“Nassau’s bars and 
restaurants offer a 
taste of local cuisine, 
with a festive twist to
honor Saint Patrick’s Day.”
Dante Escobar

It’s been said that there’s an Irish pub in pretty much every city in the world. My sister, Cathy, and I found an Irish pub in Kyoto, Japan in July 2001. When we walked inside, it looked and felt like any other Irish pub we’d been in. The major difference was that all the bartenders, and many of the customers, were Japanese.

On this Saint Patrick’s Day, I find myself in Nassau, and yes, there is an authentic Irish pub on Bay Street. I’m sure Shenanigan’s will be busy with tourists and locals celebrating St. Patrick’s Day 2026. I will not be one of them. The one day of the year when it’s least likely to find me in an Irish pub is St. Patrick’s Day. Too crowded.

I have not had an alcoholic beverage of any kind since I’ve been here this year. That may change at some point, but I doubt it. When I attend the evening socials here at the community where I’m staying, I get one Bahamian rum punch, without the rum, each night. I don’t need alcohol to thoroughly enjoy myself. And when I wake up each morning, I do so without the after-effects of having consumed liquor. 

No doubt, there will be a fair amount of drinking in and around Nassau tonight. The spring break crowd has arrived. All the hotels and resorts are fully occupied, many with young, college-age kids. Even without St. Patrick’s Day, consuming large quantities of alcoholic beverages seems to be the thing to do on spring break. Add St. Patrick’s Day to the mix and conditions for over-imbibing are like the perfect storm. For some, it’s just part of the tradition of spring break. For others, the alcohol provides the liquid courage they need to have their experience of “a good time.”

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all!