In many ways, a city like Buffalo needs Irish pubs more than anywhere. The economy in Buffalo often struggles and the weather can force people inside. The best Irish pubs provide a welcoming, affordable and fun experience where you can go to forget the elements outside and realities of everyday life and just enjoy great food, beer and the company of friends and strangers.There will be live Irish music by Bostonians Pasty & John. They'll roll out the Authentic Beamish Irish Stout, Seamus Irish Red Ale & O'Reilly's Irish Stout from Sly Fox Brewery in Phoenixville in addition to Chocolate Leprechauns. Hearty Irish dishes including Bangers & Mashed (Irish sausage and mashed potatoes), Shepherd's Pie, Irish slow cooked lamb stew and Corned Beef with Cabbage. (through March) will be served.Crock pot chicken tortilla soup -- There's nothing like a warm, spicy bowl of chicken tortilla soup before or while watching the big game. Stephanie from A Year of slow cooked lamb casserole Cooking has a simple recipe that's a snap to throw together the morning of the game. Serve with homemade tortilla chips for extra savings.Bacon Bits: You can use real bacon slices crumbled or get the bacon bits you would find near the spices. As a matter of fact most stores now sell precooked bacon. Either way, bacon goes great with potatoes and you can even add some sour cream or cheddar cheese if you wish.There are only a few ingredients that you need to get started. The stew contains 4 small onions-quartered, 6 cloves of garlic-peeled, 1 pound of carrots-cut in two inch chunks, 2 pounds of chicken thighs-skin removed, a handful of fresh thyme, 1-1/2 pounds of red bliss potatoes-washed and quartered, 2 handfuls of trimmed green beans, salt, pepper and hot pepper sauce to taste. In a large pot, add onions, carrots, garlic, chicken, thyme, salt and pepper. Add cold water to cover ingredients, bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer. Skim off any scum that comes to the top.One example of a dish that is fun to make and delicious as well as beautiful are gyros. This recipe features lamb stew meat as opposed to the standard ground lamb for an easier preparation*, but still the same effect: Delicious, savory lamb that your kids will fall for.The recipe comes from Anna Morse, who was a member of a locally-famous group of women who rode the train in and out of Boston during the Fifties and Sixties. They came to call themselves the Railroad Club and swapped recipes, many of which were saved and passed along.After the lamb stew electric pressure cooker, scones and boiled potatoes are washed down with green beer, relaxation and fun is in order. Gather around the TV to watch one of these classic Irish themed flicks.