The Gael Pub

Photograph: Jeff Gurwin

Q I’d like to have a few on St. Paddy’s Day before things get too crazy. Are there any bars open early that are close to the parade?—Robert Porter, East Village

A Steel yourself against the Monday 17 mob with a morning Erin go brew (or two…or three). The parade starts at 11am at Fifth Avenue and 44th Street, and takes at least five hours to make it up to the 86th Street end point. You can keep a few stumbling paces ahead with this prenoon pub crawl, at bars that honorably do not (overly) inflate their prices for the clover-happy holiday. Starting at 9am, revelers can prime themselves with $5 bottles of Guinness at the ultimate dive, the 71-year-old Subway Inn (143 E 60th St between Lexington and Third Aves, 212-223-8929). Lurch northeastward to Iggy’s (1452 Second Ave between 75th and 76th Sts, 212-327-3043) for six-buck drafts of Magners Cider and a rousing session of Irish karaoke, which gets started at the civilized hour of 10am. Top it off (or get cut off) at The Gael Pub (1465 Third Ave between 82nd and 83rd Sts, 212-517-4141): Doors open at 10am, and the $10 cover earns you a free Smithwick’s (normally $6) and access to live pipe bands all day. Follow this boozy itinerary and you’re sure to be kelly-green-faced by noon.

—Brendan Rancier

See previous Barhop