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A view of the bar inside Erin Rose with bottles and a green lit up “prescription” sign hanging.
Erin Rose bar in the French Quarter.
Erin Rose

Here Are New Orleans's Essential Irish Pubs

Go here on St. Patrick's Day and beyond

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Erin Rose bar in the French Quarter.
| Erin Rose

New Orleans is home to a lot of great drinking spots, but Irish pubs are some of the best places to connect with the regulars over a glass of whiskey or a pint of beer. Often, these are also solid neighborhood bars exactly for that reason — they’re where people head to connect.

What follows is a guide to Irish pubs that check off each item of the list of what makes a great Irish pub — decent prices, conversation, approachability, and sometimes some sports on the TV. All of these places celebrate St. Patrick's Day in a serious way — from Parasol’s block party to Fahy’s many food specials.

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Mick's Irish Pub

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Nothing fancy, this Mid-City pub has been pouring pints for over a century. The atmosphere is all about the community formed within the pub's walls. Things like crowdsourcing food from its patrons for Saints games makes the watering hole feel like your friendly neighbor's boozy potluck, but way more fun. Catch World Cup games here.

Finn McCool's Irish Pub

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This longtime locals' favorite is big on football, going beyond the usual indoor screens with two outdoor screens on the patio. Opened in 2002 by two Belfast natives, Finn’s is now owned by a former regular and fellow Irishman, as well as a local, and the current kitchen, Duke Walter’s, is poised as a hit after opening in early 2023 — think fish and chips and bangers and mash alongside burgers and chicken sandwiches. The St. Patrick’s Day Block Party is on for 2023.

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The Holy Ground

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This cool Mid-City pub is known for its free food during Saints games. It's a relaxed place to drinks and play darts. It's also a great place to stop during Endymion when it's Carnival season.

Tracey's

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This Irish Channel spot isn't just a pub — it's a food destination. The roast beef po’ boy is the must-try item on the list, but other po’ boys, gravy fries, and crawfish during the season (careful, they’re salty) are also worth noting. Plenty of TV screens adorn the walls, making it an easy spot to catch whatever televised sports are on. Catch a block party the Saturday prior to and on St. Patrick’s Day in 2023.

Parasol's

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Tucked around the corner from Tracey's, this small divey spot is a neighborhood hangout most of the year — except during its St. Patrick’s Day block par, when its reach goes far beyond the Irish Channel. Parasol's has a pretty extensive food menu with lots of fried seafood, roast beef po’boys, and other New Orleans faves. Try the Irish sundae, potato salad with roast beef debris.

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St. Pat's Irish Coffeehouse

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Just blocks away from Bourbon Street is this hidden hangout that may not look like a stereotypical Irish pub found in America, but might more closely resemble one actually found in Ireland. The counter-service, dog-friendly shop is known for its courtyard, its Irish Coffees, and its whiskey flights. Cozy up at this sweet spot until 11 p.m. on weekends, later than any other coffee shop in town, that's for sure.

Fahy's Irish Pub

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Fahy's has all the essential characteristics of a decent Irish pub — pool tables and darts, cheap drinks, and a space that is cramped enough to encourage people to talk to each other. Located in the Lower French Quarter, it's a longtime spot for blending tourists, service industry workers, and neighborhood residents.

Erin Rose

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Erin Rose is a French Quarter respite, a compact dive with “if you know you know” yet welcoming vibes. It's the kind of cramped bar where people go to chat, catch up on events, and drink reasonably priced booze. Try the frozen Irish coffee.

Ryan's Irish Pub Inc

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In case it’s not clear yet, there are a lot of Irish bars in the French Quarter, some on the rowdier side, like Kerry’s, and some on the quieter side, like Molly’s Irish Pub (not to be confused with Molly’s at the Market, which is decidedly more lively. Ryan’s is somewhere in the middle, with the added sheen of Lower Decatur grit. It’s a great stop for a beer, a game, and a friendly chat.

Boondock Saint

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This place's charm is its cozy serenity, remarkable given its close proximity to Bourbon Street. Inside, it feels like a neighborhood bar in the heart of the French Quarter, with lots of beers on tap and a great jukebox. It's also conveniently located across from Preservation Hall. Yes, it’s named after the moie

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The Kerry Irish Pub

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Easily accessible to tourists and others on Decatur Street, Kerry Irish Pub often has live music with no cover charge. It doesn't serve food, but it's a solid place to grab a Harp or Guinness. It's also roomier than most other Irish bars in town.

Molly's at the Market

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Molly's is a great Irish bar. It's also a great bar. Period. Located across from the French Market, it's a spot where eccentric locals hang out and enjoy the always good service and drinks. The downtown St. Patrick's Day parade makes a stop at Molly's again in 2023.

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Markey's Bar

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Serving the Bywater area since the 1940s, the bar thankfully hasn't changed as much as the area around it. The clientele is a mix of old-school regulars and transplants that have only recently docked in New Orleans, but the owner’s familiar presence along with super longtime bartenders tips the atmosphere in the right direction.

The exterior of Markey’s bar, a deep red building with a shabby white sign. Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Mick's Irish Pub

Nothing fancy, this Mid-City pub has been pouring pints for over a century. The atmosphere is all about the community formed within the pub's walls. Things like crowdsourcing food from its patrons for Saints games makes the watering hole feel like your friendly neighbor's boozy potluck, but way more fun. Catch World Cup games here.

Finn McCool's Irish Pub

This longtime locals' favorite is big on football, going beyond the usual indoor screens with two outdoor screens on the patio. Opened in 2002 by two Belfast natives, Finn’s is now owned by a former regular and fellow Irishman, as well as a local, and the current kitchen, Duke Walter’s, is poised as a hit after opening in early 2023 — think fish and chips and bangers and mash alongside burgers and chicken sandwiches. The St. Patrick’s Day Block Party is on for 2023.

Shutterstock

The Holy Ground

This cool Mid-City pub is known for its free food during Saints games. It's a relaxed place to drinks and play darts. It's also a great place to stop during Endymion when it's Carnival season.

Tracey's

This Irish Channel spot isn't just a pub — it's a food destination. The roast beef po’ boy is the must-try item on the list, but other po’ boys, gravy fries, and crawfish during the season (careful, they’re salty) are also worth noting. Plenty of TV screens adorn the walls, making it an easy spot to catch whatever televised sports are on. Catch a block party the Saturday prior to and on St. Patrick’s Day in 2023.

Parasol's

Tucked around the corner from Tracey's, this small divey spot is a neighborhood hangout most of the year — except during its St. Patrick’s Day block par, when its reach goes far beyond the Irish Channel. Parasol's has a pretty extensive food menu with lots of fried seafood, roast beef po’boys, and other New Orleans faves. Try the Irish sundae, potato salad with roast beef debris.

Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

St. Pat's Irish Coffeehouse

Just blocks away from Bourbon Street is this hidden hangout that may not look like a stereotypical Irish pub found in America, but might more closely resemble one actually found in Ireland. The counter-service, dog-friendly shop is known for its courtyard, its Irish Coffees, and its whiskey flights. Cozy up at this sweet spot until 11 p.m. on weekends, later than any other coffee shop in town, that's for sure.

Fahy's Irish Pub

Fahy's has all the essential characteristics of a decent Irish pub — pool tables and darts, cheap drinks, and a space that is cramped enough to encourage people to talk to each other. Located in the Lower French Quarter, it's a longtime spot for blending tourists, service industry workers, and neighborhood residents.

Erin Rose

Erin Rose is a French Quarter respite, a compact dive with “if you know you know” yet welcoming vibes. It's the kind of cramped bar where people go to chat, catch up on events, and drink reasonably priced booze. Try the frozen Irish coffee.

Ryan's Irish Pub Inc

In case it’s not clear yet, there are a lot of Irish bars in the French Quarter, some on the rowdier side, like Kerry’s, and some on the quieter side, like Molly’s Irish Pub (not to be confused with Molly’s at the Market, which is decidedly more lively. Ryan’s is somewhere in the middle, with the added sheen of Lower Decatur grit. It’s a great stop for a beer, a game, and a friendly chat.

Boondock Saint

This place's charm is its cozy serenity, remarkable given its close proximity to Bourbon Street. Inside, it feels like a neighborhood bar in the heart of the French Quarter, with lots of beers on tap and a great jukebox. It's also conveniently located across from Preservation Hall. Yes, it’s named after the moie

Shutterstock

The Kerry Irish Pub

Easily accessible to tourists and others on Decatur Street, Kerry Irish Pub often has live music with no cover charge. It doesn't serve food, but it's a solid place to grab a Harp or Guinness. It's also roomier than most other Irish bars in town.

Molly's at the Market

Molly's is a great Irish bar. It's also a great bar. Period. Located across from the French Market, it's a spot where eccentric locals hang out and enjoy the always good service and drinks. The downtown St. Patrick's Day parade makes a stop at Molly's again in 2023.

Shutterstock

Markey's Bar

Serving the Bywater area since the 1940s, the bar thankfully hasn't changed as much as the area around it. The clientele is a mix of old-school regulars and transplants that have only recently docked in New Orleans, but the owner’s familiar presence along with super longtime bartenders tips the atmosphere in the right direction.

The exterior of Markey’s bar, a deep red building with a shabby white sign. Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

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