Aside from just being a city that likes to drink and have a craic (good time in Irish), Halifax, Nova Scotia and it’s residents also tend to have a lot of Irish roots. In the 1860’s close to half the city’s population was made up of Irish immigrants. Because we have the most bars and pubs per capita in North America and because we are a University city mixed with our Irish (and Scottish) heritage, St. Patrick’s Day in Halifax is often quite the celebration. Here are the best tips for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Halifax from what pubs to go to and when to go, information about the Halifax St. Patrick’s day parade and more.
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Best Halifax Pubs to go to on St. Patrick’s Day
The best pub by far to go to in Halifax on St. Patrick’s day is the Old Triangle Irish Ale House. This traditional Irish pub opens starting at 7am on St. Patrick’s day serving up a traditional Irish breakfast and Guinness. The Old Triangle will have live music all day long, face painting and great drink specials. Aside from pouring many pints of delicious Guinness they will be offering some great non-alcoholic option as well to go along with delicious Irish food all day long. If you want the true St. Patrick’s Day in Halifax experience then this is where you should go.
Warning though that there will definitely be lines to get in and the place will definitely be crowed. They also have a location in Sydney, Cape Breton if you happen to be celebrating St. Patrick’s day there instead.
Your next best choice for a pub to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Halifax in is just up the street and over one block at Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub. Another Irish pub that will be open extremely early and will be full of chaos and live music all day on St. Patrick’s Day. Most likely those will be the two biggest happening pubs in the city.
Other Irish Pubs to celebrate St. Patrick’s day at in the city
Other great options bars to celebrate St. Patrick’s day in Halifax in include Seamus David’s Irish Pub in Dartmouth Crossing, Finbar’s Irish Pub in Bedford or Dartmouth. More favourites are the Lion’s Head Tavern in the North End, The Split Crow, and the Celtic Corner Public House in downtown Dartmouth.
Non-Irish Pubs to Celebrate St. Patrick’s day at in Halifax
The Loose Cannon on Argyle street isn’t an Irish pub, it’s Scottish. However because of that it will have way less of a crowd on St. Patrick’s Day. It is still just a great of a place as any to enjoy this wonderful green day of celebrations. Other pubs that will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Halifax are the Henry House, Quin’s Arms Pub, the two locations of the Brown Hound Pub, the Narrows Public House, Maxwell’s Plum, Hopyard Beer bar and more. For the most live music be sure to check out the Lower Deck. Also of course anywhere that sells alcohol will be busy. Because again it’s Halifax, and people will take any reason to celebrate and be out on the town.
The Best Breweries to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at in Halifax
Halifax is full of great craft beer breweries and in the province we actually have over 56 of them now. Without a doubt Propeller Brewing and Garrison Brewing will both be busy spots on St. Patrick’s day. Visit their breweries and tasting rooms for a selection of their great, locally made craft beer. Chain Yard Cider would be a great spot to check out as well.
If you are more of a cocktail lover then check out the Coldstream Clear Distillery in Dartmouth Crossing. They will be serving up St. Patrick’s Day themed cocktail flights and along with live music in their tasting room.
The Halifax St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The Halifax St. Patrick’s Day parade will take place this year on Sunday March 12th, 2023. Starting at 1pm the parade begins Pier 20 following along Lower Water street all the way to the historic properties. The parade is meant for the Irish and everyone else to celebrate St. Patrick and the relationship between Ireland and Canada. Wear your very best green clothes and come out and celebrate the 16th year of this great community parade. Find updates about the parade here.
Enjoy One of the Best Irish Bands in Canada
On St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2023 the band the Irish Descendants will be performing live at the Light House Arts Centre on Argyle street in downtown Halifax. They are an award winning Irish Folk group made up of Irish Descendants who were once fishermen from Newfoundland. They helped popularize fishing and Newfoundland music and definitely know how to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day. Ticket prices range from $40-$45.00.
Learn some Irish Halifax History
At one point more than half of the city’s population in the early 1800’s was made up of Irish immigrants. Still today in Halifax and Dartmouth there are areas known as “Irishtown”. In Halifax it’s the area between South and Prince Street boarded by Barrington and Lower Water Streets. Even some of the street signs in the area today say “Historic Irishtown” on top of them. These Irish helped build Halifax as we known it today and many of them are now buried in the south end at the Holy Cross Cemetery. Easily identifiable by the Irish cross on their tombstones. Think of them fondly while you celebrate with a drink in their honour on this St. Patrick’s Day in Halifax.
How do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Halifax? Share your favourite pubs and best things to do in the comments below!
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