Best Irish Bars in the U.S.

Think all Irish pubs are the same? That's a lot of malarkey! Grab your pint glass and raise a toast to these 11 outstanding Irish bars in the United States.

By: Valerie Conners

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McGillin's Olde Ale House, Philadelphia

Philly's oldest continuously operating tavern, McGillin's began pouring pints in 1860. Chock-full of Old World character, the beloved bar serves the only stout brewed in Ireland, offers a menu filled with pub classics such as shepherd's pie, and throws an epic St. Patrick's Day party.

McSorley's Old Ale House, New York City

Craft beer snobs, be damned! McSorley's patrons have tw beers to choose from at this historic pub: light or dark. It opened in 1854, making it one of the city's oldest bars, and feels simply like a down and dirty classic. If you get hungry, order the cheese plate; a hunk of cheddar and a thick slice of onion will do your belly right (or wrong, depending on how many brews you've downed…).

Galvin's Public House, Chicago

The Irish owners of Galvin's, Paul and Kathy Galvin, take their heritage — and their long family history of bar proprietorship — seriously. Much of the interior decor is sourced straight from the Emerald Isle, and some of the fireplace's stones even hail from Kathy's parents' house in Ireland. Irish classics such as bangers and mash fill the menu, and Galvin's has made St. Paddy's Day into a six-day celebration.

The Burren, Somerville, Massachusetts

You'll want to leave the confines of downtown Boston to find the region's most authentic Irish pub, the Burren. The bar is owned by 2 Irish fiddle players and has become a must-stop spot for Irish music icons including U2 and the Chieftains; it even hosts live Irish music or Irish step-dancing events most nights.

John D. McGurk's, St. Louis

This 20,000-square-foot behemoth opened as a one room pub in 1978, but today, John D. McGurk's features plenty of rooms, bars and even an outdoor garden where you can get your Irish drink on. Chow down on classics, such as corned beef and cabbage or bangers and mash, before tossing back pints of Irish brews and whiskies — all to the tune of nightly live Irish music. Slainte!

Emmit's Irish Pub, Chicago

Housed in a building that once served as a haven for Chicago's legendary gangsters, Emmit's opened in 1996 under the ownership of two local firemen. With dozens of beers and nearly 40 whiskies and scotches (including Jameson on tap!), Emmit's makes sure no one goes home thirsty.

Doyle's Cafe, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

Serving pints and Irish-inspired grub since 1882, Doyle's gives the Burren a solid run for its money. This classic pub, a favorite hangout of local politicians for decades, pours plenty of Irish brews.

Tom Bergin's Tavern, Los Angeles

Irish coffee lovers (and let's face it, who isn't?) will want to hightail it to Tom Bergin's, which is said to have brought the tipple to Los Angeles in the 1930s. According to local legend, the creators of Cheers used to visit the bar and tapped it as inspiration for their classic TV show. Today, cardboard shamrocks with the names of patrons scrawled across them canvas the ceiling.

The Irish Bank, San Francisco

Grab an outdoor table along the alley where the Irish Bank sits, and kick back for a Guinness-filled evening. On weeknights, a convivial after-work crowd tends to fill the bar, which is made homey with a slew of antiques, photos and wooden decor.

The Harp, Cleveland

Connect to your Irish roots, if you've got 'em, at the Harp, where live Irish music fills the air, Irish beers and whiskies line the bar, and the menu is filled with Irish favorites such as boxty, a stuffed potato pancake. Patrons can sit at the bar, admiring the striking stained-glass backdrop, or grab a table on the patio overlooking Lake Erie.

The Dubliner, Washington, D.C.

In a city known more for its politics than its Irish watering holes, the Dubliner is a welcome respite and has been a Capitol Hill favorite since it opened in 1974. An outdoor patio stretches along Massachusetts Avenue and is perfect for filling up on Irish fare and a Guinness while people-watching. Indoors, you can listen to live Irish music in the evenings while sipping a rare Irish whiskey.

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Best Irish Bars in the U.S.

Related To:

Shop This Look

McGillin's Olde Ale House, Philadelphia

McSorley's Old Ale House, New York City

Galvin's Public House, Chicago

The Burren, Somerville, Massachusetts

John D. McGurk's, St. Louis

Emmit's Irish Pub, Chicago

Doyle's Cafe, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

Tom Bergin's Tavern, Los Angeles

The Irish Bank, San Francisco

The Harp, Cleveland

The Dubliner, Washington, D.C.

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