9 ways to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day in Johnson County with live music, beer specials
It's all things green and Guinness Friday during Saint Patrick's Day.
Expect live performances from Irish band Coppers & Brass, Wylde Nept, and drink specials from Reds Alehouse in North Liberty to Shakespeare's Pub & Grill in Iowa City.
Here are nine ways to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day in Johnson County.
The James Theater
Northside’s The James Theater is hosting a full lineup of performers on St. Patrick’s Day that includes a farewell show for longtime Irish band Coppers & Brass. The guitarist for the band, Keith Reins, is moving to Arizona with his family, according to The James Theater’s website. The quartet “upholds and expands the traditional folk music scene in their corner of the heartland” for 18 years, according to the band’s website. They’ll be joined by harp duo Wandering Wild, the Champagne Academy of Irish Dance, guest poet David Hulm, historian David McMahon and singers Colin Nies and Noel VanDenBosch. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at 213 N. Gilbert St. Tickets are $20 general admission at the door and $15 for students with ID. Visit The James Theater’s website to purchase tickets online.
La Wine Bar & Restaurant
Cedar Rapids’ Wylde Nept brings high-energy traditional and original Celtic music to La Wine Bar & Restaurant, 180 E. Burlington St., March 17. From “classic tunes of rebellion” to “good old-fashion drinking songs,” Wylde Nept is a popular Eastern Iowa act that comes to the Korean cuisine restaurant that’s had concerts each weekend since the start of the year. Show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased online at La Wine Bar & Restaurant’s website.
Iowa City Public Library
The Champagne Academy of Irish Dance invites people to swing by the Iowa City Public Library March 16 to try out Irish dance for themselves. Attendees will watch different dance performances by the Irish dance academy and will receive instructions in the basic steps of Irish dance from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in meeting rooms A, B, C and D. The Iowa City Public Library is located at 123 S. Linn St.
Shakespeare’s Pub & Grill
The east side Iowa City restaurant is celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day Friday with $4 pints of green beer, $5 Irish car bombs, $5 pints of Guinness, corned beef and cabbage, and more. Shakespeare’s Pub & Grill is located at 819 S. First Ave.
Elray’s Live & Dive
Visit the live music venue at 211 Iowa Ave. starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday for a performance with The Dealbreakers followed by the country singer-songwriter Justin Holt and his band at 10 p.m. There will be DJs starting at 9 p.m. and green beer and drink specials all night long.
Reds Alehouse
On Friday, the North Liberty restaurant at 405 N. Dubuque St. will be celebrating all day with food specials and drinks, including serving the Irish Dry Stout from Exile Brewing Co., Imogene Red Irish Ale from Confluence Brewing Co. and more. At 8 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., Reds Alehouse will host a stein-holding competition, where winners will receive a gift card and a free happy hour beer.
Vine Tavern & Eatery
The Irish American restaurant known for its wings with locations in Iowa City at 330 E. Prentiss St. and Coralville at 39 Second Ave. invites people to don their best green garb for an all-day celebration of St. Patrick’s Day from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. at the Iowa City location.
Gabe’s Iowa City
It’s “Slamrock City” at Gabe’s Iowa City, 330 E. Washington St., March 17 with sludge punkers POLYACHi and their CD release show with Frontal Assault, Phantom Threat and Necrotic Theurgist. Show starts at 7 p.m. with $10 tickets, which can be purchased online at the Gabe’s Iowa City's website.
Wilson’s Orchard & Farm
Wilson’s Orchard & Farm is making it easy to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at home with a meal kit. For $45, get a homemade shepherd’s pie, four chocolate Baileys cupcakes from Wilson’s bakery, and a choice of a drink such as a hard cider. The meal serves 3 to 4 people. Order by March 15 at 8 p.m. on Wilson’s Orchard & Farm’s website and chose a pick up time on March 17. Wilson’s Orchard & Farm is located at 4823 Dingleberry Rd. N.E.
Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Reach her at PBarraza@press-citizen.com or 319-519-9731. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Best things to do for Saint Patrick's Day in Iowa City, Johnson County
