By: Amy Rosner and Chandler Presson By: Amy Rosner and Chandler Presson | February 22, 2023 | Food & Drink
While some might await March all year long because it means March Madness, we eagerly await the third month because it means St. Patrick’s Day.
St Patrick’s Day is a perfect excuse to drink tons of beer, indulge in greasy bar food and shamelessly pinch the cute guy you just met because he isn’t wearing green.
See Also: 8 St. Patrick's Day Cocktail Recipes, And They're Not All Made With Whiskey
With a million and one bars in the city, it’s difficult to narrow it down to the best of the best.
Do we need to buy tickets? Are there going to be long lines? Do we really need to wear green?
To make your lives a little easier, we’ve rounded up the most classic Irish pubs in NYC to cheers your green beer.
519 2nd Ave. / 212.686.1210 / Website
With live music seven nights a week, Paddy Reilly’s is the perfect place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. With Guinness and other rotating beer on tap, you’re guaranteed to end the day with a massive hangover and a slice of Prince Street Vodka pizza in hand.
508 9th Ave. / 646.490.4803 / Website
With a happy hour lasting from 4-7PM, $10 lunch specials and live music, Scallywag’s is many Hells Kitchen residents’ go-to bar. With plenty of Guinness and french fries to go around, all the necessary St. Patrick’s Day provisions will be available. Be sure to arrive early, as we expect this pub to fill up quick.
159 E Houston St. / 646.861.3342 / Website
The morale is so high at the Late Late you’ll want to stay here till the late late hours of the night. Described as “Irish-inspired, but not resembling a traditional Irish pub,” this retro-themed watering hole is great for those using St. Patrick’s Day as just another reason to day drink. We’re not talking about ourselves, we swear.
165 W. 4th St. / 212.206.8959 / Website
Located in Greenwich Village, this pub is a haven for Irish ex-pats and NYC locals alike. Unpretentious and always welcoming, this watering hole sits inside a landmark historic building, as all good pubs should. Grab a pint of Guinness or one of the delicious craft cocktails and enjoy!
30 Water St. / Website
The vibes are all but dead at this multi-award-winning Irish bar in NYC. Famous for its vintage cocktails, delicious beer and unbeatable Irish coffee, you definitely won’t leave this downtown establishment thirsty. If you have the post-drinking munchies, the food here is very solid, too.
152 7th Ave. / 917.261.5504 / Website
Since 1936 this family-run bar has been serving up pub food and plenty of beer. We love the cozy interiors full of Irish charm and dark wood accents. As much as we love the spirits here, the real star of the show is the burger, so if you see us chowing down on one after a few too many beers this St. Patrick’s Day, be sure to say hi.
27 W. 35th St. / 212.268.8868 / Website
With over 25 rotating draught beers and tons more options by the bottle, beer lovers should look no further than Playwright. We also love their menu full of pub grub including both Irish and American favorites such as bangers and mash and shepherd's pie.
15 E 7th St. / Website
Famed for being New York’s oldest Irish pub, McSorley’s is a no-brainer when it comes to where to eat and drink on St. Patrick’s Day. With a history as rich as Bill Gates, this New York City landmark is a great place to pay homage to the day of the Shamrock.
358 E. 57th St. / 212.751.1434 / Website
We might consider this Sutton Place mainstay more of a restaurant than a bar, but considering Neary’s opened on St. Patrick’s Day in 1967, we think it’s appropriate. Neary’s old-school ambiance and very traditional Irish cuisine make for a great choice if you want a more upscale holiday. We highly recommend the calf’s liver for the adventurous eater.
626 11th Ave. / 212.247.2562 / Website
Established in 1868, this traditional Irish tavern is the definition of a landmark. If it’s in the name, you know it must be true. With an extensive pub-grub menu, ranging from juicy sirloin burgers to classic corned beef and cabbages, Landmark Tavern is the place to be after a full day of chasing beer with well, more beer.
287 3rd Ave. / 212.889.3361 / Website
Dating all the way back to 1895, this neighborhood favorite complete with sawdust floors and a working fireplace is as authentic as they come. Both a full-fledged restaurant and a lively Irish pub, Molly’s is a fun spot to dance, drink, and eat the day away.
34 E 4th St. / 212.260.3600 / Website
This tavern may be the most low-key spot on the list, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good time. In fact, we can almost guarantee that your group chat will be popping off with hilarious stories from the day before. If you’re not grubbing a Corned Beef Taco, you’re seriously doing something wrong. It is St. Patrick’s day after all!
22 W. 46th St. / 212.391.1111 / Website
With a name like St. Pat’s Bar & Grill, one might think this spacious pub is almost too on the nose for St. Patrick’s Day. But with its huge selection of beer, an extensive menu of pub grub and excellent vibes, this Midtown haunt is a great place to drink the day away. Expect to find traditional Irish favorites on the menu in celebration.
So follow the rainbow and discover the pot of gold that is these NYC bars this St. Patrick’s Day. Whether you limit your celebrations to green beer or go all out with boiled cabbage and black pudding, we hope you have a very happy St. Patrick’s Day.
Photography by: Timothy Dykes
