Ashley's 338 S. State St., Ann Arbor; 734-996-9191; ashleys.com: March 17 starts early at Ashley's multi-tap in Ann Arbor — some St. Patrick's purists are said to leave the pub at 2 a.m. closing the night before and line right up again to wait for it to open at 6:30 in the morning. But with over 70 beers on tap and a bustling British decor — check out the London tube-themed Underground — Ashley's might make spending the night in a line of green-faced college students worth it. For a $10 cover, pub-goers get an all-you-can-eat breakfast of eggs, sausage and hash browns plus drink specials on Jameson, car bombs, Guinness and a host of other Irish beers. The pot of gold at the end of this rainbow is the free T-shirt handed out to all Ashley's customers.

Bailey's Pub 22091 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-277-3212; 1777 Canton Center Rd., Canton; 734-844-1137; 1965 W. Maple, Troy; 248-435-3044: This year the Bailey's Pub triumvirate has had to forgo its usual "St. Practice Day" warm-up, since all the debauchery of St. Pat's itself will take its Saturday slot. But of course Bailey's Pub will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day with lots of drink specials and live Irish bands. All three locations will open at 9 a.m. and will serve various food and drink specials, some of them green, and a handful of bagpipers might make an appearance.

Bastone 419 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-544-6250; bastone.net: This unpretentious, quirky Belgian brewpub usually serves fare heavily influenced by Germany and France. But with Irishfest, you can also get shepherd's pie (braised ground beef and rutabaga topped with golden-baked potatoes, $13.95), braised lamb shanks (braised in ale sauce with colcannon, $17.95), corned beef and cabbage ($15.95) and more. Seasonal beers include a Farmhouse Grand Cru, a moderately hoppy beer that is dry and full of Belgian yeast notes. Having a few? Get a limited-edition Irishfest pint glass for $6 and your refills are $2 off the regular beer price throughout Irishfest, or until March 29.

The Blarney Stone 27253 Woodward Ave., Berkley; 248-541-1881: In typical St. Patrick's Day fashion, Blarney Stone will have promotions and specials filling up the days leading up to March 17. On St. Patrick's Day itself, doors open at 7 a.m. Giveaways and contests will go on all day, and one of the bar's two parking lots will be taken over by a massive, heated beer tent, lending comfort if it's cold.

Claddagh Irish Pub 17800 Haggerty Rd., Livonia; 734-542-8141: Claddagh opens its doors at 7 a.m. for the early birds who have some Irish cheer. Entertainment throughout the day and into the evening will consist of live bands and a DJ — the folkier Danny and Johnny band starting at 9, a U2 cover band at noon and DJ Crazy Keith from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. Come out and visit your favorite Guinness and Jameson girls. The cover for this event is $6; $20 VIP tickets are available early at the bar and include a free T-shirt as well as permission to skip the line.

Conor O'Neill's Traditional Irish Pub 318 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-665-2968: The closest thing Ann Arbor has to an Irish bar, Conor O'Neill's is all St. Patrick's, all week long. Tonight there's Irish-themed trivia, and those who wear green will get $4 draft beers all night. Tomorrow, Detroit's own Celtic rockers the Kreellers will make an appearance, as will $3 car bombs, and Friday is the traditional Pre-St. Patrick's Day Party, with music provided by Mogue Doyle. Opening at 7 a.m. on St. Patrick's Day itself, Conor's will have live Irish music, Irish dancers and Irish bagpipers throughout the day. If the regular menu is any indication, the St. Patrick's Day fare will be among the best in Michigan at inexpensive prices. Save some room for dessert, because the Guinness ice cream sundae and Bailey's Irish Cream cheesecake top Conor O'Neill's dessert menu.

Cowley's Old Village Inn 33338 Grand River Ave., Farmington; 248-474-5941; johncowleys.com: Cowley's kicks off its St. Patrick's Day celebration at 10 a.m., and the live bands begin at noon and will play until closing, including The Shawn Riley Band and a band called "Free Beer." The Irish-inspired menu will include Irish spring rolls and corned beef and cabbage sandwiches, and Cowley's will serve food till 9 p.m. for those interested in a late-night dinner after a day filled with drinking. Cover for this event is $10 and 21 and older are welcome.

Danny's Irish Pub 22824 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-546-8331: Danny's is a cozy pub adorned with shamrocks and green decor. They kick off their St. Patty's party at 7 a.m. Drink specials include $4 for any Irish whiskey. Food specials include shepherd's pie, corned beef sandwiches, Irish stew and Guinness chili. No cover.

Dick O'Dow's 160 W. Maple Rd., Birmingham; 248-642-1135; dickodowspub.com: Opening at 7 a.m. for breakfast, the big day will see two bands playing, starting at 10 a.m.: The McGlynns, and Company of Strangers. There will be a specialty menu that includes many Irish favorites, such as shepherd's pie and Irish stew. Other cuisines are infused with Guinness and Jameson flavors. Don't worry about overpaying just because of St. Patrick's Day, because normal prices will prevail and there will be no cover. Dick O'Dows will be open until 2 a.m and will serve food until 11 p.m. 

Dooley's Tavern 32500 Gratiot Ave., Roseville; 586-296-2739; 12414 Hall Rd., Sterling Heights; 586-323-3501; dooleysirish.com: Even though Dooley's celebrates St. Patrick's Day every month on the 17th, the actual St. Patrick's Day is their specialty. Dooley's will open at 7 a.m. and feature an outside drink tent with a full bar, live music, leprechauns and bagpipers. There will be specials on green beer, Bailey's, Guinness and more. There will also be a shortened menu of Irish-inspired items such as Reuben sandwiches and pizza, corned beef sliders, corned beef and cabbage, and more.

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