Everybody loves a good ol’ Irish pub ( specially on St. Paddy ’s Day ) , and the MSP area sure does have quite a few of them . But what make a saloon “ Irish ” ? Is it the beer selection ? The whisky ? The beer and the whiskey ? How about a bunch of 20 - somethings drinking heavily and dancing on the measure while wearing “ snog Me I ’m Irish ” T - shirt and those dumb shamrock sunglass ? Well , we care to think it ’s a mixture of all that ( with the exception of the last one ) , with the sum bonus of being a neighborhood favourite where you may have a few pints with some good supporter – and , sure , maybe even pair it with a plate of hearty food . Also whiskey . Definitely . There ’s got to be whisky . And in the Twin Cities , yeah , we ’ve got plenty of that .

The Local

One of the city ’s most well - be intimate Irish establishments , The Local has spent the past four years as a ball-shaped leader in the sale ( and pour ) of Jameson Irish whiskey . gravely , the place has even been honour for it . That aside , the beautiful wood décor , detailed bars , and bountiful excerpt of alcoholic drink ( namely that whiskey ) is what keeps it a substantial staple fiber for Twin Cities pub - goers . And sure , the fish & chips and whiskey - honey candy chicken shots aid as well .

Morrissey’s Irish Pub

There ’s just something about Irish pubs in the Twin Cities that guide to   massive whisky sales ( which may or may not talk to the people of MSP in general ) . Morrissey ’s drift to be the biggest seller of Powers Irish whisky in the land ,   and even claims to sell more Greenore than anywhere else in the intact US . It was also apparently the first Irish pothouse in Uptown Minneapolis , which pretty much make it a historical landmark ( in our whisky - glazed eye ) . This place has a rather dark air in spite of appearance , but do n’t let it discourage you from the great lively music and delicious Irish - revolutionise snacks it offers at the bar and tableside .

The Liffey

moot the size of the Irish population in St. Paul , you ’d await to find some fairly decent public house . And this sister measure to The Local is just that . The bar was actually build in Ireland before being put together on - site , and pay its localisation near the Xcel Energy Center , it ’s fundamentally the good place to grab a pre - hockey shot of whiskey . If you ’ve been keep up with itsFacebook pageboy , it ’s jolly obvious The Liffey is get quick for a serious St. Paddy ’s Day celebration .

Merlins Rest

Oh , how we have sex Merlin ’s ! This shoes is easily one of the most colorful bar in the Twin Cities – especially since it frequently has bagpipers marching around the barroom bang out tune . Also , it boasts the largest selection of unmarried malted Scotches and Irish whiskey in the state . And if you think that ’s an magnification , just ask to see the menu ; your server will come back with what ’s referred to as the “ Scotch Holy Scripture ” : a ring-binder occupy with all the different brown liquors offered . What also do this post so corking is that it does ( somewhat ) frequent tasting , and take a leak a decent cottage pie .

Emmett’s Public House

This Grand Ave gin mill is a enceinte place to grab a dry pint and shot with a few friends . It has   a hearty selection of Irish - inspired food ( get those curried beer & whiskey mussels NOW ) and is the only place in town ( that we ’re aware of ) that offers   corned gripe & colcannon .

The Dubliner Pub

This position basically shed blood light-green , sport springy Irish music six night a week and an Irish dance nighttime every Wednesday . But do n’t worry , it ’s not all music and clogging ; it also has a pretty substantial rough drawing tilt and a variety of whiskey ( shocking , we   know ) to rinse them all down .

Patrick McGovern’s

This well-disposed neighborhood pub has been pouring pints under its current possession since 1982 . locate in the bottom corner of an old Victorian building , the free-and-easy atmosphere makes it the staring place to prod into a big square bowl of Irish sweat while sipping away on a smooth pour of Guinness . It also has   a beautiful terrace for those summer get - togethers with expert friends . ( Expect to make some new ones while you ’re out there . )

O’Gara’s Irish Pub

This St. Paul institution is definitely a human dynamo pub around these parts , offer live music , 35 strike beers , and a robust history . It ’ll be celebrating its 75th St. Paddy ’s Day this year ,   and is doing so with an entire calendar week full of different specials . While it ’s decidedly less of an Irish pub than it used to be , the polish live on on in   the bod of the leprechaun cobblers wall painting ,   paint inside the bar   by founder Jim O’Gara . Also , the shillelagh ( an old Irish weapon ) hanging over the stripe comes flat from County Sligo , home of the first O’Gara clan . Oh , and it still sells whisky .

Keegan’s Irish Pub

Keegan ’s is a solid place in town ,   offer a great collecting of craft beer , a variety of weekly special & body process , and a load of eatable Irish classic . The barroom has been consistently reward by the people at Guinness for the way the barman pour pints . harmonize tothe website , “ All our Guinness comes from the St. James Gate brewery in Dublin , Ireland , and we pour it at the right temperature with proper nitrogen to CO2 mixture . ” So if you ’re looking for a in effect pint - o'-Guinness this coming St. Paddy ’s Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , it looks like you ’ve found the place .

O’Donovan’s Irish Pub

This is the kind of legal community you come to and , after toast for some fourth dimension , initiate hazily clamour on about howauthenticit looks . “ It ’s almost like I ’m in Ireland ! ” you ’ll ( seek to ) say . Well , that ’s because it was the first Irish pub in Minneapolis that was built entirely in Ireland . Come by most nights of the week and you ’ll find live medicine , along with a healthy selection of rap beer . And if you ’re like most , you ’ll likely ( decidedly ) want to explore the Irish whisky natural selection as well …   because why not ?

Dan Kelly’s Irish Pub

This downtown Irish public house is brought to you by the same phratry behind the Seven Corners craft beer temple , Republic , so you know it has a neat survival of different local brew and various taps . It focuses on present-day pub - style culinary art ,   with a firm clutch   on traditional Irish smell , and has over 40 different varieties of whisky . So what we ’re saying is : make certain you show up good and thirsty .

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The Local

the local best irish bars in the twin cities msp

The Local

morrissey’s irish pub best irish bars in msp twin cities

Morrissey’s Irish Pub

drinkers at the liffey on st. patrick’s day

Adam Kennedy Photography

whiskey on display at merlin’s rest twin cities msp

Merlin’s Rest

emmett’s public house twin cities msp

Emmett’s Public House

patrick mcgovern’s twin cities msp irish bar

Patrick McGovern’s

Keegan’s Irish Pub msp twin cities bar

Keegan’s Irish Pub

O’donovan’s irish pub twin cities msp

O’Donovan’s Irish Pub