Valley weekend nightlife

the vindicator

111A lot of places are having their big St. Pat’s bash on Saturday, with smaller celebrations on Sunday and Monday.

That’s because St. Pat’s falls on Monday, which is not exactly a party night. It would’ve been Sunday, if not for leap year pushing it back a day, into Holy Week — another reason why some bars are shying away from Monday celebrations.

But as Christian Rinehart, manager of O’Donold’s in Austintown, pointed out, St. Patrick’s Day is March 17.

And if March 17 is a Monday, then that’s the day you celebrate. Therefore, the big tent will return to the Austintown Plaza parking lot Monday for O’Donold’s annual blowout. Last year, 49,000 revelers found their way to the tent over the course of the day (of course, last year, St. Pat’s was on a Saturday).

Actually, O’Donold’s, like several other establishments, is planning a full weekend of green mayhem. It will again offer free rides home — in your own car — to revelers who ask. A shuttle will also run all day Monday between the Austintown and Niles O’Donold’s.

One party-positive factor is Daylight-Saving Time, which went into effect Sunday — the earliest spring-forward day ever. It’s the first time St. Pat’s will have the extra hour of daylight.

Here’s a quick list — but definitely not all-inclusive — of some of the larger St. Pat’s Day parties in the Mahoning Valley:

NIGHTLIFE

O’Donold’s Irish Pub, Austintown Plaza. Friday and Saturday: County Mayo, 6-10 p.m., and step dancers. Saturday and Sunday, Bagpipers and step dancers each evening with live Irish music. Sunday, Mahoning Valley Parade after party. Monday, Irish breakfast (5:30 a.m.), blessing (8:30), Bridget’s Cross Irish band (10-2), Shaffer Brothers Band (2-8); The Rage (8-2); and step dancers and pipers.

O’Donold’s Pub, Route 422, Niles. Saturday: That Sixties Band, 9 p.m.; Monday: County Mayo, 3 p.m.

Salty Grog, 1203 Boardman-Poland Road, Boardman. Saturday: Pre-St. Patrick’s Day Music Festival, with two stages and 14 hours of music with Asleep (12:15 a.m.), Via Sahara (9:30), Haven (8:30), Acoustic Juggernaut (10:45), 5 Elements (4:30), Grey Dealer (5:30), Capt. Braskey (6:30), Manifold Stud (3:45), Crissie McCree Band (3), Deviance Theory (12:45 p.m.), Grand Fury (7:30), Starlight Darlings (1:30), Erins Vineyard (2:15) and Social Overtone (noon-2 a.m.). (330) 726-6690.

Youngstown Sports Grille,South Ave., Boardman. Saturday: A.O.H.Luncheon (noon-2); face painting (2-5); That Irish Band (1-4); DJ Patrone (5-9); County Mayo (9:30); Sunday: County Mayo (1-7), Bag Piper Stephen Holt (2-5), Step Dancers (4-4:45); Monday: Kegs and Eggs (6 a.m.), County Mayo (8:30 a.m.-noon); Step dancers (noon-3), That Irish Band (12:30-4:30), Step dancers (noon and 6), Blarney Tones, 5:30-9, Bagpiper 6:30, Rudy and the Professionals 10-2.

Quaker Steak and Lube and Tully’s,101 Chestnut St., Sharon, Pa. Monday: Continuous live entertainment on the main stage with Lil Joe (6-8 a.m. and 10-11:30 a.m.), Lou Rafferty (8-10 a.m.), Ed Eakin Duo (1-2), Wildwood Express (2-3 and 3:30-4:30), The Blarney Tones (noon-12:45), Jim Golan (4:45-5:45), Jeff Welsh, Vet Pipe Band, Steve Vuich (6-6:45) and River Saints (8:30-12:30), and including specialty Irish fare, corned beef and cabbage, 6 a.m.-1 a.m. Many of the same bands will also perform throughout the day at Thunder Alley and Tully’s.

Quaker Steak & Lube, 5800 Interstate Blvd., Austintown. Monday: Jeff Welsh (9-11), Jim Golan (11-1), 2 From Zero (1-2), Burke School Irish Step dancers (2-2:30), Don, “Elvis” Wright (2:30-3:30), Lil Joe (3:30-5), Ed Aiken Duo (5-9), and Green Eggs (9-1). Rock 104 will hold its afternoon show with Wes Styles from 4-7.

County Maigh Eo, 706 Steel St., Youngstown. Saturday: Tara’s Fire (Irish Band), 2:30, and Drivin’ Force, 10; Sunday: Tara’s Fire, 4 p.m.; Monday: Tara’s Fire, Irish Bagpipers and Irish Step Dancing (1-4).

Royal Oaks, 924 Oak St., Youngstown. Sunday: Post-Parade Party, with the Shaffer Brothers Band 2-6).

Five Points Wine and Bar, 9065 Springfield Road, Poland. Monday: St. Patrick’s Day party with Irish music (1 p.m.-2 a.m.).

Big D’s Irish Pub, 3143 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown. Monday: St. Patty’s Day Party, 9 a.m. to closing. Free buffet, music, giveaways. (330) 797-9111.

Barry Dyngles Pub,1601 S. Raccoon Road, Austintown. Monday: St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, 11 a.m. -2 Food, wine, Irish Stew, Reubens, Pints. (330) 259-4788.

Barley’s, 21 Federal Plaza West, Youngstown. Monday: Free St. Patty’s Day Bash with 5 Elements & Jones for Revival, 10 p.m. Also featuring green beer.

McMenamy’s, 325 Youngstown-Warren Road, Niles. Saturday: annual St. Patrick’sDay Celebration beginning at 11 a.m. Featuring The Dolan Family & Rose and Thistle (12:45), Green Blossom Special (3:15), Bagpipers (6:30) , Irish Step Dancers (6:50), Lou Rafferty (7:30), DJ Frank (10:30). (330) 544-1732.

Captain Kelly’s, 4248 N. River Road, Howland; (330) 856-5355. Saturday: The Fillbilly’s (10-2).

Lannigan’s Irish Pub,126 E. Washington, New Castle, Pa. Saturday: County Mayo, noon to 4 p.m.

SPORTS

Ice Zone,360 McClurg Road, Boardman. The Mahoning Valley Phantoms will host the Traverse City North Stars in a three-game series starting March 14 at 7:15 p.m. Irish food will be provided by Jeffrey Chrystal Catering throughout the weekend. On Friday, the first 500 fans through the door will receive free samples of Rita’s Italian Ice. On Saturday, the Phantoms will be wearing special edition St. Patrick’s Day jerseys, which will be auctioned off after the game, and the Mahoning Valley Phantoms Figure Skating Club is sponsoring a post-game party featuring the music of Frankie and the Sensations. On Sunday, the Phantoms will again host the Traverse City North Stars immediately after the 30th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. $1 beer and free hot chocolate will be available from 3 to 7 p.m. Game tickets will be $5 for everyone. (330) 965-1423.

DANCES

Bessemer Croatian Club,601 E. Poland Ave., Bessemer, Pa. Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with Al Hreno featuring Hank Racich, Polka Pal’s Man of the Year, 3-7 p.m. March 16. Donation $7 per person. Food, snacks and beverages available. All-you-can-eat buffet $5.95 per person. (724) 667-8997.

Kuzman’s, 1025 S. State St., Girard. St. Patrick’s Day Dance hosted by USA DANCE partners (ballroom, Latin, swing & hustle), 6-9 p.m. March 17. (330) 545-8521.

North Bloomfield Town Hall, intersection of Routes 45 and 87. Western Square and Line Dance “Wearing of the Green,” 7-10 p.m. March 29. Admission: $4 age 10 and up; $3 under 10. Admission includes full meal, beverages, lessons and good family fun. Learn square and line dancing. Caller Gene Hammond. Sponsored by North Bloomfield Historical Society. All proceeds toward restoration and preservation of the town hall. (440) 685-4758.

MUSIC

St. Patrick Church, Oak Hill, Youngstown. Saturday: County Mayo, 5:30-6:45 p.m.