For St. Patrick’s Day, try these 10 Bay Area pubs to celebrate with a pint or two.
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To update that old saying, “Everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, even if your 23andme report says you haven’t got even a fifth cousin from the Emerald Isle.”
Yes, we Americans love any excuse for a cultural celebration. This year the holiday falls on a Tuesday, giving us a reason to devote the week before and the days after to festivals, music, parades, corned beef — and a pint or two.
Thanks to the Bay Area’s Irish history, there’s no shortage of pubs where Guinness and Smithwick’s mingle with IPAS and sours, and where millennial newcomers grab a bar stool next to longtime locals.
Here’s a roundup of favorites.
You want history and atmosphere? Head to this pub in the city of souls. Frank Molloy bought this circa 1880s building during Prohibition, then later opened a bar downstairs while raising his family upstairs. His grandson Owen, the youngest of eight, now runs the place. If these walls could talk? Well, they do. After downing a shot and making new friends at the bar, make the rounds of the room. You’ll find frame after frame filled with historic photos, newspaper articles and Irish tales.
ONE MORE THING »If you’re coming to Molloy’s, you should make the trip a two-fer and pay your respects to your dear departed kin. Don’t know anyone buried in the nearby cemeteries? You could always visit Irish American hometown hero Lefty O’doul. The ballplayer famous for dressing in green is buried at Cypress Lawn.
DETAILS » Open 9:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily at 1655 Mission Road, Colma; 650-270-4853
SLÁINTE
Sláinte (prounounced slahn-cha) near Jack London Square has the soul of a long-established Irish pub, what with the portrait of James Joyce over the fireplace, the Oscar Wilde books and the singing toasts. Only thing better than the bar’s extensive Irish whiskey list? Chef-owner Jackie Gallanagh’s traditional Irish fare, like Irish sausage, black and white pudding and Irish soda bread. Also: weekend brunch.
ONE MORE THING » Its epic St. Paddy’s Day block party is on again this year, with live music, Irish dancing, face painting, games and craic aplenty. Party in the street until 6 p.m., then move inside.
DETAILS » Open from noon Tuesday-friday and from 10 a.m. Saturday-sunday at 131 Broadway, Oakland; www.slainteoakland.com
FIBBAR MAGEE’S
This Murphy Avenue stalwart is owned by two Irishmen, Liam Balfe and Des Nolan, who moved here from County Carlow. After 30 years, a few things have changed. Craft beers have joined the Guinness and Irish red ales, and Tuesday Trivia Nights have become so popular that reservations are required. But when St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Tuesday, as it will this year, corned beef and cabbage will rule instead of random bits of knowledge.
ONE MORE THING » This historic avenue is home to two other Irish pubs, Murphy’s Law and Lilly Mac’s, making a pub crawl an easy walk. And the Caltrain station is nearby, so you’ll get a safe ride home.
DETAILS » Open until 2 a.m. daily (from 11 a.m. Tuesday-saturday, from 10 a.m. Sunday and from 3 p.m. Monday) at 156 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale; fibbars.com
GALLAGHER’S DUBLIN PUB
If you’re going to name your city after Ireland’s capital, you’d better have a decent Irish pub in town. Gallagher’s Dublin Pub, located in the Shamrock Village (but of course) since 1984, features high ceilings, pool tables and a digital jukebox. To accommodate the crowds of celebrants, they’ll put up tents at noon Saturday and March 15 and 17 and feature live bands all three evenings. On the holiday, there will be platters of corned beef and cabbage.
ONE MORE THING » A lovely Irish blessing graces the front window: “May your home always be too small to hold all of your friends.”
DETAILS » Open 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily at 7821 Amador Valley Blvd., Dublin; 925-828-5996
O’FLAHERTY’S IRISH PUB
If you need proof that you’re never too old to achieve your dream, you’ll find it here. Ray O’flaherty was 70 when he opened his eponymous pub at San Pedro Square, having had the furniture and memorabilia shipped from Ireland. The O’flaherty clan is still running the pub-restaurant. St. Patrick’s festivities start early with Saturday’s Shamrock Run-walk, a scholarship fundraiser and a Leprechaun Chase for the wee ones.
ONE MORE THING » O’flaherty’s sister bar, located around the corner, pays tribute to the Irish immigrants of New York’s Five Points neighborhood with its speakeasy vibe and period-named cocktails like the Bowery Boy.
DETAILS » Open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily at 25 N. San Pedro St., San Jose; www. oflahertyspub.com
STARRY PLOUGH
Named after the flag of the Irish revolution, this 47-year-old Berkeley venue is known just as much as a gathering place for political groups as it is for musicians. You might catch a poetry slam or Celtic jam session, all while enjoying an Irish poutine loaded with bacon gravy, corned beef and cabbage (Sunday and Monday only) or sipping a Guinness float.
ONE MORE THING » Don’t miss the Irish dancers, live music and corned beef and cabbage starting at 3:30 p.m on St. Patrick’s Day. $10 cover charge (free before 6 p.m.).
DETAILS » Open 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. weekdays, and from 2 p.m. weekends at 3101 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley; www.thestarryplough.com
BEHAN’S
Behan’s, a classic on Broadway in Burlingame, draws neighborhood regulars for affordable drinks, shuffleboard, darts and the Irish bartender. As one happy Yelper said: “Singing, darts, great people from Ireland and locals make this a superb place to be at all times.” The Mitchell family has owned this place since 1985, and they also operate Fiddlers Green in Millbrae, a restaurant that serves Guinness-braised stew, shepherd’s pie, even a proper Irish breakfast.
ONE MORE THING » Arrive early at Behan’s on St. Patrick’s evening if you want to hear the Van Morrison cover band Wavelength.
DETAILS » Open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily at 1327 Broadway, Burlingame; 650344-0265
MCNALLY’S IRISH PUB
Images of Ireland adorn the walls at this Rockridge staple, which was founded the day Prohibition ended, in December 1933. Founder Bill Mcnally passed away in 1973, but owners since have kept the 87-year-old pub up to Bill’s standards. Look for a lineup of craft beers and Irish whiskeys, a crackling fire, bumper pool and darts. It gets very busy on St. Patrick’s Day, so try to squeeze your way in before 5 p.m. for bagpipers and corned beef.
ONE MORE THING » John F. Kennedy snuck in for a drink during his 1960 presidential campaign. Mcnally’s is an easy walk — less than half a mile — from the Rockridge BART station.
DETAILS » Open noon to 2 a.m. Wednesday-sunday, and from 2 p.m. Mondaytuesday at 5352 College Ave., Oakland; www.mcnallys1933.com
ST. STEPHEN’S GREEN
Named after a famous park in Dublin, Ireland, this gastropub’s modern cobalt blue exterior draws in patrons for its tasty menu, 35 craft and draft beers and 13 high-definition screens — making it a favorite of Silicon Valley sports fans. Look for five Irish dinner favorites, including housemade Irish sausage rolls, Guinness steak pie and fish and chips.
ONE MORE THING » If the housemade Bailey’s cheesecake wasn’t decadent enough, the new version really gilds the lily. The Trinity cheesecake now sits on a Guinness brownie base and is topped with a Tullamore Whiskey ganache.
DETAILS » Open 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. weekends at 223 Castro St., Mountain View; www.ststephensgreen.com
IRISH BANK, SAN FRANCISCO
Located between the Financial District and Union Square, San Francisco’s Irish Bank is known for its after-work crowd and whiskey selection. But the bar is most famous for its two St. Patrick’s Day parties, which will take over Mark Lane on Saturday and March 17 this year. For both parties, doors open at 11 a.m. with festivities, including Irish music and Celtic rock, starting at 1 p.m.
ONE MORE THING » Both parties are 21 and over with a $15 cover charge. Plan to take BART.
DETAILS » Open 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily at 10 Mark Lane, San Francisco; www.theirishbank.com