Carrie on, party people
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
YOUNGSTOWN
Heading downtown today for St. Patrick’s Day or the Carrie Underwood concert?
The two events will make for a busy night in the entertainment district, as concert-goers will commingle with revelers before and after the show.
Suffice it to say the bars will be overstaffed and fully stocked, and there shouldn’t be any difficulty finding a corned beef sandwich or a green beverage.
There won’t be any street closures or beer tents set up this year, as has become the norm on St. Pat’s. That’s because the city wants to keep traffic flowing without detours so as not to pose obstacles for out-of-towners.
Downtown will do an encore Tuesday, when Elton John is at the Covelli Centre and ZZ Top is at Stambaugh Auditorium.
There is plenty of parking at both venues and scattered around the downtown area. But for those who don’t want to park and walk a few blocks, there is a new option that will go into effect that night.
A valet service will be launched Tuesday on West Federal Street at O’Donold’s Irish Pub, 122 W. Federal St. Drivers can pull up in front of the pub and have their car parked at a lot. The fee is $5, but that can be reduced by up to $2 with vouchers from downtown establishments when the valet service retrieves your car. Proceeds will go to the Downtown Business Alliance to help beautify the city.
After Tuesday, the new valet service will be in effect every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to midnight. It will complement the valet service that V2 Restaurant operates on some weekends.
Here is an overview of today’s St. Patrick’s Day entertainment at downtown nightspots:
THE FEDERALSFlb110 W. Federal St.
Opens at 8 a.m. for pints and pancakes breakfast. There also will be a DJ in the evening.
RUST BELT TAP HOUSESFlb112 W. Commerce St.
Opens at 6 a.m. for a kegs and eggs breakfast. Serving grilled cheese reubens beginning at noon. There will be an appearance by a bagpiper, Irish music all day, and – according to owner Ken Blair – random leprechauns, if you are clever enough to see them and catch them. Green martinis will be served, and plenty of Ohio craft beers, but no green beer.
V2 WINE BAR AND TRATTORIASFlb100 W. Federal St.
A lineup of live music and DJs all day, including the Experience, Frank Weston Band, Baxter Burgandy, DJ Wrenny Wren and DJ Outro.
IMBIBE and RYESSFlb124 W. Federal St.
Both Imbibe and Ryes will open at 4 p.m. with drink specials, including green beer, and green martinis at Imbibe.
CIRCLE HOOKAH BARSFlb116 W. Federal St.
Opens at 7 a.m. for breakfast and food specials, including corned beef sandwiches and gyros with green sauce. There will be a DJ in the evening.
O’DONOLD’SSFlb122 W. Federal St.
The festivities begin at 5:30 a.m. when the Irish pub opens for breakfast. Entertainment will include the Dolan Family Singers from 8 a.m. to noon; bagpipers at 1 p.m.; Bearded Irish Bastards from 3 to 4:30 p.m.; country band Northern Whiskey will perform from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to entertain those who are in town for the Carrie Underwood concert; and a DJ will entertain from 8 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.
Irish step dancers from the Burke School of Dance will perform intermittently throughout the day. An outdoor food station with reuben sandwiches and other seasonal fare will be set up for grab-and-go service. The regular menu will be limited in order to provide quick service to concert-goers.
SUZIE’S DOGS AND DRAFTSSFlb34 N. Phelps St.
Suzie’s is known for its live music but will not have a band on St. Patrick’s Day. Instead, the bar is positioning itself as the spot to go to escape the onslaught of Irish music. The stage will be removed to make more space for diners.
DOWNTOWN DRAUGHT HOUSESFlb219 W. Federal St.
Dance party with DJ from 5 p.m. to midnight.