Five Pints of Ireland in New York City

You don’t have to travel to Ireland to find an Irish pub. From Italy to Australia, the Irish have spread around the globe to share their liquid gold with the rest of us.

Whether the end result is really “authentic” is largely hit or miss. In New York City, travelers don’t have to search far for a pint in a dimly lit pub boasting its Irish roots.

If you have yet to make plans for Saint Patrick’s Day in New York or simply need a nice helping of the Irish consistency for providing a space where all sorts can gather, imbibe and play, here are just a few of the many options the city has to offer.

Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar: If you have ever frequented a true Irish pub, you know Traditional Irish Music is a nightly event. Musicians come from all over villages to play at the local pub across the country. Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar brings that tradition to New York City. Home of Traditional Irish Music in the city, the pub is proud of its weekly musical and dance performances. Paddy Reilly’s even boasts a resident ghost for a spookier pub experience.

McSorley’s Old Ale House: Established in 1854, McSorley’s has seen all sorts come and go, from Abe Lincoln to John Lennon. What began as an Irish working man’s saloon is now an icon on 15East 7th Street in New York City. McSorley’s boasts of being the city’s oldest continuously operated saloon. The atmosphere puts you in the mood for a historic St. Patrick’s Day with its saw dust speckled floors and aging newspaper clippings and photographs on the wall. Grab a pint at McSorley’s if you’re feeling historic this holiday.

Tír Na Nóg: Right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, Tír Na Nóg certainly has atmosphere going for it. Designed by a team of artists from Ireland, those who stop for a meal and pint here will be surrounded by rich dark wood and knickknacks from churches and castles in Ireland. Host to live Irish music, Tír Na Nóg sets out to provide guests with the feel of the Irish pub coupled with a New American spin on the cuisine.

Molly’s: On 287 Third Avenue in the Gramercy neighborhood, you will find what appears to be an Irish cottage pub. Molly’s looks the part, even if to some it overuses white stucco and wood beams. Serving traditional Irish and American pub fare around a wood-burning fireplace, the pub has been run by various Irish men and women throughout its history. Molly’s also has deep roots as a drinking hole for the first establishment in this point was a bar in 1895.

Paddy Maguire’s Ale House: If your happy hour is decidedly longer than the typical 5PM to 7PM, Paddy Maguire’s is your place. Claiming the longest happy hour in the city from 11AM to 7PM, the pub is owned by Patrick Maguire, a former jockey from Limerick, Ireland. His love for all things equine is apparent throughout the pub. Grab a 20oz pint special and those horses might seem to actually be racing.

Of course, the Irish appeal of these pubs extends well beyond St. Patrick’s Day. So keep them in mind the next time you’re looking at flights to New York City.