Slainte! Spring is in the air, and visions of shamrocks are dancing through our heads. With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, we’re looking at some of the best ways to celebrate the holiday.
While plenty of places will be hosting parties and pouring green beer – and we support them all! – in order to narrow down the list a bit, we’re looking at three big ways to truly enjoy an authentically Irish experience in downtown St. Pete, from food and drink to music and history (and depending on your preferences, back to drink again). This is all about where to find corned beef, nitro Guinness, pipers, dancers and more, all without leaving downtown.
2nd Annual St. Petersburg Paddy Fest
When: Saturday and Sunday, March 16 and 17, 12-9 pm
Where: Williams Park, 350 2nd Avenue North
What: The biggest St. Patrick’s Day party in St. Pete history is taking over Williams Park for two full days of free and family-friendly fun. After last year’s success, organizers have doubled down and opened the party up to everyone. In addition to all the food and drink, there will be kid’s game areas, the massive Modern Shore Kids Zone with tons of inflatables and special appearances by local mascots.
The entire weekend is a celebration of all things Celtic, complete with tons of Irish food (corned beef, anyone?), Irish whiskey and beer, and live Irish music, including multiple sets from the world champion Dunedin Pipe Band. Tullamore DEW will be a highlight for whiskey enthusiasts, and JJ Taylor will be on hand pouring proper pints of Guinness.
A new highlight this year is a 7,500 square foot Celtic Games exhibition, where festival attendees are invited to try the traditional games themselves while also enjoying professional performances from the foundation of Scottish Athletes.
Check out their website for the full schedule of events.
Mary Margaret’s Olde Irish Tavern
When: Saturday and Sunday, March 16 and 17, 9 am – 3 am
Where: Mary Margaret’s, 29 3rd Street North
What: Downtown St. Pete’s only Irish bar is hosting its 5th annual St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Celebration, and we can speak from experience: this is the party you want to go to if you want all things Irish, raucous, and wonderful. Mary’s always has fantastic Irish food and drink as it is, but they go all out for St. Paddy’s with food and drink specials, as well as live Irish music all day and night both days. Don’t miss the bagpipers, and keep an eye out for giveaways all weekend.
Oh, and Mary Margaret’s is serving full Irish breakfast starting at 9 am both days, an excellent option for catching Six Nations Rugby and FA Cup soccer.
8th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Block Party
When: Sunday, March 17, 11:30 am – 3 am
Where: The Galley and The Ship’s Hold, 27 4th Street North
What: For nearly a decade, this has been downtown’s “legit local” St. Paddy’s party, and even with all the action throughout the neighborhood, that tradition will be carried on. Hosted at (and outside) The Galley and The Ship’s Hold, the block party features live music all day, fantastic specials on Irish food, beers, and spirits, and even more bagpipers. Pro tip: the block party is actually just the grand finale of The Galley’s annual Week of St. Patrick’s, so you can catch the food, drink and merriment all week long starting Monday, running 3/11-3/17.
Of note: The Galley is the official after party of Paddy Fest, so you know the party will continue into the wee hours. Galley is also serving up Irish brunch Saturday and Sunday until 2 pm, starting as early as 10 am on Sunday – St. Pat’s proper.
Check out more details here.
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