Here is a post about celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day in Barcelona. I did not plan to write it, but when I saw people with no connection to Ireland and based in Barcelona celebrating it, I thought it was worth a few words.
About Saint Patrick’s Day
Saint Patrick’s Day is on March 17th. Saint Patrick is the Patron Saint of Ireland. He was not Irish. He was born in Roman Britain and was kidnapped at 16 to be a slave in Ireland.
He escaped but then returned to bring Christianity to Ireland. One of his most famous deeds was to chase all the snakes from the island.
Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations in the world and outside Ireland
Paddy’s Day celebrations are highly popular in English-speaking countries such as the US or Australia. They have a strong history of Irish Immigration. Barcelona is not such a place.
Saint Patrick’s Day in Barcelona
I love Irish culture from having lived in Ireland for a couple of years. I have been celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day ever since. And I have been celebrating Saint Patrick’s day in Barcelona ever since.
This year, I met a good number of people with no link to Ireland celebrating the 17th of March. That was a great example of how this cultural event proper to Ireland exported itself and how people just appreciate the Irish and their jolly nature. Or what do you think?
How to celebrate Saint Patrick’s day in Barcelona (or elsewhere)
First thing first. To celebrate properly, take half of the day (or the entire day) off if you don’t live in Ireland. Start enjoying (well sitting at the pub with a drink or more) early to fully appreciate the day. The beauty of it is to sit down and have a lot of craic (fun in Irish) with your people.
Then look into your closet and pick something green or connected to Ireland. Thankfully if you have nothing, most pubs will. They will give you “Irish” goodies sponsored by renowned drinks companies: Leprechauns and bob hats, etc.
I also like face painting, but this year I was not prepared. Some people had the Irish flag on their faces. It was so cool! Next year!
In Barcelona, there is no parade. The Irish community is not big enough. You just go to the pub, have a good Irish breakfast (or not), and drink beers. I like Guinness. Then spend the entire afternoon, evening, and night partying.
Which pubs to go to for the craic?
The Shamrock Irish Bar
Last year, we were sitting at the Shamrock Irish Bar‘s terrace in Raval.
On the terrace, we could not enjoy Irish music which is imperative on Saint Patrick’s Day. On the other hand, we enjoyed a nice weather, after all, we are in Barcelona. Living outside is better. Our group of friends still had beers and good fun. This is the most important part.
Flaherty’s Irish Pub Barcelona
This year, we went to Flaherty’s Irish Pub for the first time.
We arrived early enough, around 15h. The pub was not yet packed but there was already a good and happy crowd. The atmosphere was very good (and green) with traditional Irish songs. Patrons sang along. The Irish breakfast resembled the ones I used to have in Ireland, and the staff provided plenty of green hats so that everyone can blend in.
We conversed with a few other customers. Going to the pub has that, and I like it. Ok, we mainly advised on how to get hats for free. I had my eye on one particular hat style, a bob, but they run out of stock. So we asked a random guy to trade his with a Leprechaun one. He obliged with a smile but did not look convinced that he got such a great deal out of it.
Then, the staff opened a random box filled with bobs, and I got one. I returned his to the Canadian guy. He and his friends looked very happy about it.
Flaherty’s Irish Pub Barcelona
A break from drinking
Around 5, we left the pub for some fresh air. Can’t do continuous drinking in the same way as during our much younger years anymore. Outside Flaherty, two drunk girls played on a seesaw, then stumbled on each other. Everybody around laughed.
We met a friend by chance and decided to go for coffee. While chatting, an unknown man tried to attract his attention. It revealed they knew each other. The new guy joined our group. He was also celebrating Paddy’s Day, although he was not Irish and had no link to Ireland. He just liked the party. It created a bond. He was to meet with some other friends to keep celebrating Paddy’s Day. We part ways to meet our respective groups.
On the second part of the night, we were to meet with a bigger group of friends. None of them was linked to Ireland, again. They just liked Irish culture with its myths and legends, the music, and mainly the fun!
We started our pub crawl in Cheers.
Cheers Irish Pub
That night, I discovered the existence of a few Irish pubs in Barcelona, especially around the Rambla area. This one is small. They served me half a pint of Guinness in a jar. Sad smiley face.
The service was slow, and I was not sure the barman really saw our group. In Ireland, the barman at the pub always knows who is next to be served. Here the service seemed a bit chaotic.
Finally, everyone got a glass. Slainte! Cheers! Let’s now start singing. One fantastic feature of this pub is the music. They had fabulous karaoke on with music ranging from Queens to Backstreet Boys. Everrybodyy yeah!
Back to Flaherty’s
Thank God! We had our stamps from Flaherty when we left earlier. When we came back at 11 pm, there was a queue outside. Our group is too big. Only two out of ten had stamps. What to do?
We suggested they reproduce the stamp on their wrist, and we entered together. But only one wants to take the risk and joins. She fakes the stamp with a green eyeliner, don’t tell! We get in. The pub was still packed. We queued for the toilet. One girl asked to queue with us. Not sure why. The pub was safe. There is vomit in the sink. The sign of a good night?
This time most people were drunk. I can tell by the look on their face and their hazy dancing. Another girl in front of us offers us her drink. It is lime green and contains vodka and some other things I cannot remember. Very sweet. They called it a trash can. Then she insisted we drink her other drink of Jagermeister. Not a big fan of this herbal and sweet taste.
Then we start chatting with our neighbours. Another group of friends, also an international mix: Irish, English, Spanish, and Polish. One, two, or three beers later, we talked with John about football. With Conrad, about shite. He is wasted but super sweet. He wants to be our friend, he says. He loves us. Then the bell rings. It is time for the last serve. What? Already? No… We are just starting to have a good time. Conrad disappears. His friends look for him everywhere. Where is Conrad? Finally, they found him in the toilet and headed to the Old Irish Pub.
The staff chased us from the pub. ¨Please, go away¨. They must be scared of the neighbours. ¨Please, there is another pub, The Old Irish Pub, opened on the Rambla¨. We decided to go. Let´s continue the party.
The Old Irish Pub
This is my first time in this pub too.
The staff recommended we go to the Old Irish Pub. I never noticed that place before that night. The pub was huge and long inside. It looked more like a disco with a big screen. The room was filled with a lot of, ahem, drunk people dancing. The floor was slippery from spilled drinks. But the music was good and the atmosphere very lively and fun.
We are in front of the photocall, and everyone passing by wants to take a picture with us. Ok, why not! But why would you take a picture with a random stranger? We were at our table when out of a sudden, Conrad appeared in front of us. What are the odds? After several declarations of love, he leaves again in the same drunken way. Bye!
It is also time for us to go home. I have not stayed that long out since the pandemic. It felt good. I had a lot of fun. I am tired and happy to go home. Till next year for another Saint Patrick’s day in Barcelona!
Other posts related to Ireland
An insider guide for 48 Hours in Dublin