Hide your snakes. Saint Patrick is back big this year—rolling out a ruckus parade of green and Guinness on a hotdamn Friday. Along with it comes a stacked lineup of festivities covering the entire weekend. But in light of listing out every single drink special, we’re focusing on the OGs this year. The seasoned Irish pubs who know a thing or two about throwing a proper party come March 17. Tampa Bay has more than a few, and most of them aren’t missing a beat. From block parties to day festivals, here’s what some of our tried-and-true pubs are up to for St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
Four Green Fields
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Channelside
Four Green Fields’ Curtis Hixon location will serve as the figurative heart of Tampa’s River O’Green Fest, which has been moved up to actual St. Patrick’s Day due to poor weather conditions on Saturday. They’ll have a full day’s worth of festivities rolling from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. While their pub on North 12th Street will have live Irish tunes rolling with Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones along with plenty of stout and red ale starting Thursday night.
Flanagan’s Irish Pub
Dunedin
Flanagan’s 30th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Street Festival is going down from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and is renowned for being one of the best in the state of Florida. Seven acts of live music, delicious food and beer, arts and crafts for all ages along with local shops and vendors.
James Joyce Irish Pub
Ybor City
Ybor City’s longtime Irish hub makes the most of its most glorious day each and every year. This time around they’re throwing a neighborhood bar crawl, taking the green to Bad Monkey, Double Decker Pub, Rock Brothers Brewery and more before capping things off with some live music.
Mary Margaret’s Irish Pub
St. Pete
One of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in all of Tampa Bay is back in Paddy Fest 2023. $5 admission gets you into the action along with free green beer. Splurge on a $150 VIP ticket and you’re looking at open bar, Red Breast whiskey tastings, traditional Irish fare and a March Madness viewing tent.
MacDinton’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
South Tampa
MacDinton’s is going scorched earth with celebrations raging all weekend. Thursdays are for $3 green beers. Friday is going all out with live music, Irish step-dancers, bagpipers, beer specials—the works. Saturday it’s kegs & eggs, with $6 Guinness pouring the entire weekend.
O’Toole’s Irish Pub
Brandon
Cold beer, karaoke, traditional Celtic music and top-level eats take over at Brandon’s most coveted pub Friday starting at 11:30 a.m.—a party they’re claiming will be their biggest in its 16-year history. Time to dust off the kilts.