shamROCK

Fun event. I’ve gone the past couple years. Promo code SDVILLE saves $ 5 on GA and $ 10 on VIP tickets, as it does with most events in San Diego. Don’t drink the green beer!

I don’t know how shamROCK really brings out the meaning of St. Patricks Day but it sure knows how to throw a party! I came here at night and was pleasantly impressed with the setup. Getting in wasn’t a hassle. Admission is not expensive too. There is a strip of food and drink stands with 2 separate dance areas a block apart from each other that basically makes up the area. Prices are a bit too much, which I would expect and not complain about if not for the fact my drinks were very weak. I did like the DJ’s that were playing and a good amount of the crowd seemed to get their rock on. I guess when it comes to an event like this, you have to ask yourself if you’d rather be apart of it or be looking from the outside in. Being on both sides of that fence, I’d say I rather be a part of this festival than walking around downtown to other bars and pubs. However, I would suggest better food (more authentic Irish food would also be a plus) as well as stronger drinks. Overall, I would suggest to anyone to try out shamROCK at least once and even more if you plan on partying downtown for St. Patrick’s day.

if you are looking for an «Irish» festival… or even «Irish-​ish» to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day… this is not the festival for you. Waste of money. Of the 3 stages open for general admission (there was also a 4^th stage for VIP)…only 1 had performers playing «Irish» music… the others were techno/​club. The beer selection was goose island IPA, shocktop, and bud light (not even the kind with green dye) in it… you’d think if you went to a St. Patrick’s Day festival that there would be an attempt to sell Irish beer… or Irish foods. Your money could be better spent going to one of the many Irish bars in San Diego to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day… without having to pay a cover charge (or at least not as pricey as the festival).

Just a bunch of bars on every corner and people drinking and having a good time. Just a huge block party for saint Patricks day. Good food good drinks. Edm styled music playing.

Fun but small. the astro turf was a rad idea. the food is expensive but good. Beers are 5 – 10 $and it was sponsored by budlight and Jameson so there was some good mules and mixed cocktails
Go go dancers were there for your entertainment and the music was all about that bass. this event was good and worth the money
There was plenty of police but they were just spectators and the crowd was loud and fun

Great event. Be sure to use a promo code when purchasing your tickets. Promo code SDVILLE got me big savings!

The 2 stars was for the lack of security in the venue.
They did nothing to police the overly drunk males that would grab the females and grind on them. I was with 3 girls and in any club all these guys would be kicked out of the club.
Good music. Kinda cool seeing DT covered in green.

I have been for years a ‘second hand spectator’ of the ShamRock festival in Gaslamp, but this year I was an active participant. Not because I decided to gratuitously spend $ 85 for the VIP pass, but thanks to the generosity of 2 ladies passing by when my friend and I were observing from far the lights and listening to the music. They asked us if we wanted their passes and we of course said yes (who does not love freebies?) and they informed us that only had had a couple of drinks from the lounge inside the venue, but none of the drinks offered at other bars and restaurants outside the venue. So 6 remaining drinks and places to visit, what a great plan!
I am not too much into writing pros and cons, but will do it in this case so looks more clear why I wasn’t that impressed with this event.
PROS:
–VIP free for me and my friend (yay!)
–The possibility to go to different bars and restaurants that we do not normally go and check them out and get a free drink too
–Cool music, great DJs
–Some good dancers, inspiring to watch
–Good looking people in general
–Friendliness all over
–Lights were nice
CONS:
–Not many people of our age group (mostly super young)
–Some rude people who do not respect lines
–That astroturf is horrible
–Dirty floors everywhere even though there were enough trash cans (uncivic people)
–I did not see any special treatment for being VIP
–In many place the alcohol that was offered for free run out very fast so many VIPs did not get their drink and that pissed many people off (me too, especially at Graystone, where we were told they did not received enough bottles of the sponsor company. Still they let me in and my friend and I got a couple of Cokes and had a good time talking to people, but most people with VIP passes left frustrated).
–Music was very similar, so became very boring after a while
–Some dancers were dressed like Brazilian carnival samba dancers, which was not in tune with the Saint Patrick theme
–Some dancers danced really bad! (you want to see a great show in all aspects)
Overall, I had a good time but I would not pay for this event.

I wish I could give this zero stars. What an awful event. They ran out of EVERYTHING at the bar that was supposed to offer drink specials. A horrible event and very ill planned. I will ask for a refund

I agree with everything Brad wrote in his review. ShamROCK was total awesomeness. St. Patty’s has always been one of my favorite holidays with me being Irish, but I have never had such a fantastic time. This event was well organized. There was a TON to do. Three different stages let you experience live bands, EDM and even some fun house music. Lights everywhere, silly costumes, cheap drinks (we got VIP which included several free drinks) and they were potent too! There was no watering down of the alcohol here! I caught a buzz after just two Jameson and ginger ales. Woooooo!
To anyone who hasn’t been yet I fully recommend checking it out at least once. Get VIP though, it seems pricier at $ 55, but you actually get way more for your money. Also, be smart and get a hotel room and cab it in. So worth it not having to find parking or worrying about driving after.
It was a BLAST!!! See you next year!!!

St. Patrick… I have never met the guy but something tells me he was a drinker. He has an entire day devoted to him when it is totally acceptable to sip whiskey for breakfast, munch corned beef for lunch and chug green beer for dinner. On this day we channel our inner Leprechaun and party our arses off. Lads and lassies, if you happen to be in San Diego on this special day, you better find yourself at shamROCK!
Yep it was on a Sunday but why the heck wouldn’t we party in the streets until midnight?! They thought of everything here and there was something to fit everybody’s festive taste.
Highlights:
–Green beer served at a 150 foot bar staffed by The Field. The Field is a fantastic Irish pub btw.
–The streets were all green! How’d they pull this off? They covered every single inch in green astroturf.
–The prices were pretty affordable for an outdoor festival. $ 5.00 green beer in a cup or $ 5.00 16oz in a aluminum bottle.
–Access to the bordering businesses. We popped in and out of Quality Social, Maloney’s and Double Deuce amongst others.
–Music! They had live Irish style bands and then a few stages with DJ spinning their magic.
–The crowd… jolly and festive in green attire. When did St. Patty’s Day turn into a day for the ladies to dress like sexy Leprechauns? I don’t know and I don’t mind.
–The food was delicious and eclectic. Pizza, corned beef, swamp food, Mexican etc.
This festival was well organized and well worth its weight in gold. Counting down the day until next year!