Wear something green, say 'Top o' the mornin' to ya,' and raise a glass to the Patron Saint of Ireland in Sydney
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 Sunday before the big day, 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.
If you want to observe the saint's day another way, there's always the option of toasting 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.
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The Rocks will be rollicking with punters celebrating St Pat's Day, and the Glenmore's rooftop will be a prime spot to enjoy the action, from Friday, March 14 and through the weekend until the big day on Monday, March 17. They'll have Irish music all weekend, plus Irish food specials, $12 whiskeys and Guinness on tap. You can book here.
Australia's oldest Irish pub goes all out with three-days of St Patrick's-themed fun every year. And even though the pub itself is currently under renovation, the celebrations are going ahead this year at a venue "four doors down" at 35 George Street. Some of their events, including their St Patrick's Day Breakfast, have sold out, but access on Saturday and Monday is free and open to whoever rocks up on the day. They'll have live musical performances throughout the weekend, plus $5 spice bag boxes until 3pm on Saturday.
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 Irish music from 11am all day long.
The Australian is turning up the Irish from Saturday, March 15 until Monday, March 17 in celebration of St Paddy. This corner pub will be pumping out live music, pints of Guinness, Irish food, and a special '4 Leaf Clover' edition of Jag The Joker every 30 minutes from 2pm to 4pm on the Sunday – meaning you could walk away with a pot of gold.
This Rocks landmark with the beaut outdoor courtyard will be dishing up a full Irish breakfast on the Sunday (March 16) and the Monday (March 17), and slinging pints of Guinness, Irish coffees and other Irish goodies all weekend long. Book the brekkie here to secure a spot.
This is a pared-back Irish pub named after the Trinity College Dublin. On St Patrick's Day weekend, they'll be amping up the Irish with live music Saturday through Monday, plus proper Irish breakfasts from 10am until 12 noon. You can make a booking here.
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 (including a Guinness stew and an Irish Coffee Frozen Martini) and, of course, plenty of beer.
This mega-pub in Sydey's North West take their St Patrick's Day celebrations extremely seriously. Festivities will run all weekend, with Irish dancing, food and drink specials, face painting, giveaways and live music.
From Saturday, March 15 until Monday, March 17, Forresters will transform into a jolly Irish tavern – with special Paddy’s Day cold Irish coffees, Irish spice bags and $14 pints of Guinness.
This sunken, sandstone cocktail bar in The Rocks is owned by two Irish lads, so it only stands to reason then that they know a thing or two about celebrating St Paddy's in style. Stop by for a proper Irish Whiskey and some excellent live music.
Sister venue to aforementioned Doss House, Frank Mac's focuses more on the gin side of the spirits spectrum. So it might be a good stop for you if you're not a big fan of Guinness or other beer (though they've got beer aplenty too, if that is what you're after). The sister venues are running a live music program from Wednesday, March 12 until 11pm on the big day (Monday, March 17), so split your time between the two and you're sorted for a weekend of drinks and dancing. Sláinte!
This Darlinghurst drinking hole will be serving up St Pat's Day delight on Sunday, March 16 and on the big day – with a rooftop party (featuring live music, giveaways and a a kooky line-up of Irish-themed cocktails) from 4pm on Sunday, and $12 pints of Guinness all Sunday and Monday.
Over on Paramatta Road, Anglo-Indian chef Brendan King will be paying homage to his Irish roots with The Lady Hampshire's take on the Spice Bag (a medly of fried food in McDonnells Curry Sauce – as chaotically delicious as it sounds) availale Friday through Monday.
What's in a name? On Sunday, March 16, the Munich Brauhaus is checking its ancestry and finding its inner Irish. Guinness will be on tap in steins alongside Guinness shots, curious green drinks and some classic Irish dishes including a hearty Irish breakfast. Note: it's all going down on the day before the big day.
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