St Paddy’s Day is upon us once again, among the annual social events of the year that suffered due to the pandemic. From cancelled festivals and parades to pub closures, the festivities have been distinctly lacking since 2020, so let’s hope 2022 can remedy that.
According to some recent data, Manchester has the third highest concentration of Irish pubs in the UK (6.05 pubs per 100 square kilometres compared to London’s paltry 2.09). As a result, there is loads going on across the city to celebrate the patron saint of Ireland, from traditional music to food markets.
Read more: Giant egg hunt comes to RHS Bridgewater
Here are some of the most unmissable March 17 events…
O’Shea’s Beer Garden
O’Shea’s Beer Garden - the tented spin-off of one of the city’s most beloved Irish pubs - launched its two-week long Irish festival last week, with St Patrick’s Day obviously being the pinnacle of the fortnight-long beano. With food from the Eat New York people (including an Irish melt bagel), and live music from 12pm onwards, this might be the only place to be. But if you can’t make it on the day, the festival runs until March 24.
Cakebread Street, M12 6FZ
The Irish Weekender
Piccadilly Gardens is being transformed for a four-day ‘Irish Weekender’ from St Patrick’s Day, with all manner of entertainment taking place. There will be pipe bands, traditional Irish folk music and Irish dancing going on all weekend. All the entertainment is free, taking place from 12pm to 7pm every day from March 17. The weather looks super this weekend too.
Piccadilly Gardens, M1 1RN
Escape To Freight Island
Freight will be hosting Paddy’s Day festivities, turning its Guinness Six Nations ‘fan zone’ into a dedicated St Patrick’s Day celebration space. Flautist and vocalist Ríoghnach Connolly will be performing, along with fun family activities and face painting. Booking a ticket online will even get you a free pint of Guinness.
11 Baring St, Manchester M1 2PZ
Honest Burgers
Already offering some of the best burgers in town, Honest is doing a limited edition special, the majestic-sounding ‘fondue burger’, featuring a hand-shaped patty, candied bacon, fondue cheese, crispy onions, rocket, pickles and a Guinness, beef and bacon gravy. Wash it down with a draught Guinness, and that’s your calories for the month.
36 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BT
The Lawn Club
The Lawn Club on Hardman Square will be getting into the spirit of St Patrick’s with live music from musician Jake Kirkham from 6.30pm, along with giveaways, face-painting and and DJ playing till late.
Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3HG
Schofield’s Bar
A wild card here, but worth considering. While it’s not necessarily hosting anything specifically Paddy’s Day related, its Guinness is some of the very best - if not THE best - in the whole city. This is, apparently, thanks to extremely short lines from keg to tap (the keg is literally underneath the tap) and special certification from Guinness.
3 Little Quay Street, Sunlight House, M3 3JZ
Salt Dog Slims
For those who simply don't want St Patrick's Day to end, dive bar and hot dog spot Salt Dog Slims will be partying from 5pm today until 4am tomorrow, offering up free St Paddy's Day merch (including the Salt Dog Slims signature St Patrick's Day t-shirt), giant steins of Guinness, and a hot dog-eating contest with 'an Irish twist'. It's free entry, but perhaps book a table just in case.
17 Bow Lane, Manchester M2 4FW
Free Irish Dancing Lessons
If you’ve ever fancied learning a reel, a slip jig or a hornpipe, then to celebrate St Patrick’s Day there are free Irish dancing lessons going on from 5.30pn at the Bridgewater Studios. Lessons are available for ages 4+, courtesy of the FD Academy of Irish Dance.
Bridgewater Studios, Legh St, Eccles, M30 0UT
Fianna Phadraig Pipe Band Tour of Levenshulme
The fantastic Fianna Phadraig Pipe Band will be heading out into the pubs and bars of Levenshulme all evening, so you can either plot up and wait for them, or follow them from place to place. They start at Hennigan’s at 6pm, then it’s Fred’s Ale House at 6.30pm, The Union Inn at 7pm, and then the Farmer’s Arms in Burnage at 8pm.
Hennigan's Sports Bar, 908 Stockport Road, M19 3AD / Fred's Ale House, 843 Stockport Road, M19 3PW / The Union Inn 845 Stockport Road, M19 3PW / Farmers Arms, Burnage, 254 Burnage Lane, M19 1EN
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