St. Patrick's Day isn't about sitting quietly and listening to Irish music; it's about singing and dancing along.

That's the philosophy at McGuire's Irish Restaurant, where Rudy Kezele and his accordion have entertained St. Patrick's Day crowds for two decades now. Kezele, a spry 76, says he and bar manager Jeanne Dyke have always encouraged people to join in.

"We try to keep it fun," he says. "I have lyrics that I pass out so they can sing different songs. We have an open mike."

McGuire's, Yakima's only Irish restaurant, gets so full on St. Patrick's Day that Dyke has to count heads so she knows when she can let more people in. They come for the restaurant's corned beef and cabbage, shepherd's pie and bubble and squeak (a sausage and vegetable dish). And they come for the green beer, Irish whiskey and Guinness.

But most of all, they come for Rudy Kezele.

"Everybody is happy-go-lucky," Dyke says. "They're having a good time. They're doing their Irish jigs. They're celebrating."

The fact that St. Patrick's Day is midweek this year instead of on a Friday or Saturday "doesn't make a bit of difference," she says. McGuire's, at 4807 Tieton Drive, will be jam-packed as always.

The Yakima Sports Center likewise expects a busy night, co-owner Chris Malland says.

"It's pretty big," he says. "I didn't really expect it last year, because it was a Tuesday or something and we're not an Irish pub. But we were packed, open to close."

The Sports Center makes up for not being an Irish pub by trying its best to fake it on St. Patrick's Day. The Yakima Avenue bar and grill, known primarily for its live music on the weekends, will have Irish-themed food and drink specials and will have Irish music playing all day.

"And we're going to have Irish movies playing on some of the TVs," Malland says, mentioning the 1999 cult favorite "The Boondock Saints" as one possibility.

"It will definitely be busy, and we'll definitely be celebrating the holiday," he says.

* Pat Muir can be reached at 509-577-7693 or pmuir@yakimaherald.com.