St. Patrick's Day 2023: Where to party in Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral, Punta Gorda

Charles Runnells, Fort Myers News-Press
·10 min read

Feeling lucky?

You’re not the only one. St. Patrick’s Day is almost here, and everyone’s feeling a wee bit Irish — at least for a week or two.

To celebrate your temporary Irish-ness, here are our picks for the top St. Patrick’s Day events in Southwest Florida. From parades to pub parties, this is what’s happening in Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Punta Gorda and elsewhere.

This isn’t a complete list, though. Many other local bars and venues have their own, smaller St. Patrick’s Day events. Check the websites and Facebook pages for your favorite local haunts.

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VARIOUS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA LOCATIONS

The GO Divas perform Songs of Ireland

The GO (Gulfshore Opera) Divas brought a program of Renaissance carols and harmonies to three venues during the Christmas holidays in 2019. Themed concerts such as Italian or romantic songs are a substantial part of their repertoire.
The GO (Gulfshore Opera) Divas brought a program of Renaissance carols and harmonies to three venues during the Christmas holidays in 2019. Themed concerts such as Italian or romantic songs are a substantial part of their repertoire.

Gulfshore Opera’s all-female singing quintet performs three Southwest Florida shows featuring traditional and contemporary Irish songs in the style of Celtic Woman and others. They’ll be accompanied by piano, fiddle and drums. All shows start at 7 p.m. Performances take place at the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers (Wednesday, March 8. $35-$50), Gulf Theater in Punta Gorda (Tuesday, March 14. $35-$50) and St. Leo Parish Life Center in Bonita Springs (Wednesday, March 15. $45-$55). Learn more at gulfshoreopera.org.

FORT MYERS

St. PAWtrick’s Day Yappy Hour

Dress your dog as a leprechaun for a St. Patrick’s Day-themed version of the monthly Bell Tower event. Yappy Hour features a deejay, a leprechaun costume contest for dogs, raffles, vendors and a beer-and-wine bar. 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 10. Free. A portion of the proceeds from the raffle and bar will benefit the Gulf Coast Humane Society. The Center Court at Bell Tower Shops, 13499 U.S. 41, south Fort Myers. belltowerfl.com

St. Patrick’s Fest at Millennial Brewing

Three days of St. Patrick’s Day-themed fun with craft Irish beers in a big beer tent, live music, ax throwing, Irish food, vendors, Irish food-eating contests, stein-hoisting contests, bounce houses and more. Friday through Sunday, March 10-12. Free. Millennial Brewing Co., 1811 Royal Palm Ave., downtown Fort Myers. 271-2255 or facebook.com/MillennialBrewing

St. Paddy Fest at Fort Myers' Point Ybel

The Rowdy Bards pay musical tribute to The Clancy Brothers, The Pogues, The Dubliners and other Irish bands.
The Rowdy Bards pay musical tribute to The Clancy Brothers, The Pogues, The Dubliners and other Irish bands.

Irish bands Celtic Stew and The Rowdy Bards get you in the mood for St. Patrick’s Day with food trucks, a beer garden, green carpet, a wrestling match with NRG Wrestling and special Irish beer releases. Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 11. Free. Point Ybel Brewing Co., 16120 San Carlos Blvd., south Fort Myers. 603-6535 or facebook.com/PointYbelBrew

Finnegan’s St. Patrick’s Bar Crawl

Top Shelf Crawls hosts this bar crawl that includes a souvenir beer koozie and beads, admission to participating bars, exclusive drink specials and more. 2 p.m. to midnight Saturday, March 11. $10-$15. Registration party from 4-6 p.m. at The Hideaway Bar. Downtown Fort Myers. topshelfcrawls.com

St. Patty's Day Teeling Full Moon Party at Luminary

Whiskey brand Teeling co-hosts this pool-deck party with hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, festive cocktails, dancing, entertainment, giveaways, an ice sculpture, a raffle and a “green-out” competition to see who’s wearing the most green. 7-10 p.m. Thursday, March 16. $75. The fourth-floor pool deck at Luminary Hotel & Co, 2200 Edwards Drive, downtown Fort Myers. 833-918-1512 or luminaryhotel.com

Downtown Fort Myers St. Patrick’s Block Party

Deb & the Dynamics
Deb & the Dynamics

The annual block party features beer, food specials, a strolling bagpiper, Celtic dancers and live bands. The musical lineup includes Deb & The Dynamics, Celtic Stew, Rosaline The Band and Rosada Project. 2-8 p.m. Friday, March 17. Free. Downtown Fort Myers. myriverdistrict.com

Ben Allen Band plays Nauti Parrot

The popular country band headlines this party featuring live music all day, Guinness beer, shepherd’s pie and corned beef and cabbage. 1-11 p.m. Friday, March 17. Ben Allen Band performs country music from 7-10 p.m. $20. Nauti Parrot Oasis, 17200 S. Tamiami Trail, south Fort Myers. 208-2349 0r facebook.com/NautiParrotOasis

NAPLES

Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Dave and Susie Walsh wave to parade participants while they sit with their blow up Paddy during the Naples St. Patrick's Day Parade downtown on Saturday, March 16, 2019.
Dave and Susie Walsh wave to parade participants while they sit with their blow up Paddy during the Naples St. Patrick's Day Parade downtown on Saturday, March 16, 2019.

Former University of Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz will be grand marshal for the annual Naples St. Patrick's Day event. The parade starts at the intersection of Third Street South and 10th Avenue South. Then it travels north on Third Street South, east on Fifth Avenue South and south on Eighth Street South to Naples City Hall. The parade usually runs about 2 -2 1/2 hours. 11 a.m. Saturday, March 11. There also will be a 9:30 a.m. flag raising in Crayton Cove. Free. Downtown Naples. naplesparade.com

Rowdy Bards headline Shamrock Social at Mercato

Irish band The Rowdy Bards headlines the St. Patrick’s Day block party at the North Naples shopping center. Plus Irish dancers, bagpipers, aerial performers, a stilt walker, free face painting and food from the ZZA Baby tent.  2-7 p.m. Friday, March 17. Free. Mercato, 9118 Strada Place, North Naples. 254-1080 or mercatoshops.com

Fun times at Irish Times, new Naples pub

Irish Times in North Naples celebrates St. Patrick's Day for 16 hours.
Irish Times in North Naples celebrates St. Patrick's Day for 16 hours.

Naples’ only dedicated Irish pub is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on March 17  around the clock from 10 a.m.-2 a.m. That’s 16 hours of fun, food, live music and their wide assortment of whiskeys and ales. Co-owners Ciaran Mosley and Gerry McGovern opened the stunning space late December. Flattering lighting, spacious seating, bold decorative accents and faux biophilia adorn the walls add lush pops of green to surround guests at every touch point.

Pro tip: Irish Times shares a parking lot with the other three other very busy restaurants facing U.S. 41 at Pavilion Shops. Park on the other side facing Vanderbilt Beach Road instead. 8939 Tamiami Trail N., Naples; 239-350-1900; irishtimesnaples.com

Whiskey Park party with West of Galway and more

An all-day party with live music from Donnacha Tierney, West of Galway, Wilder Sons and Shenanigan’s Wake; Irish food  (including a 9 a.m. Irish breakfast); green beer; ax throwing and more. Starts at 9 a.m. Friday, March 17, and continues into the night. Free. First 50 customers get a free T-shirt. First 200 get a free pin. Whiskey Park, 3380 Mercantile Ave., Naples. 263-6777 or whiskeypark-naples.com

The Pub Naples party in Naples

Celebrate with Irish food, drink specials and live music starting at 4 p.m. with Matty Jollie (4-7 p.m.) and Harp & Thistle Band (starting at 8 p.m.). Plus DJ 007 (all day). 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, March 17. Free. The Pub Naples, 9118 Strada Place, Naples. 594-2748 or facebook.com/PubNaples

CAPE CORAL

German and Irish, together at St. Patrick’s Biergartenfest

The outdoor festival puts a German spin on St. Patrick’s Day with alternating Irish and German musicians, Guinness beer and Irish food such as corned beef and shepherd’s pie. Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 11-12. $5 (free for ages 12 and younger). Free parking. German American Social Club, 2101 S.W. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. 283-1400 or gasc-capecoral.com

Lee County Community Band performs The Irish In All of Us

The 50-member adult band performs a concert to get you into the mood for St. Patrick’s Day. The program includes “An Irish Rhapsody,” “Pennywhistle Jig,” “MacNamara’s Band” and “Londonderry Air (Danny Boy).” Plus other music, including Broadway hits, marches and a medley of Glenn Miller songs. 3 p.m. Sunday, March 12. Free. Cape Coral High School, 2300 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral. leecountyband.org

St. Patrick’s Day Trolley in downtown Cape Coral

Trolley driver Becca Snow takes passengers to multiple downtown Cape Coral establishments during June's South Cape Red, White & Brew downtown trolley.
Trolley driver Becca Snow takes passengers to multiple downtown Cape Coral establishments during June's South Cape Red, White & Brew downtown trolley.

Ride trolleys and limo buses throughout downtown Cape Coral and stop at various bars and restaurants for holiday-themed custom drinks. 7-11 p.m. Friday, March 17. $20-$25, plus $2.50 for each drink. Check-in happens from 6-7:30 p.m. in downtown Cape Coral at Big John Plaza near Pinch-A-Penny (1221 Cape Coral Parkway E.) and Dolphin Key Resort (1502 Miramar St., Cape Coral, under the front awning). Late check-in until 10 p.m. at Dolphin Key Resort. facebook.com/SouthCapeHospitalityAndEntertainmentAssociation

BackStreets bash with Model Citisin, Guns n Hoses

Members Guns and Hoses Pipes and Drums performs during the 2023 Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade in Fort Myers on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023.
Members Guns and Hoses Pipes and Drums performs during the 2023 Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade in Fort Myers on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023.

The Cape Coral bar offers corned-beef dinners for $10 (while they last), drink specials (such as Thin Mint shots and Guinness drafts), mini burgers, fries and live music, including Renee Hose, Shaun Miller, Model Citisin and Guns n Hoses Pipes and Drums band. 2:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Friday, March 17. Free admission. BackStreets Sports Bar, 915 S.E. 47th Terrace, downtown Cape Coral. 945-7555 or facebook.com/BackStreetsSportsBar

Green beer and music at The Dek

Live music all day at the Cape Coral bar, plus green beer, cocktails, Irish coffee, and corned beef and colcannon (starting at noon until it’s gone). The musical lineup features Derek Trenholm (9 a.m.-1 p.m.), Bear (3-7 p.m.) and The Crank Ups (9 p.m.-1 a.m.). 9 a.m. to closing Friday, March 17. Free. The Dek Bar, 4704 S.E. 15th Ave., Cape Coral. 542-3745 or facebook.com/thedekbar

Shannonside Irish Trio

This musical trio plays traditional Irish tunes mixed with Irish history, myths and personal stories. 3 p.m. Sunday, March 19. $15. Messiah Lutheran Church, 2691 N.E. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. messiahnfm.com/concerts

NORTH FORT MYERS

Bagpipers, Irish dancing at Shell Factory party

This free annual event includes live Irish music by Chuck Peterson, Irish food, green beer, Irish dancing, bagpipers and more. Noon to 6 p.m. Friday, March 17. Free. The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers. 995-2141 or shellfactory.com

BONITA SPRINGS

Throw axes, play games at Artichoke and Co.

A St. Patrick’s Day party with ax throwing, Irish dancers, beer, Irish food, games and a deejay. Noon to 9 p.m. Friday, March 17. $5. Artichoke and Co., 11920 Sandrienne Lane, Bonita Springs. 263-6979 or facebook.com/artichokeandcompany

Lansdowne Street Pub block party

The Bonita Springs pub hosts an all-day block party. Includes live bands, green beer, raffle prizes and Wagyu corn beef and cabbage. 11 a.m. to past midnight Friday, March 17. Free. Lansdowne Street Pub, 24851 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs. 495-3800 or facebook.com/lansdownestreet

PUNTA GORDA

Fishermen’s Village St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

Family-friendly holiday celebration with lots of live musical acts performing Irish music in center court and elsewhere, including The Black Velvet Band, The Punta Gorda Bag Pipers, Jeff Walton and students from Drake School of Dance. Noon to 9 p.m. Friday,  March 17.  Free. Fishermen’s Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. 941-639-8721 or fishville.com

Celtic Ray: No green beer, but lots of music

Clover's Revenge Band
Clover's Revenge Band

The Irish pub celebrates with Irish food and live music from Victims of Circumstance, Clover’s Revenge, Paul Duffy and Adam Shirah. As always, there won’t be any green beer (The Celtic Ray doesn’t do it), but there will be two beer trucks and lots of Irish food, including beer, fish and chips, Guinness stew, corned beef and cabbage, and other food. 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, March 17. Food starts being served at 10:30 a.m. Live music starts at noon. Free. The Celtic Ray Public House, 145 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda. 941-916-9115 or celticray.net

Connect with this reporter: Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. Email him at crunnells@gannett.com or connect on Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), Twitter (@charlesrunnells) and Instagram (@crunnells1).

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: St. Patrick's Day 2023 events in Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral