CELEBRATING ST. PATTY’S DAY AND ALL THINGS GREEN!

from RIO MAGAZINE WINTER 2023

STEP OFF THE RIVER and INTO THE OCEAN!

By Crystal Henry

This St. Patrick’s Day you are in luck, because you do not have to be Irish to go green in San Antonio. From emerald rivers and verde margaritas and guacamole, to the lush tropical landscaping, here are a few of the colorful festivities along the River Walk. Whether you are celebrating St. Patty or simply enjoying downtown River City any time of year, consider yourself lucky!

BUD LIGHT ST. PATRICK’S DAY RIVER PARADE & FESTIVAL

THE RIVER SHANNON – DYING THE RIVER GREEN

March 17-18

Friday: 1:00 to 3:00pm, Downtown

Saturday: 11:00am to 12:00pm,

Museum Reach Extension 1:00 to 3:00pm, Downtown

The St. Patrick’s Day Festival kicks off on March 17 when 25 gallons of eco-friendly green dye will turn the river into an emerald passage leading guests down to the Arneson River Theatre for free festive Irish music from 3:00 to 8:00pm. There is free viewing along the entire 2.5-mile downtown portion of the River Walk. The color is instantly apparent and intensifies with water movement from the boats.

There will be a second chance to catch the colorful river magic on Saturday, the 18th. Between 11:00am and noon, the Museum Reach extension of the River Walk will be dyed a shamrock green, followed by a second dying of the downtown area from 1:00 to 3:00pm.

This is a great time to sit on a patio and enjoy a pint or two…. And you can also hop on raucous Mad Dogs Party Parade boats to float the gorgeous green river. Tickets are $30 per person through Mad Dogs and they include two complimentary beers and party favors.

BUD LIGHT ST. PATRICK’S DAY FESTIVAL

March 17-18

Friday: 3:00 to 8:00pm

Saturday: 1:00 to 6:00pm

La Villita transforms into a Passport to Ireland with food, drink and fun Irish offerings. You can access La Villita from

Presa Street or Alamo Street or from the stairs at Arneson River Theatre where Irish music fills the air.

BUD LIGHT ST. PATRICK’S DAY RIVER PARADE

March 18

Saturday: 2:00 to 3:00pm, Museum Reach Extension 5:00 to 6:00pm, Downtown

The highlight of St. Patty’s Day weekend is the famed Bud Light St. Patrick’s Day River Parade, a procession of 12 Irishthemed floats entertaining guests along the River Walk. If you find yourself near the Museum Reach of the River Walk, then you have been gifted the Luck of the Irish! The parade begins here at 2:00pm at the Lock & Dam by the Brooklyn Street Bridge and winds down to Pearl. Then at 5:00pm it picks back up and runs through the downtown portion of the River Walk, past the hotels and restaurants. This parade has been presented on the River Walk in collaboration with the Harp & Shamrock Society of Texas since 1969.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY RIVER WALK ARTISAN SHOW

March 17-19

Friday & Saturday: 11:00am to 11:00pm

Sunday: 11:00am to 8:00pm

The weekend is hopping with the St. Patrick’s Day Artisan Show along the River Walk near the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce building and the Shops at Rivercenter. More than 40 booths feature handmade artisan wares like pottery, textiles, jewelry, woodwork, paintings and beadwork.

Go Green With Margs And Guac

Forget green eggs and ham. And cabbage and green beer are not the only festive food and bev options in March. San Antonio celebrates with green grub every day along the River Walk with the quintessential combo of margaritas and guacamole.

ST. PATTY’S DAY EVERY DAY

IRISH SING-ALONGS

The original Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub dates back to Ireland in the 1620s at Bunratty Castle, and in 1974, an identical pub was built at the Hilton Palacio del Rio. Since then, River Walkers looking for a real Irish pub experience have had a place to call home, complete with traditional pub grub favorites like a good old basket of fish and chips or Guinness Beef Pie and draft beer. The sounds of nightly sing-alongs and piano tunes leap from the doors drawing in tourists and locals alike. Come in for a pint and stay for the charm with world-class piano entertainment, and strangers who become fast friends.

LUCK O’ THE IRISH AT WAXY O’CONNOR’S In County Monaghan, Ireland, Irish craftsmen put together a very special package and shipped it to Galveston, Texas. Inside was an entire pub that would later be named for an old candlemaker. Waxy O’Connor lived in an apartment above his candle shop, and legend has it that he survived a terrible fire because of the luck of the Irish. His story is why the word waxy became slang for “lucky” with the Irish people. We are fortunate to have the Waxy pub that sits along the San Antonio River Walk as a place that offers St. Patty’s fun year-round. Warm up with a bowl of potato and leek soup or kick back with an order of corned beef and cabbage and a hearty Irish stout.

A popular San Antonio appetizer is guacamole prepared tableside, and along the River Walk, the choices are fabulous. Beginning with Acenar, one of the largest and most innovative restaurants on the River Walk, their modern take on Mexican cuisine and Latino-style cocktails is as stylish as the contemporary décor and breathtaking patio views.

One of the most popular picks for tableside guacamole is Boudro’s Texas Bistro. This performative menu option is a treat to watch, and even more of a treat to eat. The secret is the fresh-squeezed limes and oranges mixed with a fire roasted salsa and avocados chunked together with cilantro and sea salt. Pair it with a Fiesta Refresher made from blanco tequila, agave, lime, grapefruit soda and lime salt.

Otro is another scenic spot to stop for guacamole, with views of both the River Walk and the modern and comfy patio, but their cocktail menu is also a show-stopper. Try the scandalous Amor Prohibido, with Espolon silver tequila, spicy tamarind and grapefruit soda, lime and a Mexican candy rim.

At Iron Cactus it will take you longer to get through the tequila menu than the appetizers. Voted as one of the top 10 tequila bars in the country, it is tough to choose just one. So, opt for a tequila flight to be safe. Or if you want to try just one shot, go for one of the specialty tequilas but order it with a cinnamon rim and an orange slice for a smooth sipping experience. Their tableside guac is also tossed right in front of your eyes, so put in your order and enjoy the show.

If you want to stroll along the River Walk with a margarita in hand, stop in and visit the bartender at Rio Rio. The Cucumber Chamoy Margarita sounds green in spirit, but the sweet chamoy turns this icy treat into a gorgeous crimson creation. Opt for a chili rim, and enjoy some guacamole fresco before you head back out on the river.

If your group wants to go green by boat, book a river barge dinner cruise with Casa Rio. They have been offering dinner cruises since the ‘50s, after all. Their guacamole dip pairs nicely with the Spicy Margarita featuring Azul Ghost Tequila.

At The River’s Edge Cafe and Patio Bar, the guacamole hits the spot, but if you are starting early in the day, you can take your avocado a little differently with their incredible Macha Avocado Toast. Switch up the margarita for a bloody mary and you can still enjoy a little bit of green olive and celery with your morning brunch.

And finally, for a traditional margarita/guacamole combo, you have to go to the original. The Original Mexican Restaurant features a traditional smashed guacamole that knocks it out of the park when paired with a traditional frozen margarita. But if you really want a double dose of green, try a Dos A Rita and have that green bottle sticking proudly out of your drink.

For more margarita and guacamole combos, you cannot go wrong with Acapulco Sam’s, Cafe Olé, Guadalajara Grill and Republic of Texas.

WRITER’S BIO

Crystal Henry is a loyal Texan and an award-winning author, writer and columnist. She is fluent in both sarcasm and English, and she showcases those bilingual skills on FB + IG @crystalhenrywrites and on Twitter @ chenrywrites.

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BUD LIGHT ST. PATRICK’S DAY RIVER PARADE, FESTIVAL & ARTISAN SHOW www.TheSanAntonioRiverWalk.com

ACAPULCO SAM’S www.AcapulcoSams.com

BOUDRO’S TEXAS BISTRO www.Boudros.com

CAFE OLÉ www.CafeOle.us

CASA RIO www.CasaRio.com

DURTY NELLY’S IRISH PUB www.DurtyNellysPubSA.com

GUADALAJARA GRILL www.GuadalajaraGrill.us

IRON CACTUS www.IronCactus.com

MAD DOGS BRITISH PUB www.MadDogs.net

OTRO www.Hilton.com

REPUBLIC OF TEXAS www.RepublicOfTexasRestaurant.com