St Patrick's Day In Liverpool: How Students Can Celebrate
Paddy’s Day in Liverpool. They don’t call Liverpool the second capital of Ireland for nothing.
St Patrick’s Day in Liverpool is a sight to behold, with celebrations throughout the city both cultural and let’s say ‘social’.
You might end up seeing a sea of drunk people dressed in green from head to toe, drinking green alcoholic drinks, on Concert Square from 10am on the 17th March every year, but it’s always a lot of fun to behold and to be involved in.
Some of the best clubs and bars in Liverpool will have Paddy’s Day specials on.
We’re here to give you a rundown of what it means to celebrate all things Ireland in Liverpool every March!
The History Of The Irish In Liverpool
There is no other English city with a higher proportion of residents that have Irish ancestry than Liverpool.
There is a reason that many scousers say they are scouse and not English.
The city has a long, storied tradition of Irish, Welsh, Scots, and people from the world over settling here and calling it their home.
St Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17th each year, St Patrick being the patron Saint of Ireland.
It began as a religious feast day in the 17th century and has evolved into the wild party atmosphere and Irish traditions that you see around the world today (think of how you see the river dyed green in Chicago!).
St Patrick’s Day in Liverpool includes parades, Irish food, Irish music and dancing, and everything turns a shade of green for the weekend.
Influx of Irish to Liverpool
Liverpool has always felt like the ‘Second capital of Ireland’, with an Irish community well established even prior to the Great Famine in the 1840s, which is when a much larger number of Irish people crossed the Irish Sea to land in Liverpool.
The community has always existed since due to the proximity to Ireland.
In modern times there has been an annual influx of Irish students who come to study in Liverpool and some of which stay and make it their long-term home.
Impact of Ireland on the city
The city on the whole is shaped by the influx of Irish to the city over the centuries.
The Liverpool docks were dug by Irish immigrants, the scouse accent certainly takes its cue from the many Irish who lived here, shifting the accent away from the Lancastrian-style it once was, whilst some of the finest examples of architecture in the city were funded and built by Irish.
The Metropolitan Cathedral at one end of Hope Street, the Catholic cathedral of the city.
Is affectionately known as ‘Paddy’s Wigwam’ by the locals due to its design.
Celebrating St Patrick’s Day In Liverpool
Now you know a bit more about Liverpool’s Irish history, you can find out everything that’s going on in this North West city for St. Paddy’s Day.
Carry on reading to get your plans boxed off!
An Irish Pub Crawl
There’s no better way to enjoy the craic than to go on an Irish pub crawl in Liverpool.
There are some great pubs in town, and some even better Irish pubs.
Whether you want the over the top, everything green, Irish bars with karaoke ringing out loud 24 hours a day (with all the old folk who drink between Central Station and Lime Street), or a look at the genuine Irish pubs, run by actual Irish people, Liverpool has you covered.
We’ve listed two of the most famous Irish pubs in Liverpool below!
Pogue Mahone
Pogue’s is as Irish as they come. Pogue Mahone (meaning ‘Kiss my arse’) is right in the heart of Liverpool city centre.
It’s one of the most authentic Irish bars you’ll find outside of the Emerald Isle.
The Guinness is great, the GAA is on the telly, live music is regular, and it’s just a fun pub to be around. On St Patrick’s Day weekend this Irish charm is ramped up even more.
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Shenanigans
Just a 5-minute walk from Mathew Street, and easy to find as it is close to the Super Lamb Banana, Shenanigans claims it serves the best Guinness in Liverpool, and the full Irish breakfast is another winner in our book.
Shenanigans is a place you can easily become part of the furniture, stopping for the entire day on any weekend, with the filling and delicious breakfast it is the best place to start your St Patrick’s Day celebration in Liverpool.
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We’d always say these two Irish pubs are a must visit, but there are plenty more in Liverpool to explore, including Flanagan’s Apple, Lanigan’s, McCooley’s, O’Neills and more.
Wherever you look there is an Irish bar, making Liverpool one of the best places to be on St Patrick’s Day, anywhere in the world.
The people are friendly, the music loud, and the Guinness flowing!
St Patrick’s Day Parade
2025 will be the ninth year there has been a St Patrick’s Day parade in Liverpool.
It brings together the Irish community young and old, with a route that works its way around the city centre.
It even has a few Irish bands in attendance to keep the festivities moving along with a flourish!
The Liverpool Irish Flute Band, The Cambria Drum band, Bolton Caledonia Pipe Band, and Fianna Phadraig Pipe Band are confirmed at this time.
The parade welcomes people to assemble at the Old Irish Centre on Mount Pleasant in the city centre around 2pm, with the parade moving off at 3pm.
Last year, the parade moved through Great Orford Street, Hope Street, Hardman Street, onto Renshaw and Ranelagh Street, Hannover Street and onto Seel Street.
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You can see there are a lot of different options for you to celebrate St Patrick’s day in Liverpool, whether you’re Irish or not.
It’s certainly one of the biggest days on the calendar in the city, when you can expect everywhere around town to be bouncing and a big party, comparable to Grand National weekend.
Let us know what your plans are for Paddy’s Day this year in Liverpool, or what your favourite parts of St Patrick’s day have been in the past @_homesforstudents.
Lucky for all of you living in our Liverpool student accommodation, you won’t be far from the craic!
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