From boozy bashes to family-friendly fun, here's a working guide on where to spend St. Patrick's Day with food and drink. All the events will take place Thursday, unless otherwise noted.
Beach Bar & Restaurant Leprechauns are set to invade this St. Patrick's party, which will highlight live music, Irish food and green beer. Enjoy $2 Miller Lite drafts or $6 Jameson Irish Whiskey drinks, and snap a photo with a leprechaun, if you're lucky. Free, money for food and drinks. 11 a.m. 7700 W. Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa, 813-281-0566.
Datz Traditional Irish fare like lamb shepherd's pie or bangers and mash, plus Lucky Charms doughnuts, stout ice cream and more from Datz's younger sibling, Dough. Redhead guests that drop in will land $3 green beer at the bar, and everyone is welcome to participate in the cabbage toss for a chance to win prizes. Free, money for food and drinks. 7 a.m.-10 p.m. 2616 S. Macdill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-7000.
IHOP Wear your finest green gear to any IHOP location on St. Paddy's Day and score a short stack of buttermilk pancakes for $1. Free, money for food. 7 a.m.-7 p.m. ihop.com.
Inaugural Paddyfest Shamrock Shuffle Along a 3.1-mile route, run to find golden shamrocks and trade them in for raffle tickets at Irish 31's two concepts in Hyde Park and Westchase. A complimentary buffet, New Belgium pours and prizes for runners wearing the most green and best costume will also be showcased. Free. Hyde Park: March 16, 6:30 p.m. 1611 W. Swann Ave., Tampa, 813-250-0031. Westchase: March 16, 7 p.m. 10102 Montague St., Westchase, 813-510-3931.
Lucky Dill Deli Joined by Brooklyn Bakery and NYC Bar, this weeklong bash — whose huge party happens Thursday, Friday and Saturday — will include Irish step dancers, live music, stilt walkers and face painting. Get in on the fun with the family, then feed your belly with corned beef and cabbage, fish and chips, homemade Irish soda bread, and green beer. March 14-20, 8 a.m. 33180 U.S. Highway 19 N., Palm Harbor, 727-789-5574.
Mayor's River O'Green Live music, Irish food tastings, beer and entertainment for kids will accompany Tampa's official St. Patrick's celebration at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. The gathering's main draw, the Hillsborough River, will be transformed into a bright shade of green. Free, money for food and drinks. March 19, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa.
O'Maddy's Bar & Grille Snag food and drink specials at O'Maddy's, including $10.95 corned beef and cabbage. Free, money for food and drink. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 5405 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport, 727-323-8643.
Paddyfest Blarney Bike Ride Hop on your bike at Ferg's Live for a leisurely ride to Hyde Park's Irish 31, where New Belgium will sample its not-yet-released Botanical IPA. Then, cruise back to Ferg's for more tastings, giveaways and contests for best Irish costume and decorated bike. Register online in advance to receive a bonus raffle ticket for a custom New Belgium cruiser. Free. March 15, 6:30 p.m. 490 Channelside Drive, Tampa, 813-443-8403.
Paddyfest Extravaganza At Ferg's Live and both Irish 31 locations, expect green brewskis, Irish cuisine and live sounds during the culmination to Paddyfest. Ferg's will hold a flip cup tournament and a Bono look-a-like contest, while a wing-eating contest will be held at the Irish 31 restaurants. $15. 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Ferg's Live: 490 Channelside Drive, Tampa, 813-443-8403. Irish 31: 1611 W. Swann Ave, Tampa, 813-250-0031, & 10102 Montague St., Westchase, 813-510-3931.
PJ Dolan's Irish Pub & Grille Commemorate the holiday with an old-school Irish breakfast featuring black-and-white pudding, rashers bacon, corned beef hash, beans and toast. $5. 8 a.m. 2836 E. Bearss Ave., Tampa, 813-374-2338.
St. Patrick's Day Street Festival Toast to everything Irish at Flanagan's Irish Pub and outside on the annual street fest's Pioneer Park stage. Lucid Druid, Mighty Fine Peppers and Cage O'Hanlon will be among the performances, and other entertainment (think bagpipers and Irish step dancers) will be paired with authentic eats. Free, money for food and drinks. 11 a.m.-midnight. 465 Main St., Dunedin, 727-736-4994.
St. Patrick's Day Wine, Whiskey & Beer Tasting Celebrate St. Patrick's Day through this ABC wine tasting with Irish flair, where you'll sample more than 50 wines, Irish spirits and beer. A souvenir wine glass, plus a coupon to save on any purchase during the event, will be included. $10. 6-8 p.m. 1845 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Wesley Chapel, 813-907-2647.
Ybor City St. Patrick's Day Food Bash The historic Centro Asturiano de Tampa building will host an inaugural Irish smorgasbord. Food truck tastes and drinks from concepts such as Spaddy's Coffee Co., What Up Dog and Craving Donuts will be on hand. Free, money for food and drinks. 7 p.m.-10 p.m. 1913 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa.
This article appears in Mar 3-9, 2016.