How and Where to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Rhode Island

Try the traditional dish of corned beef and cabbage, served with carrots and potatoes. Getty Images.

St. Paddy’s Day Food

Many people crave corned beef and a Guinness on St. Patrick’s Day, but Irish pubs in Rhode Island serve both in all seasons. Whether it’s a traditional Irish breakfast, Reuben sandwich or bangers and mash, guests can channel the luck of the Irish on their plate or in a glass at these cozy spots. 

SOUTH
Shannon View Inn, Warwick
This traditional Irish spot offers new twists on classic dishes, such as the Cape Cod Reuben served with a filet of fried haddock and Irish spring rolls stuffed with corned beef, sauerkraut and cabbage served with Russian dressing. Shannon View Inn is open Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 12 a.m. 1901 Post Rd., Warwick, 732-0999, shannonviewri.com 

Kelley’s Deli, Westerly
Far from a traditional deli counter, this breakfast restaurant offers both Irish breakfast and lunch specials. Start off your day with the Spicy Leprechaun: Irish potato cakes topped with sunny side eggs, cheddar jack cheese, sour cream, sriracha and green onions with toast and home fries. For a more traditional meal, try the Irish Fry Up: two eggs, two potato cakes, corned beef hash, bangers, rashers (thin slices of bacon) and toast, or the Dubliner: two eggs, two slices of raisin bread, French toast, bangers, corned beef hash and an English muffin. If you’re visiting for lunch, grab a Reuben, corned beef melt or Killarney sandwich. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 7 a.m.–2 p.m. and Sunday 7 a.m.–1 p.m. 116 Granite St., Unit #8, Westerly, 596-9896, kelleysdeli.com 

Ocean Mist, Wakefield
This waterfront dive bar has some tricks up its sleeve for St. Paddy’s Day. Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame Inductees Steve Smith and the Nakeds are kicking off the evening at 8 p.m with live music. All patrons are encouraged to sport their best shades of green to match the green beers the bar will serve. Corned beef, cabbage and Guinness will be served all day long. 895 Matunuck Beach Rd., Wakefield, 782-3740, oceanmist.net 

Pancho O’ Malley’s, Narragansett
Founded on St. Paddy’s day more than thirty years ago, celebrate Pancho O’Malley’s anniversary this holiday. Favored by college students and ‘Gansett locals alike, this spot features Irish pub-fare favorites like Guinness and corned beef Reubens, as well as Mexican-style go-tos like nachos topped with cheddar jack cheese, diced tomatoes, olives, scallions, and jalapenos. Pancho’s food and drinks combinations live up to the bar’s famed slogan: “The Irish Pub with Mexican Grub.” 140 Point Judith Rd., Narragansett, 782-2299, panchoomalleysri.com 

Mews Tavern, Wakefield
Bartender Stesha Campbell may not adhere to the exact Guinness standard, but she adds her own touch. “I design a shamrock on the top,” she says. “I move the glass around after the first pour. I have the glass sit a couple of inches lower and just do it freehand, no stencil. I make a heart, then a figure-eight from side to side and add a stem.” 456 Main St., Wakefield, 783-9370, mewstavern.com 

NORTH
Arigna Irish Pub and Coal Fire Kitchen Pawtucket, North Providence
You can find classics like the Reuben, Irish tater kegs (large tots filled with corned beef, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut) and bangers and mash (Irish sausages and mashed potatoes) at both the Pawtucket and North Providence locations. Arigna Irish Pub and Coal Fire Kitchen is open daily from noon–1 a.m. at both locations. 507 Armistice Blvd., Pawtucket, 727-2625; 1058 Charles St., North Providence, 642-5853, arignairishpub.com 

McBride’s, Providence
This classic Irish pub follows the tried-and-true Guinness brand method. “We use a twenty-ounce Guinness-branded glass,” says bar manager Brendon Plouffe. “We begin pouring at a forty-five-degree angle and fill the glass about three-quarters full, up to the crest, using a forward pull on the tap. We let it rest for 120 seconds, or two minutes. Once the beer has settled and rested, we push the tap handle away from us to not allow any more gas, only beer, until it has crested right over the glass and has a three-quarters inch of foam.” 161 Wayland Ave., Providence, 751-3000, mcbrides-pub.com 

EAST
Buskers, Newport
For a full-blown Irish buffet, visit this gastropub on Thames Street. The Welsh Rarebit, a.k.a. cheese toasties, are slathered with melted Irish whiskey cheddar, whole grain mustard and Ballymaloe country relish. Try the Boxty for homemade Irish potato cakes served with sour cream and scallions. Scotch eggs are wrapped in Irish sausage and breadcrumbs and served with Ballymaloe Irish country relish. The potato skins are stuffed with corned beef, mashed potatoes, cheese and bacon, topped off with sour cream. Order the Irish Mixed Grill stacked with marinated steak tips, bangers, rashers, black and white pudding and Irish baked beans. Both corned beef and traditional Irish ham dinners are served with cabbage, smashed carrots and parsnips, mashed potatoes and parsley sauce. You can even get Seamus’ Irish breakfast with eggs, rashers and bangers. Hours are weekdays noon–1 a.m. and weekends 11 a.m.–1 a.m. 178 Thames St., Newport, 846-5856, buskerspub.com 

The Reuben sandwich is made of corned beef, sauerkraut, Russian dressing and Swiss cheese. Getty Images.

Aidan’s Pub, Bristol
This waterfront location will offer traditional meals like corned beef and cabbage, Reubens, Ulster (eight-ounce) burgers, bangers and mash, Dublin pot pie, Shepherd’s pie and Irish Mixed Grill. For brunch, bangers, rashers and limerick bacon will be available along with black and white pudding. Hours are Monday through Saturday 11:30 a.m.–1 a.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.–1 a.m. Hours may differ for the holiday and the kitchen is open until 10 p.m. 5 John St., Bristol, 254-1940, aidanspub.com 

O’Brien’s, Newport
O’Brien’s bartenders actually had a class on the proper way to pour a Guinness to make sure each pour is uniform. According to general manager Kerrie Philbin, bartenders pour the stout at a forty-five-degree angle and fill the glass three-quarters of the way up. Let it sit until it settles and turns from a creamy tan to a nearly black color, then top it off vertically by pushing the tap handle away from you. 501 Thames St., Newport, 849-6623, theobrienspub.net 

Click over to page 2 for live Irish music options.