Updated: March 20, 2009, 4:38 pm

St. Patrick's Day From Uptown To Downtown

By Edward Callaghan

John Wegorzewski, party host Patrick Duffy, and writer Edward Callaghan at SoHo
House Photo by PatrickMcMullan.com

New York City - Ahh, St. Patrick's Day in New York City, the Big Apple's answer to Mardi Gras. Bright colorfully clad drum majors, marching bands, school kids in their uniforms, more police officers and firemen than anywhere in the world - and everyone partying. The party starts with the commuter rails disgorging hordes of shamrock face painted, green haired revelers into Penn Station and Grand Central. But truth, and tradition, is the party for these kids begins early in the morning - on the trains despite the efforts of LIRR and Metro North officials - most of whom being Irish turn the other way when the revelers get started with a bit of "Irish coffee."

But beyond the partying, it's really all about the parade. On this day, everyone is Irish in the Big Apple as it has been for over two centuries! The parade marched for the first time on March 17, 1762 - 14 years before the Declaration of Independence was adopted and today it is the largest parade in the world. For the past 247 years, hundreds of thousands have marched each year in honor of the Patron Saint of Ireland and the Archdiocese of New York while literally millions watched from behind the barricades all along Fifth Avenue.

As it was in the early days, the parade today is still escorted by a unit of soldiers and for the past 150 years or so The Irish Infantry National Guard 69th Regiment have led the parade up Fifth Avenue. The company commander of the famous Fighting 69th usually leads with a pair of Irish Wolfhounds. For many years, that commander was this writer's father, the late Jack Callaghan, company commander!

An Irish storyteller holds listeners in thrall at SoHo House.

My own alma mater, All Hallows, a preparatory school founded by the Irish Christian Brothers, was the first school invited to march in the parade 100 years ago and this year scores of alumni joined with the students of the school, which has a 100 percent college admission record - and on scholarship no less!

Of course, following the parade there was a party with both All Hallows alumni and those of its now closed brother school Power Memorial Academy, launching pad for the all star career of Kareem Abdul Jabar. Many of the alumni had flown in from across the country including Chicagoian Tom Mullaney who "wouldn't miss this for the world." Mullaney, a major marketing guru in the world of classical music, had nothing but praise for the musical skills of the many participating high school and college bands marching so proudly. After the requisite corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, and Irish soda bread, we bade our farewells and headed down to Tribeca to check out how New York's hip scenesters and socialites celebrate the 'wearing of the green.'

Our destination was the ultra chic SoHo House, favorite hangout of the young international set where Bridgehampton's Gillian Hearst Simonds and Southampton's Steve Buccheit, of 'Guest of a Guest' fame were hosting, along with the dashing man about town Patrick Duffy, a special benefit for ACRIA, the extraordinary organization that has raised funds for and contributed to the development of more than a dozen medications that have received FDA approval, helping countless thousands of HIV-positive people live longer, healthier lives.

In the Gatsby-esque library of this denizen for the international chic set, there was the typically eclectic mix of downtown hipsters, Euros and Upper East Side socials, just the right blend for a festive toast to old St. Pat; only at SoHo House the toasts were champagne. When Duffy intoned that old Celtic toast, "Slainte" there was nary a green beer in sight. The consummate host, Patrick whirled arriving guests around the room to make sure everyone was introduced before hopping back to greet more arriving revellers.

Celebrity photographer and party host at Greenhouse, Patrick McMullan, who partied
all night with his camera in hand. Photo by John Wegorzewski

The mood, while festive, was elegantly low-key as befitting SoHo House until Patrick announced it was time for all the leprechauns to head on to the main event, celebrity photographer Patrick McMullan's annual birthday party over at - most appropriately - Greenhouse.

Back from her African trip for Operation Smile Lydia Hearst led the crowd out the doors and into waiting taxis. Joining her along the jaunt were dozens who frequent the Hamptons in the summer season including Adrien Field, Alexandra Alexis, Tara Church, Alessandra Balazs, Kristian LaLiberte, Carter Cramer, Sean Stevens, Annie Churchill, Lauren Gould, designer Zaldi and his posse, Malic so Chic, those Scallywag and Vagabond boys led by Southampton's Christopher Koulouris, Tim Bayly (St. Jude's Children's Hospital indefatigable fundraiser), and a whole host more.

Arriving at the corner of Varick and Vandam, we were met by an astounding sight - hundreds of guests on a line that snaked around the corner. Fortunately, the genial McMullan appeared out of the swirling mob and waved us up to the velvet ropes and whisked us into the sea of humanity that packed the trendy nightspot on every level. Folks were standing on the go-go platforms, on the banquettes and anywhere there was a place to put two feet. Luckily, we spotted our pal John Norwood, of Sag Harbor, firmly ensconced on a small platform which at that moment was prime real estate. John proudly pointed to the hand-crafted jeweled snake crawling up his lapel and said he "rescued the little bugger from under St. Patrick's feet."

Performers Brian Kenny in wrestler-wear and the fabulous Lady Fag put on a show
for the masses. Photo by John Wegorzewski

The whole scene was reminiscent of the hey-day of the legendary Studio 54 with go-go boys in Kelly green wrestling unitards working their grooves above the milling crowd. Getting to the bar where they were pouring premium Irish whiskey was no small feat and involved three people - one to carry and two to block. It was like being in the mob at the parade all over again.

The DJ was spinning the hottest tunes but it was definitely a "stand in place and gyrate" situation - no busting fancy moves or you would knock someone out. As always, Patrick's guests range from high-end designers to low rent trade to Page Six names and everything in between and this party was no exception. Seen sipping the free Irish whiskey were Paper Magazine's fashion maven Mickey Boardman, actress Monique Van Vooren with designer Geoffrey Bradfield who does all the "right" houses in the Hamptons, Sam Bolton, Lady Fag, Anita Sarko, party Empress Susanne Bartsch, Carmen D'Allessio, Randy Jones the original cowboy from the "Village People," and many more that we couldn't even reach. We did wave to Hamptons artist Julie Harvey who last showed at Peter Marcelle's gallery but couldn't get within an inch of her. Sorry, Julie!

At some point, we were sure that Patrick's son Liam McMullan took to the stage but by that time the noise level was at JFK airport levels and we sadly called it a night.

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