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The 20 Best Irish Pubs in Toronto to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

Christine Hogg

7 months ago

The 20 Best Irish Pubs in Toronto to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

Check out this guide to Toronto's best Irish pubs to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year!

1663 Bloor St W

Whelan’s Gate

Open since 1992, Whelan’s Gate, found just on the outskirts of High Park, became a gastropub in 2015. The snug spot serves homemade and locally sourced comfort food with excellent cocktails and a selection of Irish and local beers. On St. Patrick’s Day, the Irish pub opens at 11 a.m. with live music starting at 4 p.m. There will also be special St. Patrick’s Day swag and special themed drinks.

667 King St W

Wheatsheaf Tavern

Dating back to 1849, this iconic spot at King and Bathurst is Toronto’s oldest bar, and the place to be for a warm meal, live music, live music, and of course, plenty of good whisky and freshly-poured pints. On St. Patrick’s Day, The Wheatsheaf is opening its doors bright and early at 9 a.m. so if you want a Guinness for breakfast, who are we to judge? This year, the pub has also partnered with Teeling Whisky for several special cocktails and good old fashioned shots.

115 John St

Town Crier

Although this spot is more German than Irish, it’s home to more than 50 international draft beers, including four from Ireland! In the true spirit of St. Patrick’s Day festivities, whet your appetite with a Guinness and then try a Smithwick’s red ale, Murphy’s Irish stout, or a Kilkenny Cream Ale. The pub’s generous food menu also includes plenty of shareables and hearty drinking foods like schnitzels, burgers, fries, and even a sausage board.

894 Queen St E

The Roy Public House

Leslieville’s local since 2009, The Roy brings a taste of Belfast to Toronto with a selection of fine whiskies, domestic/imported draughts, and traditional Irish pub fare like saucy chicken wings and Guinness steak and mushroom pot pies. Grab a seat at any of the red velvet-covered bar stools and enjoy late-night service until 2 a.m.!

182 Dupont St

Pour House Pub and Kitchen

Part of the FAB Restaurants group, which also owns Brazen Head and Pogue Mahone, the Pour House is a spacious Irish alehouse that serves global fare in a relaxed setting. They’ll be offering a similar drink menu in early celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, with additional food specials from now until March 16. Daily tap beers are always just $4.50 for a 14 oz and shots are $3.50.

2936 Bloor St W

The Old Sod

Another south Etobicoke gem, The Old Sod is an Irish pub that’s has been around since 1975 and offers live entertainment every night of the week—including a karaoke stage! The Old Sod is also home to Bellows BBQ, a pop-up serving plates and platters of your favourite smoked meats—think brisket, pork, wings and fried chicken—and all of the sides, like mac n’ cheese, potato salad and deep-fried pickles.

838 The Queensway

The Galway Arms

With an Irish flag out front on the patio, you know you’ve entered a traditional Irish pub as soon as you set foot in The Galway Arms. Founded in 1991 by Irish-born Tom Keane, at this pub, you’ll find many locals for whom this spot feels like a home away from home. From stuffed potato skins to cheesy Irish nachos to hearty homemade mains like curries and bangers and mash, there are plenty of food options, too, for any time of day that you stop by on March 17!

5140 Dundas St W

St. James's Gate

A beloved local Irish pub serving the south Etobicoke community since 2011, St. James’ Gate is a lively spot that’s known for its delicious, elevated cocktails and for St. Patrick’s Day, the pub will be hosting live music complete with Irish dancers. There will also be giveaways and of course, lots of Guinness pints being poured.

777 Bay St.

Pogue Mahone

A favourite in the Financial District for after-work pints and cocktails, Pogue Mahone is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day early with a series of festivities leading up to March 17. On March 12, the pub is hosting a Drag Brunch. For $49, your ticket includes a mimosa or Caesar and your choice of brunch (Four Leaf Clover Egg Florentine, the Vegan Leprechaun Omelette, Pot of Gold Pancakes, or St. Patrick’s Toast). Festivities, including drink specials, run now through March 16.

39 Colborne St

P.J. O’Brien Irish Pub

With its unmistakable yellow brick exterior, P.J.’s has been a staple in Toronto’s downtown core for years. Opened by the Quinn family—who have more than 100 years of experience in Irish hospitality—their vast selection of freshly-poured pints and draughts, wines and spirits can be enjoyed alone or paired perfectly with a refined pub menu.

518 Church St

O’Grady’s

It’s always a fun time at O’Grady’s, found in The Village, and on St. Patrick’s Day, the energy continues. With plenty of craft beers and fun cocktails, the bar and kitchen will stay open until 2 a.m. Green pints are also available! Continue the celebrations upstairs at The Lodge, a bar serving homemade food and elevated cocktails, located right above O’Grady’s.

1033 Bay St.

Mullins Irish Pub

With two locations in downtown Toronto, there’s twice the luck to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Mullins Irish Pub! After serving a steady flow of regulars since 2001, this spot has earned a name for itself as one of Toronto’s coziest watering holes. Along with traditional Irish pub fare, Mullins’ has a not-so-secret midnight menu with deep-fried favourites like sweet potato fries, chicken wings and beer-battered onion rings.

124 Church St

McVeigh’s

One of the older Irish pubs in the city, McVeigh’s has been around since 1962, serving up refreshing draft beers, tasty pub grub, and a fair share of live music over the decades. On St. Patrick’s Day, the Michael Dary band will be playing, so pull up a stool, order a pint and pair it with any of the bar’s Irish eats, like beef Guinness stew with soda bread, lamb curry, or a hearty homemade chilli.

381 Eglinton Ave E

McMurphy’s

A few blocks from Davisville Village, Murphy's is a low-key, no-frills Irish pub that's known for pouring a steady pint of Guinness and for being a great place for a game of darts. Open until 1 a.m., McMurphy's is also known for hosting live music until late.

14 Duncan St

Grace O'Malley's Irish Pub

A beloved favourite any time of year, Gracie’s is gearing up for St. Patrick’s Day with a series of festivities. Alongside regular drink specials during happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. on March 17, the pub is hosting a series of live cover bands that are playing from 1 to 10 p.m. With a total standing capacity of 420 and seating for 200, you’re sure to find a spot to celebrate throughout the day!

250 Adelaide St W

Dublin Calling

With an ample menu of beers and all your pub food favourites, Dublin Calling is a relaxed spot with sports bar vibes, with more than 20 TVs broadcasting whatever game is playing. While there’s a fine selection of draughts on the menu, the good news is that the 20oz Guinness is the cheapest at just $4.95! Other Irish-inspired cocktails include the Irish Mule—a play on the Moscow Mule using Irish whiskey instead of vodka— and the Dublin Spritz. On Friday this spot stays open until 2 a.m., giving you plenty of time to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day as you should.

165 E Liberty St

Brazen Head Irish Pub

A favourite in Liberty Village from now until March 16, Brazen Head is gearing up early for St. Patrick’s Day with a special food and drink menu available from now until March 16. Dubbed “St. Practice Day,” items include the Dublin Up—a pint of Guinness paired with a shot of Bushmills and a mint chocolate cheesecake. Other fun cocktails include The Last Word—green chartreuse, gin, maraschino liqueur and fresh lime juice and The Lucky Charm, which blends Smirnoff vodka, toasted marshmallow syrup, cream and espresso.

548 King St W

Belfast Love

A vibrant fixture on King St. W., this spot is a nod to Northern Ireland’s capital city. For St. Patrick’s Day, Belfast Love is running “The Road to Dublin” giveaway from March 1 to March 17. For each pint of Guinness, Harp Lager or shot of Jameson purchased from now until March 17, patrons will get a scratch card that can win fun prizes, including food and additional drinks and a shot at the grand prize—a trip for two to Dublin, Ireland!

221 Carlton St

Stout Irish Pub

Located in Cabbagetown, Stout Irish Pub is a friendly neighbourhood pub that’s known for its weekly food features, all made in-house from scratch. Along with tasty, authentic Irish fare that goes beyond fish and chips or shepherd’s pie, Stout’s drink menu includes an impressive selection of local ales and draughts and ciders that spotlight fun flavours. Try the Ginger Snap Cookie Golden Ale or the Coconut Lemongrass Thai-P.A. that uses real coconut cream. Or stick to Guinness in true Irish fashion!

143 Danforth Ave

Allen's Danforth

A whopping 340 whiskies and more than 140 domestic and international beers make Allen’s on the Danforth an absolute must for anyone looking to take part in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations! Weather permitting, Allen’s has a back patio with seating for roughly 60 guests. Their elevated lunch and dinner fare isn’t your typical pub grub, but rather, a focus on locally-sourced Ontario ingredients and flavours.