These Bars and Pubs Are Pouring Up Whiskey Cocktails and Good Times
Is it really the luck of the Irish? Call it luck, call it skill—we’re just happy as long as we can call the shots every time our favorite green-gleaming holiday rolls around. One thing’s for sure: their well-known luck didn’t come without a little whiskey in hand. St. Patrick’s Day falls on a weekend this year, which gives us all the more reason to park it at every pub we can. We’re rounding up all of the best San Diego spots to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the most Irish way we know how: by journeying through classic food specials paired with classic whiskey-based cocktails! We’ve got you on where to go, but what you wear is on you—green not included.
Coin-Op Game Room
Must-Order: I Drink & I Know Things cocktail with Tullamore D.E.W. + Fried Pickles
St. Patrick’s Day is the best day of the year to try your luck on the jackpot at Coin-Op Game Room—just make sure you’re wearing green! This vintage-style “barcade” also hosts free play on the first Sunday of every month (bonus points for keeping Pacman and pinball machines on trend). Of course, all those rounds of Mario Kart are bound to leave players thirsty. Luckily, their menu is full of crafty cocktails with witty titles like “Princess Peach” and “I Drink & I Know Things” which can be crafted with Tullamore D.E.W.—an Irish Whiskey with the perfect balance of both fruit and spice. Oh, and don’t forget the fried pickles!
Location: Gaslamp Quarter
O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub
Must-Order: Guinness Irish Stew + a Guinness Beer
No St. Patrick’s Day in San Diego can be considered complete without a pub visit, and Escondido’s O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub is—dare we say—perfection? Go for their famous Guinness Irish stew, a mix of tender chunks of beef slow-cooked with potatoes, carrots, celery, onions and fresh herbs in a rich brown gravy. We’re keeping this visit as classic as they come, pairing the savory stew with a famous Guinness Irish beer to have you gushing. Oh my Guinness! This pairing is delicious!
Location: Escondido
The Holding Company
Must-Order: Whiskey Sour made with Tullamore D.E.W. + Pho Dip
To have and to hold: The Holding Company boasts one of Ocean Beach’s best views year-round, complete with three stories of good vibes and sunshine. Come St. Patrick’s Day, an ocean of green gathers to get a taste of their Asian-inspired menu. Try the Pho Dip, made with tender beef braised in pho broth, caramelized onion, carrot, cilantro and more in this specialty soup. Paired with a classic whiskey sour made with the iconic triple blend Tullamore D.E.W.Irish Whiskey and all of the classic fixings, it’s enough to take your taste buds on a wondrous journey.
Location: Ocean Beach
The Field Irish Pub
Must-Order: Peanut Butter Cup Cocktail + Lamb Shepherd’s Pie
Get your green on in the Gaslamp and free yourself at The Field Irish Pub in San Diego! Experience their all-day menu, complete with classics made fresh, like the lamb shepherd’s pie, which features ground lamb, vegetables, gravy, champ (mashed potato), and Irish cheddar. Even if it’s new for you, the time has come for this traditional Irish dish to become a new favorite. Pair some sweet with your savory and sip on the Peanut Butter Cup Cocktail, which is made with their delectable house Tullamore D.E.W.-Peanut Butter Infusion.
Location: Gaslamp Quarter
Half Door Brewing Co.
Must-Order: Irish Mule made with Tullamore D.E.W. + Red Ale Braised Pork Belly
Half-door pubs were common in Ireland as a way to keep farm animals out and allow fresh air through. Keeping with tradition, downtown’s Half Door Brewing Co. serves all of the classics; try the Red Ale Braised Pork Belly—a generous portion complete with garlic mashed potatoes, black kale, mushrooms and pork belly jus. Next to your refreshing Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Mule, it’s a match made in heaven.
Location: Downtown San Diego
Seven Grand
Must-Order: Old Fashioned
Whiskey lovers rejoice! North Park’s premier whiskey bar, Seven Grand, will be fully stocked for a night of St. Patrick’s Day sippin’. This whiskey-only bar stocks specialties from all over the globe, from Irish to Japanese and everything in between. This high-class, drinks-only spot calls for a classic: go for the old fashioned for a sweet and spicy balance of flavors, then bring it along for a pick-up game of pool or sit cozy in their intimate back room.
Location: North Park
Barleymash
Must-Order: Nightingale cocktail + The Mash
Whiskey got you feelin’ frisky? We can relate. Your best bet is busting a move at Barleymash, the Gaslamp’s casual feel-good bar and restaurant. Stay a while for dinner and try The Mash Barleymac, a mix of cavatappi noodles, ale-braised pork shoulder and bourbon BBQ sauce topped with fresh jalapeños and crispy tobacco onions. Enjoy it next to a smooth Nightingale cocktail: orange, vanilla, lemon and house foam come together perfectly over the bite of whiskey.
Location: Gaslamp Quarter
Rosie O’Grady’s
Must-Order: Irish Coffee made with Tullamore D.E.W. + Hot Pastrami Sandwich
Sometimes, even evenings call for a pick-me-up. Nobody knew this better than the Irish, which is why we’ve been blessed with their famous, flavorful Irish coffees. Normal Heights is home to one of San Diego’s best: Rosie O’Grady’s. If the name wasn’t already enough of a giveaway, this self-proclaimed five-star dive bar has the classic Irish feel your St. Patrick’s Day in San Diego calls for. Start off hot with a hot pastrami sandwich on a freshly baked sesame grinder roll, and top it off with a classic Irish coffee perfectly concocted with the smooth and balanced Tullamore D.E.W.
Location: Normal Heights
The Ould Sod
Must-Order: Irish Coffee
The Ould Sod—while it may not technically be located in Ireland, it carries the same spirit as any Irish pub in the Emerald Isle. You can order just about anything at this award-winning tavern, from draft beers and fireball shots to Irish whiskey. Of course, even the Irish need to squeeze in their caffeine somewhere, and you can never go wrong with an Irish coffee from this neighborhood pub in San Diego. We expect nothing less than for this hidden gem to go all out for its hometown holiday, with an honorary parade ringing in the festive season of green and gold!
Location: Normal Heights
Moonshine Flats
Must-Order: Irish Sour with Tullamore D.E.W.
Who said you can’t throw a little tailgating fun into the mix on St. Patrick’s Day? Moonshine Flats features all the classic comfort eats, including brisket and fries and jumbo chicken tenders, served with a side of country music. You’ll want the luck of the Irish at this bar after last year’s St. Patty’s giveaway (Boots in the Park tickets, anyone?) and we wouldn’t be surprised if another honky tonk surprise is in the works. Their Irish Sour with Tullamore D.E.W. can only increase your fortune and, at the very least, is a satisfying sip under the neons.
Location: East Village
Jaclyn is a sunshine chasing San Diego native with an extensive writing background. When she isn’t word-smithing, you can find her playing beach volleyball, skating the boardwalk, or on a rooftop enjoying a drink in the sunshine with her pals.
