Jersey City’s Newest Hot Spot, “San Patricios Cantina” Comes from the Dead Rabbit Team

San Patricios Cantina & Pub in Jersey City Opens 9/19

There’s a new name lighting up the New Jersey bar scene—and it’s got serious pedigree. San Patricios Cantina, the latest project from the award-winning team behind The Dead Rabbit, has officially opened its doors in Jersey City, and it’s already buzzing with energy, flavor, and unmistakable Irish-Mexican soul.

San Patricios celebrates the deep historical and cultural connection between Ireland and Mexico solidified by the San Patricios Battalion during the Mexican-American War. The cantina and pub honors a legacy of solidarity, community, and shared identity. The concept’s vision and execution are guided by Managing Partner Jack McGarry, alongside Director of Operations Laura Torres, Beverage Director Aidan Bowie, and Director of Strategy Gráinne O’Neill.

“We’ve had our eye on bringing The Dead Rabbit team to Jersey–and the opportunity to create a vibrant and new concept with San Patricios is a dream realized,” said Laura Torres. “Our team has done a stellar job of weaving together these two heritages, to both celebrate their overlap and their distinctive elements–we’re proud to open our doors and share it with the community.”

Experience

San Patricios is located at 8 Erie Street in Jersey City, infusing the neighborhood with a festive meeting place for brunch through late night drinks and bites. The interiors blend the raw textures of an Irish pub, worn wood, leather banquettes, with the vibrancy of a Mexican cantina, featuring Talavera tiles, hand-painted murals, small altar walls, and trilingual signage in English, Irish, and Spanish. With both intimate corners and communal seating, the space is designed for everything from casual catch-ups to lively cultural celebrations.

Honoring its dual heritage, San Patricios features a dynamic calendar of programming around cultural holidays, including St. Patrick’s Day, Samhain (the ancient Celtic festival marking the end of harvest season), Día de los Muertos (Mexican), and a fitting iteration of The Dead Rabbit’s famed Jingle Jangle pop-up called Los Posados, which will launch later this year. Guests can also look forward to live Irish sessions, Mexican folk bands, DJs, sports screenings, and more.

In the early days of opening, fans of The Dead Rabbit can also expect to see Managing Partner Jack McGarry behind the bar throughout the week, welcoming the first guests into San Patricios.

Beverage

The beverage program showcases cocktails and spirits that celebrate Ireland and Mexico side-by-side. Guinness and Pacifico will be on tap, while the back bar highlights Irish Whiskey, Poitín, Tequila, Mezcal, and rarer Mexican agave spirits such as Raicilla, Bacanora, and Sotol. The program is led by Beverage Director Aidan Bowie, alongside Bar Manager Diego Livera, originally from Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, who has been part of The Dead Rabbit Group since 2020.

Cocktail highlights include:

• San Patricio Coffee a Dead Rabbit Classic with a twist: Patrón Silver Tequila, Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey, Coffee, Café de Olla, Whipped Cream
• Margarita de la Casa with Altos Plata Tequila, Shortcross Poítin, sour orange, lime, and honeyed agave
• Chappara with Condesa Mexican Gin, prickly pear, Falernum, and lemongrass
• Batanga with De Nada Blanco Tequila, sparkling wine, amaro, and cola
• Sangria with white wine, pear brandy, soursop, lime, orange, and a red wine float

Food

The culinary program merges comforting pub fare with bright, Mexican street food. Guests can expect a playful menu of bocadillos, tacos, and larger plates. The kitchen is helmed by Chef de Cuisine Joel Franco, originally from Cuautla, Morelos, Mexico, and Sous Chef Daisy Nando, born in New York City and raised in Puebla–both alums of The Dead Rabbit NYC who bring their heritage and creativity to the table.

Signature offerings include:

• Esquites with Tajín and cotija
• Camarones al Ajillo with chorizo and guajillo pepper
• Chicken Curry Tacos with mango salsa and green onion
• Carne Asada with hoja santa chimichurri and shishito peppers
• Ham & Cheese Torta with Irish cheddar, smoked ham, queso fresco, tomato, lettuce, onion, and pickled jalapeños

For more information, and to follow along for updates, please visit www.sanpatriciosnj.com, and follow San Patricios on Instagram. Reservations can be made via Resy.