Be sure to also check out our St. Patty’s Day preview slideshow. This year, St. Paddy’s falls on a Saturday, so you’ve got all day to party, watch a parade, and ingest as much green food coloring as you can. And don’t forget to get a good running start on the holiday with a few pre-game events at your favorite pub.
March 15
Griff’s Shenanigans Cafe & Bar
3416 Roseland St., 713-528-9912
Griff’s annual St. Paddy’s Day Queen Contest starts at 7 p.m. under the tent. The judging will be based on natural beauty, poise, attire and personality. All the contestants will have to apply; check-in begins at 5:30 p.m.
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March 16
The Continental Club
3700 Main, 713-529-9899
www.continentalclub.com Kick St. Patrick’s Day off with a good St. Paddy’s Eve party at The Continental Club. For a $12 entrance fee, visitors will enjoy live entertainment from Lee Macdougall at 8 p.m. and the Blaggards at 10 p.m.
Lucky Strike
1201 San Jacinto, 713-343-3300
Visit Lucky Strike on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day for beer and Irish shot specials from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
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March 16-17
Cedar Creek
1034 W. 20th St., 713-808-9623
www.cedarcreek.squarespace.com
Canyon Creek
6603 Westcott, 713-864-5885
Dry Creek
544 Yale, 713-426-2313
Onion Creek
3106 White Oak, 713-880-0706
Celebrate St. Paddy’s with live music, green beer and drink specials at the Creeks. This event will be held at all four cafes in the Creek Group.
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March 16-18
Phoenicia Specialty Foods/MKT Bar
1001 Austin St., 832-360-2222
Phoenicia will have shamrock-shaped pita bread and other limited-edition bakery goods plus special in-store prizes for shoppers. MKT BAR will offer a special menu of Irish breakfast, corned beef and cabbage pizza, Irish stew, Guinness cupcakes and plenty of Irish beer. Patrons can also enjoy live musical entertainment, a special film screening and an Irish play list throughout the weekend. Parade participants are invited to stop by the day of the parade for an Irish breakfast.
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March 17
Bar Munich
2616 Louisiana, 713-523-1008
Bar Munich will be celebrating by tapping a keg of Saint Arnold’s Bitter Belgian, a one-time, limited release of this variation of Elissa, at 3 p.m.. There’ll also be a DJ to provide entertainment starting at 10 p.m., and several drink specials, including Jolly Rancher leprechaun shot specials all day and specials on all Saint Arnold and German bottles as well as all craft pints until 8 p.m.
Brian O’Neill’s
5555 Morningside Dr. 713-522-2603
Brian O’Neill’s St. Paddy’s Day event will be chock-full of live entertainment by such guests as The Elroys, Big Richard, Obsolete August, The Jig is Up, Crown, The Skylights, Cass Academy of Dance, O’Maioledigh Dancers, and the HFD Pipe and Drum Band. The day begins with an 8 a.m. breakfast and ends with a parking-lot party that lasts until 2 a.m. The offerings will include traditional Irish foods such as shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, and fish and chips.
Cadillac Bar
1802 Shepherd, 713-862-2020
From 4 p.m. until closing time, Cadillac Bar will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a fiesta. The event includes drink specials for green beer, margs and bombs; both entry and parking will be free, and there will be a number of contests and giveaways.
Centerfolds
6166 Richmond, 713-952-0799
There will be drink specials all day, as well as complimentary Irish-themed buffets and plenty of lovely ladies.
Cover Girls
10310 W. Little York, 713-937-7772
Enjoy all-day drink specials and complimentary Irish-themed buffets, not to mention plenty of clothing-challenged women.
The Ginger Man Pub
5607 Morningside Dr., 713-526-2770
Swing by the pub for a taste of its St. Patrick’s Day specialty beer.
Griff’s Shenanigans Café & Bar
3416 Roseland St., 713-528-9912
The 47th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival at Griff’s runs all day and night, and includes music, beer and companionship. Guests can join the 11 p.m. caravan to Houston’s Annual St Patrick’s Day Parade, then return to Griff’s post-parade cookoff.
The Harp
1625 Richmond, 713-528-7827
From noon to 2 a.m., enjoy the company of Irish dancers, bagpipers and live musical entertainers. There will also be plenty of food, beads and specials on shots.
Houston Pavilions
1201 Fannin, 832-320-1200
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant holds its fourth annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Houston Pavilions. There will be food and drink specials, music, temporary tattoos and plenty of green beer.
Houston St. Patrick’s Parade
1800 Texas
The whole neighborhood is invited to the 53rd Annual St. Patrick’s Parade. From noon to 2 p.m., celebrate the Houston tradition, which features more than 100 entries every year and is completely free to join. The parade will begin at 1800 Texas and end at 801 St. Emanuel, where Lucky’s Pub will be hosting the official parade after-party.
Kenneally’s Irish Pub
2111 S. Shepherd, 713-630-0486
The pub will have live musical entertainment all day, bagpipers and an appearance by Rockets mascot Clutch. The event runs from noon until closing, and a $10 advance purchase is advised.
Kenny & O’Ziggy’s
2327 Post Oak Blvd., 713-871-8883
Starting at 6 p.m., Kenny & Ziggy’s will be offering its corned beef and cabbage dinner (which includes two sides and a house salad) and a bottle of Harpoon Keltic Ale for $17.99.
Khun Kay Thai Cafe
1209 Montrose, 713-524-9614
This Thai cafe will be offering food specials with such whimsical names as The Wee Folk (dumplings with a “mischievous sauce”), Thai-rish Kisses (fried bites of chicken or tofu), Wearin’ the Greens (a variety of green vegetables with shiitake noodles and shrimp), A Pinch on the Thai (chicken with vegetables and chiles) and A Pot o’ Gold (Hor Mok made with green curry and served in its own pot).
Kung Fu Saloon
5317 Washington, 713-864-0642
From 11 to 2 a.m., celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Kung Fu-style with drink specials and free games.
Lucky’s Pub
801 St. Emanuel, 713-522-2010; 27126 Northwest Fwy., 281-758-2514
Come St. Paddy’s Day, Lucky’s will be fully decked out with leprechauns, bagpipers and green beer for its fifth annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival. Doors open at 9 a.m. 94.5 The Buzz will be broadcasting live, and visitors will enjoy entertainment from 12 bands and four DJs. Join in the party at either of the two locations. The St. Emanuel location will be the destination for the Houston St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and will be the official after-party location.
Mugsy’s
2239 Richmond, 713-522-7118
The party at Mugsy’s features live music from Sammy Hundley, green beer, burgers, wings, and drink specials all day.
Next Door Bar and Lounge
14714 Memorial Dr., 281-493-0307
From 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., visit Next Door for its Sham-Rock the House St. Patrick’s Day Bash. The event is free, and will feature $3 green beer, $2 green jello shots, $4 St. Paddy’s Day shots, $5 Irish car bombs and $18 green beer towers.
Numbers Night Club
300 Westheimer, 713-526-6551
Numbers will be celebrating with a St. Patrick’s Day blowout. Those above the age of 21 can enter for free, although donations are welcome, and those below the age of 21 get in for $5. The entertainment includes Ancient Astronaut Theory, The Ballistics, Twenty Eleven, Papaya, Shadow Hound, Daze and Daze, DJ Rob Bass, DJ Dontkidurself and DJ J. Oddio.
Richmond Arms
5920 Richmond Ave., 713-784-7722
This party will feature live music from the Weston Brown Band and the Lonely Piper, a chance to see the Ireland v. England rugby match, traditional Irish fare such as stew, corned beef and cabbage, and green beer. There is no cover after noon.
Scout Bar
18307 Egret Bay Blvd., 281-335-0002
Celebrate the day with a visit to Shamrock Fest 2012, which will feature Saturate, Born From Ruins, the CB Kings and South.
Sherlock’s and Baker St. Pub & Grill
1952 W. Gray, 713-521-1881 (and seven other locations)
All eight Sherlock’s or Baker St. Pub and Grills in Houston will be serving up green beer and live musical entertainment.
Splendor
7440 W. Greens Rd., 713-477-3000
Enjoy all-day drink specials and complimentary Irish-themed buffets, and feast your eyes on plenty of long legs and lace.
Stag’s Head
2128 Portsmouth, 713-533-1199
Swing by for bagpipers, live music, Irish fare and rugby. The party runs from 11 to 2 a.m. and is free.
Tailgating Sports Grille
9607 FM 1960 West, 281-890-8393
www.tailgatingsportsgrille.com
The Grille’s party, St. Paddy’s on the Patio, will feature such festive drinks as green beer, Irish car bombs and Lucky Charm shots. Visitors will also have the pleasures of live musical entertainment, Irish pub grub and door prizes.
Treasures
5647 Westheimer, 713-629-6200
There will be drink specials all day as well as complimentary Irish-themed buffets and plenty of scantily clad lasses.
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March 17-18
Mezzanine Lounge
2200 Southwest Fwy., 713-528-6399
The Mezzanine wants to be sure you have a good time on St. Paddy’s Day, so it’s putting on a few drink specials, including: $3 Guinness pints, $4 car bombs and $2.50 green beer. In addition, the lounge will be providing live music, free parking, free Irish stew and karaoke, all for no cover. And, to make sure your good time on the big day keeps on rolling, the Mezzanine will also have its St. Patrick’s Day Hangover event, with a $4 Bloody Mary bar and all-you-can-eat crawfish.
This article appears in Mar 15-21, 2012.