Jersey Shore Irish pubs ready to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, and that's some yoke!

Gabriela L. Laracca, Asbury Park Press
Updated ·5 min read

Raise your pints, Jersey Shore, because St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner.

There are plenty of true Irish pubs to visit, like the Dublin House in Red Bank, complete with Irish brews, whiskey, classic bites like Shepherd's pie — even TVs showing Irish teams playing rugby and soccer.

Some local pubs are having celebrations with live music and specials on or around Sunday, March 17. Others are partying all month long.

Here's how these Irish pubs and bars in Monmouth and Ocean counties are celebrating.

Shepherd’s Pie at The Dublin House Restaurant & Pub is a Red Bank.
Shepherd’s Pie at The Dublin House Restaurant & Pub is a Red Bank.

Doyle's Pour House, Barnegat and Tuckerton

This modern twist on an Irish pub has American classics like award-winning burgers and wings (ask for them to be thrown on the grill for an extra crisp). But they also have plenty of Irish fare, from Nora Doyle's Shepherd's Pie with ground Angus beef, carrots, peas, potatoes and onions smothered in mashed potatoes, to classic Reuben sandwiches packed with corned beef.

Enjoy entertainment at both locations for St. Patrick's weekend. In Tuckerton, the Shay Mac Band will perform from 8 to 11 p.m. on Friday, March 15, and the duo of Dale and Amy will perform from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, March 16. In Barnegat, Matt Fisher and Pickles takes the stage at 8 p.m. March 15, and DJ/musician Scotty Z performs at 8 p.m. March 16.

Go: Tuckerton: 210 W. Main St.; 609-296-3373, doylespourhouse.com. Barnegat: 345 S. Main St.; 609-660-8300, doylespourhousebarnegat.com, facebook.com/DoylesBarnegat.

Baked fresh: For St. Patrick's Day, these Jersey Shore bakeries are making Irish soda bread

Kelly's Tavern, Neptune City

Every year, this Irish tavern goes all out for the Belmar Lake Como St. Patrick's Day Parade (which was March 3) —but expect to see bagpipers from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 9; Sunday, March 10; Thursday, March 14; Friday, March 15; and Saturday, March 16.

On St. Patrick's Day, there will be bagpipers from 7 to 9 a.m., noon to 3 p.m., and 5 to 8 p.m. There also will be Irish-themed specials including Guinness BBQ wings, corned beef and Irish nachos.

Go: 43 Route 35; 732-775-9517, kellystavernjerseyshore.com.

Klee's Bar & Grill, Seaside Heights

A party at Klee's Bar & Grill in Seaside Heights during a previous Ocean County St. Patrick's Day Parade.
A party at Klee's Bar & Grill in Seaside Heights during a previous Ocean County St. Patrick's Day Parade.

This popular bar and grill is one of the first places the famous Ocean County St. Patrick's Day Parade passes on Saturday, March 9.

While the parade kicks off around noon and the bar usually opens at 11 a.m., they may open a few hours early that day so patrons can find seats. There will be St. Patrick's-themed specials, like corned beef and cabbage, plenty of Guinness flowing and live Irish music.

According to Klee's general manager Glenn McCarthy, the party carries on all day after the parade.

Go: 101 Blvd.; 732-830-1996, kleesbarandgrill.com.

Lighthouse Tavern, Waretown

A re-enactment of "Finnegan's Wake," an Irish ballad that tells of an Irishman resurrected when mourners spill whiskey in his casket, takes place at Lighthouse Tavern in Waretown.
A re-enactment of "Finnegan's Wake," an Irish ballad that tells of an Irishman resurrected when mourners spill whiskey in his casket, takes place at Lighthouse Tavern in Waretown.

This tavern will celebrate Saturday, March 16, and on St. Patrick's Day.

But Saturday is its own celebration, called Finnegan's Wake Party. It kicks off at 8 p.m., during which an annual re-enactment of "Finnegan's Wake" — an Irish ballad that tells of an Irishman resurrected when mourners spill whiskey in his casket — will take place. There will also be live music by Round the House Band, and the Ocean County Emerald Society Pipes and Drums.

On St. Patrick's Day, the festivities start at 2 p.m., with music from the InnisFree Band, and the Ocean County Emerald Society. There will also be a full Irish menu of dishes like corned beef cabbage, and plenty of Guinness and whiskey.

Go: 397 Route 9; 609-693-3150, lighthousetavernnj.com.

St. Stephen's Green Publick House, Spring Lake

This true Irish Pub is celebrating St. Patrick's Day all month long.

The Irish Seisun (Session), an acoustic Irish group that has been playing the pub for 17 years, will perform at 6 p.m. every Tuesday in March.

Closer to the big day, there will be other performers: Matt Baker from 7 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, March 14; the Steve Reilly Duo from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Friday, March 15; and Doubting Toms from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 16. The Snakes will put on a show from noon to 2 p.m. on St. Patrick's Day.

Enjoy traditional Irish fare like Guinness Beef Stew with sirloin cubes, potatoes, vegetables and Guinness-stout-flavored brown gravy; and an Irish breakfast of scrambled eggs, roasted tomato, bangers, beans, boxty cakes, black and white pudding, stout and ale bread.

And of course there will be St. Patrick's Day favorites like Guinness drafts, Irish whiskeys like Jameson, and month-long specials like the Shamrock-themed Irish Coffee.

Go: 2031 Route 71; 732-449-2626, ssgpub.com.

What other bars are doing

St. Patrick's Day treats at Sun Harbor Seafood and Grill in Barnegat.
St. Patrick's Day treats at Sun Harbor Seafood and Grill in Barnegat.

Heights 27 in Spring Lake Heights will have live music and St. Patrick's-themed specials on St. Patrick's Day. Go: 2407 Rout 71; 732-449-7449, heights27.com.

Nip N Tuck Bar & Grill in Long Branch will be having a slew of corned beef and cabbage-centric specials starting March 14 through the holiday. From 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays all month, they will offer $7 Irish beers, and discounts on the "spuds" menu. From noon to 3 p.m. on St. Patrick's Day, there will be a Boozy Brunch with live music by The Benjamins. Go: 23 Norwood Ave.; 732-222-0023, nipntuck.bar.

New burgers: 30 Burgers comes to Freehold Township offering, yes, 30 types of burgers

Riv's Toms River Hub will be hosting a St. Patrick's Day Party March 17 with live music by Queens Blvd at 1 p.m., bagpipers at 1:30 p.m., Shorty Long at 6 p.m. and more bagpipers at 6:30 p.m. There will also be food and drink specials. Go: 1850 Hooper Ave., Toms River; 732-255-6183, rivstrhub.com.

Sun Harbor Seafood and Grill in Barnegat will have a St. Patrick's Day celebration with live music by Moondoggie from 3 to 7 p.m. March 17. Specials include Irish Sliders with slow-cooked corned beef, melted Swiss cheese, scallions, bacon and sour cream. There will also be $8 drinks, like the Fuzzy Leprechaun with Ketel One, Baileys, and Creme de Menthe, topped with whipped cream. Go: 451 East Bay Ave.; 609-622-6190, sunharborseafoodandgrill.com.

Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA Today Network New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: St. Patrick's Day: Check out these Irish pubs at the Jersey Shore