This year St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Monday, which means partygoers will have the weekend before to imbibe green beer and make bad decisions. The city is chock full of events, ranging from a hockey game, a parade, to all-day food and drink events. Cincy may not dye its river green like Chicago does, but we do let the Irish whiskey flow in many festive ways.

Cincinnati St. Patrick's Day Parade
Cincinnati's St. Patrick's Day Parade

On March 15 at noon, the 57th annual Cincinnati St. Patrick’s Parade snakes its way through The Banks with Irish step dancers, floats, bagpipers, and everything Irish. The parade starts at Mehring Way and Central Avenue and ends at Freedom Way and Rosa Parks St. Parking will be available along with bus and public transit services.

After the parade you can continue the festivities with LepreCON: St. Patrick's Day Block Party at The Banks. From 2p-9p on March 15th there will be live music, food and drink specials, giveaways, and other shenanigans at participating bars and restaurants!

For some family fun all day long, head to Fifty West Brewing Company on March 15 for their St. Patrick's Day celebration. Sip on a newly tapped green beer, enjoy authentic bagpipe tunes, nosh on tasty burgers and, most importantly, join in on a co-ed pickleball/volleyball tournament!

The Cyclones play Toledo Walley on Friday March 14th with a bobblehead giveaway night. The puck drops at 7:35 along with their craft drafts & seltzers specials. On Saturday, March 15th Cyclones take on Indy Fuel on the purple ice for a Cyclones Fight Cancer game. The puck drops at 4:05pm and special jerseys will be auctioned off after the game. 

Pubs and Bars

Beginning at 2 p.m. on March 16, Covington’s Braxton Brewing, The Well, and Olde Towne Tavern team up for a party on 7th street. Play bar hop Bingo; cards can be found at participating bars. For a dollar, purchase a commemorative St. Paddy’s Day Braxton cup to receive drink specials throughout the day and night.

For those seeking a wild night out, on March 16 from 4 p.m. to midnight don your best green outfit and wear beads for Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl. Check in at Mecca OTR to receive shot vouchers. Participating bars include Liberty’s Bar and Bottle, MOTR Pub (get the Shamrock-a-Rita with an edible straw), Bloom OTR, and The Hub. Stay awake for the after party, happening at 10 p.m.

Between March 16 and March 17, Rosedale OTR offers drink deals like $3 green beers and $6 green tea shots (or both at the same time?) The patio party starts at 1 p.m. each day and rages all night long.

The Bling Pig

Credit: @theblindpig on Instagram

Every year, O’ Malley’s in the Alley and sister bar The Blind Pig celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with an extra early wakeup call: 6 a.m. for O’Malley’s and 9 a.m. for Blind Pig. Early risers get free breakfast, and all day and night the bar serves Irish beers like Smithwick’s, Harps, Guinness, and Irish whiskey galore.

On St. Paddy’s Day, Molly Malone’s hosts its annual spectacular Kegs and Eggs, in which the bar opens at the ungodly 7 a.m. Green beer, Irish dancing, three floors of live music, the perfect Guinness pour, bagpipers, food specials, and an outdoor tent lends itself to a celebration you may or not remember. Pay a $10 cover at the door.

Image is of the side view of Molly Malone's Irish Restaurant.Credit: Molly Malone's Irish Restaurant and Pub

Last year, Irish pub Red Leprechaun opened at The Banks. After viewing the parade and, really, all weekend long, head over for two nights of live music, including a DJ set on Saturday and local group Naked Karate Girls on Sunday. Order dishes such as pasties—including a Cincy chili one—burgers, and an espresso Moher-tini (vanilla vodka, Bailey’s, simple syrup, espresso, and chocolate shavings).