These 6 metro Phoenix Irish pubs are ready to party on St. Patrick's Day. What to expect

Bahar Anooshahr, Arizona Republic

March 13, 2023 at 9:00 AM·6 min read

March 17 is dedicated to Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who wasn't actually born in Ireland. Traditionally celebrated with the Feast of St. Patrick, historically it was a way to honor one's heritage while embracing a new homeland, as the saint himself must have.

Born in Britan, Saint Patrick was kidnapped at age 16 and sold as a slave in Ireland. He eventually escaped only to return to Ireland to live out his life as a missionary.

Though the Irish commemorate the holiday with religious celebrations along with parades, food and a little bit of partying, but it's the secular festivities that have become what the holiday is most known for in America.

In metro Phoenix St. Patrick's Day celebrations include a parade and fair with live music, food and drinks. And Irish bars around the Valley offer live music, special foods and extended hours, with some opening as early as 6 a.m. to get the festivities going.

If you're looking to raise a pint of green beer in a classic Irish pub, these are the best metro Phoenix bars to visit for St. Patrick's Day.

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Seamus McCaffrey's Irish Pub

Located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, Seamus McCaffrey's is a longtime Valley favorite for St. Patrick's Day celebrations.

This year, the cash-only pub is throwing a block party from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with live music by Beta Band, Rose Colored Eyes and Traveler. The bar is offering Irish food and drinks and a raffle. A menu of traditional food, like corned beef and cabbage, corned beef sandwiches and full bar will be available.

When: Friday, March 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Details: 18 W. Monroe St., Phoenix. 602-253-6081, seamusmccaffreys.com.

Tickets: $10 cash-only cover charge will be donated to a charity fund that supports the families of firefighters.

Clancy's Pub Pizza and Grill

The Scottsdale pub opens at 6 a.m. with breakfast service. The all-day food menu offers corned beef and cabbage, fish and chips, shepherd’s pie and Reuben sandwiches. Clancy's festivities are all about the music.

Hans Olson from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Traveler from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
Sullivans from 2:30 to 5 p.m.
Banana Gun from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The Sugar Thieves from 8 to 10 p.m.
Glendale Pipes and Drums at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

When: Friday, March 17, from 6 a.m. to Saturday, March 18, at 2 a.m.

Details: 4432 N. Miller Road, Scottsdale. 480-990-8797, clancyspubscottsdale.com.

Tickets: Free to attend.

Murphy's Law Irish Pub

In downtown Chandler, the beer will be flowing and music rocking at Murphy's Law Irish Pub. This year, Murphy's Law is part of a Shamrock Shenanigan Pub Crawl and will offer $4 green drinks and live music.

The pub crawl starts at The Cooper House and includes the following bars: Murphy's Law Irish Pub, Cheba Hut, Pedal Haus, Bourbon Jacks American Tavern, The Perch, The Spirit House, Craft 64, Ghett Yo Taco, Puro Cigar, West Alley BBQ, Mingle + Graze and Recreo.

People can skip the pub crawl and hang out at Murphy's Law, but only the crawlers get $4 green drink specials.

When: Saturday, March 11, from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Details: 58 S. San Marcos Place, Chandler. 480-812-1588, murphyslaw.pub.

Pub crawl tickets: eventbrite.com/e/shamrock-shenanigans-pub-crawl-tickets-543278900817

$20 for either the noon to 3 p.m. or 3 to 6 p.m. slots.
$40 VIP tickets include a buffet brunch and an ice cold pint of Kilt Lifter at 10:30 a.m. at Murphy's Law.

RT O'Sullivan's Sports Grill

Both the Scottsdale and Mesa locations of RT O'Sullivan's are celebrating St. Patrick's Day with music, green beer and food along with Irish step dancers, bag pipes and drums. The Scottsdale locations will have live music from noon to midnight. The Mesa location will have dueling pianos. A limited food menu of Irish food, such as corn beef and fish and chips will be available at both locations.

When: Friday, March 17, from 9 a.m. in Mesa and 10 a.m. in Scottsdale until 2 a.m.

Details: 7919 E. Thomas Road, Scottsdale. 480-307-6533. And 6646 E. Superstition Springs Blvd., Mesa. 480-396-9933. rtosullivans.com.

Tickets: Free to attend.

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Padre Murphy's

Padre Murphy's is having a double celebration for the pub's 30th birthday and St. Patrick's Day. The festivities start at 9:30 a.m. There will be face painters and balloon animal makers from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Irish step dancers at noon and bagpipers at 12:30, 7 and 8 p.m.

The outdoor areas open at 10 a.m. and live music begins with Harley Davidson from noon to 3 p.m. followed by Trotters Wake from 4 to 7 p.m. and Home Brew from 8 to 10:30 p.m. The pub offers a limited food menu, which includes corned beef and cabbage and a Rueben. Attendees can purchase drinks from the bar or the outdoor stands.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit Prostate On-Site Project, a non-profit organization that offers mobile prostate cancer screening.

When: Friday, March 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Details: 4338 W. Bell Road, Glendale. 602-547-9406, padremurphys.com.

Tickets: Free until 3 p.m., $20 after 3 p.m.

Tim Finnegan's Irish Restaurant and Pub

Now in its 15th year of St. Patrick celebrations, Tim Finnegan's Irish Restaurant and Pub will kick things off at 7:30 a.m. with breakfast and live music by Rick Calderon until 10 a.m. Trotters Wake takes the stage from noon to 3 p.m., Loki's Folly from 4 to 7 p.m. and Harley Davidson from 8 to 10 p.m. Three bagpipes and drum sessions take place at noon, 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and step dancers start to jig at 11:30 a.m.

When: Friday, March 17, from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Details: 17045 N. 59th Ave. #103, Glendale. 602-875-8331, timfinnegans.com.

Tickets: Free to attend. Indoor seating is first come first serve.

The Dubliner Irish Pub

One of Phoenix's older Irish institutions, The Dubliner Irish Pub was established in 1984, and this classic is ready to celebrate with Irish coffee and breakfast sandwiches served from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; an abbreviated lunch menu of brat sandwiches for $9 or choice of shepherds pie, corned beef and cabbage or Irish beef stew for $14; and live bands, like Pete Diggers and Crystal Baller and Irish dancers perform throughout the day.

When: Friday, March 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Details: 3841 E. Thunderbird Road, Phoenix. 602-867-0984, dublinerpub.com.

Tickets: $10 cover after noon.

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Reach the reporter at BAnooshahr@azcentral.com. Follow @banooshahr on Twitter.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: St. Patrick's Day 2023: Best Irish bars in metro Phoenix

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