St. Patrick’s Day didn’t start as a drinking holiday.
It wasn’t created for green beer, pub specials, or all-day bar hopping. Those things came much later.
Originally, St. Patrick’s Day was about community, culture, and gathering together — not excess.
Somewhere along the way, the celebration shifted. And while there’s nothing wrong with celebrating however you choose, it’s worth remembering where the day actually came from.
Because the original spirit of St. Patrick’s Day has a lot more in common with connection than consumption.
The Origins of St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day honors Saint Patrick, a missionary credited with spreading Christianity in Ireland during the 5th century.
For centuries, the day was observed as a religious and cultural holiday, marked by:
- Church services
- Family gatherings
- Storytelling
- Music and local traditions
In Ireland, pubs were often closed on St. Patrick’s Day until the 1970s.
Yes — closed.
The holiday was reflective, communal, and rooted in identity, not nightlife.
When Celebrations Went Public
As Irish immigrants spread across the world, particularly to the United States, St. Patrick’s Day evolved into something new.
Parades became popular as early as the 1700s, especially in cities like New York and Boston. These parades weren’t about partying — they were about visibility, pride, and community.
They were a way for Irish immigrants to celebrate their heritage together in public spaces.
Still, drinking wasn’t the centerpiece.
The focus was on gathering, belonging, and shared experience.
How Drinking Became the Focus
The shift toward alcohol-heavy celebrations happened gradually.
As St. Patrick’s Day became more commercialized:
- Bars leaned into themed promotions
- Green beer became a novelty
- Drinking culture began to define the day
What was once a cultural celebration turned into a shorthand for “party holiday.”
For some people, that’s exactly what they want — and that’s okay.
But it’s not the only way to celebrate.
The Original Spirit of St. Patrick’s Day
At its heart, St. Patrick’s Day was never about how much you could drink.
It was about:
- Being together
- Marking the calendar with intention
- Celebrating identity and connection
- Turning an ordinary day into something shared
Those ideas are still relevant — even if the modern celebrations look different.
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day Your Way
Today, St. Patrick’s Day can be anything.
For some, it’s parades and pints.
For others, it’s dinner with friends.
For many, it’s just a reason to go out and do something social.
There’s no single “right” way to celebrate.
And that flexibility is what makes the holiday endure.
Why Our St. Patrick’s Day Crawl Looks Different
At Do The Crawl, we’ve been hosting themed crawls for almost 10 years. Over that time, we’ve seen how expectations around holidays can get locked into one idea — usually centered around drinking.
Our Almost St. Patrick’s Day Prize Crawl is intentionally different.
Instead of focusing on drink specials or consumption, we focus on:
- Games
- Contests
- Prizes
- Social interaction
Drinks are optional.
Pace is up to you.
There’s no host telling you where to go next.
You show up.
You participate if you want.
You connect with the people around you.
In many ways, it’s closer to the original spirit of St. Patrick’s Day than people realize.
A Modern Take on an Old Tradition
St. Patrick’s Day has evolved — and that’s normal.
What hasn’t changed is the reason people show up: to gather, to celebrate, and to share an experience with others.
Our events are designed for people who want that feeling, without pressure or excess.
Not a bar crawl.
A Prize Crawl.
Always Read the Event Description
Every St. Patrick’s Day event is different.
That’s why we always encourage people to read the event description before buying a ticket. Knowing what you’re signing up for makes the night better for everyone involved.
Our events are honest about what they are — and what they aren’t.
And if that aligns with what you’re looking for, we’d love to crawl with you.