St. Paddy’s Day is one of those special holidays—like Super Bowl Sunday—where you technically have work the next day, but let’s be real: you’re not making it in. If you kept it local to Costa Mesa or Newport, you’ve got plenty of places to keep the party going well into the night. Just don’t come crying to us when your boss Slacks you at 9:50 a.m. and you’re still wearing a top hat and green sequins.

In today’s Buzz:

• SideStreet Cafe Closes after 32 years

• Newport TV Fest Announced

• ICYMI: Pub map

• This Week’s Events

Let’s dig in!

Jon Dougher, Back Bay Buzz

Side Street Cafe Closes After 32 Years

After 32 years of serving hearty breakfasts and building relationships with regulars, Side Street Cafe in Costa Mesa will close its doors for good on Sunday, March 16. Owner Diane Beach, who opened the family-run cafe in 1992 after pivoting from a career in construction, made the tough decision to retire at 72. Despite the cafe's success, including a loyal staff and community support, the strain of the pandemic and the desire to pursue new chapters in life led to the closure. Diane and her family, who have worked together for decades, will miss the community they've cherished but look forward to new beginnings. We are going to miss what are arguably the best hashbrowns in Orange County!

Newport Beach TV Fest Slated for June

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The inaugural Newport Beach TV Fest is set to debut this June, expanding Newport Beach’s presence in the entertainment industry by celebrating the evolving world of television. Organized by the team behind the Newport Beach Film Festival, which has been a major fixture in October for over two decades, the new TV-focused event will spotlight a diverse mix of scripted series, documentaries, and digital-first content. The festival will feature screenings at the historic Lido Theatre, alongside industry panels, networking events, and discussions with top creators and executives. With its reputation for attracting Hollywood talent and fostering international film industry connections, the Newport Beach Film Festival’s parent organization is positioning this new event as a major platform for TV innovation. The festival aims to make Newport Beach a premiere destination for the film industry outside of Los Angeles.

We have requested Press passes for the Back Bay Buzz, so hopefully we will be able to get you the inside scoop. If you know anyone on the NBTVF planning committee please raise your hand 🖐️. Our editor will not be attending, he has been banned from all press junkets since the incident.

☘️ICYMI:  All the Irish (and Irish Adjacent) Pubs Mapped

We already published this map on Friday’s send, but are leaving it here just in case you missed it. There is still ~18 hours to have a green beer and wear perhaps the kitschiest outfits of any holiday. We know that not all of the bars and restaurants on this list are technically “Irish”, however they are all joining in the Irish festivities for the weekend. Join us for a green beer or two at one (or all, depending on your grit and ambition) of the premier public houses in the best two cities in Orange County.

This Week:

• ☘️ St. Patricks Day at Malarky’s - Malarky’s - Monday 3/17 6am- 2am (you can’t drink all day if you don’t start in the morning) - Info

• 🧑‍🌾 Tustin Farmers Market - Wed 3/19 9a-1p - Info

• 🥬 Costa Mesa Farmers Market - OC Fairgrounds - Thu 9a-1p - Info

• 🏕️ Summer Camp Expo - Orange Coast College - Saturday 3/22 12-3pm - Tickets

UPCOMING:

• 🍕 Half-Off Pizzas - Stag Bar - Every Tuesday - Dine-in Only - Info

• 🐰 Easter Bunny @ the Atrium Lawn - Fashion Island - 3/21-4/19 Mo-Sun 11am - Info

• ⛳️ Hoag Classic Golf Tournament - Mar 16th-23rd - Tickets

• 🥫 St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Packing Party - Volunteer to help sort and pack food from the ongoing food drive in partnership with Project Hope Alliance - Sunday 3/23 11:45a - RSVP

• 🍷 OC Wine & Food Festival - Laguna Beach - Sat 3/29 3-6pm - Info

• 🧺 Farmers Market Pop-up - The Lab - Fri 4/4 10-2pm - Info

• 🍣 Japanese Food and Culture Fest - OC Fairgrounds - April 4-6 - Tickets

• 🍷 OC Wine Fest (21+) - OC Fairgrounds (The Hangar) - Sat 4/12-Sun 4/13 - Tickets

• 🗝️ All-Island Garage Sale - Balboa Island - Saturday April 12th 7:30a-1p - Info

• 🛥️ Newport Beach International Boat Show - Want to hobnob with some bajillionaires? Check out the Newport Beach International Boat Show (NBIBS, s’cyute) and be sure to invite us out for a sunset cruise once you lock down a sugar zaddy - May 2nd-4th - Tickets

• 📺️ Newport Beach TV Fest - June 5-8 - Info

Monday

50🌡️ 61 I 🌦️ I 35% Rain I 16mph 🌬️ 

Tuesday

48🌡️ 62 I ☀️ I 0% Rain I 12mph 🌬️ 

Wednesday

49🌡️ 67 I ☀️ I 0% Rain I 7mph 🌬️ 

Thursday

52 🌡️ 64 I ☀️ I 0% Rain I 8mph 🌬️ 

🌊 Water temp = 57º

• 🌈 Rainbow Plate Crafts - Donald Dungan Library Costa Mesa - Wed 3/19 - Info

• 🧱 Lego Wednesday - Mariners Library (Newport Beach) - Wednesday 3/19 3-4pm - Info

• 🤖 CreateSpace - Donald Dungan Library - Thu 3/20 3:30-4:30pm - Info

• 🥾 Wild Tales Storytime, Hike, and Craft in Newport Beach (RSVP! - Fri 3/21 10am - Info

PLAN AHEAD:

• 🍑 Baby Wearing Barre - Newport Peach - Fri 3/21 10am - Info

• 🎶 Little Lido Music Class w/ Magic Steps - The Lido Deck (Lido Village) - 3/30 10:30a

Monday

• Rick Boyle Band - The Harp Inn - 11am - RSVP

• The Chancers - The Harp Inn - 3pm - RSVP

• Casey Conley with Laughter Lines and Josh Avalon - The Wayfarer - 7:30 - Tickets

Tuesday

• Ryan’s Trivia & Taco Night - Wayfarer - 7pm - Tickets

• Singer Songwriter Night - The Harp Inn - 7pm - Info

Wednesday

• Machine kit with Bulbous and Tempest Cleanse - The Wayfarer - 8pm - Tickets

Thursday

• Grateful Jam - Wayfarer - 8pm - Tickets

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor was pinched so hard for not wearing green he has lost all feeling in his fingertips.