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4 Toronto Theme Bars To Get Extra Green At This St. Patrick's Day

"Green and drunk" doesn't need to be the only theme of the night, and these great Toronto locations new and old prove it. Let's celebrate the absence of snakes in Ireland, or something!
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With this St. Patrick's Day falling on a Friday, it pretty much ensures that the festivities will be in full swing with most revellers not having to worry about work the next day. This is a good thing, considering how difficult it can be to wash out green dye in less than 24 hours. But "green and drunk" doesn't need to be the only theme of the night, and these great Toronto locations new and old prove it. Let's celebrate the absence of snakes in Ireland, or something!

The Shameful Tiki Room

The Queen St. West extension of a popular Vancouver venue may not look Irish at first glance, but it's got colourful (and strong) cocktails, a fun atmosphere, and a fog machine that goes off every time someone orders the Volcano (a flaming cocktail for "4 or more" people). Plus, with the Vancouver location celebrating its 4th anniversary from March 16th to March 19th, there might be some matching Toronto celebration by osmosis. Perfect timing!

Lockheart

A suitably U.K.-themed destination for St. Paddy's revelry, this Harry Potter-inspired bar on Dundas West is another fun destination. The Befuddlement (another sharable cocktail) is likely going to live up to its name, given the long list of potent ingredients. Just like the Tiki Room, it's likely to be busy so get there early!

The Ballroom

Does it count as a theme bar if it's actually a bowling alley? Across John St. from the Scotiabank Cineplex, you're likely to find as many office parties and birthdays at The Ballroom as you are small get-togethers. But if you're looking to watch pins fall down instead of partygoers, this is the place for you. However, serious bowlers need not apply -- they'll likely be in the dim cavern of a proper bowling alley somewhere more out of the way.

Let's celebrate the absence of snakes in Ireland, or something!

SPiN

Although beer pong is a classic for a reason, this King St. West spot is for ping pong purists. Still, if you're the esoteric 'I take my beer and my pong separately' type, SPiN has 12 tables and a ton of space to enjoy your festivities. I guess just pretend the balls are snake eggs? I keep getting this holiday confused with Whacking Day.

No matter where you find yourself this March 17, just remember to play it safe. When it's time to go home, call an Uber, a cab, or take the good old TTC -- even walking can be dangerous for partygoers who've had too much. My personal trick is to leave a couple of beers at home for when that "need-one-more" itch sets in, so I don't find myself one too deep and far from home.

What's your favourite place to go on the greenest holiday there is? Do you love St. Paddy's or hate the alcohol-fuelled chaos that awaits the city this month? Let me know in the comments below!

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