From block parties to Irish libations and festive food specials, here are the best places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in San Diego.
Edited by Eva Scattergood.
Great Maple
Mar. 1-31. Great Maple, the newest modern American eatery to debut at La Jolla’s evolving culinary hub, Westfield UTC, is elevating St. Patrick’s Day with festive mint chocolate chip donuts. Coated in green, these confections are topped with chocolate chips and sprinkled with powdered sugar and can be enjoyed inside or during celebratory gatherings on the restaurant’s 1,500-square-foot patio. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. 8675 Genesee Ave., Suite 1200, La Jolla, 858.886.7403. thegreatmaple.com
Salt & Straw
Mar. 1-29. Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, Salt & Straw brings back a beloved throwback flavor, Pots of Gold & Rainbows, with their “The Flavor Vault” series. The flavor features cereal-infused sweet cream ice cream with Lucky Charm marshmallows incorporated throughout. 1670 India St., Little Italy, 619.542.9394. saltandstraw.com
Moxy San Diego
Mar. 15-17. Celebrate St. Patrick’s day at the experiential, millennial-minded Moxy San Diego that recently opened in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter. The bold yet funky boutique hotel with plenty of playful touches throughout is offering $6 Irish Espressos from 8 a.m. to noon, $6 Jameson shots from noon to close, $6 Irish Bucks all day and specialty corned beef sandwiches. 831 Sixth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.239.6699. marriott.com
Bahia Resort Hotel
Mar. 16. Jig and swig all night long with $5 Guinness and $4 Jameson drink specials, plus two floors of DJs aboard the Bahia’s William D. Evans. The classic sternwheeler will be cruising around Mission Bay offering spectacular views, as well as an additional stop at the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa. 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. $15. 998 W. Mission Bay Dr., Mission Bay. Tickets
Hornblower Cruises & Events
Mar. 16. Be Irish for a day aboard a Hornblower yacht for the St. Patrick’s Day Cocktail Cruise. Expect Irish-themed décor, DJ entertainment and breathtaking views, along with hors d’oeuvres, cocktail specials and maybe a green beer or two. This is the perfect sunset excursion on San Diego Bay, or a great way to kick off a night downtown. Boarding 5:30 p.m., cruising 6-8 p.m. $42+. Pier 2, 970 N. Harbor Dr., Embarcadero, 619.686.8715. hornblower.com
ShamROCK
Mar. 16. Celebrate the luck of the Irish as the Gaslamp Quarter turns green with 50,000 square feet of luscious Astroturf for this 25th annual block party. Rock out to live DJs and Irish bands on three stages plus Irish fare and drink specials at dozens of downtown bars and restaurants. New this year, hours have been extended and ShamROCK introduces Shenanigans Street for a variety of St. Patrick’s Day-themed games. 2 p.m.-midnight. $35+ GA, $80+ VIP. Gaslamp Quarter, 619.233.5008. sandiegoshamrock.com
St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Festival
Mar. 16. Experience the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade west of the Mississippi with this year’s theme “Celebrating Irish Music.” Expect a parade with more than 125 entries, 75 food/craft booths, a beer garden, two band stages, a Celtic village, dancing and kids’ activities. Parade 10:30 a.m., festival 1-6 p.m. Free. Sixth Ave. and Laurel St., Balboa Park, 619.301.4829. stpatsparade.org
Corner Drafthouse
Mar. 16-17. Stop by the unofficial headquarters of the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. If you find yourself at the starting line on Fifth Avenue and Laurel Street, march your way over to Corner Drafthouse where you can choose from 70 taps of Southern California’s best beers and beyond. Enjoy beer specials as well as corned beef tacos, corned beef sliders, and corned beef and cabbage specials all weekend long or until they’re gone. 495 Laurel St., Bankers Hill, 619.255.2631. thecornerdrafthouse.com
Union Kitchen & Tap Gaslamp
Mar. 16-17. Kick off the festivities Dublin-style at 4 p.m. on Saturday with $5 Jameson shots and Breckenridge Stout until close, plus a DJ spinning from 10 p.m.-close. Keep the party going on St. Patrick’s Day with live music from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and get your drink on with green beer and Jameson specials available all day. Foodies can get their fill of St. Paddy’s Day eats with corned beef hash and eggs until 2 p.m., followed by corned beef and cabbage dinner from 2 p.m.-close on both Saturday and Sunday. 333 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.795.9463. gaslampunion.com
Welk Resorts San Diego
Mar. 16-17. From soaring above a sea of green on the circus trapeze to eating tasty Irish-themed treats, bring the whole family to celebrate this holiday. Expect fun games, carnival rides, live music performances and more. Attendees can also enjoy roaming circus acts throughout the festival and search for a pot of gold during a lively scavenger hunt. 1-7 p.m. $10-$25. 8845 Lawrence Welk Dr., Escondido. Tickets
BANKERS HILL Bar + Restaurant
Mar. 17. Discover the spirit of an Irish garden in a glass with the Irish Garden cocktail. Created by lead bartender Elizabeth Farrell, who has a background in horticulture, the cocktail is inspired by botanicals that were heavily forged as sources of daily nutrients during the ancient Celtic era. Showcasing an appreciation of Ireland’s unique vegetation, the Irish Garden is made with Dingle Irish gin, housemade nettle and barley cordial, housemade apple and nasturtium green juice, Tempus Fugit crème de menthe glaciale, honey and lime. $12. 2202 Fourth Ave., Bankers Hill, 619.231.0222. bankershillsd.com
Bier Garden
Mar. 17. Whether you’re celebrating Ireland’s national holiday or you just need a little bit of liquid luck, celebrate St. Paddy’s Day on the coast. Offerings include $5 pints of Guinness, $5 Black and Tans and $8 Irish Car Bombs as well as a classic corned beef and cabbage special. 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m. 641 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 760.632.2437. biergardenencinitas.com
Breakfast Republic
Mar. 17. Start your St. Paddy’s day off right at one of Breakfast Republic’s seven locations. Enjoy drink specials such as the Kiss Me Kiwi Mimosa crafted from kiwi, sparkling and a splash of orange juice, and their Luck of the Irish Latte brimming with Bailey’s Irish Cream, whiskey, espresso and milk. Also appearing on the menu will be the Leprechaun Mac & Cheese, comprised of shrimp, garlic, onion, asparagus, spinach and parmesan, all in a creamy pesto sauce, topped with 3 eggs any style. See website for hours and locations. breakfastrepublic.com
Bub’s @ the Beach
Mar. 17. Celebrate the lucky day with a corned beef and hash sandwich, plus festive drink specials including green mimosas and the Cup of Gold Mule of the Month, comprised of Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey, ginger beer, fresh lime and bitters, garnished with a rainbow gummy and gold coins. 9 a.m.-2 a.m. 1030 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, 858.270.7269. bubspb.com
El Chingon
Mar. 17. Say sláinte at El Chingon and toast to the holiday with the Irishman Abroad. The cocktail is made with whiskey, El Jimador tequila, fresh lime juice, Cointreau and R&D house bitters. 9:30 a.m.-1:30 a.m. $12. 560 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.501.1919. elchingon.com
Farmer & The Seahorse
Mar. 17. The airy brunch spot will offer two festive specials including homemade corned beef hash and eggs, which includes crushed potatoes served with cabbage, pickled mustard seeds, herbs and sunny side-up eggs. Replace your coffee with a Gentleman is a Boilermaker—otherwise known as a shot and beer—to transform it into a complete Irish meal. Left Hand Brewing’s Coffee-Based Milk Stout is served with a shot of Jameson Irish Whiskey, Baileys Salted Caramel and Kalani Coconut Liqueur. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 10996 Torreyana Road, Torrey Pines, 858.260.5401. thealexandria.com
Oceana Coastal Kitchen
Mar. 17. Sunday Champagne Brunch gets a St. Patty’s twist with free-flowing Lucky Charm-pagne—champagne dyed a festive green—paired with a decadent brunch buffet. The buffet includes braised duck chilaquiles, prime rib, waffle Romanoff, Alaskan king crab legs and much more. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $62 adults, $28 children ages 5 to 12, free children under 5. Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, 3999 Mission Blvd., Pacific Beach, 858.539.8635. catamaran.com
Queenstown Bistro
Mar. 17. Stop by Westfield UTC’s New Zealand burger lounge for $5 brews, including festive green Pilsners. 4545 La Jolla Village Dr., Space 9028, Suite 18, La Jolla, 858.623.2748. queenstownbistro.com
Rustic Root
Mar. 17. In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, Rustic Root’s famed bubbles and berries cart will be getting a themed makeover to celebrate. Add ons include the classic berries, juices and purees complemented by green rock candy and gold chocolate coins for good luck. Rustic Root will also be serving its newest slushie, An Irish Frostbite, made with Slane Irish whiskey, Stumptown chocolate cold brew, Kerrygold Irish cream, Licor 42 and vanilla syrup topped with cream and an espresso bean. 535 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.232.1747. rusticroot.com
Sheerwater
Mar. 17. Head to Hotel del Coronado for their signature Bloody Mary and decadent corned beef sliders, featuring shaved corned beef, beef patty, beer cheese sauce and braised cabbage on a brioche bun with caraway fries. Three sliders $22. 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.522.8100. hoteldel.com
The Loma Club
Mar. 17. Join San Diego’s historic golf club in its annual Saint Patrick’s Day Tournament with Carlsberg Beer and Second Chance Brewery. The Shamrock Shamble Tournament features a nine-hole shamble format with prizes for low score and the best costume. Tickets include Irish breakfast and beer, nine holes and lots of St. Patrick’s Day fun. Check-in 8 a.m., tee-off 9 a.m. $45. 2960 Truxtun Road, Point Loma, 619.222.4653. Tickets
The Morning After
Mar. 17. In honor of the holiday, indulge in the Leprechaun Special or St. Paddy Cakes. The Leprechaun Special pairs The Morning After’s Breakfast Burrito made with eggs, choice of sausage or bacon, cheddar cheese, house potatoes, pico de gallo and sour cream with a pint of green lager. The St. Paddy Cakes, created exclusively for the holiday, include a stack of four pancakes topped with Lucky Charms cereal, served with butter and syrup. 7 a.m.-3 p.m. $15. 531 F St., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.542.9664. themorningaftersd.com
The Whiskey House
Mar. 17. No St. Patrick’s Day celebration is complete without whiskey and beer. Sidle up to the bar at The Whiskey House, the Gaslamp’s premier whiskey bar and lounge home to over 2,800 unique whiskeys along with eclectic craft cocktails, international draft beers and a delectable menu of house-made fare specializing in fresh ground sausages and burgers. All evening long, enjoy a $1 Tullamore Dew shot special with the purchase of any beer to get your St. Paddy’s party started. 4 p.m.-midnight. 420 Third Ave., downtown, 619.546.6289. thewhiskeyhousesd.com
Great Maple photo courtesy J Public Relations. Bahia Resort Hotel photo courtesy Evans Hotels. Corner Drafthouse photo courtesy Chemistry PR. Breakfast Republic photo courtesy Alternative Strategies. El Chingon photo courtesy GBOD Hospitality Group.
