These Southland bars are among the many preparing to blow out the Irish celebration

ST. PADDY’S DAY,

Gallagher’s Pub & Grill in Long Beach will have live music, dancers and food specials on Monday, St. Patrick’s Day. Photo by Howard Freshman

Pub crawlers can expect extra touches at Irish joints on St. Patrick’s Day like drink specials, fiddlers and bagpipers, and corned beef and cabbage. Here, Ela Clemo, left, Presley Norland and Tricia Hanson toast at Muldoon’s on March 6. Jeff Gritchen — Staff Photographer

A selection of aged Irish whiskey is on hand at The Shamrock Irish Pub and Eatery in Murrieta, shown March 7. Terry Pierson — staff photographer

Customers at the Shamrock can wash down fish and chips and plenty more menu choices with all that Guinness and Jameson’s. Terry Pierson — staff photographer

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By Richard Guzman

riguzman@scng.com

It’s one of the biggest party days of the year when we celebrate Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick. And luckily, it looks like Mr. Patrick liked to party, because people will celebrate Monday by going out to bars and having a drink, or two, or three.

For many, the only and best way to celebrate is at an authentic Irish pub. So to help you get in the green spirit, here are seven to honor the country’s patron saint.Auld Dubliner

With live music that often includes traditional Irish tunes, plus a selection of more than 100 Irish whiskeys, and authentic dishes on the menu like corned beef and cabbage and Guinness beef stew, every day can feel like St. Patrick’s Day here. And to add to its cred, the co-owner of this classic pub was born and raised in Limerick, Ireland, so things here are legit.

Where: 71 S. Pine Ave, Long Beach. 562-437-8300, aulddubliner.com

Gallagher’s Pub & Grill

The bar was opened by Irish immigrant and third-generation restaurateur Ciaran Gallagher in 2006 and goes all out with Irish drinks like the Belfast Bomber, the Dublin Ice Tea and, of course, Irish Car Bombs. The pub also goes all out with decorations for St. Patrick’s Day so this is always a popular place to celebrate. On Monday people can expect live music, Irish dancers and food specials.

Where: 2751 E. Broadway, Long Beach. 562-856-8000, gallagherslongbeach.com

The Liberties of Dublin

With its contemporary look, this doesn’t have the feel of a classic Irish pub, but it does have an Irish soul. It was co-founded by Dublin native Raymond Lucey to reflect how modern pubs in Ireland actually look, rather than how people imagine older pubs. This is a place for whiskey lovers, too, since it has more than 100 labels on the menu. Expect whiskey and Irish coffee specials as well as live music starting at 11 a.m. on St. Patrick’s Day.

Where: 1111 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. 213-663-1969, thelibertiesofdublin.com

Molly Malone’s

Originally established as a place for Irish musicians performing drinking songs and traditional music, Molly Malone’s has evolved into one of the best-known Irish pubs in Los Angeles, and it gets packed on St. Patrick’s Day — like really packed. Doors open at 8 a.m., live music starts at 6 p.m. The festivities this year include live music from bands like the The Vigils, Sanglorians, Rudy Nuno, Molly Gunner and the Hounds of Belfast.

Where: 575 S. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. 323- 935-1577, mollymalonesla.com

Muldoon’s Irish Pub

Located in an ivy-covered brick building, this pub includes two bars. The original is the Dublin Bar, which was built in 1974 of oak, brick and brass and includes a stained glass rendering of its bulldog mascot. The other is the more modern-looking Celtic Bar, which is just across the patio and was built in 2000. The whole place will be partying it up Monday starting at 9 a.m. with an Irish breakfast plus a bagpiper and a fiddler.

Where: 202 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. 949-640-4110, muldoonspub.com

The Shamrock Irish Pub and Eatery

According to its website, the Shamrock once made Yelp’s list of best Irish pubs that make you feel like you’re in Ireland. That feeling comes from the pub’s busy live music schedule, which includes tons of Celtic bands, and memorabilia from Ireland that decorates the place. So it’s no surprise that St. Patrick’s Day is very important here, and the festivities will include Irish band The Caseys, food and drink specials and even a bagpiper performing throughout the day.

Where: 39252 Winchester Road, Murrieta. 951-696-5252, theshamrockirishpubandeatery.com

Tom Bergin’s

This pub opened in 1936 and it claims the title of the oldest Irish tavern in L.A., and you’ll know it as soon as you see the neon green shamrock sign outside. Inside you’ll see paper shamrocks on the ceiling, too, with the names of some of the old regulars, adding to the old school charm. According to the pub’s Instagram page, Monday’s festivities will start with a 6 a.m. Irish breakfast, music and, of course, drinks.

Where: 840 S. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. 323-452-2716, tombergins.com