What's more Scottish than a gathering of manly men in kilts, swashing beer 'round and devouring a stuffed sheep's stomach? Doing so while celebrating a great poet, that's what. The Scottish Bard, Robert Burns, is celebrated every year on or about his birthday, which just happens to be today. The Schlafly Tap Room (2100 Locust Street; 314-241-2337 or www.schlafly.com) does its absolute best to honor him with a reading of his "Address to a Haggis" before serving its best rendition of the dish, paired with delicious Schlafly Scotch Ale at 6 p.m. An hour of Scotch appetizers is served at 5 p.m., and lively danceable music from Duddy Breeks is at 7 p.m. The Scottish Arms (kilt-wearers year-round, mind you) also hosts Burns Night activities. Drinks of wassail and whisky are offered at 7 p.m. with bagpipe music, and Ally Nisbet's reads Burns' poem at 7:30, with rare whisky and cheese tasting to follow through 8:30 p.m. After the tasting, Old Burns and Scots songs galore are performed for your uninhibited dancing pleasure. The Scottish Arms is located at 8 South Sarah Street and can be contacted at 314-535-0551 or through their website at www.thescottisharms.com. Admission to both events is free, but you'll need money for food and drinks.
Tue., Jan. 25, 2011