Tampa's Ranked Among Top 20 Cities For St. Pat's Day Celebrations

TAMPA, FL — While more than 31 million people in the U.S. claim Irish ancestry, Tampa isn't known for its deep Irish roots.

According to the personal finance website, WalletHub, Tampa ranks 91 out of 200 of the largest U.S. cities for its its percentage of people with an Irish heritage.

However, on St. Patrick's Day in Tampa, everyone is Irish. It's that philosophy that earned Tampa a top 20 ranking for 2023's Best Cities for St. Patrick's Day Celebrations by WalletHub.

Ranked No. 15 on the list, Tampa is right up there with some of the country's cities with the largest number of people with Irish roots including New York City; Boston, Massachusetts; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Chicago, Illinois.

The major reason for Tampa's high ranking is the city's large number of Irish pubs, bars and restaurants, according to WalletHub.

Tampa is ranked No. 1 in the United States for the number of Irish pubs and restaurants per capita, all of which pull out all stops on St. Patrick's Day, offering pub crawls, leprechaun contests, green beer and corned beef and cabbage specials.

Among the biggest celebrations is the annual River O' Green Festival held in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park set against the backdrop of the Hillsborough River, which will be dyed shamrock green for the occasion.

Due to stormy weather predicted on Saturday, Tampa's River O' Green Fest, presented by Grow Financial and hosted by the Tampa Downtown Partnership and the city of Tampa, has been rescheduled for Friday, March 17, from 4 to 10 p.m. along the Tampa Riverwalk, featuring live Irish music and dancing, Irish games, family-friendly activities and traditional Irish food and drinks.

This year, the Freedom Boat Club will offer a limited number of free boat rides along the dyed-green Hillsborough River, said Tampa Downtown Partnership President and CEO Lynda Remund.

“This makes one of Tampa’s best events even more memorable, with free boat rides along the green Hillsborough River for potential Freedom Boat Club members,” she said. “Getting out on the water brings a unique perspective. You’ll get an up-close look at the bright green river and incredible views of our beautiful downtown skyline.”

Click here for information on the boat rides.

The festival will also feature demonstrations of the sport of hurling by DSM Sports Marketing Inc., a pet costume contest sponsored by the Barrymore Hotel, live music by the Paddy O’Furniture band and the Irish Buskers plus food and beverage vendors.

Here's the updated schedule of events:

• At 4 p.m., Tampa Mayor Jane Castor will sound the horn to start the process of dyeing the Hillsborough River green.
• 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Hurling demonstrations by DSM Sports Marketing Inc.
• 7 p.m. – Pet costume contest sponsored by Barrymore Hotel.

The River O' Green Fest is free. Click here for information.

“We’re so excited to work with the city and Grow Financial again to bring this Irish-themed celebration to our residents and visitors,” said Remund. “I love seeing the hundreds of people who come downtown decked out in green gear for a day full of food and fun. It’s a great way to support our local businesses and bask in the beauty of this incredible city.”

“Seeing our Hillsborough River turn emerald green in celebration of St. Patrick's Day is a great reminder of the excitement and fun that Tampa has to offer,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “I know how much I look forward to this annual tradition and the opportunity it brings to come together and celebrate all that makes our city great."

Here are some other Tampa St. Patrick's Day celebrations:

• Screen Door Microcinema in the Kress Building, 1624 E 7th Ave., Ybor City, will host two screenings the 1999 film, "The Boondock Saints," in which two Irish-Catholic brothers bring vigilante justice to the streets of Boston, Thursday, March 16, and Friday, March 17, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Click here.
• Four Green Fields, 802 N 12th St., Tampa, will host a St. Patrick's Day celebration Thursday, March 16, from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m., featuring music by Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones and Cormac McGuiness, green beer and giveaways. Click here.
• Florida Avenue Brewing Co., 2029 Arrowgrass Drive, Wesley Chapel, will host a Shamrock Shakedown featuring craft beer, green cocktails, Irish food and music by the DeLeon Band Friday, March 17, from 3 to 11 p.m. Click here.
• The James Joyce Irish Pub & Eatery, 1724 E 8th Ave., Ybor City, will host a two-day bar crawl featuring with Coyote Ugly, Spookeasy Lounge and Rock Brothers Brewing, Friday, March 17, and Saturday, March 18, from 4 p.m. to midnight. Click here.
• The sixth annual Downtown Tampa St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl will take place Friday, March 17 from 4 to 11 p.m., starting at American Social, 601 S Harbour Island Blvd., and featuring more than 10 stops. It includes five free welcome shots, drink specials, a costume contest and professional photos. Click here.

• Krate at the Grove, 5817 Wesley Chapel Blvd., Wesley Chapel, will host a St. Patrick's Day party at the 46 concept entertainment complex Friday, March 17 from 7:30 to p.m., featuring the Rich Sheldon Band, playing modern American roots rock. Click here.
• Brew Bar at Krate at the Grove, 5817 Wesley Chapel Blvd., Wesley Chapel, will host a St. Patrick's Day Block Party Saturday, March 18, from 4 to 10 p.m., featuring a DJ, a leprechaun contest, games and giveaways. Click here.
• Wild Rover Brewing Company, 13921 Lynmar Blvd., Tampa, will host a St. Patrick's Day Grunge Party with music by '90s rock-alternative grunge band Rivals and Villains Friday, March 17, from 8 to 11 p.m. Click here.
• The Patio, 421 S MacDill Ave., Tampa, will host a St. Patrick's Day Weekend Brunch and Bar Crawl Saturday, March 18, from noon to 8 p.m., featuring a buffet-style brunch with bottomless mimosas before a 10-stop bar crawl with free shots at five stops, drink specials and a costume contest. Click here.
• Armature Works, 1910 N Ola Ave., Tampa, will host a St. Patrick’s Day Party Saturday, March 18, from 1 to 5 p.m. featuring music by the Irish band MoonCoin, traditional Irish dancing by Gilleoghan Irish Dance School, food trucks, green beer and photo ops on the pier with the River O' Green in the background. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. Inside Armature Works, select Heights Public Market vendors will have St. Patrick's Day treats to enjoy and Bar AW will offer three different Jameson cocktails at the inside bar. Click here.
• Bar Howard, 302 S Howard Ave., will host a St. Patrick's Day Block Party Friday, March 17, starting at 5 p.m., featuring music by Cutty Jones, outdoor games, an ice luge, food stations and DJ sets. Click here.
• District Tavern, 116 N 12th St., Tampa, host a bottomless brunch and exclusive drink specials as part of the Ybor City St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl Saturday, March 18, from noon to 8 p.m. Click here.
• MacDinton’s Irish Pub, 405 S Howard Ave., Tampa, starting at 3 p.m. with bar-friendly games and giveaways. Click here.
• Water Street Tampa will host a family-friendly St. Patrick's Day celebration Friday, March 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. with leprechaun face painting, “Luck of the Irish” flavored ice cream from Chill Bros, live music and more. Click here.

• World of Beer Westchase, 9524 W Linebaugh Ave., Tampa, will host a St. Patrick's Day weekend party from Friday, March 17, to Sunday, March 19, starting at noon, with pints of Guinness and Irish whiskey, live music and food. Plus, there will be an Irish Brewery Challenge. Drink three Guinness beers and be entered to win a trip for two to Ireland. Click here.
• O'Brien's Irish Pub, 701 W. Lumsden Road, Brandon, will host a St. Patrick's Day Party Friday, March 17, starting at 11 a.m. with green beer, live music and Irish food. Click here.
• Water Street Tampa will celebrate the luck of the Irish Friday, March 17, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Raybon Plaza, 536 Channelside Drive, with live music, face painting for kids and adults and a special "Luck of the Irish" ice cream flavor release from Chill Bros. Scoop Shop on Water Street. Click here. Click here.