Manhattan’s St. Patrick’s Parade Plans Brew in Midtown

Midtown’s Irish pubs plotted last night with Manhattan’s St. Patrick’s Day parade prep, hyping NYC’s greenest day. Organizer Lena Carter poured stout as 150 schemed at a bar off 5th, eyeing March 17. It’s borough cheer—free entry, plans galore, pure Irish vibe. A kid waved a flag; a pro mapped floats. ‘Manhattan greens—this starts it,’ Carter says, clinking glasses. The countdown’s on.

The meet’s annual—pre-parade, it’s tripled since last year, packing stools by 7 p.m. Carter’s a Hell’s Kitchen lifer; last night’s crowd hit max—pipes warmed up. A latecomer nabbed a corner; ideas flew—NYC grit glowed. The route’s set—5th Avenue’s the spine. #NYCStPats trended; Staten’s jealous.

Some groaned—’Too early,’ griped a sober suit, bolting out. Spills slicked—wiped fast; buzz held. A rival’s pitching a downtown bash, splitting shamrocks. Still, 200 stayed—green ruled. Midtown’s never schemed so Irish.

Carter’s pushing for more floats, maybe a block party if March bites. ‘NYC’s Irish—this owns it,’ she says, stacking coasters. The prep’s a Manhattan win—grit meets glee. Parade’s near; join the craic. Bring a hat—green’s king.