The best Irish pubs in NYC

What is it: A family-owned and operated, split-level Irish pub with a cozy, inviting atmosphere.

Why we love it: Unlike many pubs from here to Dundalk, The Blasket is bright and full of light. That doesn’t mean you can’t do some serious drinking here–the place is the product of Irish expats who can most definitely hold their own right alongside you–but it’s not quite as moody as many others. They serve Irish fare, pull a perfect Guinness, and have a music calendar that spans DJs to singer-songwriters. This place also represents an Irish locality mostly unknown to us Yanks, the verdant Blasket Islands in County Kerry.

Time Out Tip: This is a great place to go before or after itty bitty Andrew Haswell park overlooking the East River and Roosevelt Island, and features a super cool, wild art installation, East River Roundabout, designed by artist Alice Aycock.

Address: 1085 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10022

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 4pm–2am; Fri 3pm–4am; Sat 11am–4am; Sun 11am–2am

Expect to pay: ~$7-10/beer; ~$12-14/glass of wine, ~$48-52/bottle of wine; ~$16/cocktail; ~$12-28/plate of food

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What is it?: A pub/restaurant where families and game-watchers can catch virtually any sportball match with a side of Irish fare. 

Why we love it: O’Neill’s serves its community with Irish/American food, a well-poured Guinness, and friendly environs. There’s plenty of room and parking, so you can bring a big group and there’s more than a few TVs for whoever’s keeping one eye on the score. It’s easy to settle in and cozy up to a shepherd’s pie, chat with the locals, and have a wee pint. Is it a traditional Irish pub? No, but it’s a divey Irish American pub with sports bar trappings and that is a tradition all its own at this point. 

Time Out Tip: The food menu ranges out, but if you stay in the Irish pub lane, you won’t be disappointed. 

Address: 1614 Forest Ave, Staten Island, NY 10302

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 11am–10pm; Fri, Sat 11am–midnight

Expect to pay: ~$4-7/beer; ~$9/cocktail; ~$10-25/plate of food

What is it? Itty bitty pub Hartleys is as simple as it gets, which is exactly what it aims to be. You won’t find glittery shamrocks or hackneyed Guinness posters here (though they do pull a perfect pint of the stuff). Instead, this place is a neighborhood staple and a destination for anyone who appreciates a tranquil room to drink and/or chat with a companion.

Why we love it: This spot bakes soda bread daily, which can be enjoyed on its own or alongside its rich Guinness beef stew. If that’s not your fancy, their cheddar toastie is also excellent. If you’re not a beer drinker, worry not; they’ve got a few cocktails that go down easy and a selection of wines. If you ask me, this is the perfect cozy, weekend afternoon spot to read a book over a pint.

Time Out tip: Stop by on Mondays at 8pm for live traditional Irish music.

Address: 14 Putnam Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 4pm-1am; Fri 4pm-2am; Sat noon-2am; Sun noon-1am

Expect to pay: At least $20 for a good, hearty meal (for one), $10 and under for a snack and $7-$10 for a beer. Cocktails are at $15.

What is it? Established in 1854, McSorley’s became an institution by remaining steadfastly authentic and providing only two choices to its customers: McSorley’s Dark Ale and McSorley’s Light Ale.

Why we love it: Unlike other New York institutions shambling on as tourist destinations, McSorley’s retains undeniable integrity. It’s a great room, a portal through time. Much has been written about the saloon, but Joseph Mitchell’s wonderful old 1940 New Yorker essay, “The Old House at Home,” remains the definitive profile.

Time Out tip: If you’re hungry, there are burgers, sandwiches, and a plate of cheddar cheese—the latter of which I recommend as it pairs hand in glove with a mug of the light.

Address: 15 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003

Opening hours: Mon–Sat 11am–1am; Sun noon–1am

Expect to pay: Single-digits for pints and snacks.

What is it? Down in the Financial District, you can find a few spaces animated by the threadbare spirit of old New York.

Why we love it: It may not even be close to the oldest establishment in the city, the neighborhood, or even this list, but it cultivates that all-too-elusive atmosphere to great effect. That’s not to say this place is old-man-y; though you can certainly enjoy an expertly-pulled Guinness or nice glass of wine in the warm, inviting environs, Dead Rabbit’s inventive cocktail program earns it a place on critics’ lists year after year.

Address: 30 Water St, New York, NY 10004

Opening hours: Daily noon–1am (Parlor varies)

Expect to pay: Average cocktail is $16-$20

​​What is it? This family-owned saloon, which first opened at its present location in 1936, is among the city’s oldest.

Why we love it: It’s appeared on classic NYC shows like Seinfeld and Law & Order and it's got that old school New York pub vibe.

Time Out tip: If you want some privacy, simply slip into one of the old-school telephone booths; otherwise, sidle up to the oak bar for a few shots and chase ‘em with the house’s own McManus Ale.

Address: 152 7th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Opening hours: Daily noon-4am

Expect to pay: Reasonable prices.

What is it?: Longtime regulars populate the bar at this weathered Irish stalwart, which also has a wood-paneled dining room inlaid with stained glass.

Why we love it: The lack of pretense grants permission to relax and enjoy your burger–a half-pound of char-broiled goodness. Grab a booth and enjoy your friends and food.

Time Out tip: Don't miss having a burger, which we said justifies a trek to Queens: loosely formed from freshly ground New York strip, broiled to a perfect char and simply decorated with lettuce and tomato—cheese and raw onion optional.

Address: 57-24 Roosevelt Ave, Woodside, NY 11377

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11am–midnight; Fri–Sun 11am–1am (depending) 

Expect to pay: ~$9-$30/plate of food; ~$6-9/beer; ~$9-18/cocktail

What is it? Over on Manhattan’s east side, you’ll find this longtime destination for fans of Irish music. Its Guinness-designed taps pull the perfect pint and its Emerald Isle-sourced design elements include knotted floorboards that were once underfoot at an Irish hotel. There’s a clean pool table, darts, and TVs playing sports if you’re a gamer.

Why we love it: I wouldn’t recommend showing up hungry, as pickings are slim, but I would highly recommend slipping in for a Guinness on any given Sunday, when it’s happy hour all day.

Time Out tip: Check who's playing live before you head down.

Address: 519 Second Ave, New York, NY 10016

Opening hours: Mon, Tue 11am-2am; Wed–Sat 11am-4am; Sun noon-2am

Expect to pay: Happy Hour prices starting at $5

What is it? Irish for "the poor mouth" (also the title of a novel by the great Flann O'Brien), An Béal Bocht is a gathering place for Irish-American art and theater communities.

Why we love it: Decor depicts literary heroes like James Joyce and comfort foods abound on the lengthy menu, which stars bangers and mash, a classic shepherd’s pie and beef stew.

Time Out tip: Don’t let its name confuse you: any night until 2am, you can settle in with a nice pint, some wine or a tipple of stronger stuff.

Address: 445 W 238th St, Bronx, NY 10463

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 11am–2am; Sat, Sun 10am–2am

Expect to pay: Beer starts at $6, while some bar food begins in the single digits.

What is it? Most places self-described as a “pub” bill themselves as bar first, restaurant second and Putnam’s isn’t an exception but “cooker” feels like it’s doing the heavy lifting here.

Why we love it: The offerings are more eclectic than what you’ll find at most places with “pub” painted on the storefront, which, I suppose, is why they’ve described the menu as “American.” Fair enough, but alongside salt and pepper shrimp, duck ragu, and chicken liver mousse, there’s still pot pie, shepherd’s pie, and fish and chips. All that said, you can absolutely forego the whole sitdown dining thing and park yourself at the bar–there’s a massive draft list, a big selection of whiskeys, and cocktails to be had. 

Time Out tip: Why not get some golden-fried calamari to go with your well-pulled Guinness?

Address: 419 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205

Opening hours: Daily 11am-2am

Expect to pay: Dishes are under $20; whiskeys range in price but are under $20

What is it? This place is a favorite of both locals and tourists alike.

Why we love it: It might have something to do with the bang-on Guinness, their selection of more than a dozen drafts, and their surprisingly tasty food (including a sausage roll!). Maybe it’s the undeniably interesting room, charmingly askew or the bar staff who could be described likewise. Is it the nightly 4am closing time—a boon to those of us who’ve spent time behind the stick? Could it be that work authored by the bar’s namesake, Jonathan Swift, is simply a stronger draw than anyone could have imagined? Or maybe it's just the live Irish music.

Time Out tip: I recommend a visit featuring both good conversation and Irish Coffee.

Address: 34 E 4th St, New York, NY 10003

Opening hours: Mon 4pm–4am; Tue 2pm–4am; Wed–Sun noon–4am

Expect to pay: Under $15 for small plates, $10 or under for and about $18 for cocktails.

What is it?: Pastoral touches like a whitewashed facade, a sawdust-covered floor and Celtic crosses make this tavern feel like it's been transplanted from the Irish countryside, or, at least, what you imagine that feels like. In reality, it’s just a great little bar–one of our favorite dive-adjacent bars, Irish or otherwise.

Why we love it: Stepping inside, it’s hard not to feel charmed by the place–the soft glow of string lights and friendly bartenders accomplish the task handily.

Time Out tip: The burger is very good and worth ordering. Ditto for their shepherd’s pie.

Address: 287 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10010

Opening hours: Daily 11am–4am

Expect to pay: ~$10-11/beer; ~$12-17/cocktail; ~$8-29/plate of food;

What is it? Sitting down in The Wicked Monk feels almost like visiting the set of a period film, and maybe even verges on a theme restaurant. But that isn’t a bad thing.

Why we love it: The lovely place is, ultimately, a good bit of fun, which is what it’s all about anyway. Besides, much of the decor does actually come directly from the island itself–wood accents, stained glass, and even a confessional were all salvaged from a late 1800s-era Gothic monastery.

Time Out Tip: This spot has a lot of events, so check out its calendar.

Address: 9510 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209

Opening hours: Kitchen: Mon–Fri noon-10pm; Sat, Sun 11am-10pm; Bar Sun–Thu noon–2am; Fri noon–3am; Sat 11am–3am

Expect to pay: Dinner plates are mostly under $20 unless you order from the traditional Irish menu. The extensive beer menu is mostly under $10 for a pint.

What is it? This unassuming place was cited by every Irish expat I interviewed as inducing the most homesickness.

Why we love it: The communal roots feel deep here–whether that’s down to the regulars, the nightly music, or the enthusiastic allegiance to footie (this is a Liverpool FC bar), the upshot is that sitting here, sipping a pristinely pulled Guinness accompanied by a cheddar and onion toastie will make you miss Éire, even if you’ve never been.

Time Out tip: If you’re a Liverpool supporter, this is your bar. Order the Cuomo Pizetta for a laugh.

Address: 510 E 11th St, New York, NY 10009

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 2pm–4am; Sat, Sun noon–4am

Expect to pay: ~$6-10/beer; ~$14-15/cocktail; ~$9-11/glass of wine, ~$24/carafe, ~$40-60/bottle; ~$2-7/snack