atlantic city st. patrick’s day parade pocket guide: how to not get stuck paying $45 for a vodka soda at a shitty casino bar

every year, the atlantic city st. paddy's day parade turns the boardwalk into a strange and wonderful collage of bagpipes, green beer, families, and a large number of people who clearly started drinking around 8am.

i grew up going to the paddy's day parade with a family who took it really seriously. i'm also half irish (dún na nGall abú!) so i feel pretty confident in my recommendations here.

me in '08ish decked to the 9s

if you’re heading down this year, here are a few places worth knowing about. whether you're the 8am drinker or going for a sober time, we got you covered.

not the casino chaos. the good spots.

OBVIOUSLY the irish pub. but it’s gonna be packed and annoying. parade day is usually the day i skip the pub. but you do you. it really is a fun experience and if you don’t mind a packed house and a bit of chaos, it’s honestly a blast.

but for the sake of this guide, i’m not gonna get into the most obvious one lol. the everything atlantic city facebook group has that covered.

the parade itself

march 7, 2026

atlantic city boardwalk

the parade runs down the boardwalk with marching bands, bagpipes, and every local irish group you can imagine. if you want a good viewing spot without being shoulder-to-shoulder with the worst of the tourist crowd, walk a little south of boardwalk hall and post up there. personally, i like to walk the whole boardwalk up to irish pub then back down to around albany ave (bc that is where i get off to go home! lol but i think it gives you fantastic people watching and bar/establishment hopping all day)

you’ll still hear the drums long before you see them, plus it gives you a little more time to get yourself relaxed and prepped lol.

also: casino bathrooms are your friend. when you scope out ur spot, also scope the nearest CB.

where to eat before the parade

cardinal

201 s new york ave

cardinal is running an irish brunch all day with a buffet from 10am to 4pm.

corned beef, rashers, bangers, irish french toast, eggs benedict, the works. $35 adults, $20 kids.

it’s also conveniently right next to anchor rock club, which makes it a perfect starting point if you plan to drift between music and brunch throughout the day.

where the music is

anchor rock club — parade party

doors 1pm

dj sparkles spins early and bar dust plays a pogues tribute set. it was superb last year, i expect that to continue this year. free entry, all ages, and it usually turns into a packed afternoon.

classic parade stop

knife & fork inn

3600 atlantic ave

you're not gonna be beating any crowds here, but a post-parade guinness ($6) and jameson ($8) with irish food specials that make dining at the k&f accessible to those of us who can't squander 40 bucks on a chicken.

ducktown tavern is going to have some sick giveaways ALL day and $7 irish whiskey shots ALL day!

if you're more of a puff puff pass kinda person high rollers dispensary lounge — the claridge

10am–6pm

high rollers is hosting an all-day parade lounge with music, brand pop-ups, and cannabis vendors.

if green beer isn’t your thing (bc same ewwww), there are other ways to celebrate that are still green :p.

one more parade stop

vagabond kitchen & tap house

2–3pm

the kilted rogues will be playing live. bagpipes and drums. very onbrand.

the morning after

if you survived the parade, the correct move the next day is a full irish breakfast.

josie kelly’s public house

somers point

eggs, rashers, bangers, black and white pudding, grilled tomato, soda bread. mmmmmmmmmmmm

if you can't drive:

hayday coffee, for a quick pick me up and strong bean juice

salt & pepper, for a fantastic affordable breakfast.

drinking spots that might tickle your fancy tht may not be totally packed with like, the weird too drunk parade tourists who are afraid of everything:

• wonder bar (booze, bar food)

• el charros (mexican, booze)

• rincón catracho (fuckin good empanadas. get a few 2 go n stick them in ur bag for parade day snacks)

• proud mary's (booze n bar food)

• anegloni's club madrid (fancier end, booze n italian food, likely a dj in the evening)

• byrdcage - opening early for you crazy irish lads and lassies! 1pm! :P

• tony's baltimore grill (i picture it might be a LONG wait for a pizza here on parade day, so maybe thi sis the one day where i wouldn't recommend your za well done.

as always, be sure to tip everyone serving you today and no matter how drun you get, treat people with kindness and respect. <3

a few viewing tips

if you’re coming from downbeach, grab a cocktail to go from celebrity corner and walk up the boardwalk until you find a spot that feels right. do NOT eat at celeb corner though for real, unless you wanna spend parade day either puking or poopin. also their lemonade is not freshly squeezed, so don't get your hopes up.

boardwalk hall usually has a lot of action. hard rock gets packed fast and can feel like spring break by noon, but if you're down for a party and that groove, that is your move.

if you want a slightly calmer atmosphere, duck a few blocks inland around tennessee or new york avenue. plenty of bars within walking distance, less chaos.

full cal of events here: https://www.divinghorseac.com/events

BTW - the Escape Plans designed this years official parade shirt! they are the coolest people around and design some of the sickest merch in town. i just adore them. all my homies own at least 1 escape plans tee.

here are some of my fave irish tunes. clannad, kneecap, wolfetones, sinead, etc;:

lets sing it! oh! ah! up the ra! oh ah up the ra!