“May you work like you don’t need the money; love like you’ve never been hurt;
dance like no one is watching; and drink like a true Irishman. Drink Up!”

Any self-respecting Irish “pub” (inn, bar or tavern) includes Smithwick’s, Guinness and Harp beers on its menu. It also boasts a long list of Irish whiskeys, an impressive selection of Irish coffees and bartenders who excel with Irish Car Bombs.

Fortunately for anyone craving a little blarney in their beverage, Irish descendents make up almost 12 percent of Columbus’ population (second only to German descendents). That means there are plenty of watering holes throughout the city that offer hearty pints on St. Patrick’s Day.

“We’re lucky. There are a lot of cool Irish pubs in Columbus,” says Scott Neff, manager of Fadó Irish Pub at Easton. His happens to be the top seller of Guinness in the state, polishing off 16 barrels a week. How an establishment handles its Guinness is a testament to how serious it takes its Irish label.

“Pouring Guinness is an art – it’s a science. Staff should be trained on how to do it right so it’s the perfect pour every time. If you don’t get that creamy head, then you don’t have the right flavor of a Guinness, and that’s offensive at an Irish pub,” says Andy Bassitt, general manager of Claddagh Irish Pub at Polaris.

But there is more to having Irish flair than just serving up a perfect Guinness. Here are some local hot spots and their signature cocktails celebrating the Emerald Isle:

O’Reilly’s Pub, Clintonville. On St. Paddy’s Day, the house Irish coffees are huge, including the “Macchiato,” which is a chilled combination of coffee liqueur, Van Gogh Double Espresso Vodka and Bailey’s Irish Cream. The chilled Mint Irish Kiss is also popular, with Rumplemintz and Bailey’s, and chases down the pub’s Shepherd’s Pie nicely.

O’Shaughnessy’s Public House, Arena District. Grab a 20-ounce O’Shaughnessy’s Dam Good Porter, made specifically for the establishment by the Columbus Brewing Company. The beer has a sweet finish and is similar to a Guinness, but is not as thick. It goes wonderfully with the traditional Irish menu items, including corned beef and cabbage.

PK O’Ryan’s, Worthington. This authentic Irish pub sells Beamish, a stout beer established in 1792, which complements its homemade Irish stew, the European sporting events perpetually gracing the TVs, and the Celtic music emanating from the jukebox.

The Old Bag of Nails Pub, Throughout Central Ohio. According to owner Mike Perdum, Old Bag’s biggest drink request is a basic 20-ounce Guinness. The draw is the cost. “We’re the only place that sells a Guinness for $2.75 during happy hour, even on St. Patrick’s Day,” he says. The pubs also feature $5 Irish Car Bombs to wash down the popular corn beef and cabbage dinner platter.

The Dublin Village Tavern, Dublin. The tavern – one of only three “Sacred Watering Hole” designations in the United States by the Knights of Moleskine Spirit and Ale – has a huge repertoire of Irish beers, including imports on tap, and whiskeys to balance the impressive fare. The establishment takes particular pride in its Irish egg roll – a corned beef, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut hand-rolled egg roll delicately deep fried and served with Thousand Island dressing.

Claddagh Irish Pub, Polaris and Brewery District. Bassitt takes pride in Claddagh’s flights of Irish whiskeys and scotches. “You can sample a variety of these whiskeys and chase them down with a pint of Guinness. That is a big Irish tradition,” he says. All of the pub’s coffee drinks are topped with homemade whipped cream, including the signature Claddagh coffee, made with brown sugar, Jameson’s Whiskey, coffee and hot water. Other top sellers are the Hot Irish Whiskey, which is brown sugar, whiskey, cloves, a lemon wedge and hot water; and the “Duck Fart,” equal parts Bailey’s and Jameson and a third of Kahlua.

Brazenhead Irish Pub, Dublin and Grandview. Brazenhead has more than 50 types of beers, including Arrogant Bastard Ale, Chimay, Lindeman’s Framboise, Rogue Hazelnut Brown and Stone Ruination IPA. It is also stocked full of Irish whisky, single malt scotches and cognacs. Go for the extensive drink menu and stay for the authentic interiors imported directly from Ireland (or the Guinness Battered Fish Sandwich).

Byrne’s Pub, Grandview. Byrne’s is home to many late-night Shamrock Club meetings and longtime regulars. Car Bombs are a big seller, but if you’re more of a lightweight, the pub also includes all of the necessary Irish beers, and then some. It also features a full live music schedule.

Fadó Irish Pub, Easton. The No. 1 seller of Guinness in Ohio also serves up between 400 and 500 cups of Irish coffee a month, according to Neff. The coffee selections are topped with fresh whipped cream and cinnamon swirls. The spiced caramel apple cider is also popular, with Captain Morgan’s rum, hot cider, whipped cream and caramel, as is the Irish Snuggler – hot chocolate, peppermint Schnapps, chocolate shavings and whipped cream. Any drink, however, goes with Fado’s Irish cheddar dip, which is “like a queso dip, but made with Irish cheddar.”

Callahan’s, Arena District. Ken Dicross, manager of Callahan’s, says the bar will officially open up its rooftop patio on St. Patrick’s Day, when patrons can really enjoy the “Lucky Liquid,” a (green) vodka-based, fruity drink created at the pub. The rest of the recipe, according to Dicross, shall remain a mystery. “We’d like to keep it a secret,” he says. “But just know it’s highly addictive and very good.”

If you’re staying in for St. Patrick’s Day, create a little Irish luck at home. Here are some recipe ideas.

Irish Car Bomb
Every aforementioned bar mentioned the constant popularity of these simple concoctions. Be forewarned, however, they’re not politically correct everywhere outside of Columbus and if you don’t drink it fast enough, it will curdle and taste bad.
¾ pint Guinness stout
½ shot Bailey’s Irish cream
½ shot Jameson Irish whiskey
Add Bailey’s and Jameson to a shot glass, layering the Bailey’s on the bottom. Pour Guinness into a pint glass and let settle. Drop the shot glass into the pint and chug.

Irish Handshake
2 parts whiskey
1 part green Curacao
1 part fresh cream
Combine and shake well before serving.

Irish Pride
3 ounces Crème de Menthe, green
3 ounces Amaretto
2 ounces lemon juice
Combine and shake well before serving.

Irish Kilt
2 ounces Irish whiskey
1 ounce Scotch
1 ounce lemon juice
1 ounce sugar water
3 dashes of orange bitters
Combine into a shaker with ice, shake and strain into a martini glass.

Morning with Leprechauns
1½ ounces Bailey’s Irish Crème
1 ounce Irish whiskey
¼ ounce cherry brandy
3 ounces cold, black coffee
Combine all into a highball glass with crushed ice and stir well.

St. Paddy’s Girl
1 shot of each: Bailey’s Irish Cream, Irish whiskey, Kahlua, espresso
Pour all into a blender with ice, blend until creamy and serve in a margarita glass. Add chocolate curls or cinnamon on top.

Also ...
Tea-totalers will enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day Tea event at 12:30 p.m. March 10 at the Kelton House Museum & Garden, 586 E. Town St. For more information, visit www.keltonhouse.com.