Local Briefing: St. Patrick's Fun, Chupacabra Returns, West Elm Lab 1270 Pop Up Pops

Planning to take Saint Patrick's Day off and make it a long weekend? Kick it off right by heading into our local Irish and Jewish bar Star & Shamrock (1341 H St.). They will open at 8 a.m., at which time you'll be able to order a full Irish breakfast. Hang out and catch the NCAA Tournament games during the day, and live music from the Mollyhawks starting at 9 p.m.



Buffalo & Bergen's (1309 Fifth St.) Suburbia invites you to ShamROCK & ROLL tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets to the +21 event are $10 if you buy early, or $15 tomorrow. That price includes a pint of beer in a souvenir cup, access to food and drink specials, and a free Saturday morning Bloody Mary from Buffalo & Bergen. Hear djs, see Irish dancers, play flip cup. Food specials at Rappahanock Oyster Company, Bidwell, Red Apron Butcher, Buffalo & Bergen, and District Fishwife. The will also have $5 frozen Irish Coffees, Guinness Pints and Jameson Shots.

If you want to start the celebration off really early you can head over to Granville Moore's (1238 H St.) tonight for their Saint Patrick's Day party with Glendalough featuring craft whiskeys and cocktails. Or get yourself over to the Big Board (421 H St.), where the Straight Outta Dublin burger is staging a one week return. It's their classic patty marinated in Guiness Irish Stout, topped with braised cabbage, Irish cheddar cheese, and finished with a Jameson pan gravy

If you need a place to catch the NCAA games today, Langston Bar & Grille (LINK PLAYS MUSIC, 1831 H St.) opens at 12 p.m.

There's still snow on the ground, but warmer weather is coming our way and Latin eatery Chupacabra  (822 H St.) reopens today to welcome it. They've even got hot tortilla soup to help get you through winter's last gasp.

There's lots of stuff happening at the West Elm Lab 1270 pop up (1270 Fifth St.) over by Union Market (1309 Fifth St.). Come out and meet the Urban Jungle team will be there assembling their arrangements of succulents and other plants through April 3 as part of the Makers in Residence series. March 17 though 19 you can find Kaleidos selling new and vintage clothing and accessories from independent and ethically produced brands. Chocolatier Harper Macaw will sample and sell their wares March 18 and 19. It's great chocolate that also supports rainforest conservation efforts in Brazil.