Tampa Bay food and drink events

Thursday, March 17: O'Keefe's Family Tavern & Grill

Celebrate O'Keefe's 50th anniversary this St. Patty's day with live music, Irish food, dancers and plenty of green beer. Free parking. Free; 11 a.m.-3 a.m. 1219 S. Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater. 727-442-9034, okeefestavernonline.com

Thursday, March 17: Peggy O’Neil’s Irish Pub & Eatery

Spend the holiday in Peggy O’Neil’s 25,000-square-foot backyard with live music, Irish step dancers and lots of food and drink. Free; 12 p.m.-close. 1025 Florida Ave., Palm Harbor. 727-787-7734, peggyoneillsirishpub.com/palm_harbor

Thursday, March 17: Maloney’s Local Irish Pub

Enjoy live music inside and out featuring the Dave Matthews Tribute Band, along with green beer and Irish food, a cornhole tournament, and giveaways. Live broadcast of the Cowhead Show from 3-7 p.m. 12 p.m.-12 a.m. Maloney’s Local Irish Pub, 9540 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa. 813-749-0859. maloneyslocalirishpub.com

Thursday, March 17: Tampa Tap Room

In the location formerly known as Tank's Tap Room, the new owners are throwing a St. Patty's/March Madness Tip Off party, offering $3 Guinness and Black & Tans, $5 Irish Car Bombs, Jameson and Baby Guinness. DJ Dave Lizeo spins from 5-10 p.m. Free; 12 p.m.-2 a.m. 13150 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-961-BEER, Facebook.com/TampaTapRoom

Thursday, March 17: O'Brien's Irish Pub - Brandon, Plant City and Tampa

All three O’Brien’s Irish pub and grill locations are hosting parties. Enjoy Irish dancers, performances by the Tampa Bay Pipe Band, and live music pumped straight from Ireland. Senior 50% discount on all food until 2 p.m. 701 W Lumsden Rd., Brandon; 1701 S Alexander St, Plant City; 11744 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. obrienspubs.com.

Thursday, March 17: Mazzaro's Italian Market

In the spirit of the holiday, Mazzaro's will be serving cheeses from the famous Neal's Yard Dairy along with beer from Cigar City Brewing and the Guinness Brewery. Each cheese will be carefully paired with beer and presented by Mazzaro's resident sommelier, Jeffrey DiMaio. $20; 12-1 p.m. 2909 22nd Ave N, St. Pete. 727-321-2400, mazzarosmarket.com

Thursday, March 17: MacDinton’s Irish Pub

Irish Whiskey specials all day and night. Live music from 2 p.m. till close. Irish dancers and bagpipers. $5 cover after 5 p.m. 2 p.m.-3 a.m. 405 S. Howard Ave., Tampa. 813-251-8999. macdintons.com.

Thursday, March 17: Renaissance Festival at MOSI

Hoist a pint to Irish heritage at the Bay Area Renaissance Festival grounds with a St. Patrick’s Day party in Piper’s Valley. Partake of traditional grub, music and free green beer. Free admission; 4-10 p.m. Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI): 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa. 813-987-6300, bayarearenaissancefest.com.

Thursday, March 17: Whole Foods Market Tampa

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  Enjoy a journey through the cheeses of Ireland, including a special Irish cheddar variety, with WFM's cheese expert. Class limited to 30 people; register by the exit lobby or by emailing [email protected]. Free; 6:30-7:30 p.m. 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com

Saturday, March 19: Quaker Steak & Lube

Come taste the entries of the Smokin' Blues Chili Cook-off and see who will advance to the International Chili Society’s World Championship in Manchester, NH. Live music, silent auction, Country Dance World Champion "Chili Chicks" and more. Proceeds to benefit the Tannehill Children’s Education Fund. Visit chilicookoff.com for more info. Free event; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 10400 49th St. N, Clearwater. pinellaslube.com

Saturday, March 19: The Fresh Market Clearwater, Carrollwood and St. Pete

Fresh Flavors Cooking Demonstration: Local chefs will lead a free, step-by-step presentation of the following dishes: Cracker Crusted Pork with Ginger Wasabi Glaze with Risotto-Style Farro with Garden Vegetables. Free event; 1-4 p.m. 25961 U.S. Highway 19, Clearwater, 727-669-6111; 13147 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 813-964-8001; 2900 4th Street N. St. Pete, 727-822-4913. thefreshmarket.com.

Saturday, March 19: Taste Cafe

Enjoy a five-course Irish-inspired meal at Taste Cafe. Includes tea, coffee and one beer or glass of wine. RSVP required. $35; 5:30 and 8:30 seatings. 500 Main St, Safety Harbor. 727-723-1116, tastesafetyharbor.com

Saturday, March 19: Tropicana Field

The 22th  Annual Abilities Wine Tasting & Silent Auction is an award-winning food and wine event featuring 400 wines, 30 gourmet restaurants, live music and 400 auction items, all benefiting the Abilities Foundation. For more info, contact contact Frank DeLucia at 727-538-7370, Ext. 345 or [email protected]. Patrons may purchase tickets online at www.abilitiesfoundation.com. VIP tickets: $100 in advance, $125 at the door; Grand Tasting: $50, $65 after February 18th, and $65 at the door. VIP reception: 6-7 p.m., Grand Tasting & Silent Auction: 7-9 p.m. 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Pete.

Sunday, March 20: Rita’s Italian Ice - Clearwater, Riverview, Seminole and Tampa

It's Rita's 19th Annual First Day of Spring Free Ice Giveaway Day! Each Rita's Guest will receive one free, regular-size Italian Ice in the available flavor of their choice to commemorate the arrival of spring. 12 p.m.-9 p.m. 1010 Court St, Clearwater, 727-446-3023; Northwood Plaza Shopping Center: 2510-A N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, 727-796-RITA; Riverview Summerfield Square: 13149 Us Hwy 301, 813-741-0423; 13147 86th Avenue N., Seminole, 727-393-6740; 11640 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 813-374-2419. ritasice.com

Tuesday, March 22: Whole Foods Market Tampa

Shop today and 5% of the day’s net sales will be donated to WMNF 88.5 fm Community Radio.  This Tampa Bay non-profit organization continues to be volunteer-powered and listener-sponsored, providing the listening community with eclectic music as well as non-mainstream news, views and public affairs programming. Stop by on Tuesday and listen to the cool sounds of local radio as WMNF DJs spin tunes right in the store! 9 a.m.-9 p.m. 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com

Wednesday, March 23: Whole Foods Market Tampa

The Mediterranean diet is a way of eating that has been scientifically proven to help fend off and control debilitating diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity. Dr. Richard Saitta M.D., who heads the local Florida company Mediterranean Meals, is a long time member of the American College of Nutrition and culinary expert. Join this class to learn to prepare delicious Mediterranean recipes and pick up healthy cooking techniques along the way. Class limited to 30 people; register by the exit lobby or by emailing [email protected]. Free; 6:30-8 p.m. 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com

Thursday, March 24: Maggiano's Little Italy

Join Maggiano’s and Chateau St. Jean Wines for an exclusive wine dinner, including passed hors d’oeuvres, salad, pasta, surf and turf and a chocolate marshmallow torte with white chocolate cannoli; each course paired with a glass of Chateau St. Jean wine. Call to reserve your seat. $65; 6:30-9:30 p.m. 203 Westshore Plaza, Tampa. 813-288-0066, maggianos.com

Saturday, March 26: Tampa Bay Brewing Company

Join Cigar City Brewery and Whole Foods Market for craft beer and local music at the 2nd annual "Casks for a Cause" event to raise money for the Whole Planet Foundation, a non-profit organization that funds microlending programs in developing-world communities. "Casks for a Cause" will take place at the Tampa Bay Brewing Company in Ybor City, and the first 500 guests will receive a free pint glass. Taste delectable beer and support a worthy cause. Visit wholefoodsmarket.com for more info. $10 entry, $2 per 8 oz. pour; 2-6 p.m. Tampa Bay Brewing Company: 1600 East 8th Avenue, Ybor City.

Weekdays: Wood Fired Pizza Wine Bar

Monday- College Night: 2-4-1 happy hour with college or faculty ID, 5 p.m.- close; Tuesday- Half-priced wine bottles, 5 p.m.- close; Wednesday- 2-4-1 glasses of wine. 5p.m.- close; Thursday-  $12 unlimited drafts, 8-10 p.m. 2822 E. Bearss Ave., Tampa. 813-341-2900, wood-firedpizza.com

Mondays: Peabody's

Penny pitchers! Buy one pitcher get the second for a penny, including well liquor pitchers and select draft beers. 15333 Amberly Dr., Tampa. 813-972-1725, peabodysbilliards.com

Tuesdays: Cafe Alma

Who needs a Friday or Saturday date night? Get out on a Tuesday to indulge half-priced bottles of wine and tapas all evening, starting at 4:30 p.m. Being frugal never tasted so good. 260 1st Avenue S., St. Pete. 727-502-5002

Tuesdays: Beak's Old Florida

Get 25% off Palm Plate entrees of steaks, pork and choice seafood dishes for "T-Bone Tuesdays" at Beak's (dine in only). 2451 Central Ave., St. Pete. 727-321-9100

Tuesdays: MacDinton's

Specials from 7-close, including: $2 Sam Adams Seasonal drafts, $2.50 Smirnoff vodkas, and $4 Smirnoff shots, and $3 build-your-own-burger. And free karaoke makes this night even better. 7 p.m.-3 a.m. 405 South Howard Ave, Tampa. 813-251-8999; macdintons.com

Wednesdays: World of Beer (all locations)

Half-off select drafts and, if you kill one of the kegs, you'll be the lucky winner of a $10 gift card to spend on even more beer at WOB. Open-close. www.wobusa.com

Thursdays: Kon Tiki at The Tahitian Inn

$5 SKYY martinis and half-priced bottles of wine. 601 S. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 800-876-1397, tahitianinn.com

Fridays: Taps Wine and Beer Eatery

Ladies receive $4 martinis from 5-10 p.m. 777 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa. 813-463-1968, www.tapswineandbeer.com

Tampa Bay Fresh Markets: Click here to see a list of weekly markets in Tampa Bay.

Image via SCV Life.