Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Tanner In The Morning

Weekdays 5:00AM - 10:00AM

“Booze It And Lose It” Returns To North Carolina

Jim Slade March 15th

North Carolina authorities are drawing attention to the statewide “Booze It And Lose It” campaign ahead of St. Patrick’s Day.

The initiative, aimed at reducing impaired driving in North Carolina, runs through March 19.  Drivers can expect to see increased patrols, sobriety checkpoints, and media stories just like this one.

Mark Ezzell, director of the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program, told Spectrum News holiday revelers should have a plan to get home safely. “St. Patrick’s Day is well established as a time for celebration, but people should do so responsibly,” he said.

According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, “Booze It And Lose It” has been recognized as one of the nation’s most effective anti-drunk-driving campaigns.

10 Places In Charlotte Area To Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick’s Day happens to fall on Friday this year. So, if you feel so inclined you can actually celebrate the whole weekend.  And, goodness knows there’s plenty of places in and around the Charlotte area to commemorate the day.  Don’t worry if you missed the parade.  Just about every restaurant and bar in the Queen City and beyond hosts some sort of pub crawl.  And, good news if you seek something that doesn’t necessarily involve alcohol.  I found a couple of other fun activities the whole family can enjoy.  And, those are included in my list of 10 places in Charlotte to celebrate.

Now, in searching some history of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations I found some interesting traditions.  I’ll preface this by saying this information came from a Google search of Wikipedia.  Therefore, take its accuracy for what it’s worth.  But, it’s fun regardless.  Have you heard of the “drowning of the Shamrock?”  Apparently, legend has it that when a celebration concludes the Irish put a shamrock in the bottom of a cup.  Then, they fill it with whiskey.  They follow up with a toast to St. Patrick, Ireland or whomever they wish.  Now, they either swallow the shamrock or remove it and toss it over the shoulder for luck.  This sounds similar to the way we toss salt over our shoulder for luck. And, if you wonder how the day became associated with drinking there’s apparently a reason for that.  Historically, the day went hand in hand with the lifting of “Lenten” restrictions on eating and drinking, at least for one day.   So, wear your green, grab your shamrocks and make plans to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day all across Charlotte and beyond.

  • Four Leaf Festival at Music Yard at Southbound

    Southbound is a cool spot in South End Charlotte.  It’s located on South Blvd.  And,  in addition to hosting live music events, it’s a great place to grab a bite and a drink.  They bill themselves as “Southern California Street Food.”  So, this means basically everything from chips and salsa to tacos, signature cocktails, margaritas, beer and more.  The Four Leaf Festival is Friday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. and you can find more on their website and purchase tickets starting at $10.

  • Tom Eure and Amelia at Oaklore Distilling in Matthews

    Oaklore Distilling is new to me and to Matthews.  It’s a spot on Monroe Rd. in Matthews featuring a distillery, bar and tasting room.  They offer vodka, rum and gin and more. And, the website mentions more than a dozen vintage rare bourbons dating back to the early 1900s.  The celebration takes place Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Check their website for more info.

  • Shamrock in the Village at Blackfinn Ballantyne

    Blackfinn is one of our faves.  They’re conveniently located in Ballantyne on Johnston Rd. near I-485.  Their food is delicious with everything from burgers and sandwiches to salads, chicken, steaks, seafood and more.  They host a celebration Friday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. See their website for more info about Blackfinn.  And see their Instagram for info about the event.

  • Cake Decorating at Chef Alyssa's Kitchen

    I promised you something fun that wasn’t centered around a bar.  Well, here it is.  From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. you can take a cake decorating class from Chef Alyssa.  Decorate your own 6 inch Guinness chocolate cake with a Bailey’s Irish cream buttercream frosting.  This is a 21 and over event.  Check the website for more info.

  • Treasure Hunt at Cane Creek Park

    Cane Creek Park is a beautiful spot near Waxhaw.  There’s plenty of activities there always including camping and horseback riding.  But, this sounds fun.  They’re hosting a treasure hunt from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday.  The leprechauns stashed treasure and it’s up to you to find it.  Search for bags of “gold, silver and bronze coins.”  Bring the treasure back to the office for a prize.

    May be an image of drink, outdoors and text that says '8 ST PATRICKS DAY TREASURE HUNT'

  • Murder Mystery at Treehouse Vineyard Monroe

    Treehouse Vineyard in Monroe is a really unique and fun spot.  And, they actually have treehouses on property.  In fact, a few years ago some friends and I reserved a tree house for a couple hours on a Saturday afternoon and had a blast.  And, this sounds like so much fun.  They’re hosting a murder mystery on Friday starting at 8 p.m.  And by the way their wine slushies are delicious.

  • Tom Eure and Amelia Osborne at East Frank in Monroe

    East Frank is a spot we visit often.  This place is so unique.  Of course, you can order a drink from the bar.  Or, you can shop their “store” and purchase a bottle of wine and enjoy at your table.  You can grab a snack or some vintage candy from their selection.  My friend and I always buy some Zots!  And, sometimes there’s entertainment.  On Saturday, they’ll be having music from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

  • Monroe Bar Crawl at Home Brew

    The kick off to this celebration actually starts Friday at 5 p.m.  However, the bar crawl we’ll be attending starts at 3 p.m. Saturday.  Home Brew is a fun hangout.  And, there’s typically some live music and food trucks.  Plus in Monroe, you can always order delicious pizza from Exchange Pizza Depot.

    May be an image of drink and text that says '"Saints Patricka Day PUB CRAWL WEEKEND FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2023 5PM *PUB CRAWL WEEKEND KICKOFF* SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 2023 3PM *OFFICIAL ST. PATTY'S DAY PUB CRAWL* LIVE MUSIC |FOOD DRINKS DOWNTOWN MONROE NC NO TICKETS NEEDED! COME YOU ARE IN YOUR FAVORITE GREEN!'

  • Monroe Bar Crawl at Southern Range

    Southern Range is another of our Monroe faves.  There’s usually live music, great beer and plenty of fun.  We’ll be heading to the bar crawl there that starts at 3 p.m.  And, Southern Range is happy to welcome LKN Cheesecakery Dessert Trailer this weekend for the event.  Plus, the folks at Southern Range recently opened Local Logic in Monroe.  It’s great with delicious craft cocktails and bourbons.

  • Mary O'Neill's Waxhaw

    And, we can’t mention St. Patrick’s without Mary O’Neill’s in Waxhaw.  It’s on Main St. near the historic Waxhaw railroad tracks.  They describe themselves as “wholesome Irish food with southern flare.”  Their celebration actually starts on Thursday for their Thirsty Third Thursday 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  And, as indicated by their Instagram post, the party continues Friday and Saturday!

Tags
,,