With bagpipes and dancing, Norwalk beer garden celebrates St. Patrick’s Day: ‘best day of the year’

Jarret Liotta

March 18, 2023

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The crowd watches the Irish dancers at 314 Beer Garden in Norwalk on St. Patrick’s Day 2023. (Photo by Jarret Liotta)

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Irish dancers from Harney Pender Keady Academy in Stamford perform at 314 Beer Garden in Norwalk on St. Patrick’s Day 2023. (Photo by Jarret Liotta)

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Kelly Dupont of Darien celebrates at 314 Beer Garden in Norwalk on St. Patrick’s Day 2023.. (Photo by Jarret Liotta)

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Keri Pokorny of Darien celebrates at 314 Beer Garden in Norwalk on St. Patrick’s Day 2023.. (Photo by Jarret Liotta)

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Poppy Coogan, 9, of New Canaan rehearses for her Irish dance performance at 314 Beer Garden in Norwalk on St. Patrick’s Day 2023. (Photo by Jarret Liotta)

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Kaitlin Henderson of Norwalk gets into the holiday spirit at 314 Beer Garden in Norwalk on St. Patrick’s Day 2023. (Photo by Jarret Liotta)

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Lacey Sabella and Greg Geiger of Westport try the corned beef sandwich at 314 Beer Garden in Norwalk on St. Patrick’s Day 2023. (Photo by Jarret Liotta)

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Robert Maher of Stamford gives the corned beef sandwich a big thumbs up at 314 Beer Garden in Norwalk on St. Patrick’s Day 2023.. (Photo by Jarret Liotta)

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Kids get a dancing lesson from instructor Erin Pender Levine of the Harney Pender Keady Academy of Stamford at 314 Beer Garden in Norwalk on St. Patrick’s Day 2023.. (Photo by Jarret Liotta)

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314 Beer Garden owner Joe Grasso shares a smile with Jennie Sandusky, his event manager on St. Patrick’s Day 2023.. (Photo by Jarret Liotta)

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Bartender Emily Guzman chats with Michael Abruscato and Heather Eldred, both of Norwalk at 314 Beer Garden in Norwalk on St. Patrick’s Day 2023. (Photo by Jarret Liotta)

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Susanna Filanowski of Norwalk enjoys a drink with a new friend at 314 Beer Garden in Norwalk on St. Patrick’s Day 2023. (Photo by Jarret Liotta)

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Enjoying an St. Patrick’s Day pizza party are, from left, Ben Pacino, 5, Riley Correa, 3, and Sydney Pacino, 3, all of Norwalk, at 314 Beer Garden in Norwalk on St. Patrick’s Day 2023. (Photo by Jarret Liotta)

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Mackenzie O’Brien, 9, left, and Poppy Coogan, 9, both of New Canaan, practice for their dance performance at 314 Beer Garden in Norwalk on St. Patrick’s Day 2023. (Photo by Jarret Liotta)

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The Greenwich Pipe Band perform at 314 Beer Garden on St. Patrick’s Day 2023. (Photo by Jarret Liotta)

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The Greenwich Pipe Band arrives at 314 Beer Garden in Norwalk on St. Patrick’s Day 2023.. (Photo by Jarret Liotta)

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NORWALK — Crowds of visitors went green on Friday when 314 Beer Garden hosted a St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

Irish dancers, bagpipe players and 20 barrels of Guinness Ale all played a part in bringing the Feast of St. Patrick to around 600 visitors throughout the day.

“It’s a day for everyone,” said owner Joe Grasso. “You don’t have to be Irish. Everyone comes out and enjoys themselves.”

Along with traditional corned beef sandwiches for fare, the restaurant also had corned beef pizza, specialty drinks, and representatives from Jameson Irish Whiskey sharing free samples.

“I’m Irish, so it’s the best day of the year to celebrate,” said Kelly Dupont of Darien, who came out with friends. “Who doesn’t have fun on St. Patrick’s Day?”

Dancers from the Harney Pender Keady Academy of Stamford came out to perform in the outdoor stage area at the two-year-old restaurant, located at 314 Wilson Avenue.

The sounds of bagpipes later filled the air when the Greenwich Pipe Band made an appearance, marching into the outdoor area to play for a happy crowd.

“It’s just great to see so many faces and get to mingle with everyone,” Grasso said. “It’s a good feeling.”