St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festivities; Donnie Iris and The Cruisers and Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers Play Palace (Sat., 3/15/25)

If your neighborhood seems a little quiet the morning of March 15, it may be because over 200,000 Pittsburghers and visitors are downtown for The St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Having begun as early as 1869 and billed as one of the oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the country, it includes bands, Irish organizations, Miss Smiling Irish Eyes, and just about every politician in Allegheny County. The 2025 Grand Marshal is J. Mac McCafferty, and Miss Smiling Irish Eyes is Melanie Grace Rayl. Members of the Queen’s court are Reece Maggie Flowers and Elizabeth Rose Fitzgerald Sweeney.

Each year brings something slightly different, although who could forget the 1993 parade? It continued despite a blizzard, the worst that the city had seen in over 100 years. (Hopefully no snow this year.) 

The parade begins at the intersection of Liberty Avenue and 11th Street, proceeds to Grant Street, and turns right onto the Boulevard of the Allies. Then it marches down the Boulevard to the parade reviewing stand at Stanwix Street and ends at Commonwealth Place.

And if you want to get a workout in before partaking in the festivities, this is the inaugural year for the Parade Day Dash. The two races kick off right before the parade. One is a 5K and the other is a 1-Mile Family Fun Run/Walk

Remember, anyone who wants to be Irish—is Irish—on St. Paddy’s Day! Parade starts at 10 a.m. Downtown. (R.H.)

Parade Day Bar Happenings

As if there’s not already enough happening on a normal Saturday on the South Side, there is the Shamrock Crawl. Here’s the deal: buy a ticket ($15 prior to Saturday, $40 on game day), and you will get reduced prices on drinks, a special Shamrock mug, cover-free access to some of South Side’s best bars, food specials, raffle entry for prizes, best costume competition, and free pictures of the event. 2 – 10 p.m. For participating bars, tickets, and more information visit the Shamrock Crawl website. (R.H.)

The day and eve of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade make a good time to have a taste of Ireland’s native waters. (Guinness, Harp, and Murphy’s brews are some good ones as are Tullamore D.E.W. and Jameson Irish whiskies.) Have an old Irish toast, such as “May you be in heaven a full half hour before the devil knows you’re dead,” in any of several happenin’ Irish pubs including Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle, Murphy’s Taproom, McFadden’s, and Kelly’s Bar Lounge . Unfortunately Reilly’s Pour House had a bad fire several months back, but promises to reopen down the road a piece. For those who don’t imbibe or are designated drivers (thank you!), enjoy a McDonald’s Shamrock Shake, a Wendy’s Thin Mints Vanilla Frosty a soft drink, or a cup o’ hot tea. (R.H.)

One of the most popular spots to celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Day is Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle. The pub will open at 8 a.m. and serve a parade day breakfast. With a tent connected to the pub, the celebration space is doubled. Irish bands and performers hold court all day and night in both spaces beginning at noon and going until about 1 a.m. Mullaney’s will be featuring the top bands on the Pittsburgh Irish music scene including: Donnie Irish Band, Whiskey Limerick, Skipper O’Johnson Band, Maddie Arnold Band, Mark Guiser, and Guaranteed Irish. Mullaney’s will also feature a big party on the actual St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, with the tent remaining and live music in both spaces. Several of the same bands will be reprising their performances. 2329 Penn Ave., Strip District. (R.H.)

Think traditional Celtic music but with some extra beats per minute—that’s Bastard Bearded Irishmen. The local group is helping Pittsburgh usher in St. Patrick’s Day with its annual Bastard Bearded Irishfest at Thunderbird Cafe and Music Hall (6 p.m.). Also on the bill is Fuck Yeah Dinosaurs, Brave The Sea, The Legendary Hucklebucks, and Bob Banergee. The band will perform earlier that day (noon to 1:30 p.m.) at Pittsburgh Brewing’s Irish City event at their brewery in Creighton. Additionally you can catch the Bastards at the Hollywood Casino at The Meadows (Friday, March 14, 8 p.m.). Bastard Bearded Irishmen’s most recent album is 2018’s Drinkin’ to the Dead. (C.M., R.H.)

The beer is super fresh at Pittsburgh Brewing’s Irish City St. Patrick’s Day Celebration.

In addition to music by Bastard Bearded Irishmen Pittsburgh Brewing Company is hosting its Irish City St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at their brewery in Creighton. Other attractions include Kegs and Eggs (8-10 a.m.), general admission tickets are $15 and include a free green beer, a visit from a leprechaun, local bands, food trucks, cigar bar, firepits, yard games, photo booths, a golf simulator, and tattoo artists. VIP admission includes breakfast. 150 Ferry St. (R.H.)

Saturday, March 15 to Monday, March 17

The Thaw Festival is occurring over three weekends in Market Square. March 15 through 17 is Shamrock and Roll. Kicking off at 5pm on Saturday, March 15, “a celebration of Irish culture and music takes over Market Square, with performances from the best local Irish bands. With Irish whiskey tastings, an authentic ‘Pub On The Square’, and a pop-up cocktail lounge.” The music lineup is as follows:

Saturday, March 15: The Low Kings – Celtic Rock (8-10 p.m.)
Sunday, March 16: Rich Patrick Trio – Contemporary Celtic (1-2:30 p.m.), Bealtaine – Folk (3:30-5 p.m.), Z Town Street Band – Americana (6:30-8 p.m.)
Monday, March 17: Michael Lindner – Alternative (5-6:30 p.m.), Bastard Bearded Irishmen – Celtic Rock (7:30-9 p.m.) (R.H.)

Area native Donnie Iris, aka King Cool, is performing at the Palace Theatre with his band, The Cruisers. It is a celebration of his 82nd birthday. Sure to be on the set list are top favorites including “Ah Leah” and “Love Is Like a Rock.” Iris was once a member of the Pittsburgh group The Jaggerz in the early ’70s who had a monster hit with the “The Rapper,” which reached no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He additionally went onto join Wild Cherry after their big hit with “Play That Funky Music.” Iris has overcome some recent health issues to continue rockin’ at a very high level. (R.H.)

Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers are Pittsburgh rock royalty that have risen through several incarnations—from the Brick Alley Band to Joe Grushecky and the Iron City Houserockers to the unit’s present day form—Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers—to become one of Pittsburgh’s top bands. Over the years Grushecky’s sound is one of both hard-driving rock and roll and insightful ballads. The lyrics and music seek higher ground, and find it. Top songs include “Pumping Iron,” “Have a Good Time (But Get Out Alive),” and “Rock and Real.” In 2024 Grushecky released Joe Grushecky Houserocker: A Joe Grushecky Anthology and on July 12 released a fantastic new album with The Houserockers, Can’t Outrun a Memory. (See our story and interview with Grushecky regarding the making of the album.) A track from the LP, “This is Who We Are” made Little Steven’s Underground Garage Coolest Songs in the World 2024. Grushecky has also just released a CD version of his 1981 recording with the Iron City Houserockers, Blood on the Bricks. Catch Iris and Grushecky with their respective bands at Greensburg’s Palace Theatre. 7 p.m. 21 W. Otterman St. (R.H.)

The Houserockers (l. to r.): Johnny Grushecky, Danny Gochnour, Joe Grushecky, Joffo Simmons, and Jeff Garrison.

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