While many UK cities have an Irish community, others are Irish through and through. It’s estimated that 75% of Liverpool’s population has Irish roots, largely due to the 1.3 million Irish people who settled or passed through here during the potato famine.
You can hear these Emerald Isle roots in the Scouse accent and in the traditional music that fills Liverpool’s pubs and bars at night. Every year on 17 March, Liverpool’s Irish connections are more visible (and audible) than ever with one of the largest St Patrick’s Day parades in the UK.
The 2026 parade starts at 2pm on Tuesday 17 March at the Old Irish Centre on Mount Pleasant. It’s the tenth anniversary of St Patrick’s Day parades in Liverpool so they’re promising it’ll be bigger and better than ever with “music, dance, colour, and Irish pride filling the streets”. The whole city is invited.
If you prefer to do your celebrating at the weekend, St Patrick’s Day events are running from Friday 13th through to Tuesday 17th March. Try Camp and Furnace or Boxpark for themed events but for a great Irish bar, you can’t beat Confidential Guides’ round-up of our five favourites.
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Liverpool City CentreMore detailsDanny Mac’s Tavern
This narrow, cosy corner pub is one of many Irish drinking dens along Renshaw Street. With its dark wood furnishings, worn leather seating, and blue-green walls, it feels like a calm, chilled hideaway during the week, somewhere you can nurse a pint while watching the racing.
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Liverpool City CentreMore detailsFitzgerald’s Irish Bar
The smaller, sister bar to Lanigans on Ranelagh Street, Fitzgerald’s Irish Bar has an authentic feel and a friendly atmosphere. There’s live music every night and they show the sport on the multiple screens. Head here to watch everything from GAA to MMA (and look out for the signed portrait of Meatball Molly McCann on the wall while you’re there).
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Liverpool City CentreMore detailsLanigans Irish Bar
Just by Liverpool Central on a strip of Irish pubs on Ranelagh Street, you’ll find Lanigans Irish Bar. It’s a lively, well-frequented place that’s a favourite with sports fans thanks to the huge cinema-sized screen that spans the back wall.
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Liverpool City CentreMore detailsMcCooley’s Concert Square
This cavernous tavern on Concert Square fills up fast on weekends and match days. But there’s big screens throughout so even when it’s rammed, it’s not hard to get a good view of the sports action, and with three separate bars, getting served isn’t a trial either.
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Liverpool City CentreMore detailsPogue Mahone Liverpool
Situated on the booze-soaked Seel Street, Pogue Mahones is a long-standing, much-loved spot for Saturday night shenanigans (or any night for that matter).
