Strike gold: St. Paddy's Day destinations with pub grub aplenty

Where to eat, drink and go green — in more ways than one — around Tampa Bay.

click to enlarge Prost Kitchen + Bar has an all-day bash planned for St. Paddy's Day revelers. - Courtesy of Prost Kitchen + Bar
Courtesy of Prost Kitchen + Bar
Prost Kitchen + Bar has an all-day bash planned for St. Paddy's Day revelers.

A running list of destinations, bars and restaurants included, where Tampa Bay can go green to celebrate St. Patrick's Day — in more ways than one.

All festivities take place on Saturday unless otherwise noted.

The Bends A live band and DJ tunes lead this annual celebration, where $5 shots of the new Jameson Irish Whiskey IPA and stout are on hand throughout the evening. No cover. 9 p.m.-3 a.m. 919 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-202-8931.

Boulevard Burgers & Tap House A St. Paddy's-themed burger named The Irish Car Bomb is the new patty of the month. Accompanied by specials on booze throughout the holiday weekend, the half-pound burger — which includes a diner's choice of side — is topped with Cheddar, house-made Jameson barbecue sauce, Baileys candied bacon, and a fried onion ring. $13.95. 5905 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-201-4906, blvdburgers.com.

The DrYnk The holiday edition of the Black Heart Group's Sold Out Saturdays, aka one big party long the buzzing SoHo strip. Discounted tickets are available online. $10. 10 p.m.-3 a.m. 302 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, theblackheartgroup.com.

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar The lavishly priced O'Fashioned — 12-year-old Tullamore D.E.W. Special Reserve Irish Whiskey served in a Baccarat diamond-cut clear crystal tumbler — takes center stage. This drink pairs well with maple-glazed, slab-cut bacon or bone-in ribeye as much as the steakhouse chain's signature potatoes with cream, jalapeños and Cheddar. $100. 4322 W. Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa, 813-874-9463, flemingssteakhouse.com.

GrillSmith Stop in for the corned beef and cabbage entree, then wash it down with a Jameson Old Fashioned. Patrons who snap a selfie with the restaurant's leprechaun, Smitty, and promote the photo on social media with #Smitty will score a free appetizer during their next visit. GrillSmith operates in Carrollwood, Clearwater, Lakeland and New Tampa. $9-$14. March 16-18. 14303 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 813-269-1500, grillsmith.com.

The Godfrey Hotel & Cabanas This waterfront resort hosts an all-day party with drink deals, food, a live DJ and games. Visitors can munch on a corned beef cabbage and corned beef sandwiches while downing green Bud Light drafts. $2.50-$15. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. 7700 W. Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa, 813-281-8900, godfreyhoteltampa.com.

click to enlarge After Paddyfest, recover with brunch at Irish 31. - Agostini Photography
Agostini Photography
After Paddyfest, recover with brunch at Irish 31.

Irish 31 As part of its annual week of Paddyfest events, which includes an outdoor music festival experience in Hyde Park Village, the restaurant wants to help partygoers recover with Keggs & Eggs. The brunch spread features green beer, mimosas and build-your-own Bloody Marys — oh, and chef-inspired pub fare, of course. Irish 31's Hyde Park and Westchase locations are participating. March 18, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 1611 W. Swann Ave., Tampa, 813-250-0031, irish31.com.

Krystal For a limited time, diners can get lucky at Krystal, nabbing 10 of the fast-food franchise's signature sliders and 20 chicken nuggets at a discount. $10. 2625 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, 813-871-2059, krystal.com.

Larry's A St. Paddy's pooch reunion hosted at the beachside mainstay. Guests are invited to bring their dogs and meet some new pups along the way. Complimentary mini doughnuts, discounts on ice cream, and other treats await. 1-3 p.m. 6595 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-360-4259, larrysicecream.com.

Locale Market Head to the gourmet market for a traditional Irish feast. Corned beef, boiled red potatoes and cabbage from the surf-and-turf station's chefs await all day long. $14.99. 179 Second Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-523-6300, localegourmetmarket.com.

Mastry's Brewing Co. The brewery and Tampa Bay Watch urge locals to think green for St. Paddy's. The all-day Drink Beer, Do Good event begins with a coastal cleanup effort at four area beaches till noon — in collaboration with Keep America Beautiful's nationwide Great American Cleanup program — then a visit to Mastry's Brewing is in order. To sign up as a volunteer, register online in advance; volunteers score specials on house drafts afterward. 9 a.m.-midnight. 7701 Blind Pass Road, St. Pete Beach, 727-202-8045, mastrysbrewingco.com.

Nature's Food Patch Chef and author Debby DeGraaff leads a cooking lesson driven by a vegan Irish stew and traditional soda bread. Free. 11 a.m. 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater, 727-443-6703, naturesfoodpatch.com.

Pair O' Dice Brewing Company Spend the holiday sipping Irish whiskey oak-aged brews. The tap list includes A Proper Drink (American red ale aged on Irish whiskey American oak) and the Beer Bomb, which blends Pair O' Dice's Gives You Strength (oatmeal stout aged on Irish whiskey French oak) with a shot of I Want the Gold (imperial white milk stout aged on Irish whiskey French oak). March 16 & 17. 4400 118th Ave. N. #208, Clearwater, 727-755-3423, pairodicebrewing.com.

The Portico An indoor addition to the Mayor's River O'Green Fest, the family-friendly Pot O'Gold Palooza provides unlimited activities and experiences like "Leprechaun Cotton Candy," karaoke for kids and Irish folklore to those who make a minimum cafe purchase. Proceeds benefit The Portico's campus. $5 for adults, $3 for kids 2 & up. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 1001 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-786-5702, theportico.org.

Pranique Yoga & Wellness Oldsmar's Brū Florida Growler Bar has teamed up with its neighbor, Pranique, on Irish yoga. This easy class allows members and newcomers to unwind toward the end of the week — with both yoga and tasters of several Florida craft beers. Participants, who should register by phone to reserve a spot, also score a certificate for one free pint at Brū. The duo hope to continue their partnership once a month. $16. March 15, 5:30-7 p.m. 400 N. Racetrack Road, Oldsmar, 813-510-4972, praniquecenter.com.

Prost Kitchen + Bar The modern European tavern celebrates its first St. Paddy's with an all-day bash. Bottomless mimosas and green beer are planned, alongside a cornhole competition and live music. $3-$8. 11 a.m.-3 a.m. 2802 E. Bearss Ave., Tampa, 813-466-5249, prostkitchen.com.

Sea Dog Brew Pub A family-friendly block party showcasing Irish bites and beverages, live sounds, and games like shuffleboard and cornhole. Highlights include Sea Dog's house-brewed stout and Tullamore D.E.W. whiskey shots, plus bangers and shepherd's pie from executive chef Mark Boyd. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 9610 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island, 727-954-7805, seadogstreasureisland.com.

click to enlarge The Hard Rock gets illuminated for the holiday. - Courtesy of Seminole Hard Rock
Courtesy of Seminole Hard Rock
The Hard Rock gets illuminated for the holiday.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Revelers could have a worthwhile holiday without leaving the Seminole Hard Rock property. The Rez serves up shepherd's pie with lamb and beef; Irish mac 'n' cheese and seafood stew, among other dishes, are in store for Fresh Harvest; and Council Oak Steaks & Seafood spotlights a three-course menu, to name a few of the food and drink offerings. 5223 Orient Road, Tampa, 813-627-7625, seminolehardrocktampa.com.

Soggy Bottom Brewing Co. Two taps dedicated to a $3 local guest beer and to a $3 "cinnamon fire" shot. But the brewery gets particularly weird on Saturday night — as patrons are encouraged to dye their facial hair green for the 8 p.m. beard competition. Cash and prizes go to the winner, which will be announced at 11 p.m. March 16 & 17, noon. 660 Main St., Dunedin, 727-601-1698.

Thirsty First A collaborative effort between Thirsty First, The One Night Stand, Copper Shaker and The Estate, this annual block party brings all-you-can-drink tickets, food by Nueva Cantina, games like giant beer pong and live performances to the First Avenue North block. The outdoor event's organizers threw in micro championship wrestling for good measure, too. 4-10:30 p.m. 119 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-317-3333, thirstyfirstlounge.com.

Toojay's Enjoy a classic dinner of corned beef and cabbage, as well as a complementary selection of beer and wine. Guests can end on a sweet note with the New York-style deli chain's featured dessert — chocolate-covered Irish cream cheesecake. Through March 18. 401 E. Jackson St., Tampa, 813-284-4102, toojays.com

The Wheelhouse Potatofest? Yup. This kitchen and beer bar presents a day of potato-forward dishes (it is St. Paddy's, after all). Visitors should arrive with the largest spuds they can find to enter, well, the Biggest Potato Content. The winning potato gets cooked up with all the fixin's, and the person who entered the tater lands a prize basket. Noon. 7220 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-623-0589, thewheelhousestpete.com.

Zoës Kitchen Throughout the weekend, drop by the Mediterranean-inspired franchise for $3 off any $17 purchase with promo code ZKSTPATTY. The offer is redeemable in-store or online. March 16-18. 942 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-906-2090, zoeskitchen.com.

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