Who doesn’t love an Irish pub? The classic wooden bar and barstools, the endless selection of draft beers, and the hospitable Irish vibe make pubs suitable for anyone who wants to wash down a cold pint.
In this guide, we take a deep dive into the best Irish pubs in and around DC for grabbing a bite and a beer. Not quite a typical bar and not quite a house party; pubs drive the drinking culture in DC. Get your “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” green t-shirts ready for a big night out.
The Dubliner: Decades-Old Live Music Haven
The Dubliner opened in 1974, and since then, this venue has become a household name in Capitol Hill. This classic Irish dive is considered the patriarch of the DC pub scene. It doesn’t get any more Irish than this place. The dark wooden bar and chunky bar stools make for a cozy and ambient environment to have a pint of Guinness.
You can expect to find many young professionals stopping by for a drink after work. The best part is that you can listen to live music on almost any night of the week. They also serve up more than pub grub with an extensive menu of Irish fare and sandwiches. They even make their own Irish whiskey!
| 🎯 Environment: | After work pints for young professionals |
| 🥃 Drinks: | 15 beers on tap, House-made Irish whiskey, cocktails |
| 💰 Prices: | Average price $10/drink |
| 🕚 Opening times: | Mon-Thurs 11 am – 1:30 am, Fri 11 am – 2:30 am, Sat 8 am – 2:30 am, Sun 8 am – 12 am |
| 📌 Location: | 4 F St NW, Washington, DC 20001 |
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Kirwans on the Wharf: Waterfront Seating With an Irish Twist
If you’re interested in taking in the fresh river breeze, this is the best pub for you. Kirwans on the Wharf is one of the only waterfront pubs in DC. It sits at the bottom of the Hyatt House, so you can expect to find professionals grabbing a table after work. You may also catch some tourists having a waterside pint, but it doesn’t hurt the place’s local vibe.
Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, this pub brings in local talent to croon some tunes for guests. The food menu is off the charts, serving traditional Irish and American fare. This spot is an excellent choice for a romantic first date on the water.
| 🎯 Environment: | Waterfront pints with a great view |
| 🥃 Drinks: | Fantastic whiskey cocktails |
| 💰 Prices: | Average price $12/drink |
| 🕚 Opening times: | Sun-Thurs 11 am – 2 am, Fri & Sat 11 am – 3 am |
| 📌 Location: | 749 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024 |
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The Public Option: Cozy Bar Where Everyone Knows Your Name
If you’re looking for a quaint and casual spot to grab a pint with friends, then The Public Option on Rhode Island Avenue is perfect for you. This DC pub is similar to the sitcom Cheers in that everyone knows your name. It truly encompasses the neighborhood’s local vibe.
The Public Option started as a small brewpub and has since expanded to bring you the best local beers on tap. We loved the no-frills seating and cozy atmosphere. It is the perfect place to take your significant other for a beer instead of staying in. Keep in mind, they don’t serve food, but they frequently have pop-up chefs. Check the event calendar for details when planning your visit.
| 🎯 Environment: | Everyone knows your name atmosphere |
| 🥃 Drinks: | Local brews |
| 💰 Prices: | Average price $7/drink |
| 🕚 Opening times: | Thurs-Sat 6 pm – 12 am |
| 📌 Location: | 1601 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC 20018 |
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The Celtic House: Old-School Setting Serving Irish Fare
If you’re an old-school Guinness-lover, this is the best pub for you to knock a pint or two back. The Celtic House in Arlington is nothing fancy, but they serve up some of the best Irish food in the city. This pub is perfect for after-work drinks, small gatherings, or even family dinners.
Our favorite part is the daily happy hour from 3 pm to 7 pm. You can grab a drink for just $6, so why not order more than one? This is the perfect place to take a few friends and enjoy a relaxed night out.
| 🎯 Environment: | Casual weekend hang |
| 🥃 Drinks: | $6 happy hour from 3 pm – 7 pm every day |
| 💰 Prices: | Average price $6-10/drink |
| 🕚 Opening times: | Every day 11 am – 1:30 am |
| 📌 Location: | 2500 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204 |
The Pub & The People: Cozy Lounge With Amazing Staff
Customer service is everything in the bar business, and The Pub & The People in Bloomingdale certainly delivers. This pub has the friendliest staff, and you can expect long conversations with your favorite bartenders here.
We especially liked the back patio. It’s the perfect cozy spot for a couple’s night out or friends playing cards. They have a ton of beers on tap from your favorite local brews to national staples.
| 🎯 Environment: | Friendly dive for locals |
| 🥃 Drinks: | Fabulous, cleverly-named cocktails |
| 💰 Prices: | Average price $13/drink |
| 🕚 Opening times: | Mon-Thurs 5 pm – 10 pm, Fri 5 pm – 12 am, Sat 11 am – 12 am, Sun 11 am – 10 pm |
| 📌 Location: | 1648 North Capitol St NW, Washington, DC 20001 |
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Across the Pond: Casual Bar With a Great Happy Hour
If casual lounges and great happy hours are your vibe, then Across the Pond in Dupont Circle will suit you well. We’re always down for a good happy hour special regardless of the time and day. This pub pleases thirsty patrons with the best happy hour in the city.
The happy hour runs from 4 pm to 8 pm, Tuesday through Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, you get an extra hour from 3 pm to 8 pm. Another awesome special is on Fridays after noon, when they serve up $2 oysters. Don’t forget to catch their Sunday brunch with $4 bloody marys.
| 🎯 Environment: | Casual hang with fantastic happy hours |
| 🥃 Drinks: | Excellent Sunday brunch and bloody marys |
| 💰 Prices: | Average price $6/drink |
| 🕚 Opening times: | Tues-Thurs 4 pm – 10 pm, Fri 12 pm – 10 pm, Sat & Sun 10 am – 10 pm, Mon Closed |
| 📌 Location: | 1732 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009 |
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Blaguard: Two-Story Neighborhood Spot
If you’re looking for a local hangout pub that is the spitting image of one in a small town in Ireland, then Blaguard on 18th Street is the perfect option for you. You won’t find any fancy whiskey cocktails here, but you can expect ice-cold draft beers.
Most of the clientele here are locals just looking for a quick and easy drink. Blaguard doesn’t have an extensive menu, but what they do have is well-rounded pub grub. It’s also relatively cheap at just $5 to $8 a plate. We recommend the loaded tots!
| 🎯 Environment: | Late-night local pub with cheap food |
| 🥃 Drinks: | Ice-cold draft beers |
| 💰 Prices: | Average price $5/drink |
| 🕚 Opening times: | Mon-Tues 5 pm – 2 am, Wed-Thurs 12:30 pm – 2 am, Fri-Sat 12:30 pm – 3 am, Sun 12:30 pm – 2 am |
| 📌 Location: | 2003 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009 |
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Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Daily Specials and Irish Spring Rolls
If you want to experience a classic Irish watering hole with outdoor seating, check out Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub in Alexandria. This place exudes kelly green. The decor and setup are exactly like the typical Irish sports bar you would expect.
Murphy’s has a ton of events for almost every day of the week. They also have a great happy hour every day from 3 pm to 7 pm with $2 to $5 off select drinks and half-price appetizers. We recommend trying their famous Irish spring rolls; they’re delicious! Their event calendar has special offerings such as Pub Trivia and Seafood Saturday.
| 🎯 Environment: | Watering hole for young crowds |
| 🥃 Drinks: | $2-5 off during happy hours |
| 💰 Prices: | Average price $5/drink |
| 🕚 Opening times: | Mon-Fri 11 am – 2 am, Sat 9 am – 2 am, Sun 10 am – 2 am |
| 📌 Location: | 713 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314 |
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At The DC Post, we love a good pub and a stiff drink. From popular pubs to local dives, all of the Irish bars in this list serve the ultimate purpose of providing drinks and a home away from home for guests. Now go get your Guinness!