The day of green beer is back — where will you be knocking back a few? Check out some of your local bars for drink specials, musical entertainment and the chance to pinch a total stranger.
THROUGH MARCH 17
88 Keys The Piano Bar
2736 Virginia St., 713-520-7001
The Piano Bar is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with its specialty drink, the Leapin’ Leprechaun. Made from vodka, Midori and a splash of pineapple juice, the Leapin’ Leprechaun is perfect for sitting back, relaxing and listening to the dulcet tones of a piano.
March 10
Griff’s Shenanigans Cafe & Bar
3416 Roseland St.,
713-528-9912
Griff’s annual St. Paddy’s Day Queen Contest will begin at 7 p.m. under the tent. Judging will be based on natural beauty, poise, attire and personality. All contestants will have to apply; check-in starts at 5:30 p.m.
MARCH 11
The Goose’s Acre Bistro & Irish Pub
21 Waterway Ave., suite 140, 281-466-1502
The annual Sexy Kilt contest is back again this year. Men and women are welcome, so throw on a skirt for a chance to win one of the cash prizes awarded to first-, second- and third-place winners. The show starts at 11 p.m.; 21 and older. To sign up or for more information, contact Brandi at 281-466-1502.
MARCH 12
Brian O’Neill’s
5555 Morningside Dr. 713-522-2603
Brian O’Neill’s 3rd Annual Shamrock Shuffle will consist of the usual 5K Fun Run and 1K Kids Run benefiting the Houston Ronald McDonald House. The 5K run will start at 10 a.m., while the kids’ run starts at 10:30 a.m. Registration fees are $30 dollars until March 11, and $40 for same-day registration. The kids’ run costs $10 to register. There will be a St. Patrick’s Costume Contest with prizes for the best individual, team and dog costumes. There’ll also be a raffle; you get a free ticket with every 5K registration. First 300 5K registrations get a free T-shirt; all kids get finisher medals.
The Goose’s Acre Bistro & Irish Pub
21 Waterway Ave., suite 140, 281-466-1502
The Goose’s Acre Running Club will be hosting its very first Green Clover Fun Run for charity, with all proceeds going to St. Baldrick’s Foundation. This event benefits St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the second-largest funder of children’s cancer research in the U.S. To learn more about St. Baldrick’s, please visit www.stbaldricks.org.
Registration will take place on March 12 from 8 to 10 a.m. at The Goose’s Acre. The fun run is a 5K and will start at 10 a.m., while the children’s 1K will start at 10:30 a.m. Wearing green is highly encouraged, and runners are invited to stick around for a post party on The Goose’s patio. Registration fees are $20 though March 11, $35 day-of, and $10 for the kids’ run.
Griff’s Shenanigans Cafe & Bar
3416 Roseland St., 713-528-9912
Griff’s will be holding an Irish open golf tournament, better known as Beer, Boobs, Babes, and Balls, beginning at noon for tee time with a shotgun start. There’ll be trophies and prizes for first, second and third places as well as special prizes for Closest to Hole and Longest Drive. You can also come early for a putting contest at 11 a.m. The individual entry fee is $135, and all participants must apply.
Lucky’s Pub
801 St. Emanuel, 713-522-2010
Get into the Irish mind-set at the official after-party for the Houston St. Patrick’s parade, hosted by Lucky’s Pub. Entertainment will include a live performance by the Dean Seltzer band and a ceremonial tapping of the first green beer at 2 p.m.
MARCH 13
The Goose’s Acre Bistro & Irish Pub
21 Waterway Ave., suite 140, 281-466-1502
Head to the Goose’s Acre for the 5th Annual St. Baldrick’s Day celebration, where individuals will commit to doing truly the most selfless and altruistic thing a human being can do — shave their head in public, for money, while friends and family look on. This event benefits St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the second-largest funder of children’s cancer research in the U.S. To learn more about St. Baldrick’s, or to commit to shaving your head, please visit www.stbaldricks.org.
Griff’s Shenanigans Cafe & Bar
3416 Roseland St., 713-528-9912
Join in for the 14th Annual Irish Stew, Chili and Chicken Cook-off from noon to 7 p.m., with check-in between 9 and 11 a.m. Each team will consist of six cooks; they must supply everything they may need, including propane, and prepare the food at Griff’s after check-in, including three gallons of stew or chili and one whole chicken. The entry fee is $15 for one item or $30 for all three. Judging will begin at 4 p.m. for chicken, 4:45 p.m. for stew and 5:30 p.m. for chili. The prizes include: for first place, 12 festival passes and $25 worth of drink tickets for St. Paddy’s Day; for second place, six festival passes for St. Paddy’s Day; and, for third place, three festival passes for St. Paddy’s Day. All participants must apply.
Lucky’s Pub
801 St. Emanuel, 713-522-2010
Promoting a good cause never felt as good as it will at the Lucky’s Pub official after-party for AIDS Walk Houston, where there’ll be plenty of green beer as well as drink and food specials.
MARCH 14
The Goose’s Acre Bistro & Irish Pub
21 Waterway Ave., suite 140, 281-466-1502
The Goose’s Acre holds its Irish Whiskey Dinner starting at 6:30 p.m., with a presentation by a “fine Irish gent” and a special meal paired with Jameson Irish whiskey. The cost is $50 per person, and reservations are suggested.
MARCH 15
The Goose’s Acre Bistro & Irish Pub
21 Waterway Ave., suite 140, 281-466-1502
This Tuesday is Irish Game Show Night. It starts at 9 p.m., and prizes will be given to those in first, second and third place.
MARCH 16
The Goose’s Acre Bistro & Irish Pub
21 Waterway Ave., suite 140, 281-466-1502
There will be a trivia contest beginning at 8 p.m. Test your knowledge of the Irish for a chance to win one of the prizes awarded for first, second and third place.
Griff’s Shenanigans Café & Bar
3416 Roseland St., 713-528-9912
Compete in the second annual St. Patrick’s Day Cornhole Tournament under the tent at Griff’s for prizes and fun.
Lucky’s Pub
801 St. Emanuel, 713-522-2010
Get into the mood with Leprechaun Beer Night, complete with 50-cent small-ass green beers.
MARCH 17
Houston Press Ballyhoo Bash
House of Blues
1204 Caroline
888-402-5837
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Houston Press Ballyhoo Bash on Thursday, March 17, in the Bronze Peacock Room at House of Blues. RSVP to the Foundation Room Concierge at kimmurray@livenation for admission. Ticket also includes access to the “Members Only” Foundation Room. Free.
Azuma Sushi and Robata Bar
5600 Kirby, 713-432-9649; 909 Texas, 713-223-0909; 15830 Southwest Fwy., suite 100, 281-313-0518
The Azuma Group will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a half-off special on its Crazy Irishman Specialty Roll.
Bar Munich
2616 Louisiana, 713-523-1008
Bar Munich will have happy hour specials and a St. Paddy’s Day shot for anyone wearing green.
Celebrate St. Paddy’s with live music, green beer and giveaways at St. Paddy’s at the Creeks. This event will be held at all four cafes in the Creek Group. Entry is free, and the celebration will be an all-day affair, from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.:
Canyon Creek
6603 Westcott, 713-864-5885
Cedar Creek
1034 W. 20th St., 713-808-9623
www.cedarcreek.squarespace.com
Dry Creek
544 Yale, 713-426-2313
Onion Creek
3106 White Oak, 713-880-0706
Continental Club
3700 Main, 713-529-9666
www.continentalclub.com/Houston.html
The Club will have its St. Patrick’s Day Blowout with The Blaggards, Come See My Dead Person and the Allen Oldies Band.
F Bar
202 Tuam, 713-522-3227
F Bar’s St. Patrick’s Day party will include drink specials and live entertainment: a production of “Drag LIVE!” hosted by Tye Blue and starring Christina Ross and Kara and Tara Dion, as well as some special guests. The hours are 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. with the show at 10 p.m. No cover will be charged.
Fox Hollow Gastro Lounge
4617 Nett Street, 713-869-2117
Fox Hollow’s specials will include $2 green beer from 4 to 6 p.m., $14 buckets of harp lager from 6 to 8 p.m., $1 green jello shots, $5 beef and Guinness stew, $6 corned beef paninis, and $5 Jameson shots. The lounge will be open from 4 to 11 p.m.
The Goose’s Acre Bistro & Irish Pub
21 Waterway Ave., suite 140, 281-466-1502
After a week of build-up, St. Patrick’s Day at The Goose’s Acre will not disappoint. Doors open at 8 a.m., with breakfast served until 11 a.m., and lunch and dinner after that through 1 a.m. There will be plenty of green beer and entertainment from bagpipers and Irish dancers. Live music will run 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. After 5 p.m., 21 and older only.
Griff’s Shenanigans Café & Bar
3416 Roseland St., 713-528-9912
The 46th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival at Griff’s will last all day and night, and include live music, green beer, food and companionship. The party starts at 10 a.m. and goes on all day. Pre-sale tickets are available for purchase.
Kobain
3720 Raymond St., 713-862-9911
Kobain will have $2 green beer and $4 shot specials. Visitors are invited to arrive early to get a limited-edition T-shirt.
Lucky’s Pub
801 St. Emanuel, 713-522-2010
Come St. Paddy’s Day, Lucky’s will be fully decked out with leprechauns, bagpipers and green beer. Breakfast begins at 6 a.m., followed closely by bar service beginning at 7 a.m. 94.5 The Buzz will be broadcasting live, and visitors will enjoy entertainment from ten bands and four DJs.
Nick’s Sports Bar and Grill
1448 Wilcrest, 713-785-9900
Nick’s is hosting its second annual St. Patrick’s Day parking lot party from 6 p.m. to closing time. The event will feature live music from John White Band from 6 to 10 p.m., with karaoke from 10 p.m. until closing time, and drink specials including $2 green drafts and $1 green jello shots.
Sam’s Boat at the Fountains
12720 Southwest Fwy., 281-277-9333
Visitors to Sam’s Boat come St. Paddy’s Day will be able to enjoy live music by Sex Panther, $6 green beer pitchers, all-day drink specials — including $3 Crown and Down — and themed games.
Taps House of Beer
5120 Washington, 713-864-0650
Opening 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., Taps House of Beer will have $2 pints of green beer and green bottles, $3 jello shots, prizes for the most festive outfit, and various fun and games for all to enjoy.
The Tavern on Gray
1340 W. Gray, 713-522-5152
The Trey Clark Band will be performing at The Tavern’s St. Patrick’s parking lot party, which will go from 6 to10 p.m.
Union Bar
2708 Bagby, 281-974-1916www.unionbarhouston.comStarting at 8 p.m., the Union Bar will be offering drink specials, including $2 Tecates, $2 Lone Stars, $3 Bud Lime, $3 Budweisers, and $3 Lucky Shots.
This article appears in Mar 10-16, 2011.