St. Patrick’s Day is a global celebration of Irish culture and heritage, and with New York City’s vast Irish population, St. Patrick’s day energizes the city. To add to the fun, it falls on a Friday this year. Those over the age of 21 who choose to partake in the festivities should expect crowded bars, rowdy guests, and lots of beer.
St. Patrick’s day has a long and rich history dating back to March 17, 1631. Initially, the holiday was observed as a celebratory feast for the Catholic Saint Patrick. Over time, the holiday has taken on a secular meaning for many Americans and, in New York it’s quite common to see individuals running around in green and going out to celebrate in bars.
Planning a bar crawl can be difficult, especially when trying to hit many spots without having to travel far, that’s why having a solid list of locations is important. Here, The New School Free Press has curated a St. Patrick’s day bar crawl guide and map for 8 bars in downtown Manhattan so you don’t have to. Feel free to follow the list in order, or just pick and choose a few. Before heading out on your bar crawl adventure, make sure to grab comfortable shoes, eat, and drink lots of water before venturing out on Friday.
Iggy’s Keltic Lounge – 132 Ludlow St.
First, you’re going to want to start around 4 p.m. at Iggy’s Keltic Lounge. Located in the Lower East Side, Iggy’s is a great first stop on the crawl. Not only is this a true Irish Pub, they also offer some pretty great deals with draft beers costing only 3 dollars. Make sure not to overdo it at this lively spot; you’ll want to pace yourself for what’s to come.
The Hairy Lemon – 28 Ave. B
The Second stop on the list is The Hairy Lemon, also located in the Lower East Side and just a 10 minute walk from Iggy’s. The Hairy Lemon isn’t your typical Irish pub. With multiple rooms and a vibrant DJ this place is great to stop in, grab a quick drink, and show off a few of your best dance moves. There’s hardly ever a line, service is fast, and drinks are relatively inexpensive.
McSorley’s Old Ale House – 15 E 7th St.
Your next location is McSorley’s Old Ale House. McSorley’s is the oldest Irish pub in New York City. If you’re looking for authentic, this is the place to go. The limited drink menu only offers two different types of their own ale: light and dark. But what McSorley’s lacks in drink options they make up for in their historic decor. Their walls are strewn with artifacts, like an original wanted poster for the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and Babe Ruth’s farewell photo from Yankee Stadium. McSorley’s, located in the East Village is only a 17 minute walk from The Hairy Lemon. This pub is super fun, full of history, and a must stop on your bar crawl.
212 Hisae’s – 212 E 9th St.
212 Hisae’s is a four minute walk from McSorley’s Old Ale House, and while this bar is not an Irish pub it’s worth the visit. 212 Hisae’s has some of the best drink deals in the East Village area with 6 dollar mixed drinks, 7 dollar specialty drinks, 3 dollar house shots, and 5 dollar beers. This bar is also a great opportunity to grab some food on your bar crawl. They offer 8 dollar Asian tapas like dumplings, kimchi fried rice, and spring rolls.
Paddy Maguire’s Ale House – 237 3rd Ave.
After fueling up at 212 Hisae’s you can walk 14 minutes uptown to Paddy Maguire’s Ale House. The outside of Paddy Maguire’s is fully decked out in lights and shamrocks that illuminate Guinness signs and a giant mounted horse head. The interior is just as spectacular as the exterior and inside there are pool tables open for guests to use. Their bar offers all different kinds of liquor ranging from whiskey to vodka and 15 dollar draft beers. This Ale House is perfect for if you want to experience St. Patrick’s Day in full effect.
Molly’s Shebeen Pub – 287 3rd Ave.
Only a four minute walk from Paddy Maguire’s Ale House, your next location is Molly’s. Molly’s is one of New York’s most famous pubs and it is authentically Irish. The inside is vibrant and fun with red and yellow lights covering the walls. The sawdust covered floors soak up spilled beverages, as bar-goers set up their next shot at the pool tables. If you work up an appetite on the four minute walk from Paddy Maguire’s Ale House, grab a late night snack. The loaded fries with cheddar and curry sauce might soak up some of the alcohol in your system.
AWOL Bar and Grill – 337 3rd Ave.
Awol is another four minute walk from Molly’s, and it is not a place you want to skip. Although this bar is not an Irish pub, it is one of the most fun spots in the area. AWOL is a karaoke bar decked out with a full stage, and lit with whimsical purple string lights. With the purchase of one drink patrons are given two karaoke tickets that they can use to cue any song of their choice. This spot is a great opportunity to sing some Irish drinking songs with your friends, and cheer on other party goers.
Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar – 519 2nd Ave.
Your final stop of the evening if you so choose, will be Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar. After singing at AWOL, walk 7 minutes to Paddy Reilly’s to hear Irish bands perform their original music and Irish classics like Galway Girl . After walking all night this pub is a great place to end your evening by sitting and enjoying the music. Set to close on March 31, Paddy Reilly’s will host their last St. Patrick’s Day. So go grab yourself a final Guinness and close out the night at an iconic location.
Be sure to take advantage of all of the Irish pubs lower Manhattan has to offer this St. Patrick’s day. Follow the list in order, or just pick and choose a few. Either way you will not be disappointed, as each of these bars are unique and fun in their own ways. St. Patrick’s day is an incredibly vibrant holiday in New York, and a great excuse for a wild night with friends. Don’t forget to wear green, and please drink responsibly.