Prepare to see a world awash with green — St. Patrick's Day is at hand once again. With this year's national inebriation celebration falling on a Sunday, the hard stuff may have to be done the day before, but don't worry; there are plenty of pubs and parades to help you get into the spirit.
March 14
St. Paddy's Day Queen Contest
Griff's Shenanigans Café & Bar
3416 Roseland
713-528-9912, www.griffshouston.net
Griff's annual St. Paddy's Day Queen Contest starts at 7 p.m. under the tent. Judging will be based on natural beauty, poise, attire and personality. All contestants must apply; check-in begins at 5:30 p.m.
March 15
St. Practice Day Golf Tournament
Wildcat Golf Club
12000 Almeda Rd.
832-526-8764, www.luckyspub.com
Lucky's Pub holds its first annual St. Practice Day Golf Tournament — a sort of pregame event for the big day on the 17th with drinks, lunch and dinner included — at the Wildcat Golf Club at 12000 Almeda Road. The entry fee will cover the cost of the meals, the golf cart, an 18-hole green fee, a commemorative T-shirt and VIP entrance to Lucky's St. Patrick's Day party the day of. Individual entry is $135 and corporate entry is $625. Mulligans are available at four for $20 and hole sponsorships are $100 each. Tee time is at noon.
March 15 to March 17
Saint Paddy's PubCrawl Houston
Midtown Drinkery
2400 Bagby
This is one of the largest pub crawls in the city, starting at Midtown Drinkery and moving on to Little Woodrows, Christian's Tailgate, Farrago, Proof Bar and other area bars. The fun starts at 5 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday and noon on Sunday. Tickets are $5 for each day or $10 for a weekend pass.
March 16
5th Annual Shamrock Shuffle
Brian O'Neill's
5555 Morningside
713-522-2603, www.brianoneills.com
Brian O'Neill's 5th Annual Shamrock Shuffle will consist of the usual 5K Fun Run and 1K Kids Run benefiting the Houston Ronald McDonald House. The 5K run starts at 10 a.m., while the kids' run begins at 10:30 a.m. There will be a Sexy Kilt contest, an Irish Costume contest and a Dog Costume contest. There's also a raffle, and adults will receive a free drink ticket with every 5K registration as well as a free T-shirt if they register before March 6. Adult registration fees are $25 before March 11 and $40 after that. Registration in the kids' run is $10.
Irish Stew, Chili, Chicken and Open Irish Dish Cook-off
Griff's Shenanigans Café & Bar
3416 Roseland
713-528-9912, www.griffshouston.net
Join the folks at Griff's for its annual Irish Stew, Chili, Chicken and Open Irish Cook-off from noon to 6 p.m., with check-in between 9 and 11 a.m. Guests can join the 10 a.m. caravan known as the Green Tide to see Houston's Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, then return to Griff's after the parade for the cookoff. Each team will consist of six cooks, who must supply everything they might need, including propane, and prepare the food at Griff's after check-in, including five gallons of stew or chili and one whole chicken. City rules require that each team bring three aluminum pans each for a different cleaning purpose. The entry fee is $25 for one item or $50 for all four. Judging begins at 4 p.m. for chicken, 4:30 p.m. for stew, 5 p.m. for open and 5:30 p.m. for chili. Prizes are six festival passes and $50 worth of drink tickets for St. Paddy's Day for first place; six festival passes for St. Paddy's Day and $25 worth of drink tickets for second; and six festival passes for St. Paddy's Day for third place. Awards will be given for "Best Decorated Booth" and "Most Creative Stew," and beer will be provided for all participants during the competition. All participants must apply.
Houston St. Patrick's Parade
1800 Texas
The whole city is invited to the 54th Annual St. Patrick's Parade. This year's theme emphasizes the pride inherent in being an Irish Texan. The parade features more than 100 entries every year, and is completely free to join. It begins at noon at Minute Maid Park and continues through 2 p.m.
March 16 to March 17
St. Patrick's Day Celebration
Stag's Head
2128 Portsmouth
713-533-1199, www.stagsheadpub.com
The Stag's Head presents two days of bagpipers, green beer, Irish fare, Irish music and the Simply Irish Band. Free admission.
March 17
St. Paddy's Day
Brian O'Neill's
5555 Morningside
713-522-2603, www.brianoneills.com
Brian O'Neill's St. Paddy's Day event includes live entertainment by seven different bands, two full bars and six beer bars, as well as shot girls. The day begins with breakfast at 8 a.m. and ends with a parking lot party that lasts until 2 a.m. Offerings include traditional Irish foods such as shepherd's pie, corned beef and cabbage and fish and chips. $10.
St. Patrick's Day Celebration
The Ginger Man Pub
5607 Morningside
713-526-2770, www.gingermanpub.com
The Ginger Man will have its usual St. Paddy's Day celebration.
48th Annual Griff's St. Patrick's Festival
Griff's Shenanigans Café & Bar
3416 Roseland
713-528-9912, www.griffshouston.net
The 48th Annual Griff's St. Patrick's Festival will last all day and night. Expect music, beer and companionship.
6th Annual St. Patrick's Day Festival
Lucky's Pub
801 St. Emanuel, 713-522-2010
27126 Northwest Fwy., 281-758-2514
2520 Houston Ave., 281-862-2400
Come St. Paddy's Day, Lucky's will once again be fully decked out with leprechauns, bagpipers and green beer for its 6th Annual St. Patrick's Day Festival. Doors open at 9 a.m. Visitors will enjoy entertainment by 15 bands and four DJs. All three locations are celebrating, so stop by any time. This year's goal, in keeping with the latest Internet phenomenon, is to perform the world's largest Harlem Shake. Radio station 94.5 The Buzz will be broadcasting live on location.
St. Patrick's Day Celebration
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood & Steaks
1201 Fannin
713-658-8100, www.mccormickandschmicks.com
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood & Steaks at the Houston Pavilions celebrates the day with an extended happy hour and Irish-themed dishes.
Shamrock Fest 2013
Scout Bar
18307 Egret Bay
281-335-0002, www.scoutbar.com
Celebrate the day with a visit to Shamrock Fest 2013, which will feature PARABELLE, Saturate, Downfall 2012, Thread Belly and The Chemist Inside. The party also includes a live broadcast from radio station 94.5 The Buzz. Doors open at 7 p.m.; the show starts at 8 p.m. Drink specials include $5 pitchers and $2.50 Jägers. Guests 21 and older enter for free; those 18 and older get in for $10.
Eat, Drink and Be Irish
Sherlock's and Baker St. Pub & Grill
1952 W. Gray, 713-521-1881 (and seven other locations)
All eight Sherlock's and Baker St. Pub & Grill locations in Houston will be serving up green beer and live musical entertainment for their Eat, Drink and Be Irish events.
