Ok, we KNOW you’re looking for the weekend guide but this weekend is all about two things – St. Paddy’s Day & NCAA hoops. So with that in mind, here’s everything you need to know about where to go this weekend.

Disclaimer: Events are subject to change or sell out! Please contact the businesses directly to confirm availability. 

Friday, March 17

Hoops and Hops at Cowles Commons

  • Friday and Saturday, March 17-18, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
  • Cowles Commons, 313 Walnut St., Des Moines, 50309
Des Moines is a city that loves its craft brews. Fortunately for us, the Iowa Craft Beer Tent will be popping up at Cowles Commons for all the basketball tourney and St. Paddy’s Day fun! The large tent is heated and features multiple screens so you can take shelter and still enjoy the games even if it happens to rain. Some food truck faves will also be in attendance: Charlotte’s Kitchen, Big Mama’s Bistro, Big Red Food Truck, and Hawaiian Grill. They’ve got two basketball courts for the kiddos and music going all day long. There’s really something here for every member of your family! All ages welcome.

Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Parade “Tailgate Party”

  • Friday, March 17, 6 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Western Gateway Park at 13th & Grand, Des Moines, 50309
If you’re bright-eyed and Busch-y tailed, you’ll want to head to this parade tailgate party for the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. The party starts at 6 a.m. with an Irish Breakfast and flag raising happens at 7:30. The Floy Irish dancers perform at 10:30. They’ll have food trucks and beer tents serving up green beer. The entry fee is $10 and proceeds help the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick with their annual parade. Come to the tailgate and have the best viewing area for the parade which kicks off at noon!

  • Friday AND Saturday, March 17 & 18, 4 p.m.
  • Downtown Des Moines
If you’re trying to live or relive your college bar crawls, this is the event for you. Crawl locations are throughout Court Ave. and the East Village with exclusive drink and food specials throughout the evening.

Annie’s Annual Block Party

St. Patrick’s Day Bake Sale at Peace Tree

  • Friday, March 17, 4-6 p.m.
  • Peace Tree, 317 E. Court Ave., Des Moines, 50309
Featuring some Des Moines favorites, this is one bake sale that you’re not gonna want to miss! Pre-orders for ice cream from Pints by Beth can be placed here and pre-orders from Pie Bird Pies will go live on Sunday, March 12 at this link. You can also expect to see Sift + Sprinkle, Domestic Bones, and Alt Dessert Bar. Eat your dessert first and then hit up Nina’s Tacos food truck for the best birria tacos in Iowa!

St. Paddy’s Day at Confluence

  • Friday, March 17, 12-9:30 p.m.
  • Confluence Brewing, 1235 Thomas Beck Rd., Des Moines, 50315
Confluence Brewing has plenty of Irish Ale and Irish Stout on tap to quench your thirst this St. Paddy’s Day! Live music starts at 4:30 with Justin Baird and Dan Medeiros takes over at 7. Pie Mates Australian Bakehouse will be on site slinging pies in case you get hungry.

Saint Patrick’s Day at 300 Craft & Rooftop

  • Friday, March 17, Doors open at noon
  • 300 Craft & Rooftop, 300 W. MLK Jr. Pkwy Suite 310, Des Moines, 50309
300 Craft & Rooftop is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in a big way! They’re selling burgers, hot dogs, and $5 shots of Crown Apple and Bailey’s Vanilla Mint Shake all day until long until supplies run out. They’ll be showing tournament games all day and bringing in live entertainment starting at 4:00. Enjoy complimentary tastings at 2:00, 5:30 and 7:30 and no cover charge!

St. Patrick’s Day at Up-Down

  • Friday, March 17, 2 p.m.
  • Up-Down Arcade, 500 E. Locust Street, Des Moines, 50309
Arrive early for your chance to be one of the first 100 guests and receive 40 free tokens! Up-Down will be slinging $2 pizza slices until 8 p.m. (seriously, that price cannot be beat!) and offering specialty cocktails all night to celebrate.

St. Paddy’s at Black Sheep

  • Friday, March 17, 4 p.m.
  • Black Sheep, 223 E. Walnut Street, Des Moines, 50309
Black Sheep is bringing you three different DJ sets on St. Paddy’s Day starting at 4 p.m. with Mystery Roach, Touchnice at 9, and ending with Midnight Animal to take you into the wee hours of the morning! Their drink specials include $6 Guinness, $5 Jameson, and $4 PBR.

Biggest Party on the Westside at Mickey’s

  • Friday, March 17, 7 a.m.
  • Mickey’s Irish Pub Waukee, 50 SE Laurel St., West Des Moines, 50263

When it comes to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, Mickey’s Irish Pub goes all out! They’re starting bright and early at 7 a.m. with a breakfast buffet that’s open until 11. Entertainment starts at 10:30 a.m. with the Big Pipe Band followed by Brad Seidenfeld from 3-6 p.m., and Sister Sara from 7-11 p.m. They’ll have green beer and plenty corned beef and cabbage to go around. Oh, and did we mention there’s no cover? Sounds like the perfect place to hole up for the day to us!

St. Patrick’s Open Bar Party at Smash Park

  • Friday, March 17, 10 a.m.
  • Smash Park, 6625 Coach Light Dr., West Des Moines, IA 50266

For only $49, you can get yourself open bar access* at Smash Park. Their doors open at 10 a.m. and they’ll be keeping the party rocking until bar close! You can also look forward to free green jello shots all day and night (while supplies last, of course).

*Shots are excluded

St. Patrick’s Day at The Garage

  • Friday, March 17, Noon-11 p.m.
  • Uptown Garage Brewing, 305 SW Walnut St., Ankeny, IA 50023

Uptown Garage is your one-stop shop for green beer, food, and music this St. Patrick’s Day! They’ll have live music from Nick Hermann, Omar’s Gyro food truck and $4 pints of green beer. Feeling adventurous? Try one of their six different “half & half” pint combos using all Iowa beers like The Farmer’s Tan – a mix of Kalona Full Pull pale ale and Lake Time Crooked Shillalah dry Irish nitro stout. Yum!

Saturday, March 18

St. Paddy’s Day Party at Fenders Brewing

  • Saturday, March 18, 12-10 p.m.
  • Fenders Brewing, 212 W Van Dorn St., Polk City, IA 50226

Leprechaun Shakedown mint milkshake IPA is back at Fenders Brewing! Head out there for drink specials and live Irish music from Stu Ryan O’Brien from 6-9 p.m. for their St. Paddy’s Day Party.

The Feel Good Band at Des Moines Yacht Club

  • Saturday, March 18, 8-11 p.m.
  • Des Moines Yacht Club, 2617 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312

Head out to the Des Moines Yacht Club to hear The Feel Good Band led by Season 14 “The Voice” finalist Sharane Canister. The Feel Right Trio Band perform a mix of R&B, Pop, and Neo-Soul.

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