Where to hear traditional Irish music in NYC
With St. Patrick’s Day less than a week away, New Yorkers can tap into the city’s rich Irish heritage at pubs and cultural institutions across the five boroughs. Beyond just March 17, many spots host weekly traditional Irish music nights, known as “trad” sessions, or seisiún in Irish, where skilled musicians gather to enliven barrooms with tunes. Whether you want to join in on fiddle or guitar, or simply enjoy the music with a Guinness in hand, here are some of the city’s best spots to listen to live traditional Irish music.
Manhattan
Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar
519 Second Avenue, Kips Bay
Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar is a beloved neighborhood Irish pub where live music takes center stage. The bar hosts performances seven nights a week, ranging from local rock bands to traditional Irish folk musicians.
The Long Room
120 West 44th Street, Midtown
Situated at the crossroads of Times Square and the Theater District, the Long Room is an authentic Irish bar with an extensive selection of drinks and Irish whiskeys. The pub features live music every Friday and Saturday night, with traditional Irish performances every Sunday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Irish Exit
421 8th Avenue, Midtown
Inside Midtown’s Moynihan Train Hall, the Irish Exit is the sister bar to the legendary Dead Rabbit and opened in September 2023. The 216-seat bar serves Irish spirits, boilermakers, Guinness on draft, and the Dead Rabbit’s signature Irish coffees. It also hosts a traditional seisiún, welcoming commuters with live music as they exit the cavernous hall and step into a warm pub atmosphere.
Fraunces Tavern
54 Pearl Street, Financial District
The Financial District’s historic Fraunces Tavern, New York City’s oldest bar with a revolutionary past, hosts live music seven days a week. A diverse lineup of performers fills the tavern’s cozy interior, including traditional Irish musicians on select days. Check the tavern’s schedule for upcoming shows here.
The Dead Rabbit
30 Water Street, Financial District
In addition to its world-renowned authenticity, extensive drink selection, and dedication to Irish culture, The Dead Rabbit, one of the city’s most famous Irish pubs, also hosts live traditional Irish music every Sunday.
Mary O’s
32 Avenue A, East Village
The East Village’s Mary O’s hosts one of the city’s most popular traditional Irish music sessions every Thursday night from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., often running later. Open to musicians of all skill levels, the pub also offers a full menu of food and drinks to keep participants energized.
Slainte
304 Bowery, Noho
Standing as one of the longest-running traditional Irish sessions in New York, Slainte in Noho is a top destination for live music performed by prominent musicians. Sessions take place every Tuesday from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., each featuring a special guest. They begin with a round-robin format, allowing every participant to lead a set, before transitioning to a traditional open session where anyone can start a set or song.
Swift Hibernian Lounge
34 East 4th Street, Noho
Noho’s Swift Hibernian Lounge features a weekly music program, including a traditional Irish music session on Tuesday nights from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Guests can enjoy bar bites, cold pints, and more while taking in the lively tunes.
11th Street Bar
510 East 11th Street, East Village
The East Village’s 11th Street Bar offers live music five nights a week, filling the space with an energetic backbeat Sunday through Thursday. On Sundays, the bar hosts one of NYC’s longest-running Irish trad sessions, led by Tony DeMarco and Isaac Alderson, drawing talented musicians from across the tri-state area. Music kicks off at 9 p.m. and continues late into the night.
The Laurels
231 Second Avenue, Gramercy
Named after the football field in the small Irish village where its two owners grew up, The Laurels is known for its brunch and late-night offerings, including DJs, trivia nights, and traditional Irish music every Sunday.
The Landmark Tavern
626 11th Avenue, Hell’s Kitchen
A staple of the city’s Irish music scene, Don Meade leads weekly trad sessions at the Landmark Tavern on Monday nights from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., where instrumentalists are welcome to join in.
Grace’s
252 West 14th Street, West Village
Inspired by the warmth, hospitality, and community of traditional Irish pubs, Grace’s hosts traditional Irish music sessions every Wednesday at 8 p.m., led by Matt Stapleton and guests.
Irish Arts Center
726 11th Avenue, Hell’s Kitchen
The Irish Arts Center offers free evenings of traditional Irish music and community. Beginner players kick off the event at 6 p.m., while advanced players join in at 8 p.m. Audience members are welcome at any time. The first, slower session is designed for musicians developing their skills and learning the customs and etiquette of typical sessions. The second session is tailored for experienced players who are comfortable performing with others and familiar with traditional session practices. The slow session takes place monthly, with the next scheduled for April 17 from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by the traditional session from 8 to 11 p.m.
Brooklyn
The Clonard
506 Grand Street, Williamsburg
Irish culture meets Brooklyn’s creative spirit at The Clonard in Williamsburg, an authentic Irish pub and beer garden. Patrons can enjoy cold brews, bar bites, and live traditional Irish music every Thursday from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The Canary
789 Franklin Avenue, Crown Heights
In addition to serving up one of the city’s best spice bags, as Eater New York recently reported, The Canary in Crown Heights also hosts a weekly Irish seisiún. Held on Sundays from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., the sessions are a perfect way to cap off the week and kick off the next with music and cheer.
Hartley’s
14 Putnam Avenue, Clinton Hill
Nestled at the intersection of Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, and Bed-Stuy, the homey Hartley’s prides itself on warm Irish hospitality, with food, drinks, and live music to match. While enjoying a wide selection of local craft beer, daily-baked Irish soda bread, and other fare, patrons can catch live traditional Irish music every Monday starting at 8 p.m.
Paddy’s of Park Slope
273 13th Street, Park Slope
Good craic is aplenty at Paddy’s of Park Slope, where the steady flow of pints is complemented by the sounds of live music. The cherished neighborhood pub regularly hosts traditional Irish music sessions, filling its compact, cozy space with the soothing and energizing sounds of the seisiún. Find out more about upcoming events at Paddy’s here.
Irish Haven
5721 4th Avenue, Sunset Park
Sunset Park’s Irish Haven has offered signature Irish charm and hospitality since 1964 and regularly hosts engaging events, including traditional Irish music sessions that attract talented instrumentalists from near and far, typically on Sundays. The pub also holds Irish language lessons on the first Tuesday of every month for those eager to learn Gaeilge.
Queens
The Wolfhound
38-14 30th Avenue, Astoria
Traditional Irish music has been central to The Wolfhound in Astoria since it opened in 2016. Its informal sessions welcome anyone to bring an instrument and join in the fun. Every February, the pub hosts Trad Week, a weeklong celebration that brings some of the city’s top performers together to share in the joy of Irish music.
The Bronx
An Beal Bocht Cafe
445 West 238th Street, Bronx
The Bronx’s beloved An Beal Bocht Cafe, an epicenter of Irish culture in Riverdale, hosts the borough’s longest-running traditional Irish music session with Lindsey Ceitinn and Michelle Bergin every Sunday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The vibrant bar also regularly hosts open mics, trivia nights, a jazz series, and other events.
Rambling House
4292 Katonah Avenue, Bronx
Rambling House, Woodlawn’s go-to Irish pub, brings a taste of Ireland to the Bronx. Alongside a wide selection of drinks and tasty bar bites, the pub hosts live music, including monthly traditional Irish sessions open to all musicians. Check out upcoming events at Rambling House here.
RELATED:
