Back in the old county, March 17 was an officially recognized “feast day” in the Catholic calendar – meaning Lenten restrictions on fasting and alcohol consumption were lifted for the day. Other than some parades and the occasional church service, eating and drinking was and is pretty much the entire point of the holiday. So, if you’re inclined to celebrate, inspired either by heritage or sympathetic vibrations, then you’re going to want to be on the lookout for a good Irish beer and some tasty corned beef. There are certain tropes associated with St. Patrick’s Day. And like so many institutional holidays, it wouldn’t quite feel the same without them. So, feel free to go out and look for a Celtic-themed party. Drink your fill of Guinness. Irish up your coffee. Wear a bit o’ the green, if you like. But please refrain from speaking like a leprechaun or consuming Coors Light loaded with green food coloring. You’ll just make St. Patrick cry.
The IAS’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Party (Friday 13, 6 to 9 p.m.)
It wouldn’t be St. Patrick’s Day without the Irish-American Society of New Mexico hosting its intimate annual gathering, complete with some of the most authentic Irish music, entertainment and food you’re likely to find in ABQ. This event is a traditional potluck dinner, so bring a food dish to share. (Kitchen is available for reheating.) The IAS will provide coffee, tea and water. Beer and wine is available with ticket purchase. The party happens at the First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque Social Hall (3701 Carlisle Blvd. NE) on the Friday before St. Patrick’s. The McTeggart Irish Step Dancers perform at 6 p.m. Wandering the Burren & Friends Celtic Band takes the stage at 6:45 p.m. And The Irish Setters close out the evening at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 for kids 5 to 12 or $10 for adults above age 12. And if you are someone over the age of 21 who would like an adult beverage with dinner, $20 “adult” admissions include two drink tickets. Guarantee yourself a spot by making a reservation in advance at irish-american-society-of-new-mexico.square.site.
Lucky to be Local St. Patrick’s Day Market (Saturday 14, 12 to 4 p.m.)
El Vado (2500 Central Ave. SW) fills its courtyard with festive vendors on Saturday. This free, family-friendly community event brings together 20+ local vendors, live entertainment, shopping, food, drinks and more. Spend the afternoon browsing unique finds from New Mexico small businesses, shopping the permanent local shops at El Vado, and enjoying delicious bites and drinks from the restaurant pods on site. Entertainment-wise you can be on live music from Burque Bombadillos and an Irish dance performance from Brightburn Irish Dance Academy.
St. Patrick’s Day Saturday on the Hill with the Burque Bombadillos (Saturday 14, 7 p.m.)
Tractor Brewing Nob Hill (325 Central Ave. NW) starts things nice and early with some proper pre-holiday action. The Burque Bombadillos offer up their take on folk music – traditional, Celtic, Americana, bluegrass and more. Which sounds like a fine way to ease into the sort of music we can expect to accompany our beer drinking in the coming week.
The Official Lucky’s St Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl (Saturday 14, 4 p.m. to midnight)
You can’t beat a good bar crawl for St. Patrick’s Day. The Official Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl promises entrance to eight different bars, all located in Downtown Albuquerque for easy crawling. Show up to Boots & Bourbon (325 Central Ave NW) between 4 and 6 p.m to check in and get your lanyards, party beads, bottle openers, maps and badges. Then join the crowds circulating between Bourbon & Boots, Effex Night Club, Damacio’s Bar, Ghost Bar, Moonwalk, Red Door Bar, Side Effex and Thirsty Eye Brewing. Just be sure to make it back to Effex for the after party at 10 p.m. Single tickets start at $31.95 (but get cheaper if you buy them in a group). Snag them in advance at crawlwith.us/albuquerque/stpattys.
SHANEaningans – A Night of Pogues Songs (Saturday 14, 6 p.m.)
The Pogues are among the most well-recognized Irish musicians worldwide (even though they’re from London). The band’s particular style of folk/punk still resonates years after the death of the band’s lead singer, Shane MacGowan. A host of local Albuquerque bands, including The Reelers and Dirty Old Town ABQ, have put together a special seasonal tribute concert to MacGowan and co. scheduled to happen at halflife*digital (212 Tulane Dr. SE).
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration (Sunday 15, 1 to 4 p.m.)
Head on out to The Block (7801 Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE) for an afternoon of traditional and contemporary Irish Music. The Bosque Brothers, with featured guest performer Cheryl take the Main Stage at the Block at 1 p.m. for a special St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration (Tuesday 17, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
Kaktus Brewing Company (471 South Hill) is opening early on March 17 to get your St. Pat’s Day started right. There’s plenty of beer, pizza and Irish specials to be had all day long. And to get you in the proper mood, the Sanda Bag Pipers hit the stage from 6:30. to 7 p.m.
St. Patrick’s Day with The Reelers (Tuesday 17, 5 p.m.)
Albuquerque’s premiere Celtic rock band, The Reelers, brings its high-energy arrangements inspired by Irish, Scottish and Cape Breton traditions straight to Canteen Brewhouse (2381 Aztec Rd. NE). Expect driving jigs and reels and plenty of traditional drinking songs perfect for dancing, singing along or just raising a pint to.
Adam Hooks Tribute to The Pogues (Tuesday 17, 5 to 7 p.m.)
Albuquerque’s own Adam Hooks (he of Hooks & the Huckleberries fame) offers up his personal tribute to the songs of the iconic English Celtic folk-punk band The Pogues. Order up a pint at Tractor Brewing Nob Hill (325 Central Ave. NW) starting at 5 p.m. and sing along to your favorites – from “Dirty Old Town” to “Fairy Tale of New York.” Trivia Note: The Pogues were originally named Pogue Mahone—an anglicisation of the Irish phrase póg mo thóin, meaning “kiss my arse.”
St. Patrick’s Day with Dirty Old Town ABQ (Tuesday 17, 7 to 9 p.m.)
Speaking of “Dirty Old Town” … Dirty Old Town ABQ – our city’s finest purveyors of trad Irish, Celic folk and Hibernian punk – will also be spending St. Patrick’s day tearing down the house at Tractor Brewing (325 Central Ave. NW). They go on after Adam at 7 p.m. All of Tractor’s famous beers and ciders will be on tap all night, of course, which only adds to the festivities.
St. Patrick’s Day Karaoke with KJ Luci (Tuesday 17, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.)
I have it on good authority that the St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland (also the Patron Saint of Nigeria, don’t you know), was a massive karaoke fan. If you want to get your buzz on and sing along to some Mariah Carey – just like Pádraig himself would have – Tractor Wells Park (1800 Fourth St. NW) has got you covered. KJ Luci hosts and keeps the music flowing until 10:30.
St. Patrick’s Day Karaoke with Famous Amos (Tuesday 17, 6 to 9 p.m.)
What did I tell you about St. Pat and karaoke night? Here’s another opportunity to butcher Smash Mouth’s “All Star” in the name of Irish history and culture. “Famous Amos” (Surely not the cookie guy? … No, he’s dead.) hosts the evening’s festivities over at Tractor Brewing Westside (5720 McMahon Blvd.).
St. Paddy’s Day Cookout w/ Chef Marie (Tuesday 17, 12 to 9 p.m.)
Chef Marie is dishing up an entire day’s worth of Irish cuisine out of her food truck at Marble Brewery (111 Marble Ave. NW). Choose from slow-roasted corned beef and cabbage with potatoes, smoked kielbasa with house made sauerkraut and mustard or New Mexican shepherd pie. Or stick around all day and have yourself three square meals!
St. Patrick’s Day Specials (Tuesday 17, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
D.S. Lescombs Winery (901 Rio Grande Blvd. and 3771 NM-528) offers their own food special in honor of the day, dishing up some good, old-fashioned bangers and mash – a fine accompaniment to some delicious local wine. If you’re in the mood for some more Irish-themed food and drink in Albuquerque, your best bets for the particular day in question are Two Fools Tavern (3211 Central Ave. NE), Quarter Celtic Pub (1100 San Mateo Blvd. NE) and O’Neill’s (3301 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE).
Good Shepherd Center’s 75th Anniversary St. Patricks’ Day Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner (Tuesday 17, 4 to 8 p.m.)
Albuquerque’s charity-minded Good Shepherd Center hosts what has become an Albuquerque institution: the annual St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner. Every year since the late Brother Mathias founded Good Shepherd Center in 1951, St. Patrick’s Day has signified the celebration of both Brother Mathias’ birthday and Good Shepherd Center’s ministry to the local homeless community. This year’s historic 75th holiday feast/fundraiser happens at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church located at 9502 Fourth St. NW. Adult tickets are $20, children are $7. You can purchase them at the door or in advance at gscnm.org/st-patricks-day.