You imagine a fifth-century missionary would be surprised by the spread of what you might call ‘green fever’. St Patrick’s Day, originally a way for Christians to commemorate the Enlightener of Ireland, has bubbled into something else entirely. A day of pints and pubs, yes, but of parties too, and some seriously upmarket feasts at some of the city’s chicest spots.
It wasn’t always this way. Aside from the parade, the supersizing of St Patrick’s Day in the capital can arguably be traced back to Richard Corrigan, who hosts the Oscars of Irish restaurant parties in town: an annual bash to which he invites London’s culinary heavyweights to spend the morning sinking Guinness, Champagne, and shots of whiskey in what the chef calls “a thank you from me and the family to London”.
The annual party is strictly invite only and what once was a small affair — two dozen chefs or so — has grown into one of the year’s must-attend events among London’s food set. Chefs and critics alike who wouldn’t bother with the Michelin awards will happily put on their glad rags and turn up at the Irishman’s gaff at 9am to knock back a few oysters and belt out The Auld Triangle.
Afterwards, it will spill into a pub. Typically this has been the Guinea Grill, but last year was the Audley. This year, no doubt some will make a bee line for The Devonshire. “St Patrick’s really signals the end of winter; once you get past it, the sun starts shining. It really is a celebration,” says Oisín Rogers, who ran the Guinea before and now co-owns The Devonshire. “St Patrick’s Day in 2022 was the busiest day the pub ever had — anybody who was anybody was there, and even people who weren’t say they were.”
And so, perhaps partly driven by the party and partly by the heavy Irish presence in London’s food and drink scene, no longer is the day the preserve of a handful of chefs and their boozy journalist mates. There are countless celebrations across town, starting fairly early in the morning and running late into the night.
“This year, everyone I know is taking the day off, it’s like an unofficial bank holiday,” says Rogers. Corrigan agrees: “It seems to be a kind of UN day for everyone, not just the Irish.”
In other words, it’s time to get out there. Below are the biggest parties, best restaurant specials and live music and ceilidh events. We’ll see you out there for a Guinness.
Paddy’s Day parties
The Audley
Across the St Patrick’s Day weekend, the Audley is set to serve a few Irish-leaning snacks, including lamb stew and Guinness rarebit from chef Jamie Shears, but most interestingly will host live traditional Irish music from Rakish Paddy, a ceilidh band, on March 17. The gorgeous ground floor pub will be bouncing with the sound of Irish fiddles and plenty of singing.
March 15-17, 41-43 Mount Street, W1K 2RX, theaudleypublichouse.com
St Patrick's Festival
Bottomless Guinness. Let those words sink in — it’s not a misprint. The £25-for-one-hour offer seems like a St Patrick’s Day challenge, a gauntlet thrown down by The Stables at Camden Lock. Whilst the press shots seem a touch suspect (that is not Guinness glassware), the offer is irresistible. Food vendors and live dancers will help provide some respite from the sauce.
March 16 & 17, Tickets £25, Camden Market, Lock Place, NW1 8AF, camdenmarket.com
Big Penny Social
Dubbed the largest beer hall in Britain, Big Penny Social really lives up to the “big” of its name. This St Patrick’s Day and the venue is hosting a huge bash with Irish dancers from the Maggie O’Shea Dance Academy (also performing at the official London parade), who are set to teach a handful of revellers a few moves. Expect a steady stream of house stout and Baby Guinness too.
March 16, Tickets from £6, 1 Priestley Way, E17 6AL, bigpennysocial.co.uk
Smith and Wollensky
Last year’s Smith & Wollensky party was one for the ages, and 2024’s promises to be bigger and better yet. Slane Irish Whiskey will be providing the sauce while O’Hara’s Irish Stout offers a Guinness alternative for partygoers on the night. Bowl food, an oyster station and live Irish music... what’s not to love?
March 15, Tickets £75, The Adelphi, 1-11 John Adam Street, WC2N 6HT, smithandwollensky.co.uk
The 411
The 411 opened last year to relative success. It’s known for affordable drinking in a neighbourhood somewhat absent of others. Expect some low-cost thrills by way of Baby Guinness for £5 a pop and (grown-up?) Guinness for £6, alongside a fully kitted out emerald green bar.
March 16-17, 411 St John Street, EC1V 4AB, the411london.co.uk
Club de Fromage
As the name suggests: cheese. Big, bolshy singalongs mark Club de Fromage as a rowdy club night that really every London should attend at least once. This weekend’s will be an Irish extravaganza. Remember, everyone in fancy dress gets to jump the queue, so don’t skimp on the green.
March 16, Tickets £7.70, O2 Islington, 16 Parkfield Street, N1 0PS, academymusicgroup.co
The Prince
Ideally suited for bigger bashes, the Prince on Lillie Road seems almost created for jovial St Patrick’s day larks. The space will be awash with vast swathes of green, DJs keeping things going until late and keenly priced Guinness pints and other good drinks.
March 16 & 17, 14 Lillie Road, SW6 1TT, theprincelondon.com
Restaurant and bar specials
The George
Guinness 0.0 is probably the best non-alcoholic beer around, but the big drawback has always been that it’s never on tap. Until now. The George in Fitzrovia is the first UK pub to serve the alcohol-free black stuff on draught. If the heady party of St Patrick’s Day proves too much, sinking a few of these should get things back on track.
March 15-17, 55 Great Portland Street, W1W 7LQ, thegeorge.london
108 Brasserie
A three-course Irish menu at 108 looks appealing indeed, with mussels served alongside bacon and cheddar scones, later slow braised ox cheeks with colcannon. The hearty, deeply Irish fare concludes with Guinness chocolate mousse.
Until March 17, 108 Marylebone Lane, W1U 2QE, 108brasserie.com
Bentley’s
Richard Corrigan is probably London’s best-known, best-loved Irish chef. His restaurants always throw on a series of particularly Irish specials and this year will be no exception. A wide selection of Irish oysters, blackboard specials and plenty of craic will make the restaurants, in particular the gorgeous Bentley’s, a fabulous place to spend some time this weekend.
11-15 Swallow Street, W1B 4DG, bentleys.org
The Farrier
A £60, five-course Friday night menu sounds like great value over at the Farrier in Camden with chef Jake Perry serving a range of modern Irish classics. Smoked haddock and colcannon croquettes with a shellfish bisque and a take on an Irish stew with soda bread look pleasing enough to satisfy any natives in town. There’ll also be other Irish favourites served on the Saturday and Sunday, too.
March 15, Camden Stables Market, 87/88 North Yard, NW1 8AH, thefarriercamden.com
Mr Fogg’s
The team at Mr Fogg’s City Tavern outpost is offering a free Guinness to everyone booking a Sunday roast, which is a tempting offer indeed. The roast is as traditional as it comes, celebrating the Paddy’s Day weekend with the pint on the house alongside trad Irish folk music live in the venue. At the Fogg’s in Covent Garden, meanwhile, look out for the themed Irish cocktails.
March 17, 37 Broadgate, EC2M 2QS, mr-foggs.com
65a
While 65a is normally an entirely French affair, the restaurant is celebrating the Irish heritage of head chef Maura Baxter and founder Patrick Frawley with a special Irish menu running until March 17. Expect Dublin Bay prawns, Galloway beef and Guinness pie, and Guinness battered fried oysters on this seasonal, elegant menu.
Until March 17, 65a Brushfield Street, E1 6AA, 65arestaurant.com
Pastaio
Exclusively available on St Patrick’s Day, the classic Italian dessert at Stevie Parle’s Pastaio gets an Irish upgrade. Chocolate Guinness cake replaces the traditional savoiardi biscuits and Irish whiskey replaces the typical Marsala wine. In short, our new favourite dessert.
March 17, 19 Ganton Street, Carnaby, W1F 9BN, pastaio.co.uk
Patty & Bun
It seems London’s favourite Irish burger is back. The Patty O’ Bun was a hit when it launched in 2023, with high welfare Irish beef topped with Cashel Blue cheese. The trend-worthy winner returns this week.
Until March 17, Across London, pattyandbun.co.uk
Mercer Roof Terrace
It’s Guinness on Guinness on Guinness at the Mercer Roof Terrace with a three course menu paying dutiful homage to the black stuff. Guinness bread, beef shin and Guinness pie, and Guinness and chocolate mousse make up the full menu, so the only choice will be what to drink...?
March 17, 20 Garlick Hill, EC4V 2AU, vintryandmercer.com
Sun Tavern
Having a “beer and a bump” might have, shall we say, connotations, but here at the Sun Tavern it forms part of the special St Patrick’s Day cocktail menu. It’s a ginger beer served with a “bump” of Irish whiskey. For something less contentious, try the “Guiness punch” (note the spelling), a combination of Irish whiskey, stout (not Guinness) and clarified chai milk. Expect something of a party, too, with a DJ performing live.
March 17, 441 Bethnal Green Road, E2 0AN, thesuntavern.co.uk
Darby’s
Darby’s, in Nine Elms, is an effortlessly elegant spot from Irish chef Robin Gill which serves some of the finest British and Irish food around. The special £65 four-course menu is wonderful value considering the provenance. The main course sounds supremely satisfying: mountain lamb, pot roast cabbage, and lamb shoulder and potato hotpot. Expect traditional live music, too.
March 16-17, 3 Viaduct Gardens, Nine Elms, SW11 7AY, darbys-london.com
Heliot Steak House
Free Guinness? Well, sort of. Heliot Steak House inside the Hippodrome casino has won dozen of awards for having the best steak around, and so live Irish music, an Irish tomahawk steak and all the sides for £50, plus a free pint if you’re wearing a little green something, is a fine offer. Time to dig out that green tie...
March 17, Hippodrome Casino, Leicester Square, WC2H 7JH, hippodromecasino.com
Live music and ceilidh:
Nell’s: The Dublin Legends
The Dublin Legends are just that; the Irish folk outfit was set up following the death of Dubliners band member “Banjo” Barney McKenna. While the newer line up is different to that of 30 years ago, the music is as jovial and melodic as ever.
March 17, Tickets £33, 3 North End Crescent, W14 8TG, nells.co.uk
Féile live: John McSherry, Brendán Quinn & Francis McIlduff
Irish trad music is a hallmark of St Patrick’s Day and John McSherry, Brendán Quinn, and Francis McIlduff are three of the best in the business. Separately, they are international touring and session musicians, but together have recorded critically acclaimed albums that interweave harmonies and guitar grooves.
March 16, Tickets £22, 5 Black's Road, W6 9DT, irishculturalcentre.giftpro.co.uk
Live music at The Bloomsbury hotel
Over four days at the Bloomsbury hotel, a selection of Irish musicians will perform in the atmospheric Bloomsbury Club, an intimate space beneath the Coral Room. The series will be bookended by The Curfew, while folk specialists Mike Hogan and Jamie Roche are also on the bill.
March 13-17, 16-22 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3NN, thebloomsburyclub.com
Manchester Collective: After Dark Ceilidh
Manchester Collective is a Southbank Centre resident artist, known for experimental programming and exciting collaborations. Combining cutting-edge contemporary music and more classically inspired works, this week they are working with one of the most exciting jazz pianists on the world stage today, Fergus McCreadie.March 15, Tickets £10, Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX, southbankcentre.co.uk
The Dublin Castle: Skimmington Ride, Riff Raff, St Pat's Craic
The legendary Dublin Castle venue is a live music-lover’s dream and this weekend the pub is hosting a self-described “big feck off party” with musicians Skimmington Ride, Riff Raff and St Pat's Craic. Expect sets of the highest calibre and some of the finest Guinness around.
March 16, Tickets from £12, 94 Parkway, NW1 7AN, bugbearbookings.com
Grand Junction: Spring Ceilidh
Celebrating the traditional welcome of the Spring Equinox, the ceilidh is a time for dancing and folk music. The traditions are somewhat swerved as more modern music makes its way into the mix, but the merriment is as festive as ever.
March 15 & 16, Tickets £20, Rowington Close, W2 5TF, grandjunction.org.uk
BOXPARK
On March 15, the Boxpark venues across town are collaborating with Jameson whiskey in a series of events dubbed “Jameson presents”. Think whiskey-fuelled frivolities including a themed tour bus to be launched by comedian Aisling Bea, hip-hop “paddyo’ke” (Irish karaoke, but make it hip-hop?), and a performance by B*Witched at the Wembley location. With so much on, best gather the troops and get out there.
March 15, Wembley, HA9 0JT, Shoreditch, E1 6GY, Croydon, CR0 1LD, boxpark.co.uk
Irish Folklore Tales
Storytelling for adults? That’s the agenda from 3 Locks brewery, which will be hosting folk storyteller Olivia Armstrong for an evening session of memorable tales on March 15. Funny folklore, spooky stories and more, alongside specially crafted 3 Locks beers. Sounds a dream.
March 15, free to attend, Arch S14/15 Hawley Wharf, NW1 8NX, eventbrite.com
Celtic Cabaret
Camden Market really is going hell for leather this St Patrick’s Day with yet another stellar event. Expect comedy, Irish spoken word and more at this all-Irish affair.
March 16, Tickets from £7.21, Arch S14/15 Hawley Wharf, NW1 8NX, eventbrite.com
The Windmill
Cult-followed TV show “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” is set in a fictious Paddy’s pub, one which each year pops-up at Brixton’s Windmill. The Windmill is a renowned live music venue with a huge counter cultural history. It also boasts a rooftop dog. The six-band line up looks as fiercely independent as ever.
