Irish Pubs in Barcelona

Barcelona celebrates Halloween. As well as Valentine’s Day. And when it comes to St. Patrick’s Day?... you better believe it!

Every 17th of March, the Mediterranean city goes all out to commemorate St. Patrick, patron of Ireland, honoring the close relationship the Irish have had with the locals since time immemorial. That’s because both cultures share a common pastime which helps to bridge geographical distances and even dissolve the language barrier: authentic beer, also the ultimate symbol of this celebration.

However, the origins of this tradition are not technically associated with the popular brew; legend has it that whiskey was the star of the show when the party first got started. It’s said that St. Patrick, on his deathbed on March 17th in the year 461, asked his attendants to toast with whiskey – not with beer – upon the moment of his death, to relieve his pain and mark his passing.

To this day, it is something of a mystery why the death of St. Patrick is closely associated with beer. That being said, these days, Barcelona natives and tourists alike opt to mark the 17th of March by wearing green and toasting to the happy moments that the city brings us each day.