The Irish have contributed quite a bit to civilization. One way to celebrate their achievements is to visit an Irish-themed pub. These watering holes are scattered throughout the world, and EW has put together a list of nine excellent Irish-themed pubs across nine great cities.
1. McSorley’s Old Ale House (New York City)
Established seven years before the American Civil War, McSorley’s Old Ale House prides itself on being the oldest continuously operated bar in New York City. McSorley’s even managed to continue serving beer during Prohibition, and, remarkably, counts Abraham Lincoln among its former patrons. One of the fascinating aspects of visiting the Ale House is seeing the wishbones above the bar, which were left by men leaving for World War I. It has been said that the remaining bones are from soldiers who never returned.
For women, visiting is a surreal experience as McSorley’s only started allowing women to enter since after a federal court forced their hand in 1970. Yes, 1970. The Ale House built its first ladies room in 1986. Today, men and women alike must be ready to choose between McSorley’s Light or McSorley’s Dark, as they are the only options available.
2. O’Neill’s Islington (London)
O’Neill’s is an Irish bar with a great atmosphere. It features an excellent drink selection headlined by Guinness and Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale, paired with Irish fare that will leave any visitor feeling the luck of the Irish. Along with serving a delectable Irish breakfast all day, O’Neill’s offers a variety of unique dishes, including Irish stew crock-pot, vegetarian sausages with colcannon, and Limerick ham with Irish cheddar quiche.
With live music and numerous large screens featuring sporting events, there is plenty of entertainment for O’Neill’s patrons. Do note that the heated outdoor courtyard is often packed with rugby and football fans during game time.
Irish Embassy
3. The Snug (Boston)
The Snug captures the feel of a small-town country pub with restaurant amenities. Located in Hingham, it has been awarded Best Irish Pub. The Snug’s menu includes local crowd favors including French toast, New England clam chowder, and Ellen’s Homemade Shepard’s Pie. It also features live music four days a week, starring The Bobby ‘O Boys, Mark Purcell, and The Red Liners, among others.
4. The Irish Embassy (Toronto)
The Irish Embassy was established in 1873 within an old bank building. Located in Toronto’s Financial District, this upscale bar is often filled with passionate Maple Leafs or Raptors fans waiting for the game, or as well as professionals looking to unwind after work. Like many pubs on this list, The Irish Embassy serves exceptional homemade food alongside an impressive selection of drinks. Be sure to try a few patron favorites, such as the Jameson chicken liver pâté, traditional Irish stew, and Kilkenny-battered haddock.
5. Galway Arms (Chicago)
Galway Arms, located in the heart of Lincoln Park, has an extensive menu filled with Irish fare and a large selection of drinks on tap. Locals love their daily specials, such as Chicken Pot Pie Monday and All-You-Can-Eat Fish & Chips Tuesday. The pub also draws crowds during the summer months with live Irish bands, an outdoor patio, and a sit-down dinner option in the dining room.
Guinness Beer
6. The Brazen Head (Dublin)
No better place to relax with a pint of Guinness than Dublin. The Brazen Head claims to be the city’s oldest pub, dating back to 1198. True or not, it holds centuries of history within its walls, while also serving as a premier venue for live Irish music. Their weekend lineup currently features lives tunes by Rafferty, The Rye River Band, and The Brazen Hussies. Add in an award-winning restaurant specializing in Irish stew and seafood, and it is easy to see why this historic spot even caught the attention of James Joyce.
7. Kildare’s Irish Pub (Philadelphia Area)
Kildare’s Irish Pub prides itself on its authenticity. For several of its locations, 40-foot containers filled with Irish artifacts were shipped to the United States to recreate a genuine pub scene. If authenticity was the goal, then Kildare’s succeeded. The pub keeps glasses of stout flowing and offers an extensive menu that will please anyone looking for a taste of Ireland. Try the traditional bangers and mash, featuring Irish-style sausage over a bed of mashed potatoes, or the Guinness beef stew, made with vegetables simmered in the rich beer.
8. Durty Nelly’s (Sydney)
Durty Nelly’s has a relaxed atmosphere with prints imported from the National Gallery of Ireland to help create a true Irish feel. Pouring its first brew as early as 1854, Durty Nelly’s has plenty of history and tradition to go along with its fresh beer and tasty cuisine. When eating in the bar, try the black pudding with bacon baguette or the soup of the day with homemade soda bread. Consider their sit-down restaurant, too, for its seasonal menu. Plan on being in Sydney for a while? Locals receive a plaque on the wall for joining the 100 Pints Club.
9. Fadó Irish Pub (Washington D. C.)
Located near the MCI Center, Fadó Irish Pub screams of authenticity. In fact, it was designed with materials shipped over from Ireland. Fadó is often filled with basketball and hockey fans after games let out from the MCI Center, but the screens are often filled with Gaelic football and rugby, too. Visitors with an appetite will appreciate the corned beef rolls, Irish smoked salmon bites, and homemade shepherd’s pie to go along with their brew.
Minor updates and edits were made from the original article.
Irish Embassy © Jeff Hitchcock
Guinness Beer © Peter Baker
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Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Please contact him with questions regarding article or photo submissions.