ENTERTAINMENT

5 pubs for St. Patrick's Day dining

Geoffrey Wilson
Poughkeepsie Journal
Mahoney's Restaurant and Pub in Poughkeepsie, near the waterfront.

Aside from watching parades or wearing green, visiting an Irish pub for a stout or some corned beef and cabbage might be the ideal way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

Irish pubs dot the mid-Hudson Valley, meaning plenty of options, whether you're Irish or not.

There are also several non-traditional options, fusing traditional Irish fare with other cuisines or featuring local products.

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Here are five options:

Mahoney's Irish Pub

One of the go-to spots for anyone celebrating St. Patrick's Day in the City of Poughkeepsie, Mahoney's turns the holiday into a weekend-long celebration complete with bag pipers and Irish step dancers. This down-to-earth joint has a traditional pub area, where guests can grab a pint and revel in live music, as well as a dining section for those who prefer to sit down and enjoy Irish specials that include Moira's Shepherd's Pie — lightly seasoned ground beef, peas, carrots and Irish stout gravy topped with mashed potatoes — and Mahoney's Irish Beef Stew, with sautéed beef in red wine, leeks, carrots, peas, mushrooms, onions and potatoes in beef stock, served in a bread bowl. Mahoney's St. Patrick's Day celebration runs March 17-18. Go: 35 Main St., Poughkeepsie, 845-471-7026, mahoneysirishpub.com.

Juan Murphy's 

Fans of the old Dubliner pub and diners looking for something different on St. Patrick's Day should check out Juan Murphy's in the Town of Poughkeepsie. The self-described "Irish pub with Mexican grub" offers a fusion of flavors with dishes like The Dubliner — a grilled rye sandwich with pastrami, caramelized onions, melted Irish cheddar and ale mustard — and a taco bar.

Cathy Varunok, left, of LaGrange, and Kim Sweeney, right, of Highland, sit at the bar at Juan Murphy's Irish Pub and Restaurant in the Town of Poughkeepsie. They are comparing notes as they do some research on a place to eat for St. Patrick's Day. Their former go-to place, Mulligan's, closed down in May 2016.

On St. Patrick's Day, beginning at 5 a.m., the pub will offer breakfast bangers and beer, a two-egg sandwich with cheese and a choice of bangers, rashers or bacon on a roll plus a pint of beer, (5-11 a.m.). Juan Murphy's will also serve specials including corned beef and cabbage with parsnip carrot puree, mashed potatoes and a whole grain mustard beurre blanc, or bangers and mash, with Irish sausage, mashed potatoes and imported Bachelors baked beans,(noon-10 p.m.0 The bar will also feature live music throughout the day. Go: 796 Main St., Poughkeepsie, 845-473-1095, juanmurphys.com.

Shea O'Brien's

Across the river in New Paltz, Shea O'Brien's Patrick's day-long festivities kick off at 8 a.m. with kegs and eggs. Throughout the day, guests can enjoy traditional Irish dishes like corned beef and cabbage or shepherd's pie, as well as Irish-themed dishes like the Irish Meat Lover Burger, an 8-ounce angus burger with Irish rashers, Irish bangers, fried egg and cheddar cheese. Live music will include traditional bagpipers and Celtic rock. Brimming with Celtic style, from its iron trellis to murals depicting Irishmen at the pub, Shea O'Brien's offers the perfect atmosphere for the holiday. Go: 127 Main St., New Paltz, 845-633-8222, sheaobriens.com. for St. Patrick's Day.

Keegan Ales

While not a typical destination for St. Patrick's Day festivities, Keegan Ales in Kingston might be the perfect spot for someone looking for a good local stout and a Reuben. The menu has standard pub fare, including a  hot pretzel with spicy brown mustard and cheese sauce, but if you're craving corned beef, order the Reuben, with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Russian dressing on a marbled rye. The atmosphere is ideal for grabbing a pint of Mother's Milk, a dark milk stout with oatmeal and chocolate flavors, or Joe Mama's Milk, a coffee milk stout with a hint of chocolate and roasted barley. Live music on St. Patrick's Day will include Celtic tunes and a pipe and drum band. Go: 20 St. James St., Kingston, 845-331-2739, keeganales.com.

Darby O'Gills

How can you pass up Irish nachos? Darby O'Gills version is waffle fries with bacon, melted cheese and sour cream. If more standard fare is what you're looking for on St. Patrick's Day, the menu  offers up Irish Potato Soup and Shepard’s Pie. You can enjoy a traditional Guinness Stout, but the bar highlights its selection of whiskey and tequila. Go: 3969 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, 845-229-6662, darbyogills.com.

Have a favorite spot that wasn't listed here? Leave a comment with your favorite place to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

Geoffrey Wilson: gwilson@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4882, Twitter: Geoff_LW