St. Patrick's Day

Top Five Irish-Music Venues

When it comes to hearing traditional Irish music, you can’t rely on U2 to supply a bouncy fiddle line. Celebrate your Irish heritage (or someone’s, anyway) and get really jiggy with it at one of these Celtic-minded establishments. Green beer optional.

By Ellen Carpenter

(Photo: Courtesy of O'Neill's Irish Bar)

1. Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar
Dying to show off your uilleann-pipe skills? Thursdays are open-mike nights at this Guinness-soaked bar. If you’re feeling shy, stop by on Friday to see the house Celtic-rock band, the Prodigals. (519 Second Avenue, at 29th Street; 212-686-1210.)

2. The Blarney Star
For $12, you can see some of the biggest names in Irish music every Friday at this lower-Manhattan pub. Add a serving of shepherd’s pie to complete the illusion that you’re in Dublin. (43 Murray Street; 212-732-2873.)

3. Rocky Sullivan’s
Mary Courtney holds office hours here (vocals, guitar, tin whistle, and bodhran) on Tuesdays. For a spin on tradition, check out the Celtic-influenced hip-hop group Seanchai and the Unity Squad on Fridays. (129 Lexington Avenue, near 29th Street; 212-725-3871.)

4. O’Neill’s Irish Bar
You don’t have to leave the kids at home when you stop by O’Neill’s on Saturdays and Sundays. They can step away the night while you sing along to traditional songs and toast your redheaded bar-mates. (729 Third Avenue, near 45th Street; 212-661-3530.)

5. Doc Watson’s
It may be hard to find a seat at this cozy Upper East Side pub on Sundays, when Aonach is playing. But if you’re a musician, you’re invited to sit in with the band. (1490 Second Avenue, near 77th Street; 212-988-5300.)