The Best Irish Pubs In Toronto For St. Patrick’s Day 2014

Irish or not, St. Patrick’s Day holds the distinction of being the only day of the year when being absurdly inebriated and greener than David Suzuki seems to not only be accepted but expected. Whether you’re after some lucky charms (interpret that as you will), are celebrating your Gaelic heritage, or just need a good excuse to day drink, there’s really not much to dislike about the ‘holiday’. That said, we don’t believe in leaving anything to luck (even if it is the luck o’ the Irish) so we’ve put together this handy-dandy list of Toronto’s best pubs to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 2014…

Allen’s
Allen’s on the Danforth is a Toronto institution. Its down-to-earth cozy vibe makes this one of our top spots to spend the day drinking a beer (or four), even when it’s not St. Patrick’s Day. That said, as one of our favourite restaurants and patios in Toronto, Allen’s on the Danforth will definitely be somewhere we recommend swinging by on St. Patty’s for live entertainment playing all day. Best part though? Weather permitting, they may yet open their amazing back patio!

Irish Embassy
Between the wooden furnishings and refined fare, this pub is always a classy choice for an occasionally sloppy day. Irish Embassy will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with live Irish music, signature beers and promotional cocktails. No matter what country you’re in, you know if you visit the Irish Embassy you’ll be having a good time.

Dora Keogh Pub
Toronto’s most authentic Irish countryside pub, their features include a massive snug, a massive wood-burning fireplace along with Yer Ma’s Kitchen pumping out delicious home-cooked food. On St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sunday, they’ll be hosting live music from Irish serenaders The O’Mortleys. On St. Patty’s Day proper, spend the greenest day of the year listening to live music (featuring Deb Quigley & Patrick Ourceau, The Julian Taylor Band, and The Gurriers), drinking, and eating what makes you happy. Sounds pretty good to us! 

An Sibin Pub
A taste of Ireland in Leslieville, An Sibin Pub will have beer taps flowing, $3.54 Jameson shots pouring, and live music being played over St. Patrick’s Day weekend. On Black Friday (March 16th) there’ll be drink deals on Guinness, Jager and Black Irish cocktails (think the feistier version of a Black Russian) along with live Ceili music followed by The Crass Lads later in the evening. Saturday and Sunday will be featuring live music from the Sheridan Band and The Irish Guys respectively, along with $3.54 shots all weekend. St. Patrick’s Day Monday will kick off with an afternoon live Celtic jam session with The High Drive followed by a 6pm show by The Stephen O’Toole Band. Oh yes, and more $3.54 Jameson shots.

Whelan’s Gate
The Bloor West pot o’ gold will be serving up a St. Patrick’s Day full of green beer, live music, and likely a few special dishes just for the occasion. Word on the street is they might be doing a full St. Patrick’s Week of events, so stay tuned!

Brazen Head
Get the luck o’ the Irish (read: St. Patty’s Day Walk of Shame) at the Brazen Head in Liberty Village. All floors of the pub will be playing live music from 4pm to 11pm on St. Patrick’s Day.

The Ceili Cottage
Start your morning off right with the breakfast of Irish champions (ie. beer). The party begins at 11am and will include a solid day of things to do including live Irish music, tents up for drinking, and Irish dancers. Best to show up early as there’s usually a line-up at open.

PJ O’Brien’s
This fabulous little Irish pub has been celebrated year after year as a heart of good ol’ fashion Gaelic hospitality in downtown Toronto. This year, they’ll be bringing in live Irish bands all day for sounds from the rolling hills of the old country.

Stout Irish Pub
Stout Irish Pub will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day a day early (Sunday, March 16th) with their “St. Practice Day” event. Expect lots of sudsy Guinness, shots, and live music between 4pm and 7pm.

The Roy
The Roy on Queen East will be serving tons of live Irish music and wings all night on St. Patrick’s Day. Remember kids: The more wings you eat, the less your head hurts the next day. What your personal trainer has to say about the matter, however, remains to be seen.

McVeigh’s
Unofficially the Irish consulate of Toronto, McVeigh’s has been celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in the city for over half a century. As many a Hogtown local can attest, the beer is good, the setting is classic, and the company can’t be beat. This year, the mainstay will be hosting four live Irish bands over the course of the day.

Grace O’Malley’s
Grace O’Malley’s will be kicking the party (and day drinking) off nice and early at 11am with the first band beginning at noon. There’ll be three different musical acts over the course of the day, along with Irish dancers and leprechauns. What the latter entails remains to be seen but we’re definitely curious.

Fynn’s of Temple Bar
A staple from the Emerald Isles on King Street West, Fynn’s of Temple Bar always has a great St. Patrick’s Day including live music and tons of green beer. Given its fabulous location, you can save money/dignity on the cab/crawl back to your condo!

If you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this year, let us know where you’re heading in the comments below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe.