St. Patrick’s Day might be Friday, March 17th, but everyone knows the real St. Patrick’s Day parties are happening this Saturday. If you're lucky some places are partying both days if not starting Thursday. Here is your guide to the best St. Patrick’s Day parties here in the Quad Cities.

Getty Images
Getty Images
loading...

Being an area ranked #4 when it comes to St. Paddy’s day celebrating, there are ample opportunities to drink green beer, eat corned beef and cabbage and celebrate your Irish (even if you aren’t) heritage.

Most people’s partying starts long before the parade begins. Many businesses have decided to open early because of this. See the below parade route to be able to plan your stops accordingly:

St. Patrick Society
St. Patrick Society
loading...

This list is in no particular order, and if we missed a great party please tell us about it in the comments below.

Steve’s Old Time Tap

The first stop on your St. Patrick’s Day adventure should be Steve’s. If you’ve never been to Steve’s, you’re missing out. A small bar that makes you feel like family. So, while you’re finishing putting on your green facepaint, stop by Steve’s for a beer and enjoy the parade.

5th Annual “Shamrockin’ Paddy O’Pardy” at Kavanaugh’s Hilltop

Kavanaugh’s Hilltop goes all out and is a definite must if you’re on the Illinois side of the river. It’s free admission when the party starts on Friday when the bar opens at 3pm when Chuck Murphy takes the stage followed by Party to Go with Red Hot Brian Scott, and Funktastic 5 closing out the night.

Then on Saturday the party starts at 8am with the gates opening at 11. Bands will be starting at 11:30 when Greg and Rich Acoustic Duo takes the stage followed by The Barley House Band takes at 1:30pm. You’re not going to want to miss the Mayer School of Irish Dance at 2:45, Funktastic 5 at 4:00pm, and Dirt Road Rockers closing out the night playing til midnight.

Don’t forget Mama Kav’s famous Corned Beef Saturday starting at 1pm til they run out. Seriously, you have to get it. Also on the menu they’ll be grilling up some Irish sausages, burgers and tenderloins.

The Starting Line

If you’re on the Iowa side, The Startling Line is a must stop before the parade. Opening at 8 am, The Startling Line isn’t messing around when it comes to getting in the Irish Spirit! Specials Include: $3.00 Aluminum bottles, $4.00 Guinness cans, $4.00 Jameson, and $5.00 Irish Car Bombs. Doug Brundies Big Acoustic Show will take the stage from 1pm – 4pm after the parade.

Dam View “Dam St. Patrick’s Party”

Looking for a Dam good time on Friday AND Saturday? Look no further than the Dam View Inn. Free corned beef and potatoes. Drink specials include: $2.00 Green Miller Lite, $2.00 Irish flag jello shots, $3.00 Shamrock Shake Shots, $3.00 Jameson, $4.00 St. Menthol Shots, $3.00 Domestic Tall Cans, $4.00 16 oz Guinness Tall Cans, $5.00 Irish car bombs.

The party kicks off with DJ BR1AN on Friday night from 9pm-1am, and then starts again Saturday. High Voltage Music & Entertainment will be DJing Saturday night from 10am-Midnight.

Shenanigan’s

As long as you’re out in Davenport for the parade you might as well stop by Shenanigan’s. In fact I think they open earlier than everyone else starting at 7am. They’ll have both inside and outside bars for your convenience. Rolling Smoke will be serving up your favorite BBQ AND you can get your official St. Patrick’s Day photo taken courtesy of Desi Shell of Desi1080pvisions. Drink specials include $3.50 16oz Domestic Aluminum Beers, $13 "Lucky Leprechaun" fishbowls w/ $10 refills, $1 Domestic Drafts, $5 Irish Car Bombs, $4 Bloody Marys. When the parade ends you can catch the hair metal “shenanigans” of Bad Hair.

Harrington’s Pub

Another one of our favorite spots to celebrate St. Patty’s day is at Harrington’s Pub in Bettendorf. They’re starting the party at 11:00 on Thursday kicking off with the NCAA Tournament with live music from the Chris and Wes Show starting at 8pm.

Friday and Saturday they will be opening at 8am, and as usual they will be serving up complimentary corned beef and cabbage while it lasts. $4:00 Guinness, $5 Irish Car Bombs, and $3 Aluminum Bottles.

Live music on Saturday starting at 2:30-9:30 including: Greg and Rich Acoustic Duo, Jef and Jordan, and the Quad Cities first dueling guitars–Booze Cruz. If you’re out and about, you must stop by Harrington’s Pub on Saturday.
On the Illinois side? Stop by Harrington’s Pub in Port Byron and try the Reuben Tacos. No matter what side of the river, HP has you covered for St. Patrick’s Day.

Kelly’s Irish Pub

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, there is no way you haven’t heard about the party at Kelly’s Irish Pub. Kelly’s Irish Pub puts on Iowa’s Largest St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Festival. Kelly’s can be a place to stop by for a bit on Saturday, or a one stop shop. They have something for everyone. In fact, their party actually starts at 4pm on Friday. They have two huge heated tents, over 150 kegs of green beer, over 1 TON of corned beef, 15,000 of your closest friends, Irish dancers, magicians, and SKYDIVING LEPRECHAUNS! How much better does that get?

There are almost too many bands to list, but we’ll do it anyway. Friday starting at 5:00 Mayer School of Irish Dance followed by QC Rock Academy bands (Hum Hum & The Crash, Been There Done That, 5 Frames Of Motion, and Rebecca Casad). Past Curfew playing at 8:30 and Frankie Fontagne & The Ramblers closing out the night.

Saturday the doors will open at 6:00am for you morning and day drinkers. At 10:30 the Mayer School of Irish Dance will take the stage followed by the Irishman of the Year Award presented at Noon. Chuck Murphy then taking the stage at 12:45 followed by Magician Mark Yeager and then QC Rock Academy bands; Plot Twist, VanderVeer, and AIR & Company. At 3:45 Freaking SKYDIVING LEPRECHAUNS!!! 4:00 the Mayer School of Irish Dance followed by Wicked Liz & the Bellyswirls. 6:15 North of 40 followed by Vice Squad, then Divebomb, and Rolling Thunder - The Music of AC/DC closing out the night.

It sure is a packed weekend at Kelly’s.

RIDRS St Patrick’s Day Blowout

Stop by RIDRS before or after the parade in Rock Island for a nice Bloody Mary. DJ Kerosene will be blasting out your favorite country hits and Tyler Hammond takes the stage at 9:30pm.

Hook’s Pub / Drink Slingers

We didn’t forget about you Clinton. Just because you’re not in the QCA Metro doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate at a couple different destinations. Hook’s Pub and Drink Slinger’s has you covered for all your St. Patrick’s Day needs.

In fact this is Hook’s Pub 14th Annual St. Patrick’s Day party. They’re opening at 8:00am and will have free Blarney Stones and coffee to keep you warm. Corned beef and cabbage served at noon. All Day Drink specials include $2.50 Green Bud Light Aluminum Cans, $3.50 Pints of Guinness, $3.00 Shots of Mini Green Beers! Happy Hour begins at 4pm, and then live music by 3 On The Tree starting at 9pm.

Drink Slingers will have the same specials as Hook’s but with DJ & DANCING at 9pm!

The Doc’s Inn

The Doc’s Inn is taking a year off from St Patrick’s Day, but you don’t want to miss their Inaugural April Fool’s Party taking place Saturday April 1st (of course!!) Starting at 6pm at the Rock Island County Fairgrounds this will be a happening party that should be an event happening every year in the future. Three bands will be playing until 2am. Starting with Soul Storm, Too White Crew following and the Cheese Pizza Tavern Tour closing out the night.

More From 97X