With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner many New Yorkers and tourists are looking to enjoy an authentic Irish meal and cold beer in New York City. For many that is corn beef and cabbage and a Guinness. For others it may be a reuben and Irish coffee. Regardless of what your preference is there is an Irish establishment calling your name…even if your name isn’t Murphy or Kelly…and even if it isn’t St. Patrick’s Day.
Here is an overview of 8 of the most highly rated Irish pubs in New York City according to google reviews.
#1 McSorley’s Old Ale House
McSorley’s Old Ale House is considered one of the oldest Irish pubs in America since opening in 1854 and remaining in the same location at 15 East 7th Street. Located in the East Village on 7th Avenue between 2nd and 3rd, McSorley’s is right between Washington Square Park and Tompkins Square Park. The history of the restaurant and the ‘old ale house’ is well documented…it is worth a read here on their website.
McSorley’s is an authentic Irish pub specializing in light and dark ales. They have a very limited food menu…but they do have liverwurst. Per their website, seating is on a first come, first serve basis. It is important to note that McSorley’s is a cash only establishment.
With 4.7 stars on google and over 6,100 reviews, it is no wonder McSorley’s is considered the most sought after Irish pub. It is a staple for many tourists but also for locals alike.
#2 The Dead Rabbit
The Dead Rabbit is located at the Southern tip of Manhattan near The Battery and One New York Plaza. Although the current restaurant operation is fairly new (10 years old) the building and streets surrounding The Dead Rabbit were once poverty stricken and in ruins. Since then, the area and the meaning of The Dead Rabbit has evolved to house what is considered to be ‘the most awarded pub in the world’ according to The Dead Rabbit website.
The current layout of the restaurant is the same as it was in 1828 with the tap room on the ground floor and the cocktail parlor on the first floor. The tap room is designed as an authentic pub with dive bar vibes while the parlor is designed to be a little more of an intimate space. As soon as you walk into the tap room you feel the authentic Irish pub ambiance with sawdust on the floor and photos taped to every surface of the room. The food menus seemed to be about the same so you would not miss out on certain things if you chose the tap room over the cocktail parlor, or vice versa. Known for the smaller bites and classic cocktails, some highly rated suggestions are: the Irish coffee, scotch egg, and deviled eggs.
With 4.7 stars on google and over 5,800 reviews, The Dead Rabbit is a good contender against the 169 year old McSorley’s…considering TDR has only been around since 2013.
#3 Rosie Dunn’s Victorian Pub
Rosie Dunn’s Victorian Pub is located in Midtown near Grand Central Station and The Chrysler Building. Rosie Dunn’s serves an Irish-American inspired menu and a large draft beer selection. The ambiance is what you would expect from a ‘Victorian Pub’…antique mirrors, vintage plates and decor. There are many more food choices on the menu at Rosie Dunn’s compared to the previous restaurants as well as options for picky eaters. I suggest going to Rosie Dunn’s for a late lunch or around happy hour to try some of their appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches and wraps, pub classics, sides, and desserts.
With 4.6 stars on google, Rosie Dunn’s is ranked up there with the best…and it is no surprise that Rosie Dunn’s sister restaurants Bayard’s and Niall’s on 52nd are also highly rated Irish pubs. They did not make this list but we suggest you check them out if you are ever in Greenwich Village (Bayard’s) or Midtown East (Niall’s on 52nd).
#4 The Landmark Tavern
The Landmark Tavern is another old, classic New York tavern located in Midtown West one block from Pier 86. On the corner of 11th Avenue and 46th street, it is located between 45th and 46th. The Landmark Tavern is one of the oldest establishments still operating today. It first opened its doors in 1868, 14 years after McSorley’s, and continues to serve authentic Irish-American cuisine. For anyone interested in NYC restaurant history or NYC during prohibition, The Landmark Tavern is a place you can eat, drink, and learn.
With a 4.5 star rating on google and over 1,100 reviews, The Landmark Tavern receives a lot of positive feedback for giving patrons the traditional Irish pub experience. It is also highly rated for a variety of traditional Irish offerings such as Guinness, fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, and corned beef.
#5 Molly’s
Molly’s is an authentic Irish pub located in Gramercy near the Gramercy Ale House and New York Comedy Club. On 3rd Avenue between 22nd and 23rd, Molly’s is a neighborhood favorite with many of the reviews being from locals who are repeat customers. According to their website Molly’s claims to be “the most authentic Irish bar in New York City”. Unfortunately I cannot know that for sure until I try them all but it is worth noting that Molly’s is the only restaurant reviewed so far that offers “Ireland’s Favorite Take-Away” the Irish Spice Bag with Fried Chicken, Fries, Peppers, Onions, and Chili Peppers in addition to the traditional shepard’s pie, pot pie, irish coffee, lamb stew, pub sausage and mashed potatoes, corned beef and cabbage, fish and chips, and herb & tomato crusted salmon.
With a 4.5 star rating on google and almost 900 reviews, Molly’s is a place that you can visit year round when you need your pub fixing. Visit during the holiday season to see the way the restaurant is decorated for Christmas…it will be a memorable experience.
#6 Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar
Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar is more of an entertainment hot spot than a pub, tavern, or restaurant. In fact, there is not even a kitchen so there is no food served.
Located in Kips Bay near the AMC Movie Theater, Target, and NYU Langone Hospital, Paddy Reilly’s is in a convenient location for those in the area to shop or for visiting the hospital. It is on the corner of 2nd Avenue and 29th street between 28th and 29th. It is most popularly known for the live music, open mic night, pool table, and dancing. There is a cover for the live music but per google reviews, the prices for drinks is more affordable than other entertainment bars.
With a 4.5 star rating and over 300 reviews on google, Paddy Reilly’s stands out amongst all of the Irish pubs for the entertainment and the atmosphere. Although Paddy Reilly’s may not serve food, it is still considered one of the best Irish pubs for live music, beer and spirits.
#7 O’Donoghue’s Times Square
O’Donoghue’s Times Square is located in the heart of Times Square on 44th between 6th and 7th. It is right around where Broadway intercepts with 7th Avenue. This is a tourist heavy location but has everything New Yorkers could want from a local pub…an Irish-American menu with live music, televisions showing sports, and happy hour specials!
With a 4.4 star rating on google and over 1,800 reviews, O’Donoghue’s Times Square is a spot that I would venture through Times Square to try. The serve an extensive menu that has options for everyone, even a kids menu with non-Irish choices such as pasta and grilled cheese. For adults they also have non-Irish options such as penne a la vodka and lobster ravioli while also serving the traditional pub favorites such as fish and chips, chicken pot pie, shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, chicken curry, and beef stew. This is a good spot to try if you are in Times Square or if you are sight seeing with friends from out of town.
#8 PJ Carney’s Pub
PJ Carney’s pub is located at the South end of Central Park on 7th Avenue between 57th and 58th. The history of the pub is a little harder to make out than the other restaurants we reviewed. We were able to find a March 1992 New York Times article titled ‘In Hard Times Just Plain Bars Are Timeless’ that touches upon the opening of PJ Carney’s by PJ Carney in 1927 before turning it over to his son who oversaw the pub until it’s sale to an Irishman named Desmond Crawford in 1982. The title of the Times article does suggest that as of 1992 the pub remained simple and plain and states that the Irishman Crawford had no intention on making any changes to the interior. As lovers of history, especially 20th Century New York City history, the lack of change and simplicity of PJ Carney’s has us intrigued to see what it looks like to this day.
With a 4.4 star rating on google and over 950 reviews, PJ Carney’s is known for its pub/bar food and quality service. Please contact the restaurant about Happy Hour Specials to confirm dates and times of the $5 Jameson shots, $5 wines, $4 select beer.
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