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5 Bars Where You Should Celebrate Saint Patrick's Day

Perhaps even a chorus or two of "Tommy Boy" will be sung.
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Spirit writers and authors of Bucket List Bars: Historic Saloons, Pubs and Dives of America.

Spirit writers and authors of Bucket List Bars: Historic Saloons, Pubs and Dives of America.
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As we all know Saint Patrick's Day is a huge event in the United States (of course, so is Cinco de Mayo but curiously not so much Bastille Day) and throughout the country revelers will be storming any semblance of an "Irish Pub" to quaff Guinness and incorrectly pronounce "Slàinte" at the top of their lungs. Perhaps even a chorus or two of "Danny Boy" will be sung.

All natural, of course, and befitting the over 35 million U.S. citizens (as of 2006) who claim Irish ancestry.

But if you're going to do this, for Patrick's sake, please do it in someplace more authentic than your neighborhood, corporate-owned Irish "themed" bar and grill!

We can't help everyone out here, but we can help a few. We've put together a short list of places we'd go (and might go to) and reasons why you might want to also. There are only five here, so do a favor to both us and your fellow reveler: list where else you'd suggest people should go in the comments.

Wherever you end up, we hope you have a happy and safe Saint Patrick's Day. Slàinte!

5 Great Bars to Celebrate Saint Patrick's Day At
McSorley's Old Ale House, New York City(01 of05)
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Founded in 1854 by Irish immigrant John McSorley, this is one of the few places in New York City that gives off the vibe of an authentic Irish pub. The reason is simple: this Bowery classic is an authentic Irish Pub. But not the kind you’re probably used to. It doesn’t have any of the fake, “Erin Go Bragh bullshit” (to quote Anthony Bourdain) like most of the others in the city. In fact, put it up against a new, faux-Irish joint and you might be disappointed. It isn’t dripping with varnished mahogany, it doesn’t smell like pine wax, and you won’t be surrounded by flat screens showing the live football match. Instead, the floor is covered with wood chips, the tables are scarred, and the walls are lined top to bottom with images of New York taken over the last 150 years. Here you are surrounded by Ireland and you are surrounded by the history of the Irish in New York. The only drawback is that your drink selection is limited to McSorley’s Ale (light or dark—they don’t serve spirits).
Green Door Tavern, Chicago(02 of05)
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There’s something to be said about drinking at a former speakeasy supplied by the most notorious Irish mobster of Chicago’s prohibition’s heyday. Dean O’Banion was (according to rumor) the primary seller to the Giacomo family at this location in the 1920s. That is until he met with an untimely death in 1924 at the hands of another Chicago gangster. After his death, the Green Door Tavern simply switched vendors. That’s simply how it was in Chicago in the ‘20s. Now, the place is an immaculate example of what bars used to look like. It’s an expansive pub, with gleaming wood, nostalgic nick-knacks throughout, excellent food and a great bar program. As with all the other places in this article it gets ridiculously crowded on Saint Patrick’s Day, but it’s well worth it to tip back a glass or two at this historic nod to the history of the Irish and the 18th Amendment.
My Brother's Bar, Denver(03 of05)
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It’s interesting that one of the most popular bars for celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day—perhaps the most Irish of all holidays—was founded by an Italian immigrant and is now owned by a family with roots in Greece. Nevertheless My Brother’s Bar is a beautiful example of what real, authentic pubs should look like. Classical music perpetually playing in the background, independent beer labels represented on tap, and an extensive whiskey collection all add to the atmosphere that you would swear came straight out of Dublin. The truth, however, is that this bar was founded in 1873 by the Capelli family, ran for years under different names, and then bought in 1970 by the Karagas brothers. When they bought it, it was a run-down heap. Slowly they fixed the place up, polishing the wood, replacing broken furniture, until finally the result is what we have today, a non-Irish Pub--Irish Pub.
McGillin's Old Ale House, Philadelphia(04 of05)
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Their motto—and it’s probably one of the best we’ve heard—is that it was a bar before Abe Lincoln was president. To those that can’t come up with the year, it’s 1860. That’s when “Pa” McGillin opened what was originally called The Bell in Hand (luckily he dumped that terrible name after everyone simply said they were “going to McGillin’s”). McGillin, an Irish immigrant, wanted to bring a piece of Ireland to the new world. To him, that meant the public house—the place where locals and friends gathered for dinner, drinks and fun times. Today, the place is one of the most beloved old bars in the nation, and of course the city of Philadelphia. It features a wealth of local and craft beers, great food, and an extensive spirit selection. It is overflowing on Saint Patrick’s Day, but there are few other places in Philly to experience an authentic Irish pub and especially on such a special occasion. This place is worth your while, so make the effort to get here.
Pat O'Brien's, New Orleans(05 of05)
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It might seem at first nod too touristy a place to make this list, but Pat O’Brien’s actually has a great history and fun atmosphere that makes for an unforgettable Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration. Founded by Irish barman Patrick O’Brien in 1930—during prohibition as a speakeasy—this is actually one of the longest lasting bars in the French Quarter. In other words, it’s earned some respect despite the steady stream of visitors that walk in and stumble out. Explore any of its bars and you’ll find a history of the Big Easy—the place is covered in mementos and pictures collected over eight decades of doling out the fun. For Saint Patrick’s Day they highlight Irish-themed drinks but still serve their four-shots-of-rum standby the Hurricane.

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