When it comes to things to do in Washington, DC, some are surprised to hear of the active bar scene. They include cocktail bars, jazz lounges, dive bars, and the list goes on. One of the highlights of course, are the famous Irish pubs that are spread throughout the city.
Thanks to the rich Irish American history in DC, there are many Irish pubs perfect for celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Washington. On a day where wearing green, boasting of your Irish heritage, and singing Danny Boy are the norms, you've got to check out our list of best bars to celebrate St. Patty’s Day the right way.
Why St. Patty’s Day in DC
Though other cities, like Boston, New York, and Chicago are known for their Irish communities, DC is also a hotspot for Irish American heritage. The history of the Irish population in Washington, DC dates back to pre-revolutionary war years though the population grew exponentially after the Potato Famine of the 1840s. Today the numbers reach about 50,000. Though the population may not be massive, the Irish presence is well-known.
To remember the Irish heritage there are events like Ireland at the Wharf, a great all-day event (the Saturday before the holiday) that includes music, Irish dance, and rugby. Make sure you remember your green shirt! Whether you celebrate on March 15 or on the day of, our list of famous Irish pubs are a great starting point for your St. Patty’s day bar crawl.
7 Best Bars to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
Below is our list of best bars to grab a pint of St. Patty’s Day. Feel free to explore your options and pick the one, two, or three that sound perfect for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
We must start our review of bars for St. Patrick’s Day with The Dubliner, the unofficial watering hole of Unscripted Tours. Close to our Capitol Hill tour and our original offices, Unscripted guides have raised many a pint in this delightful DC staple. Established in 1974 by a member of the Coleman family who got into the Irish bar business in 1933 in Syracuse, this place is as authentic as it gets.
Beyond the authentic atmosphere, The Dubliner boasts many bartenders straight from Ireland. Regardless of their Irish heritage, they compete against each other in the Guinness perfect pour contest leading up to St. Patrick’s Day each year. But Guinness is only the beginning. With their own amber ale and authentic Irish imports their taps have the best beers to go with your St. Patrick’s Day mood. Beyond Irish beer, the Dubliner has recently partnered with an Irish distillery to create their own Irish whiskey, plus they serve more than 100 other Irish whiskies. Regardless of your preference, you have ample choices of how to raise a glass to the holiday.
After tipping that first glass, there is plenty of Irish comfort food on the menu to keep you satisfied. There are even late night snacks for those who need more energy for celebrating. To go with your food and drink, you’ll be able to enjoy listening to live music all day; doors open at 9 a.m. For the hearty, between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. the Guinness pints are just 51 cents. And, after tours end for the day, somewhere in the crowd might be your guide from Capitol Hill or the Smithsonian.
Located in the vibrant U Street Corridor, Exiles occupies a building that has operated as a restaurant dating back to the 1930s. As historians, we can’t help but love the original details that harken back to the time when Prohibition was repealed. The present day establishment honors the history while adding the modern necessities like updated bathrooms!
Bartenders here regularly pour pints of malty Guinness for local customers. This is the sort of area where you’ll find locals and regulars which bring a particular flavor to your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. In addition to beer choices, don’t forget to ask about the whiskey of the week.
For those looking to make whiskey the centerpiece of their St. Patrick’s Day tasting, Barrel is the destination. Named one of America’s Top Whiskey Bars in 2024, there is something for every palette at Barrel. Their 36 page Whiskey Bible is in depth or the specialists behind the bar can guide you to the perfect fit.
In addition to the fabulous drink selection, you won’t go hungry at Barrel. The scratch kitchen will better serve those who want to look beyond corned beef and cabbage for their St. Patrick’s Day. While St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t fall on a weekend this year, don’t miss the weekend brunch during your stay in DC.
For those planning ahead, and looking to elevate their celebration of all things Irish, Barrel offers private whiskey tastings. What better way to make memories with your friends than a unique experience during your trip?
Strolling along DC’s wharf among the tiki bars, arcades, and burger joints, an Irish pub may come as a surprise. Kirwan’s creators put the work in to bring a wee bit of Ireland to its main bar, whiskey bar, and gastropub. Eight carpenters from Ireland flew over to create the spaces using Irish made materials. Every tile, table, chair, wall panel, and decor piece hails from the Emerald Isle.
Grab a drink from the selection of Irish beers, ciders, mixed pints, whiskeys, cocktails and don’t miss the menu filled with traditional Irish food. There’s plenty of seating inside to get cozy away from the winds of March, but if the weather is shining, their patio seating gives great views of the Potomac.
Not staying in DC, no problem. The St. Patrick’s Day celebrations carry on across the river. Near the Court House metro station on Wilson Blvd is a local staple, Ireland’s Four Courts. Recently renovated after a devastating accident, the premises are beautifully reminiscent of the Irish pub feeling.
You’ll find plenty of draft offerings here as well as an Irish hard cider. With some great pub food on the menu, you don’t have to go with traditional Irish fare, but the fish and chips aren’t far away if you feel so inspired. You won’t miss out on the whiskey either. In addition to their regular selections, they have a monthly whiskey club which meets to learn about and taste a variety of selections.
While their perfect pour contest will be held on March 2, there will still be plenty of fun on St. Patrick’s Day. On Monday, March 17, doors will open at 10 a.m. and feature six live bands and Irish dancers throughout the day.
While Old Town Alexandria is best known for its Scottish heritage, Murphy’s has been bringing Irish food, drink and entertainment to the area since 1978. Located in the heart of Old Town near the intersection of bustling King Street and Washington Street, the path to Mt Vernon, it always feels like the center of the action. With large upstairs and downstairs spaces, they typically offer live entertainment on both floors. In fact, on St. Patrick’s Day, their most popular 4 acts will keep you singing along from 10 a.m. until closing.
With a large draft menu, all of your Irish favorites will be available. What is unique about Murphy’s is their shot and cocktail menus. Each is a hat tip to their Irish heritage while giving you some options outside of beer and whiskey. And when you need to refuel their authentic menu will have all the tastes of Ireland that you were hoping for.
Our favorite feature is the amazing fireplaces that they keep blazing on cold nights. You never know the weather in DC in mid-March, but if it’s a chilly evening, you’ll enjoy this cozy unique touch at Murphy’s.
Also located in Old Town Alexandria, Daniel O’Connell’s is just a few blocks from the riverfront and a great place to end your day after exploring historic Alexandria. This restaurant is an excellent choice for those seeking a cozy atmosphere, featuring multiple fireplaces, three bars, and traditional session musicians on Sundays.
The drink menu always features Guinness and Magner’s cider on draft, a respectable whiskey and scotch list, and approachable cocktails like Smoke and Spice and the Irish Creamsicle Crush. O’Connell’s also makes classic hot cocktails like hot toddy and Irish coffee (made correctly with cream floated on top) to compliment the cozy vibe. Serving lunch and dinner, O’Connells focuses on comfort food like bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and warm bread pudding.
Get ready for a St. Patrick’s Day that you’ll never forget
There you have it, the lucky 7 best bars to celebrate St. Patty’s Day in Washington, DC. Although this list is not exhaustive, it gives you a few options to plan an unforgettable night. Whether you love whiskey tasting or would rather only a Guinness, the bars we’ve listed will have options for you.
As always, remember to drink responsibly and find a great designated driver, or hop on the Metro. If you’ve curious on how that works, we provide a Metro Tour to help you get around. Whichever venue you choose, we are certain that you’ll be singing, dancing, and drinking the night away. Bring your family and friends and check out one of these best bars for St. Patrick’s Day in DC!
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