Where to Drink Guinness and Eat Irish Stew on St. Patrick’s Day in Vancouver

March 16, 2017

5 min read

A pint of Guinness beer next to a small pot of fried snacks and a metal cup of dipping sauce on a wooden slab table.

St. Patrick’s Day takes place this Friday, March 17, 2017! It’s time to don green clothing and to head to a welcoming Irish pub for a pint of Guinness (or two).

If you’d like to join the festivities, Vancouver has numerous establishments where you can expect live music, Irish food and drink, and plenty of good cheer this St. Patrick’s Day!

Mahony & Sons
601 Stamps Landing; 36-1055 Canada Place; 5990 University Boulevard

Person in green suit and hat holding a large inflatable green beer mug outside a building with wooden doors and outdoor seating.

Three locations strong, Mahony & Sons offers a lively environment, run by Chris, Peter, Mike, Gerard, and Paddy Mahony, whose roots are located in Cork, Ireland. Each of the establishments is distinctive, but they all share a modern pub aesthetic as well as a menu that features authentic Irish fare that uses fresh, local ingredients. Pub favourites include Irish lamb stew with Yukon Gold mash, Guinness sauce, and garlic filone; fish and chips; and bangers and mash. And, of course, there’s sticky toffee pudding to finish. Expect an extensive selection of Irish and local beer, as well as Irish whiskey.

A bartender pouring beer behind a bar with six pints of Guinness lined up on the counter and beer taps labeled Kilkenny, Guinness, Harp, Stella Artois, and others.

On March 17th, each location has a line-up of entertainers. Stamps Landing will have Irish dancers from 1pm to 1:30pm, Gary O’Neill at 4pm, and the Chancers and Charmers at 8pm. Burrard Landing will have Lucky Penny’s at 12pm, the Chancers at 4pm, and the New Shackletons at 8pm. UBC will have the Lucky Charmers at 4pm and Coldwater Road at 8pm.

Six people dressed in St. Patrick's Day attire, including one person in a large shamrock costume with text, posing outdoors with thumbs up.

Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub
1601 Main Street

Dublin is one of my favourite cities in the world. “Dubh Linn” is Gaelic for Black Pool, which is said to have been located just behind Dublin Castle. The Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub concept was originally transplanted from Ireland to Whistler. Two years ago, the Vancouver location opened. It’s a cheery, lofty space with wood and brick accents.

Crowded indoor pub with people standing and socializing under chandeliers and vintage signs on walls.

You can look forward to 24 draught taps, pouring Guinness, Kilkenny, Smithwick’s, and Murphy’s, in addition to local craft beer.

A person behind a bar smiling and holding a pint of Guinness beer with bottles on shelves in the background.

Traditional Irish cooking there includes steak and Guinness pie, cottage pie, bangers and mash, fish and chips, and black pudding toasties.

Hand with painted nails cutting a slice from a meat pie on a wooden board with fries and ketchup on a dark table.

This St. Patrick’s Day, it’ll be a merry party with Irish dancers, live music, and drink specials ($10 cover charge 11am to close).

Doolin’s Irish Pub
654 Nelson Street

Crowded bar with people wearing green celebrating St. Patrick's Day, bartender serving drinks behind the counter.

The vibe is always fun and welcoming at Doolin’s, named after Doolin, a charming seaside village in Ireland. Interiors have a rustic, yet modern Irish pub feel, with a menu that also offers some nostalgic classics, such as Cork County chicken pot pie, Guinness beef pie, bangers and mash, fish and chips, and Doolin’s Irish lamb stew. Drink it all down with Irish whiskey, Guinness, and Kilkenny Cream Ale.

Crowded bar with people wearing green and St. Patrick's Day accessories, bartenders serving drinks, and a Happy St. Patrick's Day message.

This St. Pat’s Day, Doolin’s has a full roster of live entertainment: Callum O’Riordan will be on from 12pm to 3pm, Brian & Michelle from 3pm to 6pm, Paul Caldwell from 6pm to 9pm, and DJ Johnny Awesome from 9pm to 4am. There will be various prizes, such as Canucks tickets, as well as St. Patrick’s Day swag.

Two people performing music in a pub, one playing guitar and singing, the other playing flute and keyboard, with St. Patrick's Day decorations.

Railtown Café
397 Railway Street

Other establishments in town are also getting in on the St. Patrick’s Day festivities with special Irish menu features. Railtown Café (the Railway St and new Howe St location) will be serving Guinness, as well as Jameson shots and real Irish coffee. Their regular happy hour drink specials ($4.50 pints) will also be offered from open to close.

Glass mug of dark coffee with foam on top on a wooden table with a jar of brown sugar, a small white pitcher, a shot glass, and coffee beans scattered around.

Food-wise, you can enjoy cottage pie croquettes with Guinness cheddar dip and Irish lamb stew with caramelized root veggies and house made soda bread.