St Patrick’s Day: Five best Irish pubs and bars in Manchester according to Tripadvisor

An Irish bar is the perfect place to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, whether you’re Irish or not. But with a number of Irish pubs in the area, it can be overwhelming to choose where to go.

That’s where Tripadvisor can help out. Whether you’re celebrating St Patrick’s Day or just fancy a pub night with a difference, Tripadvisor ratings can influence your decision.

From chains to independents and from food to booze, there’s something for everyone at these Irish pubs. Some of these venues even have live music, so you can experience a little bit of Ireland even in bustling Manchester.

We recently reported on how Mulligan’s in Deansgate was named one of the best places outside of Ireland to have a pint of Guinness. But where else is good for the craic if you want to plan a good pub crawl?

With St Patrick’s Day falling on Friday, March 17, Manchester will surely be brought to life with celebrations from a Friday night out to weekend pub crawls. If you need help deciding where to celebrate, here are the five best Irish pubs and bars according to Tripadvisor.

What are the top rated Irish pubs in Manchester?

O’Shea’s Irish Bar

O’Shea’s Irish bar is top of the list with an average rating of four and a half out of five stars across 96 reviews. The high rating is reflected in the price, as it’s one of the most expensive on the list.

The bar is near Manchester Oxford Road station, so it’s great if you’re travelling into the city. One customer said the bar has the “best breakfast [they’ve] ever eaten”.

Another customer, who left a five star review, said: “Popped in for some lunch because the landlady of the Bulls Head next to Picadilly recommended it. This place was a great find. The food was excellent and very reasonably priced.

“My partner had colcannon sausage and mash and his dad and myself had the beef brisket hash. Unfortunately grandad (84) found it too spicy but the boss was very kind and even offered to make him a less spicy one. I highly recommend it.”

Where: 80 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 6NF

Find out more and book a table via Tripadvisor.

O’Neill’s Printworks

O’Neill’s Printworks boasts a four out of five star average rating across 193 reviews. The Irish bar also won the prestigious Travellers’ Choice 2022.

The price range at O’Neill’s is from £5 to £15. O’Neill’s serves lunch and dinner as well as a bar service. It’s also 0.2 miles from Manchester Arena, so it’s very convenient for a pre-show drink.

One customer who recently left a five star review said: “Great atmosphere, lovely service, great drinks, food is amazing, will definitely come again, thank you.”

Where: The Printworks 27 Withy Grove, Manchester, M4 2BS

Find out more and book a table via Tripadvisor.

Shamrock Irish Bar Manchester

Shamrock Irish Bar Manchester enjoys a three and a half out of five star average rating across nine reviews. The traditional Irish bar caters for lunch and dinner and also serves a full bar, including wine and beer.

Located off Oldham Road, the bar has an “authentic Irish feel” according to one customer who left a five star review. They wrote: “Friendly staff. Cool location in Ancoats. Great decor. Lovely beer garden. Drinks are slightly expensive.”

Where: 17 Bengal Street, Manchester, M4 6AQ

Find out more and book a table via Tripadvisor.

The Corner Boy

The Corner Boy has an average rating of three and a half out of five stars across 41 reviews. The Corner Boy’s price range is from £7 to £20 and it’s located in the Northern Quarter.

Luckily for those travelling into the city, the bar is near Manchester Piccadilly station and it has excellent transport links nearby.

A recent customer who left a five star review said: “Excellent pint of Guinness, the best pint of the black stuff I’ve had in Manchester. Music was pumping and the atmosphere was class, even at 5pm on a Friday.”

Where: 21 Hilton Street Northern Quarter, Manchester, M1 1JJ

Find out more and book a table via Tripadvisor.

Bar Eight Manchester

Bar Eight in Manchester is an Irish bar that is particularly popular for its pizza. Bar Eight enjoys a four out of five star average rating across 34 reviews.

The bar caters towards all meal times and full bar service, including wine and beer. It’s located 0.3 miles away from the Science and Industry Museum, so it’s a great place if you want to see the sights.

One customer who left a five star review said:”Found this pub as it was one of the only places showing the euros that had any space.

“When I got there I was greeted by incredibly friendly staff. The beer garden is the best I’ve seen in all of Manchester and it has an amazing view along with such a friendly atmosphere.”

Where: Unit 1 Middle Warehouse Castlefield, Manchester

Find out more and book a table via Tripadvisor.