Green beer, celtic music, outdoor parties and a massive parade full of screaming people. That’s what St. Patrick’s Day in Montreal is all about — and that’s all before noon.
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a celebratory event for everyone in the city, regardless of your actual heritage. It’s the headlining party for the holiday and it’s returning to its traditional route along Ste. Catherine Street this year.
See also
- Montreal's St. Patrick's Day Parade moves back to Ste. Catherine Street this year
- 17 things you might not know about St. Patrick's Day that you totally should
- 24 Irish phrases you need to learn before St. Patrick's Day
- 19 festive photos from the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Montreal
Once the parade is done however, there are so many (almost too many) parties happening all over the city, it can be a tad overwhelming to steer yourself, and your friends, in the right direction.
St. Patrick’s Day is like Christmas for the downtown spots. It’s shoulder-to-shoulder packed and everyone’s a wee bit toasty from the morning’s parade.
We’ve put together an ultimate guide to show you what’s hopping, and where, for St. Paddy’s Day Sunday this year. Keep in mind, long lineups are not unusual to get in to most spots after the parade, but that’s what the outdoor drinking is for.
If you can, now would be a good time to tell your boss about that “dentist appointment” you forgot about on Monday (wink, wink).
Honey Martin Pub
Honey Martin/Facebook
If you want a traditional Irish pub to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day, there’s no equivalent in the city to Honey’s. There’s no Wi-Fi, no TV, just good people, good drinks and good tunes.
On Sunday morning, Honey’s is serving an Irish breakfast starting at 10 am for $20 (pay in advance) and a three-piece celtic band will be playing all afternoon while complimentary Irish stew will be served at 5 pm.
The nighttime band, The Reel Shambles, are a five-piece band from Ireland that will rock out the pub until the wee hours of the morning.
Where: 5916 Sherbrooke Ouest
St. Patrick’s Day hours: 10 am – 3 am
Cover charge: No
McKibbin’s Irish Pub – Bishop
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It’s tough to find a more vibrant spot on St. Paddy’s Day than McKibbin’s. While all four McKibbin’s franchises will be bustling, none comes close to the sheer madness on Bishop Street.
From McKibbin’s basement to the third-floor dance club, the pub will be jam-packed all day Sunday – if you want people, McKibbin’s Bishop is the way to go.
The pub hosts a variety of rock and Celtic bands throughout the day, Irish tap dancers, bagpipe players and a $10 fish ‘n chip/chicken tender station. Stay full, drinkers.
Where: 5916 Sherbrooke Ouest
St. Patrick’s Day hours: 7 am – 3 am
Cover charge: Yes, $10
Hurley’s Irish Pub
Hurley’s Irish Pub/Facebook
Hurley’s maze-like bar is a great option on St. Patrick’s Day (but it may get dizzying). The pub hosts two bands, one upstairs, one downstairs, all day along with a limited food menu.
If you’re looking for a pure pint of Guinness, Hurley’s is calling your name.
Located in the middle of Crescent, Hurley’s has enough space to accommodate you and your pals, not to mention two big terraces if the weather holds up.
Where: 1225 rue Crescent
St. Patrick’s Day hours: 8:30 am – 3 am
Cover charge: No
Grumpy’s Bar
Jeff Ouellette/Facebook
Grumpy’s is a salt of the Earth bar. There are no gimmicks, no wild St. Patrick’s Day deals, no fancy cocktails. Just live music, perfectly poured pints and a shot or seven two.
Because it’s so close to the parade route, this dark, basement bar will definitely be packed but a cozy kind of packed. People tend to veer towards the bigger spots, so Grumpy’s might be that perfect spot if you’re with a bigger group of people.
Plus, bartenders Garth, Gern and Ram can pour a stout like it’s nobody’s business.
Where: 1241 rue Bishop
St. Patrick’s Day hours: 10 am – 3 am
Cover charge: No
Ye Olde Orchard Pub & Grill
Ye Olde Orchard Pub & Grill/Facebook
Olde Orchard is opening a tad earlier than usual for a limited Irish breakfast before the parade. While people are gone, the cozy pub will take out most of their furniture to make room for the masses of people on the way back.
Expect plenty of people, a variety of live bands and you know… booze.
Where: 1186 rue De La Montagne
St. Patrick’s Day hours: 9 am – 3 am
Cover charge: No
Mad Hatter Pub
Mad Hatter Pub/Facebook
The usually popular pool tables might be tough to access at Mad Hatter’s on Sunday, likewise with the constant Jenga competitions. Because it’s so close to the parade route, you might have to perform your own Jenga moves to navigate around.
Though not every spot offers the tacky green beer, Mad Hatter’s does – and they’re proud of it. They also offer a slew of St. Patrick’s Day deals which is a rarity, especially downtown.
Deals include: 7 for $7 (seven different items for $7 all day), an Irish poutine and cheeseburger, bangers and mash, beef stew, Murphy’s on tap, After Eight mint cocktail and green domestic pints.
Where: 1240 rue Crescent
St. Patrick’s Day hours: 10 am – 3 am
Cover charge: No
Burgundy Lion
burgundylion/Instagram
If you want to sneak away from the downtown core but still get a good St. Patrick’s Day vibe, head over to the Lion.
The ever-popular Burgundy Lion is a traditional English pub that will continue to serve their tasty Sunday brunch (from 9 am to 2 pm), even through the parade.
Besides the grub, the spacious pub boasts what they call “the most extensive whisky list in all of Quebec.”
Ask to skim through their whisky list and you get an encyclopedia, some of which are extremely rare and overall, well priced.
Take a break on the green beer and enjoy a genuine Irish whiskey.
Where: 2496 Rue Notre Dame Ouest
St. Patrick’s Day hours: 9 am – 3 am
Cover charge: No
London Pub
London Pub/Facebook
Located right on the corner of Boulevard de Maisonneuve and rue Crescent, London Pub is a cozier alternative to the big spots around town.
It’ll still be busy, but you might have a little bit more elbow room. Plus, if the weather’s nice you’ll get a great vantage point of the street side craziness from London Pub’s elevated garage door terrace.
Jukebox and dart board aside, London Pub has very interactive bartenders who won’t be afraid to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with you in the form of a few green shots.
Plus, Stogies Cigar Lounge is only a flight of stair away if you’re itching for a celebratory cigar.
Where: 2015 rue Crescent
St. Patrick’s Day hours: 12 pm – 3 am
Cover charge: No
Sir Winston Churchill’s Pub
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Sir Winston Churchill Pub has three floors, all of which will be crowded, offering different varieties of music, places to sit and drinks.
Winnie’s is hosting a $19.95 buffet on Sunday, full of greasy and tasty food to keep you going.
The pub also has two heated terraces, perfect to check out all of Crescent Street’s (possibly wobbly) foot traffic
Where: 2015 rue Crescent
St. Patrick’s Day hours: 9 am – 3 am
Cover charge: No
Le Vieux Dublin Pub & Restaurant
Le Vieux Dublin Pub & Restaurant/Facebook
If you want to get away from the downtown masses, the Old Dublin serves all the traditional Irish ales and they pour a Guinness to perfection.
The pub is serving a limited food menu on Sunday but what else do you need besides burgers and an Irish stew?
The pub claims to still get pretty long lineups but at least you’re a few blocks away from the downtown core so you’re able to hear yourself think (and drink).
Where: 636 Catchart
St. Patrick’s Day hours: 10 am – 3 am
Cover charge: No
Le Warehouse
Le Warehouse/Facebook
Le Warehouse isn’t your traditional spot for St. Paddy’s Day, but that’s not a bad thing.
Located right smack in the middle of the ever-busy Crescent Street, the rustic interior to Warehouse will make you feel like you’re in a cottage. With a lot of booze.
Warehouse will entice patrons by offering a $5 food menu all day on Sunday. If you’ve been drinking since the parade, you might want to fill up on some tasty and inexpensive burgers.
Plus, their known for their $12 “Bulldog” drink, a Corona flipped inside a bloody caesar or margarita. It’s busy on St. Paddy’s Day, you’d best get two drinks at once.
Where: 1446 rue Crescent
St. Patrick’s Day hours: 11 am – 3 am
Cover charge: No
Pub Bishop & Bagg
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Because it’s off the parade route, Bishop & Bagg is the go-to spot if you want to celebrate a quieter St. Patrick’s Day with friends and family. They also boast the largest gin collection in Quebec if you’ve had enough beer.
The British-style pub, however, offers a wide selection of imported beer, scotch and cocktails in a comfy old-fashion interior. The kitchen is cooking up some St. Paddy’s Day specials as well.
Where: 52 rue Saint Viateur
St. Patrick’s Day hours: 10 am – 3 am
Cover charge: No
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