It’s that green time of year again. Spring is around the corner and St. Patrick’s Day is on the way — one of a few so-called “amateur nights” in the party calendar. This year, though, St. Patrick’s Day is for the tried and true.
It’s on Tuesday, possibly the least fun day of the week, so the platoons of partiers are going to have to do some soul searching before heading out to the pubs.
The die-hards are probably already set for the holiday, even if it means taking time off work. Plenty of pubs are ready for the onslaught, some opening extra-early to give St. Pat a proper salute.
Always a favorite place for wearin’ green, Fado (1735 19th St.) is starting early, rockin’ all weekend long with live music on two — yes, two — stages.
After taking a break on Monday, the party starts up again Tuesday. Live music will be the focus again, from noon onward, and you’d best believe the Guinness will be flowing.
For working stiffs who can’t take the day off, the evening concerts start at 6 p.m., featuring the Michael Collins Pipe Band, The Indulgers and U2 cover band Under a Blood Red Sky. Get $10 tickets in advance at .
The Irish Snug (1201 E. Colfax) is another hub for whiskey-fueled fun. The Fifth Annual Capitol Hill Hooley runs all day Saturday and reboots on Tuesday.
The Snug opens at 11 a.m. both days, and the place will be overrun with music and dancing, plus a marketplace and a magic show for kids at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
Luckily, there’s a huge tent behind the building to accommodate the happy hordes. Activities will happen constantly in the tent and throughout the Snug. Plus, there’s a special menu with Irish items for only $5, so Patty’s partiers will have plenty of fuel to keep celebrating.
Admission to the Irish Snug is $5 both days. Kids under 12 get in free.
In Boulder, Conor O’Neill’s (1922 13th St.) will be going strong all day on Tuesday. The pub opens early, at 8 a.m., starting the morning with eye-opening green beers. Folk-bluegrass-Celtic-rock band Mumbouli will take the stage at 10 p.m. and close out the long day of drinking.
Just like everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, every bar is Irish, too, so these are but a few humble suggestions. No matter where Tuesday — or this weekend — finds you, chances are that Irish eyes will be smiling.
Quick change.
From Irish jigs to German tech-house — that’s how the next week is going. German DJ-and-producing duo Booka Shade hit up Beta (1909 Blake St.) on Thursday with a set full of bouncing beats, glitchy beeps and an unexpected amount of soul.
Walter Merziger and Arno Kammermeier are familiar on the European mega-festival circuit, and now they’re getting their name out in the United States. Booka Shade was named best tech-house act on Beatport for 2008, so they’re on the way.
Advance tickets for Booka Shade’s Thursday show are $10 on .
The Garden grows.
In case you missed it, Wicked Garden (1403 Larimer St.) was closed for about two months.
The rock ‘n’ roll-themed Larimer Square club got shut down for a violation on their temporary liquor license.
They’ve done a little tinkering in the time off, says Jordan Bullock, vice president of marketing for Jet Entertainment Group, which owns the club.
“Based on our initial feedback on the venue, we upgraded our furniture and sound system, making Wicked the place where Denver partygoers can participate in uncensored fun,” she said in an e-mail.
All righty. Welcome Wicked Garden back tonight by doing something stupid at “Night of Bad Decisions,” featuring DJ Serafin mixing mash-up tunes.
