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The Irish community is one of the most prominent and significant cultural groups in New York. Since the late 19th century, they have made their home in the city, sharing their language, music, and food with thousands. Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was honored here in New York long before their arrival when Irish soldiers stationed in the American colonies held a parade in his honor.
These days, thousands of people come from all over to celebrate the saint and the New York Irish community on March 17 at one of the world’s largest St. Patrick’s Day Parades. Whether you are tired from walking the parade route, or just heading out for celebratory drinks, here is a list of the eight best bars to spend the historic holiday in.
The Perfect Pint
203 E 45th Street, New York 10017
Located just a few blocks from the St. Patrick’s Day parade route, this is the perfect bar to hop to after seeing the floats. This multi-story bar is known for its traditional Irish ambiance, enormous rooftop with a smoking loft, and extensive selection of beers. With over 40 different types of IPAs and craft options, you will find a pint or two to celebrate with.
McSorley’s Old Ale House
15 East 7th Street, New York 10003
With a slogan like ‘We Were Here Before You Were Born,’ you can bet on this being an excellent place for a drink. McSorley’s has been an iconic New York Irish establishment since it opened in the 1800s, and still retains that classic pub vibe. With a simple menu of either dark or light ale and hundreds of years of history decorating the walls, this is a fantastic stop for a pub crawl.
The Dead Rabbit
30 Water Street, New York 10004
The Dead Rabbit is an excellent St. Patrick’s Day spot if you want something closer to the water. This five-story classic townhouse is actually three restaurants/bars in one. The Taproom, with its pub pews and weekly Irish seisiún’s (a traditional Irish musical performance), celebrates Irish culture and craic. Over in The Parlor, things take a little more of a sophisticated take, with a menu of 14 cocktails. The pub opens The Occasional Room, a mix of both spaces for special events.
Neary’s
358 E 57th St, New York 10022
With an establishment day of March 17, 1967, this welcoming family-owned Irish restaurant may be the perfect spot to celebrate the holiday. Located on the Upper East Side, not too far from the parade route, this place serves traditional meals like lamb chops, prime ribs of beef, corned beef & cabbage, and calf’s liver. They also recommend their traditional (and strong) Irish coffee.
Connolly’s Bar & Restaurant
121 W 45th St, New York 10036, or 14 E 47th Street, New York 10017
Looking for a mix of classic Irish eats and good old American food? Check out one of Connolly’s two locations, which have a diverse menu, including chicken & cheese quesadillas, bangers & mash, and walnut-crusted salmon. On top of that, they have an extravagant drink menu, with lagers, ciders, and ale. They are also home to Klub 45, a live music venue at the Times Square location, which is hosting a traditional Irish folk group on St Patrick’s Day.
Paddy’s of Park Slope
273 13th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Known by their regulars for having the best pint of Guinness in Brooklyn, Paddy’s is a small neighborhood bar with no frills but a lot of spirit. It has more of a sports bar feel than a traditional Irish pub, but it balances that out with its Conradh na Gaeilge language sessions and the Republic of Ireland soccer matches. If you are looking for smaller crowds, good beer, and a dart board, this may be the St. Paddy’s Day spot for you.
The Craic Pub
488 Driggs Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
This Irish Public house is perfect for a most sophisticated and classy holiday. With a speakeasy, underground atmosphere, The Craic serves a healthy (or possibly very unhealthy, depending on consumption) mix of beer, wine, specialty cocktails, and spirits. With chic booths, this is a great place to celebrate if you want to dress up and sit down. Don’t forget to make reservations, though!
The Wicked Monk
9510 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209
This catholic monastery-inspired pub may not be everyone’s pint of beer – it features chapel-stained glass windows, statues of saints, and gothic cathedral stone walls. But, with its testament to Irish Culture, it’s a terrific pub to spend the patron saint holiday in. You can order Gaelic steak, Guinness-braised short ribs of beef, and bangers & mash on a bar shipped straight from Greenmount Monastery in Cork, Ireland.