Shepherd’s pie, Guinness, and Yorkshire pudding are just some of the delights found in Irish fare. Some folks frequent pubs or make these meals at home regularly, but for others, St. Patrick’s Day is a reminder of all of these wonderfully hearty dishes and drinks. These six small businesses focus on Irish indulgences and embody the country’s culture, making them well-equipped for every St. Paddy’s Day.
Kells Brewery
In 1990, Gerard and Lucy McAleese founded Kells Irish Pub in Portland, Oregon where it remains in the city’s Old Chinatown neighborhood. In 2012, the family opened Kells Brew Pub (now Kells Brewery) with their son, Garrett, at the helm. Garrett initially wanted to branch out, so he earned an international business degree which he used at an American logistics company in Argentina. But the restaurant and bar biz was in his blood and he found himself working in a local brewery where he learned the tricks of the trade. He decided to bring his newfound skill of brewing beer stateside and “never looked back.”
The Kells Portland Irish Festival runs from March 15-17 and offers three days of Irish entertainment, music, and food. It spans Kells Brewery, Kells Irish Pub, and the Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
Erin Rose
Inside the four walls of what was once a single-family home in the 19th century is a neighborhood watering hole not too far from Bourbon Street. The four leaf clover on the Erin Rose logo is an homage to its history and its famous frozen Irish coffee.
Owners Troy and Angie Koehlar met on the job bartending and managing for the previous owner during the ‘90s. They took over as the proprietors in 2001 and proudly wake up at 3:30 a.m. every day to run their business. Open 21 hours a day, it’s an all-hands-on-deck operation.
With parades and block parties happening all over the French Quarter and surrounding neighborhoods, there will be no shortage of holiday spirit, and Erin Rose is the perfect spot to grab a pint of Guinness, an Irish Car Bomb, or frozen and hot Irish coffees.
The Dubliner
Boston, Massachusetts is among the top U.S. destinations for St. Paddy’s Day, and what better place to celebrate than at an Irish-owned pub? Aidan Mc Gee, Chef and Owner of The Dubliner, upholds authenticity to the highest degree from his menu items to interior design and decor. Established in the summer of 2022, The Dubliner took over the Kinsale, which was ironically the first pub Mc Gee visited when he moved to the city.
With experience in Michelin-starred dining and on a mission to redefine America’s concept of Irish food, Mc Gee offers a seasonally changing menu that includes roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, pearl barley dumplings, Scotch eggs, robust terrines, and perfectly poured Guinness.
The Dubliner is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with live Irish music and comedy throughout the month of March.
With experience in Michelin-starred dining and on a mission to redefine America’s concept of Irish food, Mc Gee offers a seasonally changing menu that includes roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, pearl barley dumplings, Scotch eggs, robust terrines, and perfectly poured Guinness.
Shady Brook Farm
The Fleming family planted roots 100+ years ago a half hour outside of Philadelphia. Four generations later, the family still owns and operates Shady Brook Farm. Since 1913, the Flemings have expanded their business to include a farm market, garden center and “agritainment” venue.
Shady Brook Farm hosts many events throughout the year, including a St. Patrick’s Day celebration. It’s called St. Paddy’s unWINEd, and it is a family friendly event featuring live Irish music, food, and drinks ranging from local craft beer to Rose Bank Winery wines. There’s also a playground and balloon artist for the kids. This event runs March 15-17.
The Dearborn
Another Irish-owned small business, The Dearborn in Chicago, is inspired by the city’s past and Midwestern seasonality. Born and raised in Galway, sisters Amy and Clodagh Lawless, Owners of this urban American tavern, combined their hospitality experience and devotion to heartfelt service in 2016 to open this restaurant’s doors.
The Dearborn will have special menu items from March 14-17. Rachel Busler of Kinship, The Dearborn’s marketing agency, said food specials include Executive Chef Aaron Cuschieri’s corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, corned beef reuben, and more. The restaurant will join forces with Teeling Irish Whiskey to introduce a specialty Irish-themed cocktail. Guinness has also partnered with The Dearborn by offering swag, “face in pint” beer painting, and giveaways.
The Dead Rabbit
Winning the title of "World’s Best Bar" twice since opening in 2013, The Dead Rabbit is another business with Irish beginnings. This New York City-based watering hole is the product of dreaming and determination. Owners Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry struck success in Belfast by creating a cocktail bar, and they set out to do the same in the United States—marrying their heritage and the history of the 1800s Dead Rabbits gang to authenticate this fiercely Irish bar with an American accent.
This March, the Dead Rabbit will be showing the Six Nations Rugby Championship (Ireland games only) and partnering with SEANCHOÍCHE, a Dublin-founded storytelling platform, for a few nights of anecdotes, monologues, and spoken word.
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