March in Houston often comes with an unpredictable forecast, but one thing is certain: every St. Patrick’s Day, the Bayou City turns into the Emerald City. Celtic celebrations kick off this year with the 65th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, beginning at noon on Saturday, March 14. Pubs and bars across the city will host festive events throughout the weekend, while purists may choose to celebrate on the holiday itself, March 17.
Whether you have the luck of the Irish in your blood, or you just love a good excuse for drinking a pint of Guinness and listening to an Irish jam session, we have a list of festive spots to celebrate the day.
Finn MacCool’s
This Irish pub is hosting two St. Patrick’s Day events this year. On Saturday, March 14, it will show the Six Nations Rugby game between Ireland and Scotland at 9 a.m., followed by Irish dancers at 3:30 p.m. Later in the evening there will be karaoke for those who want to impress the bar with a version of “Danny Boy”. On St. Patrick’s Day, Finn MacCool’s will open at 2 p.m., with Irish dancers performing at 4:30 p.m. Expect drink specials and giveaways. 1127 Eldridge Pkwy., Houston, finnmaccools.com
POST Houston
With one of the best views in Houston, the POST has a full day of St. Paddy’s Day festivities planned on Saturday, March 14. The daytime party is free from 1 to 5 p.m. with live performances, face painters, balloon artists, and a photo booth on the Skylawn. There will also be a scavenger hunt. After 5 p.m., a Rooftop Rodeo ticket is required, with Blood Red Sky, an Irish tribute band, taking the Skylawn stage from 7 to 9 p.m. 401 Franklin St., Houston, posthtx.com
Social Beer Garden
This expansive Midtown patio bar is beginning its St. Patrick’s Day weekend early. On Friday, March 13, it will begin with its Lucky & Lit takeover at 10 p.m., followed by two Go Tejano Days on Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15. The big day itself, March 17, kicks off at 11 a.m. and runs until 2 a.m. Expect $5 green beer, giveaways, frozen green tea shots, and plenty of DJs keeping the party going. The event also promises appearances by leprechauns—for those who believe. 3101 San Jacinto St., Houston, socialbeergardenhtx.com
McIntyre’s
This Texas sports bar has a location in the Heights and another in Webster. Each will have a three-day Irish blow-out, happening March 14, 15, and 17. There will be specialty cocktails, green beer, live music, and DJs. Multiple locations, mcintyresusa.com
Kenneally’s
After 40 years of serving pints and pizzas, this neighborhood bar and patio has St. Patrick’s Day down pat, pardon the pun. It will begin the craic on Saturday, March 14 at noon with a lineup of bands including the Matchsticks, Lub Dvorak, and the Brooklyn Twang, Dres, and The Monicas. On the hallowed day itself, the party will begin at 1 p.m. with music from JB Barnett, Chris Goodwin, Starleague, and the Monicas. Irish eyes will be dancing and green beer will be flowing. 2111 S. Shepherd Dr., Houston, irishpubkenneallys.com
Willie’s Grill and Icehouse
The Katy location of this casual eatery is throwing an outdoor festival on Tuesday, March 17 with the Rod Ryan Show and 94.5 “The Buzz” for a St. Paddy’s Day blast from 6 a.m. to “late”. The team will be broadcasting live with plenty of green beer flowing and a variety of food options. General admission is free, but the VIP ticket is worth the splurge. It includes access to a private lounge, an all-you-can-eat taco bar from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., followed by a VIP buffet beginning at 11 a.m. VIP admission also comes with 10 drink tickets. While Willie’s is typically family-friendly, this event is strictly for guests 21 and up. 19905 Katy Fwy., Houston, williesgrillandicehouse.com
Hugh O’Connor’s
With one location at the Marq-E off the Katy Freeway and another near Westpark, revelers can easily check out both spots over the weekend. At the Marq-E location, Live Strangers will perform Saturday, March 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. Owned by David Roche and Peter Kingston—two “lads from Cork”—these pubs bring plenty of authentic Irish charm and a bit of the luck of the Irish to Houston. Multiple locations, Houston, hughoconnors.com
Griff’s Irish Pub
For six decades, this Houston sports bar has weathered recessions, hurricanes, and even a devastating fire in 2023. Its St. Paddy’s Day celebration is legendary and continues the tradition on Tuesday, March 17, from noon to 10 p.m. in the parking lot. Expect live music, green beer, a full bar, and food trucks onsite. Best of all, admission is free. 3416 Roseland St., Houston, griffsirishpub.com
Pimlico Irish Pub
Owners Tracy and Kevin McElroy operate one of the most Irish pubs in Houston, due in part to the fact that Kevin is a native Dubliner. The two-story pub in River Oaks always puts on a great party, but Pimlico also has a recently-opened second location in Shady Acres that doubles the fun. The new location will begin its celebration with live music on Saturday, March 14, plus green beer and swag. The River Oaks pub is still working on its St. Patrick’s Day plans, so keep an eye on social media for updates. Multiple locations, pubhouston.com
The Blue Rooster Irish Pub and Grill
For St. Paddy’s Day fun in the suburbs, this Irish sports bar will be partying late into the wee hours on Tuesday, March 17. Besides cold beers on tap and a full bar, it has an impressive food menu with homemade shepherd’s pie and Irish lager-battered fish and chips. 19817 Northwest Fwy., Cypress, bluerooster.pub
McGonigel’s Mucky Duck
As one of Houston’s premiere live music bars, this pub is offering a top notch lineup of performers for its March 17th celebration. Emerald tickets for standing room, bar access, and shared table reservations are still available, but will sell out quickly. Outside, the party is general admission, with $38 tickets available at the door. Both stages will feature Irish music from acts including Wyndnwyre, Piper Jones Band, Clandestine, Pat Byrne Band, and Ed Miller. The festivities also include performances by Irish dancers and Martin Burniston’s Irish Singalong. 2425 Norfolk St., Houston,mcgonigels.com
McElroy’s Pub
Run by a Dubliner, John “Max” McElroy, and wife Valerie, this traditional Irish pub is celebrating its 32nd St. Patrick’s Day with an all-day patio party, green beer, and drink specials. On Tuesday, March 17, DJ Rock will start spinning tunes at 6 p.m. and Space City Dogs & Burgers will be onsite for nosh. The weekend prior, the pub will feature pre-party specials. 3607 S. Sandman St., Houston, mcelroyspub.com
Shay McElroy’s
This sister pub to the original McElroy’s occupies the ground floor of the historic Rice Hotel in Downtown, adding to its old-school Irish pub atmosphere. It makes a mean Irish coffee—perfect for toasting the tricolour. Stop in for a pint and soak up the cozy pub vibes in one of the city’s most historic buildings. 909 Texas Ave., Houston, shaymcelroys.com
Johnny McElroy’s
The final pub in the McElroy trifecta has a great outdoor space for imbibing a pint of Harp lager or sipping on a Jameson neat. Johnny’s claims to have the best St. Patrick’s Day party in Houston. That’s a pretty big boast, so check it out on Tuesday, March 17 and see if it lives up to the hype. 1223 Waugh Dr., Houston, johnnymcelroys.com
Brennan’s Courtyard Bar
This longtime Cajun/Creole fine dining restaurant debuted its new Courtyard Bar last year. This St. Patrick’s Day, the bar is hosting co-proprietor, Brad Brennan, for a festive celebration from 2 to 7 p.m. A $40 ticket includes an Irish whiskey flight of Jameson, the Silkie, and Tullamore D.E.W. Triple Blend, plus small bites. 3300 Smith St., Houston, brennanshouston.com
Saint Arnold Brewing Co.
Houston’s oldest craft brewery throws an Irish shindig in its beer garden and restaurant every St. Paddy’s Day that’s loads of fun, family-friendly, and free—at least when it comes to admission. The party runs from 4 to 9 p.m. and includes entertainment from Jared Gibb, who will be singing pub songs, and Clann Kelly, with Irish folk dancing. The traditional German polka band, Das Ist Lustig, will once again transform into Das Ist Slainte, playing high energy Irish tunes. Grab a pint of its Irish Hello stout and see who wins the annual Donegal Beard Growing Competition. 2000 Lyons Ave., Houston, saintarnold.com
Heights Biergarten
While many local bars are celebrating on Saturday or Tuesday, this massive beer garden and restaurant is hosting a special St. Patrick’s Day event Sunday, March 15 from 2 to 7 p.m. The Pickle Me Irish Market is geared toward pickle lovers with local vendors selling pickle-inspired merch. Good Muffin will supply live music until 5 p.m., plus there will be a DJ. Other festive fun includes special drinks, contests, a photobooth, and prizes. 1433 N. Shepherd Dr., heightsbiergarten.com
Bayou Heights Bier Garten
Like its sister concept, Heights Bier Garten, Bayou Heights also has plenty of different spaces for hanging out, enjoying a bite to eat, and sipping a pint or two. Its St. Patrick’s Day party begins Saturday, March 14 at 11 a.m. and lasts all day. Brunch will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., then a mini market of local vendors will offer their wares from 3 to 8 p.m. In the evening, there will be live music, followed by a late-night DJ. Partygoers can participate in the lederhosen and dirndl best dressed contest and wannabe tough guys can try their luck in the stein hoisting competition. Yes, there will be green beer, but also St. Paddy’s-themed cocktails.3905 Washington Ave., Houston, bayouheightsbiergarten.com
Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl
Crawl With Us has a Houston pub crawl on Saturday, March 14, from 4 to 10 p.m. that allows revelers to visit several different venues in Midtown. Crawlers check in at Christian’s Tailgate at 2000 Bagby Street, then follow the map to their preferred bars on the list, including Dogwood, 77 Degrees, Little Woodrow’s, Unicorn Disco, and Wonder Bar. There’s a mid party at Dogwood, then an after party at Playground. The tickets include a couple of drink and shot vouchers, party beads, a party cup, and a keychain bottle opener lanyard. Multiple locations, crawlwith.us/houston/stpattys/
