The best London bars and drinks for St Patrick’s Day

Fortunately, the law requiring pubs to shut on St Patrick’s Day was repealed decades ago, meaning you can charge your glass to Ireland’s patron saint known for dismissing snakes from the Emerald Isle. Here are three venues dispensing a taste of Irish hospitality...
Black Velvet at Gibney’s
@celiamingor
Douglas Blyde17 March 2022

The George Irish Coffee at The George

Bar manager Colin Maher advocates a boozy Irish Coffee at the Grade II listed, Great Portland Street pub, savoured among its gilded mirrors, dark woods and green leather seats. ‘We start with Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition, add our Guinness reduction made by reducing Guinness and sugar in a pan, then top it with Origin filter coffee and - finally - cream. Nutmeg is optional. Try it with our oxtail croquettes with wild garlic mayo and then a beef and Guinness hot pot.’ (thegeorge.london)

Irish Coffee at The George
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Black Velvet at Gibney’s

Says bar manager, Cormac Gibney: ‘The simple, equal mix of Guinness and champagne is brilliant, offering unexpected textures and flavours. Oh so familiar, creamy Guinness is brought alive by the crisp finish of fine champagne. To avoid a frothy disaster, slowly pour the Guinness into the champagne over a long handled spoon. A drink is best savoured with friendly faces and live music at Gibney’s - you’ll probably want to stay for another!’ (daffodilmulligan.com)

Black Velvet at Gibney’s
@celiamingor

The Northerner at Heliot Steak House at The Hippodrome

Says head sommelier, Salvo Russo: ‘I love Old Bushmills distillery in County Antrim which is where my wife, Hannah Duffy, is from. Bushmills for her means home. The feeling of family and warmth - usually the warmth comes from sitting by the fire at The Bushmills Inn drinking an Irish Coffee after a blustery walk along the northern coast. Meanwhile, at London’s Heliot Steak House, we make a twist on The Dubliner to pay homage to Bushmills. Called The Northerner, it features stirred then strained Bushmills Black Bush, sweet vermouth, Grand Marnier and bitters. Stay for a beautiful Irish Wexford tomahawk for two.’ (hippodromecasino.com)

The Northerner at Heliot Steak House
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Staying In?

Impress with a sumptuous bottle of Bushmills, The Causeway Collection 1991 Madeira Cask available from whiskyshop.com for a fiver shy of £700.

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