St. Patrick’s Day — the one time of year when everyone’s a little Irish! It’s a day full of embracing green traditions, with plenty of shenanigans, every March 17th. According to research, it’s grown into a major cultural event in the U.S., with more than 60% of Americans taking part by dining out or hitting the bars.

While Irish pubs often steal the show, restaurants of all kinds can get in on the celebration, from serving up classic Irish dishes to “Dublin-ing” down (wink*) on specials. Even if your menu doesn’t feature year-round Irish eats, St. Patrick’s Day presents a golden opportunity to attract a crowd with themed promotions, festive decorations, and creative menu twists.

As Joe Byrnes, owner of Byrnes’ Irish Pub in Bath, Maine, put it, “Keep it simple — serve Guinness and corned beef. That’s what people are looking for.” Loretta Brennan, General Manager of P. McDaid’s Irish Pub in N.Y.C., echoed that sentiment, noting that their corned beef and cabbage and corned beef Reuben are top sellers during the holiday.

Time to Get Corny

There is nothing I look forward to more than a hefty pour of green beer to start my St. Paddy’s Day, and studies show the day is recognized as the most popular beer-drinking holiday in the U.S., with the average person consuming more than 4 drinks.

Embrace the stats! Consider featuring themed drinks such as green beer (I want what I want!), Irish stouts, red ales, and even beer cocktails — get creative by mixing beer with other ingredients, like a Shamrock Shandy — just add lemonade to a wheat beer or pilsner to complement the tartness and match the citrus. A simple “Luck of the Irish” spotlight sipper can add a festive touch to an Irish coffee or Jameson cocktail — with your unique twist, of course.

For a new take on traditional fare, think corned beef sliders, Guinness-braised brisket tacos, or a shepherd’s pie flatbread. DJ Gawthrop, owner of Siamsa Irish Pub in Stroudsburg, Pa., shared that signature items like their Dublin fish sandwich and Guinness beef stew are among the guest favorites at this Poconos pub.

According to Byrnes, at his pub, “Our Reuben sandwich is a big seller, along with corned beef and cabbage, lamb stew, shepherd’s pie, and an open-faced pastrami sandwich called ‘The Destroyer.’ These traditional items are always a hit.”

Raise a Pint — Sláinte!

“As important as great food and great beer is, you also have to have great entertainment,” Gawthrop explained. “We always have live Irish music and step dancers to create a memorable experience.”

Transform your space with decorations and Celtic tunes or look to host live performances that set the tone. P. McDaid’s follows a similar strategy, hosting live music and giveaways featuring branded Guinness and Jameson memorabilia. “People love collecting those over the holiday,” said Brennan. “We take pride in our Guinness — it’s one of the best pours you’ll find.”

Consider organizing activities like trivia, karaoke, eating and costume contests, and engage families by offering kid-friendly fun. But whatever you choose to do, promote your St. Patrick’s Day offerings well in advance.

“We primarily use Instagram and Facebook for promotion, and we post a lot of photos to showcase our offerings. We usually start our St. Patrick’s Day promotions right after the Super Bowl,” Brennan added. Post your happenings early and tease behind-the-scenes videos of your team preparing themed dishes or decorating your space to let the people know.

Learning From the Pros

Joe Byrnes recalled opening his first Irish pub by finding the perfect spot just three weeks before St. Patrick’s Day. “It used to be a wine bar, and within three weeks, we completely transformed it — moved the bar, built the kitchen, and opened on St. Patrick’s Day.”

Despite the tight timeline, it was packed from morning until midnight. “It’s been consistently packed every year, regardless of the day of the week,” he said. “Everyone wants to visit an Irish pub on St. Patrick’s Day.” For Byrnes, keeping a traditional menu and maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere has been key to their successful celebrations — and they will be celebrating their 17th anniversary this year!

Similarly, Siamsa Irish Pub thrives by emphasizing authenticity. From Victorian-era snugs — cozy, private spaces — to Guinness taps imported from Ireland, their focus on tradition draws crowds year-after-year. “Not much has changed [over the years]. We sell a lot of Irish fare, especially corned beef and cabbage. We also go through a lot of Jameson and Guinness. People like to eat and drink, and our Irish pub is the perfect place for that,” Gawthrop said.

Brennan noted that at P. McDaid’s, their success lies in Irish hospitality and a strong sense of tradition. “Many of our staff members are Irish, and we always have great Irish music playing in the background. People who visit often say they feel like they’ve stepped into a bar in Ireland.”

Since opening in 2022, P. McDaid’s has revived a long-standing Irish pub presence at its location, attracting both locals and tourists. Brennan stressed the importance of preparation for handling the Paddy’s Day rush. “We simplify our menu and work with a smaller, focused selection of dishes we know will be popular. We also prepare as much food in advance as possible, bring in extra staff, and streamline service. To handle the rush efficiently, we use glassware choices to help keep the celebration flowing, which speeds up service.”

St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just for Irish pubs; restaurants of all types can participate by embracing the spirit of the holiday. As Gawthrop put it, “It’s a busy day, but you have to make sure you have fun. It’s a celebration!”

Brennan agreed, adding that even if a restaurant doesn’t typically serve Irish fare, they can still create a great experience. “Serve great Guinness and comforting, hearty food. That’s what works for us, and it’s what people expect when they go out to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.”