March 13 2023
Get a taste of Ireland at an Irish pub in London this St Patrick’s Day. Drink, party and enjoy the craic at these top Irish pubs in the capital.
Celebrate St Patrick’s Day in one of the many warm, friendly Irish pubs in London, and capture a bit of Ireland’s rebel spirit. Join a live Irish music singalong or share fantastical stories of far-flung places that probably aren’t true with your new friend at the bar.
St Patrick’s Day is March 17th, but there are plenty of celebrations on either side of it, so you can join millions of people around the world celebrating Irish history and culture and find your best Irish pub in London.
The Porterhouse in Covent Garden is a colossal, multi-level space that’s certainly the biggest Irish pub in central London, if not the biggest London pub full stop. The beautiful L-shaped wooden bar serves a huge choice of ales from around the world, and the pub also brews its own stouts, ales and lagers on site. This pub skips the tacky Irish memorabilia and goes for traditional wooden features and brass piping, with a focus on great drinks and a welcoming atmosphere. With three main levels and multiple mezzanine floors, you can toast St Patrick in a big social space or choose a quiet nook in the Dingle Whiskey Bar and sip a dram of something vintage.
Visit The Porterhouse, Covent Garden
Tucked away on a quiet street close to Mornington Crescent station is one of the best Irish pubs in London, a traditional boozer, all about its sports. On the public room ceiling hangs hurling and Gaelic Athletic Association memorabilia, and you won’t miss a Celtic game, thanks to four large screens in the lounge. There’s also a fantastic beer garden for sunny days, and in the conservatory, the musical instruments make an appearance. Run by a charismatic Irish landlord, Sheephaven Bay sweeps you up in the Irish spirit, especially on St Patrick’s Day, with its impressive selection of gin and malt whiskeys.
Stop for a pint at Sheephaven Bay, Camden
A treasure among London’s Irish community, and one of the best Irish pubs in London with live music, this award-winning pub was named by the Irish Times the Most authentic Irish pub in the world outside Ireland. Key to this is the time and effort that goes into pouring the perfect pint of Guinness. A bit of patience is rewarded with a smoother, richer flavour than most pubs can manage – even Shane McGowan’s a fan.
If you’re planning on coming for St Patrick’s Day, you won’t be alone, so arrive early! The Auld Shillelagh is also one of the best Irish pubs in London with live music, too, with traditional lrish music bands getting toes tapping every Friday night.
Try the Guinness at The Auld Shillelagh
Named after a Dublin candle maker, this six-floor bar in Soho is one of the best Irish pubs in Central London to head to on St Patrick’s Day. At the heart of this maze-like bar is a tree with branches curled around the ceilings and church pew seating. It’s a wooden warren of twisting staircases, so it’s easy to get lost, but that’s all part of its charm.
Live Irish music nights four nights a week adds to the jovial mood, and there’s a vast selection of whiskeys and craft beers. This place makes a big deal out of the Irish national holiday. So, expect live music, plenty of people and a party atmosphere in the week around March 17th.
Other Irish pubs in London worth a mention are The Sir Colin Campbell on Kilburn High Road with Irish music every weekend, cosy Blythe Hill Tavern where the staff are always smartly dressed and The Cow, which specialises in combining Guinness and oysters. Be in easy reach of the festivities this St Patrick’s Day and book into one of our central London hotels, Thistle Trafalgar Square, Thistle Kensington Gardens or Thistle City Barbican.
