By Khalida Sarwari
On St. Patrick’s Day, going green takes on a very different meaning. While the holiday is no longer the elaborate celebration that it used to be in Campbell years ago, there is no shortage of establishments where one can “go green.”
Katie Blooms Irish Pub and Restaurant, 369 E. Campbell Ave., may be an obvious choice. To commemorate Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, Katie Bloom’s (open 11 a.m.-2 a.m.) is offering traditional Irish food and music. That means corned beef and cabbage galore and a band called Celtic Soul.
Boswell’s, 1875 S. Bascom Ave., will offer drink specials from noon until 2 a.m. and a live performance by Metal Shop at 10 p.m.
For those looking for a wild time, Khartoum, 300 Orchard City Drive, is the place to be. Manager Mike Biener indicated the St. Paddy’s Day fare would consist of corned beef and hash.
“It’s a fun place to be,” Biener said of Khartoum (open 11 a.m.-2 a.m.), for “a good fun, safe time.”
At Sonoma Chicken Coop, 200 E. Campbell Ave., it will be a more family-friendly affair. The restaurant is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on Friday and Saturday, with corned beef and cabbage on the menu and live bands on stage. On Saturday, the restaurant will be open from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.
“We encourage people to bring their kids,” said restaurant owner Jeff Starbeck.
There are no planned street closures or traffic diversions in downtown. With an increase in the number of people out and about, safety is of utmost importance. Nightclubs in downtown Campbell tend to draw the biggest crowds on St. Patrick’s Day, according to police Capt. Charley Adams. While most are peaceful, Adams said “a small percentage over-imbibe” and “get so drunk their friends don’t even want to help them out.”
Last year, officers handed out eight citations and made four arrests. This year, the police department is boosting its enforcement activities with the placement of seven officers in the downtown area, Adams said.
He advised revelers to pair up with a designated driver to ensure that they stay out of trouble and get home safely. Personal safety is also key, Adams said. When crossing the street, make sure to scan the area thoroughly and watch out for drivers who may have had too much to drink.
“It’s always a good idea to just be aware of your surroundings,” Adams said.
