It's that time of year again—when grown adults walk around in public with shamrocks painted on their faces and the streets flow with Guinness. Falling on a Friday this year, St. Patrick's Day is guaranteed to be a keg-full of fun. Here are a few St. Patrick's Day Pubs in Annapolis to check out on March 17th.
Galway Bay
Galway Bay sits on Maryland Avenue just off State Circle.
This will be Galway's 25th year celebrating St. Paddy's at their home on Maryland Avenue, one of Annapolis' most historic streets. There, it's St. Patrick's month, as they have a calendar of events for the entire month of March, full of Irish history dinners, live music, and more.
Corned beef and cabbage wraps from Galway Bay.
Galway will be open all day—but call ahead to reserve a table! Galway Bay always serves up favorites like specialty salads, burgers, and traditional Irish fare, such as their shepherd's pie, and bangers & mash. They'll also open up an additional Guinness tap to ensure everyone gets a pint. If you are out in the county celebrating St. Patrick's Day, it does not mean you have to miss out on any of the fun! Check out Galway Bay's sister restaurants, Killarney House, Brian Boru, and Pirate's Cove!
Castlebay Irish Pub
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day the whole year at one of our many Irish pubs!
Castlebay is an excellent place to tickle your Irish fancy for St. Paddy's, especially if you want to stick close to downtown for the day. Located in the heart of Main Street, Castlebay is also celebrating its 25th St. Patrick's Day in Annapolis this year. Their traditional Irish breakfast will start at 8:00, followed by lunch at noon with Irish staples: corned beef and cabbage, shepherd's pie, lamb stew, and more. Live entertainment will start around 2:00 pm. Castlebay does not accept reservations, so feel free to stop by throughout the day.
Castlebay maintains a wide selection of Irish whiskeys and multiple Irish beers on tap, and Guinness has recognized them as having the "perfect pint." As for me, I've got my eyes on their Irish coffees…
McGarvey's
Bar hop along Market Space on St. Patrick's Day for one of the best bar crawls on the East Coast!
A casual spot that has been an Annapolis institution for over forty years, McGarvey's is a no-frills classic restaurant with friendly staff and a well-stocked oyster bar. For the locals, the bartenders always remember your name, and many a happy married couple can say they fell in love at this Irish bar.
Look around at all of the plaques on the bar cementing their true love as you sip on a pint, enjoy some delicious oysters, and admire the stained glass, mahogany, and marble-topped bars. Check their website for all the fun coming up for March, and make sure you stop in for an Irish Coffee or two, available any time of year.
O'Brien's
It's not St. Patrick's Day until you've had some Fish n' Chips!
At the bottom of Main Street, O'Brien's Steakhouse is a laid-back eatery serving delicious dishes and nightly entertainment. This fabulous bar is also known for its steak, seafood, and private dining room on the second floor. But it's all about the Irish on St. Patrick's Day.
Named for former Redskins football player Fran O'Brien, you can rest assured that this establishment will offer plenty of oysters, fish n' chips, and drink specials in anticipation of the big day.
Sláinte!
Thanks to our community, we have added more restaurants to check out this St. Patrick's Day:
Stan & Joes Saloon - Located on West Street in downtown Annapolis, Stan & Joes Saloon is an Irish/American Pub with free, live local music seven nights a week.
Federal House Bar & Grille - Located on Market Space in the Historical District of Annapolis, The Federal House is nestled among a shopping and sightseeing haven. Stop in for a drink or dine out front year-round at one of their fire-top tables. They are also dog-friendly!
Middleton Tavern - Located right in the heart of downtown, Middleton Tavern features casual comfort, fireplaces, and live music, complete with a covered patio for those warmer winter days.
Davis' - A standard in the waterside 'suburb' of Eastport across the bridge from Annapolis is Davis'. Formerly a general store in the 1920's it has become a 'locals' bar serving great food and drinks with waterside views from its outdoor patio.
Photos courtesy of Leslie Howard-Goddard and Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County. This article was updated on January 5, 2024.
