Haggis Time: Where to Celebrate Robert Burns Night

Let other poets raise a fracas
'Bout vines, an' wines, an' drucken Bacchus,
An' crabbit names an' stories wrack us,
An' grate our lug:
I sing the juice Scotch bear can mak us,
In glass or jug!
— Robert Burns, 1759 – 1796

Poet Robert Burns, Scotland’s favourite son, had an unmatched knack for spinning words into golden verse that in many instances celebrated the food and drink of his birthplace. So it’s no wonder that every year on his birthday, January 25, folks all over the world gather together in his honor for Robert Burns suppers, where they enjoy copious amounts of Scotch, haggis and readings of the “Ploughman Poet’s” highly revered works. If this sounds like fun to you, check where you can get in on the action this week.

Victoria Freehouse: The Old City anglophile bar and restaurant has the requisite Scotch (available in flights for $20), and haggis (as part of a $30, three-course dinner) lined up for its Burns Night party. And to complete the picture, they will also have live bagpipers piping. The fun starts at 7 PM.

World Cafe Live: For its annual Burns Night bash, the University City live music venue, bar and restaurant is pulling out all the stops. The supper will include a scotch whisky tasting, a haggis procession coinciding with a recitation of the poet’s Address to a Haggis, and live music courtesy of The Jameson Sisters.

Sly Fox Brewhouse & Eatery: For the brewery’s Phoenixville-based pub and restaurant, the annual Burns Night festivities serve as the first of the many events it has lined up for the year. It’s also when seasonal brews Burns Scottish Export Ale and Gang Aft Agley Scotch Ale make their debut. Bag pipes will pipe and Address to a Haggis will be read as the ceremonial haggis arrives. Guests dressed in kilts will be rewarded a free pint, and prizes will be awarded to the men and women who sport the best ones.

Photo: Flickr user tessawatson