Having a pint of the black stuff on St Patrick’s Day, 17 March, is not the only way to commemorate Ireland’s patron saint – and it doesn’t have to last just one day. You can coddle, paint, eat fries and sip cocktails all week long. Here’s what to look out for…
Green cocktails
Where: Primo
What: Bright green cocktails (above) made using herbaceous woodruff syrup, including the Spring Awakening (pictured) with vodka, lemon, passion fruit and woodruff syrup.
How much: £11
When: available now
Irish fries
Where: Shake Shack
What: Shake Shack is offering its signature Irish Fries – crinkle-cut chips topped with horseradish cream, scallions and crispy smoked bacon alongside a Guinness beer float: hand-spun vanilla frozen custard combined with Guinness stout. Sweet!
How much: Both £5
When: 13-22 March
Guinness and oysters
Where: GNH Bar
What: GNH Bar (above) at the Great Northern Hotel will be hosting a special Guinness and oyster week. The bar will offer a delicious pairing of 12 Colchester rock oysters and a pint of Guinness.
How much: £18
When: 16-22 March
A la carte coddle
Where: London House
What: Chef Anna Haugh, who hails from Ireland, will serve coddle (above) – a rustic form of Irish casserole. As you can see from the image (above), it’s a gussied up Gordon Ramsay take, and it includes sausages and rashers of bacon, poached in a rich stock with potatoes and root vegetables.
How much: starter, £9. Main, £18
When: 16-22 March
Irish Mist
Where: Old Tom & English
What: Underground restaurant Old Tom & English has created a cocktail to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, called Irish Mist (above). It’s a take on Irish coffee, except it’s served cold with a swirl of whiskey cream on the top.
How much: £9
When: from 17 March
Painting pop-up
Where: The Jam Tree
What: Do some painting with your pint at The Jam Tree (above). This is your chance to paint a vintage poster of the Emerald Isle in true Tony Hart style. No experience necessary…
How much: £25 8pm, 17 March
When: 8pm
St Patrick’s Day soirée
Where: Mr Fogg's
What: Mr Fogg is partnering with traditional Irish tipple Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey, to bring the luck of the Irish to Mayfair, and host a splendid soiree, including live performances and cocktails such as Craic in a Cobbler –Tullamore Dew Original, lemon juice, sugar syrup, egg white, and matcha tea.
How much: how much can you drink?
When: 17 March
Spirited sermon
Where: Reverend JW Simpson
What: Reverend JW Simpson will be hosting an Irish-themed Spirited Sermons event, honouring the Emerald Isle with an Irish poitín masterclass. Poitín is a traditional Irish distilled beverage that is enjoying a bit of a comeback.
How much: £25, includes three cocktails
When: 17 March
Supper Club
Where: Tulse Hill Hotel
What: The Tulse Hill Hotel (above) is celebrating St Patrick’s Day with an evening supper club in private dining room The News Room. Diners will be joined by Will, a Jameson’s Irish whiskey expert, for an evening of delicious Irish food and matching tipples, including Irish Negronis and dishes such as scallops, Clonakilty black pudding, pea purée and potato bread.
How much: £40 per person
When: 17 March