Original post: St. Patrick’s Day Parties in Minneapolis and St. Paul – St. Patrick’s Day Events in Minneapolis and St. Paul by Clara James
Where should you go to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? An Irish Bar would be your first choice, although many other Minneapolis and St. Paul pubs and bars are Irish for the day too and are holding St. Patrick’s Day events.
Of note – the bars you’ll want to visit after the St. Patrick’s Day parades in downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis. And, the Minneapolis bar that’s serving free beer on St. Patrick’s Day.
Also free: Metro Transit and other local transit operators would like to help you get home safely after your celebrating – all Metro Transit buses and light rail services are free on St. Patrick’s Dayfrom 6 p.m. until the last scheduled services. All routes operated by Metro Transit, the Met Council, Minnesota Valley Transit Authority and Plymouth Metrolink, except the Northstar line, will be free. Selected bus routes, and the light rail, will have extra services after midnight – check the St. Patrick’s Day schedule at MetroTransit.org.
1. Kierans Irish Pub, Minneapolis
This Irish pub is a stone’s throw from the route of the Minneapolis St. Patrick’s Day parade. Keiran’s is a large venue, and they add on a heated tent to pack in all the revelers. Kieran’s will open at 9 a.m. on St. Patrick’s Day Eve and St. Patrick’s Day itself, and there will be has live music from noon until 2 a.m. on two stages, on both days.
2. O’Gara’s, St. Paul
O’Gara’s in St. Paul also puts up a tent – this St. Patrick’s Day celebration won’t fit into their bar alone. Live music, pipers, and the self-proclaimed “World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade” around the bar at 3.30 p.m. on Saturday. (The party is on Saturday and Sunday).
3. The Liffey, St. Paul
In downtown St. Paul, The Liffey is a popular destination after the St. Paul St. Patrick’s Day parade.
4. The Local, Minneapolis
On the route of the Minneapolis St. Patrick’s Day parade on the 16th – sure to to be packed with Irish revelers on St. Patrick’s Day eve, and on St. Patrick’s Day itself.
5. Patrick McGovern’s Pub, St. Paul
In downtown St. Paul, Patrick McGovern’s is a popular destination after the St. Paul St. Patrick’s Day parade, and offer two days of happenings over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend. This is the best place to mingle with the pipe bands from the parade. And you are guaranteed music, and Irish atmosphere.
6. Kip’s Pub, St. Louis Park
Kip’s start their party on Friday. Saturday is full of music and beer specials. And for Sunday, Kip’s invite you to spend your whole St. Patrick’s Day with them. The bar opens at 7 a.m. on St. Patrick’s Day with family-friendly entertainment and plenty of food in the morning, segueing to excessive green beer consumption in the evening.
7. O’Donovan’s, Minneapolis
O’Donovans in downtown Minneapolis is another destination near by the Minneapolis St. Patrick’s Day parade. O’Donovans is partying all weekend, and holding a tent party.
8. Merlin’s Rest, Minneapolis
Merlin’s Rest is home to a vast selection of whiskey, ideal if you’d like a change from green beer. Don’t worry if not – beer is definitely on offer too. There will be Irish food from breakfast and all day, and pipers will be in attendance while you eat your corned beef and potatoes. Merlin’s Rest opens at 8 a.m. – 2 a.m. on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day, and the party will continue on Sunday.
9. The Dubliner, St. Paul
Live music from 12 noon until 1 a.m. at The Dubliner, an Irish Pub on University Avenue in St. Paul. No cover.
10. Ike Rilley Assassination, Turf Club
Irish-American Ike Reilly takes the stage at the Turf Club in St. Paul on Saturday night.
11. The Nomad Pub, Minneapolis
The Nomad has an annual St. Patrick’s Day contest. Starting at 1pm, the beer is free – until someone has to pee. It usually takes about two hours before someone spoils the fun. Irish bands follow for a night of live music and shenanigans.
12. Shamrock’s, St. Paul
Shamrock’s, the bigger brother of renowned burger bar The Nook in St. Paul, goes all-out Irish for the day. The bar opens at 9 a.m. and there will be a tent full of entertainment, live music, leprechaun look-a-like contest, green hair contest, free food for the first 100 people after the St. Patrick’s Day parade, more Irish food, beer, and more. Free.
13. Keegan’s, Minneapolis
Keegan’s is Northeast Minneapolis’ Irish Bar. For St. Patrick’s Day weekend, there’s a tent party on Saturday and Sunday with the Minneapolis Police Pipe Band, Irish band Erin Rogue, and others.
14. Claddagh Irish Pub, Maple Grove
Home to Irish celebrations in the northwest metro. The party starts on Thursday March 14 and the pub will have Irish music, food, and revelry all weekend.
15. Hexagon Bar, Minneapolis
Green beer and Irish jello shot specials, and live music at this Minneapolis dive bar on Saturday night.
16. Blarney Pub and Grill, Minneapolis
Student friendly Irish bar Blarney in Dinkytown has live music from The Durty Nelly’s and The Teddy Holidays, at their all-day St. Patrick’s Day party.
17. Cooper Irish Pub, St. Louis Park
Cooper Pub will be the center of Irish celebrations in St. Louis Park.
18. Jake O’Connor’s, Excelsior
Jake O’Connors will be home to Irish celebrations in Excelsior. There will be a full Irish breakfast to set you up right for a full day of drinking green beer.
