St. Patrick's Day: How Pinellas County Celebrates Amid Pandemic

CLEARWATER, FL — The traditional community festivals and parties that mark St. Patrick's Day in Pinellas County have been canceled as the coronavirus pandemic approaches the one-year mark. However, Pinellas is still finding ways to celebrate its Irish heritage on Wednesday, March 17.

St. Patrick's Day celebrations in America date back to 1631, according to National Geographic. Originally declared a feast day, over time the holiday increasingly became associated with the Irish American tradition.

Here are some celebrations happening around Pinellas County Wednesday:

The Monkey Bar, 1681 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater, will celebrate with all-day beer and drink specials, a live DJ from 5 to 9 p.m. and corned beef and Swiss on rye sandwiches.

Pete and Shorty's Iowa Bistro, 7402 49th St. N., Pinellas Park, will offer corned beef and cabbage and $4 whiskeys with live music by Derek Sivers from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Pete and Shorty's Iowa Bistro, 2820 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater, will serve corned beef and cabbage, Irish cocktails and green beer.

Mr. Joe's Off the Beach, 5141 Seminole Blvd., Seminole, will celebrate a Shamrockin' St. Paddy's Girl's Nite with music by Handsome Duo, drink specials, games and prizes from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Liquid Therapy Bar, 6501 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park, will celebrate with games and prizes throughout the day, baby Guinness Jello shots, Irish Car Bombs, chocolate vodka brownies, corned beef and cabbage and Ellie Lee on stage from 7 to 10 p.m.

Friendly Tavern, 18121 Gulf Blvd., Redington Shores, will celebrate with live music by Donovan Roberts from 3 to 7 p.m. and karaoke from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

O'Keefe's Tavern, 1219 S. Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater, will celebrate St. Patrick's day with music by Dennis Panars and Fiddler from noon to 4 p.m. inside, Irish Buskers from noon to 4 p.m. outside, the Tampa Bay Highland Dancers at 4 p.m., bagpipes at 4:30 p.m., music by Empty Hats from 5 to 10 p.m. and bagpipers at 8 p.m. Additionally, there will be corned beef, green beer, Guinness and drink specials.

Lucky Lizard Tap House, 14953 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach, will host a Paddy's Day Party from 5 to 9 p.m. with live music by Larry Mott "Stretch."

Oyster Shucker Craft & Draft, 650 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach, will celebrate St. Patrick's Day with corned beef and cabbage, Guinness shepherd's pie, Irish Car Bombs for $6, Guinness for $4 and Jameson shots for $5.

The Isle of Skye Highland Dancers, 917 Louden Ave., Dunedin, will perform throughout Pinellas County Wednesday including Caddy's Treasure Island at 2 p.m., Caddy's Indian Shores at 3 and 4 p.m., Caddy's Gulfport at 5 p.m. , Shenanigans Irish Pub, Clearwater, at 5:15 p.m., Mixers Bar and Grill, Palm Harbor, at 6:15 p.m., MacDinton's St. Pete at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. and Rosie's Tavern of Dunedin at 8 p.m.

The Lucky Anchor, 519 Cleveland St., Clearwater, will celebrate St. Paddy's Day with live music by Julian Charles at 7 p.m., and green beer and Guinness pint specials.

Due to the pandemic, Flanagan's Irish Pub, 465 Main St., Dunedin, won't host its annual St. Patrick's Day Festival this year but drop by the pub for some authentic Irish fare including bangers and mash, shepherd's pie, and corned beef and cabbage.

The Dublin House Pub, 479 Seminole Blvd., Largo, will celebrate with live music and $2 domestic pints.

Hennessy's Bar Oldsmar, 3980 Tampa Road, Oldsmar, will celebrate with menu specials .

If we missed your event, email editor D'Ann White at dann.white@patch.com with the details.