As St Patrick’s Day approaches, many will be looking forward to joining in with local festivities and celebrations. Just last month it was announced that this year’s Bristol St Patrick’s Day Parade has been cancelled due to funding issues – but there’s still lots going on.
The first port of call for many come St Paddy’s Day on March 17 – which falls on a Monday this year – is to join friends and loved ones at one of the many Irish pubs and bars in the city – and we have a great selection of them to choose from. From the big chains, to local legends, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
We’ve put together a list of some of the popular Irish pubs and bars in Bristol, as well as what they’re doing for the big day in 2025…
Seamus O’Donnells
Address: 13 St Nicholas Street, BS1 1UE
Serving up whiskeys, beers, cabaret and drag nights, live music, and more, Seamus O’Donnells has been dubbed many a pubgoers ‘favourite gay Irish bar’, promoting inclusivity and a fun time for all. In a recent post to its Facebook page, the team revealed that it had even been voted as having ‘the best pint of Guinness in and around Bristol’ as voted for by the ‘Guinness guru’.
O’Neill’s
Address: 7-9 Baldwin Street, BS1 1RU
O’Neills, which opened in Bristol in 2019, is a family-friendly Irish pub in the city centre. Serving food and drink and promoting a number of Irish sports teams, the pub is part of chain of around 40 across the UK.
For St Patrick’s Day this year, O’Neill’s is stretching the party out for a whole week, with festivities getting under way on Tuesday, March 11, before culminating on the on the big day. The bar is also hosting a ‘St. Pat’s Eve party’ with ‘top notch entertainment and plenty of drinks deals’. If you have the app, you can treat yourself to offers including £2 Guinness, two-for-one on Baby Guinness shots, and a free Dublin Mule cocktail.
The Birkett Tap
Address: 16-24 Baldwin Street, BS1 1SE
Described as a family-friendly Irish pub offering breakfast, grills and comfort food, plus live bands and quiz nights, The Birkett Tap will be celebrating St Patrick’s Day this year with exclusive drinks, sports, and even a themed brunch. The bottomless brunch can be booked between March 15 and 17, and includes two hours of unlimited drinks and a brunch dish.
Information on the pub’s website says: “Kick things off with a Baby Mint Shot on arrival, then dive into our exclusive cocktails, Shamrock Shandy and Guinness Punch – plus, pints of Guinness are included as standard! It’s the perfect way to start your celebrations.”
The Star
Address: 539 Fishponds Road, BS16 3AF
The Star in Fishponds, a historic pub newly refurbished and under new Irish ownership, boasts a broad selection of award-winning real ales, as well as lagers, ciders and spirits. Its original skittle alley has also been restored, and is available to be booked for parties and events. The pub also features a championship quality pool table and dartboard.
No stranger to an event or two, The Star hosts a wide range of live music, and the pub will be playing host to St Paddy’s Day celebrations on March 17 this year.