Every March, the Denver gets its shamrock on with the largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade west of the Mississippi River. This year the parade will take place on Saturday, March 16.

This year’s parade theme is “Liberty, Freedom, Opportunity” and some 240 bands, floats, dance troops and other organizations are expected to participate. The parade route begins and ends near Coors Field at 27th and Blake Street. From Coors Field, the parade heads west on Blake to 17th Street, then over to Wynkoop, on to Wewatta, then back to Coors Field. Approximately 250,000 people are expected to line the streets. Downtown bars and restaurants will be opening early just for the occasion, some as early as 7 AM.

The party — er, parade — starts at 10 AM and ends around 2 PM. For those partaking in adult beverages, you'll want to stake out the bars along the route. Since it’s hard to predict what spring weather will bring to Denver, dress in layers, use plenty of sunscreen and if quaffing green beers or Irish coffee, be sure to drink plenty of water as you go.

Here are some bars along the parade route where you can view all the Irish action.

Breckenridge Colorado Craft (2220 Blake St.; 303-297-3644)

Blake Street Tavern (2401 Blake St.., #1; 303-675-0505)

The Celtic Tavern (1801 Blake St.; 303-308-1795)

Fado’s Irish Pub (1735 19th St., #150; 303-297-0066)

Falling Rock Tap House (1919 Blake St.; 303-293-8338)

Scruffy Murphy’s (2030 Larimer St.; 303-291-6992)

Sport’s Column (1930 Blake St.; 303-296-1930)

Jackson’s (1520 20th St.; 303-298-7625)

Wynkoop Brewing Company (1634 18th St.; 303-297-2700)