Preparations Underway For Tulsa St. Patrick Day Festivities

With a name like McNellies, it's no surprise that St Patrick's Day is their Super Bowl.

"Everybody is really ready for it,” said Travis Taylor, VP of Operations for McNellies. “We've seen it too."

The Tulsa bar and restaurant is hard at work preparing for its biggest party of the year. On Wednesday afternoon, the city blocked off parts of 1st street and Elgin near the restaurant, so crews could install tents, tables and bring in a Guinness rig.

"We're going to have a DJ at night, we're going to have corn hole boards set out, more importantly, we're just going to have a ton of tables and chairs for people to sit out and enjoy the beautiful day," said Taylor.

Taylor said they're expecting big crowds since the pandemic put a hamper on the event the past two years.

"I know that people are ready to get out and we're ready to throw a big party," said Taylor.

A few miles away on Cherry Street, the feelings are similar.

"The pandemic has really hindered things so we decided to do it really big this year," said Trevor Moore, General Manager of Nola’s Creole and Cocktails.

Nola's is joining forces with Kilkenny's to host their own block party, which will be the biggest in the nearly 20 years Kilkenny's has held it.

"We just want to grow this and make this to be the preeminent St Patrick's Day festival in the city," said Moore.

Moore said families are welcome and the outside party will start at 11am, with Cherry Street closed from Rockford to Peoria.

Downtown, the party starts at 10am, and Arnie’s Bar is also holding an event.

A Dua Lipa concert is scheduled for Thursday night at the BOK Center. Organizers say that will bring even more people to events for St Patrick’s Day.