Sometimes all you want to do is have a pint of beer in a casual venue with some great bar snacks. An Irish bar is a perfect spot for achieving such a goal. Read on to find out about five of the best Irish bars in DC. Each one of these has an impressive beer and whiskey list, and lots of great food. Head over with friends after work to relax, or stop by on the weekend for a fun and rowdy Saturday night. Either way, these are five spots you will want to visit sometime soon.
Irish Whiskey Public House
1207 19th St. N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 463-3010
www.irishwhiskeydc.com
What makes Irish Whiskey Public House so fabulous is not only its beer and whiskey but also its enticing menu. This is bar food turned fancy, with pretzel bites drizzled with truffle oil, sea salt and served with mustard crème fraiche, a beet salad tossed with blue cheese, apples and arugula, and a chipotle black bean burger topped with caramelized onion. Enjoy your food with an Irish whiskey, or if you are unfamiliar with whiskey, consider ordering one of the whiskey flights, where you can try several different whiskies at once, and compare.
James Hoban’s Irish Restaurant and Bar
1 Dupont Circle N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 223-8440
www.jameshobansdc.com
James Hoban has a fun, casual atmosphere that everyone will enjoy, which is why it is one of the best Irish bars in the city. There is ample seating, helpful bartenders, and great food and drink menus. Treat yourself to a beer or whiskey flight, and sample items like mushroom croquettes, red pepper hummus, a fried green tomato sandwich, and pretzels with cheddar dip. The brunch menu is equally as tempting, with omelets, waffles and mimosas.
Kelly’s Irish Times
14 F St. N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 543-5433
www.facebook.com/KellysIrishTimesDC
This fun local bar has a rustic feel to it, with beer bottles from the 1800s and signed autographs from famous visitors. Enjoy the classic bar food menu, which features nachos, mac n cheese, fries, tater tots, and warm pretzels. Be sure to try the beer cheese, where melted cheddar cheese sauce infused with Guinness is served with chips. Daily specials are available and are featured on the website.
Related: Best Craft Beer Happy Hours In Washington, D.C.
Fado’s Irish Pub
808 7th St. N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 789-0066
www.fadoirishpub.com/washington
Fado’s Irish Pub has long been a local favorite, largely because it loves to celebrate all things Irish. See its website for events such as Irish whiskey tastings and a rousing St. Patrick’s Day party that features a host of food and drink specials. The menu also has lots of fun options on it, like a chip shop where you choose between thin and thick cut fries and select from a variety of sauces, like Guinness mayo, curry sauce, and peppercorn sauce. Dessert includes treats like Guinness ice cream and Irish coffee with cinnamon whipped cream.
Ri Ra Irish Pub
3125 M St. N.W.
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 751-2111
www.rira.com/georgetown
For an Irish bar where you can get good food and drinks, and watch your favorite rugby match, Ri Ra is the spot for you. The pub celebrates the famous Irish potato, with potato cakes, potato and leek soup, mashed potatoes, handcut French fries and sweet potato fries. Other highlights include mac n cheese, avocado hummus dip and a white bean burger. A variety of boozy coffee drinks are available if you get tired of beer and whiskey.
Related: Best Bars In Washington, D.C. With A Fireplace
Priya Konings is a freelance writer and restaurant critic in Washington D.C. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
