St Patrick’s Day… Somehow over centuries the activities of a Catholic missionary became an excuse to drink buckets of thick beer before lunch. Well, what are we to do on Tuesday 17 March other than join in?

With a strong representation of Irish heritage in Canberra, as well as a few cracking pubs of the same ilk, there are quite a few options should you choose to blow off Tuesday (and perhaps Wednesday as well) for a craic*. No matter where you end up, we can only advise you get in before 5.00pm!
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The Canberra Irish Club
Weston

If you’ve been looking for a couple of thousand people who are Irish (or at least claim to be) there is only one place. The Canberra Irish Club is so excited about St Patrick’s Day they are kicking of with a pre-Paddy’s Day Party on Sunday afternoon from 2.00pm just in case you might miss out on Tuesday.

Get in early (from 7.00am!) as they serve their traditional Irish breakfast. The day just keeps getting bigger and busier from there.

The Irish Dancers will do four sessions across the day and there will be live music from midday. The bistro will be open all day to serve you traditional Irish treats to accompany your Guinness. Chances are you will run into someone you know and party on into the night.

PJ O’Reilly’s
City

The original ‘big’ Irish pub in Canberra has been going strong since 1999. Set in the historical Melbourne Building, a recent refurb has brought a fresh feel to the favourite corner pub.

The doors are open from 11.00am and the kitchen will be serving Irish fare all day. As you drink beer and try to win giveaways you can enjoy the musical stylings of Fir Croi from midday until 3.30pm and Charles & Dave from 5.00pm – 9.00pm.

PJ O’Reilly’s
Tuggeranong

Get ready for a big day down south! If you’re not quite ready to drink a Guinness to earn yourself a prize from the promo pool, switch it up for a Magners Cider that is a little gentler to the palate.

There’ll be Irish dancers hitting the stage, and the kitchen will be open all day. From 4.30pm the live music kicks in, ensuring a great evening ahead on Canberra’s Southside.

King O’Malley’s
City

Another large pub located in the heart of the city, King O’Malley’s labyrinthine layout will reveal a myriad of treats around almost every corner. For the last couple of weeks there have been signs asking “Are you in training for our biggest day?” So clearly they are getting ready for a big one. You can expect music all day, plenty of giveaways and lots and lots of green.

The Phoenix
City

It’ll be hot, it’ll be noisy and it will be crowded… but that’s just the way we like it! The Phoenix has been rocking the down-and-dirty side of Irish culture for over 20 years – you can almost imagine The Dubliners sliding out of the front door after a big session of beer and folk music.

Having been shut last year due to The Sydney Building fire, expect the team to make up for lost time. It will be a shamrock-and-green-beer-free zone, but expect plenty of great music and a loyal and local crowd.
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*a very good time
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Get in the spirit of St Patrick’s Day and arm yourself with plenty of facts about the greenest day of the year. Click here to read Sarah Pritchard’s 10 Facts for St Patrick’s Day!