When it comes to a chill night out watching sports, slinging Guinness and noshing on savory shepherd’s pies, DC’s pubs are the place to be. From Irish-style pubs with mouthwatering comfort food and Irish beers to Irish-founded pubs with locally-made brews and weekly trivia, check out our picks for the 11 best pubs in Washington, DC.
See Also: Weekly Recipe: Red Wine Braised Short Rib By Oaken Bistro And Bar
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1732 Connecticut Avenue NW / Website
Located conveniently in Dupont Circle, this cozy pub is the place to catch televised international soccer and rugby games and take advantage of discounted weekend brunch and happy hour menus. Find pub classics such as bangers and mash, fish and chips, and beef stew on the menu. Stop by for Across The Pond’s happy hour, hosted Tuesday to Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., for $6 house cocktails and appetizers, and $1 off select drafts, cans and bottles.
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116 Rhode Island Avenue NW / Website
Calling all Philly sports phanatics! (See what we did there). Head to this Bloomingdale neighborhood’s fun-filled pub to reliably find televised Philly sports, a hearty and boozy weekend brunch menu, happy hour specials, and an impressive lineup of whiskeys and drafts. Dine on well-loved chicken wings, housemade potato chips, burgers, and fish and chips, among other pub classics. Pop in for happy hour, hosted Monday to Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., for $5 draft beer and $7 sandwiches.
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2153 P Street NW / Website
Head to this popular Irish pub to experience some of the best chicken wings in DC while catching DC sports, NFL Sunday games and 6 Nations Rugby on the pub’s nine TVs. To drink, enjoy a huge selection of Irish whiskeys, or opt for a draft pint of Guinness mixed with Jameson stout for a uniquely Irish combo. Apart from Irish beers and ciders, there are numerous local and craft beers on the menu. Stop in for a drink after walking Fido at Duffy’s dog-friendly sidewalk cafe.
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105 W Broad Street, Falls Church VA / Website
Pop into this fun pub to enjoy a slew of classic Irish dishes, catch sports and imbibe. True to its name, the menu features about eight authentically Irish dishes, including shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, fish and chips, bangers and mash, cottage pie, a Guinness burger, beef stew and chicken Tullamore. This family-friendly spot even has a kids' menu. Check out their Instagram to stay up to date on live music nights.
500 H Street NW / Website
Check out this family-owned restaurant, helmed by Ireland native and head chef Tom Stack, for a taste of authentic, high-quality Irish cuisine while sipping on all the classic Irish beers. Be sure to explore the hefty whiskey offerings, spanning Irish, American and Canadian premium whiskey pours. Traditional Irish dishes fill the menu with highlights including Guinness stew, fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, and jambalaya. Dining specials change daily so there’s always something new to try at this fun spot.
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14 F Street NW / Website
A DC staple for over 40 years, a visit to Kelly’s Irish Times is a necessity. In addition to an impressive whiskey bar featuring around 23 Irish whiskeys, 29 Kentucky bourbons, 22 varieties of scotch, and 16 varieties of rye, there are mouthwatering dishes classic to Ireland, like fish and chips and corned beef and cabbage.
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749 Wharf Street SW / Website
Head down to The Wharf for a day of Irish whiskeys and waterfront views at this chill pub and its significant front patio. Classic Irish fare includes crispy fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, and a full Irish breakfast available on the weekends, amongst a wide-ranging menu. To drink, find Irish beers including Guinness, Smithwick’s and Magners Irish Cider, in addition to craft beers. Can’t decide on just one? Try a mixed pint of two or three unique drafts. Kirwan’s hosts live music most weekends, check their website for a schedule.
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713 King Street, Alexandria VA / Website
Nestled in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, this pub has been serving up quality Irish cuisine and brews for over 40 years. The pub frequently hosts live music, trivia and nightly dining specials. On the menu, find Irish specialties like beer-battered fish and chips, chicken curry and rice, Jameson-marinated strip steak, bangers and mash, hearty Irish stew, and the Guinness burger, among others. Pair with the pub’s large beer list and have yourself a night!
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3971 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax VA / Website
A favorite in Fairfax for almost 20 years, The Auld Shebeen is known for its tasty Irish cuisine, more than ample beer selections, and weekly events and entertainment. Stop in for a host of Ireland’s classic cuisines, including a traditional Irish breakfast, available all day, complete with eggs, Irish sausages, Irish bacon, authentic black and white pudding, grilled tomatoes and your choice of potatoes. On draft, enjoy Irish classics Guinness, Smithwick’s Irish Ale, Magners Cider, Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale, and Harp Lager, among a lengthy list of other drafts and bottles.
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4 F Street NW / Website
With over 48 years in DC, this Irish pub is truly a staple of the scene. True to its roots (the owner’s father immigrated from Ireland), the pub serves an impressive lineup of Irish beers on tap, including Guinness, Smithwick’s, Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale, Harp Lager and Magners Irish Cider. Better yet, check out the pub’s whiskey menu featuring vintage rare finds, single malt single grain blends, single pot still blends, and a variety of blended whiskeys. To eat, enjoy Irish favorites like fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, chicken pot pie and the Guinness burger. The pub frequently hosts live music making it quite easy to spend a while here.
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1206 H Street NE / Website
Check out this British pub to view Liverpool FC soccer and indulge in a variety of tasty European ales. To eat, check out the pub’s traditional fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, chicken tikka masala, bangers and mash, chicken pot pie and sticky toffee pudding. On Sundays, the pub hosts a traditional roast, inspired by the UK, and filled with roast meats, roasted potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, gravy, veggies, and of course, beer.
Looking for more luxe stops in the city? Check out our picks for 8 St. Patrick's Day Cocktail Recipes, And They're Not All Made With Whiskey.
Photography by: Scott Suchman / Boundary Stone Public House
