Legend has it that St. Patrick banished snakes from Ireland while standing on a hilltop holding a wooden staff. By this stance, the snakes were driven into the sea never to return to the emerald isle again. One part left out of the legend is that, while St. Patrick may have had a wooden staff in one hand, he had a pint of Guinness in the other (I made that up, people - please no letters). Another St. Patrick's Day has come and gone, but if you're still looking for a place to flash your green, here are few local pubs that hold up the Irish spirit all year long.

Carroll's Bar & Restaurant has been bringing a touch of Ireland to Rochester since 1976. Just off of Culver on East Main, Carroll's is probably about authentic as you can get in these parts, thanks in large part to owner Jo Carroll, who is originally from Ireland. The minute you walk in you're greeted with a friendly "Hello," not by just the people who work there but by the patrons as well. The pub is a comfortable and warm little spot where you and your friends (or neighbors) can meet and relax. Carroll's has nice little beer selection, nothing too fancy, but just enough to wet your whistle. If you're looking for Celtic music to go along with your pint, you may be out of luck. But pop in on Monday nights and you never know what might happen (wink, wink, nudge, nudge.) Carroll's Bar & Restaurant is located at 1768 E Main St., and is open Monday-Thursday 4 p.m.-2 a.m., Friday 3 p.m.-2 a.m., Saturday-Sunday noon-2 a.m. For more information call 288-9631. For more photos of Carroll's, click here.

McGinnity's Restaurant & Party House is another local institution that has been around for more than 35 years. Located on West Ridge Road, McGinnity's looks as if it has been around long before even Kodak was conceived. The bar and surrounding dining area is dressed in dark wood and dim lighting, which gives the place a certain old-world charm and intimate atmosphere that everyone can enjoy. This bar also keeps it simple with a familiar selection of beers and a complete lunch and dinner menu (including corned beef and cabbage) to keep the customers coming back. McGinnity's offers something a little different by way of entertainment on Wednesday evenings: Irish dancing. McGinnity's Restaurant & Party House is located at 534 W Ridge Rd, and is open Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-2 a.m., Saturday 4 p.m.-2 a.m., and Sunday 6 p.m.-2 a.m.

Johnny's Irish Pub is tucked away in the Culver/Merchants part of town, and has been showing its green pride since 1997. The bar area is big but cozy at the same time, and it has that friendly neighborhood pub-like quality to it. Johnny's still holds a lot of the old charm of the building it's based in, with the brick floor and tin ceiling, along with a few modern twists. The bar carries an array of beers, but what it's really known for is music. The pub offers up live music almost every night of the week, including an Irish music session beginning at 5 p.m. on the last Sunday of every month. Johnny's Irish Pub is located at 1382 Culver Rd., and opens daily at 4 p.m. (2:30 p.m. on Fridays) and stays that way until close (exactly when varies at Johnny's). For more information call 224-0990, or go to johnnysirishpub.com (for music information, check johnnyslivemusic.com).

New on the scene

There are a couple of newly opened spots around that also have a touch of the Irish. If you're looking for a new drinking spot to hang your shamrock on, here are a couple of suggestions.

Irish Rover opened in the village of Webster in January of this year. An intimate little spot with a hard-wood interior and soft lighting, it gives off a comfy vibe as soon as you walk in. A bit more of an upscale Irish pub, Irish Rover still maintains a friendly atmosphere while offering good beer and good food. The pub has the "beer trinity" on tap, as owner Jonathan Hillengras says, with Guinness, Harp, and Smithwick's. The pub also offers a variety of specialty sandwiches, along with bacon-wrapped scallops and "Irish nachos" made with kettle chips, cheese, tomatoes, and jalapenos. Irish Rover also has live music (sometimes leaning toward the Celtic side) on Friday and Saturday nights beginning at 9 p.m. ($2-$3 cover). Irish Rover is located at 7 W Main St. in Webster, and is open Monday-Friday 2 p.m.-2 a.m. and Saturday 4 p.m.-2 a.m. For more information call 545-4035.

McKenzie's Irish Pub seems to be a combination college/sports bar and pub, which fits its location in Henrietta near RIT. McKenzie's opened in the Tipsy McStaggers space in February under a new name and new management. The bar area is open with plenty of light coming through the large windows that surround the building. The pub provides plenty of activities for its patrons, including a pool table, darts, several TVs, and live music every Saturday night with a $5 cover at the door. McKenzie's also has a wide selection of beers, including McSorley's, Woodchuck Amber, and Newcastle, and a food menu with items such as the Mile High Manwich and Inferno Chicken sandwich. McKenzie's Irish Pub is located at 3685 W Henrietta Rd., and is open Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-2 a.m. and Saturday-Sunday noon-2 a.m. For more information call 334-8970 or visit mckenziesirishpub.com.