St. Patrick’s Day: 5 things to do in Memphis
Last March, as the COVID-19 pandemic was just beginning, St. Patrick’s Day festivities were among the first events to be scaled down or canceled.
A full year into the pandemic, the upcoming St. Patty’s Day celebrations will still be somewhat limited, but several events remain – from virtual whiskey tastings to bike rides to themed river cruises – that will mark the occasion.
Here are five things to do.
Celtic Crossing Virtual Whiskey Tasting
Midtown’s beloved Irish pub, Celtic Crossing, will offer a special virtual whiskey tasting event on St. Patrick’s Day where you can sample from the comfort of your own home. After purchasing tickets, tasting kits can be picked up at Celtic Crossing (903 Cooper St.) March 12-14 and March 16. At 7 p.m. March 17, participants will be emailed a video link they can then open and watch a presentation by Celtic Crossing owner D.J. Naylor as they partake of the whiskeys. The featured whiskeys include Green Spot Chateau Montelena, Teeling Brabazon Bottling Single Malt Irish Whiskey, and the very rare and exclusive Blue Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. Tickets for the event are $75 and are available on eventbrite.com. Purchase also entitles you to 10% off any dine-in or takeout food purchase at Celtic Crossing on March 17.
St. Patrick's Day Dinner & Music Cruise
On March 17 Memphis Riverboats is urging folks to get on their green outfits and come onboard and celebrate as they set sail along the Mississippi River for a St. Patty’s Day dinner and music cruise. There will be a buffet-style meal featuring Irish favorites – including corned beef brisket, mashed potatoes and more. There will also be a band and dancing, as well as a cash/credit bar. The cruise boards at Memphis Riverboats (45 Riverside Drive) at 6:30 p.m. and departs at 7 p.m. Tickets for the two-hour tour are $50 for adults, $35 for children, and $15 for infants and toddlers. To purchase tickets, visit .
Autobahn Indoor Speedway: Catch the Leprechaun Race
On March 17 the go-kart racing facility Autobahn Indoor Speedway (6399 Shelby View Drive) will host a competition for St. Patrick’s Day. Every hour a special race will give those who pass a leprechaun (or at least a go-karter dressed as a leprechaun) a chance to win a prize by drawing from the “Magic Pot of Gold.” With a wee bit of luck you could win prizes including T-shirts, free races and multi-race packages. Winners also will get to pose with their vanquished leprechaun, sharing their victory with friends and on social media. To make reservations, visit autobahnspeed.com/locations/memphis-tnindoor-go-karts.
St. Patrick's Day Ride
The Memphis Hightailers – the longrunning club promoting cycling in Memphis and Mid-south – will host its first ride of 2021 this month. The event, set for March 20, will be a St. Patrick’s
Day (or weekend, anyway) ride that will launch from Central Church in Collierville (2005 E. Winchester Blvd.) Nonmembers pay $40 to participate, but that price also includes a one-year membership in the Hightailers. Registration fees will benefit the Hightailers Foundation, which supports cycling safety classes and provides helmets to children in impoverished communities. To register, visit memphishightailers.com.
‘A Very Punk St. Patty's'
The Rockhouse Live Memphis will mark the holiday with a “A Very Punk St. Patty’s” concert on March 20, featuring Ramones tribute band Sedate. The group, hailing from Dallas, offers up a musical homage to the iconic New York City punk group. The bill is also expected to feature local openers. Tickets are $100 for a table reservation (up to four people) or $25 per person separately. Doors open at 5 p.m. and table reservations must be seated by 6:30 p.m. Each
table reservation comes with two drink tickets, good for any well beverage or beer. The Rockhouse (5709 Raleigh Lagrange Road) is limiting capacity due to COVID-19 so advance reservations are recommended. Tickets are available on eventbrite.com.