St Patrick’s Day in NYC: Parade Info, Special Events, Best Irish Bars & More

Sign for the New York City Fire Department at the St. Patrick's Day Parade in NYC

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The best way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in NYC is to wear your green, grab your friends, and head to one (or several) of these spots where festivities are in full force!

The NYC parade on St. Patrick’s Day is iconic, so be sure to check the details below and plan to catch part of if along the route.

But there is so much more beyond the parade that you should enjoy!

There are many cultural spaces to learn more about Irish-American history and heritage and to bask in many beloved Irish traditions.

Make sure you check out our NYC bucket list so you can check off even more during your visit.

You might also like our guide to visiting NYC on a budget.

So raise a glass, wear your green, and head to NYC for St. Paddy’s Day this year!

Where to Celebrate St Patrick’s Day in NYC

Our guide is organized starting with the most popular, can’t-miss NYC St. Patrick’s Day events and celebrations.

We have plenty of suggestions whether you want to be in the midst of the crowds or prefer a quieter, more educational experience on the day.

Family-friendly events are included, too!

Our guide finishes with some of the best Irish bars in NYC that you might want to check out on St. Paddy’s Day.

If you’re planning to stick around the city longer, you might like our guide to Easter in New York.

St Patrick’s Day Parade NYC

The NYC St Patrick’s Day Parade is the longest-running and largest parade for the holiday in the entire world.

The first parade took place in 1762!

Gather along 5th Avenue between 44th and 79th Streets to watch the NYC St Patrick’s Day Parade, which starts at 11 am on March 17th.

Note: If St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Sunday, the parade will take place on Saturday the 16th instead.

There are no portable restrooms set up anywhere along the St Patrick’s Day parade route, so be sure to come prepared.

Almost all streets affected by the parade will be closed or detoured, so plan your travel accordingly.

Get there early to get a good view!

Sign for the New York City Fire Department at the St. Patrick's Day Parade in NYC

St Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC

Make the most of some of the oldest Irish history in NYC by visiting St Patrick’s Cathedral (5th Ave and 51st St).

The cathedral opened in 1879 and was a symbol of religious freedom and a growing Catholic population in the city.

More than 5 million people visit this gorgeous landmark each year.

Learn more with a Self-Guided Audio Tour.

St. Patrick's Cathedral with views of nearby buildings in NYC.

Official NYC St Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl

Take part in the Official St Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl in NYC to celebrate with fellow revelers!

Visit up to 50 participating bars, sample tons of drink specials, and explore the city with a map outlining your route.

You’ll love this fun way to see the city through the best St Patrick’s Day Bars in NYC.

Sober St Patrick’s Day

Not interested in drinking during St Patrick’s Day?

No problem!

Check out Sober St Patrick’s Day instead.

This event is meant to emphasize the celebration of Irish culture and the history of Saint Patrick, without the pressure to get drunk for the holiday.

Go to the party to listen to traditional Irish music, enjoy dancing, and sample delicious Irish treats.

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

SUMMIT is a cultural hub in the city, and the NYC St Patrick’s Day celebration at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt (45 E 42nd St) is a must-do for the holiday.

Enjoy scavenger hunts, holiday-inspired cocktails, and snacks at the Apres Cafe, plus plenty more activities.

Be sure to pick up an entry ticket before you visit to get the full experience!

Get tons more details in our guide to the best NYC observation decks.

Take an Irish Whiskey Class at The Flatiron Room

Whiskey is one of the most traditional Irish spirits, so celebrate all things Ireland by enrolling in Whiskey 101 or a whiskey tasting at The Flatiron Room (37 W 26th St).

Classes are located in the private mezzanine area, and you’ll be welcomed right off the bat with a cocktail and snacks.

Whether you decide to enroll in Whiskey 101, Scotch 101, Luxury Whiskey, or the World Whiskey Class, you’ll be able to find a course that matches your interest and skill level.

Celtic Odyssey by the Brooklyn Irish Dance Co.

This NYC St Patrick’s Day, pick up a ticket for Celtic Odyssey, a theatrical and dance production put on by the talented Brooklyn Irish Dance Co.

This performance is about adventure out at sea and features classic themes of friendship and love.

Bring the whole family to enjoy this beautiful show.

Irish Arts Center Open Day

Every year, the Irish Arts Center (726 11th Ave) hosts Open Day, a festive event with live music, Irish dancing, crafts for kids, and more.

The main feature of this day is a full demonstration of all their educational programs: language classes, music classes, and even printmaking.

Irish Arts Center Book Day

Celebrate the cultural richness of St Patrick’s Day in New York by participating in the Irish Arts Center Book Day, an annual event that features free books across the city.

All day long, volunteers from the Center distribute thousands of free books in all five boroughs at addresses listed on their website.

You’ll be able to pick up any of the hundreds of titles by Irish authors and dive into the amazing history of Irish literature.

St Patrick’s Day Cruise by Event Cruises

Looking for a watery escape from the traffic and hustle of Saint Patrick’s Day in New York?

Hop on a St Patrick’s Day Cruise with Event Cruises NYC (2 East 42nd St).

Cruise around Manhattan, taking in views of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, the skyline, and the Statue of Liberty.

You’ll love the Irish-themed drinks and treats, live music, and more!

New York Irish Center 40 Shades of Green

Besides the St Patrick’s Day Parade in NYC, the 40 Shades of Green event by the New York Irish Center (1040 Jackson Ave) is one of the most traditional celebrations of the holiday in the city.

You’ll be able to enjoy 40 performances of live music and Irish dance at the official center of St Patrick’s in NYC.

Happy-St-Patricks-Day-cupcake-hat-calendar

Merchant’s House Museum

Honoring Irish heritage is especially important when it comes to the darker sides of its history.

The Merchant’s House Museum (29 East 4th St) is one of the oldest sites of Irish society and struggle: the servants who maintained this house were Irish immigrants who were subjected to terrible treatment.

Visit the museum and learn about the Irish servants who lived up on the fourth floor of this historical landmark.

Irish Hunger Memorial

Saint Patrick’s Day in New York can also be honored by visiting the Irish Hunger Memorial (North End Ave and Vesey St).

Located in Battery Park, this memorial aims to raise awareness about the Irish famine of 1845-1852.

This public artwork is haunting and beautiful.

It features gardens, audio installations, and a beautifully constructed cottage.

The Tenement Museum

While the Tenement Museum (103 Orchard St) honors the history of every kind of immigrant to America, this museum is particularly important to visit for the St Patrick’s Day NYC holiday to honor the multitude of Irish immigrants who had a lasting impact on the city’s growth.

Learn about Irish-American history and life in the NYC tenements in the Lower East Side at this iconic museum.

King’s County Distillery Whiskey Tour

If you’re in NYC, St Patrick’s Day wouldn’t be complete without a tour of Kings County Distillery (299 Sands St) and a whiskey tasting.

This distillery is the oldest and largest whiskey distillery in the city.

It was actually the first distillery to be established after Prohibition.

Visit the tasting room, take a tour, or even plan a private event for the holiday!

American Irish Historical Society

Celebrate and honor Irish history in NYC on St Patrick’s Day at the American Irish Historical Society (991 Fifth Ave), a cultural building with a full archive, a library, public arts, and event spaces.

Whether they host an event or not for the holiday, you can stop by, browse the library, and get a sense of the deep cultural past of the Irish in America.

The American Irish Historical Society building in NYC with US and Irish flags hanging out front

Best St. Patrick’s Day NYC Bars

If your idea of the perfect NYC St. Paddy’s Day is to hole up in an Irish pub with a pint and some pals, then you’re in luck.

There are tons of great watering holes in the area, but these are a few of our top recommendations for extra holiday fun.

The Dead Rabbit

The Dead Rabbit (30 Water St) is known as the world’s most-awarded pub, so you better visit on Saint Patrick’s Day in New York!

A mix of classic tradition and modern twists make this pub a fantastic place to grab a drink and some lunch while meeting some other Ireland enthusiasts on their favorite holiday.

McSorley’s Old Ale House

McSorley’s Old Ale House (15 East 7th St) is one of the oldest and most traditional taverns in New York, established in 1854.

It began as an Irish bar for the working class, but when the New Yorker wrote a profile of the pub in the 1940s, it roared into the mainstream.

The Ale House doesn’t take reservations and is cash only, so come prepared.

Molly’s Pub and Shebeen

Established in 1960, Molly’s Pub and Sheeban (287 Third Ave) is another one of the more traditional Irish bars in the city.

With an original wood fireplace and classic Shepherd’s Pie, you can spend Paddy’s Day in New York warming up with a good beer and a warm fire.

Niall’s on 52nd

For a traditional Irish St Patrick’s Pub NYC experience, visit Niall’s on 52nd (218 E 52nd St).

Try the original French Onion Soup au gratin, the Guinness Irish Beef Stew, or the homemade shepherd’s Pie, along with a pint of the black stuff.

(That’s a Guinness.)

If you’re looking for a true Irish cocktail, order the hot port or an Irish Coffee!

Neary’s

Neary’s (358 E 57th St) opened its doors on St Patrick’s Day in 1967, so it’s the perfect spot to celebrate the day with like-minded folks!

You won’t want to miss the lamb chop, the prime rib, or the corned beef and cabbage.

You will truly feel taken care of in this hub of New York Irish hospitality.

Katz’s Delicatessen

If you’re not interested in sitting down for a big meal, you can always pick up some delicious treats to go from Katz’s Delicatessen (205 E Houston St).

The hallmarks of their menu — the corned beef and pastrami — are slowly cured and completely without additives or chemicals.

Pick up fresh meats, baked bread, and desserts to enjoy this St Patrick’s Day and stroll the streets of New York for all the festive fun.

Senior man in hat holding beer with Irish flag on shoulders celebrating St Patrick's Day

Final Words

Ready to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day NYC-style? We hope this guide inspired you to make some plans to enjoy the day!

Share your favorite events and Irish bars in NYC in the comments below.

Check out our guides to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Boston, in Savannah, and in Washington DC to start planning your fun for next year!

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