A Local’s Guide to the Best St. Patrick’s Day Pubs and Street Parties in East Nashville

St. Patrick’s Day in Nashville is far more than just green hats and shamrocks — it’s a local tradition that grows richer and louder each year. But if you really want to celebrate like someone who lives here, there’s no better place than East Nashville. In 2026, March 14 (the Saturday before March 17) will be the main day for authentic Irish energy, cultural pride, and neighborhood-level parties that don’t just imitate the holiday — they own it.

Why East Nashville Feels Like a St. Paddy’s Day Homecoming

East Nashville isn’t just an alternate nightlife district — it’s a community with personality, quirky bars, small‑batch breweries, and spots where the bartenders actually know your name. Each year, local businesses weave Irish themes into their regular offerings with live music, traditional tunes, themed menus, and special guest DJs well beyond the mainstream Downtown pub crawl scene. That means fewer tourists, more spirited locals, and celebrations that feel genuine instead of templated.

Best of all, East Nashville will host the official St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Five Points, a grassroots march with bagpipes, pipe and drum bands, cultural performers, and plenty of community energy.

1. Five Points — The Heartbeat of East Nashville’s Festivities

Five Points is where St. Paddy’s Day truly comes alive.

Early in the morning, the parade kicks off with Irish dancers, kids’ zones, community groups, and traditional music rolling down Woodland Street. By midday, dominoes have fallen into years of local tradition — many pubs in the area lay out outdoor tables, live bands take the sidewalk stages, and green accents flow from feather boas to full face paint.

Most years, the local spirit doesn’t stop with the parade but ripples throughout the day:

• BoomBozz Craft Kitchen + Taproom

Right near the parade route, BoomBozz offers a variety of craft beers and pizzas with Irish-inspired toppings after the parade. With outdoor seating and chic chatter, this is a strong spot for midday celebration.

• Beyond the Edge

A favorite social gathering location with a lively patio, DJs, and easy access to Five Points’ walkable party area. It’s a local staple for spontaneous St. Paddy’s cheers.

• Drifters Nashville

With a rotating roster of craft beers and themed cocktails, Drifters becomes a music-forward hub later in the afternoon and into the night. Expect toe-tapping sets that keep the Irish vibes flowing long after the parade ends.

2. Irish Pubs in and Around East Nashville You Can’t Miss

No St. Patrick’s Day celebration is complete without stopping in at authentic pubs that celebrate Irish culture year-round — but these places step up even more on March 14 and March 17:

• The Lost Paddy Irish Pub

Known for true Irish pub atmosphere, hearty meals like fish and chips, and traditional music on select nights, this place brings an honest dose of Celtic flair that makes locals and visitors alike feel right at home.

• Fleet Street Pub

A Printer’s Alley classic that frequently hosts live bands and features a broad selection of brews and spirits. It’s just outside East Nashville proper, but it has that Irish‑meets‑friendly Nashville pub ambiance that pairs well with the holiday

• The Pub Nashville

Although technically part of the broader Nashville landscape, this place has a distinct British-Irish feel, complete with classic pub food and good choices of Guinness or Irish ales. It works well as a planned stop in a neighborhood crawl that includes East Nashville and beyond.

3. Street Parties and Local Hangouts with Irish Energy

In addition to the parade and pubs, block parties and community gatherings elevate St. Patrick’s Day in East Nashville well into the evening. Featured spots commonly include:

• Fat Bottom Brewing’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

On March 17 (actual holiday), Fat Bottom throws a party with live music and themed food specials, including corned beef with sautéed cabbage and green beer options, all paired with spring‑bright outdoor seating.

With kid-friendly menu choices that keep families in the loop and adult drink specials, this event has a festival feel that ties neighborhood flavor to the holiday without feeling staged.

4. How Locals Pace Their St. Paddy’s Weekend

Longtime East Nashville residents treat St. Patrick’s Day more like a multi-part weekend than a single day. Here’s how they typically plan it:

• Friday Evening — Warm‑Up in East

Around March 13, bars like Drifters and local breweries introduce themed tastings, Irish music nights, and pre-parade meetups. These aren’t traditional pub crawls; they feel more like locals hosting friends.

• Saturday Morning — Parade & Afternoon Party

The official parade starts in the morning, but the real celebration begins when the last float passes by. Irish tunes spill into back streets, and small venues set up sidewalk gigs and casual stages.

• Saturday Night — Pub Hop Around Five Points

After the parade, it’s common to explore nearby bars for rotating live acts or DJ sets that keep the momentum going until closing. This is where booking night out transportation becomes invaluable — especially if you're meeting friends in different pockets of East, or heading to and from Midtown or The Gulch. One simple arrangement lets you focus on fun, not on navigating from pub to pub with your phone in hand.

• Tuesday (March 17) — Traditional Day

On the actual holiday, pubs like Fleet Street and specific events at breweries offer specials and themed menus for anyone who wants another round of Irish celebration — sometimes accented with trivia challenges, costume contests, or best‑green‑attire prizes.

5. Local Tips to Elevate Your Experience

Here’s what true Nashvillians pass on to visitors who want authentic, not templated St. Patrick’s Day fun:

• Dress Well Before You Go

Green is obvious. But layers — especially in March — help when the sun drops and the evening breeze rises.

• Explore Beyond the Main Drag

The best moments often happen at neighborhood pubs and open-door patio stages that aren’t part of official listings.

• Savor the Menu, Not Just the Drinks

Irish-style food specials often pop up at local favorites — think shepherd’s pie, Irish nachos, corned beef sliders, and creative cocktails.

• Stay Updated on Schedules

Event times and live music lineups usually get announced closer to mid-March, so make sure to bookmark local guides and event calendars.

Your Invitation to East Nashville’s St. Patrick’s Day

In 2026, Nashville’s St. Patrick’s Day revelry embraces authenticity, community spirit, and lively street energy — with East Nashville as one of the epicenters. The parade in Five Points sets the tone, and pub personalities, live music, food specials, and street parties carry the celebration forward into an unforgettable weekend.

Whether you’re exploring lively taverns or lingering at sidewalk stages with a pint and a whispered “Sláinte,” this neighborhood delivers a version of St. Paddy’s Day that feels personal, unfiltered, and rooted in local flavor.

Get ready to celebrate like a Nashvillian — and maybe discover your new favorite bar along the way.