St Patrick’s Day 2017: London’s Best EventsBy Angelica Malin
No plans for St Patrick’s Day? Good news; we’ve done the hard work for you. From cocktail masterclasses to live music and copious amounts of alcohol – here’s our ten favourite St Paddy’s Day events in London. Pack your Berocca and a strong stomach:
1. For a Masterclass: Corrigans Mayfair
What: Richard Corrigan is putting on an event to remember throughout the month of March at Corrigans, Mayfair. The Irish chef is putting on a cookery masterclass before his weeklong celebrations including a cocktail masterclass and Irish Sunday lunch all inspired by St Patrick’s Day, and Richard’s favourite Irish produce and recipes.
The Lowdown: This week, the team are putting on a week long exclusive menu inspired by Richards favourite Irish dishes and produce. The menu will include dishes such as collar of bacon with truffle and cabbage, crispy crubeens with beetroot and horseradish, and treacle and Guinness tart with whiskey cream. On Saturday (18th March), the talented bar team will be putting a St Paddy’s Day Cocktail Masterclass. For those who are looking to put down the Guinness, the class will focus around good old fashioned Irish Whiskey. To finish off the celebrations, Corrigans Mayfair will be hosting an Irish Sunday Lunch, because it isnt Sunday without a hearty roast.
Price: Corrigan‘s Irish Classic Masterclass, £250 per person. Call to book: 020 7499 9943
Where: 28 Upper Grosvenor St, Mayfair, London W1K 7EH
2. For a Night on the Tiles: Archer Street
What: Prepare to Sham-Rock the night away at Archer Street this year as they celebrate St Patrick’s Day with a night of Emerald Isle events and Guinness cocktails, set to cheer up on one of the Capital’s busiest nights of the year.
The Lowdown: On Friday (17th March), Archer Street’s all singing and dancing bar will be pulling out all the stops to ensure all have a jolly evening before taking part in a jig. Archer Streets talented staff will be singing renditions of U2s Sunday Bloody Sunday and B*Witched, C’est la Vie (bangers, hey?). Archer Street’s talented mixologists have curated a special menu for the evening serving a unique Champagne and Guinness cocktail, Black Velvet made with Crème De Cassis, Champagne and Irish favorite Guinness; and Whiskey In A Jar, served with Ketel 1 Bison Grass vodka, Elderflower, apple and lime juice served with a muddled cucumber.
Price: Cocktails from £10
Where: 3-4 Archer Street, Soho, London W1D 7AP
3. For a Friday Night Banger: Pop Brixton
What: On Friday (March 17th), Pop Brixton will become South London’s very own corner of the Emerald Isle, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a raucous St. Paddy’s Jam shindig. Going Gaelic for the evening, Pop will be inviting partygoers to slip into their greenest garments, grab a Guinness and get their jig on to a full lineup of Irish music, with live bands playing throughout the night.
The Lowdown: The Thumping Tommys will be kicking things off with a parade performance of their Irish-American folk music in Pop’s main square, before ‘London’s wildest ceilidh band’ Fiddle Paradiddle, take centre stage. Meanwhile, the S11 bar is running a very special “Paddy Hour” promotion between 5-7pm, meaning anyone named Patrick will able to claim a pint of the black stuff absolutely free! What better way to unite London’s Patricks on their namesake’s special day? All Patricks will be required to prove their name with valid ID. Pop’s roster of food and drink vendors will also be getting into the spirit of things with a host of themed food and drinks specials (watch out for the Guinness Punch), while there will also be free face-painting on offer from 7-10pm
Price: Entry will be free throughout the evening.
Where: Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Rd, London SW9 8PQ
4. For a Knees Up: The Sun Tavern
What: Friday (17th March) will see Bethnal Green cocktail bar and pub, The Sun Tavern, throwing a good old fashioned hooley to mark St Patrick’s Day.
The Lowdown: A series of specially curated cocktails will be created in conjunction with Bán Poitín (pronounced ‘po-cheen’), purveyors of Ireland’s most notorious spirit, alongside complimentary Oysters shuck’d by Broadway Market’s Oyster Boy, to the soundtrack of legendary Dublin DJ Arveene and a knees-up Céili band playing live Irish music. Enjoy a Darcy’s Donkey – Bán Poitín, Umbrella Brewing Ginger Beer, Quinine and Kaffir Lime Cordial; or an Irish Coffee #2, made with Bán Poitín, and The Roasting Shed Cold Brew Coffee and Stout Cream.
Price: Cocktails from £7.50.
Where: 441 Bethnal Green Rd, London E2 0AN
5. For Food and Live Music: Camden Market
What: The Mayor of London’s Official St Patrick’s Festival comes to Camden Market for the first time this year, with a line-up of live bands and family events celebrating the best in Irish music and culture. Taking over the iconic Camden Market on Saturday (18th March), the celebrations include a host of fun family activities, a cultural trail, Irish food, a bar fully stocked with Guinness, and live concerts featuring traditional and contemporary Irish music from Kíla and Moxie.
The Lowdown: On the music-led cultural trail, festival-goers can journey through the Market enjoying live Irish bands, programmed by Music from Ireland. With performances taking place across the market’s varied spaces, from coffee shops to outdoor stages, the line-up will include: Video Blue; Orla Gartland; ZapHo; The Ocelots; Basciville; When Young; and Bitch Falcon. The legendary Kíla, Ireland’s foremost folk band, will be raising the roof in the afternoon with their upbeat, contemporary take on Irish folk music, complete with an interactive show for kids, and there will be a whole array of Irish themed grub available.
Price: Free entry.
Where: 32 Camden Lock Pl, London NW1 8AL
6. For Whiskey and More Whiskey: Bloomsbury Club Bar
What: Bringing a touch of elegance to St Patrick’s Day, this Irish celebration inspired by The Bloomsbury Club Bar‘s heritage sees a collaboration with The Irish Dingle Whiskey Distillery for an evening of bespoke Dingle Distillery cocktails, authentic menu of Irish inspired dishes, live Irish music, rumoured river dancers and the exclusive UK debut of Dingle Single Malt Whiskey.
The Lowdown: Highlights include bespoke Irish cocktails created by the Bloomsbury Club Bar team inspired by their recent visit to town of Dingle and the distillery, created using the artisanal Dingle Original Gin and Dingle Distillery Vodka and the UK debut of the Dingle Single Malt Whiskey. Bringing the atmosphere will be live Irish music, Irish river dancers and an authentic Irish menu including Baked West Coast oysters, and Murphy’s butterscotch ice cream.
Price: Free entry. Cocktails from £12.
Where: The Bloomsbury Hotel, 16-22 Great Russell St, Fitzrovia, London WC1B 3NN
7. For a Scottish/Irish Mash Up: Dram & Smoke
What: Scottish pop-up, Dram & Smoke and Talisker Whisky have teamed up to present a twist on this year’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations on Friday (17th) and Saturday (18th March). Featuring Whisky and toasties, alongside folky beats, the evening will pay tribute to the Celtic connections between Scots and the Irish.
The Lowdown: Expect a welcome Talisker cocktail with a snack upon arrival to help get the craic flowing. The drinks menu will feature a Talisker whisky cocktail menu, and Scottish stout and beers. A delicious bar snack menu will be available, featuring Talisker-cured venison jerky and haggis toasties, accompanied by live music all night. Guests will also have the chance to participate in a Talisker Whisky tasting, where Talisker Storm, Talisker Skye and Talisker 10 YO will be available to sample.
Price: Tickets are £10 and are available to buy here.
Where: 584 Kingsland Road, Dalston Junction, E8 4AH
What: Building on the success of last year, acclaimed Irish chef John Relihan heads a line-up, serving an array of Irish-themed street food at this year’s Bord Bia Irish food market, part of the Saint Patrick’s Day Festival celebrations in London’s Trafalgar Square, on Sunday (19th).
The Lowdown: Relihan, one of Jamie Oliver’s original ‘Fifteen’ chefs, will be cooking on ‘live fire’ to tempt the crowds with slow-cooked Irish beef stew and smoked Irish pulled pork wraps. He’ll be joined on the day by The Pie Cart, Salt Beef Bros, Butchies, Eat The Farm, Café Bueno and Mr Crumb, who have all created delicious signature street food dishes for the event, showcasing the quality and versatility of the great produce Ireland has to offer.
Price: Free entry.
Where: Trafalgar Square, London
9. For the Perfect Pint: London Beer Week x Guinness
What: This St Patrick’s day, Guinness is hosting a party with a difference at London Beer Week. With great food on offer, live entertainment and not a shamrock in sight; get stuck into the party with an ultimate food and beer pairing experience held on Friday (17th March) at The Pickle Factory in Hackney.
The Lowdown: Alongside raising your perfectly poured pints of the black stuff, you’ll be able to try some of the exclusive beers on offer from Guinness’s Open Gate Brewery. There’s also the opportunity to tickle your tastebuds with the ultimate selection of matched street food brought to you by KERB – London’s most exciting street food collective.
Price: £15 and includes a pint of Guinness. Tickets here
Where: The Pickle Factory, 29-32 The Oval, London E2 9DT
10. For the Whole Nine Yards: Mr Fogg’s Tavern
What: This year, Mr Fogg will be bringing the spirit of Ireland to London with the ultimate St Patrick’s Day celebration. As always, Phileas Fogg has ensured a tremendous time will be had for all at the Tavern and has teamed up with his favourite Irish brand – The Pogues Irish Whiskey.
The Lowdown: On the evening of St Patricks Day (Friday 17th March), guests will be warmly welcomed to the Tavern with a libation the Patron Saint himself would be proud of – The Pogues Irish Whiskey Boilermakers. From 6pm onwards, Phileas Foggs Tavern team will be serving guests Leek & potato pie drenched in stout gravy. Later on in the evening, Phileass favourite Irish band will be dropping into the Tavern to entertain guests while they dine.
Price: Email: tavern@mr-foggs.com to secure your spot.
Where: 58 St Martins Lane, London WC2N 4EA
