Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with Pub Crawls and Block Parties in SF

Plus, enjoy Oakland Restaurant Week and more fun things to do in San Francisco this weekend.

Spring is in the air, and you know what that means—it’s time to break up with your cuffing season partner and get back out there! San Francisco in the springtime is truly one of the most magical places. The flowers are blooming, the weather is warmer, and the fog hasn’t returned in full force. All of the street fairs start popping up again, and there’s still snow in the mountains, so you don’t have to pick and choose! It’s the perfect time to go on a beautiful hike, enjoy drinks on a rooftop, and check out all the fun things to do in San Francisco that we’ve gathered here. 

Food and Drink Events in San Francisco

March 15–March 17
Various locations, $25 and up
Search for leprechauns and drink deals during this three-day bar crawl that lets you skip the cover charges, enjoy drink specials, and travel by the crawl’s special bus to the next bar to the next spot. Over 20 bars are participating, so if you want to hit ‘em all up, you may want to get the three-day pass.

March 15–March 24
Oakland, Special offers at every participating restaurant
If you don’t live in Oakland, this is the perfect excuse to cross the bridge, visit some fantastic restaurants and food trucks, and eat all of the delicious things. There are dozens and dozens of restaurants participating all over the city, including Jack London Square, Temescal, Uptown, and Fruitvale.

Ongoing
Mission, $19 and up
Dinner is back at Tartine Manufactory. But this time around, they’re throwing a pizza party every night. The dough for the pizza is obviously extra special (it is Tartine after all) and uses a fancy technique called the Biga method that your server will probably do a better job of explaining. There are nine pizzas, plus salads, apps, and, of course, dessert, all of which you can enjoy Wedneday – Sunday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Get there early to enjoy a cocktail at the bar first.

Festivals in San Francisco

March 15
Financial District, Free entry
Enjoy green beer, jello shots, corned beef brats, Bavarian pretzels, and live music at this annual block party that starts outside and moves indoors when the sun goes down.

March 16
SoMa and Civic Center, Free entry
Join thousands of revelers for this annual parade and festival. The parade starts at 11:30 a.m. and runs from 2nd and Market Street down Market Street to the front of City Hall at SF's Civic Center Plaza, where there will be a post-parade celebration until 6 p.m. You can expect marching bands, Irish dancers, pipe bands, decorative floats, food and drink, and lots and lots of live music.

March 16
Tenderloin, Free entry
Get a taste of Ireland at this family-friendly daytime party in the historic Hibernia Bank complete with a bagpipes opening ceremony, pints of Guinness, whisky tastings, Irish coffee, Irish music and dancers, and a kids corner with face painting and more.

March 16–17
Union Square, Free entry
The Irish Bank is celebrating on not one, but two days. Of course, what more would you expect from a pub with that name? Doors open at 11 a.m. for drinking and the official party with live music (traditional Irish music and Celtic rock) begins at 1:30 p.m. Pace yourself though because this party goes all day and all night.

More Fun Things to Do in San Francisco

March 16
Mission, $20
First: If you RSVP and arrive before 10:30 pm, this event is free. Okay now for the fun: Put on your bell bottoms, platform shoes, and sequins, and head to the Great Northern for a night of classic disco anthems. Enjoy a Boogie Wonderland full of favorites from ABBA, The Bee Gees, Earth, Wind & Fire, and more, plus modern dancefloor hits from artists like Dom Dolla, Dombresk, and Purple Disco Machine.

Through March 23
Civic Center, $29 and up
Embark on a journey to 1595 Athens to enjoy Shakespeare’s tale of magic and mischief featuring four lovers, a forest of fairies, love potions, and mistaken identity in this Shakespearean favorite choreographed by George Balanchine set to music by Mendelssohn, with costume and set designs by French designer Christian Lacroix.

Through March 31
Civic Center
The New Conservatory Theatre Center is hosting the world premiere of this witty and wistful pay that follows former vaudevillians who reunite in Provincetown every summer. Except this summer, it’s 1959 and change—both personal and national—hangs heavy in the air. Go early on Friday for a pre-show chat with playwright Jewelle Gomez & Director Kimberly Ridgeway or stay after on Sunday for a post-show discussion.

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Daisy Barringer is a San Francisco-based freelance writer with over 15 years of professional experience as a copywriter and editorial journalist. Her areas of expertise include hamburgers, road trips, the 49ers, and anything and everything NorCal. She grew up in San Francisco and has a BFA in Dramatic Writing from New York University and an MFA in Creative Writing from UNC Wilmington, the latter of which she commonly refers to as “the time she spent three years at creative writing summer camp.” Follow her on Instagram @daisysf, where you’re guaranteed cute pics of her 160-pound Saint Bernard named Monkey.