St. Patrick's Day Guide

The word on the street is that Phoenix is gonna be going green, but it's got nothing to do with Al Gore. It's because the groovy Gaelic get-down known as St. Patrick's Day is about to strike the PHX, with everyone in Apache Junction to Avondale getting their Irish on. The only inconvenient truth here is that the holiday falls at the beginning of the workweek, which means you'd better plan on calling in sick the following morning. Why? Because the countless Celtic craics and other St. Paddy's parties happening at our favorite Irish pubs and other haunts around the Valley from Friday, March 14, to Monday, March 17, will keep you plenty busy sucking down Guinness and noshing on corned beef and cabbage all weekend long. Here are some select listings of where you can join the green party, yo.

FRIDAY, MARCH 14

SPECIAL EVENTS

Fiddler's Dream Coffeehouse

1702 E. Glendale Ave.

www.fiddlersdream.org

Roots band Shannon O'Boyleski performs Irish music, with additional performances by Americana artists Jimmy Pines and Tom Conner. 8 p.m. $3. Call 602-997-9795.

RESTAURANTS

Molly Brannigan's

1744 S. Val Vista Dr., #101, Mesa

www.mollybrannigans.com

Shepherd's pie and other Irish eats will be served, with music by The Insomniacs. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Call 480-507-7827.

BARS & CLUBS

CK's Tavern & Grill

4142 E. Chandler Blvd., Phoenix

www.ckgrill.com

Live music starts at 9:30 p.m. Drink specials include Irish Car Bombs for $4.50, Guinness pints for $4, and 25-ounce Guinness mugs for $5. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Call 480-706-5564.

O'Donoghue's Irish Pub

20469 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale

www.odsaz.com

Aengus Og performs in the party tent at 9 p.m. Open until 1 a.m. Call 480-585-6329.

Yucca Tap Room

29 W. Southern Ave., Tempe

www.yuccatap.com

Live music from Boilermaker, The Liars Handshake, and Grave Danger. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Call 480-967-4777.

SATURDAY, MARCH 15

SPECIAL EVENTS

Arizona Renaissance Festival

12601 E. U.S. 60, Apache Junction

www.royalfaires.com

The festival hosts special Celtic-themed events, including the Sexy Knees Kilt Contest at 2 p.m. on Saturday, and the Wearin' o' the Green contest at 2 p.m. on Sunday (both at the Royal Pavilion). 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. $18 adults, $6 for kids 5-12, free for those under 5. Call 520-463-2700.

Desert Ridge Marketplace

21001 N. Tatum Blvd.

www.stbaldricksday.org

Participants in the St. Baldrick's Day Celebration will raise funds for childhood cancer research by shaving their heads. Noon to 3 p.m.

Margaret T. Hance Park

1106 N. Central Ave.

www.phxirish.org

The 25th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Irish Faire kicks off at 10 a.m., with floats, marching bands, step dancers, and other participants traveling from Third Street and Virginia Avenue to the west side of the park. The all-day festival encompasses the Irish Cultural Center and features Irish music and entertainment, dancing, bagpipers, food and drink areas, vendor and merchandise booths, arts and crafts, and children's activities. Until 5 p.m. $10 for adults, $1 for kids 6-12, free for those under 6. Call 602-280-9221.

St. Patrick's Day Block Party

Craftsman Court between 3rd Ave. and 5th Ave., Scottsdale

www.scottsdalesultimateblockparty.com

This block party encompasses Dos Gringos, Upper Deck Sports Grill, and Acme Bar, and includes access to all three bars, food and drink vendors, and more. 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

RESTAURANTS

Molly Brannigan's

1744 S. Val Vista Dr., #101, Mesa

www.mollybrannigans.com

Opens at 8 a.m. for a "kegs and eggs" breakfast, with shepherd's pie and other Irish eats served all day, as well as promo schwag, music from G.K. Mack and The Insomniacs, and drink specials on Budweiser, Guinness, and Smithwick's. Open until 2 a.m. $5. Call 480-507-7827.

BARS & CLUBS

Big Fish Pub

1954 E. University Dr., Tempe

www.myspace.com/azbigfish

Rock by Husch, Talk Fiction, and others. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Call 480-449-3474 for cover.

Cell Block Venue

525 S. Gilbert Rd., Mesa

www.myspace.com/cellblockvenue

Music by Auralast, St. Madness, Dying Regret, The Asylum, Serpent Underground, Merciless Sin, and Dead Letters. 5:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. $10. Call 480-834-7680.

CK's Tavern & Grill

4142 E. Chandler Blvd., Phoenix

www.ckgrill.com

Music by Losing William at 9:30 p.m. Drink specials include Irish Car Bombs for $4.50, Guinness pints for $4, and 25-ounce Guinness mugs for $5. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Call 480-706-5564.

Monkey Pants Bar & Grill

3223 S. Mill Ave., Tempe

www.monkeypantsbar.com

The "No Irish Allowed St. Patty's Day All Spanking Soiree," where you can "paint the town red like an Irish girl's crotch" with free leg-humping by Artie the Irish Amputee, Scottish head-butting with a guy named Scott, hug tag with Elliot the Emerald Island Enthusiast, and music from McPromdate. Drink specials include $1 green tequila shots, $3 Snake Bites, and $5 Irish Caribbean Car Bombs. 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Call 480-377-8100.

Nate's Place Pub & Grill

5235 S. Kyrene Rd., Tempe

www.natesplacepub.com

Corned beef and cabbage, drink specials including Guinness for $3, a Rock Band tournament, giveaways, and more. 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Call 480-777-5088.

O'Donoghue's Irish Pub

20469 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale

www.odsaz.com

There will be a Bailey's Irish Cream promotion from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aengus Og performs in the party tent at 9 p.m. Open until 2 a.m. Call 480-585-6329.