These Central Jersey Irish pubs are offering Guinness and more on St. Patrick's Day
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Just about every day of the year, it's all about craft beers and the domestic American classics at Central Jersey bars.
But on March 17?
Forget it.
On St. Patrick's Day, the Guinness flows easily at Irish pubs throughout Somerset, Hunterdon, Middlesex and Union counties. However, Guinness is not the only Irish beverage with a kick you can enjoy on the day we're all a little bit Irish.
Visit these local Irish pubs for other Irish drinks, including Smithwick’s, Killian's Irish Red, Magners Irish Cider, and Harp Lager.
Darby Road Public House and Restaurant, Scotch Plains
With St. Patrick’s Day festivities held both inside the decade-old restaurant as well as in an outdoor 8,000-square-foot tent from March 17 to 19, Darby Road Public House and Restaurant is serious about the day of green – and Guinness. Throughout the weekend, they’ll sell about 60 kegs, said owner Joseph Mortarulo.
However, that won’t be the only Irish beer on tap. Darby Road will also serve Harp Lager, George Killian's Irish Red and one or two other special selections (still to be decided), such as an Irish red, ginger, or Guinness Blonde Lager, Mortarulo said. They also will offer Black and Tans with Smithwick’s and Guinness.
“People will be apt to try something that’s a little off the beaten path, but at the end of the day, we sell about 4-1 Guinness to others,” said Mortarulo. “So while they may be a little adventurous, they always go back to their comfort.”
In addition to its Irish beer offerings, throughout the weekend Darby Road will host four Irish bands; two local dance companies; bagpipers; kids’ activities like a bounce house, face painting and pony rides; a DJ; and, of course, Irish fare.
The abridged menu will include about 10 items, such as corned beef and cabbage sandwiches and platters, Irish soda bread, shepherd's pie, and fish and chips.
Go: 450 Park Ave., Scotch Plains; 908-288-7667, darbyroadpub.com.
Hailey's Harp & Pub, Metuchen
At Hailey's Harp & Pub, “Guinness is definitely the king on St. Patrick’s Day. There’s no beating it,” said owner Mo Atzbi.
But those looking for something different know how to mix up their Guinness — as long as they know what to say.
“Another thing people enjoy is a half and half, which is not called a Black and Tan,” said Atzbi with a laugh. “Irish people don’t like the name Black and Tan.”
A half and half includes a beverage such as Magners Irish Cider or Smithwick’s on the bottom of a pint, then topped with Guinness, which floats atop since it is carbonated with nitrogen.
Or, those “in the know,” said Atzbi, sometimes order a lager and lime, which is Harp Lager served with a splash of Sprite or lime juice.
“It’s not something everyone does, but it really is very refreshing,” said Atzbi. “Just a splash of sweetened lime juice makes that Harp Lager sing.”
Hailey’s Harp & Pub will have Guinness, Harp Lager, Smithwick’s and Magners Irish Cider on tap on St. Patrick’s Day. The downtown staple will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day March 12 to 17 with its Irish Heritage Week, which includes Irish dancers, bagpipers, Irish bands and Irish fare.
Plus, on March 16, as supplies last, those who buy a pint of Guinness can have their glassware engraved for free by Guinness.
Go: 400 Main St., Metuchen; 732-321-0777, haileysharpandpub.com.
Mannion’s Pub & Restaurant, Somerville
St. Patrick’s Day, or "the holiday" as Pat Mannion, owner of Mannion’s Pub & Restaurant, calls it, is one big reason why Mannion loves March. There’s another reason, too: It’s when his “favorite beer in the world” returns to Mannion’s Pub taps. And nope, it isn’t Guinness.
“I love Harp Lager,” said Mannion. “It tastes great, but nothing like an American beer like a Miller Lite or Coors Light. It’s just different and it has its own taste.”
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During St. Patrick’s Day festivities, Mannion’s Pub sells about 10 kegs of Harp Lager, but after that, sales slow down so it’s removed from the menu until the following year. Still, its sales pale in comparison to Guinness.
“We use two Guinness lines – for upstairs and downstairs – since it’s so busy,” Mannion said. “Just in one day, I sell about 25 kegs. It’s an ungodly amount. Everyone that day wants Guinness. It’s like the corned beef.”
Mannion’s Pub is known internationally for its Guinness pourings, as it’s been named by Guinness as a winner of its Greatest Pint contest multiple times.
"Because I sell so much Guinness, there are fresh kegs all the time and I clean my lines every three weeks. We also pour it the right way. It’s amazing how many people pour Guinness the wrong way.”
Mannion’s Pub also sells Irish red ale Smithwick's year-round, which has been on the pub menu since it opened 24 years ago.
On St. Patrick’s Day, Mannion’s Pub will host Irish bands, dancers and bagpipers throughout the day, as well as Guinness and other swag giveaways.
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“People will start arriving at 11 a.m. and it just won’t stop,” Mannion said of the holiday crowd. “It will be packed all day Friday, and at night, it will just be insane.”
Go: 150 W. Main St., Somerville; 908-203-0700, mannionsirishpub.com.
Willie McBride’s, Branchburg
Throughout Ireland and other European countries, Magners Irish Cider – which hails from Tipperary, Ireland, and is made with 17 varieties of Irish apples – is extremely popular with those looking for something sweet, said Willie McBride’s owner Sean Hession.
However, at the 12-year-old Irish pub in Branchburg, not so much. Irish clientele clamor for it, Hession continued, but those of other nationalities just go for the Guinness.
“Guinness is definitely the number one here, but there are people that try other Irish beers and end up liking them,” he said.
Besides Guinness and Magners Irish Cider, Willie McBride’s also sells Irish beers Harp Lager and Smithwick's.
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But the beers are not the only things Irish at Willie McBride’s. Hession was born in Ireland and moved to the United States nearly 40 years ago, later bringing Irish furniture, memorabilia and fixtures with him to start his own Irish restaurant.
On St. Patrick’s Day, Willie McBride’s will host three Irish bands throughout the day, and limit its menu to Irish fare such as corned beef and cabbage platters, corned beef and cabbage sandwiches, Reuben sandwiches, shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, and fish and chips.
“That day is just crazy,” Hession said. “It’s probably the busiest day of the year.”
Go: 1270 Easton Turnpike, Branchburg; 908-722-1113, williemcbrides.com.
Contact: JIntersimone@MyCentralJersey.com
Jenna Intersimone has been a staff member at the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey since 2014, after becoming a blogger-turned-reporter following the creation of her award-winning travel blog. To get unlimited access to her stories about food, drink and fun, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: St. Patrick's Day Central NJ: Irish pubs offer more than Guinness
