Where to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Edinburgh

The St Patrick’s celebrations at The Three Sisters are pretty legendary, with swarms of locals congregating at this popular sports bar in Cowgate for its lively atmosphere, spacious courtyard and ice-cold drinks. This year, its St Patrick’s Day festival is making a return after a two-year hiatus, so its sure to be a big one! The Three Sisters is putting on an all-day event with live music, drag queens, ‘craic-aoke’, free breakfasts, competitions, and celebrity guest appearances. The event runs from 8am-3am, so there’s plenty of time to pop in for a Guinness and a jig – just be sure you book your tickets ahead of time.

Enjoy the hubbub of the festivities at this famous Irish sports bar overlooking the Grassmarket. Dropkick Murphys is going all out this St Patrick’s Day by offering free Civerino’s pizza slices from midday and showing live horse racing! The team recently refurbished the venue, and it looks incredibly trendy now with modern neon lighting, which is perfect if you’re looking for that bar/club atmosphere to celebrate in. Don’t forget to pick up your free green moustache that they’ll be handing out on 17th March – you’ve got to look the part, after all.

Whilst this is not a traditional Irish venue, you can still expect an awesome night out and some ‘Baby Guinness’ shots to celebrate the festivities in true Irish style. Situated on Princes Street, you’ll feel right in the centre of the action this St Patrick’s Day. In addition to the indoor seating, Cask Smugglers has ‘Secret Domes’ on the rooftop of Waverley Station which are available to book, where you’ll have panoramic views of the city and you’ll be able to order fabulous cocktails or food to your table by simply ringing a doorbell. You can even fill the dome with your own music for a private party with your pals, which will be great for blasting some U2 or The Pogues this Paddy’s Day.

This Irish tavern guarantees an authentic atmosphere, live music, and some seriously good craic at its St Patrick’s Day Festival! Let your hair down with some of the delicious Irish whiskey-based cocktails, the famous Irish coffee, or perhaps explore some of the pub’s finest Irish single malts with a whiskey flight. If you’re after traditional cuisine from the Emerald Isle, there’s a great food menu too. Try the ‘Biddy’s Lamb Stew and Homemade Soda Farl’ if you’re looking for a hearty Irish stew served with root vegetables and new potatoes. Biddy Mulligans also does a great full Irish breakfast and an ‘Irish Coffee Tiramisu’, which is to die for.

What better place to celebrate Paddy’s Day than at this quintessentially Irish pub right in the heart of the city? Finnegan’s Wake’s putting on an Irish extravaganza with live music all day, so you’re guaranteed a good knees-up! At Finnegan’s Wake you’ll be met with a warm welcome, great value drinks and unbeatable St Patrick’s Day vibes. The pub does very reasonable student deals too, so this is a fantastic place for students on a budget to celebrate. Slàinte!