St Patrick’s Day, everyone’s favourite excuse to don some green, drink silly cocktails, and throw around dubious accents, is fast approaching. And while it may fall on a Thursday this year, there are plenty of places around town getting their shamrock on. Don’t rely on the luck of the Irish to have a craic of a night. Whether you want to eat, drink or just be merry, here are our top picks where to celebrate around Sydney.
The Mercantile Hotel
25 George Street, The Rocks
The Mercantile Hotel has the auspicious title of being Australia’s longest running Irish pub. It is no surprise then that it celebrates St Patricks Day in grand fashion. Their St Patricks Festival Week kicks off on Sunday March 13 with a Family Fun Day filled with Irish dancing, music and face painting. The celebrations continue over the next few days. And on Thursday, it’ll be top o’ the mornin’ to the early rising lovers of the green getting amongst the St Patrick’s Day breakfast ($50) that includes a full Irish breakfast and Irish coffee, ahead of a massive day of live folk bands and of course, Guinness.
The Glenmore
96 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
Celebrating Ireland’s most celebrated patron saint on the rooftop of The Glenmore may seem like an oddity. The spectacular view of the Harbour and gleaming, white sails of the Opera House could never be confused for the drizzle-addled green hills of the Emerald Isle. However this is St Patrick’s Day Sydney style. Punters can enjoy the Guinness pop-up bar as well as tuck into the quintessential Irish fare of pork and fennel sausages, colcannon and peas complete with Guinness and onion gravy ($23). There will be Irish music and entertainment from 5pm.
The Royal, Leichhardt
156 Norton Street, Leichhardt
St Patrick’s Day is not all about The Rocks. Against a backdrop of a lush courtyard garden, Inner West stalwart The Royal will also be proudly flaunting the green this St Patrick’s Day. This much-loved local is getting in true Irish spirit, serving lamb shank and root vegetable Guinness pot pie with a side of mash ($26). Delicious, to be sure, to be sure.
Cat and Fiddle Hotel
456 Darling Street, Balmain
Whip out your loosest green threads before heading down to the Cat and Fiddle Hotel as you’re in for an absolute feast. The Balmain watering hole is celebrating the Irish saint with an all-day Irish breakfast ($28) filled with the traditional trappings of white and black pudding, Irish pork sausages, soda bread, and buttered potato bread, washed down either with a glass of Guinness or bubbly. There will also be live music playing all day as well as prizes and giveaways.
The Wild Rover
75 Campbell St, Surry Hills
Sydney’s home of Irish whisky, The Wild Rover is set to celebrate with Paddy’s Day with a showcase of Jameson Whisky and Guinness beverages. You’ll want to get down there early as there’ll be $1 freshly shucked oysters with $5 Guinness and Jameson before 6pm. After that, settle in with a Jameson cocktail or two and spuds with Guinness gravy. Upstairs Kate Moran, Australia’s Jameson Ambassador, and a team of guest bartenders will be be hosting a Jameson ‘Sine Metu’ extravaganza.
The Australian Heritage Hotel
100 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
Iconic Aussie pub The Australian Heritage Hotel is getting their Irish on this St Patricks Day. The venue will be decked out in the tricolour. Be prepared to feast on slow cooked Irish stew, potatoes, carrots, cabbage and rye bread ($23.50). Did we mention there will be Guinness on tap? As they say in Ireland, that’s savage (brilliant)!
St. Patrick’s Day
Thursday March 17th