Lina LecaroMost St. Patrick's Day partiers go for a pub environment, and there are plenty to choose from in L.A.. But some of us prefer a less traditional take on the holiday. Green beer and Jameson is all well and good, but our Irish (for the day) eyes ain't smiling unless they're being rocked or roused. Same goes for our ears. So we made a list. From strippers to screeners, punk to Britpop and beyond, here are 10 magically delicious — and wonderfully different — things to do on March 17.
1. Jumbo’s Sexy St. Paddy’s Soiree
There’ll be plenty of lovely green-clad lasses at the legendary bikini bar’s St. Paddy’s Party, with an added bonus: The gals will be joined onstage for a rare live set by the Groovy Rednecks between 7:30 and 9 p.m. The countrified rockers are one of the only bands ever to play on the Jumbo's stage (singer Tex used to be the doorman) and they've had the honor for years, turning the bar into a honky-tonk women 'n' whiskey-fest during their sets.The Rednecks aren't an Irish band, but when it comes to beers and cheers, they can't be beat. Tip: a lucky clover (even crimson) aint getting ya into this always packed RnR circus… get there early! 5153 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Bar opens at 4 p.m; Party and live music at 7:30 p.m. Free. https://www.facebook.com/events/696511640469455/
Scene from Leprechaun; Credit: Lionsgate Entertainment
2. Leprachaun at the Ace Hotel
The writers of Leprechaun surely had fun coming up with murderous rhymes (“Try as they will, and try as they might, who steals me gold won't live through the night”). No surprise that the wee, creepy Lep eventually started hanging with the rap crowd (“Leprechaun in the Hood” with Ice-T). The original film is still the best though, and the chance to see it on the big screen should be mighty cool. And of course the Ace Hotel knows cool. Along with the screening they promise this event will have DJs, dancing and Irish drinks. Theatre at Ace Hotel, 929 S. Broadway, downtown; 8:30 p.m.; $10 general seating, $35 best seating and two drink tickets. https://www.acehotel.com/calendar/losangeles/leprechaun
The Rainbow; Credit: Lina Lecaro
3. Club Skirmish Gets Irish at the Rainbow
You probably wont find a pot of gold there (unless your talkin’ premium liquor brands), but the Rainbow is still a great place for wild, whiskey-drenched raging. Club Skirmish, promoted by Lost Anarchy magazine, is presenting a bunch of boisterous bands for the evening too: Unit F, Britney’s Rage and The Sextape Scandal. 9025 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; 9 p.m.; free. https://www.facebook.com/events/549841421784967/
Cahuenga Block Party's leprechaun master of ceremonies with some friends; Credit: John Arakaki
4. Cahuenga Block Party's 2nd Annual St. Patrick's Day Bash
Wear green or prepare to be pinched at this peep-packed multivenue guzzle-fest. DJ Johnny 99 spins party music and classic Irish drinking songs, and Leprechaun Christopher Zajac-Denek (above) serves as master of ceremonies for the Hollywood revelry, head-quartered at St. Felix. Drink and dessert specials include an “Irish Car Bomb” (Bailey's- and Jameson-soaked cake) and Guinness ice cream. 1602 Cahuenga Blvd. (corner of Selma Avenue); free. https://www.facebook.com/events/756450641136198/
St. Patrick's Day at the Tam; Credit: Courtesy Tam O' Shanter
5. Tam O' Shanter's St. Patrick's Party
Tam's not Irish, it's Scottish, but the Scots party just as hard. One of the oldest restaurants in L.A., the Tam's decor is awesomely kitschy, and since it gets super-crowded on St. P-Day, a special tent area in the parking lot extends the celebration. Live music will be provided by The Ploughboys (Tam O’Shanter’s house band, playing Scottish and Irish sounds) and Whiskey Sunday (an Irish/Americana outfit). The stompin,' sloshin' and stuffin' includes tasty eats too: Bailey’s cupcakes and savory corn beef and cabbage. Green beer, ales and brews on tap and light-up shamrock necklaces for all make this a gathering you shan't soon forget. Noon-2 a.m.; over 21. 2980 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Feliz. More info at (323) 664-0228 or visit TamOShanter.com.
Part Time Punks; Credit: Lina Lecaro
6. Part Time Punks' St. Paddy's Dance Party
PTP moves from the Echo to La Cita for this special holiday humdinger, a night of Irish blood and English heart courtesy of DJ Jose Maldonado (the Moz man from Sweet and Tender Hooligans, one of the best tribute bands in L.A.). Maldonado will be spinning the Smiths and their peers natch, but in addition to Britpop, his playlist promises sing-along Irish pop, post-punk, glam and more. At La Cita, 336 S. Hill St., downtown; 9 p.m.-2 a.m.; over 21. $5 advance, $8 at the door.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1558969994380377/
The Queen Mary; Credit: Susan Slade Sanchez
7. Shamrock 'n' Roll at the Queen Mary
Live Irish, Celtic, world, fiddle and drinking music, cold pints and pub grub anchor the fun in LBC, where the famed big boat's annual Shamrock 'n' Roll event takes place (on and off the decks). Bands include The Fenians, Green Ashes and CP03. Featuring two stages, trivia competitions (“Shamrock Yer Noggin'” and the “Luck O' the Irish” contests) and other amusements. 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach; 5-11 p.m.; $15 online/$20 at the door, plus $5 parking; over 21.
https://www.queenmary.com/events/shamrock-n-roll/
Flogging Molly; Credit: Photo by Timothy Norris
8. Flogging Molly at the Palladium
Nobody soaks punk rock with traditional Irish folk like Flogging Molly. The L.A.-based band's annual St. Patrick's Day show at the Palladium has become a bombastic tradition, offering festive extras including an outdoor beer garden (opening at 5 p.m.) plus food, specialty Irish whiskey cocktails and more. Ollin opens. Hollywood Palladium, 6215 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; tickets at https://www.livenation.com/artists/42662/flogging-molly
A Celtic design from Shamrock Social Club; Credit: Mo Herms
9-10. Ink and Ice Cream
These two options also happen to be pretty economical if you don't have a lot of green in your wallet. Mark Mahoney's Shamrock Social Club tattoo studio is naturally the shop to mark the holiday permanently. It has been offering shamrock flash special ($25 for a small black-and-white piece, $40 for color) for more than a decade. More elaborate pieces (see pic above) have to be booked in advance, but the holiday is a fun way to get into this hot shop, which often has months-long waiting lists for its artists.
Afterward, instead of an ice pack, why not hit Mickey D's for a cold treat? No, we wouldn't normally recommend the fast (fat) food giant, but for a Shamrock Shake, we'll make an exception. The minty concoction is a nostalgic indulgence that we enjoy partaking in this time of year, and unlike ale, beer or whisky, it doesn't leave you with a hangover the next day! Shamrock Social Club, flash special begins 1 p.m. March 17 and ends at midnight that evening. 9026 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; (310) 271-9664, shamrocksocialclub.com
Like us on Facebook at LAWeeklyMusic
@laweeklymusic
West Coast Sound's Greatest Hits!
Top 20 Worst Bands of All Time
Why CDs May Actually Sound Better Than Vinyl
The 20 Sexiest Songs of All Time
Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.