St Patricks Day at the Roundhouse, Camden
The line-up at The Roundhouse is several cuts above most of the other musical events being rolled out for St Patricks Day in London this weekend. Broken into two parts, theres more traditionally-focussed folk in the afternoon followed by the eclectic likes of electro-pop escapees from River Dance (really), Suzanne Cleary and Peter Harding, and gorgeous Irish singer-songwriter, Camille OSullivan in the evening.
Chalk Farm Road, Camden; 0870 389 9920; Roundhouse.org.uk.
Filthy MacNastys, Clerkenwell
If youre going to make for an Irish pub in London for St Patricks Day, then you might as well make it Filthys. The names deceptive. Its actually clean as a whistle - despite a bit of boho chic posturing and the rock myths/legends that swirl around the place (Shane MacGowan was a regular for many years before he decamped up to the Boogaloo in Highgate; Nick Cave and Johnny Depp are former punters; Pete Doherty worked the bar at one point and The Libertines played a breakup gig there).
One things for sure, though, the music's good and its open till 2am although its actually best sandwiched between an afternoon trip to purveyor of beautiful bags, shoes and scarves at Lie Down, I Think I Love You over the road and a late-night jaunt to the nearby Lexington.
68 Amwell Street, Clerkenwell; 0208 617 3505.
The Water Poet, Spitalfields
Another St Patricks Day pub event thats at the palatable end of the spectrum takes place at The Water Poet in Spitalfields. Yes, therell be some traditional Irish music (and pretty good it sounds, too) but that aside, lounging around on leather Chesterfields and working your way through a selection of classic Irish dishes is the order of the day. On the Sunday theyre showing a medley of Irish films from The Commitments to Killing Bono. Well worth a visit.
9-11 Folgate Street, Spitalfields; 020 7426 0495.
St Patricks Day at the Kensington Hotel
Non-Londoners wanting to spend a luxurious night in the capital this weekend should definitely book themselves into the Kensington Hotel. Over the St Patricks Day weekend, the Irish-owned hotel (one of the less well-known stylish places to stay in London) are offering a stay in a superior room, an Irish cheese board with a baby Guinness or Irish coffee or cocktail in the bar and Irish chocolates on turn-down, followed by an a la carte breakfast and a late check-out at 3pm for sore heads the next day.
Read our review of the Kensington Hotel and book
The Book Club, Shoreditch
Or you can just Ignore the whole St Patricks Day in London shebang all together. After all, theres only so much Guinness and boiled bacon and cabbage any sane person can take. This Electro Swing night at The Book Club in Shoreditch on Saturday makes for a decent alternative, with all the vibe of whats set to be a big night out in London without so much as a peep from a penny whistle.
100-106 Leonard Street, Shoreditch; 020 7684 8618.
Like our pick of the best things to do on St Patricks Day in London? Next year, plan a trip to the Irish capital with our Dublin guide.