Article Contributed on: 3/11/2009 6:39:16 PM
LoDo, parade route -- When one considers the term "Irish-American", typically Denver is not the first city to come to mind. New York City, of course. Boston, perhaps. But the Mile High City? OK, so we Coloradans are not members of the archetype Irish-America of popular books and film.
But just because Denver does not have the booming Irish contingent that, say, New York does, we are not lacking in the Irish aspects of a cultured life. Granted, this weekend every American city will be filled with merrymakers painting faces green, wearing goofy hats and guzzling beers at 8 a.m. in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. Will Denver be any different? In all likelihood, it won't be, but Denver does have one venue in particular that is sure to be more true to its proper Irish heritage than the Americanized version of its counterparts.
Scruffy Murphy's Irish Pub.
I'm highlighting
Scruffy Murphy's Irish Pub for one reason alone. It is the best Irish bar in the States that I have ever set foot in. My standards for comparison are not Bennigan's or Shenanigan's or some other awful franchised joke of an Irish public house. I lived in Ireland for a time some years back, so my experience in the arena of stout consumption on the motherland is sufficient enough to pass judgment. Enter my affinity for Scruffy Murphy's. It truly feels like you've stepped off the street and into a proper Irish pub of Roscommon or Tipperary or Meath (which happens to be part-owner
Andrew Toole's home county).
All too often, Irish bars in America tend to be overwrought with knickknacks and commercialized kitsch of the Emerald Isle. Irish culture is big business, and for good reason, but sometimes the authenticity mark is missed. Scruffy Murphy's, nestled in the heart of
Lower Downtown Denver a block and a half from Coors Field, is a welcome break from the otherwise monotonous mega-bar scene of LoDo. You know the places. These establishments have their role, but they are far from quaint and welcoming. Scruffy Murphy's offers sanctuary to the poetic, venue for the social, stage for the musical, sport for the active, food for the famished and of course, drink for the thirsty. It's a simple combination of subtle and seemingly effortless features that work so well in Scruffy's favor. And as a result, 2030 Larimer Street will be the best location to set up base camp this very Irish weekend.
All these subtleties of a great Irish bar will be in full force this weekend as
Denver's St. Patrick's Day Parade marches nearly across its doorstep. Scruffy's boasts one of the earliest opening times of all downtown Irish bars, 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Parade Day, and also 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, St. Patrick's Day. In fact, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on St. Patrick's Day, the pints will pour freely at no charge, and breakfast will be offered both days. I may not have had kegs and eggs since college, but it certainly sounds appetizing this Saturday before it gets rowdy all around!
In addition to ample libations, there is another necessity of any respectable Irish celebration. The music. Of the many Irish stereotypes, that it is a highly musical culture is accurate and rarely overstated. Scruffy Murphy's will not be lacking in this department. Performing acts over the entire five-day parade weekend include:
Sixtysixdays, The Likely Lad,
The Chris Webb Band,
The Commoners,
Chris Koltak, Side O' The Road Band, and
Gobs O'Phun.
While others are waiting in line to pay a hefty cover charge before their first shoddily poured stout of the day, you could be relaxing among the comfort of friends and happy strangers. Take in a musical act on the back patio, make new friends in the front snug, or get your fill of the best people-watching in LoDo on the street-side patio. The relaxed atmosphere of Scruffy's will be a welcome distraction to the madness of the streets on Saturday and Tuesday, though that's not to say it won't be a lively engagement the entire weekend long. It's just that it will likely be a more authentic one.
Whether you're making Scruffy Murphy's Irish Pub your pre-parade warm-up or post-parade party spot, remember to take in the authenticity, appreciate the subtleties of a well-set Irish bar, drink yourself silly, enjoy the sounds of Irish rock, and above all, be safe. So raise your pint at Scruffy's to Denver's Irish culture, fantastic parade organizers, participants, friends and well-wishers. Sláinte, St. Paddy!