As luck would have it, St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Saturday this year, which feels like a sign from the leprechaun gods that there should be no shortage of celebrations. Boston restaurants are certainly stepping up to the challenge with limited-time libations. Make the most of the weekend holiday by hitting the town and kicking back with a festive drink — see a few options (beyond the requisite whiskey, Guinness and green beer) below in all their emerald glory!
Novara: St. Patty’s Day & Emerald Eye Opener
Can’t choose between specialty sips in honor of St. Patrick? At Novara, you don’t have to. The Milton mainstay has two drink options: a tea-based St. Patty’s Day with Glendalough gin, lemon, lime and mint; as well as a coffee kicker called the Emerald Eye Opener, made with Glendalough Irish whiskey, cold brew, Guinness and a touch of vanilla.
Bostonia Public House: A Whale of a Time
Irish American whiskey is all the rage at Bostonia Public House this St Paddy’s Day. The Financial District spot is celebrating with drink specials like the cinnamon sugar-rimmed Slainte, the refreshingly minty, A Whale of a Time, and What’s the Craic, a fun riff off a traditional whiskey sour.
Davio’s Lynnfield: The Irish Mule
Let Davio’s Lynnfield put an Irish spin on one of your favorites with its Irish Mule. This treat deviates from vodka to whiskey and pleases with the familiar combination of lime juice and sparkling ginger beer.
Precinct Kitchen + Bar: Officer Paddy Ryan
Precinct Kitchen + Bar is the only police headquarters you’ll want to drink at this St. Patrick’s Day. This spot in the Loews Boston Hotel is extending their celebrations all weekend, where you can feel extra festive with the Officer Paddy Ryan cocktail, adorned with Lucky Charms and sweetened with Irish Cream espresso. Savor your velvety cocktail alongside eats like corned beef poppers, orange glazed chicken wings, and cheddar Guinness dip.
Temple Bar: Tipperary Cocktail
St. Paddy’s Day celebrations are in order all month long at Temple Bar! The Harvard Square bistro is lending its draft line to the Tipperary Cocktail alongside local craft brews. This cocktail could be the distant cousin of the classic boulevardier, shaking things up by subbing Irish whiskey for rye and the festively green and equally herbal chartreuse for Campari.
Henrietta’s Table: Teeling Piorra
Slip away from the St. Patrick’s Day madness and into Henrietta’s Table’s unassuming dining room and bar. Celebrate your own way with their Teeling Piorra cocktail, which blends the sweetness of pear-infused demerara syrup and gingery Domaine de Canton with the woodsy spiced notes of Teeling Irish Whiskey.
City Tap House: Green Bloody Mary
City Tap House is blending up a Bloody Mary so green it looks downright healthy. Use the extra dose of veggies (it comes garnished with a huge celery stalk and green tomato!) to excuse indulging in St Paddy’s specials like corned beef and cabbage spring rolls.
Catalyst: Redbreast
Love cocktails but hate waiting for the bartender to shake ’em up? Belly up to the bar at Catalyst for their Redbreast cocktail on draft. You’ll be equally impressed by how fast this drink flies into your hand and by the delicious house-made chamomile soda syrup that gives the Irish whiskey the balance it needs.
Tapestry: Irish Coffee
Tapestry is evoking the luck of the Irish and the elixir of the monks with the Jameson and Chartreuse found in their Irish Coffee. This holiday treat is topped with sweet Boston cream and caffeinated with cold brew coffee.
Beat Brasserie: Auntie’s Spiked Irish Tea
Beat Brasserie’s love of the eclectic lends itself to Auntie’s Spiked Irish Tea, which is shaken up with whiskey & spiced Irish tea syrup ’til cold. It’s the perfect accompaniment for bobbing along to live music in this tapesty-adorned joint and comes garnished with a Claddagh ring, a traditional Irish piece of jewelry representing friendship (hands), love (heart), and loyalty (crown).
CHOPPS: Emerald Isle
This St. Patrick’s Day, come for the festive-colored libations, and stay for the honey & plum pork at Chopps American Bar and Grill. The Burlington chophouse is letting drinkers choose between tequila or gin in their special Emerald Isle cocktail; either base pairs perfectly with its cucumber lime juice and fruity coconut lychee water.
TAMO Bistro & Bar: Guinness Fish Bowl
What’s St. Paddy’s Day without Guinness and friends? Luckily, TAMO Bistro & Bar is super-sizing your celebration with a 51 ounce Guinness Fish Bowl! Can’t wait for the 17th? The Seaport bistro has already rolled out the special so you can get your malty fix.
Lucca Back Bay: The Step Lively
Served in a Double Old Fashioned Glass (no one needs stemware on St. Paddy’s), The Step Lively features one of the most decorated Irish whiskeys — Rebreast 12 Year. The bar team at Lucca Back Bay adds Punt e Mes, an Italian vermouth, plus orange bitters and Green Chartreuse (for a shot of good luck). Don’t miss the lemon twist garnish!
Fin Point Oyster Bar: Irish Coffee
The name of the game at Fin Point Oyster Bar is elegant yet familiar fare, and this St. Patrick’s Day is no exception. The sophisticated Downtown spot is whipping up a classic Irish Coffee guaranteed to please with whiskey, brown sugar, and fresh cream. Slide up to their chic, stone bar and warm up your night with this pick-me-up.
