Luck O’ the Irish — Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day along the shores o’ Fort Myers Beach
Although not everyone may originally hail from the Emerald Isle of Ireland, on St. Patrick’s Day, everyone is Irish! Fort Myers Beach is one of the best spots to celebrate the patron saint of Ireland this year falling on Thursday (March 17). Here is a list of some of the best places to be that day.
Matanzas on the Bay
416 Crescent St., 239-463-3838
Stop by Matanzas Thursday to enjoy live music all day along the upper deck, featuring John Friday from noon to 4, and Mary Winner from 5 to 9.
A special St. Patty’s Day extended happy hour will be offered from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the Upper Deck and at the downstairs bar, and Chef Dave’s famous certified Angus corned beef and cabbage buffet can be enjoyed for $15. Keep cool with pints o’ Guinness for $4, and Jameson and Bushmills for $5 all day long.
Nervous Nellie’s Crazy Waterfront Eatery
1131 First St., 239-463-8077
Fantastic island local Stephen DeAngelis (Stevie D.) is eager to be the guest MC?during Nervous Nellies’ big St. Patty’s Day bash Thursday, featuring an all-day music festival along Fountain Park, with The Dweebs, one of the nation’s biggest party bands, and The Doerfels.
“This is going to be another great Nervous Nellie’s event,” Stevie D. said. “Nervous Nellie’s and owner Len Lemmer saved the day, bringing The Dweebs in during their national tour, and the Doerfels is another great group to enjoy that day.”
During the all-day festival, guests can savor platters of corned beef and cabbage (both inside and outside), as well as drink specials and lots of promotions.
“We’re ordering 3,000 pounds of corned beef that day, and expect to sell out before closing that night,” said Nellie’s owner Len Lemmer. “The Dweebs and the Doerfels are both great family bands, both playing contemporary rock and roll music. The Dweebs are more contemporary rock and roll, and the Doerfels have sort of a bluegrassy sound with a mandolin. They’re both great bands, and we’re excited to have them back to perform during our big St. Patrick’s Day bash.”
There’s no charge to attend the event. The party goes from 2 to 10 p.m., and the food will be ready by noon. The Dweebs take the stage from 2 to 5 p.m. that day, followed by the Doerfels from 6 to 9 p.m.
“We’ll also have some giveaways throughout the day, such as Nervous Nellie’s merchandise, free drink tabs, and plenty more,” Len said.
The Shamrock Irish Pub
2201 Estero Blvd., 239-463-8881
What’s a St. Patrick’s Day celebration without stopping by Fort Myers Beach’s Irish pub? As years past, The Shamrock will be hosting an all-day outdoor music festival Thursday, featuring live music from The Oysters (taking the stage at 11 a.m.) and Casey’s House Rockers (taking the stage at 1 p.m.). Enjoy corned beef and cabbage platters and sandwiches, drink specials and green Jell-o shots while celebrating all that is Irish.
The Cottage Bar and Grill
1250 Estero Blvd., 239-765-5440
The Cottage will be hosting an all-day St. Patrick’s Day beach party, kicking off at noon, with live music throughout the day. Traditional/fusion group Shamrock Sheik and the Leper Prawns will start rockin’ from noon to 4 p.m., followed by the Troublemakers from 4:30 to 8 p.m., and The New Vinyls from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Enjoy plenty of food and drink specials, as well as other fun Irish antics throughout the day.
Castaway’s Bar and Grill
7205 Estero Blvd., 239-463-4644
Castaway’s is yet another fab local island hot spot that is sure to boast the luck o’ the Irish every St. Patty’s Day. Their morning starts off early, opening at 7 a.m. that day. Bagpipers will squeeze and jam from about 8:30/9 a.m. for an hour before the establishment hosts its annual King and Queen crowning ceremony, selecting two longtime establishment patrons to don the crown. From there, the new King and Queen will hail atop the Castaway’s float in the St. Patrick’s Day parade.
“We are always so happy to participate in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and will have two military vehicles riding in the parade this year, with the King and Queen riding along,” said Jackie Schroeder, one of the establishment owners. “We are also eager to host all kinds of food and drink specials that day, including corned beef and cabbage, of course.”
Three bands will rock the Castaway’s stage Thursday, starting with Wayward Souls at 10 a.m., Electric Lipstick at 2 p.m., and Torched at 8 p.m.
“Come on in and have some St. Patty’s Day fun with us,” Jackie said. “This is our biggest day of the year, our biggest celebration we can’t wait for this day and we’re sure it’s going to be lots of fun.”
The Yucatan Beach Stand
250 Old San Carlos Blvd., 239-333-4FUN
The Yucatan Beach Stand will be hosting a very special outdoor St. Patrick’s Day celebration Thursday, with an array of vendors toting some of the coolest gadgets, gizmos and gifts from around the area, all taking place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The outside beer tent will be pumping out gallons upon gallons of refreshing brews, and bagpipes will perform throughout the day to ensure everyone is in the Luck o’ the Irish spirit.
Sip on green beer, nibble on corned beef and cabbage dinners, take back a few Jell-o shots and enjoy live music from some great local musicians, including Pearl, from 7 to 10 p.m.