Earlier this month, the local Pogues tribute band Boys from the County Hell kicked off March with a special 20th anniversary show at the Music Box Supper Club. When the guys first got together in the late '90s, they were just supposed to play once and call it a day.
But after selling out their first show at the now-shuttered Euclid Tavern, the group's popularity escalated, and it's been going strong ever since. The Boys will be plenty busy again this year. They start off St. Patrick's Day at 9 a.m. at House of Blues, where they play an epic three-hour set. From there, they head to Flannery's Pub, where they will turn in another epic five-hour set that starts at 1 p.m. They end the night with a performance at 8 p.m. at the Harp that lasts until the bar closes or they pass out from exhaustion — whichever comes first. They'll also play a special Survivors Party at 4 p.m. on Monday at Stone Mad.
The Boys from the County Hell will be just one act at House of Blues, which hosts its 15th annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration on Sunday. If you've never stopped at the club on St. Patrick's Day, you've got to give it a go. Bands will perform in both the Music Hall and the Cambridge Room. Pop Fiction follows the Boys at 2 p.m., and Sparky B takes the stage at 4 p.m. In the Cambridge Room, the Irish punk band Craic plays at 9:30 a.m. Then, at noon, 235-Funk takes the stage. DJ Mike Filly plays from 2 p.m. until closing. House of Blues Restaurant & Bar opens at 10 a.m., and the Foundation Room opens at 11 a.m. Because House of Blues doesn't charge admission, the place will be packed.
Over at the Music Box Supper Club on Saturday, locals Carlos Jones & the P.L.U.S. Band and the Portersharks will perform alongside local DJ Packy Mally. The musical performers will all undoubtedly bring a party vibe to the show, dubbed Shamrocks and Dreadlocks. It all starts at 7 p.m.
On St. Patrick's Day itself, the Music Box hosts a special Van Morrison-themed brunch at noon.
Elsewhere downtown, expect all the bars to be part of the holiday's festivities on Sunday. Wilbert's opens at 9 a.m. and features happy hour specials all day long. The local folk-rock act Cats on Holiday performs after the parade from about 3 to 6 p.m.
Also, on Sunday, the novelty act Mini-Kiss will perform from 5 to 6 p.m. on the JACK Cleveland Casino's first floor as part of a special St. Patrick's Day party.
On the East Bank of the Flats, the Big Bang Bar opens at 8 a.m. with dueling pianos. It'll also serve up a special pre-parade breakfast buffet. Also, on the West Bank, "long-time favorite" Donal O'Shaughnessy will perform at 11 a.m. at the Flat Iron.
Over in Ohio City, Great Lakes Brewing Company will open at 10 a.m. on Sunday for its annual St. Patrick's Day party. Appropriately, Conway's Irish Ale will be on tap, and the brewpub will offer a special menu of Irish food specials all day. A shuttle will provide complimentary rides to the downtown parade. The Cleveland Firefighters Memorial Pipes and Drums Band plays at 4 p.m.
Just down the road from Great Lakes, the Old Angle will open at 9 a.m.; pipers will perform there all day long.
Kamm's Corner in West Park regularly draws big crowds for the holiday. PJ McIntyre's Irish Pub gets the party started on Thursday with the Celtic rock act the Narrowbacks. Ireland's Shindig performs on Friday, and the Craic Brothers play on Saturday, Doors open at 7 a.m. on Sunday, and pipers will perform all day. The place will host a Hair of the Dog party on Monday with Shindig.
Located just off Kamm's Corner, Five Points Coffee & Tea celebrates St. Patrick's Day for the entire month. On Saturday, Andy McManus will play a special St. Patrick's Day eve show, and Shindig will perform on Sunday when the place opens at 7:30 a.m.
Over in Lakewood, Vosh Lakewood will host a St. Patrick›s Day pre-party on Thursday with Mary's Lane and on Friday with Kennedy and Jim Riley. Doors open at 9 a.m. on Sunday, and Pompous Ass and Harp City are both on the bill. At the Winchester, the Grass Is Dead, Chachuba, AKA, Chillbig, Malibu Page and Psychic Relic will all perform on Sunday.
Over in Cleveland Heights, the local Celtic music group New Barleycorn returns to Nighttown. They'll play shows at 1, 5 and 8 p.m. on Sunday.
