Just as much an annual tradition as wearing green and hoisting a pint of Guinness in celebration of St. Patrick's Day is simply finding a pub where you won't have to pay an exorbitant cover charge for the right to do so.

While many of Boston's time-honored Irish pubs will have covers today starting as little as $5, a host of other establishments including The Bleacher Bar (right), Kinsale, The Pour House (re-named the McPour House for the day), and Grafton St. Pub in Harvard Square, are eschewing the extra charge. All, of course, will have traditional Irish music playing and corned beef and cabbage on hand all day long.

As for the best place to grab a Guinness, regardless of cover charge, it's tough to argue with The Burren in Somerville's Davis Square.

For more information on local St. Patrick's Day events, including St. Patrick's Day at The Children's Museum, the Young Active Professionals' Irish whiskey class, and the upcoming Irish Film Showcase, check out our calendar.

Cover-Free Pubs on St. Patrick's Day originally appeared on About.com Boston on Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 at 07:09:25.

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The rain has mercifully ended, but an enormous amount of cleanup still lies ahead for the area.

Gov. Deval Patrick declared a statewide state of emergency yesterday after Massachusetts was hammered by a Nor'easter for three straight days, leaving behind massive floods. The state's web site has posted a number of flooding safety tips for residents still bailing out from the heavy rain, as well as updated road closures and MBTA service interruptions.

More than 10 inches of rain fell in some parts of the state. According to the National Weather Service, had that amount translated into snow, we'd be looking at somewhere in the vicinity of 80 inches. That's just about three inches shorter than Celtics forward Kevin Garnett.

The good news: Spring-like temperatures return to the Boston area for the remainder of the week.

Photo courtesy Eugena Ossi/Governor's Office

State Continues To Clean Up Following Storm originally appeared on About.com Boston on Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 at 14:46:20.

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In addition to major discounts on some of the city's finest dining establishments, this year's Boston Restaurant Week - which begins today - is also offering half-price theater and concert tickets, as well as special hotel packages.

There will even be discounted parking in select Boston and Cambridge garages.

This, of course, is in addition to Restaurant Week's main attraction: The opportunity to purchase two-course lunches for $15.10, three-course lunches for $20.10 and three-course dinners for $33.10 at participating restaurants.

For more details, check out our Guide to Boston Restaurant Week.

More Than Meal Deals During Boston Restaurant Week originally appeared on About.com Boston on Sunday, March 14th, 2010 at 10:16:15.

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Despite the forecast for soggy weather Sunday, the show will go on in South Boston, where the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade will take place as scheduled.

"We're going forward, rain or shine,'' police Superintendent in Chief Daniel Linskey told The Boston Globe. "Though we might have some wet police officers.''

Lindsey warned that Boston police will be cracking down on what he called a "Mardi Gras atmosphere." Anyone caught drinking in public will receive a $200 fine and may be arrested.

The National Weather Service is calling for a 100 percent chance of rain in Boston Sunday, amounting 1-2 inches, with winds gusting up to 46 miler per hour.

For more on the St. Patrick's Day Parade, click here. For more St. Patrick's Day events coming up this week, check out our events calendar.

Boston Won't Let Forecast Rain on Parade originally appeared on About.com Boston on Saturday, March 13th, 2010 at 08:09:42.

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Brookline native - and deposed host of NBC's "The Tonight Show" - Conan O'Brien announced today that he will embark on a 30-city comedy tour, including a stop in Boston. A second show in town was also added earlier today.

"Hey everybody!" O'Brien wrote on his Twitter account. "We just added a second night in Boston. I did this so my parents could come. And one of my brothers."

Billed as the "Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour," O'Brien will appear at the Wang Theater June 4 and 5. Tickets begin at $39.50. Those who want to have a meet-and-greet with Conan can upgrade to a $695 package that also includes front row orchestra pit seats, a pre-show cocktail reception, access to sound check, and more.

Not bad for a guy out of work.

Conan O'Brien Comedy Tour to Land in Boston originally appeared on About.com Boston on Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 16:00:07.

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Google Maps rolled out its long-awaited biking routes in 150 cities today, including Boston.

According to the L.A. Times, the feature is the result of an online ballot that included 50,000 signatures.

It's great news for dedicated cyclists, and according to some of the chatter today, the routes are pretty dependable. But the Christian Science Monitor raises a good point: How many bikers are going to be biking in city traffic and checking their phone to make sure they are following the correct route?

That's a recipe for disaster. Still, the biking routes are sure to be useful in more recreational areas.

Have you used Google Map's new bike routes in the city yet? Let us know how they were.

Google Maps Rolls Out Bike Routes originally appeared on About.com Boston on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 13:58:09.

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The year-long "Made in Massachusetts" series has a different theme for each month. This month's theme is "Crime and Courtroom" ("A Civil Action" and "Monument Ave." will also be screened in March), a genre that will continue through April. But in May, the focus will shift to local artists, including filmmakers who will discuss their work following the screenings.

There have yet to be any confirmed appearances, so keep checking the library's web site for updated information.

Mass. Appeal: Locally-Produced Films on Display at Boston Public Library originally appeared on About.com Boston on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 10:38:13.

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One of the most renowned St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the country, the annual South Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade attracts more than a half-million people every year. Hosted in one of Boston's most Irish neighborhoods, the parade features decorative floats, bagpipes, and marching bands from across America.

This year's celebration takes place March 14. To find out where to watch and how to get there, click here.

Guide to South Boston's St. Patrick's Day Parade originally appeared on About.com Boston on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at 20:16:31.

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Count me among the few who have yet to see "Avatar," James Cameron's groundbreaking, blockbuster film. That might finally change this weekend when the film makes its way to the largest screen in New England.

Beginning Friday, the 3-D experience of watching the Academy Award-nominated film for Best Picture will arrive at the New England Aquarium's Simons IMAX Theatre for a limited engagement. The millions have gone and seen "Avatar in its 3-D environment will tell you there is no other movie-watching experience quite like it.

Tickets are on sale now through the aquarium's web site. Adult admission is $12.95, children $10.95.

'Avatar' Lands at Boston's Simon IMAX originally appeared on About.com Boston on Thursday, March 4th, 2010 at 08:54:20.

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The liveliest of their quarterly affairs, Harpoon's annual St. Patrick's Festival takes place Friday (5:30-11 p.m.) and Saturday (2-9 p.m.) featuring live music from local U2 cover band The Joshua Tree and Dicey Riley. Food vendors will be selling corned beef and cabbage among other choices.

Oh, right, and beer. Cash bars will have IPA, UFO, and Celtic Ale on tap. And plenty of it.

The celebration takes place at the brewery (306 Northern Ave.) under giant circus tents, which is somewhat fitting. The $20 admission includes a souvenir cup and one drink ticket. Designated drivers receive complimentary non-alcoholic beverages.

Kick Off St. Patrick's Season With Harpoon originally appeared on About.com Boston on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 12:47:28.

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