Just Do It

Kiss Me, I'm Irish and Gay

by Joe Pelone

Sat., March 15, 8 p.m.-mid., $10 donation, Kildare's Pub, 509 S. Second St., 215-574-2995, kildarespub.com

For me, St. Patrick's Day has always been about people less Irish than myself getting drunk in my ancestors' honor — on Red Bull and vodka, no less. (Then again, St. Patrick was probably British, so bottoms up.) Fortunately, others are putting a much more positive spin on the holiday.

Presented by QUEERtimes, Kiss Me I'm Irish and Gay boasts drink specials on everything green as well as selections from Kildare's chef Brian Duffy's new menu. Proceeds from the event (the $10 recommended donation gets you a free beer and T-shirt) will go toward HIV research at City of Hope, an organization dedicated to fighting life-threatening illnesses. The night is the kick-off to a yearlong fundraising campaign for COH, which will conclude with a ceremony to honor Thom Cardwell (pictured), executive director of the Philadelphia Film Society and president of the Greater Philadelphia Professional Network.

While Kildare's isn't exactly the first bar that comes to mind when it comes to Philly's gay nightlife, both owner Dave Magrogan and Cardwell are excited to mix things up. "Our city has become more diverse and inclusive than it ever has before," says Cardwell. "People are calling up and going, 'I'm not Irish and I'm not gay, but can I still come?'" The answer, of course, is absolutely — provided you put down the RBV.