If green is your color, this is your time. Denver’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade winds through LoDo on Saturday, bringing thousands of people into the area to party and raise a glass to the Auld Sod.
Thursday is officially St. Patrick’s Day, and the celebrations will spread far and wide across the land. Get your beer-hoisting arm in shape — it’s going to be a crazy week.
Saturday’s parade steps off at 10 a.m., and plenty of LoDo bars will be waiting to welcome thirsty parade-watchers. It’s a long march, and people are going to get thirsty.
One of the best places to be is the Blake Street Tavern (2301 Blake St.). The venerable pub has moved to larger digs since last year’s parade, relocating just down the street from their previous spot.
The longest stretch of the parade is down Blake, from 27th Street to 17th Street, putting the Blake Street Tavern right in the middle of the action. They’ll be serving green beer, Irish stew and corned beef and cabbage to mark the occasion. A beer garden will be set up, too, for enjoying the weather. Oh, and the Tavern opens at 8 a.m. Saturday to get those Irish eyes open and smiling.
A little farther down Blake is the Celtic Tavern (1801 Blake St.), a classic Irish pub. They’ll be opening at 8 a.m. on Saturday, too, offering a little shade and sustenance along the parade route.
For those post-parade afterparties, Scruffy Murphy’s (2030 Larimer St.) and Whiskey- bar (2203 Larimer St.) will be waiting just a couple of blocks from the parade route.
Hardcore St. Pat’s people will have five days to recover from the parade before the actual holiday on Thursday. It’s lucky for them, because there’s a lot going on, as always.
Downtown, the Yard House (1555 Court Place) is saluting St. Pat on Wednesday and Thursday with green beer, festive shots and a special menu. Sip on an emerald-hued Coors Light and indulge in gourmet shepherd’s pie and corned beef brisket. The bar’s sound system will be loaded with modern Irish tunes, as well, from the Pogues to Van Morrison. Kick it up a notch with Irish-themed cocktails like the Pot of Gold (Jameson whiskey, pineapple and St. Germain and Midori liqueurs) and the Lucy Leprechaun (Jameson, Midori, ginger syrup and melon).
Oak Tavern (1416 Market St.) and 24K Lounge (1414 Market St.) get in the green spirit with parties of their own. Green Coors beers will be $3 at both places, and ladies drink for free from 9 p.m. to midnight. 24K’s special event is a lingerie fashion show, with DJ Pat Allen on the decks. Oak Tavern will be rocking with live music.
The Funky Buddha (776 Lincoln St.) fully embraces St. Patrick’s Day drunkenness with “McBuddha’s Get Ready to Stumble Party.” Live music goes on all night, including a performance by local hip-hop heads the Pirate Signal. Show up early to take advantage of “beat the clock” drink specials: Drinks start at $1, with the price going up by $1 every hour. (This could be the recipe for an early night.)
Beta (1909 Blake St.) celebrates St. Patrick’s Day the best way they know how: with an Irish DJ. Trance-master John O’Callaghan spins on Thursday, right in the middle of his two-week sweep through the States. Advance tickets are $10 at groovetickets.
This is just a small selection of what’s out there on Thursday. Everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day — and pretty much every bar is too.
One-stop shops.
Two of the biggest, most Irish names in town will be throwing down for both Saturday’s St. Pat’s parade and Thursday’s holiday.
Fado (1735 19th St.) has already started its “Week of Savage Craic” in honor of the Emerald Isle.
Advance tickets are recommended for the big blowout, which includes live music, games, a beer garden and fun stuff for the kids. Visit for full details.
The Irish Snug (1201 E. Colfax Ave.) hosts its annual “Capitol Hill Hooley” on Saturday and Thursday, featuring pipers, dancers, bands and more—in the bar and outside in a giant tent.
Visit for more information.
