CHARLOTTE, N.C. — St. Patrick’s Day will come into the Queen City full swing this weekend, with the city’s annual parade and festival taking place Uptown. Additionally, local bars and other events will keep revelers occupied well into next week, when St. Patrick’s Day makes its official appearance on Tuesday, March 17.
Friday, March 13
Party Bus
On Friday, Buff Faye kicks things off right with her sixth annual St. Patrick’s Day “Get Lucky!?” Friday Night Party Bus. The tour o’the city begins at Backstage Vintage Apparel in Plaza Midwood, 2005 Central Ave., with the party bus from Ragin’ Uptown heading to the Woodshed, the Bar at 316, L4 Lounge and Chasers. Check-in begins at 7:15 p.m., with the bus leaving promptly at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 and available online only at donatenow.networkforgood.org/bufffaye. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
The Scorpio
The Scorpio will also be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day all weekend long, with drag shows and DJs scheduled Friday, Saturday and Sunday. More info at thescorpio.com.
Saturday, March 14
Parade & Festival
On Saturday morning, join thousands of spectators for Charlotte’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the accompanying Charlotte Goes Green Festival. The parade begins at 11 a.m. and marches down Tryon St. Grand Marshal is Dr. R. John Young, Honorary Consul of Ireland for North Carolina. The festival runs 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on S. Tryon St., between Stonewall and 3rd Sts. More information at charlottestpatsday.com.
Note: The parade attracted controversy for anti-LGBT policies last year, which they reversed. The parade also has fundraising connections to the Knights of Columbus. The group is scheduled to be back at the parade this year and will be collecting donations. The Knights of Columbus have regularly advocated against LGBT equality.
Woodshed Lounge
In the evening, join revelers at the Woodshed Lounge for their “Shamrock Shimmy,” beginning at 9 p.m. Their “heiny contest” has first place, second place and third place winning spots with $50 as the top prize. $3 Heineken drink specials. More info…
L4 Lounge
At L4 Lounge, the ladies will don green and strike gold, with the bar’s second annual “Taste The Rainbow” St. Patty’s Day Bash. $1 green Jello shots, $2 green beer and more. More info…
Sunday, March 15
Cathode Azure
Cathode Azure keeps the party going into Sunday, with a St. Patrick’s Day edition of their Sunday Funday, beginning at 4 p.m. and featuring Valarie Rockwell, Shea and Mystique, along with DJ Little Betty. More info at the Facebook event page.
Tuesday, March 17
Sidelines
On St. Patrick’s Day itself, head down South Blvd. to Sidelines, where you’ll find special holiday drink specials and where you can watch the NCAA Road to the Final Four. More info…
Cathode and Scorpio don’t belong on this list. They are no longer gay bars and should get exactly what they have asked for. No different than Petra’s, who became synonymous with the term ‘whored out’. Well known to all in Charlotte that Petra’s new owner’s chose to start whoring to straight people – and the almighty dollar.