Top Irish bars to enjoy St Patrick's Day in Edinburgh

This Friday is time to don the over-sized Guinness hat and head to one of these venues to celebrate St Patrick's Day

Published 13th Mar 2023
Updated 9 th Aug 2023

As well as the Six Nations final, this weekend is also St Patrick's Day - the celebration of the primary patron saint of Ireland - which has been adopted by cities across the world.

So where are the best bars in the capital to enjoy all things Irish this weekend?

O'Connor's

(2-4 Broughton Rd, Edinburgh EH7 4EB)

Located on Broughton Street, O'Connor's is loved for its friendly staff and an impressive range of whiskies from Scotland and Ireland.

This St Patrick's Day they'll have live music from 5-9pm and a menu that includes Irish stew and chicken fillet rolls.

Bookings are being taken now via their website.

Finnegan's Wake

(9b Victoria St, Edinburgh EH1 2HE)

Regular live music is a big draw at Finnegan's Wake, on Edinburgh's Victoria Street. A "lively, party atmosphere" is assured every night.

This year for St Patrick's day, Finnegan's Wake, which opens at 11am, will have lie music all day and face painting among lots of fun activities.

Biddy Mulligans

 (94-96 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2JR)

St Patrick's

Picture: Biddy Mulligans Facebook

Biddy’s is perfectly situated in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket and will no doubt be fit to bursting with great atmosphere any time you visit.

Boasting a great drinks list (including a huge selection of Irish whiskies) and a friendly atmosphere in great surroundings, it’s the perfect little bar to kick back and enjoy the celebrations.

You can even enjoy a pint or two in ‘the Paddock’ – Biddy’s beer garden – a great place to sit and watch the world go by.

Old Course Hotel launches West Deck - a new rooftop bar and restaurant with dining pods

Best of all the bar has a range of live music for this St Patrick's day.

Malones

(14 Forrest Road, Edinburgh EH1 2QN)

With an atmosphere to match any of Ireland’s best pubs, Malone’s is an Edinburgh institution and will probably be the first recommendation locals give when asked for the best Irish bar in town.

Irish owned and Irish run, you’re sure to enjoy the brilliant St Patrick’s Day festivities here with a great line up of top music acts and the Six Nations being shown live on the big screen.

Dropkick Murphys

(7 Merchant St, Edinburgh EH1 2QD)

Irish bars Edinburgh

Picture: Dropkick Murphys

Open until 3am every night of the week, Dropkick Murphys, on Merchant Street, is the place to go if you want to dance until the wee small hours.

There's regular live music and it's also a great venue for watching the latest big sporting occasion.

Grassmarket Craft Beer Festival: Date, tickets and what beers are on offer - including Cold Town, Barney’s and Moonwake Beer Co

Dropkick Murphys are celebrating St Patrick's day eve, on the 16 March, with live music from 9pm until 3am and a balloon drop at midnight.

On St Patrick's day there will be free Irish pizza from midday and more live music.

Kitty O'Shea's

( 43B Frederick St, Edinburgh EH2 1EP)

An atmospheric basement bar on Frederick Street, Kitty O'Shea's has a wide range of drinks, pub grub and regular live music.

This St Patrick's day there's live music, face painting, Irish dancing and fresh pints of Guinness.

The Three Sisters

(139 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1JS)

Irish bars Edinburgh

Picture: The Three Sisters

The enormous Three Sisters pub, on Cowgate, has five levels of fun, along with a huge courtyard for sunny days.

Earth Day 2024: Scottish businesses offering sustainable spirits and drinks

It's also the location of Edinburgh's largest St Patrick's Day festival, with live bands, drag queens and 'craic'aoke' and competitions.

Copyright ©2024 National World Publishing Ltd
Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy
crosschevron-down linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram