AURORA | There’s no Blarney Stone at Buckley Space Force Base, no ancient Celtic castles tucked in Southlands shopping center and little in the way of bogs along Aurora’s eastern stretches.
But there’s been Sheabeen for nearly 37 years putting on the dog for the fateful Irish holiday every year.
Sheanbeen’s is the oldest Irish bar in the metro area and host to some of Colorado’s top Irish bands, which make a point of playing here every March.
That may seem surprising for a city that doesn’t even host a parade to commemorate the day. But according to Andy Schmidt, the owner of the Sheabeen Pub at 2300 S. Chambers Road, the successful St. Patty’s Day scene in Aurora has to do with loyal customers.
The bar kicked off its March tradition when Belfast native Tony McAleavey first opened Sheabeen Irish Pub. Tucked into a humbly sized storefront in a shopping center, the bar is an unlikely candidate for the title of the oldest Irish bar in the metro area.
But thanks to a loyal customer base, a strong sense of ambience and a heated smoking patio, the bar has managed to outlast its oldest competitors across the city.
Schmidt worked to preserve the spirit of the place when he bought the bar more than 20 years ago, and he said keeping up the St. Patrick’s Day party was a big part of that effort.
“It’s a big event here, that’s for certain. We do a lot of events during the year, but St. Pat’s is the event of the year,” Schmidt said previously. “Throughout the day we get about 600 people.”
Here’s the schedule for the weekend and beyond at Sheabeen and across the metro area.
Aftershock, and more, rocks the Sheabeen
Local rock group Aftershock brings a high-energy night of live music to Aurora’s long-running Irish pub. The band’s performance helps kick off the St. Patrick’s weekend celebrations with dancing, drinks and the pub’s signature friendly atmosphere. Expect a packed house and plenty of Guinness as the crowd warms up for the holiday week.
IF YOU GO:
Date: March 13, 8 p.m.
Place: Sheabeen Irish Pub, 2300 S. Chambers Road
Tickets: No cover reported
Details: 303-696-6131 or sheabeenirishpub.com
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at the Town Center at Aurora
A festive afternoon of Irish music, dancing and family activities will kick off St. Patrick’s Day weekend at the mall’s lower level center court. Visitors can enjoy performances by the Celtic Steps Irish Stepdancing Team and live music by the Queen City Rovers, plus themed crafts, face painting and complimentary beer for adults courtesy of Helga’s Haus. The free celebration welcomes families and anyone wanting to celebrate the luck of the Irish with lively cultural performances and festive décor.
IF YOU GO:
Date: March 14, noon – 4 p.m.
Place: Town Center at Aurora
Tickets: Free
Details: 720-278-0797 or www.towncenterataurora.com/events
Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Colorado’s largest Irish celebration returns to downtown Denver with marching bands, Irish dancers, pipe bands, floats and community groups filling the streets. The parade traditionally draws hundreds of thousands of spectators and features more than 10,000 participants. Arrive early to secure a good viewing spot along the route before the festivities begin.
IF YOU GO:
Date: March 14, 9:30 a.m. – approximately 1:30 p.m.
Place: Downtown Denver route from 19th and Wynkoop streets to 27th and Blake streets
Tickets: Free
Details: www.denverstpatricksdayparade.com
Irishfest Denver
Held in Denver’s Ballpark District following the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, this lively festival features Irish food, live entertainment, drinks and vendors. Community partners and local businesses join together for a daylong celebration of Irish heritage just steps from the parade route.
IF YOU GO:
Date: March 14, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Place: Rockies parking lot, 21st and Blake streets
Tickets: Admission varies by vendor
Details: www.irishfestdenver.com
Actually On St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Sheabeen Irish Pub
Aurora’s beloved Irish pub hosts one of the area’s most authentic St. Patrick’s Day parties with live music throughout the day, Irish step dancers, bagpipes from the Michael Collins Pipe and Drum band and traditional corned beef and cabbage. The celebration starts in the morning and continues late into the evening with dancing, drinks and festive Irish spirit.
IF YOU GO:
Date: March 17 – All Day Doings:
Pub Opens – 9:00 AM
Annual Showing of Quiet Man – 10 AM
Noon: Corned Beef and Cabbage
3 PM – Steve Pierce and Ernie Martinez
5:30 PM – Celtic Steps Irish Dancers
7:30 PM- Galen Crader
9 PM – Michael Collins Pipes and Drums
Details: 303-696-6131 www.sheabeenirishpub.com