Where to Celebrate St Patrick’s Day in West London

The Best Pubs for Guinness, Atmosphere and Proper Irish Craic

Every year on Saint Patrick's Day (17 March), London turns a little greener. Pubs fill with fiddle music, Guinness taps run non-stop, and streets from Notting Hill to Chiswick take on the unmistakable buzz of an Irish celebration.But not all St Paddy’s Day pints are created equal.

If you’re in West London, the best places to celebrate aren’t always the loudest or the biggest. Often they’re the pubs that quietly serve a perfectly poured Guinness, host live trad music, or have deep Irish roots in the local community.

Here’s where to go this year if you want proper atmosphere, great Guinness and a bit of niche West London character.

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First: What Makes a Great Guinness Pub?

Before choosing your pub, it’s worth understanding what makes a good pint of Guinness.

The iconic Irish stout has been brewed in Dublin since 1759, and pouring it properly is practically a ritual.

The perfect pint requires:

• A two-part pour (settle, then top up)

• A clean Guinness glass

• Nitrogen pressure for the smooth cascading head

In Ireland there’s even a saying: “Guinness doesn’t travel well.” Meaning the best pints come from pubs where the stout moves quickly through the taps.

On St Patrick’s Day, luckily, that’s almost everywhere.

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Best Pubs for Guinness in West London

Connolly’s, Chiswick - The Real Irish Pub

Connolly's Bar & Diner

If you want authenticity, this is one of West London’s best kept secrets.

Connolly’s is an Irish family-run pub on Chiswick High Road with walls full of GAA memorabilia, live sport and regular traditional music sessions.

Why it’s great for St Paddy’s:

• Proper Irish ownership

• Trad music nights with fiddles and bodhrán

• Guinness poured by people who actually care

Expect a lively crowd of Irish locals, rugby fans and West London regulars.

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The Cow, Notting Hill - Guinness with Oysters

The Cow

Not every St Patrick’s Day needs to be chaos.

The Cow is a legendary Notting Hill gastropub with Irish influences, famous for pairing Guinness with seafood - particularly oysters and their famous “pint of prawns.”

Why locals love it:

• Exceptional seafood menu

• Perfectly poured Guinness

• More grown-up St Paddy’s energy

It’s ideal if you want a celebratory pint without the full city-centre madness.

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The Churchill Arms, Kensington - Historic Guinness Spot

The Churchill Arms

One of London’s most iconic pubs, famous for its flower-covered exterior and historic interiors.

Despite not being Irish, the pub is known for serving excellent Guinness alongside classic ales in a cosy, historic setting.

Why go on St Paddy’s:

• One of London’s most atmospheric pubs

• Guinness poured properly

• Historic 18th-century interiors

Bonus: it’s also famous for its Thai kitchen, which pairs surprisingly well with stout.

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The Blue Anchor, Hammersmith - Riverside Pints

Blue Anchor

If you want a scenic pint, head to this riverside pub on the Thames.

For St Patrick’s Day the pub leans into the celebration with Guinness, Irish whiskey and seasonal menus.

Why it’s great:

• Beautiful riverside setting

• Big beer garden

• Good spot to start a West London pub crawl

It’s also one of the best places to catch sunset over the Thames with a pint in hand.

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Hidden West London Irish Pub

The Shanakee, Ealing

The Shanakee

A real Irish community hub in West London.

Opened in 2003, The Shanakee has long been a gathering place for the Irish diaspora in the area, showing GAA matches, hosting live music and pouring consistently good Guinness.

On St Patrick’s Day expect:

• Live music

• Packed crowds

• Proper Irish pub atmosphere.

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A West London St Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl

If you want to explore a few places in one evening:

Start - Notting Hill

• The Cow

Walk towards Kensington

• The Churchill Arms

Head west along the river

• The Blue Anchor (sunset Guinness)

Finish in Chiswick

• Connolly’s for live music

It’s a route that combines historic pubs, great Guinness and proper Irish culture without leaving West London.

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Why St Patrick’s Day Feels So Big in London

London actually has one of the largest Irish communities outside Ireland. Over centuries of migration, Irish culture has shaped everything from construction and politics to the city’s pub scene.

That’s why St Patrick’s Day isn’t just a themed drinking day here - it’s a celebration of a community that’s been part of London for generations.

And nowhere feels that more than a packed pub, a fiddle tune in the corner, and a perfectly settled pint of Guinness.