Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day Goes Sober: How Nonalcoholic Options Are Changing the Holiday

A Sober Twist on Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day: How Nonalcoholic Options are Gaining Popularity

St. Patrick’s Day in Boston is famous for its lively celebrations and an abundance of alcohol, but this year, a growing number of people are opting for a different kind of holiday experience. While bars like The Burren continue to pour more Guinness than almost anywhere else in the U.S., owner Tommy McCarthy is stocking up on nonalcoholic options to cater to a new crowd of revelers looking for a sober celebration.

A Tradition of Irish Heritage and Heavy Drinking

St. Patrick’s Day is deeply tied to Boston’s history. The city was the first in the U.S. to host a St. Patrick’s Day celebration in 1737, marking a moment of support for Irish immigrants. Over the centuries, however, the holiday became synonymous with heavy drinking, particularly in the city’s bustling Irish bars.

But while this tradition persists, there’s a small but growing movement of people who are taking part in the festivities without alcohol. Nonalcoholic beers, mocktails, and even sober spaces are becoming more common across Boston, allowing people to join the parades, festivals, and banquets without the buzz.

The Rise of Sober St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

Jackie Taylor, who has been sober for 12 years, explains how she’s managed to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day without the risk of overindulgence. “St. Patrick’s Day is a huge drinking holiday. It’s promoted everywhere,” Taylor says, but she’s found ways to celebrate—whether out on the town or at home—that don’t involve alcohol.

At The Burren, an Irish bar just outside Boston, nonalcoholic options have become increasingly popular. McCarthy, a lifelong Guinness drinker, even prefers a nonalcoholic version when he plays the fiddle during the bar’s 10-hour Irish music shows. “You get the taste of the real Guinness without the alcohol. It kind of beats all,” he says.

A Cultural Shift: Young People Drinking Less

The demand for nonalcoholic drinks isn’t just a passing trend—it reflects a larger cultural shift. According to Gallup polling in 2023, adults under 35 are drinking less than they did in the early 2000s, with fewer young people drinking regularly or saying they drink “more than they think they should.”

Michelle Flynn, manager at the Brendan Behan Irish pub in Jamaica Plain, Boston, has noticed this change firsthand. “The neighborhood, society, everything has shifted a thousand percent, especially with the youth,” she says. Bars and pubs are now serving more nonalcoholic beers than ever before, signaling a broader societal shift toward healthier lifestyles.

Mocktails: The New Trend in Cocktail Culture

Michael Scelfo, owner of four Boston-based cocktail bars, noticed a major increase in demand for mocktails post-pandemic. While his bars have always offered alcohol-free cocktails, they have become a crucial part of the menu in recent years. “It’s really an expected and formidable part of the menu now,” Scelfo says, with bartenders putting just as much care into creating mocktails as they do traditional cocktails.

Refocusing St. Patrick’s Day on Heritage, Not Alcohol

One person who’s pushing for a sober St. Patrick’s Day is William Spencer Reilly, founder of the “Sober St. Patrick’s Day” event in New York City. This alcohol-free celebration, featuring Irish bands, dancers, and food, started nearly 15 years ago and may soon make its way to Boston. Reilly believes that refocusing the holiday on Irish heritage—rather than the alcohol—is a way to honor St. Patrick and counteract harmful stereotypes about Irish people.

“The perils and pitfalls of alcohol are well-documented,” says Scelfo, pointing to the health and wellness movement among young people today. “We’ve got an intelligent young generation that’s focused on health and wellness. And I think that’s a great thing.”

Reilly is now in talks with local Boston leaders to bring his sober event to the city next year, believing there’s finally enough support to make it a success.

A New Way to Celebrate

As Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations evolve, it’s clear that the holiday is no longer just about drinking. From nonalcoholic beer and mocktails to sober spaces and events, more people are choosing to celebrate in ways that focus on health, heritage, and community rather than alcohol.

Whether it’s sipping a mocktail at The Burren or attending a sober St. Patrick’s Day event, the shift reflects a broader desire for mindful celebration. The days of “drinking to excess” might be fading, but the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day—of community, tradition, and Irish pride—remains as strong as ever.