When Birmingham residents want to dress up in green and celebrate the Irish, where do they go? According to Birmingham Patch's weekly poll, the choice is loud and clear: Dick O'Dow's.

Readers had a variety of bars, restaurants and St. Patrick's Day hotspots to choose from in What's the Best Place to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day — whether it was South Bar or Holy Name Catholic Church, which is is hosting its own Patricktide concert Saturday.

But it was Birmingham's only Irish pub that came out on top, garnering 11 out of the 16 votes submitted.

Open since 1996, Dick O'Dow's is known for its cozy atmosphere, Irish cooking and large bar area. On St. Patrick's Day, the bar and restaurant opens at 7 a.m. for those looking to indulge in an Irish breakfast — and maybe some early-morning Guinness as well.

"Coming to Dick O'Dow's is a family tradition," Sterling Heights resident Mike McDonough told Patch on St. Patrick's Day 2011 as he sipped his beer at 7:30 a.m. "I'm Irish so this is my seventh or eighth year."

This year, the McGlynns will perform at the bar beginning at 10 a.m. on St. Patrick's Day while Company of Stranger will perform from 2 p.m.-1 a.m.

Dick O'Dow's also has plenty of fans at its directory listing on Patch.

"Dick's really is authentic!" writes Clinton Baller in his review. "It is a genuine Guiness Pub imported from Great Britain and assembled by a local contractor. Great place! We're lucky to have it. And since the smoking ban, it's even better! Check out the streetside deck in warmer months."

Charlotte Eriksen, who grew up in Birmingham, agrees.

Who doesn't love Dick's?! The apple/brie app is really yummy and the car bombs are wonderful too," she writes in her review. "It's great for running into people and easy to strike up conversation with anyone."

Dick O'Dow's

• 160 W. Maple Rd.
• 248-642-1135

To see what other Birmingham businesses have been named a Readers' Choice favorite, check out What's the Best in Birmingham. Then, if you've got a favorite business in town, make sure you leave your reviews by visiting our Patch Places Directory.

Also, if you own a businesses in Birmingham, did you know you can claim your listing? Find out more at Business Owners: Learn How to Claim Your Listing.