The Best Irish Pubs in New York City
Grab a proper pint of Guinness and settle in at these authentic, cozy taverns around the city.
At a glance.
- 01McSorley's Old Ale HouseThe city's oldest continuously operating saloon, open since 1854
- 02The Dead RabbitA world renowned cocktail bar disguised as a traditional pub
- 14Paddy Reilly's Music BarLive music seven nights a week, from folk to full trad sessions
- 11Donovan's PubA Woodside community hub famous for its thick, juicy burger
- Cost
- Most pubs are priced at $$
New York City has a complicated relationship with the Irish pub. For every historic, lovingly maintained tavern pouring a perfect pint, there are five tourist traps draped in plastic shamrocks and sticky floors. The good ones, though, are institutions. They are the rooms where the neighborhood goes to talk, hide from the rain, and drink something cold.
We tracked down the real deal. These are the pubs with sawdust on the floor, the ones hosting traditional music sessions on a Tuesday night, and the ones that actually know how to pull a proper stout.
It is the oldest continuously operating saloon in the city, open since 1854. You do not come here for options. They serve exactly two drinks: light ale and dark ale, and you always get two half-pint mugs at a time. The floors are covered in sawdust, the walls are plastered in yellowed newspaper clippings, and the wishbones above the bar were left by soldiers heading off to World War I. Bring cash, because they still do not take cards.
Go for: The sheer weight of history and a cheap round of dark ale. Know before you go: Cash only, and they serve a sleeve of saltines with raw onions and cheddar cheese if you need a snack.
This multi-level Financial District establishment routinely lands on lists of the best bars in the world. Founded by two Belfast natives, it balances traditional pub hospitality with a deeply serious cocktail program. The ground floor taproom feels like a classic working-class pub, serving excellent Guinness and Irish coffees, while the upstairs parlor gets experimental with its drinks menu. It is one of the few places in lower Manhattan that feels equally suited for a quiet afternoon pint or a late night out.
Go for: The best cocktail bars in New York City experience disguised as a traditional Irish pub. Know before you go: The famous Irish coffee is non-negotiable.
Swift is built for conversation. There are deliberately no televisions in the room, just church pews, reclaimed wood, and a serious whiskey collection. Opened in 1995 and named for the satirist Jonathan Swift, it functions as an unofficial living room for NoHo locals and off-duty bartenders. They host live traditional music sessions on Tuesday nights.
Go for: A quiet weeknight drink when you actually want to hear the person sitting next to you. Know before you go: The draft beer list rotates constantly, often featuring hard-to-find international stouts and ales.
Family-owned and operated since 1936, this corner tavern is a neighborhood anchor. It has the gorgeous, worn-in details of an old New York bar, right down to the working wooden phone booths in the back. The kitchen turns out one of the most reliable burgers in town. It is the kind of reliable dive bar where you can sit at the mahogany bar for hours without anyone rushing you out the door.
Go for: The award-winning Pop Pop's burger and a cold pint of Guinness. Know before you go: The kitchen stays open until midnight most nights.
Occupying the James Brown House built in 1817, the Ear Inn has been pouring drinks since the days when the Hudson River shoreline came right up to its front door. Today, it is a narrow, cramped, and entirely perfect tavern. The walls are crooked and the crowds are dense, but the bartenders keep the drinks moving. They host live jazz and roots music several nights a week.
Go for: A sense of maritime history and a late-night beer. Know before you go: It sits in a quiet stretch of western Manhattan, making it an ideal stop after browsing the literary bars of the West Village.
Molly's is exactly what you want on a freezing January night. It has a real wood-burning fireplace, sawdust on the floor, and dark wood booths that feel entirely secluded. Originally opened as a bar in 1895, it survived Prohibition as a grocery store before returning to its true calling. The menu leans heavily into Irish comfort food, including an excellent shepherd's pie.
Go for: The fireplace and the hearty traditional stew. Know before you go: Portions are large, so come hungry or split a plate.
Since 1997, 11th Street Bar has provided the East Village with a perfect hybrid of a classic Irish pub and a New York rock room. The tin ceiling and exposed brick set the mood, but the real draw is the music. They host a legendary Sunday night traditional Irish session that has been running for years. On weekend mornings, the room shifts gears entirely, packing in early to watch Liverpool soccer matches.
Go for: The Sunday night trad session. Know before you go: It is the official home of the New York Liverpool Supporters Club, so expect a crowd on match days.
This small, genuinely warm shebeen brings serious hospitality to Brooklyn. The owners prioritize quality over kitsch, offering daily baked Irish soda bread, locally sourced ingredients, and American takes on Irish classics. The Guinness stew with braised beef and root vegetables is outstanding. It is exactly the kind of unpretentious local spot you hope to find when exploring the best cheap eats in New York.
Go for: The house-made soda bread with Irish butter. Know before you go: Live traditional music happens every Monday night at 8 p.m.
Opened in 1868 by Patrick Henry Carley, this waterfront saloon was once a regular hangout for dock workers and the infamous Westies gang. The history is still baked into the mahogany paneling and original tin ceiling. Today, it is a civilized, comfortable room that pours a great selection of single malt scotches. They host Irish music sessions every Monday night with no cover charge.
Go for: A quiet afternoon drink by the west-facing windows to catch the sunset. Know before you go: The brisket grilled cheese is highly recommended.
The White Horse Tavern has been operating since 1880, making it the second oldest continuously operating bar in the city. It earned its fame in the 1950s as a haven for writers, artists, and musicians, most notably Dylan Thomas. While the crowd has shifted from dock workers to tourists and locals, the historic architecture and outdoor seating keep it grounded.
Go for: A whiskey in the room where literary history happened. Know before you go: The outdoor patio is prime real estate on a warm weekend afternoon.
Woodside is one of the city's historic Irish enclaves, and Donovan's has been its anchor since 1966. It is a sprawling, wood-paneled community hub that feels miles away from the trends of Manhattan. The bartenders are career professionals who know how to pour a perfect pint, and the kitchen is famous for a thick, juicy burger that rivals any of the best burgers in New York City.
Go for: The old-school Queens hospitality and a massive burger. Know before you go: They host live music on Sundays and an open mic on the third Thursday of the month.
From the street, Iona looks like a standard, dimly lit beer bar. Walk straight through to the back, and you will find one of the best outdoor patios in the neighborhood. It operates as a dedicated sports bar on weekend mornings, drawing loud crowds for European soccer matches. On Monday nights, the energy shifts to a quiet, focused Scottish and Irish traditional music session.
Go for: The massive backyard patio. Know before you go: The draft list is surprisingly deep, featuring plenty of local and international craft options.
Finding a reliable place to drink near Times Square is a nightmare, which makes Connolly's a minor miracle. It is massive, family-owned, and entirely dependable. With three floors and a rooftop space, it absorbs crowds easily. The menu is standard pub fare done well, making it a safe bet before catching a show.
Go for: A stress-free pint and a burger in the middle of Midtown. Know before you go: The third floor, known as the Klub 45 Room, frequently hosts live rock and indie bands.
Paddy Reilly's is an institution that cares about two things: Guinness and live music. They have live bands seven nights a week, ranging from acoustic folk to full traditional Irish sessions. It is a true music room, worn around the edges in the best possible way. The happy hour runs all afternoon, drawing a loyal crowd of regulars who have been drinking here for decades.
Go for: The nightly live music and a properly poured stout. Know before you go: Happy hour runs from late morning to 7 p.m. most days.
Way up in the Bronx, An Beal Bocht translates to "the poor mouth". It operates as a cafe, bar, and community theater all at once. It is a deeply authentic space that hosts poetry readings, comedy nights, and some of the best open mic nights in the city. The Sunday afternoon trad sessions are legendary among local musicians.
Go for: A genuine neighborhood arts space that happens to serve great beer. Know before you go: The kitchen serves a very solid brunch on the weekends.
The Shout NY take Irish pubs are built on consistency. The best way to experience them is to pick one, sit at the bar, and stay for a few hours. Do not order a complicated cocktail where a pint of stout is the obvious choice.
Shop the story.
- 01Amazon ↗
Guinness Gravity Pint Glasses
Enjoy a perfect pint of Guinness at home with official glassware.
- 02Amazon ↗
Traditional Irish Music Album
Bring the authentic sounds of an Irish pub's music session into your home.
- 03Amazon ↗
Irish Coffee Mugs
Serve up the famous Irish coffee in classic heat-resistant glasses.
- 04Amazon ↗
A History of New York in 101 Objects
Dive deeper into the rich history that defines New York City's legendary establishments.
Book the experience.
The bookable version of this guide, with times and prices on Expedia.
Questions, answered.
- What is the oldest Irish pub in New York City?
- McSorley's Old Ale House in the East Village has been open since 1854. It only serves two drinks: its own light and dark ale.
- Where can I find live Irish music in NYC?
- Paddy Reilly's in Kips Bay, 11th Street Bar in the East Village, and An Beal Bocht Cafe in Riverdale all host weekly live traditional music sessions.
- Do these pubs serve food?
- Most do. You can find traditional Irish comfort food like shepherd's pie and fish and chips at spots like Molly's Shebeen, The Landmark Tavern, and Donovan's Pub.
- Can I watch soccer at an Irish pub in NYC?
- Yes. Iona in Williamsburg and Connolly's in Midtown are reliable bets for early morning Premier League matches and major tournaments.
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