Best St. Patrick's Day Bars In Minnesota
By Linda Cameron
St. Patrick's Day is a big occasion for having a pint at a local pub or bar. It's also a day to savor traditional Irish fare, such as corned beef and cabbage and colcannon. You might even try Irish poutine and brisket. Twin Cities has dozens of popular Irish bars, pubs and Irish-themed restaurants. With so many to choose from, here are a few with pints of beer, specialty pints, and nearly plus-sized menus. Two are a few miles away from St. Paul/Minneapolis.
Kieran's Irish Pub
85 6th St. N.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 339-4499
www.kierans.com
Conveniently near Target Field and Target Center, Kieran's is a popular sports and concert event stopover. This lively pub is also where the hard working come to enjoy a good pint of beer or something else. Sometimes, in a burst of neighborliness and community spirit, Kieran's might offer pints at the price of two-for-one. Hospitality workers can get a pint on the house if they present a time slip. The menu is full of main meals and small plates prepared in true Irish tradition. Kieran's is one of those establishments that serves corned beef every day. But do try the curry lunch and pot roast, too.
O'Brien's Public House
338 First Ave. E.
Shakopee, MN 55379
(952) 217-5490
www.obrienspublichousemn.com
If a commute to Twin Cities just for a pint is too long, Shakopee has a great pub. O'Brien's Public House serves plenty of specialty and craft beers by the pint. The pub also has house wine by the glass. The pub's menu consists of daily specials and specials for many occasions. On Monday, hospitality workers can enjoy $10 burgers and a few pints. Tuesday is taco day, featuring pints and $12 tacos. The atmosphere in this pub is very social, and gives a big welcome on St. Patrick's Day.
The Liffey
175 7th St., W.
St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 556-1420
www.theliffey.com
The Liffey has several 20-oz. mixed pints, if pint variety is your spice of pub life. There are five mixed pint selections, most of them featuring Guinness. Harp with Strongbow Cider is the only non-Guinness mixed pint. The Happy Hour discount for selected 16 and 20-oz. pint beverages is $2.50. In addition to pint-sized libations, The Liffey has one of the best lunch, dinner and late night menus. The corned beef tastes great and makes a great pairing when shared with a pint.
Related: Best Irish Bars In Minnesota
Brigid's Pub
317 Beltrami Ave.
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 444-0567
www.brigidsirishpub.com
For genuine pints, especially pints of Guinness, this pub has it down to the ml (milliliter). But Brigid's Pub conveniently lists all pints in fluid ounces. You can order Guinness by the half pint (10 oz.), American pint (16 oz.), or international pint (20 oz.). The pub has an interesting list of specialty beer drinks, also in pints. For small eats, you can nosh or nibble on delicacies such as corned beef Irish eggrolls and flavored Colcannon potato cakes. The pub also has a list of soups, salads, burgers and Irish inspired fare. Sorry - no corned beef and cabbage dinners.
Emmet's Public House
695 Grand Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55105
(651) 225-8248
www.emmettspublichouse.com
Folks say the drinks here are good, especially by the pint. The drinks menu is simple. For $4.50, you can order a varied selection of pint-sized beer, ale and cider. The pub has no craft cocktails per se. But The Big E, made with your choice of a local pint and a shot of Tullamore Dew whiskey, comes closest to being a craft cocktail. The bar and kitchen are open seven days per week with a Happy Hour. Emmet's has interesting daily corned beef dishes that pair especially well with pints on St. Patrick's Day: corned beef and colcannon, corned beef brick pressed sandwich, and corned beef sliders. The menu is full of other comfort foods, such as curried beer and whiskey mussels. On April 18, beginning at 5 p.m., Emmet's celebrates Irish Heritage Night. Anyone of Irish ancestry is invited to tell a story and raise a pint.
Related: Best Irish Pubs In Minnesota
