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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.