Best Irish Bars In America To Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Even If You’re Irish Only 1 Day A Year

We’re almost positive there’s a story behind the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day that has pretty much nothing to do with drinking Guinness and Jameson. Or with wearing leprechaun hats and “Kiss me, I’m Irish” pins. But in all honesty, that story is probably boring, and it isn’t like you really care to hear it anyways. Your goal is to find the best Irish bars in America, so you can eat a mountain of corned beef and cabbage, and dance a traditional Irish jig. Well, we're here for you, friend. Because come March 17, we all wear green. Happy St. Patrick's Day.

The Burren — Somerville, MA

The Burren was opened in 1996 by Tommy McCarthy and Louise Costello, two Irish musicians who know a thing or two about a proper pub. It’s got the food and drink thing down (and differentiates between American and Irish bacon), but it’s the entertainment that makes it worth coming here. They do live music every night, so even if you aren’t actually Irish, it’s easy to feel like you could be.

The Black Rose — Boston, MA

[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] Like The Burren, The Black Rose offers up live music every night. But like you, this place sure does love its Guinness. So if you’re looking to have a pint poured by a genuine Irish barkeep, The Black Rose is the place to do it.

Doyle’s Cafe — Jamaica Plain, MA

So clearly, Massachusetts is the state to travel to for an authentic Irish pub experience. Doyle’s has both the authenticity and an added famous flair. Not only was it an apparent favorite of the Kennedys, but it’s been featured on the big screen as well, most notably in 2003’s Mystic River.

McSorley’s Old Ale House — New York, NY

Going to McSorley’s is like having a real life history lesson, only with more beer. The options here are limited — light or dark — but you’re not coming to McSorley’s for options. You’re coming here to double fist those beers (yes, they come in pairs) as fast as humanly possible, all while wondering if you’re sitting in the same seat Abe Lincoln did once.

The Dead Rabbit — New York, NY

[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] The Dead Rabbit isn’t just a great Irish bar. It’s been voted the Best Bar in North America four years in a row and the World’s Best Bar in 2016 by World’s 50 Best Bars. So, you know, the drinks are probably pretty f—ing stellar. Its food menu isn’t too shabby, either: the full Irish breakfast is a guaranteed hangover cure and guaranteed delicious.

Irish Haven — Brooklyn, NY

So maybe you just want to know what it would be like to drink beer in the same place that Leonardo DiCaprio had his hand broken by Jack Nicholson in The Departed. That’s cool. Irish Haven is certainly that place. But if Hollywood trivia isn’t really your thing, you can still take comfort in the fact that this pub has been pouring a great Guinness for over 50 years, so you know it’s doing something right.

McGillin’s Olde Ale House — Philadelphia, PA

Having been open since 1860, McGillin’s is the oldest tavern in Philadelphia, and it’s got the kitschy decor to prove it. It also has over 30 beers on tap, which means that even if you can’t stand the taste of Guinness (how dare you?), you’ll be able to find something you won’t hate. It might even be one of the three McGillin’s exclusives the pub’s got going on.

The Dubliner — Washington, D.C.

[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] Considering it’s the one bar in the United States that the president makes a point to have a pint at on St. Patty’s Day, it’s no wonder The Dubliner is also the country’s largest supplier of Guinness stout. On top of that, it brings hops in directly from Kilkenny, Ireland for its Auld Dubliner Amber Ale and Dubliner Irish Lager, neither of which can be found anywhere else. It’s really all about exclusivity here, people.

The Harp — Cleveland, OH

If it’s a rowdy holiday you’re after, The Harp probably won’t be your first choice. But some of us happen to be a little more refined and crave the type of pub situation that doesn’t also include passing out on the bathroom floor at 1:30 in the morning. The Harp is known for its view, and its modern menu selections will keep you coming back, even when you aren’t dressed head to toe in varying shades of green.

The Old Shillelagh — Detroit, MI

Now, if it’s a real St. Patrick’s Day party you’re after, The Old Shillelagh is where you’ll want to head off to. Its annual tented celebration is pretty legendary in Detroit, but it also offers a free shuttle to and from the bar for the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Parade. So, really, you’re getting two huge St. Patty’s Day parties over two weekends for the price of one.

Kevin Barry’s Irish Pub — Savannah, GA

[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] Kevin Barry’s has been around for over 40 years and has established itself as an Irish staple in the south. Come for the sampler plate, which includes corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, and Irish stew, but stay for its Hall of Heroes, an upstairs tribute to military, past and present. It’s full of history, and also full of whiskey, which is a major plus.

Fadó Irish Pub — Chicago, IL

The place is huge, so chances are, you won’t have much of a problem finding a place to hole up while you avoid your drunk coworker. Its food is a modern twist on classic Irish dishes, and the bar has some pretty inventive cocktails you can wash those corned beef dumplings down with. Like, say, their Black & Black, which is a mix of Guinness and blackcurrant.

Emmit’s — Chicago, IL

Just because you can’t actually live that gangster life doesn’t mean you can’t at least pretend to. Emmit’s may have only been open since 1996, but the building it’s in has seen some serious Chicago crime throughout its history. And the pub is currently known for its generous whiskey selection, so at least one mob tradition has remained in place.

McNamara’s Irish Pub and Restaurant — Nashville, TN

[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] In a city known for its music history, you can bet this bar is going to have some decent live entertainment. Nosey Flynn, McNamara’s house band, performs traditional Irish music Friday through Sunday. You can listen to them while you gorge yourself on Scotch eggs and corned beef bites.

John D. McGurk’s Irish Pub and Garden — St. Louis, MO

McGurk’s may have started as a one-room pub in 1978, but it’s since expanded to over 20,000 sqft of indoor space… and 15,000 sqft of outdoor oasis. We’re talking the kind of beer garden you’ve only dreamed about, with three bars and a goddam waterfall. So you eat that corned beef, wash it down with that pint, and sprawl out next to some Irish-inspired man-made nature.

Finn McCool’s — New Orleans, LA

If you’re going to own an Irish pub, it definitely helps to actually be Irish. Finn McCool’s was started by a couple from Belfast, so you can bet they know how to pour a good Guinness. And if you’re ever in need of a place to catch the World Cup, it’s your best bet in New Orleans.

The Dubliner — Dallas, TX

[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] If you could combine southern hospitality with Irish tradition, you’d get The Dubliner. Nowhere else are you going to find standard Irish brews share a space with bonafide Texas barbecue. Nowhere else are you going to have a party as big as 15,000 people, either, which is what you should prepare for, should you head this way on the 17th.

Rí Rá Irish Pub — Las Vegas, NV

Leave it to a Vegas establishment to literally have an entire bar constructed in Ireland and then shipped over to the states. If it’s authenticity you’re after, you’re probably not going to get much more authentic than that shit. Bonus points for being situated inside the Shoppes at Mandalay Bay, so if you feel like you haven’t dropped enough dough inside the pub, you’ve got plenty of options outside.

The Plough & the Stars — San Francisco, CA

You won’t find any food here, but we all know you’re not going out on St. Patrick’s Day to eat, anyways. The Plough & the Stars will make you feel like you’re at home in Ireland, with its dark wood interior and classic Celtic music. Best part though? It’s got Jameson on tap, so you’ve got an endless supply of Irish liquid courage.

Tom Bergin’s — Los Angeles, CA

[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] Unapologetically un-glamorous since 1936, Tom Bergin’s is for sure the type of Irish pub that is way too cool for you. Your name will never grace its ceiling on a handmade clover. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still pretend to hate the LA scene while sipping on an Irish coffee on Fairfax Ave.