Are you feeling festive as St. Patrick’s Day is nearing? You’re probably not the only one. After a particularly long winter, Canadians across the country are ready to don green garments, drink green beer and channel the luck o’ the Irish. We’ve put together a list of likely party spots. Here are our recommendations for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day Canada style in 2023!
Ontario
Many towns in Ontario have a large Irish population and love celebrating it!
Peterborough, Ontario – 32% Irish
A small but mighty municipality, Peterborough is strong in the Irish spirit, with almost a third of the population of Irish descent. The legendary Peterborough St. Patrick’s Parade is back after a three-year hiatus. The parade will take place on March 12th at 2 pm. They will also have a fun run and collect donations for the Food Bank.
Kingston, Ontario – 28% Irish
A university town like Kingston, Ontario, always knows how to celebrate – no matter the occasion! A classically fun place to get down Irish-style with a touch of spring fever in Kingston is The Toucan And Kirkpatrick’s. Their website says they’re open every day from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m., but be sure to call them and see what they have planned for the big day!
Barrie, Ontario – 23% Irish
Barrie is known for its nightlife, and St. Patrick’s Day is usually when people can cut loose. One of the best places to spend the evening was at Donaleigh’s Irish Public House, where they will host a local band, The Thunderstealers. They will take the stage at 10 p.m. Grab a Guinness and check them out.
North Bay, Ontario – 23% Irish
Moose’s Cookhouse is known for its wings, beer, and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. This is where all, or at least most, of North Bay will typically congregate for St. Patrick’s Day festivities. This year, you can enjoy trivia, live music, and of course, beer and wings!
Sarnia, Ontario – 23% Irish
Paddy Flaherty’s is a great Irish bar whose events calendar is full, so chances are strong they’re bringing the Craic this St. Paddy’s Day. This bar is Sarnia’s premier location for good times, so although they haven’t shared their St. Patricks’s Day plans yet, check them out.
Oshawa, Ontario – 22% Irish
If you want to celebrate St. Patty’s day at a pub with a reader’s choice award for best wings in Durham, try the Waltzing Weasel in Oshawa, Ont. This pub offers all kinds of events and activities, so St. Patrick’s day will be a blast! In addition, they provide live music and drink specials every Friday.
London, Ontario – 20% Irish
London’s Richmond Street is regarded as one of Canada’s best bar crawls. While a pub crawl is always fun, you could plan to spend time in one of two pubs known to get their Irish on: McCabe’s Irish Pub & Grill and Molly Bloom’s Irish Pub & Restaurant.
Greater Sudbury – 19% Irish
A detour from the classic Irish pub, an option for revellers in Sudbury is to check out the sophisticated prohibition-era-inspired Alibi Room. There are a few other bars and restaurants in the area, but this one is sure to add a twist of elegance in the form of a beautifully crafted cocktail.
Ottawa, Ontario – 18% Irish
The Aulde Dubliner & Pour House in Ottawa is an authentic two-story Irish pub. With great food and a selection of Irish Whiskey and beer, this is sure to be a great place to party in the capital.
Thunder Bay, Ontario – 18.18% Irish
Our recommendation for St. Patty’s fun in Thunder Bay is to head over to the Red Lion Smokehouse, where you can enjoy a hearty BBQ and a selection of over 100 craft beers. Or, check out the Shamrock Shakedown at Sleeping Giant Brewing Company, where they’ll have a unique stout just for the occasion.
Hamilton, Ontario – 17% Irish
The famous Hamilton, or “Hammer” as its residents affectionately call it, St. Patrick’s Day Parade is back this year! Check out the St. Patrick’s Day party at The Westdale, where host Fiona O’Brien will host an evening of Celtic music and stand-up comedy.
Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario – 17% Irish
Kitchener-Waterloo has plenty of Irish pubs, so there’s a good chance you’ll find one with green beer on St. Patrick’s day. We recommend McCabe’s Irish Pub (you can make reservations on their website) or Molly Bloom’s.
Toronto, Ontario – 9.18% Irish
Even with a 9.18% Irish population, Toronto has one of the most renowned St. Patrick’s Day parades anyone could ever hope to attend. So don your green gear and get ready to cheer louder than you ever have before on March 19th at 12 pm.
New Brunswick
Many New Brunswickers can claim Irish heritage and love celebrating their Celtic culture.
Saint John, New Brunswick – 30% Irish
O’Leary’s Pub in downtown Saint John is great for gathering with friends and family. This pub is in the city’s heart and is considered a top spot for Irish celebrations. They host live music often, so St. Paddy’s Day will likely be lively!
Fredericton, New Brunswick – 26% Irish
Anyone from Fredericton, New Brunswick, will tell you that Dolan’s Pub is one of the places to be any night of the week — and things get a bit more special on St. Patty’s Day at this traditional Irish pub. Lots of live music and Guinness make it the place to be!
Moncton, New Brunswick – 18% Irish
Moncton celebrates St. Patrick’s Day in style, and one of the best places to celebrate is The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse. There will be no shortage of good times with a great pub menu with gluten-free and vegetarian options and a great atmosphere.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Did you know St. Patrick’s Day is a public holiday in Newfoundland? The Newfoundland and Labrador Irish population has traditionally made St. Patrick’s Day a memorable celebration!
St. John’s, Newfoundland – 30% Irish
The best way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in St. John’s is to go on a pub crawl! All you have to do is walk down two streets: Water Street and George Street, and you’ll find some of the coziest, most comfortable and most welcoming Irish bars (like O’Reilly’s Pub and Green Sleeves). O’Reilly’s Pub is hosting its annual St. Patrick’s Day breakfast and live music all day.
Prince Edward Island
Many early immigrants to Prince Edward Island’s beautiful province were from Ireland. As a result, the island was named New Ireland for a time.
Charlottetown, PEI – 27% Irish
The Charlottetown St. Patrick’s Day 5k and 10K runs are back this year, so you can burn some calories before drinking them back up with a few pints of green beer! Plus, you don’t want to miss Olde Dublin Pub, Charlottetown’s original Irish pub!
Nova Scotia
Although Nova Scotia is “New Scotland,” there is plenty of Irish heritage here, and the province loves to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style.
Halifax, Nova Scotia – 24% Irish
Heading along the water and ending in a flag-raising ceremony, the Halifax St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the best ways to celebrate being Irish in the Maritimes. On March 12th at 1 pm, grab your spot on Lower Water Street, then check out the after-party at The Lower Deck.
Yukon
Gold fever brought many Irish immigrants to the Yukon, so today the territory is still about 20% Irish.
Whitehorse, Yukon – 20% Irish
The stylish but laid-back atmosphere of Miner’s Daughter in the Capital Hotel is perfect for enjoying St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Whitehorse. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time.
British Columbia
Although a long way from Ireland, British Columbia has one of North America’s Best Irish Pubs and a festival devoted to Celtic Heritage!
Victoria, BC – 20% Irish
Victoria’s Irish Times Pub has the distinction of being voted North America’s Best Irish Pub and is still hands-down one of the best places you could ever hope to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! For the big day, they’ll have live music all day long, plus some Irish dancers!
Kelowna, British Columbia – 18% Irish
Kelowna has no official celebrations for St. Patrick’s Day this year. Still, the treasured local brewer Kelowna Brewing Institute will be open for revellers looking for a place to raise a pint. You can also celebrate at O’Flannigan’s Pub, where there will be decorations, music and green beer.
Chilliwack, BC – 17% Irish
Though there are no official events in Chilliwack, there are a few fun places to grab a pint and gather with friends. Check out Corky’s Pub or Old Yale Brewing for a fun-filled time.
Vancouver, British Columbia – 11% Irish
One of Canada’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day parties happens right in the heart of Vancouver! CelticFest is a celebration of all nations of Celtic descent and takes place from March 11th to 18th in 2023. Enjoy shows, music, food, and more.
Northwest Territories
The Irish were among the first Europeans to populate the Northwest Territories, so over 11% of the total population is Irish.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories – 18% Irish
Franklin Avenue is home to some of the best St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Yellowknife. You’ll want to check out the food and drinks at Black Knight Pub or NWT Brewing Co.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan comprises just over 13% Irish Canadians, who celebrate their heritage proudly.
Regina, Saskatchewan – 15% Irish
If you’re in Regina this year for St. Patty’s Day, the Bushwakker Brewpub is the hands-down place for all your celebrations.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – 15% Irish
An iconic pub right in the heart of Saskatoon, O’Shea’s Irish Pub has always been one of the best places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the Prairies. Enjoy an Irish-inspired feast from their pub menu and wash it down with a pint or cocktail!
Alberta
Alberta doesn’t boast a large Irish population, but that doesn’t mean they don’t love to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day!
Lethbridge, Alberta – 14% Irish
How about celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Lethbridge, Alberta, at the Kingsmen Ale House? They have a fantastic seasonal menu, and the cozy atmosphere will only help spread the spirit of Craic!
Calgary, Alberta – 14% Irish
One of the best spots for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Calgary is the Teeling Distillery Company, a family-owned and operated whiskey distillery. Their entire line of whiskies will warm your belly as you celebrate this year!
Edmonton, Alberta – 14% Irish
You can go Irish for St. Patrick’s Day at Duggan’s Boundary Irish Pub in Edmonton. They have a full pub menu and beers on tap!
Manitoba
Although there’s not a high percentage of Irish population in the Prairies, they still like to celebrate in style.
Winnipeg, Manitoba – 13% Irish
Winnipeg’s St. Patrick’s Day parade is considered one of the best in the country, and for a good reason! So many folks come out, embark across downtown, and even enjoy discounts at local pubs afterward. Now that’s a winning combination!
Quebec
Although the Irish population in Quebec is small, it is mighty! Quebec has one of North America’s longest-running St. Patrick’s Day parades, festivals, and more.
Montreal, Quebec – 6% Irish
The epicentre of St. Patrick’s Day fun is back at one of Montreal’s most iconic bars: Sir Winston Churchill Pub. This year, the pub’s three floors of fun — housed in a magnificent building — will have live music and great drinks and food. Also, don’t miss the 198th annual parade on March 19th, 2023, at noon.
Sherbrooke, Quebec – 6% Irish
The Richmond St. Patrick’s Society is hosting the Irish Heritage Festival this year, so prepare for the fun times to return from March 6th – 23rd, 2023. There will be a parade, live music, demonstrations, food events and more.
Quebec City, Quebec – 5% Irish
The best part of the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Quebec City is the festive atmosphere and the ancient streets that help bring a little more European ambience to the festivities. Head downtown to see the Défilé de la Saint-Patrick de Québec on March 25th, 2023, at 2 pm.
Trois-Rivieres, Quebec – 4% Irish
One iconic destination to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day in Trois-Rivieres: Le Trefle. There is no shortage of good beer, food and fun times.
Unique Experiences for St. Patrick’s Day in Canada in 2023
It’s time to don your festive green attire and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Canada. Whether taking in a parade, drinking green beer at an Irish pub, or going to a whiskey tasting, you’ll find fun ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Canada – whether in towns large or small.
Source
Census 2016, Statistics Canada, Ethnic Origin
