St. Patrick's Day Pub Night: Green Dress Code, Irish Food, and Festive Fun

Short answer: To host a St. Patrick’s Day pub night, transform your space into an Irish pub with green decor, serve Guinness and whiskey cocktails alongside Irish-inspired food, and enforce a fun green dress code. Add traditional pub games, a festive playlist, and an easy way for guests to share their photos.

• Set a mandatory green dress code with prizes for the best outfit
• Decorate with shamrocks, Irish flags, and warm pub lighting
• Serve Irish staples like shepherd’s pie, soda bread, and boxty
• Stock the bar with Guinness, Irish whiskey, and classic cocktails
• Organize pub trivia, darts, or a photo scavenger hunt for entertainment

Who this guide is for

This guide is for adults hosting a St. Patrick’s Day party at home or a small venue who want an authentic Irish pub atmosphere without the crowded bar scene. You are comfortable preparing a few dishes and mixing drinks, and you want your guests to have a memorable night filled with good craic (that is Irish for fun).

This is not for large public events, family-friendly gatherings, or hosts looking for elaborate catering. Keep it cozy, keep it Irish.

Transform your space into an Irish pub

Start with the lighting. Irish pubs are warm and inviting, not bright and sterile. Swap overhead lights for string lights, candles, or lanterns. Hang a simple “Sláinte” banner or an Irish flag as a focal point.

Cover tables with dark green or black tablecloths. Scatter shamrock confetti and place small pots of gold chocolate coins around the room. Use wooden trays, copper mugs, and vintage-style glassware to complete the pub aesthetic.

Create a “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” photo corner with props: green top hats, oversized shamrock glasses, and a leprechaun hat or two. Place a sign with a QR code linking to your shared photo album so guests can upload their photos throughout the night.

Enforce a green dress code

Make the green dress code mandatory and announce it clearly in your invitation. Guests should wear at least one green item, whether it is a sweater, tie, scarf, socks, or full leprechaun costume.

Set up a “pinch station” at the entrance for anyone who arrives without green. Provide green accessories like beaded necklaces, temporary shamrock tattoos, or green bow ties so no one feels left out.

Announce a “Best Dressed” contest midway through the night. Categories could include “Most Creative Green Outfit,” “Best Leprechaun Look,” or “Greenest Guest.” Award small prizes like Irish chocolate bars, a bottle of Jameson, or bragging rights.

Serve Irish-inspired food and drinks

Your pub needs proper provisions. For food, focus on hearty Irish classics that are easy to prepare and serve buffet-style:

• Shepherd’s pie or cottage pie in individual ramekins or one large dish
• Irish soda bread with butter (bake it fresh for the aroma alone)
• Boxty (Irish potato pancakes) topped with smoked salmon or sour cream
• Bangers and mash or mini sausage rolls with mustard
• Colcannon (mashed potatoes with cabbage and butter)
• Cheese and crackers with Irish cheddar

For dessert, serve Irish cream brownies, whiskey cake, or a simple platter of shortbread cookies.

At the bar, Guinness is non-negotiable. Teach guests how to pour a proper pint with the two-part pour (fill to three-quarters, let it settle, then top it off). Add Irish whiskeys like Jameson, Bushmills, or Tullamore Dew for sipping or mixing.

Signature cocktails to consider:

• Irish Coffee: hot coffee, Irish whiskey, brown sugar, and cream
• Dublin Mule: Irish whiskey, lime, and sparkling water in a copper mug
• Shamrock Sour: whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and a drop of green food coloring

Offer a green mocktail for non-drinkers. A limeade with fresh mint and sparkling water works perfectly.

Plan pub games and entertainment

No Irish pub is complete without games. Set up a darts board if you have one, or create a simple ring toss using bottles and plastic rings. Card games, dominoes, and dice work for smaller groups.

For structured entertainment, host Irish trivia with questions about Ireland’s history, famous Irish people, Irish slang, and St. Patrick’s Day traditions. Split guests into teams and award a prize to the winners.

A photo scavenger hunt keeps guests engaged all night. Create prompts like:

• “Selfie while holding a Guinness”
• “Photo of someone wearing the most green”
• “Group cheers with Irish whiskey”
• “Capture someone doing their best Irish jig”
• “Photo with the leprechaun props”

Check out our guide to guest photo games and scavenger hunts for more prompt ideas. Announce that completing the hunt enters guests into a prize drawing at the end of the night.

Build a playlist with traditional Irish music, Celtic rock bands like The Pogues and Dropkick Murphys, and modern Irish artists. Keep the volume at a level that encourages conversation. This is a pub, not a club.

Capture the craic with shared photos

Your photo corner should be well-lit and inviting. Stock it with props that guests will actually use: green wigs, shamrock sunglasses, “Kiss Me I’m Irish” signs, and leprechaun hats.

Gather Shot is a photo sharing platform for events that makes collecting guest photos simple. Set up your event before the party and display the QR code at the entrance, the bar, and your photo corner. Guests scan the code, upload their photos, and see them appear in a shared gallery instantly. No app download or account required.

After the party, share the album link so everyone can relive the night and download their favorite shots.

Frequently asked questions

What should I include in a St. Patrick’s Day pub night invitation?

Include the date, time, location, green dress code requirement, and a note that you will have accessories for anyone who forgets. Mention the food and drink theme so guests know what to expect.

How much Guinness should I buy for a pub night?

Plan for 2-3 drinks per guest over a 3-4 hour party. A case of Guinness (24 cans or bottles) covers about 8-10 guests. Add extra if your crowd loves stout.

What are easy Irish dishes I can make ahead?

Shepherd’s pie, colcannon, and soda bread can all be prepared the day before. Reheat the pie and potatoes before guests arrive. Soda bread stays fresh overnight wrapped in a towel.

How do I collect photos from my St. Patrick’s Day party?

Set up a Gather Shot event and display the QR code in a few visible spots. Guests scan and upload from their phones. You get a shared gallery without texting everyone for photos the next day.

What is a good prize for pub night contests?

Small bottles of Irish whiskey, Irish chocolate, a gift card to a local pub, or a novelty trophy all work well. Keep it simple and fun.

Sláinte to a night well hosted

A St. Patrick’s Day pub night is about good food, good drinks, and good company. Nail the green dress code, serve Irish classics, and give guests an easy way to share their photos. You will end the night with a gallery full of memories.

Create your free event and start collecting photos from your St. Patrick’s Day celebration.