No matter if it’s St. Patrick’s Day weekend, Christmas Eve, or the middle of a late summer rainstorm, there’s one drink that’s always in season: a creamy pint of Guinness stout. But yes, this time of year especially, Guinness is in particularly high demand as we celebrate the luck of the Irish and the beer of the Irish alike.
The key to Guinness, of course, is the proper pour. You need a bar-clean Guinness glass, filled most of the way before getting 90 seconds to settle, and then being topped off with a creamy dome just solid enough to tip over the rim of the glass without actually spilling a drop. The nitrogen pour is what makes Guinness so special. With a smaller bubble than carbonation, the beer is not only smoother and creamier, but also lighter and infinitely more drinkable than thick, carbonated porters or stouts. Guinness looks heavy, but it drinks like a lightly-bitter and warmingly-boozy chocolate milk.
This week and beyond, these are some of our favorite spots around St. Pete for that perfect pour of Guinness. As long as you’re feeling festive, don’t forget the three-day Paddy Fest in Williams Park this weekend, March 13-15, and the Shamrock the Block street party on St. Patrick’s Day proper, Tuesday, March 17. In addition to Irish food, song and drink, both will have plenty of Guinness on tap. And if you’re not feeling beer, you can always enjoy the humours of whiskey, me boys.
Now, we know this isn’t every place in the area that has Guinness on draft. It’s not even every Irish bar in the city. This list highlights some local watering holes, spread out across the area, that the I Love the Burg team has been to recently and can vouch for the quality of the pour. We also tried to stick to what we’ll call a St. Pete-stretch area, geographically.
Mary Margaret’s Olde Irish Tavern
On a recent expedition around town, Mary Margaret’s got our top overall marks, which is no surprise to anyone who has been. The combination of ambiance, a proper pour (by a proper Irish bartender, more days than not), great presentation and exquisite flavor make it tough to beat.
29 3rd St N
The Dog Bar
If you’ve never been, this pick sounds insane. If you’re a beer snob who has ever stopped by, you get it. They’re known for dogs, but Dog Bar quietly has one of the best and biggest draft and canned beer selections in Grand Central, with proper Guinness pours, to boot.
2300 Central Ave
Dublin Drop
The newest Irish pub in St. Pete, Dublin Drop has become a hub for international soccer, Irish (and American) pub fare, and late night live music. Find your favorite club’s flag on the wall, and find your favorite pint at the bar.
129 1st Ave N
Photo via Horse & Jockey
The Horse & Jockey Pub
They’re a British pub, but they know how to pour an Irish pint. Bonus points here for having Premier League-branded Guinness glasses, as well as one of the rowdiest football atmospheres in Pinellas County. While the Guinness is the draw in this list, don’t skip lunch at Horse & Jockey.
1155 Pasadena Ave S
Photo via The Irish Pub on 4th
The Irish Pub on 4th
Recently remodeled and rebranded following 2024 hurricane damages, The Irish Pub on 4th has quickly restated its claim as one of the region’s go-to Celtic taverns. It’s clean, it’s dark, it’s full of music, and it has some of the best fish and chips around.
9246 4th St N
Jacks London Grill
Named for the Union Jack (not a guy named Jack), Jacks is a hidden gem in North St. Pete that brings true British pub life to the city. The low-key exterior belies the excellent food and creamy pints within. Add it to your list if you haven’t been.
1050 62nd Ave N
Mickey Quinn’s Irish Pub
The lively Seminole watering hole has been a local favorite for more than 20 years. It has everything you want in an Irish pub: raucous live music, excellent food, friendly patrons, and cheeky pints. It’s worth a trip any time of the year.
13071 Park Blvd