St Patrick’s Day 2020: where to celebrate across the UK
St Patrick’s Day is celebrated in all corners of the world. Rivers are dyed green, parades dominate famous streets and every second person takes claim of their Irish ancestry.
While parades have been cancelled in Ireland and the US over coronavirus this year, there are still smaller celebrations going ahead.
If you’re looking for a unique way to celebrate Ireland in the UK this March, DesignMyNight have got you covered. From whiskey tastings led by industry experts to traditional music sessions and a five-course Guinness-inspired supper club, there are plenty of ways to raise a toast to the Emerald Isle.
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Balthazar - London
Balthazar originally opened in NYC in 1997 and its sister restaurant in Covent Garden has the same Parisian suave as its counterpart, boasting skyward ceilings and royal red embellishments. Never ones to miss out on celebrating St Patrick's Day, the bar team have created a limited edition menu with three bespoke drinks: black velvet, emerald highball and a traditional Irish coffee. Irish-inspired seafood will make an appearance too with a platter of six Carlingford oysters setting you back £17.50.
Fitz’s - London
Dublin's award-winning 1661 is coming to Fitz’s Bar in London for one night only this March to celebrate St Patrick's Day. Make your way to the velvet enveloped bar on 17 March and you’ll be presented with poitin cocktails (a spirit that was banned in Ireland until 1997) and its signature sip, Belfast Coffee.
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Black Rock - London
Black Rock is one of the jewels in Shoreditch’s cocktail crown, dispensing a specialist whiskey from an 185-year-old oak tree that’s slap bang in the middle of the venue. For St Patrick’s Day it is offering a line-up of drams from Ireland’s favourite distillery, with the evening itself hosted by industry legend, Claire Best. The intimate session will last two hours and many different whiskies will step into the spotlight; think Redbreast 12 Year Old, Midleton Very Rare, Yellow Spot, Method and Madness and Powers John Lane.
The Jugged Hare - London
The Jugged Hare is celebrating the man who banished snakes from Ireland with a feast for the senses this March. Collaborating with Guinness, it has five courses on the menu, each one coming excellently paired with a wine chosen by the venue’s sommelier. Opening with potato stew and chive soda bread, it’s a serving of Irish stew with Boxty before guests move onto the main event: beef fillet with all the trimmings. Cashel blue with Guinness and pear chutney will follow, alongside an indulgent Guinness cake with Bailey’s cream.
Camden Market - London
Known for its large Irish community and being home to the London Irish Centre, it comes as no surprise that Camden is going all out for St Patrick’s Day. The market’s street food vendors will give its iconic dishes with an Irish twist; Young Vegans is serving a homely steak and Guinness pie complete with boozy gravy and Oh My Dog's is serving its signature hot dog topped with crispy Tayto flakes. Not in it for the food? Go for the live Irish music and sips from the Muff Liquor Company’s pop-up cocktail bar.
Midnight Apothecary - London
A secret roof garden near Rotherhithe isn’t your stereotypical spot to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, but that’s the joy of living in London. This alternative way to raise a toast to the patron saint of Ireland will see you sipping hot toddies in what was voted one of the world's most sustainable bars. A jazz band will strum Irish songs throughout the evening and in between belting out Celtic classics you can fill up on toasted marshmallows at the rooftop’s roaring fire pit.
Waxy O'Connor's - Manchester
With folklore-like interiors and a friendly atmosphere, it goes without saying that Waxy O’Connors is one of Manchester’s most-loved Irish pubs. Celebrating the weekend before and on St Patrick’s Day, it’s regarded amongst locals and diaspora as the place to be for a proper knees-up. Promising live music and DJs sets and plenty of the black stuff, book a table before it’s too late.
Lu Ban - Liverpool
Lu Ban hasn’t wasted any time in making a great name for itself. The Liverpool restaurant opened late last year, specialising in regional Chinese food, plucking recipes and techniques from the Tianjin region. To mark St Patrick’s Day it is hosting a bottomless Sunday brunch, dialling things up with endless Bushmills whiskey cocktails. Arrive hungry as you’ll be chomping your way through the likes of spring rolls, Downing Street vegetable dumplings and Master Wang’s noodles for 90 minutes.
The Sun Tavern - London
The Sun Tavern is home to London’s largest Irish whiskey collection but that’s only one reason to visit it on 17 March. This year it has teamed up with award-winning cocktail bar Three Sheets and Slane Irish Whiskey for an unforgettable St Patrick’s Day. There’s going to be live music (alongside an appearance from a special guest Irish DJ) and you can wet your whistle with limited edition cocktails and draft Guinness before filling up on free oysters between 7pm and 9pm from Oyster Boy.
20 Stories - Manchester
To celebrate St Patrick’s Day, Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey is taking over one of the private dining rooms at Manchester’s 20 Stories. You’ll get to learn all about the humble beginnings of the whiskey brand to the backdrop of an incredible view as you munch your way through torched mackerel, aged lamb with sweet onion tatin and colcannon, before finishing with an Irish coffee and Feeney’s ice cream. In the spirit of Irish hospitality, you’ll not only leave with a belly full of food but a complimentary gift bag.
For more info on the best places to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in London and across the UK, visit DesignMyNight.com and follow us on Instagram and Facebook; @DesignMyNight.