Ah St Patrick’s Day, our favourite celebration of the year. The Irish export is celebrated around the world as both an appreciation of the vibrant culture of Ireland, and an excuse to get knees up and boozy with the country’s other infamous exports, namely, Guinness and whisky. But things aren’t all shamrocks and ‘kiss me I’m Irish’ ties (although we have been known to don both on the 17th). Around London, some of our favourite venues are pulling out all the stops to have you celebrating St Patty’s in style. Whether it's special menus packed full of Irish produce, or live bands that’ll get the céilí going, there is no shortage of lively events to get involved in.
From Irish coffees at The George Public House, to oysters at Bentley’s, we’ve got you covered with our pick of the best spots to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in London this year.
Daffodil Mulligan and Gibney’s
70-74 City Road, EC1Y 2BJ
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While technically two separate venues, with Gibney’s sitting as a secret, speakeasy-style bar below the sprawl of Daffodil Mulligan, St Patrick’s Day will see these two spots fling open their doors for revellers. Downstairs in the bar they’ll be showing the Cheltenham Gold Cup on the screens, while diners upstairs will be serenaded by a selection of folk, fiddle and trad artists. The party will continue in the bar long after the restaurant closes, with live music, Guinness and good spirits aplenty.
Bentley’s
11-15 Swallow Street, W1B 4DG
While the restaurant isn’t hosting a party per se, if you want to celebrate all things Irish (in particular, the waters around it), then Bentley’s is your place. Kick things off with a selection of Irish oysters – and a glass of fizz or a black velvet – before making your way through the incredible selection of Irish produce across the menu. Patron Richard Corrigan’s hospitality is infectious, and you’re sure to leave full of joy – if that isn’t the point of a good St Patrick’s Day, then we don’t know what is.
Homeboy
Various locations
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The team at Homeboy’s tagline is ‘Modern Irish Hospitality’ and they live up to it every day of the year – but ramp things up ten fold on St Patrick’s Day. Their parties are infamous – with a special, whisky-packed cocktail menu, live music, free-flowing Irish coffees and more Guinness than you can shake a stick at, it’s safe to say attendees are in for a good time. With festivities going on at both locations, nab a table soon to ensure you’re a part of the fun.
The George
55 Great Portland Street, W1W 7LQ
Pouring the Irish Coffee at The George pub
The final touch: a dusting of nutmeg
St Patrick’s is a weekend-long affair at The George Public House in Fitzrovia. Friday will see all the St Pat’s classics: the pub’s infamous Irish coffees (as lethal as they are good), Guinness, Irish oysters, Jameson cocktails and a live band plus Irish food specials for a guaranteed good time. Saturday will have all that plus the Six Nations final games on the big screens all day – Ireland v England kicks off at 5.00pm, so nab your table early, and order a crisp pint to boot away the day before’s hangover.
Darby’s
3 Viaduct Gardens, SW11 7AY
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While Darby’s is full of Irish cheer year-round, they really turn things up on St Patrick’s Day. This year, celebrations include a special menu with dishes like smoked salmon, potted crab and soda bread and County Cork salted caramel and Guinness ice cream. Diners will be entertained by a Celtic trio, and the drinks will be flowing. Turn up with your party hat on and prepare to paint the town green.
Auld Shillelagh
105 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0UD
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Ask any hardy Londoner where the best Guinness is in the city and they’ll likely have an emphatic answer – for many, it will be Stoke Newington’s Auld Shillelagh. The quality of their pints has become infamous with purists, with thirsty revellers flocking there any night of the week to get their fix of the black gold. St Patrick’s Day is due to be no different and, as it falls on a Friday, you’ll be entertained by their weekly live band. We’ll say cheers to that – just don’t forget to split the E first.
The Audley
41-43 Mount Street, W1K 2RX
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Flinging open their doors at 9am to kick off celebrations suitably early, The Audley Public House on Mount Street will be keeping the festivities going all day. Only opening their doors in October last year, The Audley has quickly garnered something of a cult following for its convivial feel, wonderful drinks, great Guinness and impeccably restaurant upstairs. This will be their first St Patrick’s day, and it’s sure to be a goodie.
40 FT and Acme Fire Cult
Bootyard, Abbot Street, E8 3DP
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Neighbours Acme Fire Cult and 40FT Brewery are teaming up to host a legendary St Patrick’s Day party in their little corner of Dalston. The evening will feature one-off dishes from Acme’s fire-cooking duo Andrew Clarke and Daniel Watkins, special cocktails from the team at Homeboy and pints of 40FT’s St Patrick’s Day Irish Export Stout Snakes on a Plain alongside a limited edition Guinness from the Open Gate Brewery with all of it soundtracked by a selection of Irish DJs. This is a knees up not to be missed.
The Coach Makers Arms
88 Marylebone Lane, W1U 2PZ
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A menu of Irish snacks like Colcannon and Cashel Blue croquettes with whisky mayonnaise, pulled lamb shoulder, dripping and soda Bread and Clonakilty Black Pudding fritters with Guinness sauce will be washed down with Redbreast 15 Irish whiskey cocktails, Black Velvets and, of course, pints of Guinness at The Coach Makers Arms on St Patrick’s Day. Music will come by way of guitarist James Riley with everything from foot tapping Céilí’ to more modern beats. It’s safe to say: get in early to be a part of the fun.
