6 things to do for a uniquely Seattle St. Patrick's Day

Of course you can get corned beef and a Guinness to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. But how can you make your day in green uniquely Seattle? Here are some quick tips:

1) Get a corned beef sandwich from Market House Meats: This place has been around since 1948 and has arguably the best corned beef in town. A sandwich will run you $9.99 before tax, and they also have pastrami dips, corned beef brats, grilled Reubens and corned beef you can buy to bake at home. There's also a real charm about the place – one of the last one-story buildings in an area packed with high-rises and redevelopment. But go early! They stop selling sandwiches at 3:30 on St. Patrick's Day. They also deliver with Amazon Prime. (1124 Howell St., Seattle)

2) Tell people you're wearing Doyle Green: For decades, one of the nation's top fashion authorities, John Doyle Bishop, ran a store in Seattle. In 1967, was selected by Harper's Bazaar as one of the world's best-dressed men -- part of a list that included Rock Hudson, Fred Astaire and Cary Grant. He wrote all his letters in green ink, had a cat named Shamrock, and made clothes for top Seattle socialites in his signature Doyle Green. So when people remark about your good-looking green outfit today, tell them it's not just green, it's Doyle Green. (Read more about JDB here.)

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3) Take a walk along the Burke Gilman Trail: We know what you're thinking: How does this tie in to St. Patrick's Day? Judge Thomas Burke was the son of Irish immigrants and part of a proud Irish family. As an attorney, Burke was known for getting large payments from rich clients and giving free or low-cost legal services to Irish immigrants and others. He also appealed to people during the anti-Chinese riots in Seattle, explaining similarities between the prejudices here and the prejudices felt by people in Ireland. Burke paired with Daniel Gilman in 1885 to create a Seattle-based railroad to help make the city a major transportation center. The line remained in use until 1971, and – after some large-scale protests were sidestepped -- the initial section of the recreation trail was dedicated on Aug. 19, 1978. (See a map of the Burke Gilman Trail here.)

4) Grab a pint at F.X. McRory's: Owner Mick McHugh, a former St. Patrick's Day Parade grand marshal, is part of a big Irish family who knows how to celebrate right. He's often at the restaurant and can tell you stories about all the classic Irish characters and families in Seattle. Back in 1975 there were two Irish restaurant-bars in Seattle: The Dublin House in the 300 block of Union Street and Jake O'Shaughnessy's across from the Seattle Center, where the Metropolitan Market is now. Jake's was packed every St. Patrick's Day, and also was the first restaurant to buy wholesale coffee from Starbucks. Formerly called Jake's Blend, Café Verona is still sold by Starbucks. When you pick up a pint at McRory's, ask Mick about it. He'll tell you that story and many others. (419 Occidental Ave. S.)

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5) Grab a pint at one of the city's other Irish bars: Unlike the 1970s when Seattle had two, there are now more than two dozen Irish bars in Seattle. There's Fado at 810 First Ave.; Kells at 1916 First Ave.; A Terrible Beauty at 4752 California Ave. S.W., Paddy Coynes at 2801 Alaskan Way and many others. Many, including Paddy Coynes and A Terrible Beauty, have Ireland natives on their staff. Grab a friend, and go early – the lines can be long, especially at Kells. Need a recommendation for a toast? Raise a glass to Jimmy McGough. When the Great Seattle Fire happened on June 6, 1889, only the Seattle Post-Intelligencer published an account the following day in a makeshift office. Problem is the information they were given incorrectly put the blame on McGough. Because a correction didn't run for more than a week, most historians missed it when recounting fire details in history books, so McGough was blamed again and again. What was he actually doing after the fire broke out? Trying to put out the flames – McGough was part of the volunteer fire department.

6) A GREEN BONUS: We can't recommend breaking the law, but if you paint a green stripe down your street, the spirit of John Doyle Bishop would approve. He pulled that move every year around St. Patrick's Day, despite arrests and occasional jail stays. When he turned the downtown Seattle tradition over to Mick McHugh and the Irish Heritage Club, he told them to have fun doing it. "And if you get arrested, I'll help you with the bail money," he said. (Read Bishop's full green stripe story here.)

Cox Media Group