What do you think of when you hear green beer, brats and bagpipes? If you haven’t been living under a rock for the past thousand years, then you know to say St. Patrick’s Day. It is a day to celebrate the life of Saint Patrick, a patron saint of Ireland. March 17, the day in which we celebrate the holiday, is believed to be the day that he died. But in America, St. Patrick’s Day gives many of us an excuse to gather in our favorite pub, dressed in green with shamrocks on our cheeks, drink beer and eat fantastic food.

Here is a guide to Irish pubs and bars in the Denver area so you can be sure to party like a true Irishman ... or at least try to!

If you want the true Irish bar experience, Nallen’s is it! In Ireland they would call this place a "bar," not a pub, because it doesn’t serve food. As soon as you walk in, you feel like you are right in the heart of Ireland, without the accents! Be sure to check this Denver favorite out while you’re downtown.

If you’re looking for more of an upscale, "Dublin-Temple Bar" type pub with a true Irish Pub vide, you can’t beat Fado. With the occassional live band, great Fish & Chips and Corned Beef, and even a cobble stone walkway, anyone can enjoy this fantastic Irish experience.

For a great Tech Center-area Irish experience, Darcy’s has excellent, consistently above average food, a nice environment, good vibe, and good specials. According to Denver City Search, this St. Patrick’s Day hotspot gets 4 1/2 stars from customers.

One of the favorite true "pub" experiences is The Irish Rover on South Broadway. They have very authentic low-key pub décor, good pub food like fish and chips, good drink specials and a fun crowd.

Another great St. Patrick’s Day getaway is Celtic Tavern. It is smack-dab in the middle of Denver and a perfect place to get a great selection of Irish beer. With a bar in the middle of the bar and plenty of room for a large group, Celtic Tavern allows their vistors to soak up the Irish experience.