7 Far-Flung Irish Pubs to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
Saint Patrick’s Day brings out the Irish in all of us. Lucky for international travelers, that culture is easy to encounter just about anywhere across the globe. (Guinness, for example — the Emerald Isle’s touchstone tipple — is currently brewed in 50 separate countries and sold in three times as many national markets.) Whether you find yourself in Dublin, Ireland or Dublin, Ohio, March 17 can be an equally celebratory affair — one marked be either amateur imbibing or professional craftsmanship. The following public houses and hotel bars make a strong case for pursuing the latter. It’s not just the luck of the Irish — these spots keep it classy. Use your miles to land at any of them and a pot of gold awaits — in liquid form.
1. The Dead Rabbit, New York, NY
The Irish know a thing or two about whiskey. In fact, they claim to have invented the world’s most celebrated barrel-aged spirit. The assertion is buttressed by Bushmills — the first legal distillery, established on the island in 1608. It might surprise you to learn that the broadest collection of the spirit exists on another island altogether: Manhattan. In the Financial District, of all places. A neighborhood never known for its nightlife was entirely transformed in 2013 with the opening of Dead Rabbit. It’s a traditional Irish pub, restaurant, craft cocktail lounge and whiskey library all rolled into one four-story brownstone fortress. Come early on their busiest day of the year to stake out your space on the ground floor, where live traditional music fills the air, and boilermakers are as plentiful as the sawdust strewn about your feet.
2. The Landmark, Bangkok, Thailand
Thailand’s vibrant capital city is full of surprises. One of them is hiding in the basement level of the Landmark hotel, home to Huntsman Pub. Although its appointments are more reminiscent of a traditional British watering hole — leather banquettes, steak and kidney pie — on St. Patrick’s Day, the restaurant goes green with its Pub Roast Buffet. Enjoy Irish stew, corned beef and cabbage, soda bread and pint after pint of Guinness from 6pm until 10pm.
3. James Joyce Irish Bar: Taipei, Taiwan
Taiwan is a half a world away from the Emerald Isle, yet the James Joyce — bearing the name of Ireland’s most illustrious author — convinces you the two are not nearly as far apart as they seem. The walls are lined in Celtic crosses, vintage Guinness adverts and flatscreens streaming live rugby matches. Behind the bar are the familiar upside-down bottles, mounted to measuring dispensers, as they are back in Dublin. Venture in mid-March and you’ll be greeted by live fiddle as the interior is taken over by Irish revelers, dancing a jolly jig.
4. Maloney’s Hotel, Sydney, Australia
The Irish have a phrase for all things awesome: It’s the craic. Dubliners Down Under have co-opted the term to apply to their most beloved watering hole on the opposite side of the equator. Maloney’s Hotel is an Irish attraction in the heart of Sydney’s commercial business district, beckoning thirsty travelers with its faithful re-creation of Temple Bar charm. On the 17th they promise live Irish music from 12pm until "late" — along with beer specials, beef and Guinness Pie and pork fillet glazed in that same signature stout.
5. AC Hotel Columbus Dublin, Dublin, OH
Dublin, Ohio, goes to great lengths to honor its Old World namesake, particularly around St. Paddy’s Day, when the city holds parades and its very own Blarney Bash festival. The AC Hotel is at the heart of it all, in the Bridge Park Neighborhood along the new Celtic Cocktail Trail. On its roof is VASO, a restaurant and bar affording a bird's-eye view of all the revelry. With just under 50,000 residents, Dublin reminds you that big things can come in small packages.
6. Piper Down Public House, Salt Lake City, UT
All you really need to know about Salt Lake City’s premiere Irish pub is that its website features a live countdown to St. Patrick’s Day. The rest is all details — delicious details. Like the fact that the restaurant plates the best bangers and mash in town. Ditto the meatloaf, which practically begs to be backed by a proper pint of stout. If you’re not expecting an exhaustive spirits list in this part of the world, you’ll pipe down real quick at the sight of the back bar. It’s a perfect place to experiment with some of the more interesting Irish whiskeys of late: Tullamore D.E.W. Cider Cask or 15-year-old Tyrconnell finished in Madeira barrels, served all by plaid-kilted waitstaff, of course.
7. Guinness Storehouse, Dublin, Ireland
Are you lucky enough to find yourself in the real Dublin this Paddy’s Day? Well then you really have no choice but to make an appearance at the historic St. James Gate Brewery, where Guinness was founded in 1759. Today, the working facility puts out 50 million barrels of the dark ruby-red liquid every year and on the site sits a seven-story tower modeled after a pint of the world’s most popular stout. Throughout the structure you’ll find a museum, restaurants and a top floor tasting room overlooking the entire cityscape. But the fourth level is where you’ll want to spend most of your time: It’s home to the hidden Connoisseur Bar, a private experience arranged through appointment only, where you can enjoy respite from the thirsty masses and even go behind the stick to pour your own perfect pint. Stay just across the Liffey at the charming Ashling Hotel to maximize your mirth, while minimizing your walk home. Sláinte!
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.