Staten Island’s St. Patrick’s Prep Kicks Off in West Brighton

West Brighton buzzed last night with Staten Island’s St. Patrick’s Day prep party, warming NYC for the green. Organizer Mia Chen poured pints as 150 danced at a pub off Forest Avenue. It’s borough cheer—$10 cover, live Irish tunes, pure SI vibe. A kid waved a shamrock; a pro jigged wild. ‘Staten goes green—this is it,’ Chen says, tapping kegs. The countdown’s on.

The bash’s annual—pre-parade, it’s doubled since last year’s start. Chen’s a Richmond planner; last night’s crowd hit max—fiddles wailed. A latecomer snagged a stool; Guinness flowed—NYC grit glowed. The pub’s cozy—ferry riders packed it. #SIStPats trended; Manhattan’s eyeing the craic.

Some groaned—’Too loud,’ griped a neighbor, earplugs out. Spills stained—mopped fast; party rolled. A rival’s pitching a Tottenville fest, splitting shamrocks. Still, 200 begged in—green ruled. West Brighton’s never jigged so hard.

Chen’s pushing for parade floats, maybe a block bash if March bites. ‘NYC’s Irish—this starts it,’ she says, pouring stout. The prep’s a Staten win—grit meets glee. St. Pat’s is near; join the reel. Bring a hat—green’s king.