Where to Drink Guinness and Eat Irish Stew on St. Patrick’s Day in Vancouver

St. Patrick’s Day takes place this Friday, March 17, 2017! It’s time to don green clothing and to head to a welcoming Irish pub for a pint of Guinness (or two).

If you’d like to join the festivities, Vancouver has numerous establishments where you can expect live music, Irish food and drink, and plenty of good cheer this St. Patrick’s Day!

Mahony & Sons
601 Stamps Landing; 36-1055 Canada Place; 5990 University Boulevard

Three locations strong, Mahony & Sons offers a lively environment, run by Chris, Peter, Mike, Gerard, and Paddy Mahony, whose roots are located in Cork, Ireland. Each of the establishments is distinctive, but they all share a modern pub aesthetic as well as a menu that features authentic Irish fare that uses fresh, local ingredients. Pub favourites include Irish lamb stew with Yukon Gold mash, Guinness sauce, and garlic filone; fish and chips; and bangers and mash. And, of course, there’s sticky toffee pudding to finish. Expect an extensive selection of Irish and local beer, as well as Irish whiskey.

On March 17th, each location has a line-up of entertainers. Stamps Landing will have Irish dancers from 1pm to 1:30pm, Gary O’Neill at 4pm, and the Chancers and Charmers at 8pm. Burrard Landing will have Lucky Penny’s at 12pm, the Chancers at 4pm, and the New Shackletons at 8pm. UBC will have the Lucky Charmers at 4pm and Coldwater Road at 8pm.

Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub
1601 Main Street

Dublin is one of my favourite cities in the world. “Dubh Linn” is Gaelic for Black Pool, which is said to have been located just behind Dublin Castle. The Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub concept was originally transplanted from Ireland to Whistler. Two years ago, the Vancouver location opened. It’s a cheery, lofty space with wood and brick accents.

You can look forward to 24 draught taps, pouring Guinness, Kilkenny, Smithwick’s, and Murphy’s, in addition to local craft beer.

Traditional Irish cooking there includes steak and Guinness pie, cottage pie, bangers and mash, fish and chips, and black pudding toasties.

This St. Patrick’s Day, it’ll be a merry party with Irish dancers, live music, and drink specials ($10 cover charge 11am to close).

Doolin’s Irish Pub
654 Nelson Street

The vibe is always fun and welcoming at Doolin’s, named after Doolin, a charming seaside village in Ireland. Interiors have a rustic, yet modern Irish pub feel, with a menu that also offers some nostalgic classics, such as Cork County chicken pot pie, Guinness beef pie, bangers and mash, fish and chips, and Doolin’s Irish lamb stew. Drink it all down with Irish whiskey, Guinness, and Kilkenny Cream Ale.

This St. Pat’s Day, Doolin’s has a full roster of live entertainment: Callum O’Riordan will be on from 12pm to 3pm, Brian & Michelle from 3pm to 6pm, Paul Caldwell from 6pm to 9pm, and DJ Johnny Awesome from 9pm to 4am. There will be various prizes, such as Canucks tickets, as well as St. Patrick’s Day swag.

Railtown Café
397 Railway Street

Other establishments in town are also getting in on the St. Patrick’s Day festivities with special Irish menu features. Railtown Café (the Railway St and new Howe St location) will be serving Guinness, as well as Jameson shots and real Irish coffee. Their regular happy hour drink specials ($4.50 pints) will also be offered from open to close.

Food-wise, you can enjoy cottage pie croquettes with Guinness cheddar dip and Irish lamb stew with caramelized root veggies and house made soda bread.

Sticky toffee pudding, house made sponge candy, and shamrock cookies will also be on offer. It all sounds (and looks) incredibly delish!