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People wearing green celebrating at a rooftop pub.
Photography: Anna Kucera | The Glenmore Hotel

The best places to celebrate St Patrick's Day in Sydney

Wear something green, say 'Top o' the mornin' to ya,' and raise a glass to the Patron Saint of Ireland in Sydney

Alice Ellis
Written by
Elizabeth McDonald
&
Alice Ellis
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Whether you're an Irish ex-pat, have Irish blood, or just love a good ol' Gaelic knees-up, St Paddy's Day, on March 17, is a chance to celebrate the rich heritage of the Emerald Isle. In Sydney, there are a bunch of ways to get involved. There's the official St Patrick's Day Parade and Festival on the weekend (Sunday, March 19), which transforms the Rocks into a St Patrick's Day-palooza of live music, Irish language sessions, Irish dancing, stilt-walking, face-painting, handicrafts, festival bars and food stalls.

But if you want to observe the saint's day itself, this year March 17 falls on the Friday, and since the time-honoured way to toast ol' St Pat is with a well-poured Guinness, you can expect great craic and pints aplenty in Sydney's pubs on the day and through the weekend also. Here's where to cheer "Sláinte!" on the big day in Sydney.

Looking for the best watering holes in Sydney? Check out our favourite pubs.

St Patrick's Day in Sydney

  • Bars
  • The Rocks

Australia's oldest Irish pub goes all out with a days-long event of St Patrick's-themed fun. Some of their events, including their St Patrick's Day Breakfast and their St Patrick's Parade Day celebrations get sold out, but their actual St Patrick's Day party on March 17 (which starts at 10am) is free and open to whoever rocks up on the day. They'll have performances – from Blackwater, Shindig, Shaylee Wilde and the Soniks – throughout the day.

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PJ O'Brien's
  • Bars
  • Sydney

St Patrick's Day is PJ O'Brien's favourite day of the year. So they get started very early – with a full Irish breakfast, followed by lunch, which both usually get booked out fast. They also host live music all day – from 8.30am through to 1am.

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Orient Hotel
  • Bars
  • The Rocks
  • price 2 of 4

This Rocks landmark with the beaut outdoor courtyard will be dishing up a full Irish breakfast on the Friday (17th) and Sunday (19th): $24.50 for eggs, bacon, sausage, black pud, hash browns, mushies, tomatoes and sourbread. Add an Irish coffee or a pint of Guinness for $12. Book the brekkie here to secure a spot. Their St Patrick's Day festivities will also include live music, from Friday to Sunday.

Trinity Bar
  • Bars
  • Surry Hills

This is a pared-back Irish pub named after the Trinity College Dublin. On St Patrick's Day, they'll be serving up pints of Guinness, food and drink specials, live music and also giveaways. You can make a booking here.

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  • Bars
  • The Rocks
  • price 1 of 4

Sydney’s oldest pub is one of the city's OG establishments for celebrating St Pat's. The spirit of the Irish will be in plentiful supply, with live entertainment, menu specials and, of course, plenty of Guinness.

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The Fiddler Hotel
  • Bars
  • Western Sydney

This chic mega-pub in the North West takes their St Patrick's Day celebrations extremely seriously. They'll kick off the festivities a day early, on Thursday, March 16 – and continue all the way through to Sunday. They'll be running activities like, 'So You Think You Can Irish Dance', as well as Best Dressed competitions. They'll have live Irish music and Irish dancing. You'll be able to request that your beer is turned green. And you'll even get to take home a Fiddler St Patrick's T-shirt when you purchase two Slane or Guinness products.

  • Restaurants
  • Surry Hills

On St Pat's Day, Forresters will transform into an Irish tavern, with special Paddy’s Day beef, bacon & cheesy Mash pies – from the very delicious Lode Pies – plus $8.50 pints of Guinness, Jameson cocktail specials, and live folk music. The doors will swing open at 11.30am.

 

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  • Bars
  • Cocktail bars
  • The Rocks
  • price 2 of 4

Did you know that this sunken, sandstone lined cocktail bar in the rocks is owned by two Irish lads? It only stands to reason then that they know a thing or two about celebrating St Paddy's in style.

  • Bars
  • Cocktail bars
  • Millers Point

Sister venue to aforementioned Doss House, Frank Mac's focuses more on the gin side of drinking. So it might be a good stop for you if you're not a big fan of Guinness or other beer.

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