I admit, trying to provide you with the top five best Irish pubs in the country might be a wee bit insane. But every travel site offers their version of the best Irish pubs, so I figured since I have visited a few watering holes around this great nation of ours, why not be a hack and lack any originality for a day. So with a Guinness in hand and advice from a drinking buddy or two, here are five Irish pubs in the U.S. that I particularly enjoy:
1) The Black Rose (Boston, MA): With a line out the door on most weekend nights, this place is a constant hot spot for Boston drinkers. The brogues from the Irish bartenders will enhance your drinking experience and make you feel as if you were getting tipsy in Dublin. Not only does Black Rose pack a punch with their drinks, they also serve a mean shepherd’s pie as well as a mouth watering bangers & mash.
2) Irish Oak (Chicago, IL): This old school Irish pub is the perfect location to get your drink on when visiting the Windy City. Patrons enjoy a pint…or eight, while listening to the likes of Black 47, Van Morisson and The Saw Doctors on the jukebox. Before starting your marathon drinking day or checking out a nearby Cubs game, fill up on their famous Irish breakfast, N-17 Irish fries or a few beer battered onion rings.
3) Molly’s (New York, NY): As someone that has lived and visited Ireland on numerous occasions, this pub definitely gives me goosebumps when I step foot inside it. Walk across the sawdust covered floors, pony up to the bar and order a Smithwick’s or shot of Jameson and Irish up. Football games (or soccer for Americans) play on the TVs throughout the pub, with local’s and European traveler’s eyes glued to the screens. The warmth of the wood burning fireplace makes for a cozy feel in the winter and the cheeseburgers just might be reason enough to come back again and again. I highly recommend this spot for the closest thing to an Irish pub experience without visiting the Emerald Isle.
4) Kelley’s Tavern (San Francisco, CA): From the moment you lock eyes with the exterior of this place, you know you’re in for a brilliant night of drinking. But it gets even better once you step foot inside of this Bay Area bar. Located in San Francisco’s Marina & Cow Hollow District, Kelley’s offers a wide variety of beers with live music to boot. By day Kelley’s is a sport bars, by night it is one of the best spots to mingle if you are single and down a few drinks in the process.
5) Fado’s Irish Pub (Austin, Texas): The luck of the Irish is said to be bigger in the Lone Star state. Down some adult beverages at this Irish watering hole and enjoy some pub grub like Smithwick’s mini-burgers, Irish smoked salmon bites and Guinness BBQ wings. Also with Austin being the live music capital of the country, you will be sure to find great performers rocking out at Fado’s while you enjoy your favorite libation.
