NJShore Guide

Best Irish Pubs at the Jersey Shore

From the Irish Riviera to the Wildwoods, authentic Irish hospitality awaits. Perfect for St. Patrick's Day or any day you want a proper pint.

12Irish Pubs
9Live Music
7Parades
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What Makes a Great Irish Pub

🍺

The Pour

A proper Guinness takes 119.5 seconds. Two-part pour, settled perfectly.

Best at: Anglesea Pub, Harrigan's

🏠

The Atmosphere

Dark wood, warm lighting, cozy snugs. It should feel like home.

Best at: St. Stephen's Green, Brothers Daley

🎵

Live Music

Traditional Irish sessions, folk music, and sing-alongs.

Best at: Anglesea Pub, St. Stephen's Green

💬

The Craic

Good conversation and friendly banter. The Irish call it 'the craic.'

Best at: Any true Irish pub

☘️ St. Patrick's Day 2026 Pub Events

Special events happening at Irish pubs across the shore this March.

Johnny Mac's

March 8

Parade Day HQ

Asbury ParkOpens 10 AM with free pizza. Official parade headquarters.

Anglesea Pub

March 14

Post-Parade Celebration

North WildwoodAnglesea Irish Society parade ends nearby. Live Irish music.

McDonagh's Pub

March 22

St. Patty's Mega Bowl

KeyportFirst annual event. Live music all day, bagpipers starting at 10 AM.

Harrigan's Pub

Feb-March

Whiskey Tastings

Sea GirtSt. Patrick's season events including pint glass engraving.

Top Irish Pubs

Anglesea Pub

Wildwoodirish-pub, bar

$$

🎵 Live Music

The real deal - owned and operated by Sean and Conn McMullen, brothers who emigrated from County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Sean was honored with the St. Patrick's Ring of Honor by the Philadelphia St. Patrick's Day Parade. Known for a perfectly poured Guinness and authentic Irish atmosphere.

  • Owners from County Antrim, Northern Ireland
  • Sean McMullen honored in Philadelphia St. Patrick's Ring of Honor
  • Perfectly poured Guinness

💡 Go for St. Patrick's Day weekend - the Anglesea Irish Society parade (March 14) ends nearby. Arrive early after the parade.

St. Stephen's Green Publick House

Spring Lakeirish-pub, restaurant

$$

🎵 Live Music

Named after the famous park in Dublin, this beloved establishment captures the essence of a traditional Irish pub. Dark woods, cushioned barstools, and a cozy stone fireplace create the perfect atmosphere. Features Guinness, Harp, Murphy's, Magners, and Kilkenny on tap alongside local craft from Kane and Flying Fish.

  • Named after famous Dublin park
  • Live Irish entertainment almost every night
  • Extensive Irish beer selection

💡 Book 2+ weeks ahead for St. Patrick's Day brunch - this is THE spot in the Irish Riviera. Adjacent to Belmar for easy parade access.

Brothers Daley

Sea Brightirish-pub, fine-dining, restaurant

$$$

An elevated take on the traditional Irish pub. Features copper ceiling tiles fashioned after late 1800s decor, mismatched crystal chandeliers, and a colorful kaleidoscope of backlit liquor bottles. The menu offers Irish pub-inspired fare elevated to gastropub standards, with creative cocktails including a signature salt and vinegar martini.

  • Copper ceiling tiles from late 1800s
  • Crystal chandeliers throughout
  • Creative craft cocktail menu

💡 Try the salt and vinegar martini - it sounds strange but it works. Great date night spot with Irish flair.

Harrigan's Pub

Sea Girtirish-pub, bar, restaurant

$$

🎵 Live Music

An old-school Irish pub that locals love. Known for a perfectly poured pint of Guinness and their famous Guinness BBQ half rack of ribs. Hosts plenty of St. Patrick's-themed events during February and March including whiskey tastings and Guinness glass pint engraving.

  • Perfectly poured Guinness
  • Famous Guinness BBQ ribs
  • Whiskey tasting events

💡 Stop by in February or March for their St. Patrick's season events - whiskey tastings and pint glass engraving are popular.

The Irish Pub

Atlantic Cityirish-pub, bar, restaurant

$$

🎵 Live Music

A classic Irish pub in the heart of Atlantic City, away from the casino crowds. Known for terrific food and a refreshing pint of Murphy's Irish Stout. A local favorite for authentic Irish hospitality and traditional pub fare.

  • Murphy's Irish Stout on tap
  • Traditional Irish pub fare
  • Away from casino crowds

💡 Great spot to escape the casino scene. The Murphy's is poured perfectly and the food is solid traditional Irish.

🍺 Know Your Irish Beers

What to order at an Irish pub beyond Guinness (though Guinness is always a great choice).

Guinness Draught

4.2%

Dry Stout

Roasted, coffee, smooth

The classic. Judge a pub by its pour.

Murphy's Irish Stout

4.0%

Dry Stout

Chocolate, coffee, lighter

Cork alternative to Guinness. Slightly sweeter.

Harp Lager

4.5%

Lager

Crisp, malty, clean

Guinness's sister lager. Perfect for non-stout drinkers.

Smithwick's

4.5%

Irish Red Ale

Caramel, malt, smooth

Ireland's oldest brewery (1710). Great middle ground.

Kilkenny

4.3%

Irish Cream Ale

Creamy, mild, malty

Nitrogenated like Guinness but lighter.

Magners

4.5%

Irish Cider

Apple, crisp, refreshing

Served over ice. Perfect summer Irish option.

Irish Pubs by Region

Irish Riviera (Monmouth)

The heart of Irish-American shore culture. Multiple parades and legendary pubs.

Pubs

St. Stephen's Green • Brothers Daley • Harrigan's • Johnny Mac's • D'Arcy's • Kelly's Tavern

2026 Parades

Belmar (March 28) • Asbury Park (March 8)

North Wildwood (Cape May)

Home to the Anglesea Irish Society and truly authentic Irish hospitality.

Pubs

Anglesea Pub

2026 Parades

North Wildwood (March 14)

Ocean County

Mac's Pub in Toms River is the go-to spot with pipe and drum performances.

Pubs

Mac's Pub

2026 Parades

Seaside Heights (March 7)

Atlantic City

The Irish Pub on St. James Place is a classic escape from casino crowds.

Pubs

The Irish Pub

2026 Parades

Atlantic City (March 7)

All Irish Pubs

Anglesea Pub

North Wildwood

Authentic Irish pub run by brothers from County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

(609) 522-9801

St. Stephen's Green Publick House

Spring Lake Heights

Named after Dublin's famous park. Legendary Irish brunch in the Irish Riviera.

(732) 449-2626

Brothers Daley

Sea Bright

Upscale Irish pub with elevated fare, craft cocktails, and old-world ambiance.

(732) 530-8080

Harrigan's Pub

Sea Girt

Old-school Irish pub in Sea Girt. Famous for Guinness and Guinness BBQ ribs.

(732) 449-7799

The Irish Pub

Atlantic City

Classic Atlantic City Irish pub with great food and Murphy's on tap.

(609) 344-9063

Johnny Mac's House of Spirits

Asbury Park

Asbury Park's iconic bar. Official St. Patrick's Day Parade headquarters.

(732) 774-1200

D'Arcy's Tavern

Bradley Beach

Bradley Beach favorite. Great post-Belmar parade spot with live music.

(732) 774-7444

Mac's Pub

Toms River

Ocean County's Irish pub with pipe & drum performances for St. Patrick's Day.

(732) 341-6227

Kelly's Tavern

Neptune

Classic Neptune Irish pub. Guinness on tap and traditional atmosphere.

(732) 774-7733

Dublin House Restaurant & Pub

Red Bank

Traditional Irish restaurant and pub in downtown Red Bank.

(732) 747-6699

McDonagh's Pub

Keyport

Keyport's Irish pub. Hosts the St. Patty's Mega Bowl on March 22.

(732) 335-8989

Doyle's Pour House

Barnegat

Authentic Irish pub in Barnegat, just minutes from Long Beach Island.

(609) 698-1600

The Irish Riviera

The stretch of Monmouth County coast from Spring Lake to Belmar is known as the “Irish Riviera” for its strong Irish-American heritage. This area hosts some of New Jersey's largest St. Patrick's Day celebrations, with the Belmar-Lake Como parade drawing over 100,000 spectators annually.

St. Stephen's Green Publick House, named after the famous Dublin park, is the unofficial capital of the Irish Riviera. With live Irish music almost every night and an extensive selection of Irish beers, it's the place to be for authentic Irish hospitality.

Belmar St. Patrick's Day Parade Guide →

Local Legend: Anglesea Pub

For the most authentic Irish pub experience at the Jersey Shore, head to North Wildwood. The Anglesea Pub is owned and operated by Sean and Conn McMullen, brothers who emigrated from County Antrim in Northern Ireland.

Sean McMullen was honored with induction into the Philadelphia St. Patrick's Day Parade Ring of Honor—the highest recognition for contributions to Irish culture in the region. The pub hosts events for the Anglesea Irish Society and serves what many consider the best-poured Guinness at the shore.

Wildwood St. Patrick's Day Parade Guide →

🌴 Wildwood Summer Irish Scene

Every summer, hundreds of Irish students arrive in Wildwood on J-1 work visas, bringing authentic Irish pub culture to the shore. Traditional music sessions, Guinness on tap, and legendary craic make Wildwood's seasonal Irish pubs a unique destination from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Wildwood Irish Pub Nightlife Guide →

Irish Pub Tips

The Two-Part Pour

A proper Guinness is poured in two stages. First to 3/4 full, then left to settle before topping off. It takes about 2 minutes.

St. Patrick's Day Timing

Arrive early on parade days—pubs near parade routes fill up fast. Johnny Mac's opens at 10 AM with free pizza while it lasts.

Live Music Nights

St. Stephen's Green has live Irish entertainment almost every night. Call ahead to confirm the schedule or check their website.

Irish Brunch

St. Stephen's Green serves legendary Irish brunch. Book 2+ weeks ahead for St. Patrick's Day weekend—it sells out.

Plan Your St. Patrick's Day

Ten parades across the Jersey Shore from March 7-28, 2026.

Explore More