Join the festive, responsibly inebriated men & women of Buffalo Niagara and explore some of the great bars to patron on St. Paddy’s Day.

by Max Fisher

Looking for great bars to hit this St. Paddy’s Day? We’ve got the genuine articles

Join the St. Paddy’s Day Inebriated Merriment

Saint Paddy‘s Day is on its way and what else is there to say but to grab a pint and be gay at a fine bar with your mates? (Look, the Irish are known for their rhyming lyrical poetry and although I’m sure that rhyme made James Joyce wince in his grave, I’m sure he’d appreciate the effort all the same). Saint Paddy‘s Day without a good bar to go to is like breathing without air. It just can’t be done. (Unless you’re a fish, in which case I’d strongly advise you not to drink alcohol and go back to water). So this Saint Paddy‘s Day don’t hold your breath hoping you and your friends will stumble upon a good bar as you make your trek through the crowd of happy Saint Paddy‘s day merry men and women (in all honesty, your more likely to stumble over people as your looking for a good bar rather than stumbling upon a good bar you’ve never come across once the days in full swing).

No, this year we’ve got you covered with some of the best bars Buffalo Niagara has to offer, so all you have to think about this year when your out with your friends is not drinking too much and who’s going to be the designated driver (which is how it should be). Let’s get to bar hopping?

Gene McCarthy’s

As much as you may like going to bars with your friends whether it be St. Patrick’s Day or not, there’s one fact that’s always going to be staring you in the face. That being that most bar’s selection of alcoholic beverages are bland. Most bars you go to there’s a sense of been there drank that. Sure you can have the bartender whip you up a classic like a whiskey or a Rum and Coke but that’s so so boring. If you want a bar experience this St. Patrick’s Day with a bit more variety than you’re normally used to, then check out Gene McCarthy‘s. On their website it says “OFW is constantly looking to improve what they do in both product and process. This means improving upon the beers offered as regulars, as well as trying out new styles and flavors.” And this isn’t something they say just because it sounds good.

No, you can tell by their varied selection of beverages like The More Greener Hazy IPA (talk about the perfect brew for Saint Paddy‘s Day, and please don’t be semantic and say that an IPA is something else entirely because it’s not). Not to mention there’s always excellent food being prepared from beef stew to the chimichangas. So if you’re looking for something a bit different this Saint Patty‘s Day, head on over to Gene McCarthy‘s. They’re sure to have some sort of spirit to your liking as well as for your stomach.

Big Ditch Brewing Company

It says it right in the name BIG (admittedly I don’t know what the Ditch part is supposed to stand for; my guess is the drinks are so powerful and the food is so good, that you have to lay in a ditch afterward to recover?) And that’s what you’ll get. Big flavorful beverages like the EXCAVATOR RYE BROWN ALE, which incorporates seven different malts to achieve a rich, yet smooth flavor and balance. Or big delicious food like EXCAVATOR’S MEATLOAF—A blend of ground beef and pork, wrapped in thick-cut bacon, served over mashed potatoes, and topped with a brown sugar Excavator rye brown ale glaze. (What a combo, they better get that ditch ready). If you choose to go to Big Ditch on St. Patrick’s Day, one thing’s for sure, you’re going to leave full of good food and some of the best brews Buffalo has to offer!

Sterling Tap & Wurst

Are you looking for a bar this St. Patrick’s Day that has all the beers? (Ok maybe not all the beers, but all the beers you’d want). Then you have to stop by Sterling Tap & Wurst because they have great beers from all over the city and its surrounding counties in one place. Enjoy the White Cranberry Cider, Bold Rock Hard Cider or the Blueberry Maple Pancake Beer. So, if you’re feeling like a true beer aficionado this St. Patrick’s Day, head on over to Sterling Tap & Wurst; they’re sure to have what you want.

The Burning Buffalo Bar and Grill

Sometimes drinks don’t cut it. Sometimes you want to cut into some good food fresh off the grill to go with your brew. When that happens you go to The Burning Buffalo Bar And Grill. Keep in mind this is a more fancy establishment. There won’t be a lot of hooping and hollering if you choose to go on St. Patrick’s Day (unless you’re the one doing the hooping and hollering). No, the patrons of this fine establishment don’t tend to get very loud because they’re too busy sipping on specialty cocktails like PERFECT PEAR Buffalo trace bourbon, allspice dram, pear liquor, pear shrub, honey syrup red wine float, and eating top-notch grill like THE BURNING BUFFALO STEAK SANDWICH. So if you’re looking for a spot just a little bit more upscale than your regular bar this green holiday, you have to go to The Burning Buffalo.

Wellington Pub

Wellington Pub has been around for almost 40 years and in that time they’ve established themselves as one of the best bars in Buffalo, even if they might not be the most Irish. In no small part due to their great drink and daily food specials like Monday nights one dollar wing night. It all adds up to a great bar experience perfect for St. Patrick’s Day and beyond!

St. Patrick Approved

It’s pretty much a prerequisite that on Saint Patrick’s Day you’re going to do some drinking. But my hope is with this list you find some truly great brews to go with the day so you and your friends can join the ranks of the merry men and women responsibly inebriated dancing and laughing on the streets just like Saint Patrick would’ve wanted. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

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