Bagpipes, pubs and no-pants parties: 8 ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Boise
Can you taste the green food coloring?
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are here, so get out your favorite shamrock attire and check out the Irish-themed festivities Boise has to offer.
Here are just a few of the St. Paddy’s Day events in store around town:
What’s in store this weekend in Bellingham?
In true Irish spirit, Boise’s bar scene will host several celebrations on the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day.
10 Barrel Brewing Boise, 826 West Bannock St. in Boise, is the starting point of the Boise St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Bar Crawl on Saturday, March 14. Checkin lasts from 1 to 6 p.m.
Weekend pub crawl tickets cost $35.78 apiece and include:
- At least two free drinks or shots
- Free beads while supplies last
- Entry fees to participating bars
- Access to the PubCrawls after-party
- St. Patrick’s Day food and drink specials
- Professional photographer
- A PubCrawls wristband
- A digital map of participating venues
Where can I go bar hopping in Boise?
Crawl With US and Voodoo Bar are partnering for a bar hopping event on Saturday, with check-in starting at 4 p.m.
“Gather your crew, don your green, and get ready for a day packed with good times and great company,” the Eventbrite page said. “Whether you’re sipping on Irish whiskey, clinking glasses of green beer or dancing to festive tunes, this crawl is the perfect way to make the most of St. Paddy’s Day.”
The fun starts at Cactus Bar, 517 West Main St. in Boise.
Admission costs $25.49. Here’s what you get:
- No cover fees for participating bars and party venues
- At least two free drinks or shots
- St. Patrick’s Day-themed specials menus
- Free holiday bead necklaces
- Free Crawl with Us party cup and bottle opener lanyard
- A custom badge
- Access to professional photographers
- A digital map of participating venues
“Join the luckiest crawl of the year,” Crawl With US said.
Find St. Paddy’s Day party deals
If you want to take advantage of No Pants Paddy’s Day Party discounts in downtown Boise, you’ll have to leave your jeans at home.
“Whether you’re rocking shorts, tutus, or boxers, just wear anything but pants,” the Eventbrite page said.
One wristband gets you access to four night clubs on Saturday with drinks and dancing starting at 8 p.m.
- Amsterdam Lounge: 609 West Main St., Boise
- StrangeLove and Dirty Little Roddy’s: 100 South Sixth St., Boise
- Karma: 800 West Idaho St., Suite No. 200, Boise
Admission costs $15 in advance, or $20 at the door if you’re wearing pants. People who show up pantsless will pay $15 at the door.
Where can I hear bagpipe music in Ada County?
Want to hear some bagpipe music this weekend? Keep your tips at the ready.
Boise Fire Department Pipes and Drums will parade through venues around Ada County on Saturday.
Here’s where and when you can catch these kilted firefighters in action:
- The Harp: 1435 North Eagle Road in Meridian at 3 p.m.
- Bear Island Brewing: 1620 North Liberty St. in Boise at 4:30 p.m.
- O’ Michael’s: 2433 Bogus Basin Road in Boise at 6 p.m.
- Highland’s Hollow: 3455 Harrison Hollow Lane in Boise at 6:30 p.m.
- McCleary’s Pub on Orchard: 604 North Orchard St. in Boise at 7:30 p.m.
- McCleary’s Pub on State: 9155 West State St. in Garden City at 8:30 p.m.
Get active at Boise’s ‘luckiest run in town’
More than 1,800 “local participants of all ages and abilities” are expected to participate in the YMCA St. Patrick’s Day Run on Saturday, according to organizers.
“Trade your pot of gold for a pair of sneakers,” the YMCA said. “You’re invited to the luckiest run in town.”
Runners can sign up for three different races that take place along the Green Belt on Saturday.
The Leprechaun Mile race begins at 9:45 a.m. and will wind through Julia Davis Park.
The 5-kilometer race will begin at 10 a.m. in Julia Davis Park and will travel around Ann Morrison Park as well.
Those participating in the 5-mile race will begin their trek with the 5-kilometer runners, but they’ll break apart after Ann Morrison Park.
The 5-mile path will continue on and circle around Kathryn Albertson Park.
It costs $40 to enter in the 5-kilometer or 5-mile events, while the Leprechaun mile participation fee is $35.
“This beloved community tradition directly supports the Treasure Valley Family YMCA and the YMCA Annual Campaign,” Griffin Gettman, a YMCA event director, told the Idaho Statesman via email, ensuring that “youth, adults, and families can participate in Y membership and programs.”
When does Boise pub crawl start on St. Patrick’s Day?
Hosted by PubCrawls, the Boise Official St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl starts at 10 Barrel Brewing Boise on Tuesday, March 17. Check-in begins at 5 p.m.
Tickets cost $30.65 each and cover:
- Entry fees to participating bars
- Access to the PubCrawl after party
- St. Patrick’s Day food and drink specials
- Professional photographer
- A PubCrawls wristband
- A digital map of participating venues
Search for gnomes at Boise pub
At 10 Barrel Brewing Boise, St. Patrick’s Day festivities include a multi-day pub hunt.
From 11 a.m. Friday, March 13, until closing time on Tuesday at 9 p.m., kids can search the pub for hidden gnomes.
“When your kids spot a gnome in the pub, they can retrieve a prize from the host,” the brewery said on Instagram.
