All Things St. Patrick’s Day In Omaha (2023)

St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just a one-day thing in Omaha. Festivities are drawn out for at least a weekend. While I’ve become more of the morning parade shenanigans kind of gal than a bar hopper these days, I love the way this city celebrates. Read on for details on where to eat, drink, and play when celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. 

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UPDATED MARCH 2023: This post was first published in 2021 and I have started updating it with 2023 events. Let me know of any additions for this year!

Irish bars and restaurants in Omaha

Year-round, it feels like St. Patrick’s Day at some bars in Omaha. Below is a list of Omaha’s top Irish bars and Irish restaurants. I highlighted my favorite for food and drink. Most places serve food or have a full menu, but I’ve marked which ones are for drinks only.

Brazen Head Irish Pub – One of my favorites, it’s been around since 1998 at 319 N. 78th St. The bar itself was imported from Ireland, and there are some really charming touches throughout the place. There’s usually live music all day long on St. Patrick’s Day.

The food is on spot, too. If you need a hearty meal, try a traditional Irish boxty. It’ll keep you fueled for the day.

Annie’s Irish Pub, 1101 Davenport St., Omaha, Neb. (bar only)

Barrett’s Barleycorn Pub & Grill, 4322 Leavenworth St., Omaha, Neb. 

Barry O’s, 420 S. 10th St., Omaha, Neb. (bar only)

Clancy’s Pub Pizza & Grill, 2905 S. 168th St., Omaha, Neb.

Cunningham’s Pub & Grill, 10904 W. Dodge Road, Omaha, Neb. 

The Dubliner Bar, 1205 Harney St., Omaha, Neb. (bar only)

Maloney’s Irish Pub, 1830 N. 72nd St., Omaha, Neb.

Paddy McGown’s Pub and Grill, 4503 Center St., Omaha, Neb.

Sean O’Casey’s, 2523 S. 140th Ave., Omaha, Neb.

Two Fine Irishmen, 18101 R Plaza, Omaha, Neb.

2023 St. Patrick’s Day events in Omaha

Omaha loves St. Patrick’s Day, usually starting the celebrations the Saturday before the holiday, except for The Hooley, which is the first weekend in March.

The Hooley – The Omaha chapter of Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians holds the family-friendly Hooley party each year on the first Sunday of March. There’s dinner and live music. This year it will be held on March 4.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade – The local chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians typically holds the city’s largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day. In 2023, it will be held on March 11 starting at 10 a.m. on 15th and Harney streets in downtown Omaha. It’s free and very family friendly.

Shamrock Shuffle & Kids Leprechaun Chase – This festive Irish 5k race on March 11, 2023, winds through historic downtown Council Bluffs, Iowa, with the finish line is located at the Historic 100 Block. Definitely dress in fun outfits. The race begins & ends with an outdoor beer garden, live music, and local eats. Kids race starts at 9:30 a.m. and is open to 10 and younger. Cost is $10 for the Kids Leprechaun Chase, $25 for the 5K race ages 11-18, and $35 for everyone else doing the 5K.

St. Patty’s in the Park – This family-friendly event (originally scheduled for March 17) has been rescheduled to March 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Gene Leahy Mall by the Canopies on the Omaha Riverfront. Includes kids activities, live music, and shamrock cookies (while supplies last) FREE

St. Patrick’s Day Fish Fry & Barn Dance – Festivities on March 17 begin with a fish fry dinner from 4:30 to 8 p.m. in the Frontier Room at Bellevue Berry Farm & Pumpkin Patch, 11001 S. 48th St., Papillion, Neb. Music and dancing with vocal impressionist Dan Reynolds will be from 6 to 9 p.m. in the West Barn. Fish fry is $10 per person and barn dance is $8 per person. Cash bar available.

St. Paddy’s Day Pop-Up – Veg.Edible, Chef Around The Block and KirbKakes Bakery & Pastries will have a pop-up Irish food collaboration on March 17 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center, 1001 S. Sixth St., Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Afternoon Tea and Irish Whiskey – High Tea Omaha and Spirit World present an Afternoon Tea & Irish Whiskey event featuring a full tea dinner menu, plus a flight of two Irish whiskeys and one Irish cream liqueur on March 17 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Cost is $75 per person. Seats are limited.

Shamrock Shuffle 5k – The Seventh Annual Shamrock Run 5k is March 18 starting at 8 a.m. at Aksarben Village, 6750 Mercy Road. Wear green and orange. This is a family-friendly event for participants of all ages and skill levels. The course will be along the Keystone Trail next to the Little Papillion Creek, one of the flattest areas of Omaha. The post-race activities will take place at Pauli’s Bar with lots of giveaways. Cost is $40 for timed; $35 for un-timed; and $5 for kids ages 12-18.

Blarney Stone 5k – This annual pre-St. Patrick’s Day race was one I used to do with friends. It’s a lot of fun! The race on March 19, 2023 starts and ends at Pint 9 & Kros Strain Breweries, 10411 Portal Road, Suite 104, La Vista, Neb. All All food, drink (including adult beverages), and swag are included in the price.

Celebration of Irish Culture, Heritage, and Arts – Head to the Benson Theatre, 6054 Maple St., on March 19 from 1 to 4 p.m. to celebrate Irish culture. There will be live music, food, theater, poetry, film, history … a little bit of everything. Tickets are $25 and benefits the Omaha. Irish Cultural Center.

Irish Nebraska

Omaha doesn’t hold a monopoly on St. Patrick’s Day festivities. In fact, some towns in Nebraska outshine Omaha with their Irish festivities.

Ashland – The 2023 Leprechaun Chase 10K is March 4 starting at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, 28210 W. Park Highway, Ashland, Neb., and running through Mahoney State Park. This is a run with a twist: Ladies get a head start and the guys chase them. Registration is $59.

O’Neill – Considered the Irish Capital of Nebraska, the town of O’Neill, Neb., tends to go big with festivities. The town doubles in size when they celebrate each March. They have their own Blarney Stone, as well as the world’s largest shamrock.

It’s been on my to-visit list for years, since it’s one of the most well-known festivals in all of Nebraska!

Buy a cute O’Neill St. Patrick’s Day shirt on Etsy!

Greeley – St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated early in Greeley, Neb. The town has the Half-Way to St. Patrick’s Day Festival every September and it’s so popular, the population nearly quadruples for the day.

I’ve been with my family and it’s a lot of fun!