Every year on 17 March, Ireland celebrates Saint Patrick’s Day, a cultural and religious holiday that dates back to the 9th century and pays homage to the nation’s most prominent patron saint. While it does have spiritual roots, today, the occasion is largely used as an excuse for Guinness-filled fun and debauchery, and has been eagerly adopted by a host of countries outside of the shamrock state, South Africa included.

It goes without saying then that this year on St Paddy’s Day, which falls on Friday, 17 March 2017, Cape Town will play host to an assortment of its own lively festivities. A wide assortment of pubs, bars, restaurants and clubs will be opening their doors and inviting dressed-up revelers in for a good bout of drinking and some themed entertainment.

BEERHOUSE
Why spend the international day for drinking copious amounts of beer, anywhere other than our favourite beer oasis – Beerhouse on Long Street. This Friday, 17 March 2017, get into the festive beer-guzzling day with Free Beer Friday – which starts from 4pm. Jagermeister will be sponsoring the evening, which means plenty of promo’s around and an epic photo booth for fun snaps. The photobooth run by the Jagermeister team, will give you the chance to have some great shots of your evening (all dressed in green we hope) and you get it printed out right there to take home for free. There will be Kilkenny and Guinness on tap, which you can enjoy while you Irish jig it up, especially since there will be DJs playing fresh tunes from 10pm. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

223 Long Street | City Centre | Cape Town |+27(0)21 424 3370

ST PADDY’S SPECIALS AT THE VILLAGE IDIOT
It’s no surprise that this festive pub pays homage to this festive day. Be sure to pop into The Village Idiot this St. Patrick’s Day to celebrate in a haze of green. Expect delicious food tributed to the day, with drinks specials, festive music and all-round epic vibes. The trendy bar will get you into the swing of things and make this St Paddy’s Day a green-infused evening with the occasional Irish jig here and there. If not, why not right? Grab yourself a guinness and enjoy a night of festivities at The Village Idiot.

32 Loop Street | Cape Town | +27(0)21 418 1548

THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE
The headquarters of international celebrations and general good times, The Foreign Exchange is again hosting a St. Patrick’s Day blowout on Friday, 17 March 2017, after a smashing success last year, which saw over 400 people getting into the Irish spirit. Though the party might entice folk from as near as Cape Town and as far as Copenhagen, Forex, as regulars call it, will make everyone stumble like an Irishman for the evening, what with the assortment of green beers on offer and an entire bar dedicated solely to serving up Irish Car Bombs and Guinness. What’s more, facepaint will be floating around the Obs-based haunt and Irish drinking games will provide an additional excuse to consume Guinness! So, don a green get-up and get ready to party like a leprechaun and (sham)rock to Gaelic music, because if there’s one thing you can count on, it’s having a blast at this multicultural Southern Suburbs pub.

92 – 96 Station Road | Observatory | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 448 0083

GO IRISH WITH KLOOF STREET HOUSE
Even an Irishman would be lucky to celebrate St. Paddy’s at Kloof Street House as the beauteous restaurant is going all out with some super specials on Jameson and Jameson cocktails, made by its hot-shot mixologists. There’ll also be craft beers on tap and a selection of favourite Irish dishes with a tasty South African spin. Expect delights such as whisky glazed sticky ribs, loaded fries with crispy bacon bits, mature cheese and spicy mayo, and beer battered onion rings. There’s a whole lot of taste sensations at the end of this rainbow of foodie treasures!

30 Kloof Street | Cape Town| +27(0)21 423 4413.

THE DUBLINER
Known affectionately as “the Dub”, this Irish-inspired pub on Long Street has been all green since 2006. This Friday 17 March 2017, will have live music playing with drink specials and as much green as you can envision! With doors opening at 5pm you can expect drink specials and with this always-festive environment drinks are sure to be dripping in Irish spirit like a sweating leprechaun who’s just been caught by the toe. Come greened and prepared for a celebration in true Irish style.

251 Long Street | CBD | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 424 1212

THE HAPPY OAK

THE STATION
This British-like pub is getting into the festive spirit this St. Patrick’s Day with a live band playing some awesome tunes which will get you Irish jigging’ up and down the dancefloor. With divine tapas and of course beers flowing, you’ll probably want to sit outside and revel in all that is green. Including specials on your favourite beers, why not enjoy these beers in the special feature of the night – the beer garden! Here’s to St. Patrick and here’s a drink to his health! Doors are open from 7pm with free entry for the night.

207 Bree Street | Cape Town | +27 (0)71 609 2142

THE HAPPY OAK
Long-time Stellenbosch institution The Brazen Head might have changed its name to The Happy Oak, but students (and those lusting after their youth) can still expect the same whopping blowout for St Patrick’s Day that’s held every year at the laidback bar and eatery. The big party, which will feature authentic Irish music, Guinness specials, giant green hats and giveaways, takes place on actual St Paddy’s Day on Thursday, 17 March 2016. The pub is open from the early morning 10, and as per tradition, guests are expected to dress up green (prizes will be given to the person with the best outfit), if not for any other reason than to make the male waiters, who will be sporting Irish kilts, feel a little more comfortable. Entry is free.

62 Andringa Street | Stellenbosch | +27 (0) 21 882 9672

DE LAPA PUB
If you’re looking to have outrageous fun with old school music, and old school prices then De Lapa Pub in Stellenbosch is the perfect spot for you. This St. Patrick’s Day, get into the swing of things – get green! The upstairs will have DJ’s playing some fresh tunes while the downstairs will play the classics we all know and love. You might have the luck of the Irish if you win best dressed on the night – there are tons of prizes up for grabs and once an hour there will be an Irish jig that will play for one minute with drinks for only R5 for the minute it plays. No better place to be this festive day! Doors open at 7pm and close at 2am – prepare to spend a night of absolute entertainment there.

33 Bird Street | Stellenbosch | Cape Town

FORESTERS ARMS PUB AND RESTAURANT
Something of an institution in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs, Forries, as the restaurant and pub is affectionately known, is a prime perch from which to commemorate St Patrick’s Day. The historic watering hole, which also flaunts a large outdoor area, offers frothy pints of Guinness on tap alongside a wide selection of single malt Irish whiskies. What’s more, on Thursday, 17 March 2016, the eatery will be going all out with live music from 5pm, Heineken specials and giveaways offering patrons the chance to win awesome green-themed prizes. Irish themed food specials are also on the menu for the day, including steak and Guinness pies and Irish Gourmet Lamb burgers. In short, it’s going to be another legendary St Paddy’s at Forries.

52 Newlands Avenue | Newlands |Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 689 5949

PRESIDENT HOTEL
Celebrate the Irish tradition of St. Patrick’s Day at the President Hotel on 17 March 2017. Enjoy a Guinness-filled feast with a pint of stout to start, which will be paired with the hotel’s deliciously rich braised steak and Guinness pie with skinny potato fries and roasted veggies. You will need to make space in your tummy for the full Irish Car Bomb – this is Bailey’s sponge with whisky gel, whisky parfait and Guinness mousse. The hotel offers this separately or you can get it all together for R200. This festive special is available from 12pm until 10pm – be sure to book as people will be queuing up for this.

4 Alexander Road | Bantry Bay | events@presidenthotel.co.za | +27(0)21 434 8111

THE GALILEO OPEN AIR CINEMA
For something a little different, head to the Galileo Open Air Cinema at Fedisa rooftop in the city centre on St. Patrick’s Day to watch the notorious Wolf of Wall Street. Tickets can be booked at thegalileo.co.za and the show starts at 7.45pm. Be sure to grab some popcorn and fruit blender specials to munch on during the movie.

Fedisa rooftop | 81 Church Street | City Centre | +27(0)71 471 8728

JOHNNY FOX’S PUB AND RESTAURANT
This popular neighbourhood bar and eatery in Bothasig is going all out for St. Paddy’s Day with a full-on Friday fiesta featuring all the trimmings that would make any green-blooded Irishman proud. Johnny Fox’s will run drinks specials on draught, Guinness, whiskies and Drunken Leprechaun Jars (don’t ask, just drink), and all weekend, the restaurant will be offering up dishes featuring the flavours of the shamrock nation, like traditional homemade beef and Guinness pie served with the authentically Irish colcannon (mashed potatoes with cabbage and spring onions). So, don your greenest green and get ready to go hard because everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.

SLUG & LETTUCE
Everybody in Cape Town knows, or has at least heard of “The Slug”. The Slug and Lettuce is diving into the spirit of St. Paddy’s Day with a mighty splash of beer and uniquely concocted cocktails for the ladies. Get your green gear, assemble the hungry and thirsty among you and head to the good old Slug and Lettuce for a St. Patrick’s Day in a pub right out of old-school London. Luckily you aren’t confined to one Slug – at every outlet, you can expect the same cheerful and bouncy vibe with loads of festivities specials and fun!

64 Kloof Street | Cape Town |+27 (0) 422 5352