(James Tran & Olivia Beall)
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at these Irish pubs
It’s hard to believe March marks a year of quarantine ... which, for many, started off with cancelled St. Patrick’s Day plans in 2020. Though COVID-19 isn’t behind us yet, life looks a little brighter in 2021, and San Diego County’s Irish pubs want to celebrate with you.
Many of the establishments currently have socially-distanced outdoor dining — and possibly limited indoor dining by Wednesday, as the city approaches the less restrictive red tier — if you’re hoping to have a pint out of the house this St. Patrick’s Day. And for those who prefer to honor the holiday at home, order Irish cuisine for takeout or delivery for a small party with your quarantine bubble.
At time of writing, all locations listed are open for either outdoor dining, takeout or delivery. Please contact the establishment by phone or website for updated hours, offerings and COVID-19 restrictions.
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Places
The Field Irish Pub
Downtown San Diego
The brainchild of two Irish transplants, this downtown pub offers San Diego a traditional piece of Ireland straight from the source. Offerings include popular Irish dishes like shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, and boxty dishes, as well as live entertainment.
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Stout Public House
Downtown San Diego
This neighborhood Irish pub and self-described “hockey headquarters” offers a variety of dishes, including rotating lunch specials, as well as happy hour from 4-8 p.m. daily.
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Patrick's Gaslamp Pub
Gaslamp Quarter
Housed in the historic Keating Building, Patrick’s Gaslamp Pub has been around since the end of prohibition in the 1930s. In addition to serving popular Irish drinks, it known for its long history of hosting live music performances and now hosts bands every night starting at 9 p.m.
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Dan Diegos Pub
Bay Park & Morena
Dan Diegos Pub offers a large menu with Irish entrees like Irish bacon and cabbage; shepherd’s pie; and corned beef and cabbage, along with a selection of cocktails featuring Irish vodka, whiskey and gin.
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The Ould Sod
Normal Heights & Kensington
Offering more than a dozen Irish whiskeys, The Ould Sod offers a variety of alcohol options including cocktails, bottle and draft beers, such as the classic Guinness Stout. While you drink, play some foosball or listen to the jukebox; the latter is free Monday and Wednesday nights.
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McP's Irish Pub
Coronado
Irish cuisine
Enjoy spirits, pub fare, sports and live music Mc P’s Irish pub in Coronado, which was founded in 1982. Animal lovers can eat and drink on its dog-friendly patio, and the pub hosts Yappy Hour on the last Wednesday of each month to support animal shelter Coronado Paws.
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Blarney Stone Pub (Gaslamp)
Gaslamp Quarter
Blarney Stone Pub in Gaslamp offers broasted foods, Blarney burgers, and pizza, along with St. Patty’s sandwiches like Celtic Chicken Caesar, Stewart’s Stacked Ham and Cheese, and Redmond’s Reuben.
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Blarney Stone Pub (Clairemont)
Clairemont
Irish cuisine
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The Harp
Ocean Beach
Irish cuisine
Currently open for to-go orders, enjoy fare like Irish nachos, the minted Lamb Hoagie, and the Harp Burger.
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McGregor's Ale House
Mission Valley
Irish cuisine
In addition to its food and craft beer menus, this neighborhood joint offers four pool tables, shuffleboard, darts, board games and an outdoor patio.
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Hooleys Public House (Rancho San Diego)
Jamul & Rancho San Diego
Irish cuisine
After a visit to Ireland in the mid-1980s, San Diegan Craig MacDonald was inspired by the pub culture of the county, opening up Hooleys Irish Pub & Grill in 1999 in Rancho San Diego. Now called Hooleys Public House, the restaurant and bar offers a variety of Irish beers on tap, including Smithwicks Irish Ale and Kilkenny Cream Ale, as well as a large food menu.
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Hooleys Public House (Grossmont Center)
La Mesa & Mount Helix
Irish cuisine
After a visit to Ireland in the mid-1980s, San Diegan Craig MacDonald was inspired by the pub culture of the county. After opening up Hooleys Irish Pub & Grill Rancho San Diego in 1999, MacDonald added a second location in La Mesa. Now called Hooley’s Public House, the restaurant and bar offers a variety of Irish beers on tap, including Smithwicks Irish Ale and Kilkenny Cream Ale, as well as a large food menu.
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Henry's Pub
Gaslamp Quarter
Irish cuisine
This 18-year-old pub offers a variety of specialty cocktails, like Slane Irish Gold, as well as its signature shot “Ripper Magoo” made with Slane Irish Whiskey, peach and Tropical Red Bull. Enjoy 50% off all shots every Thursday.
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O'Brien's Pub
Kearny Mesa & Serra Mesa
Open since 1994, O’Brien’s offers 28 beers on tap, along with bottled options. (Check its updated offerings on its website.) Pair your drink with an item from its large menu which includes a corned beef and swiss sandwich on rye bread.
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Poway's Irish Pub
Poway
Irish cuisine
Irish offerings include paddy balls, Irish potato soup, Guinness stew, Dublin Burgers and Paddy Melts. Live music every Friday and Saturday night, along with daily happy hour drink specials.
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Hennessey's Tavern (La Jolla)
La Jolla
Hennessey’s Tavern, which was founded in 1976 and has 10 locations, including two in San Diego. In addition to breakfast and lunch menus, the restaurant offers a large Irish Whiskey collection, along with cocktails like Buena Vista’s Original Irish Coffee.
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Hennessey's Tavern (Carlsbad)
Carlsbad
Hennessey’s Tavern, which was founded in 1976 and has 10 locations, including two in San Diego. In addition to breakfast and lunch menus, the restaurant offers a large Irish Whiskey collection, along with cocktails like Buena Vista’s Original Irish Coffee.
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O'Sullivan's Irish Pub and Restaurant
Escondido
In addition to pouting 17 beers on tap, the Irish pub and restaurant offers North County’s largest selection of Scotch (33) and Irish (25) whiskeys. It also offers weekly live music shows by both San Diego and touring Irish bands.
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Vista Village Pub
Vista
Founded in 2012, Vista Village Pub serves authentic Irish food, including breakfast items and an Irish twist on fish and chips, along with craft beer and signature cocktails.
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