Ace Of Clubs -- Irish Green, Stouts, Ales Festive During Yuletide

It isn't St. Patrick's Day, but it is the 17th, which is close enough to ask:

"What's with all these Irish joints, anyway?"

Murphy's and Kell's have been around forever, but over the past year or so there seems to be a real proliferation of pubs of the Irish persuasion, especially those featuring live music.

The primary motif seems to be an overwhelming greenness and lots of stouts and ales. Some have darts or even a pool table, although those take a back seat to green with ale. And chalkboards. We're not really sure about the chalkboards, but there are a lot of chalkboards.

And why do so many seem to be in Ballard? We don't understand that either. But such are the mysteries of life. In the meantime, explore an Irish pub or two. They're especially festive around the Yuletide season.

Conor Byrne's, 5140 Ballard Ave. N.W., Ballard. Formerly the Owl Cafe and the newest Irish spot, Byrne's is definitely upgraded, comfortable and good natured. Live music on the weekends. 784-3640.

The Dubliner Pub, 3405 Fremont Ave. N. It's Fremont, it's funky. Lots of open-mike nights, more music on the weekend. 548-1505.

Kells, 1916 Post Alley, Pike Place Market. A tradition. Live Irish Wednesday through Saturday. 728-1916.

Murphy's Pub, 1928 N. 45th. Where the gaels wail in Wallingford. A classic, even if the site is relatively new. Music on the weekends. 634-2110.

The Old Pequliar, 1722 N.W. Market, Ballard. Noisy and cozy. Open mike during the week. 782-8886.

The Owl & Thistle, 808 Post. Actually owned by an Irish band! Spacious, close to the siren sound of the ferries. Open mike on Thursday, mostly Irish music on the weekends. 621-7777.

Old Town Music Hall, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., Ballard. Sometimes they have ENGLISH bands, but it's still a nice place with room to dance. 789-3599.

Of course, there's all those McHugh and McFinn and O'Shaughnessy places, too, although they tend to have only bagpipe music around Christmas - a pleasant thought - and face it, the best one is gone. Sigh.

Elsewhere: Tonight the Crocodile Cafe has the smooth but hard-driven Best Kissers In The World with the eccentric Chainsaw Kittens and Squirt. Annie Rose - yes, Annie Rose - returns with the Holy Cow Chorale at The Old Town Music Hall in Ballard. At the Weathered Wall it's Sage, (the newly signed) Satchel and Medicine Hat. The Shreds are at Doc Maynards, the Crazy 8's are at the Fenix Underground and the Beatniks are at the Ballard Firehouse. Lightweight bill of the night goes to the Colourbox for Rorshach Test, Cake, Rhino Humpers, Dog Superior and Hate Holiday.

Tomorrow try the Lemons, 50 Paces and Medelicious and Scootie Brown at the Colourbox, Gas Huffer, Meices (who have a new album "Greatest Bible Stories Ever Told") and Lorraine at the Croc; Guitar Slim at Chicago's; Rubber, Sick & Wrong, Drag and Couch at the Lake Union Pub and Fat James at Old Timer's.

Sunday: Honest. Iron Butterfly at the Ballard Firehouse. 7 Year Bitch, Zip Gun and Imij at the Croc and Riz returns to the Re-Bar. It's up to you.

And Steve Allen is back at Jazz Alley through tomorrow. Also at Jazz Alley, John Hicks and the Total Experience Gospel Choir will perform for kids from different children's agencies around Seattle on Tuesday and Wednesday (a different choir performs Thursday). The public is also invited. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.