots of choice are McMinn’s Pub and Grille in Castle Shannon and 31 Sports Bar-Grille in Bridgeville, which is owned by former Penguins goalie Ken Wregget.
“McMinn’s is a small Irish Pub, and its festive atmosphere makes the day,” Curran said. “The overall atmosphere and experience are great. I don’t recall how many years I’ve gone. But they keep me coming back. I look forward to it every year.”
McMinn’s got the St. Patrick’s Day spirit rolling yesterday with its St. Patrick’s Day parade day activities. It hosted a truly “Top of the Morning” celebration and will reboot for Thursday.
The pub kicked off festivities at 8 a.m. with kegs and eggs. Food and drink specials were offered all day. A bagpiper played twice.
While there won’t be as many activities Thursday, the green beer and specials will be aplenty.
“Parade day is always our busiest and St. Patrick’s Day is the second busiest,” said owner Scott McMinn. “We always see familiar faces and gain a few new customers on both days and we have our regulars as well both days.
“It’s a great atmosphere and it’s an exciting two days,” McMinn added.
In addition to its normal menu, McMinn’s rolls out its beer cheese for the special times.
Added McMinn: “That homemade cheese and wings will be our biggest sellers. We’ll also have a large selection of alcohol, whiskey and bourbons.”
Curran said McMinn doesn’t mind enjoying the party.
“Scott is very nice and he joins in the fun,” she added. “On St. Patrick’s Day, who wouldn’t?”
Wregget said he and soon-to-be co-owner Nicole Koza look forward to St. Patrick’s Day.
“We’re lucky enough to see visitors and patrons all day on both days,” Wregget said. “Our menu will be available and we will feature our Reuben. “It will be a great day.
“We have a great staff. They make our customers comfortable. We love St. Patrick’s Day.”
While it isn’t an Irish Pub, Silver Mark Cellars, a Canonsburg-based winery, puts its own spin on the St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
What started last March will return Thursday.
Co-owners Jim Ceklosky and Zack Ritz are full participants with their twin green, white and black kilts, Irish socks and enthusiastic approach.
“Green wine, martinis, specifically the Naughty Leprechaun, with chocolate mint, and two special mixes of sangria – one orange and one green – and we’re having fun,” Ceklosky said. “We just got this started last year and we’re ready to make this more fun and special for everyone.”
Ceklosky admits that his and Ritz’ love for celebrating and their kilts hype up their patrons and the community,
“We think it’s a great thing for Canonsburg,” he added “It brings a lot of people to the area. We have a lot of bars here and this can add to everyone’s success.
“It’s just a good thing.”
The kilts weren’t purchased for Silver Mark Cellars’ St. Patrick’ Day celebration. The co-owners have had them in their repertoire for a few years.
“We purchased them a few years ago online for a party we were attending,” Ceklosky said. “Last year, we found a new use for them. A lot of people are excited to see us again in them.
“We offer our drinks and us dressing up. Zack and I bring a lot of energy.”
Another of the winery’s specials is Leprechaun Crown from the Insurrection AleWorks – Insurrection Brewing Co. It’s a Stout Irish dry.
Also available will be its grand charcuterie boards, beer, liquor and a variety of craft wines, including the winery’s recently introduced red – the 2020 Tempranillo.
Next year, Ceklosky promises a more concerted effort to bring in a bagpiper.
“I love the idea,” he said. “It’s something we were kicking around. We have enough business around us that maybe we can get one bagpiper who can walk around to all the places and play. That would be exciting.”