Of all of the Irish holidays in the world, none is more famous than St. Patrick’s Day.
To be honest, St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t really have a lot of competition in that department. St. Stephen’s Day (the day after Christmas) is not very famous at all. Easter Monday isn’t celebrated that often outside of Ireland (as far as I know), and the Labour Day we celebrate in America doesn’t have a “u” in it. Must be a different thing.
That leaves good old St. Patty’s Day – with all it’s Irish-drinking-song-singing, green beer drinking, and people-pinching – as the undisputed Irish holiday champion.
Here’s the info we were able to find on St. Patty’s Day happenings in Fayetteville.
Patty O’Grill on St. Patty’s Day Eve
St. Patrick’s day is kind of a big deal at Mickey Finn’s, so they tend to start the party the night before. This year, they’ve got Dave Malm (aka Paddy O’Grill) playing a solo show on St. Patty’s Dave Eve (March 16), and they’ll be open and serving Guinness starting at 11 a.m. on the 17th.
Dickson Street Pub Crawl
Several Dickson Street area merchants are hosting their annual St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl starting at 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 17.
Interested participants can pick up a passport at Common Grounds with a list of the 17 participating businesses. The first 250 participants to visit those businesses, get their cards marked, and return them to Common Grounds get a free t-shirt.
You don’t have to consume anything at the 17 participating businesses to be eligible to get a t-shirt. Just stop in at each location and get your card marked. You also don’t have to actually crawl down Dickson Street. That’d be weird.
Participants in this year’s pub crawl include Mickey Finn’s, Buster Belly’s, George’s Majestic Lounge, Powerhouse Seafood, Grub’s, Common Grounds, Hog Haus, Big Momma’s, The Wine Cellar, Dickson Street Liquor, Zooloo’s, Speakeasy, West End, 21st Amendment, Crown Pub, Qdoba, and Jose’s.
Live Music
Greenhouse Grille will have traditional Irish music with Dave Malm (Paddy O’Grill) and Steve Kelsey (Bill O’Sayle) starting at around 6 p.m. on Thursday night. These guys playing around Fayetteville have kind of become a St. Patty’s Day tradition.
Smoke & Barrel Tavern has Cletus Got Shot, who, according to S&B co-owner Evan McDonald, is the closest thing to a house band the venue will ever have. Everyone knows Cletus Got Shot by now. They rule.
JJ’s Grill n Chill has local Southern Rock band Maud Crawford on St. Patty’s Day, and they’ve also got a lot of St. Patrick’s Day themed items planned. Anyone wearing green will get 1/2 price appetizers, there will be a costume Contest, a Lucky Charms eating contest, door prizes and cash giveaways.
UARK Ballroom is hosting another edition of Effron White’s Songs in the ‘Ville with three visiting songwriters Charlie Crow, Charley Sandage, and Keith Vire. Tickets are $10 at the door. More info about the show is available on Facebook.
George’s Majestic Lounge was forced to reschedule an appearance by Grammy-nominated country singer David Nail, but NAMA nominated local favorites Groovement will be filling in with some funky tunes. It’s only $5 at the door, and should start at around 10 p.m.
Powerhouse Seafood will have the patio open Thursday night (weather permitting) with live music by Steve Dimmitt Band. Specials include $1 off martinis and $6 green beer pitchers. If it rains, the party will move inside to the Boar’s Head Pub.
Walton Arts Center is hosting the first concert of the re-vitalized Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA). The concert is also the debut of the new music director Paul Haas. Tickets start at $15, and are available at waltonartscenter.org
The Lightbulb Club has another installment of KXUA’s Third Thursday party with DJ Shortfuze and DJ EJ. There’s no cover for this party.
Common Grounds is the starting point and ending point for the Dickson Street Pub Crawl, and they’ll also have free live music with Sarah Hughes Band on the patio.
Mojo’s Pints & Pies has Blues dude and harmonica playing freak RJ Mischo Thursday night, Rogue has Nashville funk band Space Capone, ROTC Grill has FOS Project, and Maxine’s Tap Room has Robert Hatfield Band.
Other Events
The Fayetteville Public Library will host a performance by local dancing troupe, McCafferty Irish Dancers, at 5 p.m. in the Walker Community Room.
Teatro Scarpino has some comedy improv planned with Dan’s Party. Doors for the show open at 8:30 p.m.
