If you happen to be a musician of a Celtic bent, then this is likely the most wonderful time of the year. Saint Patrick's Day is right around the corner, which means you're probably gonna be busy performing at green-beer-fueled celebrations all over town. And if you happen to be an fan of Celtic music, then your Irish eyes are probably smiling for the very same reason, as there will be no shortage of St. Paddy's parties taking place around the Valley. We've got a rundown on all of the best and brightest affairs taking place on Saturday, March 17 (unless otherwise specified). — Benjamin Leatherman
SPECIAL EVENTS
Chasers
2008 E. Roosevelt St., Scottsdale
www.chaserslive.com
The annual Smoke Phatties Day brings together a slew of marijuana-friendly artists, rappers, and rock bands for an evening of music and mayhem. The event will be headlined Property Six, Bound Before, Rap & Pillage, Lucky D, Guilty Flavor, King Trick and The New Breedz, Chief Greenbud, J. Bentley, Hannibal Leq, and others. Friday, March 9, 7 p.m.; $15 general admission, $30 VIP admission. Call 480-970-0500.
Fountain Park
12925 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills
www.plazafountainside.com
There's more than just green beer and corned beef and cabbage at the town's annual open-air St. Paddy's Day Festival, as the event also will feature arts and crafts, barbecues, vendors, children's play areas, and more. As always, the park's eponymous 330-foot fountain will be turned green, erupting at noon, and music will be provided by the local rock bands and Irish artists. 10 a.m. Free. Call 480-816-5151.
Margaret T. Hance Park
1106 N. Central Ave.
The 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. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; $10 for adults, $1 for kids 6 to 12, free for those under 6. Call 602-280-9221 or see www.phxirish.org.
Mesa Arts Center
1 E. Main St., Mesa
www.mesaartscenter.com
An evening of traditional Emerald Isle entertainment will unfold when Taylor's Irish Cabaret visits the center's Ikeda Theatre. Besides presenting an array of soulful Celtic ballads and dances, the event will feature the comical stylings of Irish comedian Noel V. Ginnity. Friday, March 16, 8 p.m. $35 admission. Call 480-644-6500.
St. Patrick's Day Block Party
Craftsman Court, between 3rd Ave. and 5th Ave., Scottsdale
Mesa punks Authority Zero will be the featured band at this block party encompassing Dos Gringos, Upper Deck Sports Grill, Rockbar Inc., and includes access to all three bars, drink deals such as eight green beers for $20, live music, DJs, food vendors, and more. 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. $15 to $20. Visit www.scottsdalesultimateblockparty.com.
Tempe Beach Park
80 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe
www.luckymanonline.com
It truly wouldn't be a Saint Patrick's Day in the Valley without an appearance from Celtic rockers Flogging Molly. Joining them this year will be Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, Suedehead, Sean Wheeler, Zander Schloss, Brothers of Brazil, Inept Hero, Halocene, Black Bottom Lighters, and Westcott Avenue. Gates open at 1 p.m. $35 to $40. Call 480-829-0707.
Tempe Marketplace
2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe
The rock jocks of KUPD will host the station's Shamrocked St. Patty's Day Bash, which will feature performances by Filter, Metalhead, 49 Till Midnight, and Nineball. Noon, $10-$15. Visit www.shamrocked2012.com.
RESTAURANTS
Cave Creek Smokehouse
6245 Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek
www.cavecreeksmokehouse.net
Gorge yourself on all-you-can-eat corned beef and cabbage for $12. The LOL Comedy Troupe performs at 7 p.m. and drink specials include $2 green Bud Light drafts, $4 cans of Guinness, and $6 Jameson Irish car bombs. 11 a.m. Call 480-488-3317.
Chompie's
Four Valley locations
www.chompies.com
Feeling hungry? Slide on into any of the Chompie's restaurants and partake in an all-you-can-eat corned beef feast, which includes cabbage, boiled potatoes, and Irish soda bread. Green beer will also be served. 11 a.m., $18.95 per person. Call 480-557-0700 or 480-860-0475.
Compound Grill
7000 E. Mayo Blvd.
www.thecompoundgrill.com
Latin ban Mexicans at Night are scheduled to perform. 9 p.m., $10. Call 480-585-5483.
Four Peaks
1340 E. 8th St., Tempe
www.fourpeaks.com
A special breakfast buffet will be available starting at 6 a.m., the first 100 patrons will receive commemorative T-shirts, Irish fare will be served, bagpipers and bands will perform, and March Madness games will be shown. Open until 2 a.m. Call 480-303-9967.
Irish Wolfhound
16811 N. Litchfield Rd., Surprise
www.irishwolfhoundpub.com
All-day St. Patrick's celebration benefiting Surprise Fire Charities with a food tent, beer gardens, giveaways, and more. Live music takes place on the outdoor stage with Trevor Jones at 10 a.m., The Cheek Tones at 1:30 p.m., The Big Fellahs at 6 p.m., and Loudhouse at 9:30 p.m. Open until 2 a.m., $5 cover. Call 623-214-1004.
Los Compadres
2350 W. Northern Ave.
St. Patricks Jazz Night with dinner and drink specials and music from the David Valdivia Quartet. 6:30 p.m. Call 602-864-0043.
Sparky's Old Town Creamery
510 S. Mill Ave., Tempe
Free 30-ounce mint ice cream cones will be given out with any purchase. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Call 480-221-7273.
The Turf Restaurant and Pub
705 N. First St.
www.theturfpub.com
Sip on a pint or two of Guinness or sample a snifter of any of the Turf's Irish whiskeys and single-malt scotches during its St. Patrick's Day party, which will also feature music from local Irish artists. 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Call 602-296-5043.
Zipps Sports Grills
Eight Valley locations
www.zippssportsgrills.com
Green beer will be served and March Madness games will be broadcast in high-definition at each of the various Zipps around the Valley. Open until 2 a.m. Call 602-957-2112.
BARS, PUBS, & CLUBS
Barney's Boathouse
7341 E. 6th Ave., Scottsdale
www.barneysboathousescottsdale.com
St. Patrick's Day celebration with a Lucky Charms Eating Contest with a $100 gift card for the winner, $10.99 corned beef and cabbage, music from DJ Pulse, and such drink specials as $4 cans of Guinness, $3 Killians and Irish Car Bombs, $2 Green Jello shooters, and more. Call 480-949-6535.
The Blooze Bar
12014 N. 32nd St.
www.thebloozebar.com
St. Paddy's Day rock 'n' roll party with music from Mototrain and other bands. 8 p.m. Call 602-788-4574.
Cadillac Ranch
2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe
www.cadillacranchtempe.com
Shamrocks & Shenanigans celebration featuring such Irish food and drink specials as $4 Guinness drafts and Bushmills, $6 car bombs, and $10.99 shepherds pie. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Call 480-894-1111.
CK's Tavern
4142 E. Chandler Blvd.
www.ckgrill.com
St. Patty's Day party featuring Cruz and the Boomers. 9:30 p.m. Call 480-706-5564.
Clancy's Pub
4432 N. Miller Road, Scottsdale
www.clancysarizona.com
Two days of Saint Patrick's celebrating will take place at the pub. On Friday, March 16, an Irish happy hour takes place at 5 p.m. followed by music from Glendale Pipes and Drums at 7 p.m. and the 2 Tone Lizard Kings at 9 p.m. On Saturday, March 17, the party starts at 6 a.m. with free corned beef and a continental breakfast followed by live music in the outdoor tent starting at noon. Call 480-990-8797.
D'Arcy McGees
2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe
tempe.darcymcgees.com
St. Patty's Day Block Party featuring traditional breakfasts starting at 6 a.m. A day of merriment follows and includes Irish dancers, bagpipers, Irish coffee and the requisite Bailey's, food and drink specials, green beer, games, giveaways, and live music. Open until 2 a.m. Admission is free. Call 480-557-9087.
Dubliner Irish Pub
3841 E. Thunderbird Road
www.dublinerpub.com
St. Patrick's Day celebration with live entertainment from the Tirconnell School of Dance and the Glendale Pipe Band, as well as live music by Take Cover, The Biffos, and others. The menu includes such traditional favorites as corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew, and shepherd's pie. 10 a.m., $10 cover after 3 p.m. Call 602-867-0984.
Fat Tuesday
680 S. Mill Ave., Tempe
www.fattuesdaytempe.com
The bartenders will serve Irish Hickie Daiquiris all day while DJ V-EZ will be spinning all night. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Call 480-967-3917.
Fibber Magees
1989 W. Elliot Road, Chandler
www.fibbermageespub.com
St. Patrick's Day block party with beer gardens, Irish food inside and out, giveaways, and more. A variety of musicians and bands provide the soundtrack, including Holly Kirsten at 11 a.m., The Brazenheads at 1 p.m., The Sea Merchants at 5 p.m., and The Scones at 8 p.m. Doors open at 8 a.m. for an Irish breakfast. Free before noon, $5 until 3 p.m., and $10 until close. Call 480-722-9434.
Flanny's Bar & Grill
1805 E. Elliot Rd., Tempe
Live music from The Drive, specials on Jameson and premium beers, and more. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Call 480-659-0870.
Gallagher's Sports Grill
Six Valley Locations
www.gallaghersaz.com
Visit any of the Gallagher's and partake in corned beef and cabbage with soda bread or a bowl of Guinness stew. DJs and karaoke begin at 9 p.m. while drink specials, free T-shirts, and green beer will be available all day. 10 a.m. Call 602-997-0084 or 602-867-3222.
Hard Rock Cafe
3 S. 2nd St.
www.hardrock.com
Live music with Wayward Maggie and a reverse happy hour start at 9 p.m. Call 602-261-7625.
Harold's Corral
6895 E. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek
www.haroldscorral.com
This Cave Creek country joint will transform into "O'Harold's" once again for the occasion and will offer drink specials on Bailey's, Guinness, Harp, Smithwicks, and Bushmills, as well as a traditional Irish menu, plenty of the green beer, a free shuttle service, and live music from Crosswinds, EastonAshe, Young Country, and others. 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. Call 480-488-1906.
Iguana Mack's
1371 N. Alma School Road, Chandler
www.iguanamacks.com
Saint Patrick's Day party featuring live music, on the patio, DJs, and more. 2 p.m.; $5 after 4 p.m., $10 after 7 p.m. Call 480-213-3086.
Jersey's
5945 W. Ray Road, Chandler
www.jerseystavern.com
Saint Patrick's Day celebration with corned beef and cabbage, $3 Guinness drafts and green beers, live music from Sketching in Stereo at 8 p.m., and plenty of games shown on all 13 big screen TVs.
11 a.m. Call 480-705-9700.
Joe's Grotto
13825 N. 32nd St.
www.joesgrotto.com
Live music from local bands. 9 p.m. Call 602-992-1007
Marc's Sports Grill & Nightlife
4494 W. Peoria Ave., Glendale
www.marcssportsgrillandnightlife.com
Drink specials will be in abundance at the St. Paddy's Party specials, including $2 pints and $3.25 mugs of green draft beer, $5.25 super mugs and $4.50 pints of Guinness, $5.75 Bushmill bombs, $5.25 Irish Car Bombs, and more. Meanwhile, the kitchen will serve 40-cent wings, $7 corned beef sandwiches, and $8.75 platters of corned beef, potatoes, and cabbage. Karaoke in the lounge and DJs in the main room start at 9 p.m. sharp. 11 a.m., $5 cover after 9 p.m. Call 623-842-1053.
O'Kelley's Sports Bar
2120 W. Guadalupe Rd., Mesa
www.okelleysbar.com
The party extends into the parking lot on St. Patrick's Day and will boast green beer, giveaways, and appearances by both the Bud Girls and Guinness Girls. Plenty of gonzo games and goofy fun will also take place, including a free poker tournament at 1 p.m., mechanical bull riding, beer pong, baton fights, tricycle races, psychic readings, and more. The live music lineup includes performances by Strangeland, Different Breed, Plowd, and Rock Addix. Gates open at 6 a.m. Call 480-756-6069.
Padre Murphy's
4338 W. Bell Rd.
www.padremurphys.com
A titanic, 16,000-square-foot tent will barely contain all the revelry and raucousness that is planned for Padre Murphy's annual party. In addition to all the leprechauns, clowns, and green beer, a full day of entertainment is planning, including gigs by Irish dancers, bagpipers, Colleen Callahan, J. David Sloan and Western Bred, Seanachie, and more. 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., $10 after 2 p.m. Call 602-547-9406.
Rhythm Room
1019 E. Indian School Rd.
www.rhythmroom.com
Hang out on Saint Patrick's Day with owner Bob Corritore, his pal Dave Riley, and the rest of their Juke Joint Band. 8 p.m., $7. Call 602-265-4842.
Rips Ales & Cocktails
3045 N. 16th St.
Saint Patty's Day party featuring an live music, green beer, drink specials, and party favors. Open until 2 a.m. Call 602-266-0015.
Robbie Fox's Public House
640 S. Mill Ave., Tempe
www.robbiefoxs.com
Sixth Street in downtown Tempe will be blocked off for a gargantuan affair boasting DJs, 25 different draft beers for $5 a pint, juggling leprechauns, bagpipers, Irish dancers, and prize giveaways. Doors open at 6 a.m. Call 480-642-6442.
The Rogue Bar
423 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
www.facebook.com/theroguebar
A special "Green and Black" edition of the joint's industrial and fetish-oriented dance party Cupcake takes place. 8 p.m., $8. Call 480-947-3580.
Rosie McCaffrey's
906 E. Camelback Road
www.rosiemccaffreys.com
This pub will be a hubbub of activity, beginning with an on-site broadcast of KEZ's Beth & Friends at 7 a.m. The revelry starts at 11 a.m. with food and drink specials, happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m., bagpipers, step dancing, live music, and more. Open until 2 a.m. Call 602-241-1916 for cover.
R.T. O'Sullivan's
Four Valley locations
www.rtosullivans.com
Each location will offer massive indoor/outdoor parties boasting such Irish eats as corned beef and cabbage and shepherd's pie, as well as food from the grill. Drinkers can enjoy $5 monster green-colored Miller Lites and mechanical bull riding and other games will also take place. Local bands will also perform at each party starting at noon. The Glendale location will feature The Lucky Devils Duo, Tin Weasel, JG and the ModRockers, The James Park Band, and Radiologic. Meanwhile, the Southern Avenue location will offer Paris James, Cigarettes, Chocolate Fountain, Shawn Johnson, Tramps and Thieves, and Strange Young Things. And over at the Superstition Springs R.T.O.'s, however, indie rockers and blues artists like the Sugar Thieves, 36 Cents and a Dream, Silverbell, Los Guys, and Quick Henry will be onstage all day. Free until 3 p.m., $10 thereafter. Call 480-844-1290 or 480-396-9933.
Rúla Búla
401 S. Mill Ave., Tempe
www.rulabula.com
Fete the traditional holiday of Saint Patrick's Day with some traditional Irish food and drink, as well as shot specials throughout the day, and various promotions from Guinness, Jameson, Bailey's, and Bushmills. Live music starts at noon. 11 a.m., $5. Call 480-929-9500.
The Sail Inn
26 S. Farmer Ave., Tempe
www.thesailinn.com
Some of Tempe's best bands — including Mojo Farmers, Mergence, Black Carl, and What Laura Says — will perform starting at 7 p.m. Raffles and prizes will be handed out, and corned beef cabbage will be served. 5 p.m., $10 after 8 p.m. Call 480-966-9565.
Shady's
2701 E. Indian School Road
Chillax inside the lounge and listen to the jukebox while partaking in lots of wacky St. Patty's Day booze specials. Open until 2 a.m. Call 602-944-1517.
The Shout! House
6770 N. Sunrise Blvd., Glendale
www.theshouthouse.com
Dueling pianists will perform starting at 8 p.m. while bartenders will be pouring $5 Irish car bomb shots and Jameson. Patrons can also bring their own steins and get $5 green beers. 7 p.m. Call 623-772-1500.
Skeptical Chymist
15688 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale
www.skepticalchymist.com
A ginormous block party will take place at this North Scottsdale establishment and will offer beer gardens, Irish food aplenty, giveaways, and more. The live music schedule includes Jim Gregory at 11 a.m., The Sea Merchants at 1 p.m., The Scones at 4 p.m., and The Brazenheads at 8 p.m. Doors open at 8 a.m. for an Irish breakfast. Free before noon, $5 until 3 p.m., and $10 until close. Call 480-609-8677.
Swizzle Inn
5835 N. 16th St.
Get 17-cent beers for 17 minutes only starting at 5 p.m. (a.k.a. 17:00 hours). Tullamore Dew, Jameson's, Swithwicks, and Magners are also available for $2.50 all day long. Call 602-277-7775.
Tilted Kilt
1910 S. Gilbert Road, Mesa
660 W. Warner Road, Tempe
2 E. Jefferson St.
www.tiltedkilt.com
Get an early start on Saint Patrick's Day at any of these Tilted Kilts, which will offer an Irish breakfast at 8 a.m., followed by live music and massive all-day parties. The Mesa location kicks off at 11 a.m. with rock from Chuck E. Baby, while the Tempe location also starts at 11 a.m. offers performances by The Persuaders, the 2 Tone Lizard Kings, and Navaeh. $10 general admission. Call 480-507-5458 or 480-592-0102. CityScape's Tilted Kilt street party gets going at 10 a.m. with music from Keltic Cowboys, The Walkens and others. $20 general admission, $100 VIP access. Call 602-293-3888.
Tim Finnegan's
9201 N. 29th Ave.
www.timfinnegans.com
Irish bands will perform on two stages during this St. Paddy's Day Bash, including groups like The Celtic Growlers, The Biffos, and The Walkens. A traditional Irish breakfast will also be available at 8 a.m. Open until 2 a.m., $10 after 5 p.m. Call 602-997-2323.
Toby Keith's
1065 N Dobson Rd., Mesa
www.tobysmesa.com
Shamrock Honkytonk with music from The Dirt Drifters, Dustin Lynch, and more. 8 p.m. $5 cover. Call 480-844-8629.
TT Roadhouse
2915 N. 68th St., Scottsdale
Fire up TT's killer jukebox while partaking in drink specials. 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Call 480-990-9033.
Also check out our St. Patrick's Day Party Preview (Photos)
