here's nothing like St. Patrick's Day in Boston. With one of the largest Irish populations in the country, our town promises one hell of a time on this day of days. Chicago can suck it: We don’t need to dye our river green. It looks that way naturally!

As a 20-something, I tend to focus on the more stereotypical parts of St Patrick's Day—getting drunk and singing loudly. But if you want your fix of Irish culture this weekend (or at least something family friendly), visit the Irish Cultural Centre of New England. Learn Gaelic, traditional Irish dance, or how to play rugby like a pro. Never heard of hurling? (No, not that kind.) Check it out.

In Your Ear

Dropkick Murphys CD Release Party at McGreevy’s (4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Friday, March 12, $10, 21+)

Just in time for St. Patrick’s day (sort of), Boston’s own Irish bad boys are celebrating the release of Live at Lansdowne with a weekend schmooze-fest, as well as the premiere of the DVD that comes with the new disc. The Dropkicks' unique blend of Irish folk and punk rock will bypass your eardrums and demolish your brainstem. Still not sure why you should care? Let Dropkicks drummer Matt Kelly convince you with a rundown of his favorite Boston haunts.

The Swaggering Growlers at the Middle East Upstairs (9 p.m., Wednesday, March 17th $10 advance/$12 door, 18+)

The Dropkick Murphys aren’t the only Irish punk outfit in town. The Swaggering Growlers, as Wally puts it, "sound like Chicago Irish folk punk favorites the Tossers, but with more accordion and more, well growling.” The Growlers exude everything I love about Irish punk rock: Their debut album, The Bottle and the Bow, consists of 14 solid tracks from live shows with a mix of original, drunken material and retellings of old Irish standards including “Wild Rover” and the Pogues’ “Sickbed of Cuchulainn.” If you couldn’t snag a ticket to see the Dropkicks at the House of Blues, this is certainly a worthy substitute. Also playing at the St Paddy’s extravaganza: F Bombers, Faulty Conscience, Old Edison, and Time and Place.

Looking for another secret Irish band in Boston? Read our post on the Larkin Brigade.

Club d’Elf at the Lizard Lounge (9 p.m. Thursday, March 11, $10, 21+)

I have a soft spot for Club d’Elf. I was raised on soul, jazz, and Motown, but in spite of my love for soft-spoken crooners and splashy cymbals, I always had a penchant for the driving, thumping beats and stylized licks of funksters and indie superstars. Club d’Elf is the perfect musical blend, mashing up mastered jazz and soul fundamentals with the sonic hypnosis that makes bands like Medeski, Martin, and Wood and Soulive so noteworthy. The end result? You’ll just have to give 'em a listen for yourself. If you think I’m full of shit, we can have it out face to face at the Lizard Lounge.

Haitian Music and Art: A benefit for Haiti with Pauline Jean at Il Casale (suggested donation $100. Reservations recommended. Call 617.209.4942.)

Jazz vocalist Pauline Jean performs classic Haitian music at il Casale, where Haitian art will also be on display and available for purchase and chef Dante de Magistris will serve authentic Caribbean food. All of the proceeds from ticket sales, and a portion of the bar proceeds, will go toward Haitian relief.

Bottoms Up

It’s tradition to drink Irish whiskey or Guinness (or both) on Saint Patrick's Day, but I never miss an opportunity to sample a new cocktail. In honor of the Emerald Isle, I bring you two choice for the week:

The Irish Car Bomb: Regardless of the vaguely unsettling name, this bad boy will be familiar to most ex-college students. Fill a shot glass with Bailey’s Irish cream. Top it off with a little bit of Jameson Irish whiskey. Fill a beer glass with Guinness. Drop in the shot. Consume. Be sure to drink it all at once; the Bailey’s curdles with the Guiness if left alone for more than, well, 30 seconds.

The Red Headed Slut: Named for the color, not for misogynists. Add one shot Jaegermeister and one shot peach schnapps (I like to use Goldschlagger, when I have the money) to a glass. Pour in cranberry juice for a mixer. Serve chilled, or over ice. Delicious.

Typically I reserve this section solely for an interesting cocktail of the week but in honor of St. Paddy’s day, how about a rundown on Irish pubs?

Farragut House has the best Irish fare I’ve ever tasted (I hate every shepard’s pie I’ve ever had, except this one), not to mention an extensive selection of single-malt scotch. The pub is named after David Glasgow Farragut, the U.S. Navy's first admiral, who is famed for exclaiming, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.” Bad-ass.

If you don’t want to roll into Southie for an authentic Irish pub experience, check out O’Leary’s in (of all places) Brookline. Not only does this place have a great atmosphere, it's also is one of the only bars in Boston to rock Boddington’s Ale, a pub fave in the U.K.

Mr. Dooley’s Boston Tavern looks like it was transported in one piece from Ireland. This bar has one of the best selections of imported Irish beers and liquors, but what really makes it special is its traditional Irish breakfast, commonly known as a “heart attack on a plate.” Want to know what’s in it? Read on …

The Green Briar Pub in Brighton usually caters to the college crowd, with trivia on Tuesdays and a regular “college night” on Wednesdays, but his bar holds true to it’s Irish roots. Not only is it the number-one hangout for Boston’s own Irish-bred amateur rugby club, it also hosts Irish bands on Sunday nights during the summer.

…And I’m Spent

My advice to all those out there simply looking to use the holiday as an excuse to get blindingly drunk? Have an Irish Car Bomb or six.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH0TjR9tmPg