It was March 17, St. Patrick's Day -- the first one of the new millennium. One of the biggest (if not the biggest) days of beer consumption in the United States. The excitement of impending happy hour was a bit overshadowed by the prospect of shamrock stickers, green beer and elf hats. This was a day when, happy hour or not, quite a few people were consuming quite a lot of beer.

Duffy's Shamrock was chosen because of its Irish heritage and local appeal. Over 40 years ago Bernard Duffy opened a restaurant in Denver's lower downtown. It has since had two changes of owners: One when it was sold in 1963 to Joseph Lombardi, and the second in 1969 when Frank and Ken Lombardi took over after their father's death. The original building was torn down in 1974 and the current owners reconstructed the "old" Duffy's almost brick for brick at its present location of 1635 Court.

Duffy's Shamrock is traditionally a local blue-collar hangout and St. Patrick's Day was no exception. By three o'clock the place was standing-room only and there was approximately a 20-30 minute wait for a seat at the 72-foot bar. The age of patrons here ranges from about 25 to 75 and everyone seemed to have something in common to talk about. It's a very friendly environment. Perhaps this is because a lot of the regulars here work in the surrounding hotels and are glad to have a haven from the tourists.

When we asked about happy hour specials, the bartender informed us that since it was St. Patty's Day, the happy hour specials would not be in effect. Michael and Allen, our "Irish" bar mates (everyone is part Irish on March 17), convinced us to stay and it didn't take much as we were already having fun. Drafts seemed to be the drink of choice for the evening, although I didn't see many which were green, and we settled back into a comfortable conversation about life in Denver.

The crowd never wavered. In fact, it probably increased, but it never became overbearing. Apparently Channel 9 made an appearance earlier in the day and KOOL 105 was broadcasting live for a time, but it was crowded enough we never saw them. Duffy's is a restaurant and bar with the dining area loosely divided from the bar area with a double row of booth seats. There appeared to be a rather timely wait for a dining table but no one looked exceptionally impatient. Most hung around the bar chatting with friends and strangers alike, occasionally glancing up at the three TVs to see the latest score.

A non-traditional Irish beverage of tequila was set before me and I realized it was imperative that I get the lowdown on the traditional happy hour at Duffy's before it was too late. I was informed that Duffy's happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 3 to 6PM. It is a rather unusuall happy hour in that it is twofers on your first round, which can include a drink and a shot but not two "drinks" and that is it; a one time deal. The second time you order no specials. I would imagine large drinks as initial orders and a lot of warm beer being drunk in this establishment. Again no food specials with this happy hour, but Duffy's does serve food until 1:30AM. (Perhaps bypassing the late night burrito salesman and coming here is not a bad idea.) Duffy's runs a second happy hour for hospitality workers only -- perhaps a nod to the largely service industry regulars. It is the same deal but runs before 10AM and after 10PM.

Duffy's Shamrock definitely has an "everyone knows your name" atmosphere. A picture of a recently departed well known regular is seen hanging behind the bar reminiscent of the photo of Coach hanging in Cheers. People are seen greeting each other at the door, and all I had to do when I got there was mention my friend's name to the man who greeted me and I was pointed to the place where she was waiting.

In all fairness this is really not my type of establishment. Perhaps coming from a small town I am still more attracted to the fresh paint and bright lights, or maybe it is the predominance of service industry regulars and insiders that I feel at a loss for conversation. However, I must defer to my compatriot this time who absolutely loves the place and mention that there is something to be said for a home away from home locals bar, and if that is what you are looking for, look no further than Duffy's Shamrock. One can walk in wearing almost any attire and feel at home with a reasonably priced menu, comfortable atmosphere and stiff drinks. If you are looking for glitter and pretence, I suggest you keep on a walkin'. For more information call 303- 534-4935. C+

For those who have been in pursuit of an alternative way to spend a Saturday night, without paying the big bucks to hear the latest sounds flowing from the local rave scene, never fear. The long quest for the cheaper merriment has neared its end.

For the pulsating, hypnotic rhythms of DJ Basil (Denver), DJ Brad (LA), and DJ Brian (LA) throbbed throughout the rooms at Club Bent on Saturday, March 18 by the way of Trancendance, the newest party idea in Denver.

Party Kids Unite, or PKU, decided that pre-sale and door ticket prices for parties have become ridiculous. Christopher Lovio, a co-founder of PKU, said that the raise in the cost of raves is because all the production companies are trying to bring in headlining DJs every weekend. Not only does this trend add up on the price of a party, but it detracts from bringing the local talent to the locals.

There are other problems in the rave scene besides high ticket prices. The restriction on venues, forced on the party scene as it has evolved from underground to mainstream, has taken its toll. So have production companies who have had their parties shut down because of poor planning and lack of permits and licenses required by the state for this type of social gathering, according to Lovio.

Enough was enough. Lovio said that PKU brainstormed the notion with Club Bent to give the party kids a monetary break, but still have the "rave" atmosphere that the kids adore so much. And so, Trancendance at Club Bent was born.

"[Party kids] can go spend the $35 on a party or they can come here and have the same experience," said Lovio. "It's just another option."

The concept is to bring all the local favorites to Bent every Saturday for $10, and at least once a month have a headlining DJ come in from out in the great beyond for $10 until 9PM and $15 after.

PKU also resolved to give the already financially-strained kids another well-deserved break. They provided free juice and water at the upstairs bar, along with a few sweet treats hand delivered to the crowd by a smiling, happy "angel."

PKU gave out door prizes in the form of plastic eggs, where one would find a hidden treasure tucked inside. They included passes for free massages from the professional masseuses that occupied the relaxation lounge (one of the many perks PKU bestowed to the party kids that ventured into the club), rings and other interesting surprises.

Lovio said that what PKU has accomplished with Trancendance will give party goers a safe place to gather and enjoy the music that started the whole scene to begin with. They work with the police to make sure that all the little things that go into making a good party, production wise, are done and done well, so that at least this party will not get shut down.

Most of the problems with the police come from the lack of planning by the production companies who put on the raves, said Lovio. The police are there to make sure that the mob of happy party people stays happy and safe from small details, like fire code safety, that could put a damper on a party.

DJ Basil, a local resident at Tracks on Thursday and Saturday, started the evening off weaving his web of sound from 8 to 10PM. Basil, who will be celebrating his birthday bash at the next Trancendance, has three unofficially released albums, owns his own studio and is producing his first officially released album with the group Cryonic Suspension.

Then DJ Brad stepped up to take his turn at the tables, spinning out tunes that made the flock of party kids holler their appreciation for the masterful rhythms set out by one of the residents of Moontribe.

DJ Brian, who is originally from LA but has recently moved to British Columbia, finished up the evening playing from midnight until, unfortunately, the party had to stop at 2AM. "But that's clubs for you," Brian said.

Brian has made the trek to this side of the Rocky Mountains quite a few times -- he was here just last month spinning at a party -- and loves to play in Denver. For those of you who missed listening to him this time around, he will be back with the Moontribe tour in July.

After a brief interlude that could not be helped, Trancendance will be up and running officially on Saturday April 1, for Basil's birthday gala, along with the talents of Hazy Meadows (Roofless). And on April 8, the excitement continues as PKU transports DJ OBE, DJ Lampshade, and DJ Wazee from Colorado Springs.