Where to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in San Diego

The city’s Irish pubs are prepped with corned beef and lots of Guinness

by Grace Cassidy Mar 15, 2021, 8:49am PDT

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by Grace Cassidy Mar 15, 2021, 8:49am PDT

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St. Patrick’s Day is around the corner, and while the holiday might look a little different this year, it’s still possible to celebrate with some corned beef and cabbage and pint of Guinness at one of San Diego’s Irish pubs.

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A number of San Diego restaurants have resumed outdoor dining. However, this should not be taken as endorsement for dining in, as there are still safety concerns: For updated information on coronavirus cases in your area, please visit San Diego’s coronavirus tracker. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.

O'Sullivan's Irish Pub Escondido

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The Taste of Ireland is a top menu pick for those looking for an authentic experience. For $22.50, you can get a cup of shepherd’s pie, Irish whiskey chicken boxty, corned beef & cabbage, and a cup of Irish stew. Gotta love Irish cuisine.

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118 E Grand Ave, Escondido, CA 92025

(760) 737-0954

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Poway's Irish Pub

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Bar favorites on the menu include gravy cheese fries and quesadillas, while the Paddy Balls are a signature item unique to Poway’s Irish Pub.

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13314 Poway Rd, Poway, CA 92064

(858) 486-0764

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Hennessey's Tavern

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This Irish tavern has been around since 1976, and actually has locations throughout Southern California and Las Vegas.

7811 Herschel Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037

(858) 551-8772

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McGregor's Grill

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While this restaurant features local specialties like tacos and fish sandwiches, they stick to their Irish-inspired roots with a Hangover Hash for brunch, featuring corned beef and potatoes.

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10475 San Diego Mission Rd, San Diego, CA 92108

(619) 282-9797

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Hooley’s Public House

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Enjoy Irish Thursdays at Hooley’s, where you can get a $5 pint and $12 a la carte boxty for dine-in.

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5500 Grossmont Center Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942

(619) 713-6900

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The Ould Sod

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This Normal Heights eatery typically has karaoke (in non-pandemic times), as well as weekday happy hours and whiskey specials on the weekends.

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3373 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116

(619) 284-6594

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The Harp

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Found in Ocean Beach, this Irish pub offers Celtic-inspired dishes as well as bar food favorites. And of course, Guinness is on tap.

4935 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA 92107

(619) 222-0168

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Stout Public House

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This Irish pub features an expansive breakfast menu with black and white puddings, potatoes, and of course, baked soda bread. They also serve lunch and dinner.

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1125 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 702-7933

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Patrick’s Gaslamp Pub

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This Gaslamp bar has been in San Diego since 1933, known for its live music and lively atmosphere.

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428 F St, San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 233-3077

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Henry's Pub

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This pub’s menu features a variety of options that will please everyone for dinner, but their particularly Irish-inspired Ol’ Hank’s Rueben is sure to be a pleaser. The sandwich includes Guinness-soaked corned beef.

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618 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 238-2389

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barleymash

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This Gaslamp Quarter bar features American cuisine with beer and bourbon specialities, but they’ve always got a St. Patrick’s Day celebration going on, so we figured we’d include it. This year, they’re featuring a McBarley Reuben, which includes corned beef on marble rye.