It’s officially time to break out your gold and green. Home to our deep-rooted Irish community—plus traditional pubs, live music venues, bar districts, and the first of only two Guinness breweries in the United States—Baltimore is as magical of a place to celebrate as any.
Whether you’re in the mood for a pint of beer, traditional Irish eats and treats, a live Celtic rock show, or family-friendly activities, the (Lucky) Charm City scene has something for everyone.
Bar Blarney
3/1-17: The Irish Village at Guinness Open Gate Brewery
Naturally, March at Guinness means three full weekends of jam-packed programming. Grab a pint and stake out a spot on the front lawn for daily live music, Irish food stalls, vendors, and activities. Special ticketed events scheduled throughout March 17 included guided tastings, food and beer pairings, pint-pouring classes, and beer history lessons in The Hidden Harp—a tiny countryside pub set up on the property. 5001 Washington Blvd, Halethorpe
3/1-17: 17 Days of St. Patrick’s Sláinte Irish Pub
Per tradition, the Fells Point watering hole counts down to the big day (where it opens bright and early for an all-out party) with daily specials, tastings, trivia nights, live music, and more fun. Keep up with happenings on Slainte’s social channels. When you stop by, be sure to sample monthly highlights including the Irish Crushes and mules made with Proper 12 whiskey. 1700 Thames St.
3/8: Canton Irish Stroll
Rally your friends and go all out with this annual jaunt around O’Donnell Square. A wristband gets you free admission to bars including Claddagh Pub, Sopro, Silks, El Bufalo, Cowboy Row, The Worthington, Walt’s Inn, Silks, and Lee’s Pint & Shell. There, you can tip back discounted Bud Lights, hard seltzers, Hoop Tea, and Guinness Blonde while dancing to live DJs all day and night. Your pockets will be overflowing with souvenir koozies and green beads on the ride home. O’Donnell Square Park. 1-9 p.m. $5-$30
3/14: St. Patrick’s Murder Mystery at Mobtown Brewing
For an outside-of-the-box spin on traditional shenanigans, partake in this murder mystery where all attendees are interactive characters working together to solve “a hilarious whodunnit full of Irish charm and a touch of leprechaun mischief.” No acting skills or scripted lines are needed. Tickets include your first drink and Mobtown will have a food truck on site. 4015 Foster Ave. 6:30-9 p.m. $47
3/15: Ninth Annual St. Paddy’s Day Block Party at Delia Foley’s
Delia Foley’s shuts down the block with its annual St. Patrick’s Day fest on South Charles Street in Federal Hill. Get there early (the first 500 to check in get a free koozie to keep their hands warm throughout the day) to take advantage of four bars, Crush stations, food specials, corn hole, giveaways from Jamison and Guinness, and live music—both in the tents outside and upstairs on the second floor. 1439 S Charles St. 11-8 p.m. $10
3/15: Fed Hill Irish Stroll
Perhaps the rowdiest area in town on St. Paddy’s weekend, Federal Hill will once again host this self-guided stroll around the bars surrounding Cross Street Market. Drink specials on deck this year are $3.50 Michelob Ultras and Kona Big Waves, as well as $5.50 Nutrls, at all of the go-to bars, including Wayward, Crossbar, and One Star. Check in at 1113 S. Charles St. 1-9 p.m.
3/17: Saint Patrick’s Day Party at Magerk’s
Log off early (of play hookie altogether) on St. Patrick’s Day to celebrate at this green-and-gold hotspot in Federal Hill. Ticketholders will enjoy themed specials including $5 lime Nutrls and green tea Surfsides, $7 Guinness pints, and $8 Irish Drop shots. 1061 South Charles St. 4-10 p.m. $5-$30.
3/17: Looney’s Pub
The homegrown pub chain operates four different venues in Maple Lawn, Perry Hall, Bel Air, and College Park, which are all gearing up for their own bar bashes complete with live music and specials. In Perry Hall, for example, patrons can order off of the Lucky Libations (Irish mules and Leprechaun Crushes) and Irish food (corned beef and cabbage, Irish nachos, and Reuben quesadillas) menus leading up to the big day—which will kick off with a bacon and beer breakfast at 5:30 a.m. Multiple locations including 8706 Belair Rd.
Emerald Eats
3/9,15,16,17: James Joyce Irish Pub
There’s no better time to pay a visit to this hallowed Harbor East pub, which will host an official parade fundraiser on March 9, holiday kickoff party on March 15, parade after-party on March 16, and a full rager on the big day. For brunch service on March 16 and 17, expect specialties like Irish cheddar-stuffed omelets and the “Clarinbridge Irish Fry” platter with eggs, brown bread, sausage, and black pudding. 616 President St. 9 a.m.
3/11-17: Kelsy’s Restaurant
Get your shamrock on at this Ellicott City stalwart, which highlights daily events for the entire week leading up to St. Pat’s. A special family day on March 16 will offer balloon art, live music by Sticky G inside, the Mo Stringz band bringing the party on the tented outdoor stage, and an early toast to St. Patrick’s Day on Irish time (7 p.m.) to get little ones home at a reasonable hour. On the actual day, the pub will open at 8 a.m. for kegs and eggs, followed by bag pipers and a lineup of live bands. 8480 Baltimore National Pike.
3/17: Mick O’Shea’s Irish Pub
On parade day, Mt. Vernon’s beloved neighborhood haunt opens all of its doors and windows, fires up its grill, and pours countless pints as the floats and marching bands pass by on North Charles Street. Stop by to enjoy classics like corned beef and cabbage, Shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and beef stew. 328 N Charles St.
Looking for a more classic Irish pub experience? Check out even more spots to hit, here.
Family-Friendly Fun
3/8: Irish Music Festival
The Baltimore County Department of Recreation & Parks is hosting this jam fest headlined by local Irish party band The ShamRogues. Bring the whole family to enjoy vendors, food trucks, and themed activities. 13401 Beaver Dam Road. 1-6 p.m. $20
3/16: St. Patrick’s Day Parade
At Baltimore’s 63rd-annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, thousands of spectators from the region will crowd the downtown streets and sidewalks to celebrate Irish culture, music, songs, and dance. The parade step off from the Washington Monument, proceeds south on Charles Street, and continues east toward the Inner Harbor. 2 p.m.
St. Paddy’s Performances
3/14-15: Claddagh Pub’s Annual Meet in the Street
The countdown is on for the tented, two-day tradition on O’Donnell Square, which will feature nonstop live music by multiple groups including local faves Starcrush, Crushing Day, Bryan O’Boyle, and The Mad Dabbers. 2918 O’Donnell St. 9 a.m. Free admission
3/14-3/17: Ye Olde Emerald Tavern
This historic tavern is as close as you can get to the Emerald Isle in Parkville. Like always, St. Patrick’s Day weekend will offer drink deals, hearty food (think: bangers and mash, Irish potato soup, corned beef and cabbage with potatoes, and Guinness-glazed wings) and daily live music. Get pumped for sets by Alchemy, Awaken, Bad Intentions, Out of Time, and more. 8300 Harford Road, Parkville.
3/15: St. Patrick’s Day Celebration 2025
Creative Alliance is hosting this music spectacular showcasing Baltimore’s award-winning traditional Irish tunes. The can’t-miss lineup includes Irish music supergroups The Baltimore Salute, The East Coasters, and the Mount Clare Connection, along with ballader and emcee Seamus Kennedy. 3134 Eastern Ave. 7 p.m. $20-$30
3/15: Joey Harkum’s 2nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
To kick off the holiday weekend, head to Baltimore Soundstage to rock out with Joey Harkum—the lead singer and songwriter of Baltimore-based band Pasadena. His solo show feature opening sets by Daphe Eckman and the Ashley Larue Band. 124 Market PI. 8 p.m. $25