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

Margaret T. Hance Park
1106 N. Central Ave.
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 or see www.phxirish.org.

St. Patrick's Day Block Party
Craftsman Court between 3rd Ave. and 5th Ave., Scottsdale
This block party encompasses Dos Gringos, Upper Deck Sports Grill, and Acme Bar, and includes access to all three bars, drink deals such as eight green beers for $20, live music, DJs, food vendors, and more. Runs until 2 a.m. Free before 9 p.m., $10 after 9. Visit www.scottsdalesultimateblockparty.com.

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
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
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.

The Sets
93 W. Southern Ave., Tempe
www.thesets.com
The Knee Slappers Comedy Lounge hosts comedian Craig Gass. Shows at 8 and 10 p.m. (Also runs Sunday, March 16). $20. Call 480-829-1822 or visit www.brownpapertickets.com.

Yucca Tap Room
29 W. Southern Ave., Tempe
www.yuccatap.com
Live music by The Horse Thieves and Flathead. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Call 480-967-4777.

SUNDAY, MARCH 16

SPECIAL EVENTS

Marquee Theatre
730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe
Music by Irish rockers Flogging Molly, as well as Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, and The Cherry Cokes. 7 p.m. $32. Call 480-829-0607 or visit www.luckymanonline.com.

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 from Oceans Apart starting at noon. 11 a.m. to midnight. Call 480-507-7827.

Wrigley Mansion
2501 E. Telawa Trail
www.wrigleymansionclub.com
A champagne brunch will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. $45 per person, $22.50 for kids under 12. Call 602-955-4079 for reservations.

BARS & CLUBS

Alice Cooper'stown
101 E. Jackson St.
www.alicecooperstown.com
Music by Volatile, TI22, Back from Neptune, and more, as well as giveaways, and drink specials. 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. $10. Call 480-600-8717.

CK's Tavern & Grill
4142 E. Chandler Blvd., Phoenix
www.ckgrill.com
Music by Shelby James 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 1 a.m. Call 480-706-5564.

Fibber Magees
1989 W. Elliot Rd., Chadler
www.fibbermageespub.com
Traditional Irish music during the weekly Sunday-afternoon session. 1 p.m. Call 480-722-9434.

O'Donoghue's Irish Pub
20469 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale
www.odsaz.com
There will be a Bud Light promotion from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Knockabouts will perform in the party tent at 9 p.m. Call 480-585-6329.

Séamus McCaffrey's
Irish Pub & Restaurant
18 W. Monroe St.
www.seamusmccaffreys.com
Sven Henrich hosts an Irish music jam session. 7 p.m. Call 602-253-6081.

MONDAY, MARCH 17

SPECIAL EVENTS

Cricket Wireless Pavilion
2121 N. 83rd Ave.
Matchbox Twenty, Alanis Morrisette, and Mute Math perform. 7 p.m. $24-$70. Call 480-784-4444 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Mama Java's Coffeehouse
3619 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix
www.mamajavascoffeehouse.com
WordSpoken and the Arizona Readers Theatre will present a St. Patrick's Day event. 7 p.m. Call 602-840-5282.

San Tan Brewing Company
8 San Marcos Place, Chandler
www.santanbrewing.com
The city of Chandler's festival features vendor booths, a beer garden, games, and music from Idle Abbey, Shawn Johnson, Isle of Essence, Vayden, and Mat Weddle (of Obadiah Parker). 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Call 480-855-3539 or visit www.downtownchandler.org.

Tempe Beach Park
80 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe
Flogging Molly, Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, and The Cherry Cokes perform. 5 p.m. $32-$100. Call 480-829-0607 or visit www.luckymanonline.com.

RESTAURANTS

The British Open Pub
1334 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale
www.thebritishopenpub.com
Corned beef and cabbage, chicken in whiskey sauce, stovies, colcannon, and Scotch eggs will be served. Drink specials all day, and a bagpipe and drum band performs at 6 p.m. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Call 480-941-4915.

Dillon's Restaurant
All three Valley locations
www.dillonsrestaurant.com
Complete corned beef and cabbage dinners with carrots, red potatoes, green beer, and mint ice cream for $12.99. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Call 623-979-5353.

Duck & Decanter
1651 E. Camelback Rd.
www.duckanddecanter.com
Corned beef sandwich or salad will be served for $4.25. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call 602-274-5429.

Four Peaks Brewing Company
1340 E. 8th St., Tempe
www.fourpeaks.com
St. Paddy's Day breakfast buffet is served from 6 to 11 a.m., with drink specials, Irish dishes, and other surprises offered throughout the day. Open until 2 a.m. Call 480-303-9967.