The Best Irish Pubs in Washington, DC for St. Patrick's Day

Owner and Tipperary native Mark Kirwan is behind this Irish gastropub that brings music, Irish dancers, and plenty of food. Enjoy dishes like Shepherd’s Pie with ground lamb or Hearty Dublin Coddle with bacon, sausage, onions and kale.

This neighborhood gem and local no-frills destination for across-the-pond classics is especially popular for signature dishes like the fried Battered Sausages served with spicy mustard and drinks like their Irish Coffee. Rugby, soccer, and football is also a huge draw here.

At this Pentagon City pub owned by Irish chef Cathal Armstrong, enjoy the Irish Breakfast All Day at any hour, plus House Cured Corned Beef and Smoked Haddock Soup. Pair everything with a selection of Irish beers, ciders and whiskeys.

At this Fairfax hangout that is popular with locals and students of nearby George Mason University, the menu features Scotch Eggs, Irish Sausages and Mash, and signature namesake Cheeseburger. A range of Irish classics including Guinness and Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale make up the draft list, and The Auld Shebeen also has a weekend brunch featuring a hearty Irish breakfast—so the restaurant has you covered with Irish fare any time of day.

The Celtic House is a classic Irish pub with an old-school setting and a wooden bar that serves Irish fare. Order the Beef & Guinness Stew, a belly-filling dish of Angus beef, carrots, celery, and onions, all served over mashed potatoes. It tastes best when paired with, you guessed it, a pint of Guinness. Beyond the menu of traditional dishes, the pub offers incredible happy hour deals, plus live music and other events.

Located in a 19th-century building, Daniel O’Connell’s is filled with antiques and bric-a-brac that make the place look straight out of Ireland. Order the Lamb Stew or Irish Shepherd's Pie with house-made Irish brown bread and you’ll be set. Live music is a draw over the weekends but especially on Monday nights, which features traditional Irish Sessions with the “Sounds of Ireland.”

If it’s tradition and longevity you’re after, pay a visit to The Dubliner. The pub has been open since 1974 and is so popular that President Barack Obama visited on St. Patricks’ Day in 2012. The menu of Irish and American grub is a perfect soak for the vast selection of Irish whiskeys. Of course, the Guinness is also flowing and you can expect live music most nights, too.

Most people know Duffy’s for its popular and incredible wings. But, just as the name suggests, it also happens to be a fantastic Irish bar with an “Irish fusion” section on the menu that ranges corned beef topped Irish Cobb Salad to Beer Battered Fish & Chips.The long running bar is now in a new space in Dupont Circle, after closing the H street location in 2022.

As the home of Guinness in the U.S., Guinness Open Gate Brewery is the spot for experimental beers and menus inspired by traditional Irish meals. You can stop by for a few brews, tour the facility, or participate in a number of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in March. The brewery’s month-long celebration includes beer releases every Thursday of the month, an interactive Irish village on the lawn, live music, beer dinners, and Irish fare.

A true gem for all things Irish, this spot serves up authentic Emerald Isle fare including their Baked Irish Sausage Rolls, Classic Corned Beef & Cabbage, Chicken Tullamore, Beef Stew, and more. The bar is also popular for its expansive Sunday brunch of Irish classics and slate of brews.

Don’t expect too much in the way of atmosphere here, but Irish Channel boasts a selection of Irish food options, live music, plenty of beer, and a patio. It’s a family-owned tavern run by Tom Stack, a certified chef from Ireland, set in a hotel, and is a good spot to pregame before concerts and sports events since it’s conveniently located near the Capital One Arena.

At this neighborhood tavern, you can find all the old Irish standbys like Fish and Chips, Corned Beef and Cabbage, Bangers Plate, and the popular Guinness Beef Stroganoff. Hearty comfort food makes this spot a top choice in colder months, while traditional Irish music and a patio draw crowds in warmer weather.

More than 100 years of Irish history covers the walls of this lively Irish pub, including unopened beer bottles from the 1800s, 1930s police patches from Dublin, and other random knick-knacks. Cold pints, lots of Irish whiskey, and a boisterous crowd are big draws.

Kirwan’s is a casual Irish pub from the same owners as Sam Beckett’s that has waterside seating and a cozy bar and indoor dining room. Multiple bars make up the space and host a range of whiskeys, beers, and plenty of Irish-inspired cocktails that add to the fun. The food menu is a mix of Irish and American pub food, like Bangers and Mash and Shepherd’s Pie, which will keep you going through the night.

This Silver Spring watering hole has a fun Irish pub atmosphere, a solid beer list, and a friendly crowd of regulars. Guinness on tap, a full brunch menu, and a section of Irish classics such as Irish Boxty (potato pancake), Irish Beef Stew, or Colcannon keep the vibe traditional.

Located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, this lively Irish pub has been open since 1978 and is the spot to enjoy a hearty meal such as Irish Stew with soda bread, nightly Irish entertainment, and a Guinness or two.