Looking to skip the green beer and celebrate St. Patrick's Day the authentic way? This guide features the top Irish pubs in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) offering live music, Irish dancing, delicious food & drinks, and a festive atmosphere.
Washington D.C.
- Across the Pond (Dupont Circle): Enjoy a Guinness breakfast starting at 8 AM, followed by live music and specials all day long.
- The Blaguard (Adams Morgan): A popular spot for wings, totchos, and daily happy hour specials. They'll have live music and specials on St. Patrick's Day.
- Boundary Stone (Bloomingdale): This neighborhood pub offers brunch and Irish breakfast starting at 10 AM, plus corned beef and cabbage specials throughout the week.
- The Dubliner (Capitol Hill): A family-owned institution serving Irish beers and classic dishes like corned beef and cabbage and shepherd's pie for nearly 50 years. Live music, Irish dancing, and a full menu available on St. Patrick's Day.
- Irish Channel (Chinatown): This low-key pub offers traditional pub fare alongside Irish favorites like "spice bag" and Guinness stew. Opens at 10 AM on St. Patrick's Day.
- Kirwan's on the Wharf (Southwest Waterfront): This Irish gastropub boasts live music, Irish dancers, and Guinness specials. Head there for their stellar shepherd's pie. Festivities kick off early on Saturday, March 16th with a waterfront Guinness beer garden.
- Kelly's Irish Times (Near Union Station): A lively pub known for its extensive whiskey selection. Expect a fun crowd and a good time on St. Patrick's Day.
Virginia
- The Auld Shebeen (Fairfax): A classic pub with a focus on live music and home-style Irish cooking. They celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a week of specials and live music.
- The Celtic House (Arlington): Opens at 9 AM on St. Patrick's Day for a holiday brunch buffet, followed by live music, food, beer, and Irish dancing throughout the day. Reservations recommended.
- Ireland's Four Courts (Arlington): This recently renovated pub offers over 10 live bands, traditional Irish dancers, and a wide selection of beers on St. Patrick's Day.
- Ireland's Four Provinces (Falls Church): A local favorite known for its large patio, bar, and live music. Celebrate with a "kegs n' eggs" breakfast, a three-course lunch (reservations required), and live music all day on St. Patrick's Day.
- Murphy's Grand Irish Pub (Old Town Alexandria): Enjoy live music throughout the week leading up to St. Patrick's Day, or grab a stout and some bangers and mash.
- Mattie and Eddie's (Pentagon City): This pub offers a true taste of Ireland with their all-day Irish breakfast, house-cured corned beef, and fish n' chips. Expect live music, dancing, and merriment from March 15th to 17th.
- The Old Brogue (Great Falls): A longstanding Irish pub with a patio for summer and a fireplace for winter. They offer comfort food and live music with a $10 cover on St. Patrick's Day (21+ only).
Maryland
- The Irish Inn at Glen Echo: Escape the crowds and enjoy a more relaxed St. Patrick's Day celebration with live music and traditional Irish fare.
- Finnegan's Wake Irish Pub (Rockville): This independent pub throws a two-day St. Patrick's Day festival with brunch, drinks, giveaways, games, and even a moon bounce!
- The Limerick Pub (Wheaton): This pub features live music, traditional Irish dishes, and a cozy atmosphere. There's a $5 cover and it's 21+.
- McGinty's Public House (Silver Spring): This Irish-owned pub offers a menu with some unique finds like boxty (potato-and-cheddar cake) and colcannon (mashed potatoes with cabbage).
Plan Your St. Patrick's Day Celebration
This list provides a starting point for your St. Patrick's Day pub crawl. Be sure to check pub websites or social media pages for confirmation of hours, specials, and any cover charges. Sláinte! (Irish for Cheers!)