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

Guinness, corned beef, and Irish whiskey – you know what time it is! St. Patrick’s Day is almost here, and with the holiday comes Irish food, drink, and culture. San Diego is about to get a whole lot greener!

Make your plans now – we anticipate that much of San Diego will be out looking for the luck of the Irish this year!

Pick One of San Diego’s Best Irish Bars!

For a more authentic St. Patrick’s Day experience, you can’t go wrong spending St. Patrick’s Day (or any day for that matter!) at one of San Diego’s great Irish bars.

You’ll definitely run into good crowds at any of our great Irish bars, so plan on a bit of a wait, but cross your fingers for some luck o’ the Irish. Many of them will open first thing in the morning for you ambitious revelers who want to start the day with an Irish breakfast!

Attend the San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival

Balboa Park turns a whole lot greener when the 2026 San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival rolls through. This year’s theme, “Irish Here, There, and Everywhere,” celebrates Irish culture and heritage around the world while bringing our San Diego community together for a full day of music, food, and family-friendly fun.

The parade is free to attend and winds from 5th and Laurel to Upas, then over to 6th and back down to Laurel, where the festival takes over. Expect live performances, a kids’ zone, food and craft vendors, adult beverages, and plenty of dancing.

📆 Saturday, March 14, 9 AM – 6 PM
🎟️ Get your tickets here
ℹ️ More info here

Crawl Your Way Through University Heights at the St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl

University Heights keeps things neighborly and festive with this annual St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl, bringing together friends, families, and local bar favorites for an afternoon of green-filled fun.

Seven participating spots are rolling out drink and food specials, themed snacks, swag, beaded necklaces, temporary clover tattoos, and more. Expect green beers, corned beef and cabbage, food trucks, and plenty of giveaways along the route.

Crawlers can register for an official guided group or take things at their own pace using the event map. Starting points include Cheers on Adams Avenue and Gilly’s on El Cajon Boulevard, with stops like Lancers, Park & Rec, Kairoa, TapRoom, LiveWire, and Gnarly Girl Pizza joining the fun.

📆 Saturday, March 14, 3 PM – 7 PM
🎟️ Get your tickets here
ℹ️ More info here

Go Irish 4 A Day in Gaslamp

The Gaslamp Quarter is turning green again, and if you were there last year, you already know what’s coming. Irish 4 A Day – San Diego’s largest and longest-running St. Patrick’s Day celebration – is back for three nights of bar-hopping, welcome shots, live music, and all the shenanigans the season calls for.

This year’s lineup is the biggest yet, and one of the best-value nights out you’ll find in the city.

Three nights, 25 venues, and a whole lot of green – Irish 4 A Day is the kind of St. Paddy’s celebration San Diego does better than anywhere else on the West Coast.

📆 Friday, March 13, 2026, 6 PM – 2 AM | Saturday, March 14, 2026, 4 PM – 2 AM | Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 6 PM – 2 AM
📍 628 Fifth Ave, San Diego
ℹ️ More info here

At Your Favorite Bar and Restaurants…Most Will Be Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day

The St. Patrick’s Day celebrations won’t be contained to the Irish pubs – everyone will be getting in on the fun! So pick just about any of your favorite bars or restaurants, and they’ll likely be having a St. Patrick’s Day party and specials. Here are a few we recommend:

The Luck O’ Loma at the Goodbar

Point Loma is getting a festive takeover with Luck O’ Lama at Goodbar. This neighborhood favorite is turning up the volume with live music, games, giveaways, and all the laid-back Goodbar energy we know and love. It is the kind of spot where we roll in with friends, grab a drink, and end up staying longer than planned.

The grill will be going with burgers, cheesesteaks, and more crowd-pleasers, plus plenty of green beer flowing behind the bar. RSVP is free, and every RSVP scores a $2 green beer, which makes it an easy yes for the weekend lineup.

📆 Saturday, March 14 – Sunday, March 15, 12 PM – 1 AM
🎟️ RSVP here
ℹ️ More info here

Patrick’s Gaslamp Pub

An Irish pub in the heart of the Gaslamp feels like the natural place to toast St. Patrick’s Day, and Patrick’s Gaslamp Pub leans all the way in. Expect festive green dyed beer, Tullamore D.E.W. specials, and a live band playing Irish tunes that set the tone for a proper celebration. It is cozy, lively, and exactly where we want to be when the fiddles start up.

Beyond the holiday fun, they pour a $5 perfect pint of Guinness daily until 7 PM and offer a $10 cocktail menu featuring Irish Coffee, a Dublin Old Fashioned, Emerald Isle Lemonade, and more.

📆 Monday, March 17
📍 428 F St, Gaslamp Quarter
ℹ️ More info here

Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine

If a midweek martini moment sounds like your kind of St. Patrick’s Day plan, Lionfish is making it easy to toast in style.

Their Martini Tuesdays are already a go-to for $6 handcrafted martinis and perfectly paired bites, but on St. Patty’s Day, they are adding a limited-edition Matcha Martini to the lineup. It is a fresh, festive twist that feels equal parts downtown chic and holiday fun.

Swing by for cocktails, good vibes, and that ideal after-work reset in the heart of the Gaslamp. It is a polished way to celebrate without skipping the green theme.

📆 Tuesday, March 17, 5 PM – 9 PM
🎟️ Make your reservations here
ℹ️ More info here

Union Kitchen & Tap Gaslamp

Right in the heart of downtown, Union Kitchen and Tap Gaslamp is serving up a St. Patrick’s Day lineup that leans classic with a polished twist. It is the kind of place where we can grab a proper sit-down meal before heading out or settle in and make a night of it.

They are plating up a Classic Corned Beef and Cabbage with boiled new potatoes, carrots, caraway seeds, and horseradish, plus a rich Guinness Lamb Stew with bacon, mirepoix, lamb jus, and colcannon potatoes.

Behind the bar, expect $9 Guinness, $8 Jameson, $12 Car Bombs, Shamrock Shakes, and the option to add a Guinness to any food special for $8.

📆 Monday, March 17
📍 333 Fifth Ave, San Diego
🎟️ Make your reservations here
ℹ️ More info here

PB AleHouse

If we’re talking St. Patrick’s weekend in Pacific Beach, PB AleHouse is always in the mix. Sitting right on Grand Ave, this longtime local favorite is going full send with a weekend bash complete with live DJs, festive décor, and plenty of green in everyone’s cup.

It is the kind of spot where we start in the afternoon and somehow end up staying until close.

They are serving up a classic Corned Beef, Cabbage, and Potato Plate for $24.95, plus $6 green beers, $8 Green Tea shots, and $10 Jameson to keep the party going. Round up the crew and wear something green.

📆 Saturday, March 14 – Sunday, March 15
📍 721 Grand Ave, San Diego
🎟️ Make your reservations here
ℹ️ More info here

The Smoking Gun

If you’re planning to post up in the Gaslamp for St. Patrick’s weekend, The Smoking Gun has you covered from Saturday through Tuesday.

They are pouring Guinness green beer and mixing up festive cocktails like the Jameson Mule for $11 with house ginger syrup, ginger beer, Angostura bitters, and lime. We will also find an Irish Slammer for $12 and a $14 Jameson Flight featuring Jameson, Jameson Black Barrel, and Redbreast 12.

On the food side, Irish Nachos for $12 are stacked with battered fries, beer cheese, corned beef, and all the right toppings, and the Corned Beef Melt for $14 layers shaved corned beef, smoked gouda, and Irish mustard aioli on toasted sourdough. They are opening early at noon on St. Patrick’s Day so we can get a head start.

📆 Saturday, March 14 – Tuesday, March 17
📍 555 Market St, San Diego
ℹ️ More info here

Union Kitchen & Tap Encinitas

For those of us celebrating up in North County, Union Kitchen and Tap Encinitas is always a good option. With its laid-back coastal vibe and roomy patio, it is an easy spot to gather the crew, settle in, and toast to the luck of the Irish without heading downtown.

They are serving a Corned Beef, Cabbage, and Potato Plate for $24.95, along with a warm pretzel with cheese and mustard for $13.95. Behind the bar, look for $8 Guinness, $9 Jameson shots, and $15 Irish Slammers to keep things festive all day long.

📆 Monday, March 17
📍 1108 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas
🎟️ Make your reservations here
ℹ️ More info here

El Chingon

A Mexican bar for St. Patrick’s Day? Only in San Diego! El Chingon is going all in on St. Patrick’s Day with a two-part celebration that brings the energy all weekend long. The party kicks off with a Shamrock and Mimosas brunch featuring a live DJ, flowing mimosas, festive cocktails, and standout brunch dishes that keep the table full while the music keeps the vibe high.

It is the perfect excuse to gather the crew and lean into the holiday spirit.

The festivities continue with $6 drafts of green beer and $200 bottles of Jameson Irish Whiskey for anyone ready to toast properly in the heart of the Gaslamp.

📆 Sunday, March 15 and Tuesday, March 17
📍 560 Fifth Ave, San Diego
ℹ️ More info here

Moonshine Beach

Pacific Beach’s largest live music and entertainment venue is stretching St. Patrick’s Day into a full-on party series. Moonshine Beach is lighting up the dance floor across select dates with live bands, DJs, and plenty of room to two-step between rounds.

It is the kind of high-energy PB night where we can grab the crew, claim a spot near the stage, and settle in for a few hours of music and festive drinks.

On the menu, look for $15 Corned Beef Sliders stacked with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and 1000 Island on Hawaiian rolls. Drink specials include $7 Guinness cans, $2 green Jell-O shots, $7 Tullamore D.E.W., $7 Green Tea shots, and $8 Irish Slammers.

📆 Friday, March 13; Sunday, March 15; and Tuesday, March 17
📍 1165 Garnet Ave, San Diego
ℹ️ More info here

Moonshine Flats | The Deck

Downtown is doubling down on St. Patrick’s Day fun with sister spots Moonshine Flats and The Deck teaming up for a festive weekend special. The duo is serving up a Guinness and a shot of Jameson for just $12, which makes it easy to toast properly before hitting the dance floor.

Start things off at The Deck with hearty bites like Loaded Fries, Wings, or a Beef Dip, then head next door to Moonshine Flats where the bootstomping fun really kicks in. With live music, DJs, and a packed dance floor, it is a seamless dinner-and-dancing combo right in the heart of downtown.

📆 Friday, March 13; Sunday, March 15; and Tuesday, March 17
ℹ️ More info here

Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktails

If you’d prefer to watch the St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans from a safe perch high above the Gaslamp rather than being shoulder-to-shoulder with someone on their tenth green beer, Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktails on the ninth floor of Hotel Indigo is just the spot. Rooftop views, fresh air, and festive bites make this an easy pick when we want something a little elevated without losing the holiday spirit.

They are pouring a green draft of Stone Brewing’s Buenaveza Salt and Lime Lager paired with a playful Lucky Charms shot – a mix of Jameson Irish Whiskey, lemon juice, lime juice, Midori, and peach liqueur topped with a marshmallow garnish – for $15.

We can also dig into Shamrock Stacked Fries layered with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and house-made Russian dressing for $17.

📆 Tuesday, March 17
📍 509 9th Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter
ℹ️ More info here

Greystone Steakhouse

In the heart of the Gaslamp, Greystone Steakhouse is serving up a St. Patrick’s Day combo that keeps things simple and satisfying. Guests can choose between prime New York strip tacos or salmon tacos paired with green beer for $12, making it an easy stop for a quick bite between celebrations.

It is the kind of elevated but relaxed option that fits right into a day of bar hopping downtown. Whether we are fueling up before heading out or taking a break from the crowds, the pairing hits that perfect sweet spot of festive and filling.

📆 Monday, March 17
📍 658 Fifth Ave, San Diego
ℹ️ More info here

Karl Strauss Brewing Company

If Red Trolley season feels like a rite of passage in San Diego, that is because it kind of is.

Karl Strauss Brewing Company is pouring pints of its Red Trolley Ale – the Irish-style red that first debuted in 1989, the same year the brewery was founded – for just $6 on St. Patrick’s Day. It is one of those nostalgic local brews we come back to year after year.

To round it out, Crispy Brussels Sprouts with beer-brined bacon and Duck Fat Pretzel Bites are also $6 each for the day. The special is available at all nine Southern California brewpubs, including San Diego locations in 4S Ranch, Carlsbad, Downtown, and Sorrento Mesa.

📆 Monday, March 17
ℹ️ More info here

Happy Does

All March long, Happy Does is mixing a little Irish flair into its retro-inspired Gaslamp vibe. The spotlight is on the Irish Goodbye cocktail, priced at $11 and made with Tullamore D.E.W. Whiskey, Irish cream, and Frangelico, with the option to add cold brew if we want an extra kick. It is smooth, slightly sweet, and perfect for easing into a night out downtown.

Beyond the bar, the game hall brings the fun with free arcade games, darts, foosball, and more. Pair it with bites like the Happy Wrap or the Smash San Diego Burger, and we have an easygoing St. Paddy’s stop that keeps things playful.

📆 Available daily through Monday, March 31
📍 340 Fifth Ave, San Diego
ℹ️ More info here

Vistal

Waterfront views and a little Irish spirit? That is a combination we can get behind. Perched on the third floor of the InterContinental, Vistal is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with sweeping San Diego Bay views and a lineup of elevated sips. It is an easy choice when we want something festive that still feels polished.

We can explore an Irish Flight featuring 1 oz pours of Bushmills, Teeling, and Redbreast for $35, pair a perfectly poured Guinness with a Jameson shot for $28, or toast with a special Irish Old Fashioned for $21. Show up wearing green and enjoy 15% off Vistal’s curated bar bites for a little extra luck.

📆 Monday, March 17
📍 901 Bayfront Court, San Diego
ℹ️ More info here

The Rooftop by STK at Andaz San Diego

High above the Gaslamp, The Rooftop by STK is going green for St. Patrick’s Day with skyline views that are tough to beat. With sweeping sights of downtown sunsets and city lights, this rooftop sets the scene for festive bites and cocktails in one of the best vantage points around.

The menu leans into Irish-inspired comfort with Shaved Corned Beef Sliders, a Corned Beef Grilled Cheese with seasoned fries, and Corned Beef Fries topped with beer cheese. Behind the bar, sip the Pot O’ Gold with Teeling Irish Whiskey, peach liqueur, and lemon, or the crisp Irish Maid with honey and cucumber, plus green beer and Jameson shots.

📆 Monday, March 17
📍 600 F St, San Diego
ℹ️ More info here

Rancho Bernardo Inn

Looking for a more elevated approach to St. Patrick’s Day? Rancho Bernardo Inn may be just the right place for you. Think live music, open-air views, and a relaxed North County vibe that feels equal parts festive and refined.

It is the kind of afternoon where we can settle in with friends, order à la carte bites, and sip our way through select beer and cocktail specials without the downtown rush.