Show Your Irish Pride this St. Patrick’s Day at These 8 Austin Restaurants

Cue the green beer, shamrock glasses, and terrible attempts at an Irish accent — St. Patrick’s Day is almost here! Austin bars and restaurants are always eager to celebrate, and 2024 will be no exception. Draughts of Guinness and shots of Irish whiskey will be omnipresent on St. Paddy’s Day, but we’re particularly interested in hospitality spots that embrace Irish cuisine on this festive and verdant occasion. If you’re similarly fond of corned beef, cabbage, Irish soda bread, and Irish cheddar, pay a visit to these 8 Austin restaurants on March 17th. 

Murray’s Tavern

A buzzy new project from Nickel City’s Travis Tober and Uncle Nicky’s Nic Yanes, Murray’s Tavern draws inspiration from neighborhood pubs in New York City, many of which lean in a very Irish direction, so it makes sense that they’re planning to go big for their first St. Patrick’s Day in Austin. Guinnesses with just the right amount of foam, fish & chips, St. Patty’s-themed cocktails, and much more will be available throughout service on the 17th.

B.D. Riley’s

Mueller residents in need of a top-tier Irish pub should consider themselves lucky to have B.D. Riley’s right on Aldrich Street. This bar is so Irish that the full interior was designed and built on the Emerald Isle before making its way over to Austin, and while dishes like Irish stew, corned beef & cabbage, and shepherd’s pie are always on the B.D. menu, St. Patrick’s Day gives this bar the chance to really lean into its heritage by hosting live bands playing Irish music from 12:30 p.m. on. And don’t worry — the bartenders of B.D. Riley’s will obviously be showing off their impeccable Guinness-pouring skills all day long.

Kelly’s Irish Pub

A new-ish arrival to the Austin Irish bar scene, Kelly’s Irish Pub serves full Irish-inspired entrees, but they also bring the spirit into their bar snack menu: where else in town are you going to find deep-fried shepherd’s pie balls dunked in Guinness-infused gravy? Kelly’s also takes pride in their Guinness drafts and their Irish whiskey collection, and St. Patty’s guests can enjoy Irish step-dancing and drink and food specials. Advance tickets are currently sold out, but Kelly’s will welcome walk-in guests on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Jack & Ginger’s

As the premier Irish pub in the Domain, Jack & Ginger’s has no intention of settling for indoor St. Patty’s fun. Instead, they’ll be hosting a street festival on Rock Rose Ave from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with bagpipes, bands playing Irish music, classic pub snacks (both American and Irish), and, yes, green beer.

Baker Street Pub & Grill

As its name suggests, Baker Street Pub & Grill on South Lamar is an English tavern. But on St. Patrick’s Day, they change allegiances (a little bit) and supplement their usual fish & chips with Irish faves like corned beef & cabbage. They’re also making a St. Patrick’s Day punch, and green beer will be coming out of the taps. 

Central Machine Works

Central Machine Works in East Austin may be a brewery rather than an Irish pub, but their commitment to a worthwhile St. Paddy’s Day rager is admirable enough to get them on this list. This year, Central Machine Works will host tribute bands representing two favorite Irish acts: Thin Lizzy & Flogging Molly. There will also be frozen Irish coffee, green tea shots, a bangers & mash cookout, and more than enough beer. 

The Cavalier

A Sunday St. Patrick’s Day can sometimes be tricky for aspiring celebrants with families, but The Cavalier in East Austin is determined to throw a party that’s both in the St. Patty’s spirit and also appropriate for all ages. From 11 a.m.- 3 p.m., guests are welcome to partake in lawn games, themed drinks & eats, and an admissions policy that welcomes kids. But at 3 p.m., the space will switch into adults-only mode, and guests can order Irish eats like bangers & mash and can get up close and personal with Guinness pints and Irish whiskey pours.

Cork & Barrel

There’s no need for Round Rock to feel left out of Austin’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities, as the excellent Irish pub Cork & Barrel will be hosting its 4th annual bash for the holiday this year. St. Patrick’s Day happens to coincide with Cork & Barrel’s birthday, so you can expect an all-day blowout with thematic cocktails, Irish music and dancers, bangers & mash and shepherd’s pie, plenty of Irish whiskey, and a family-friendly (and dog-friendly) vibe.