Booze News: Where to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day Today

Paddy's is an obvious St. Patrick's Day pick, and for good reason. If you stop by Beijing's top Irish bar it's sure to be both lively and jam-packed, usually spilling out into the street. The Paddy's team is billing this year's party as the biggest Beijing is likely to see, kicking off yesterday and staying open all night and throughout the day today, St. Patrick's Day proper. If you have the stamina and love all things Emerald Isle, then you'll be even more thrilled to hear that Guinness will be on discount from 2-6pm.

There'll also be a live band to play Irish music at EAST Hotel's bar, Xian, and plenty of green beer on tap.

5pm-late

The Xingfucun craft brewery will be selling its Black Velvet Vanilla Stouts for buy one, get one free all day long today. Starting on Friday, Jing-A will also launch their new dark beer called Black Cat Lager (4.8 percent ABV). They describe it as crisp and easy-drinking with coffee and chocolate notes.

11am onward

All three Great Leap locations (#45, #6, and Lido) will sell stouts in sets of four for RMB 100. Options include their Liu the Brave, Masala, and Mocha stouts, as well as their new Renounced Monk Imperial Stout (7.8 percent ABV), and is made with black cardamom nuts, cocoa nibs, and local honey for aromas of spice and roasted malts, along with a deep opaque color and smooth texture.

Opening to closing

Mosto invites Beijingers to its newly opened terrace to drink half-price green Mosto cocktails made with fresh lime juice, jasmine tea-infused rum, Chambord, and green tea syrup.

11am-10pm

Both the Sanlitun and Shuangjing branches of Q Mex will mark St. Patrick's Day with Irish-inspired nachos for just RMB 65, and shamrock margaritas for RMB 50. They also encourage patrons to "wear green and come ready to party all day."

11am onward