Where to Celebrate the New St. Patrick’s Day Parade Route: Downtown Cleveland’s Best Irish Food & Drink

Cleveland's St. Patrick's Day parade gets a route remix! Here’s where to eat and drink along Prospect this year.

Big change is marching through Downtown Cleveland this spring—literally. For 2024, the legendary St. Patrick’s Day parade gets a fresh route, ditching its old run down Superior to put Prospect Avenue in the heart of the action. And for foodies and pub-crawlers alike, it’s time to plot a whole new parade-day crawl.

The New Route: What’s Different This Year

Forget elbowing your way down Superior—this March, the parade kicks off in Playhouse Square, swings left at East 14th, and rolls west down Prospect all the way to JACK Casino before looping around Public Square. The city made the change to dodge major construction on Superior, but let’s be real: Prospect is no slouch when it comes to Cleveland eats and pints.

Start: Playhouse Square (East 17th & Euclid)
Left at: East 14th St
West on: Prospect Ave to W. 3rd/JACK Casino
End: Public Square/Cleveland Public Library

Where to Grab Irish Food and a Pint Along the Route

What’s a parade without a little (okay, a lot) of downtown indulgence? If you’re looking to double-down on Irish vibes, these stops have you covered from breakfast beers to corned beef sandwiches:

Flannery’s Pub (325 East Prospect): Your classic parade HQ—Guinness, shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash.
Winking Lizard Tavern (811 Huron): Steps from the action, home to an epic beer list and surprisingly crisp fish and chips.
Parker’s Downtown (2000 East 9th): For a slightly elevated post-parade feast and strong whiskey game.
Mabel’s BBQ (2050 East 4th): Okay, not Irish, but those house pickles and brisket sandwiches are parade fuel.

Why This Matters: Downtown’s Irish Heartbeat

Moving the parade route is a big deal. For many, marching down Superior is a family tradition older than some of this town’s best dive bars. But Prospect brings a revival—new bars, fresh crowds, and some seriously upgraded culinary options. This change is breathing new life into the city’s legendary Irish holiday, while still keeping the green at the very core of our downtown.

How to Celebrate Like a Pro

Let’s be honest: Clevelanders know how to do St. Paddy’s right. If you want to blend in with the “in-the-know” crowd this March:

Hit up a breakfast special before parade time (Flannery’s usually does an early open).
Post up along Prospect for parade viewing—East 4th and East 9th intersections are clutch.
Reserve a table if you want a legit sit-down meal; parade day is packed.
Keep your eyes peeled for parade-themed deals—lots of downtown spots roll out green cocktails, Irish coffees, and corned beef to-go.

Downtown Tips for Foodies and Revelers

A new route means new logistics—and more excuses to eat and drink ALL the things. If you want to maximize parade joy while minimizing crowd stress:

Park early; most lots near Playhouse Square fill up by 9am.
Share small plates and apps with friends—it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Stash emergency snacks—nobody likes a hangry parade-watcher.
Don’t forget to tip your bartenders and servers (especially if you’re wearing those plastic beads).

Cleveland’s St. Patrick’s Day is back, bolder, and more delicious than ever. Whether you’re in it for Emerald Isle energy or just the world-class pub grub, Prospect Avenue is calling your name. Sláinte!