Drink like the Irish

It must be exceptionally difficult to get permission from the city of Sacramento to close a street for an event, especially a main thoroughfare like L Street.

Perhaps that’s why de Vere’s Irish Pub was sending press releases to SN&R calling their celebration of all things Irish the “St. Patrick’s Day Street-Closure Event.” They wanted Sacramentans to know how hard it was to close the street, so they put it in the title.

Yet, a street closure event doesn’t sound so cool or happening. So instead, de Vere’s and Mix are collaborting for the St. Patrick’s Day Block Party. And yes, the street still will be closed on L Street between 15th and 16th streets—so stumbling from bar to bar is not necessary.

It’s the place to “be seen,” possibly run into an ex and celebrate Irish culture—or at least the drinking aspect. For $20, partiers get two stages of entertainment featuring special guests Tainted Love and two beer gardens. Last year, more than 8,000 people bought tickets, so the possibility of seeing an ex snogging someone who’s dressed like a leprechaun is extremely high.

Luckily, Sacramento loves to celebrate the Irish, so there are many other events.

Old Sacramento will host the traditional 14th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 1 p.m., along with a new Celtic festival in Waterfront Park, 1000 Front Street, featuring Irish music and dancing, a green-beer garden and Celtic vendors on Saturday, March 13, from noon to 6 p.m. The event is free. Visit www.oldsacramento.com for more information.

But let’s face it, St. Patrick’s Day is a drinking holiday. So it’s only logical for people to visit as many drinking establishments as possible via pub crawls. Cal Pub Crawl will host a drinking stroll beginning at 2 p.m. at Limelight Bar and Café Card Room, 1014 Alhambra Boulevard. It includes 18 bars from Alhambra to Old Sacramento, it’s free and there will be tons of drink specials. Talk about a pot of gold. Make sure to bring cash, since there will be wicked crazy lines. Visit www.calpubcrawl.com for more information.

Of course, Irish wannabes can always create their own pub crawl. Check out the Tour O’ Pubs map in this week’s SN&R for a list of watering holes.