Every year around this time, the Irish in all of us starts to anticipate St Patrick’s Day. In Worcester, that anticipation and celebration starts early with the annual St Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 8. St Patrick’s Day, on March 17, falls on a Tuesday this year, and there will be plenty of revelry in between! If you are new to the area, or you just haven’t explored the various Irish pubs throughout the city, here are a few Irish bars in Worcester that are worthy of mention.

O’Connor’s
1160 W. Boylston St.

When O’Connor’s opened in 1989, it was a mere shell of what it has become today, a top restaurant and bar with authentic Irish décor inside and out. The restaurant offers plenty of traditional Irish fare and American and European cuisine. Along with Guinness, O’Connor’s boasts a large draft beer and bottle selection and numerous wine and whiskey offerings. Periodic Irish entertainment, especially in early March, adds to the true Irish pub feel. A must-visit!

The Grey Hound Pub
139 Water St.

When I am in the Canal District and I am looking for the perfect pint or a fine Irish whiskey, I stop by The Grey Hound Pub. Having moved from its original Kelley Square location a short time ago, The Grey Hound features the finest selection of Scotch and whiskies anywhere in the city. If you are looking for a bar with a true Irish feel or to catch a football or hurling match, this is the place! Owner Paul Curley’s attention to décor and tradition keeps me coming back.

The Banner
112 Green St.

If you are looking for a working man’s Irish bar that serves a great lunch or dinner that won’t break the bank, then The Banner is it. Also located in the Canal District, The Banner has an unassuming Irish flare to it, similar to many of the more modern pubs in Ireland. The Banner features weekly entertainment and weekend DJs and is also considered one of Worcester’s premier sports bars.

The Press Box
536 Lincoln St.

The Press Box has been home to a dozen or so past mayors of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and is steeped in tradition. There’s always a fun and friendly Irish bar feel and plenty of festivities this time of year. Check out the post-parade party here for a great time or swing by for a pint on St Patrick’s Day ~ or any day, for that matter. The bar features daily lunch specials and Irish fare on Parade Day and St. Patrick’s Day.

Smitty’s Tavern
611 W. Boylston St.

In the Greendale section of Worcester, you can find Smitty’s Tavern, a small, authentic Irish bar with a strong neighborhood vibe. The feel is similar to many of the smaller Irish bars in Ireland, with its newly renovated décor. There is a decent selection of Scotch and whiskies, and I’m sure to run into someone I know while I’m sipping my Tullamore Dew.

Galway Bay
186 Stafford St.

Looking for a Smithwick’s on tap? Head down to Galway Bay, another Irish-owned and traditional-style pub with a good following. The style is reminiscent of pubs I experienced in the Kinvara and Galway Bay areas of Ireland, and there is usually live entertainment on Saturday nights. This is a great start for Parade Day, with plenty going on before and after the Park Avenue event.

Funky Murphy’s
305 Shrewsbury St.

Funky Murphy’s is Shrewsbury Street’s only real Irish Bar ever since the owners left Irish Times to open Funky’s years ago. Funky Murphy’s has a contemporary Irish bar feel with open-window seating in warmer months and fine Irish fare on the menu. Lunch and dinner is offered daily, and there are plenty of non-Irish cuisine options, as well. Live entertainment and a large bar area make this a popular nightspot year round!

Patsie Dugan’s
49 Millbury St.

Located in the Canal District on the Millbury Street side is Patsie Dugan’s, the former Emerald Isle, which was re-opened two years ago under its new name. Traditional Irish fare and a pint of Guinness can always be had here, with lunch and dinner served Tuesday through Saturday. Always busy in March, Patsie Dugan’s has the classic small pub/restaurant feel and has periodic entertainment.

Breen’s Café
8 Cambridge St.

If you are looking for good food and the small cozy Irish bar experience, check out Breen’s on Cambridge Street. This neighborhood pub offers great food at reasonable prices and has all the atmosphere of the finest Irish pubs! Breen’s was established in 1934, and it’s still around today.

Fiddler’s Green
19 Temple St.

If you are looking for a small Irish bar with great food and weekly Irish entertainment, Fiddler’s is the place. An authentic Irish pub with a consistent lineup of performers and events, the bar is in the same complex as the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Center facility, which can be rented for events.

Mahoney’s
413 Park Ave.

A long-standing college favorite, Mahoney’s is a busy place on Parade Day and most weekends. Mahoney’s has a modern Irish bar feel and is a good spot for entertainment and sports events.

Marty’s Pub
225 Canterbury St.

Marty’s is a fine Irish sports pub founded in 2010 and located a bit off the beaten path. Great draft and bottle beer selections and a big wrap-around bar in the modern Irish style make Marty’s well worth the visit. This is a fun place and a great after-work bar close to Holy Cross.

If you’re still looking for more Irish bars, Moynagh’s Tavern, 25 Exchange St.; Leitrims Pub, 265 Park Ave.; Moynihan’s, 897 Main St; and Union Tavern, 65 Green St., are all Worcester staples that are worth checking out.

By Chris Reddy