According to Tourism Ireland, forty-four million people in the United States claim Irish heritage. And New York City has a significant percentage of them. In addition to watching the parade, dressing in green, and buying soda bread in advance of this festive day, here are some ideas for best pubs where you can celebrate. Book your reservations now.
On March 17, celebrate the Emerald Isle in New York City with libations, grog, parades and music.
Courtesy Lotte New York Palace - Jewel Suite
This year, the Lotte New York Palace in Midtown s sharing more than a kiss for St. Patrick’s Day – whether you’re Irish or not. The Palace is offering an exclusive two-night Royal Suites St. Patrick’s Day Experience including a VIP tour of St. Patrick’s and VIP passes to the St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 17t with seats on the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. You’ll have the Luck of the Irish with this hotel stay – only 100 seats are available, and you must be a “friend of the Cathedral” to sit there. These tickets cannot be purchased elsewhere.
There are special eats as well at the Gold Room bar from a holiday menu of fish and chips, local sausages, Irish baked oysters and , of course, a foamy Guinness to wash it all down .
Courtesy Gold Room
Courtesy Somewhere Nowhere - atop the Renaissance NYC Chelsea Hotel
If you’re traveling with a group, Somewhere Nowhere atop the Renaissance NYC Chelsea Hotel offers a festive post-parade evening. From 4pm-10pm on St. Patrick’s Day, you can enjoy table service for up to 10 guests at their St. Patrick’s Day Sunset Party high above Manhattan. Celebrate and soak up the city skyline as you dance to music by Bouge Group Hospitality. Tickets can be purchased here.
McSorley’s Old Ale House (c) Meryl Pearlstein
McSorley’s Old Ale House
A New York City icon, McSorley’s Old Ale House is likely the name on everyone’s lips when you ask where to go for a special Irish pub experience. Set in the East Village, McSorley’s has a storied history dating from 1854, surviving all kinds of controversy from not allowing entry to women (with no women’s restrooms for many, many years) to operating during Prohibition, avoiding closure by offering “food.” This menu item, actually a snack of saltines with mustard, onions and cheese, survives to this day and pretty much everyone orders it. Similarly, the pub’s two original libations are your only choices when it comes to beverages. Order a lager or an ale, and there you have it — that’s McSorley’s in a nutshell. Plan for lines to get in – you won’t be disappointed.
Courtesy The Perfect Pint Public House
The Perfect Pint Public House
With two locations so you’ll never get closed out by crowds enjoying St. Paddy’s Day, the twin Midtown East and Times Square Perfect Pints are standouts out for their conviviality, happy staff, and exceptionally wide range of beer and whiskeys. Food goes beyond standard Irish pub grub like bangers and mash, beef stew, Shepherd’s Pie and burgers, adding other sinful comfort food like decadent Irish Cream cheesecake. Start your evening with a “mandatory” perfectly poured Guinness pint, then experiment with one of the 30 international brews on tap. If the weather cooperates, you can enjoy the rooftop at both locations.
Courtesy The Dead Rabbit
The Dead Rabbit
This pub is so popular that you can book it on Resy! Founded by two talented Irish bartenders looking for a place to show off their cocktail wizardry, The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog in the Seaport is more than a bar. It’s a place to dive into everything Irish with live music, merchandise, beers, cocktails and great Irish food. Décor in the 19th-century townhouse sets the mood– it’s classic Irish with wood ceilings and floors and green walls. An Irish-inspired menu of bangers and mash, fish and chips, and Irish lamb stew will make sure you have something to soak up all that Irish brew. And don’t forget to have one of the pub’s special Irish Coffees – it’s legendary.
Courtesy Donovan’s Pub
Donovan’s Pub
Craving a perfect pint of Guinness? Donovan’s Pub has welcomed Irish ex-pats and Irish wannabes to Woodside, Queens for nearly 60 years. Listed on many New York City “best burger” lists as well, Donovan’s offers up a menu of Irish plus Shepherd’s Pie, sandwiches and steaks.
Courtesy The Galway Hooker Irish Pub
The Galway Hooker Irish Pub
In the heart of the West Village, The Galway Hooker is known locally as The Hooker. But it’s not what you might think: the name actually comes from an Irish sailboat of the type typically found off the coast of Ireland in Galway Bay. A great spot to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, The Hooker also offers the usual Irish pub grub like chicken sandwiches and burgers and the boozy, don’t-miss Jameson fries.
Courtesy The Late Late Bar & Spirit Grocer
The Late Late Bar & Spirit Grocer
Ex-pats will immediately understand why this pub is named The Late Late. Named for the world’s oldest late-night talk show, the “Late Late” is a Lower East Side staple for drinks and food. The pub is modeled after an Irish residence and is notable for its menu of more than 100 Irish whiskeys, The Late Late brings a special Irish touch to its food dishes as well. Bangers and mash or a burger topped with a choice of Jameson habañero, malt mayo or Guinness barbecue sauce will help you soak up all that liquid goodness.
Courtesy The Smith - Reuben
The Smith
Popular The Smith is offering two specials just for the day that will make the perfect St. Patty’s meal. Start with a Reuben Sandwich and add a sweet finish with an Irish coffee at their Nomad, Lincoln Square, Midtown, and East Village locations. Happily, no matter where you end up, there’s usually a Smith nearby, and they stay open late.