Paint the town green: where to celebrate St Patrick’s Day 2018 in Manchester

St Patrick’s Day is the annual celebration of the patron saint of Ireland, falling on Saturday 17 March 2018.

It’s also the opportunity for a massive party, with many venues putting on special offers for you to enjoy.

Even better, it falls at the weekend this year and at the same time as the Six Nations. So that means big-screen rugby as England take on Ireland (2.45pm) plus Wales vs France (5pm), with pints of Guinness and big smiles all round.

A number of events have already taken place this month as part of Manchester Irish Festival, which has been running since Friday 2 March and will culminate on Sunday 18 March. It’s included the Irish Market in Albert Square and the St Patrick’s Parade, which took place on 11 March.

Manchester has reason to celebrate its Irish heritage, after all. During the nineteenth century, a number of people migrated from Ireland to live in the North West, many coming to Manchester during the Industrial Revolution. It was estimated that a tenth of the population of the city was Irish by 1841, many living around Oxford Road in an area which became known as ‘Little Ireland’.

Irish people contributed hugely to the progression of Manchester and continue to do so today. So let’s celebrate.

Live music and sporting fun at O’Shea’s

This Princess Street Irish bar welcomes you to what they promise to be ‘the biggest and best St Patrick’s Day Party in Manchester’. They will have live music from 12 noon; first on stage will be Lochin featuring Kev Deesy and Paul Daly playing the best in Irish traditional music. Coverage of the last day of the 6 Nations including Ireland v England will be on the big screens, too. Entertainment in the afternoon comes from the fantastic Green Hot Clover joined by Richard Sanderson on fiddle. Admission is free til 6pm, £5 from 7.30pm, and the night is set to include even more live music and sporting fun.

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Themed cocktails at The Living Room

To mark the occasion this Deansgate bar and kitchen is set to impress with a specially themed cocktail called the Black Velvet: a mix of Guinness and Prosecco, it’s a taste experience you just have to try. They will also have live music from 6pm – 9pm, then a DJ until 2am. Guests booking in the restaurant will be offered a complimentary Black Velvet cocktail or half a Guinness.

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Guinness galore at Mulligans of Deansgate

Also known as the home of Guinness in Manchester, this famous Irish pub will be hosting live music Thursday to Sunday as well as airing all the big games including the weekend’s Ireland vs England Six Nations match.

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A big green party at Manchester Bierkeller

This big Bavarian-style beer house in the Printworks is taking Irish inspiration at the weekend and putting on a big green party, complete with drinks deals and plenty of the black stuff.

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£1 shots at The Venue

This popular club on Jackson’s Row in the city centre presents a St Patrick’s Day with plenty of deals for you to enjoy. With shots starting at £1 and drinks at £2, that means great value booze and top tunes. Keep your eyes peeled for a hidden four leaf clover, which means big prizes if you find it.

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Party anthems at Tiger Tiger

A big St Paddy’s day bash is taking place at this massive Printworks bar. It’s going green and getting ready to offer you Emerald Isle inspired drinks, dancing and party anthems. This includes  Six Nations screening live from 2.45pm, a live band at 5pm and the opportunity to enjoy Guinness and a burger for £7.75, or a Baby Guinness for just £3. Don’t forget the afterparty!

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Legends of Ireland at Revolution Deansgate Locks

A massive ‘Legends of Ireland’ event is taking place for St Patrick’s 2018 at this Deansgate Locks vodka bar. You can enjoy Guinness served all day as well as live music from an electronic harpist and DJ sets, too.

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Indie classics at South

Much-loved DJ, broadcaster and member of Inspiral Carpets Clint Boon is taking over the decks at South nightclub in the city centre, just off King Street. Expect your favourite Indie and Manc tunes – an ideal way to party on St Patrick’s Day evening.

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DJs and dancing at Waxy O’Connors

One of the largest Irish bars in the city, situated in the Printworks, this is a sure place to party this St Patricks Day. There will be plenty of themed food, drinks, dancing and DJ sets until late. So get involved.

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Face-painting and Guinness at Walkabout

A week-long celebration for St Patrick’s Day is already going on at this lively Printworks bar. From Monday 12 March until Friday 16, they are offering Guinness at £2 a pint from 12pm-7pm. Then on St Patrick’s Day itself there will be a face-painter on-site from 1pm-4pm so you can adopt the design of your favourite Six Nations team perhaps (as the finals will be on the big screen) or of course, anything St Paddy’s related too.

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A pop-up bar at O’Driscoll’s

This vibrant pop-up bar has been in Albert Square since 8 March (and it’s there all this week, so be sure to go along for a drink), and will be celebrating St Patrick’s Day from midday onwards on Saturday 17 as part of The Manchester Irish Festival 2018. Expect musical highlights and sport from the 6 Nations, right at the heart of the city.

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Festival fun at Irish World Heritage Centre

This massive venue in Cheetham Hill, North Manchester is one of the ultimate places to celebrate – and was the starting point for this year’s Manchester Irish Festival. On the day itself there will be outdoor live music including a performance from Beth Mann and her Irish pop band. Tickets are £2.50 for individuals, £5 for family entry (two adults, two children).  Inside you can enjoy a full Irish breakfast from 10am, live music in the lounge and 6 Nations screening too, shown in the bar from 2pm.

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Guinness bacon cheeseburgers at Hard Rock Cafe

Hard Rock Cafe Manchester in the Printworks will celebrate St Patrick’s Day with a brand new burger bursting with Irish-inspired flavours. The St. Paddy’s Burger is a mouth-watering Guinness bacon cheeseburger available from now until Sunday 18 March 2018. Irish passport holders will even be able to enjoy one half price when they show their passport and dine in the cafe on 17 March between 11am-2pm. If you aren’t lucky enough to hold an Irish passport, the St. Paddy’s Day Burger is available for £14.25, and beer with a collectable glass is £11.55.

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Jameson cocktails, tank beer and Northern Soul at Cooper Hall

Expect live music from acoustic duo Liam McClair and Scott Lloyd followed by Northern soul, 60’s and RnB from Beat Boutique at Cooper hall on Saturday from 7pm. You’ll also find a custom crafted menu of Jameson Irish Whiskey cocktails, drinks and Caskmates Boiler Makers. Tank beer will be offered throughout the evening.

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