Before making your way, pint by pint, through St. Patrick's Day, we suggest preparing yourself by soaking up some fine Irish and Irish-themed fare at one of these spots. Lucky you, indeed.
In between gutter balls or, at best, measly two-pin hits, drown your sorrows in Guinness and Lucky Strike's Irish Burger. The large, energetic SoMa bowling alley will offer their take on a St. Patrick's Day meal throughout the month of March. The Irish Burger is a 1/3 pound ground beef patty seasoned with salt and pepper, with Bangers, iceberg lettuce, white cheddar, grilled onions, and Guinness BBQ sauce served on a brioche bun, served with a side of potato chips. 200 King (at Third)
Irish-Themed Food Trucks at SoMa StrEat Food
Down on Division, you can—quite shockingly—find an entire world of gastronomic delight at SoMa StrEat Foods. But on St. Patrick's Day, you'll find it all that and more—i.e, the city's biggest St. Patrick's Day toast with free whiskey. Be sure to fill up on food from one of the many food trucks on the day's roster, including several Irish themed kitchens: Eiretrea (serving corned beef and cabbage wrap), Oui Chef (Irish stout marinated Bulgogi burger), Lil Burma (green tomato and cabbage salad), Bacon Bacon ("the Irish Fry" - French fries, cheese sauce, bacon, green onion), Frozen Kuhsterd (Irish Boba Sundae and Spiked Cereal Milk). The feast goes from 11am – 10pm. 428 11th Street (at Division)
Skip the cliche corned beef and cabbage, and head to John Campbell's for butter-rich savory pastries. Items like Beef Pastie, Brie/Mushroom/Bacon Potato Bread, Chicken Curry Shepherd's Pie, and the signature Pork Roll are reason enough to get on the 38-Geary. Be sure to grab a couple of their Shamrock Shortbread Cookies too. 5625 Geary (at 21st Street)
Corned Beef and Cabbage at Almost Every Bar in Town
If you must, dine on the aforementioned St. Patrick's Day staples at any one of these classic SF Irish pubs: The Phoenix Bar & Irish Gathering House (811 Valencia), The Chieftan (198 5th Street), the Plough and the Stars (116 Clement), The Liberties (998 Guerrero), or Napper Tandy (3200 24th Street).
For more festive venues come Tuesday, check out 7x7's list of the "The 12 Best Irish Pubs in the City."
