Boston – The Irish bar of Tommy McCarthy, on the outskirts of the boundaries of the city of Boston, pours more guinness than almost anywhere in the United States, but this is coming San Patricio DayThe former owner of Burren is also supplying many non -alcoholic options.
“He has traveled a long way since we opened for the first time,” said McCarthy, who began throwing pints in the beloved establishment in 1996 after moving to the Boston area from West Clare, Ireland.
There may be no other vacation linked to a city than San Patricio’s day in Boston. According to historians, the city was The first in the country Launch a celebration for the patron saint of Ireland on March 17, 1737, as a way of supporting the wave of Irish immigrants in the city.
However, although the holidays have connected with a great drink throughout the centuries, a small but growing crowd has found ways to participate in the parades of the day of St. Patrick, festivals and banquets without hum. They are doing it by resorting to non -alcoholic beers, models and only sober spaces, even in Boston’s heart.
“Calle. Patrick’s day is a great party to drink. It is promoted absolutely everywhere,” said Jackie Taylor, who has been sober for 12 years.
But he has found many ways to celebrate the holidays, either in the city or at home, without risking a situation in which “you could not get out of there sober.”
Non -alcoholic beverages are popular on the weekend of St. Patrick during the four days of Irish music shows of Burren, which can last 10 hours each. McCarthy said he is a Guinness drinker, but adheres to non -alcoholic beer when he plays the violin.
“I knew with the true creamy alcohol head,” he said. “You just get a little alcohol, but you get the true cream. But you are also having the taste of true Guinness without alcohol. It is a kind of can everyone. “
Michelle Flynn, manager of Pub Brendan Behan Irish in Jamacia Plain de Boston, said that most bars now serve non -alcoholic beers, a significant change for decades.
“The neighborhood, society, everything has changed, has changed 1,000%, especially in young people,” he said.
It is not just the owners of bars that notice an increase in a demand for non -alcoholic options. Young adults drink less than they were in past decades, According to the Gallup surveywhich reported in 2023 that adults under 35 were less likely to say that they use alcohol at least occasionally than in the early 2000s.
Gallup also saw a decrease in the part of young adults who drink regularly or say that sometimes they drink “more than they think they should” during the same period of time.
Michael Scelfo, chef and owner of four cocktail bars in the Boston area, said his businesses have served Corses Since Cambridge -based Alden opened AND Harlow 11 years ago. But after pandemic, demand increased significantly.
“It is really an expected and formidable part of the menu now,” he said, with the waiters, taking so care in the execution of a simulation tail.
For almost 15 years, William Spencer Reilly has been launching a ” Saint Patricio Day “In New York City, which begins after the parade with Irish bands, dancers and food, and can soon expand the mission to Boston.
The founder and president of the sober event has always had attention to Boston “for all obvious reasons.”
According to Reilly, it is about forwarding the festivities typically of the progress of the celebration of the Irish inheritance and honoring St. Patrick, the priest born at the end of the fourth century that was enslaved in Ireland and then returned to promote the propagation of Christianity. It is also an opportunity to break the hurtful stereotypes of the Irish.
When he first proposed the idea of a sober event on such a heavy alcohol day, he found disbelief and doubt about the public interest. He is now in conversations with the local leaders of Boston and believes that there is finally enough interest and support to expand next year.
People usually seem more interested in being healthier, Sciflo said. That includes how they choose to spend their vacation.
“The dangers and alcohol traps are well documented when they are not used in a responsible manner,” he said. “We have a young intelligent generation focused on health and well -being. And I think that is a great thing. “
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Krusei reported from Nashville, Tennessee, and Willingham reported from Charleston, West Virginia. Amelia Thomson Deveaux in Washington DC contributed.
