2026 St. Patrick’s Day events in Asheville with Irish food, music, beer

ASHEVILLE – Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations of Irish culture are planned across the city, with local pubs, breweries and restaurants planning a day-to-night marathon of jubilant bands, traditional fare and generous pours of Guinness and Irish whiskies and more as part of the observance.

The holiday will double as a grand opening for a downtown Irish pub that is set on nurturing and nourishing the Asheville community year-round.

“We wanted something that would be a good space for creating community and bringing people together, especially after the hurricane,” said Joanne Carroll, co-owner and general manager of Shamrock Irons Irish Pub.

In October, Shamrock Irons Irish Pub made a soft debut at 4 College St. downtown, formerly Claddagh Restaurant and Pub. For St. Patrick’s Day, Shamrock Irons will go full swing with a festive decor flair, a packed entertainment schedule, with three bands scheduled, giveaways, and extended hours, from 11 a.m. to midnight.

The pub will be family-friendly until 10 p.m., and open with free admission.

“For an Irish bar, St. Patrick’s Day is kind of our Super Bowl, and since we’re also the new kids on the block, we felt like it’s a reintroduction to the community,” Carroll said.

Since Carroll and her business partner, Stefan DuSchaine took over ownership and operations, they’ve rebranded the establishment with a new name, upgraded the ambiance with lighting, removed gaming systems that were previously set up, enhanced the food and beverage menus and entertainment offerings, and made venue improvements, including a refreshed façade and signage.

Shamrock Irons’ name inspired by a customer’s suggestion was selected to reflect Ireland, femininity and masculinity. Carroll’s grandparents were immigrants to Australia before her family immigrated to the United States, making her a first generation citizen.

Carroll said that boosting Shamrock Irons’ music and bar program were top priorities, and a stage was constructed to showcase performers in the dining room. Live music includes Jazz Night on Thursdays, mixed genres from bluegrass to rock-and-roll on Fridays and Saturdays, acoustic acts on Sunday afternoons and Celtic band plays twice a month.

The bar menu offers nearly 20 Irish whiskey selections, with another 10 or so whiskey brands on deck. The bar is equipped with 32 beer taps, pouring beers including Guinness, Harp and Smithwick’s and seven taps dedicated to a rotating lineup of local brews.

Diners can find an abundance of traditional Irish fare, with signature and fusion dishes in the mix, and using new recipes.

“I love the corned beef and cabbage from the traditional side, but from the nontraditional side, I created the Irish tacos. It’s basically a Reuben sandwich in a tortilla,” Carroll said.

Traditional featured plates also include fish and chips, bangers and mash, Guinness stew and cottage pie. Additional bar bites include wings, buffalo cauliflower, build-your-own-burgers, and sandwiches such as the beer battered banger on a baguette.

Save room for the Black and Gold Bliss ― alternating layers of chocolate chip cookie cake and milk mousse with a velvety espresso martini in a shot glass, nestled inside the dessert.

“We’re happy to have created this space in Asheville at this time, and we think it’s a wonderful location in the heart of downtown,” Carroll said. “We see everyday people coming in and becoming regular and making friends with others. I think It’s going to move forward into a nice gathering space for the entire community.”

Shamrock Irons Irish Pub’s regular hours through April are 3-10 p.m. Wednesday, 11 a.m.-midnight Thursday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. Hours will be extended in the spring. For more, visit shamrockirons.com and follow @shamrockirons.

Here are more St. Patrick’s Day events, tasty treats and parties to attend in Asheville.

Where to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Asheville

Crawl With Us St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl. Visit at least six venues in downtown/South Slope on this bar crawl, from 4-10 p.m. March 14, with a mid party from 7-9 p.m. and after party from 10 p.m.-midnight. Ages 21 and up only. Individual tickets are $31.77 and group tickets $25.73, plus tax and fees. At least six venues are on the crawl. https://crawlwith.us/asheville/stpattys/
St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl at Daddy Mac’s. Stop into Daddy Mac’s Down Home Dive, 161 Biltmore Ave., during the Crawl With Us St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl on March 14 for drink specials, including $4 green beer, live music with Adam and Joe, starting at 8 p.m., and Jell-o shots for anyone who can find the Lucky Leprechaun. eatatdaddymacs.com
Hi-Wire Brewing’s St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl. Crawl With Us will make a stop at Hi-Wire’s South Slope taproom, open from 4-midnight March 14 at 197 Hilliard Ave.
Hillman Beer Annual St. Patrick’s Day Party. The party begins at 11 a.m. March 14 at Hillman Beer’s Biltmore Village taproom, 25 Sweeten Creek Road. The festive celebration will include live music with Rocky Doon from 12-3 p.m. and 28 Pages from 4-7 p.m., food specials and new beer releases. hillmanbeer.com
St. Patrick’s Day with North State Grass. North State Grass will play “lightning-fast” bluegrass and traditional Irish jigs and reels from 5-8 p.m. March 17 in The Showroom at Fitz and the Wolfe, 1 Battery Park Ave. fitzandthewolfe.com
St. Patrick’s Swap Party. handlebar and Grill, 1655 Old Haywood Road, will host a swap party, encouraging guests to spring clean their homes and bring items, such as books, puzzles, movies (DVD/VHS), vinyl records, cassettes, video games, etc. No clothes. Jell-o shot specials and snacks will be available. facebook.com/handlebaravl
Wear green and play games. On March 17, Well Played Board Games Café, 162 Coxe Ave., will serve mint milkshakes and green beer. Guests wearing green will earn BOGO game passes, so bring a friend. wellplayedasheville.com
Oyster Eating Contest. The Lobster Trap, 35 Patton Ave., challenges diners to eat 50 oysters or more to win prizes on March 17. House oysters are $1 each every Tuesday. A new signature IPA will be released, sold for $5/pint. Restaurant hours are 5-9:30 p.m. thelobstertrap.biz
The “Lucky Buzz” cocktail. Mellow Mushroom will serve The “Lucky Buzz” cocktail through March 31, made with Tito’s handmade vodka, DeKuyper melon liqueur and fresh pineapple juice, with a garnish of an Airhead Xtremes Rainbow Belt fastened with a shamrock pick.

Send your St. Patrick’s Day events and specials to [email protected].

Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Tips, comments, questions? Email [email protected] or follow @PrincessOfPage on Instagram. Sign up for AVL Bites and Brews, our weekly food and drink newsletter here.

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