St. Patrick’s Day is coming at us on Tuesday, March 17, and with it comes the desire to do one thing: Party like the Irish. If you promise to tag a designated driver or open up that Uber app, we’ll tell you the best spots to party down in Sarasota-Manatee. Don’t forget to wear green!
Downtown Sarasota St. Patrick’s Day Block Party
Saturday, March 14 at 6 p.m. at 1490 Main St., Sarasota, (941) 366-5969, thegatorclub.com
If you haven’t experienced a downtown Sarasota Gator Club block party for one of our many notable drinking holidays, check out the historic bar on St. Paddy’s. This year’s event promises live music, food trucks and other vendors out on Lemon Avenue. The party starts at 6 p.m.
Shamrock Pub
Tuesday, March 17 at 3 p.m. at 2257 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, (941) 952-1730, instagram.com/shamrockable
The Shamrock Pub—which has a legendary list of beers on tap and is an excellent spot to catch soccer— also throws a memorable St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Join in its 18th year with loads of live music and plenty of drinks. The party starts at 3 p.m. and lasts well into the night. Don’t forget to bring cash; Shamrock doesn’t accept credit cards.
Clancy’s Sports Bar and Grill
Tuesday, March 17, at 11 a.m. at 6218 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, (941) 794-2489, clancysirishsportsbar.com
Clancy’s Sports Bar and Grill starts its New Year—a.k.a., St. Patrick’s Day—on March 17. All year long, the bar counts down to its epic St. Patrick’s Day celebration, and this year is its 25th year of celebrating. Save room for plenty of corned beef, cabbage and shepherd’s pie. All guests must be 21 and older.
Main Street Lakewood Ranch
Tuesday, March 17, at 10 a.m. at 8100 Lakewood Main St., Lakewood Ranch, lakewoodranch.com
Lakewood Ranch’s Main Street restaurants have teamed up with Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue to invite you and the fam for family-friendly festivities. Enjoy kids’ games, live entertainment, raffles and, as always, beer. The celebration starts at 10 a.m.
St. Patty’s Parking Lot Party
Tuesday, March 17, at noon at 367 Jacaranda Blvd., Venice, britishopenpub.com
Head to Venice to celebrate the luck of the Irish in the parking lot outside of the British Open Pub. Don’t worry, there’s a tent, too. Bring your own lawn chair to laze in the shade to the sweet sounds of Irish bands while munching on something wonderful from the restaurant or one of the attending food trucks.
Anna Maria Oyster Bar
Tuesday, March 17, at multiple locations, oysterbar.net
Is an oyster bar an unlikely spot to grab some all-you-can-eat corned beef and cabbage? Yes, but this is Florida, and the AMOB (as the locals call it) tradition continues this year with heaping helpings of the traditional favorite.
Gecko’s Grill and Pub
Tuesday, March 17, at multiple locations, geckosgrill.com
If you want to keep things quieter this year and honor the holiday with Irish fare in a comfortable bar setting, head to your neighborhood Gecko’s. Expect shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, and bangers and mash made with Geier’s sausages. Can’t decide between the three? Opt for the platter option for a sampling of everything.
Blasé Martini Bar
All month long at 5263 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key, Sarasota, (941) 349-9822, blasepisiesta.com
If you’re the type who waits all year for a McDonald’s Shamrock Shake, you may want to swing by Blasè Martini Bar (and its sister restaurant Pie on Main in downtown Sarasota) for a “Shamrock Espresso Martini.” It’s made with vodka, Irish cream, crème de menthe and espresso.
