Annapolis, Maryland's Galway Bay general manager Sean Lynch stays true to his Irish roots with 90 or so Irish whiskeys on offer.
With roughly 4,000 Irish pubs to be found across the country, there are plenty of options for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day—and even at a regular old pub, you’re likely to be able to get a shot of Jameson and a pint of Guinness. But for something a little more special, there’s a handful of Irish bars with expansive Irish whiskey selections sure to please even the most particular of connoisseurs. Here are five spots worth a visit, especially if you’re looking to honor St. Patrick this month.
An Sibin, Cambridge, Massachusetts
The newest bar on the list, An Sibin opened in September 2022 and is a cross between an Irish pub and an American speakeasy, with modern and classic cocktails offered alongside an impressive selection of 130-145 whiskies, depending on availability, 30-40 of which are Irish, and one of the best pours of Guinness in the Boston area. Irish whiskey selections range from big names like Bushmills ($10/2 oz.) and Tullamore D.E.W. ($10) to the more coveted Knappogue Castle 16 year old ($26), Red Spot ($36), and Midleton Very Rare ($60). ansibin.net
The Dubliner, Washington, D.C.
This authentic Irish pub with live Irish music nightly celebrates 50 years in business this March. There are over 100 Irish whiskeys on offer, including blended expressions, single malts and single grains, single pot stills, and vintage and rare selections like Glendalough 25 year old ($85/1 ¾ oz.), Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve 2007 ($250), and Midleton Very Rare 2012 ($225). The cocktail list features signature Irish whiskey-based drinks like the Liberties Revival ($14), blending Dubliner Irish whiskey, Dolin sweet vermouth, cherry heering, and a Pernod rinse, and the Off Your Trolley ($14), comprising Jameson, Monkey Shoulder scotch, Giffard almond liqueur, velvet falernum, and Angostura bitters. dublinerdc.com
Galway Bay, Annapolis, Maryland
Open since 1998, this spot touts the largest selection of Irish whiskey in Maryland, with upward of 90 rotating selections available, including rare and exclusive bottlings ranging from Greenore Single Grain 8 year old ($11/1 oz.) to Teeling 29 year old Single Malt ($200). The bar also offers eight different Irish whiskey flights, ranging from $16 for Dead Rabbit, Dark Silkie, and Powers Irish Rye (3/4 oz. each) up to $28 for three different Method and Madness expressions: the Single Grain aged in virgin Spanish oak, Single Malt aged in French limousin oak, and Pot Still aged in French chestnut. More than two dozen American, scotch, and world whiskies are also on offer. galwaybaymd.com
The Irish Bank, San Francisco
This Bay Area bar carries around 90 different whiskies, around 30 of which are Irish, ranging from $9 for 1 1/2-ounce pours of labels like Connemara, Paddy’s, Slane, The Irishman, and Powers up to $75 for Redbreast 12 year old. Every two months the bar features a different Irish whiskey on its specials board to be enjoyed as a shot or in a Hot Toddy or Irish Coffee. Locals are drawn to this spot’s large outdoor patio that seats up to 100 people and is host to the bar’s annual St. Patrick’s Day block party during which live bands and a DJ perform starting at 1 p.m. and continue well into the evening. theirishbank.com
McGonigel’s Mucky Duck, Houston
Established in 1990, this spot is one part Irish pub and one part live music venue. The bar proudly displays its “Perfect Pour” award from Guinness next to its bodhran signed by Rory Guinness. In addition to Irish and English ales, the beverage menu includes Irish whiskey-based cocktails like the Tullamore D.E.W.-based Irish Coffee ($10); Flaming Pig-based Irish Old Fashioned ($14); and the Lost Gold ($16), comprising Lost Irish whiskey, local honey, and freshly squeezed lemon. There are roughly 90 whiskies on offer, nearly 30 of which are Irish, and numerous rotating spirits flights, with recent offerings including the Everyone’s Irish Tonight flight of Lost Irish, Flaming Pig, Writer’s Tears, and Slane Triple Casked ($24 for ½ oz. each), and the Lace Curtain Irish flight of Green Spot, Midleton Very Rare 2022, Waterford Dunmore, and Redbreast Cask Strength 12 year old ($58). mcgonigels.com
