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You're in luck: St. Patrick's Day parties in Tampa Bay

 
The Hillsborough River will flow green Saturday as part of the Mayor’s River O’Green Fest at Curtis Hixon Park. (Times, 2018)
The Hillsborough River will flow green Saturday as part of the Mayor’s River O’Green Fest at Curtis Hixon Park. (Times, 2018)
Published March 12, 2019

Though St. Patrick's Day falls on Sunday this year, luck is on your side. This whole week is awash in green parades, green beer and even a green river. Here are the top parties, from family-friendly affairs to raucous adult throwdowns.

Mayor's River O'Green Fest

Tampa will once again dye the Hillsborough River a deep shade of kelly green and Mayor Bob Buckhorn will officially open the River O'Green Festival at Curtis Hixon Park with music by Irish Buskers and Paddy O'Furniture. There will also be food trucks, beer, a family scavenger hunt, leprechaun costume contest, cabbage toss, corn hole and bicycle valet parking. 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Saturday. 600 N Ashley Drive, Tampa. Free. (813) 221-3686.

Rough Riders St. Patrick's Day Parade

For more than 40 years, Tampa's krewe of the Rough Riders has paid homage to the Teddy Roosevelt regiment by hosting the annual St. Patrick's Day parade, held every year on the Saturday before Paddy's Day in Ybor City. The Rough Riders played an instrumental role in the Spanish-American War when they sailed from Tampa to liberate Cuba from Spain. So look for their float, with krewe members dressed as Teddy's regiment, to lead a parade filled with krewes and bands from across Florida, tossing tons of green beads as floats and marching units pass by. Avoid parking by taking the trolley to the parade. It steps off at 8 p.m. Saturday at E Seventh Avenue and N 14th Street in Tampa. Free, $30 bleacher seating available. tamparoughriders.org.

St. Puppy's Day

Bring your four-legged friend to this St. Patrick's Day party for dogs with Irish dancers, a pet costume contest and adoptable dogs on site. 2 p.m. Saturday. Dubliner Irish Pub, 2307 W Azeele St., Tampa. Free. (813) 258-2257.

Parties

PINELLAS

Downtown St. Pete Block Party

In celebration of St. Patrick's Day, this block party on Central Avenue features beer tents, food vendors, live bands, stilt walkers, Irish dancers and costume contests for cash prizes. Noon Saturday. DTSP Block Party, 200 block of Central Avenue, St. Petersburg. Free, $80-$100 VIP. (727) 898-4888. dtspblockparty.com.

Courigan's

The road is blocked off at 8 a.m. for the 14th annual block party with a semitrailer truck that converts into a 40-seat outdoor bar, live music, charcoal grill, corn hole, beer truck, mobile bars and Irish food inside. 10 a.m.-3 a.m. Sunday. Courigan's Irish Pub, 1 Beach Drive SE, St. Petersburg. No cover (food/drink additional). (727) 551-9019.

Mastry's Brewing

Dance to DJ music and music by the TreeFactor as you enjoy beer specials and Irish food from the Kitchen Food Truck. 2 p.m. Friday, noon Saturday and Sunday. 7701 Blind Pass Road, St. Pete Beach. No cover (food/drink additional). (727) 202-8045.

Caddy's Gulfport

Caddy's celebrates all weekend with music by Casey Allen (Friday), Ed John and Dosage Tampa Bay (Saturday) and Chris Walker and MacGilliossa (Sunday). 4 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. 3128 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport. Free (food/drink additional). (727) 433-2706.

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Caddy's Indian Shores

Bagpipers and live music. 4 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. 20025 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores. Free (food/drink additional). (727) 433-2706.

Caddy's on Central

Bagpipers and music by Carlos and Joe (Friday), Doug South (Saturday) and Southern Yankees (Sunday). 4 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. 217 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Free (food/drink additional). (727) 433-2706.

Caddy's Treasure Island

Bagpipers and live music. 4 p.m. Friday-Sunday. 9000 W Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island. Free. (727) 433-2706.

Yard of Ale St. Pete

Live music and drink specials. 4 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. Yard of Ale St. Pete, 260 First Ave. N. Free (food/drink additional). (727) 433-2706.

MacDinton's St. Pete

A three-day party with traditional Irish food, drink specials, live music and bagpipers. 5 p.m. Friday-Sunday. MacDinton's Irish Pub St. Petersburg, 242 First Ave. N. No cover (food/drink additional). (727) 201-9783.

Lucky Dill

Multiple days of Irish food, step dancers, bagpipers, DJ dancing, a fire hula dance and music by the Irish Ramblers, Damien and Kenny, Serenading the Moon and Paddy O'Furniture. Noon Thursday-Sunday. 33180 U.S. 19 N, Palm Harbor. No cover. (727) 789-5574.

Peggy O's

Green beer, bagpipers, Celtic dancers and leprechaun shenanigans. The music lineup includes Doyles Revenge, Black Honkeys and I Heart Cats (Friday); Audio Star, Stormbringer, Frank Dancey and Frankie Raye (Saturday); and Dennis Penars, Denny Dwyer, Celtic Conundrum, the Dunedin Pipe Band, Larry Castle, Lie Low and Jeriko Turnpike (Sunday). 6 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. Sunday. 1026 Florida Ave., Palm Harbor. $5 Friday-Saturday, no cover Sunday. (727) 787-7734.

Cricketers

A three-day parking lot party with seven bands on an outdoor stage, full liquor bars, a beer truck, food, a raffle and a Lucky Paws pet adoption event. Benefits the Suncoast Animal League. 8 p.m. Friday, noon Saturday-Sunday. 2634 Bayshore Blvd., Dunedin. No cover (food/drink additional). (727) 736-1322.

Flanagan's

A weekend-long party with two stages of live music, 10,000 gallons of beer, 1,000 pounds of corned beef, bagpipers, street vendors and Irish-themed drinks. 11 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. Flanagan's Irish Pub, 465 Main St., Dunedin. No cover (food/drink additional). (727) 401-3477. <URL destination="http://dunedingov.com ">dunedingov.com.

"Luck of the Irish" St. Paddy's Bar Crawl

Dress in green and pick up your "pot of gold" wristband for this 11-stop bar scavenge with drink specials. 11 a.m. Saturday. Crafty Squirrel, 259 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $15. (727) 898-4888.

O'Keefe's Festival

For the 39th year, O'Keefe's cranks up St. Patrick's Day another notch with live bands, bagpipers, Irish dancers, face painting, costume contests, rock painting and children's activities. The party goes until 1 a.m. Saturday and 2 a.m. Sunday. Noon Saturday, 11 a.m. Sunday. O'Keefe's Tavern and Grille, 1219 S Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater. $5. (727) 442-9034.

St. Pete Patrick's Crawl: Lucked Up

Wear green and follow the crawl app to "get lit" with drink specials at 10 stops along the crawl. 4 p.m. Saturday. Park and Rec, 100 Fourth St. S, St. Petersburg. $15. (727) 245-9100.

O'Maddy's

O'Maddy's St. Patrick's Day party annually spills out into the street with green beer. There will be music by Pete and Dean, the Kingpin Band and the Josh Cruz Experience and corned beef and cabbage (until it's gone). 11 a.m. Sunday. 5405 Shore Blvd., Gulfport. No cover (food/drink additional). (727) 323-8643.

3 Daughters Brewing

All-inclusive party featuring green beer, music by Clover's Revenge, a corned beef meal, two drinks, a souvenir pint glass and a costume contest. 1 p.m. Sunday. 3 Daughters Brewing, 222 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg. $30. (727) 495-6002.

Hofbrauhaus

Celebrate in an authentic beer garden with German bier, schnitzel, pretzels and sausages. 5 p.m. Sunday. 123 Fourth St. S, St. Petersburg. No cover (food/drink additional). (727) 898-3333.

Tent Party

It takes six tents to house this party with green beer, food trucks, a light/video show and dancing to music by Flyte Band. 6 p.m. Sunday. Finley's Irish Pub & Eatery, 13477 S Belcher Road, Largo. $5. (727) 535-7858.

Beach House Party

Dutch DJ Fadil El Ghoul, better known as R3HAB, plays. 7 p.m. Sunday. Shephard's Beach Resort, 619 S Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater. $15. (727) 442-5107.

Shamrock 'N Roll

Wear anything green on this five-stop motorcycle poker run and you get an extra hand free. Stops include the American Legion, Hennessey's, Kings Seat, Eagles Nest and Pinehurst Pub. 4 p.m. Saturday. American Legion Post 238, 900 Main St., Safety Harbor. $5 one hand, $10 three. (727) 726-9601.

Sacred Lands

The Native American burial mound takes on a Celtic style with Irish, Scottish and maritime music by Guinness. 7 p.m. Saturday. 1700 Park St. N, St. Petersburg. $15. (727) 367-3592.

Irish Tenor Emmet Cahill

Ireland's young tenor presents a collection of traditional Irish songs, church hymns and Broadway tunes with the church choir. 7:30 p.m. Friday. St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 1955 S Belcher Road, Clearwater. $30. (727) 531-7721. emmetcahilltours.ticketleap.com.

HILLSBOROUGH

River O'Green Scavenger Hunt

As part of the River O'Green Festival, assemble a team of up to five people (costumes encouraged) and solve 20 riddles or tasks. Registration starts at noon in Curtis Hixon Park and the competition starts at 4 p.m. Teams can finish anytime between 8 and 10 p.m. Entry is $20 per person with proceeds benefiting Meals on Wheels of Tampa. You can enter individually or as a team of two to five people. Includes beads, free streetcar rides, games and food and drink specials at participating locations. Noon-7 p.m. Saturday. 600 N Ashley Drive, Tampa. (813) 221-3686.

Yard of Ale Soho

There will be live music and Irish-themed drink specials all weekend. 4 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. 406 S Howard Ave., Tampa. Free (food/drink additional). (727) 433-2706.

MacDinton's Tampa

Traditional Irish food, drinks, live music and bagpipers (Saturday-Sunday only). 4 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. 405 S Howard Ave., Tampa. Free (food/drink additional). (813) 251-8999.

Dubliner Trifecta

A three-day trifecta starting with a free collectors glass with every Guinness purchase Friday while supplies last. Saturday is St. Puppy's Day (2-6 p.m.), St. Patrick's Day for dogs with Irish dancers. Sunday features an authentic, imported Irish brunch (10 a.m.-2 p.m.), followed by Irish dancers, corned beef and cabbage, green beer, bagpipe music, games and giveaways. 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. Sunday. 2307 W Azeele St., Tampa. (813) 258-2257.

Jump Start Pub Crawl

Start early with the Rough Riders. 6:30 p.m. Friday. Zydeco Brew Werks, 1902 E Seventh Ave., Tampa. $25. (813) 248-1898.

Parade Pre-Game

Tailgate party with unlimited food, green beer and liquor. 10 a.m. Saturday. 5 Star Dive Bar, 1811 N 15th St., Tampa. $25. (813) 337-0282.

Armature Works

A full day of events on the front lawn with Irish step dancers, Irish music, paint the river green, a paddleboard popup, drinks from the Monkey Mixer Whiskey Cocktail Truck and corned beef and cabbage. 10 a.m. Saturday. 1910 N Ola Ave., Tampa. No cover (food/drink additional). (813) 250-3725.

American Social

Dock party featuring live music, DJ dancing and tailgate games including Jenga, corn hole and life-sized beer pong. 1 p.m. Saturday. 601 S Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa. No cover (food/drink additional). (813) 605-3333.

Lucky Drag at Bradley's

The bar opens at 2 p.m. with dancing to music by DJs Charles Machado and Steve Vaughn, parade viewing at 7 p.m. and drag shows by Kathryn Nevets, Kori Stevens and Felicity Lane (11:30 p.m. and 1:15 a.m.). 2 p.m. Saturday. Bradley's on 7th, 1510 E Seventh Ave., Tampa. No cover (food/drink additional). (813) 241-2723.

Crowbar

Music by Jetter, Scapeghost, TRC and Rototiller. Free Jetter merchandise to everyone wearing green (while supplies last). 7 p.m. Saturday. Crowbar Ybor City, 1812 N 17th St., Tampa. $8-$10. (813) 241-8600. crowbarybor.com.

Paddyfest: Saturday Street Festival

The street is closed down and overflows with a massive lineup of bands, games and everything green. Noon Saturday. Irish 31, 1611 W Swann Ave., Tampa. $20, 12 and younger free. (813) 250-0031.

Paddyfest: Sunday Funday

Music by Seven Nations and the Actual Bank Robbers, corn hole tournaments, a flip cup contest and trash can beer pong. 11 a.m. Sunday. Irish 31, 1611 W Swann Ave., Tampa. $10. (813) 250-0031.

O'Brien's

The 28th annual indoor-outdoor party with Irish step dancers and music by the Wyndbreakers (11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4-8 p.m.), Liam McAndrew (noon-4 p.m.), the Dunedin Pipe and Drum Band (8 p.m.), Mixed Signal (3:30-7:30 p.m.), Phoenix (8:30 p.m.) and Celebrity Romance (8:30 p.m.). 11 a.m. Sunday. O'Brien's Irish Pub, 15435 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. $10 after 1 p.m. (813) 968-4092.

Irish Banger

Costume contest and DJ dancing until 2:30 a.m. 8 p.m. Sunday. Pegasus Night Club, 14811 N Florida Ave., Tampa. $5 advance, $10 at the door. (813) 971-1679.

St. Patrick's Day Cruise

Two-hour lunch cruise including complimentary green beer, cash bar, DJ dancing and an Irish buffet. Noon Sunday. Yacht StarShip, 603 Channelside Drive, Tampa. $49.95, $39.95 children. (813) 223-7999.

Family

PINELLAS

St. Patrick's Day Craft

Ages 12 and younger can make a themed craft. 10 a.m. Friday. Safety Harbor Library, 101 Second St. N. Free. (727) 724-1525.

Lucky Paws

A pet adoption event with music by MClean Mannix and a raffle. Benefits the Suncoast Animal League. 11 a.m. Saturday. Cricketers Dunedin, 2634 Bayshore Blvd. No cover. (727) 736-1322.

Town of Indian Shores Festival

Green is the color of the day for this festival with arts and crafts vendors, beer, wine, corned beef and cabbage, music by DJ Dan Bauer and a nonperishable food drive. 11 a.m. Saturday. Indian Shores Town Hall, 19305 Gulf Blvd. Free (food/drink additional). (727) 595-4020.

Wentworth's Family Party

Bounce house, face painting, green beer ($3), Irish drink specials, an Irish buffet ($15.95) and music by Kimi Tortuga, Scott Fallon and Nightly Brew. Noon Sunday. Mulligan's Irish Pub at Wentworth Golf Club, 2990 Wentworth Way, Tarpon Springs. Free, $5 after 1 p.m. (727) 942-4760.

HILLSBOROUGH

St. Patrick's Day Dance Extravaganza

A bit of holiday dancing with the Gilleoghan Irish Dancers. 2 p.m. Saturday. Glazer Children's Museum, 110 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa. Included with admission. (813) 443-3861. glazermuseum.org.

Picnic in the Park

A friendly leprechaun wanders the park sharing the "luck of the Irish" as you enjoy stilt walkers, Victorian sporting games, vintage impersonators and performances by the Tampa Community Band, Bits 'N Pieces Puppet Theatre, Tampa Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, Ovation!, the Flexible Four Barbershop Quartet and Upstairs/Downstairs Theater. 10 a.m. Sunday. Henry B. Plant Park, 401 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. Free. (813) 258-7302.