You may not realize it, but Baltimore is a hub of Irish-American culture. Don't believe it? Step inside one of our favorite Irish pubs and see for yourself. These joints may even inspire a few skeptics to break out in a jig. They're not just Irish for Saint Patrick's Day, either. Year-round, these pubs offer drink specials including big, satisfying gulps of eclectic Irish brews and whiskeys. And if you need something to absorb all that booze, try some hearty shepherd's pie and classic bangers and mash.
Take your own "Ireland Forever" tour right now.
Irish pubs
Erin go bar hopping in Baltimore City
By Sean McCloskey
Special to MetromixMarch 4, 2008
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The Blarney Stone
704 South Broadway - Baltimore410-342-3947
In Ireland, you can kiss the Blarney Stone and be blessed with the gift of gab. Here in Baltimore, all you have to do is walk inside The Blarney Stone, order a drink and sooner than later you're sure to be talking someone's ear off. Expect an upbeat atmosphere with all the great amenities that a traditional Irish pub has to offer.
Cat's Eye Pub
1730 Thames St. -
Baltimore
410-276-9866
Cat's Eye has been a Fells Point staple for more than 30 years offering a laid back, casual atmosphere perfect for anyone, Irish or not. Enjoy a frothy pint--there are plenty to choose from--and while you're at it, take in the Dublin-esque decor.
Claddagh Pub
2918 ODonnell St. -
Baltimore
410-522-4220
Mixing all the traditional elements of an Irish pub with local cuisine (mainly crabs, natch). Even celebrity chef Bobby Flay agrees: This is one of the best Irish pubs in Baltimore.
Dougherty's Irish Pub
223 W. Chase St. - Baltimore410-752-4059
Irish pubs are generally allotted a few extra cool points for just being an Irish pub. That said, Dougherty's earns those points as well as a few extra for its crowd of artsy types and amiable regulars. Cheap food doesn't hurt the pub's cred, either.
James Joyce Irish Pub and Restaurant
616 President St. -
Baltimore
410-727-5107
If you're looking for the gen-u-ine Irish pub experience look no further than this Harbor East haven. Actually built in Ireland, the pub's beautiful wood-laden decor transplants guests back to the motherland without the hassle of a trans-Atlantic flight. Good food, great beer and a welcoming atmosphere make this pub a gem from the Emerald Isle.
Life of Reilly
2031 E. Fairmount Ave. - Baltimore410-327-6425
Patterson Park isn't the only touch of green in Butchers Hill. The casual atmosphere and traditional entree offerings at Life of Reilly make for an authentically Irish experience.
Looney's Pub
2900 ODonnell St. - Baltimore410-675-9235
Looney's Pub (and its kin to the north) might seem more like a college bar than an Irish pub, but, all things considered, are the two really so different?
Mick O'Shea's Irish Pub & Restaurant
328 N. Charles St. - Baltimore410-539-7504
Boasting a wonderfully eclectic group of patrons who range from the heavily tattooed to the neatly-pressed and proper, O'Shea's is a staple of the Charles Street business district. Try a single malt Scotch whisky--no mixers necessary--and follow it up with an order of shepherd's pie.
Mike McGovern's
1129 S. Clinton St. - Baltimore410-534-2200
Walk into this Canton pub and receive 1,000 welcomes, or as the Irish would say "Cead Mile Failte." If the atmosphere isn't enough to warm you up, the selection of single malt Scotches and Irish whiskeys certainly will be.
Patrick's of Pratt Street
934 W. Pratt St. - Baltimore410-576-8899
Stepping into this pub is like traveling into the past. As one of America's oldest Irish pubs, it is safe to say that the owners-- same family since 1847--really know what they're doing. Grab one of their famous crab cakes or enjoy a wide selection of Irish brews and spirits while taking in a bit of history.
Ryan's Daughter
600 East Belvedere Ave. - Baltimore410-464-1000
Located inside the safe, gentrified environs of Belvedere Square, the faux Irish bar O'Chili's...er, we mean Ryan's Daughter, provides a pub scene for wallets not ravaged by famine. Ryan's bar scene is an alcoholic oasis in the midst of dining families and couples en route to the Senator Theatre.
Slainte
1700 Thames St. -
Baltimore
410-563-6600
Slainte means "cheers to your health" in Gaelic. We can't guarantee that knocking back pints or indulging rich, hearty Irish cuisine will add years to your life, but we are confident that doing so will make your time here all the more enjoyable.
Tir na Nog Irish Bar & Grill
201 E. Pratt St. - Baltimore410-483-8968
Is an Irish pub at the epicenter of Baltimore's most touristy area really an Irish pub? We'll take the high road on this one, but we will say Tir Na Nog's lavish interior provides an upscale Irish alternative.
Tell us about your favorite Irish bar and where you'll be on Saint Patrick's Day.
