By Fred Love
Before you head out the door this St. Patrick’s Day, make sure you’ve got something green in your wardrobe, and make sure you’ve got your ticket to celebrate the holiday at xBk. St. Paddy’s brings with it two different ways to celebrate on Tuesday, March 17. Whether you want to stomp your feet to Irish folk music or test your luck with some St. Paddy’s-themed trivia, xBk and the Annex will be buzzing all night long.
A St. Paddy’s Party with The Crowfoot Rakes
At xBk, the St. Paddy’s Day Party features Des Moines favorites The Crowfoot Rakes, whose motto proudly declares: “Irish Music for the Iowish People!”
The band grew out of the Iowa Irish session scene, where musicians gather to trade traditional tunes in pubs and living rooms. From those roots, the Rakes built a dynamic stage show that blends the classic Irish folk revival spirit of the 1960s and ’70s with the lively punch of modern acoustic folk-punk.
You’ll hear guitar, banjo, fiddle, accordion, bodhrán, cittern, and Irish bouzouki weaving together in joyful chaos. The crown jewel, though, is the uilleann pipes, the hauntingly beautiful Irish bellows-driven bagpipes that give many traditional tunes their unmistakable voice.
The result is a performance that feels both authentic and electric, an especially appropriate .
Test Your Luck at St. Patrick’s Day Trivia
Meanwhile, over in the Annex, brains take center stage at St. Patrick’s Day Trivia, hosted by Loretta Stone and Blaq Heart.
Starting at 7:30 p.m., teams of up to four players can compete in a festive gauntlet of questions covering everything from Irish beer and famous Irish actors to the history and traditions of St. Patrick’s Day itself. It’s free to play, and the winning team walks away with free tickets to an upcoming show at xBk.
The atmosphere is casual, competitive, and full of good humor. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the event is 18+, making it a perfect gathering spot for trivia buffs and friendly rivals alike.
One Venue, Two Ways to Celebrate
Whether you want to stomp your feet to Irish folk music or prove you’re the cleverest leprechaun in the room, xBk offers two ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day under one roof. So gather your crew, wear something green, and join the festivities. As the old Irish blessing goes: may the road rise up to meet you and may it lead straight to xBk. 🍀