16 Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Denver

St. Patrick’s Day Party at Talnua Distillery

• Date: March 14–15
• Time: 1–9 p.m.
• Cost: Free attendance
• Address: 5405 W. 56th Ave, Unit C, Arvada

Each year, this Arvada distillery releases a limited-edition whiskey on St. Patrick’s Day to commemorate the anniversary of its opening. Celebrate its sixth birthday (don’t worry, that’s over 21 in distillery years) by purchasing a special bottle of Olde Saint’s Keep single-pot still American whiskey during this two-day fete. They’ll also have specialty cocktails, a cigar lounge, live music from the likes of Queen City Pipe Band and American Gael, plus grub from G Wagon Food Truck and Big Belly Brothers BBQ.

St. Paddy’s Palooza at Punch Bowl Social

• Date: March 14–17
• Time: 11 a.m.–11:30 p.m.
• Cost: Free with RSVP
• Address: 65 Broadway, Denver

Keep your eyes peeled for gold at this rambunctious bash: There are prizes hidden around the venue that might just earn you a free round. Even if you’re not one of the lucky ones, you can still enjoy classic Irish songs (start practicing “Rattlin’ Bog”), Tullamore D.E.W., and green beer. Don’t leave without belting “The Irish Rover” during karaoke and going for a high score in Skee-Ball.

Viewhouse Ballpark St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

• Date: March 14–17
• Time: Times vary
• Cost: Free attendance
• Address: 2015 Market St., Denver

One day isn’t enough time for Viewhouse Ballpark’s bash; so, they’ve extended their festivities to four days. Get the party started first thing Friday morning with Keggs and Eggs, where radio station KTCL 93.3 will host Neon Trees and other national bands. Stick around downtown after Denver’s parade on Saturday for an all-day affair that’s sure to leave you sufficiently scuttered. Sunday brings secretive “Sunday Funday” shenanigans, and on Monday—St. Patty’s proper—heal your holiday hangover with food specials all day.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

• Date: March 15
• Time: 9:30 a.m.
• Cost: Free
• Address: Parade steps off at 19th and Wynkoop streets

You can’t celebrate St. Patty’s Day in Denver without attending this iconic parade—well, you could, but why would you want to miss out on what’s rumored to be one of the largest celebrations in the United States? The procession will start on Wynkoop and end on Blake Street (renamed “Tooley Street” for the occasion) near 27th Street. You’ll spot plenty of bagpipes, leprechauns, and rainbows, plus Grand Marshal Lisa Switzer (president of Irish Network Colorado) and this year’s Queen Colleen.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade at Terminal Bar

• Date: March 15
• Time: 9 a.m.
• Cost: Free attendance
• Address: 1701 Wynkoop St., Denver

You won’t even have to lift your arse from your chair to watch the St. Patrick’s Day Parade from Union Station’s Terminal Bar. Sip on frozen (or hot, depending on Denver’s finicky weather) Irish coffee, Tullamore D.E.W. cocktails, and generous pours of Guinness while you take in the oversize floats and nimble Irish dancers. After the procession, stick around for giveaways, a 360-degree photo booth, and music from a live DJ.

St. Patrick’s Day Weekend at Wonderyard

• Date: March 15
• Time: After the parade
• Cost: Free attendance
• Address: 2200 Larimer St., Denver

Once you’ve seen the parade roll through town, journey just two blocks over from the route to Wonderyard for more tomfoolery. Here, bartenders are shaking up themed sippers like the Shamrock Spritz (passionfruit liqueur, passionfruit simple syrup, sparkling wine, edible glitter) and the Lucky U (vodka, crème de menthe, Baileys, whipped cream, marshmallow pieces).

Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl

• Date: March 15
• Time: 4 p.m.–midnight
• Cost: $25–30
• Address: Crawl begins at 1800 Wazee St., Denver

Those who prefer to spend St. Patrick’s Day on foot—maybe to walk off all those Irish car bombs—should snag a ticket to this classic pub crawl. Start at Milk Market Moo Bar, then mosey to watering holes including Tapville Social ($7 Shamrock sours and $1 mystery shots) and One Shot Back ($4 Jameson shots and $5 green brews). Your ticket earns you up to three free drinks.

Hops ‘n Hash Beergarden Bash

• Date: March 15
• Time: 1–5 p.m.
• Cost: Free attendance
• Address: 1071 Courtesy Road, Louisville

Bring your wee ones to this family-friendly shindig at Rocky Mountain Tap & Garden. While you sip on pints of the ubiquitous green beer and nibble on Irish stew, little lads and lasses can get their faces painted and play lawn games. Adult merrymakers can compete in a beer pong tournament and challenge their mates to a cornhole contest.

St. Patrick’s Day Block Party and Pub Crawl

• Date: March 15
• Time: Starting at 1 p.m.
• Cost: $14
• Address: Multiple locations

Rowdy revelers can drink at dozens of Denver’s best bars during this massive pub crawl. The 20-plus participating watering holes are spread out throughout RiNo and LoDo and will offer drink deals such as $4 Irish goodbye shots (Improper City), $12 car bombs (Zanzibar Billiards), and $10 St. Patty’s margaritas (Los Chingones).

Get Lucked Up at McGregor Square

• Date: March 15
• Time: Starting at 8 a.m.
• Cost: Free attendance
• Address: 1901 Wazee St., Denver

Shake your shamrock at this soiree that marries Colorado’s best—Coors Light—with the Emerald Isle’s illustrious ale—green beer. Those of imbibing age can also enjoy deals like $3 Jello shots, $10 Irish slammers, and $7 Irish coffees while you watch local bagpipers, jugglers, dancers, and more.

St. Patrick’s Day at Stanley Marketplace

• Date: March 15–16
• Time: Varies
• Cost: Free
• Address: 2501 Dallas St., Aurora

If the weather cooperates, post up on the patty-o at Stanley Beer Hall, where drink specials and Irish bites will keep you fueled for the festivities. If you’re more into dancing than drinking, catch the Celtic Steps perform an Irish jig on Sunday.

Celtic Awakening

• Date: March 15–16
• Time: Varies
• Cost: $37–$60
• Address: 2344 E. Iliff Ave., Denver

For those whose ideal St. Patty’s celebration has more bagpipes than picklebacks, this annual concert at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts will strike the right chord. Local performers, including Denver Brass, Celtic Colorado Pipes & Drums, and Rocky Mountain Highland Dancers, will collaborate on a show that will transport viewers to the rolling hills of Ireland.

Shamrock the Block

• Date: March 15–17
• Time: Varies
• Cost: Free attendance
• Address: 1800 Wazee St., Denver

After the parade, leap to the Dairy Block, where you can swill frozen Sassy Lassies (whiskey, salted caramel, green apple, and lime) at Poka Lola Social Club, jig to live music in the Denver Milk Market, get glitter tattoos, and then refuel with Irish-inspired brunch items at Kachina Cantina.

Kevin Fitzgerald and His Lucky Charms

• Date: March 16
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Cost: $14
• Address: 1226 15th St., Denver

Irish eyes won’t be the only ones smiling at this Shamrock Day comedy show. Kevin Fitzgerald—of the Late, Late Show and Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me—will take the stage at Comedy Works Downtown, along with bagpipe players and Irish dancers, for a hilarious ode to the Land of Saints and Scholars. March 16; 7 p.m.; $14

St. Patrick’s Weekend Celebration at the Thirsty Lion

• Date: Now–March 17
• Time: Varies
• Cost: Menu prices vary
• Address: 1605 Wynkoop St., Denver

This Union Station gastropub will be serving up Gaelic grub all weekend. Dig into traditional scotch eggs, bacon cheddar potato cakes, Irish shepherd pie, whiskey bing cherry bread pudding, and more. Wash your meal down with an Irish espresso martini made with Jameson. Menu available through March 17; times vary; menu prices vary

St. Patrick’s Day at Cherry Cricket

• Date: Varies by location
• Time: Varies
• Cost: Menu prices vary
• Address: 2641 E. 2nd Ave, Denver; 2220 Blake Street, Denver; 819 W. Littleton Blvd., Littleton

No matter where in the Mile High City you reside, there’s likely a Cherry Cricket—and its St. Patty’s offerings—nearby. At its Ballpark, Littleton, and Cherry Creek locations, the restaurant and bar will offer live music and specials on green beer, Guinness, and Jameson. Don’t skip the food menu, either, which features corned beef and cabbage and the Dubliner 2.0 burger with corned beef, Dijonnaise, potato chips, and jalapeño queso. Dates vary per location; times vary; free attendance