mmm ... BEER
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"People come up here and say, 'We didn't realize there was anything like this in Ohio,'" says DJ Parker, a cultural ambassador for Put-in-Bay.
Put-in-Bay gets pretty kicking in the summer, but St. Patrick's Day is a chance to experience the island vibe before the summer crowds swarm. This is a unique year for locals to enjoy the island for St. Patrick's Day. Usually the lake is frozen this time of year, but the warm winter has left the lake ice-free enough for the Miller Ferry to run between Catawba Island Township and Put-in-Bay this spring.
In the summers before cars, steamships used to bring people from all over the Great Lakes to Put-in-Bay. According the Parker, there was at one time the second largest hotel in the country on the island, the now defunct Hotel Victory. Today Put-in-Bay claims to have the nation's third tallest monument, Perry's Monument and the world's longest bar at the Beer Barrel Saloon. Both claims are debatable, and there's a bar in Rock Island, Ill., that begs to differ. But who cares? It's an island resort in Ohio.
Put-in-Bay for St. Pat's
There are rumors of an impromptu parade that will take place once the kids get out of school on St. Patrick's Day. Susan Thwaite, owner of the Skyway restaurant, describes the parade as a "bunch of kids in a wagon, some guys on their four wheelers, just yahooing it up." The parade goes from bar to bar. Other than that, the bars and restaurants will form the centerpiece of the celebration.
Skyway; 5:30 a.m.-2:30 a.m.; 1324 Langram Road 419-285-4331
Opens way early with an Irish breakfast and food and drink specials all day long. To name a selection of the special Irish menu, there will be a smoked salmon platter, homemade soda bread, corned beef and cabbage and shepherd's pie. There will be no band, but there will be Irish music all day.
Put-in-Bay Brewing Co.; noon-2:30 a.m.; 441 Catawba Ave. 419-285-4677
Bartender Jon Grbic describes the modest St. Patrick's Day celebration as: "Some Guinness and Bass and maybe some green beer. It should be a good old drunk St. Patty's Day. We might throw off some corned beef and cabbage."
Tipper's/Beer Barrel Saloon; 11 a.m.-2:30 a.m.; 1618 Delaware Ave. 419-285-7281
The place will be festively decorated, and there will be free corned beef sandwiches and three different kinds of Irish beer. J.D. Owen, described as a one-man band, will be playing from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
P.S. The last ferryboat back to Catawba Island Township from Put-in-Bay will be at 3:30 p.m., so either party early, or plan to stay the night. There are a few bed and breakfasts open this time of year: Niagara Guesthouse, Parker House and Getaway Inn. Check them out at www.pibinfo.com. There is also a campground at the South Bass Island State Park (419-285-2112).
Miller Ferry Schedule -- departs from Catawba Dock (5174 East Water St., Port Clinton)
One-way adult $6
Leaves Catawba: 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m.
Leaves Put-in-Bay: 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.
For Ye Landlubbers
As St. Patrick's Day is before prime resort season for Put-in-Bay, the biggest parties will probably be on the mainland.
Daly's Pub; 7 a.m.-2:30 a.m.; 104 Columbus Ave., Sandusky 419-625-0748
Breakfast buffet from 7 a.m.-11 a.m. and Irish dishes until 10 p.m.: corned beef and cabbage and Reubens. Bar will feature all Irish whiskeys and specialty beers like Guinness and Harps. There will be an "Irish green guitar" giveaway at midnight.
Cabana Jack's; 11a.m.-2 a.m.; 202 Columbus Ave, Sandusky 419-625-4008
They're not at all Irish, but Caustik, a 90's alternative rock cover band, will perform. There will be specials on Reubens and corned beef sandwiches until 10 p.m. There also will be green beer and specials on Irish beers, like Killian's.
Red Clay on the River, 5150 Liberty Ave., Vermilion 440-967-0312
Concert starts at 9 p.m., dinner can be eaten before or during the concert.
It's kind of a drive, but for a little bit more refined evening, there is a concert at this quaint riverside restaurant. Patrons sit at tables to watch the show. Collin Dussault's Blues Project, a harmonica-centered blues band, will headline with special guest Ed Caner on the fiddle. Bartender Natalie Carr recommends making reservations because "We pack the house for Colin. He has quite a following here."
Seventh Annual Put-in-Palooza
March 18; show at 9 p.m.; doors at 7 p.m.
Tickets: $18.25 at nicksroadhouse.com, $20 at the door
Nick's Roadhouse; 124 Buckeye Blvd., Port Clinton 419-732-3069
This venue might be the polar opposite of Red Clay on the River. Everybody from Put-in-Bay will be on the mainland for what is being billed as the "Ultimate St. Patty's Day Party," even though it is the day after St. Patrick's Day. Nick's Roadhouse is a sports bar and nightclub, famous for its wet t-shirt contests, barely-there boxer competitions and general nighttime craziness.
Bands playing are Mike "Mad Dog" Adams, Ray Fogg and the Swingin' Lesbian Frogs, and Bob Gatewood and Calabash.
Over Norwalk's way
When it comes to celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Norwalk, nobody does it better than the folks at Shamrock Tavern.
Now in its 60th year as a family business, Joanne Schaffer says she's probably been part of the last 30 Green Day celebrations.
And while the faces may change, the fun never stops.
"Pretty much the same," Schaffer said. "Since we don't have the other side (of the bar) it's a little more crowded. It's pretty much what we've always done and something we enjoy.
"The oldtimes are gone ... it's a totally different crowd now. We still have fun. I can't thank the customers enough for being faithful over the years. They really have."
The Rock downsized a few years ago, giving up its back room for Cameo Pizza. Needless to say, it can get downright cozy during peak hours in the bar on Hester Street.
The Rock is famous for its corn beef sandwiches and green beer on St. Patrick's Day. The tap gets its first workout when the doors open at 8 a.m. and doesn't get much of a break until the doors close 18 1/2 hours later.
More than anything, Schaffer says she just wants everybody to enjoy themselves.
"We've really been blessed with good luck on that day without a lot of problems," she said. "It's a fun day and we want to have everybody to have fun and drink smart. We want to have fun but we want them to be safe, too.
"If they drink too much we want them to call a cab or else we can get them home."
If you buy a sandwich or beer at The Rock, it's a good bet you'll get it from one of the Schaffers. Among those joining Joanne behind the bar will be her three children -- Kathleen Schaffer, Karen Brumby and Marty Schaffer.
Eric Linge will partake in his share of green beer this St. Patty's Day. E-mail him at elinge@funcoast.com.
Written by Eric Linge
