If a last-minute flight to Temple Bar isn’t on the cards this year for St. Patrick’s Day, there’s still plenty of craic to be had closer to home. London might not come with the so-called luck of the Irish guaranteed, but on 17 March it certainly makes a good effort — with pints poured properly, live music spilling onto the streets and more than a few questionable green outfits along the way. Whether you’re after a traditional pub session or something a little more polished, these are the best places in the capital to mark St. Patrick’s Day.
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The Faltering Fullback
The Faltering Fullback, Finsbury Park is one of North London’s best-loved pubs and a standout choice for St. Patrick’s Day. Tucked away on a leafy residential street on Perth Road, this Irish-run boozer balances a traditional pub feel with plenty of character — think a buzzy front bar filled with knick-knacks and memorabilia, cosy side rooms and one of London’s most talked-about multi-level beer gardens.
On St. Patrick’s Day you can expect the atmosphere to dial up a notch: the beer garden’s tiered decking and hidden nooks become perfect spots for pints of Guinness or Irish ales in the afternoon sunshine, while inside there’s usually live music, sport on big screens and crowds gathering for a proper celebration. With reasonably priced drinks and a lively mix of locals and visitors alike, it’s a fun — if busy — option if you’re after an authentic, unpretentious Paddy’s Day experience just outside of central London.
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Waxy O’Connor’s
Waxy O’Connor’s in Soho is exactly the sort of place you’d want to spend St. Patrick’s Day: very central, unmistakably Irish, and a bit naff in the best possible way. Located just off Rupert Street in the heart of Soho, it’s a sprawling, multi-level bar spread over six levels and four interconnected rooms, complete with winding staircases and quirky nooks that make it feel more like a maze than a typical pub.
There’s a distinctly touristy energy here that comes with its prime location near Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, and on St. Patrick’s Day, the crowds and pints of Guinness flow from early in the day right through to evening. The focus is unapologetically on good times rather than quiet charm: think live music most nights, screens showing sport, and a big, buzzy atmosphere that’s ideal if you’re after a lively Paddy’s session in the centre of town.
It might not be everyone’s “authentic local Irish pub,” but for a fully central, fully fun and slightly over-the-top St. Patrick’s Day experience in London, Waxy’s ticks plenty of boxes.
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The Toucan Pub
The Toucan in Soho is a tiny, central Soho pub that often tops lists of spots for a pint of Guinness in London. It’s essentially a two-floor homage to the black stuff, with walls covered in vintage Guinness memorabilia and enough taps to keep the atmosphere lively — even if the interior is snug and usually packed.
Because of its size, it’s the sort of place where you might find yourself spilling out onto the pavement with your pint in hand, especially on warm afternoons or on St. Patrick’s Day when the crowd swells. The focus here is straightforward: good Guinness poured properly, a friendly, buzzy vibe and a compact, characterful space that feels a bit like a classic Irish pub transplanted into the heart of London’s West End. Film fans may also recognise The Toucan as one of the key locations in the 2021 horror film Last Night in Soho — though thankfully, a St. Patrick’s Day pint here is far more convivial than anything depicted on screen.
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Shankeys Restaurant
Shankeys sits on a quiet stretch of Lower Clapton Road and has quietly become one of east London’s go-to spots for elevated Irish fare. More restaurant than traditional pub, it balances a relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere with thoughtful, well-executed Irish and Indian fusion dishes that make it a solid choice for a St. Patrick’s Day meal before the pints start flowing.
Inside, the feel is warm and contemporary — wooden floors, pared-back décor and a dining room that’s lively without ever feeling crowded. The menu leans into Irish roots with aromatic, flavour-forward Indian flair.
On St. Patrick’s Day, Shankeys offers an alternative to the more raucous bar scene: a place to sit, eat well and enjoy good company without sacrificing quality for convenience. It’s a stop worth making if you want a meal that feels purposeful as part of your day’s celebrations, rather than an afterthought.
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The Auld Shillelagh
Known affectionately as ‘The Auld’, The Auld Shillelagh in Stoke Newington is a long-standing cult favourite in North-East London that hits the sweet spot between traditional Irish pub and local community hub — a dependable choice for St. Patrick’s Day without the touristy spectacle. Tucked on Stoke Newington Church Street, it has the kind of laid-back, friendly feel you’d expect from a neighbourhood boozer, said to serve one of the best pints of Guinness in London: dark wood interior, Guinness on tap, and a crowd that leans as much on locals as on those in town for the occasion.
On St. Patrick’s Day, the atmosphere here is lively and warm without tipping into chaos — good music, plenty of pints flowing, a great pub garden and groups spilling endlessly out onto the street. There’s sport on the screens and staff who know regulars by name, which gives it a more authentic feel than many of the more central Irish-themed bars.
If you’re looking for somewhere cool and unpretentious to split the ‘G’ on St. Patrick’s Day, nowhere fits the bill like The Auld.
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Howl at the Moon
Howl at the Moon in Hoxton offers a big, buzzy and unapologetically fun St. Patrick’s Day option, straight off Grafton Street. Howl at the Moon is a lively bar and live-music venue known for its energetic atmosphere, crowd-pleasing covers and plentiful drink options — perfect if you’re planning a celebratory night out rather than a quiet pint.
Located on Hoxton Street, it attracts a mixed crowd drawn by upbeat live performances and a party vibe that ramps up as the evening goes on. On St. Patrick’s Day expect plenty of Irish-inspired tunes, sing-along moments and staff spinning between shots and poured pints, all set to a backdrop that feels more like a night out than a traditional pub session.
If your idea of celebrating March 17 involves music, dancing and a lively crowd as much as good drinks, Howl at the Moon delivers an energetic, central spot in east London where the party side of St. Patrick’s Day is in full swing.
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