St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just for the Irish. In fact, the day has been celebrated in United States since … well, since before there even was a United States. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in Boston in 1737.
So in keeping with 272 years of tradition, those of us of Irish descent, and many more who aren’t, will be wearing green, indulging in corned beef and cabbage and drinking green beer Tuesday.
There are far too many celebrations at East Valley bars and restaurants to list them all, but here are some of the most popular:
Fibber Magees annually hosts one of the East Valley’s biggest parties, fencing their strip-mall parking lot (you have to park across the street) to make room for as many as 3,000 revelers. The pub starts serving Irish breakfast at 8 a.m., with outdoor action beginning at 11. The Keltic Cowboys kick off the music at 2:30 p.m., followed by Capitol Down and The Scones. $10 cover. 1989 W. Elliot Rd., Chandler, (480) 722-9434.
SanTan Brewing Company is closing off the street (Commonwealth) on the north of the downtown Chandler brew pub at 4 p.m. for Irish dancers and games. Music will be provided by The Knockabouts, GTR and The Insomniacs. Featured vendors include Rock Bottom, BJ’s Restaurant, Gordon Biersch, Guinness, Bailey’s and Strong Bow. Cover is $20 in advance and $25 at door. 8 S. San Marcos Place, Chandler, (480) 917-8700.
Murphy’s Law, just down the street from SanTan, is fencing off an area behind the Irish pub to accommodate an additional 300 people. Corned beef and bangers (sausages) will be sold. Drink specials include $3 green beers and $5 Guinness. Four bands begin playing at 3 p.m. Cover is $5 before 3 and $10 after. 58 S. San Marcos Place, Chandler, (480) 812-1588.
R.T. O’Sullivan’s will host parking-lot parties for about 1,500 people at both its Mesa sports bars. Live music starts at noon, with five bands at each location. Drink specials include 20-ounce green beers for $4, $5 domestics and $6 imports. 1010 W. Southern Ave., Mesa, (480) 844-1290; 6646 Superstition Springs Boulevard, Mesa, (480) 396-9933.
Dos Gringos, Upper Deck Sports Grill and Acme Bar will team up for the Craftsman Court Block Party in Old Town Scottsdale. Metal Elvis, Zimis and Hairforce will perform. Drink specials include eight green beers for $20. The party, which starts at 11 a.m., is free before 8 p.m. and TBD after. Craftsman Court between Third and Fifth avenues, (480) 423-3800.
McDuffy’s Grille will have $2 green beer, $3 Lucky Leprechauns and $3 Rainbow Rockets starting at 11 a.m. Food will include corned beef and cabbage for $7.95. There also will be green beads and giveaways, as well as a free shuttle. 980 E. Pecos Road, Chandler, (480) 966-8200.
Tilted Kilt opens the doors at its Mesa location at 6 a.m. Irish step dancers and bagpipers will perform at an outside beer garden. Bullox provides live music at 2 p.m., followed by Incognito at 6. Call for cover. 1910 S. Gilbert Road, Mesa, (480) 507-5458.
Casey Moore’s puts on its annual parking-lot party with a limited menu of such dishes as corned beef and shepherd’s pie. No live music or drink specials. The celebrating starts at 10 a.m. Cover is free until dusk; TBD after. 850 S. Ash Ave., Tempe, (480) 968-9935.
D’Arcy McGee’s opens at 6 p.m. for Irish breakfast and a live radio broadcast on KUPD-FM. Live music begins in the Tempe Marketplace parking lot at 1 p.m. with Inis, JG and the Modrockers and the Cell Phone Cowboys. Cover is $10. 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, (480) 557-9087.
Rula Bula will offer a limited menu of its Irish favorites all day, with bands — Pat McCrosan, the Town Lake Highlanders and the Keltic Cowboys — starting on the patio at noon. The Insomniacs plays inside at 9:30. Cover TBD. 401 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, (480) 929-9500.
Four Peaks Brewing Company opens at 7 a.m. for Irish breakfast. Irish food will be available all day, as will $3.50 pints on all its beers. No cover. 1340 E. Eighth St., Tempe, (480) 303-9967.
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