St. Patrick’s Day Guide 2014
The 4th Estate Productions
Where to drink
The Annual San Diego ShamROCK is coming to the Gaslamp Quarter for its 19th year. This event will feature three music stages blasting Irish rock music and DJ sets, and a 150-foot Irish pub on the street. All the fun takes place March 15 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. General admission tickets will be $45 on the day of the event.
Don’t hole yourself up at one venue; join the Saint Paddy’s Pub Crawl. This two-day event will satisfy all thirsts with $2 beers, $3 well drinks and $4 whiskey shots. This double-header takes place March 15, 12-10 p.m. and March 17, 2-10 p.m. Tickets for one day are $10, but a two-day pass is only $15.
Wave House Beach Club offers an oceanic spin on this Irish holiday. On March 17, green beer and $5 Jameson will be flowing like the ocean alongside activities such as beer pong and prize wheels.
Find out what it truly means to be “Irish 4 a Day” with this non-stop party on March 15. A $50 ticket grants you 10 welcome shots, paid cover for 18 cubs and bars, exclusive access to drink specials and $3 off parking. The kickoff party begins at McFadden’s at 2 p.m. while the evening closes at Stingaree at 2 a.m. Partiers can either map their route at their own pace or follow the provided guide with the rest of the Irish 4 a Day crew.
If green beer isn’t your thing, head to Pacifica Del Mar for its own green beverage—the cucumber basil cocktail. This refreshing drink will be served all day March 17 for $9.
Where to eat
Nothing says Emerald Isle quite like signature dishes such as Guinness beef stew, fish and chips and shepherd’s pie. All these plates and more are available at The Field, located in the Gaslamp Quarter. Stop in on March 18 to hear Irish rock band The Fooks shred at 8:30 p.m.
Indulge your sweet tooth with adorable, Ireland-themed cupcakes from Heavenly Cupcakes. These decorated bits of deliciousness cost $58 per dozen.
Classic Irish cuisine not for you? Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar is serving Irish nachos, a dish of fried potatoes smothered in chili, cheese, sour cream, salsa fresca and jalapenos. Quench your thirst with a half & half or a James & ginger cocktail.
Where to rock
Harrah’s Rincon will share the luck of the Irish all weekend long. The party starts at 9 p.m. on March 14 when Harrah’s Rincon Dive Day Club and Ultra Pool will provide live music, beverage specials and a green lazy river. On March 15, casino goers can catch a flash mob of Irish river dancers, spreading luck and charm to the casino floor. Get ready to rock on March 16 when The Fighting Jamesons take the stage at the event center. Concert tickets are $19 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster or picked up the Harrah’s Rincon box office.
San Diego’s authority on Irish food, Hooley’s Irish Pub and Grill, is hosting its annual Hooleyfest on March 17 from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. A $20 advanced ticket promises “All the St. Patrick’s Day fun and music you can handle.” Tantalize your senses with music from Tony Cummins, Jukebox and Lexington Field while feasting on one of Hooley’s popular corned beef tacos.
Gallagher’s Irish Pub in Ocean Beach is presenting a two-day festival that combines all elements of a good St. Patrick’s Day—alcohol, food and entertainment. March 15 kicks off the weekend with the pre-paddy party featuring live bands and DJs. The party continues on March 17 with performances by The Barmen, Lexington Field and The Fooks starting at 12 p.m. The raucous music is complimented by Guinness, green beer and the restaurant’s homemade corned beef plates. Leprechauns and shenanigans are sure to fill this event.
Where to take the whole family
The San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival is the ultimate destination for culture and family-fun. The festival opens at 9 a.m. and will house two stages of live entertainment all day long. Check out craft booths, rides, Irish soldier re-enactors and, for mom and dad, the beer garden. Be sure to line up at Sixth Ave. and Juniper St. at 10:30 a.m. to get a perfect view of the parade filled with floats, bagpipes and the reigning Miss Colleen and Smiling Irishman.
Test more than just your ability to drink with this year’s St. Patrick’s Day 10k run on March 15 at Mission Bay Park. Pizza and beer await those who cross the finish line, while all proceeds benefit Rady Children’s Hospital. Come dressed in your best Irish apparel for a chance to win the costume contest.
One run not enough? On March 16, downtown El Cajon hosts its own St. Patrick’s Day races with half marathon, 5k and one-mile options. Live music will cheer on the half-marathon runners and can be found at the finish line as well. Also at the finish line will be a full-fledged festival complete with vendor booths, food trucks and bounce houses. For adult fun, check out the Wine & Beerfest, which is free to all runners. Accept the leprechaun challenge by running the El Cajon 5k along with the Mission Bay 10k.
North County has its own reason to celebrate with its third annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival in Vista. This event drew more than 1,500 people last year and will focus on fun and Irish pride. The festival beings at 10 a.m. and the parade begins at 11 a.m.
Celebrate Irish literature at the 35th annual St. Patrick’s Day Open Reading of Irish Poetry and Prose. Hosted by D.G. Wills Books in La Jolla, this traditional event invites community members to read selections from James Joyce, William Butler Yeats, Samuel Beckett and other Irish writers. Festivities begin at 7 p.m.
