Great Irish Pubs in Times Square

Discover Great Irish Hospitality in the Times Square Neighborhood - Pubs that you simply HAVE to check out!

For more than a couple of centuries, the traditional Irish pub has stood out, the world over, as a beacon of incredible beer, hearty and satisfying food as well as genuinely warm hospitality. But the typical pub is so much more than that. No matter where an Irish pub may be situated; in Dublin, Cork, Kilkenny, a tiny countryside village, or an International metropolis such as New York City, you can rest assured that this watering hole will be the centerpiece of the surrounding neighborhood. After all, a typical pub is about creating a sense of community. It's a cozy place where locals can gather to socialize and reconnect and strangers can become new-found friends.

As the much-vaunted "crossroads of the world ", there can be no better place to find your new favorite pub than in Times Square. The area that envelops Times Square is home to an abundance of authentic Irish Pubs. Upon entering these premises, you'll feel as though you are in Ireland. All the cares of your stressful, hyper Big Apple day will suddenly melt away and you'll be relaxed and at one with the world. Maybe that's why, whenever you're in a pub, the sound of laughter is so common and smiles at the bar are so very plentiful. Let's see what the bright lights of Broadway have to offer in terms of soothing your soul and warming your heart with hospitality, sips and bites that are second to none. And, who knows; you just might leave carrying the "luck of the Irish" with you!

The Mean Fiddler - Times Square

Despite the name, which may have its roots in Irish folklore, there's nothing at all nasty about this pub. Quite the opposite. At The Mean Fiddler, you will encounter barkeeps and waitstaff who enjoy serving the public inside a warm and welcoming old-school pub atmosphere. Super convenient to all of the Broadway Theaters, this is a great place for a pre or post-show nosh and sip. A lively mixing scene abounds at the bar, which is no surprise since The Mean Fiddler has become a favorite of the young professionals who work in the nearby office towers.

The management offers an incredible $ 30 Bottomless Special that applies to dinner, Monday to Thursday 2 until 11 PM & Friday from 2 'to 9 PM and Saturdays from noon until nine and Sundays, noon until eleven. You will receive unlimited drinks for 90 wonderful, thirst-quenching minutes, with the purchase of any brunch or dinner entree. Thirty Dollar Bottomless drinks range from a nifty apple cider Margarita and a passion fruit Bellini to a divine Mimosa or, if suds are your thing, draft beer or a bottle of Bud Lite. We're talking about more than one bottle, of course.

Please do not confine yourself to the specials. Go a la carte at the bar and indulge in cocktails such as The Irish Smoke, made with Proper Twelve Irish Whiskey, maple syrup and a Guinness reduction. Another enticing choice is The seductive Irish Wildflower, which consists of vodka, lemon juice, elderflower and Prosecco. They also feature over 20 domestic and imported craft beers to choose from. So, go ahead, explore and discover a brand that you will sip again and again.

You most certainly won't go hungry here, either. Not with the delectable menu that features dishes like The Fiddler Burger. Your oh-so-juicy six-ounce patty is topped with blue cheese, crispy onions, bacon, lettuce, tomato and their outrageous Fiddler Sauce. Another very popular item on the menu is the chef's Stuffed Peppers, which are filled with chunks of tender and spiced-up buffalo chicken, a carrot crunch and topped with BOTH buffalo sauce and a cooling and tasty avocado cream sauce.. Other menu delights include their extra, extra cheesy Mac and Cheese Bowl as well as beer battered Fish and Chips made with Atlantic Cod. As far as dessert goes, go for the signature Fiddler cake; a slice of double-layered rainbow birthday cake with buttercream frosting and sprinkles. It's served with a lit sparkler for a wow moment you will never forget.

Location and Hours:

266 West 47th Street
New York N.Y. 10036
(212) 354-2950
www.themeanfiddlernyc.com 

Hours :
Monday to Friday 2 Pm to 4 AM
Saturday and Sunday 12 PM to 4 AM

The Brazen Tavern - Times Square

Cozy and comfortable, The Brazen Tavern is inspired by the time-honored traditions that were found in the classic Irish pubs and American taverns of yesteryear when neighbors and travelers alike could expect to be greeted with a tall beer and a hearty meal. And, yes, perhaps even a smile, if the harried proprietor was in a good mood. The dark wood paneling, antique lamps and quaint furniture will make you feel as though you've traveled back in time. It almost wouldn't surprise anyone to see Oscar Wilde or Yeats stride through the entranceway and begin holding court in the sumptuous back room. Speaking of which, The Brazen Tavern's lounge has a cheerful, crackling fireplace as well as soft as velvet, overstuffed armchairs and couches on which to recline. However, if you're of a mind to catch your favorite football, hockey, or basketball team; fear not, there's a widescreen TV situated just over the fireplace's mantle. Hey, let's not carry the "back in the day "theme TOO far.

Happy Hour takes place Monday through Friday from three until seven PM. There's even a special late-night happy hour, which runs from Sunday to Thursday,10 PM till 1 AM which is just perfect for all of you night owls. Happy Hour delights include a superb Lemon Drop Martini or Gin Gimlet for only twelve dollars. Select well drinks come in at just $ 7 while a glass of Pinot Grigio or Toscana red can be had for eight bucks, which is a real bargain, considering that you are in Times Square. Be sure to gather up your friends and partake of the house's $26 pitchers of Shocktop or Yuengling beer. Not included on the happy Hour drink menu, but still well worth checking out is the bar's Irish coffee, Hot Toddy and Irish Mule, made with whiskey, lime juice and ginger beer.

The food menu features a truly authentic and hearty Shepherd's Pie, filled with all the good stuff like ground beef, peas, and carrots, made from scratch gravy and topped, of course, with mashed potatoes. Also to be savored is the not-too-spicy Irish Chicken curry accompanied by rice and fries and the Grilled Salmon that's crowned with dill butter and sided up with sauteed spinach and mashed potatoes. The definite highlights of brunch at The Brazen are the thirteen-dollar Bloody Marys and an Irish Breakfast that will keep you energized all day with Irish bacon, sausages, black and white pudding, a couple of eggs, baked beans and toast. If you dare, for a slight upcharge, you can add a side of home fries to this feast.

Location and Hours

356 West 44th Street
New York N.Y. 10036
(646) 678-5989
www.thebrazentavern.com 

Hours
Monday to Sunday 11 AM to 12 AM

The Perfect Pint Public House - Times Square

An authentic taste of Ireland in the heart of Times Square, The Perfect Pint is a family-owned and operated establishment. You, the customer, are quite literally honored guests in their humble abode, as it were. Quenching the thirst of locals and Irish expats and tourists since 2006, The Perfect Pint takes great care to provide you with a chill yet lively ambiance, food that you will YELP about and, without any doubt, elevated beers and cocktails, not to mention a fine selection of malts, whiskeys and other spirits.

During Spring, Summer and fall, plan to visit the pub's beautifully appointed rooftop bar. As they say in Dublin; it's a real looker. Spacious and with a nice secluded feel to it, the rooftop is an oasis of serenity and merriment four stories above the bustling Manhattan streets. Beyond picturesque, it is designed to resemble a countryside thatched cottage. As the name would imply, the establishment barkeeps are experts at keeping your glass filled with everything from a frosty beer to a sophisticated pour of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. If beer and ale are your thing, then prepare to have your mind blown with a HUGE selection of IPAs, lagers, Pilseners, wheat beers, darks and reds as well as fruit-based varieties like Golden Road mango, Wildberry and Magners Irish apple cider. One of the most beloved beverages here is the Kilkenny Irish cream ale; so, so smooth.

Cocktails change with the seasons. Currently, they are serving concoctions like the Drunk Jack Frosty which consists of Ketel One vodka, LaMarca prosecco, blue curacao and a splash of house-made lemonade poured over ice with a sugar rim and a lemon wedge garnish. The Pumpkin Spice White Russian is a sight to behold and it doesn't taste bad either with a nice blend of crop Pumpkin vodka, milk and heavy cream shaken and served on the rocks with a pumpkin spice glass rim and a cinnamon stick garnish. Yummy-Yummy. Very fruit-forward is the Rudolph Mojito, made with Bacardi rum, cranberries, cranberry juice, lime juice, a sprinkle of sugar, mint leaves and a lime wedge.

Their menu consists of an eclectic mix of classic Irish Pub dishes and contemporary American fare with a bit of a blarney twist, though. Take the Pistachio Salmon, for example. A perfectly portioned salmon filet is crusted with pistachios and a honey-dijon-Jameson glaze. The Grilled Cowboy Steak is a certified Angus Beef rib steak topped with Guinness-infused caramelized onions. The traditional Bangers and Mash is a hefty plate of Irish sausages, mashed potatoes and onion gravy while the Chicken Pot Pie is to die for with its blend of juicy chunks of chicken,
vegetables and cream sauce tucked inside of a golden puff pastry. Also noteworthy is the kitchen's Corned beef sandwich (and believe us, the meat is piled high) and the Grilled Portobello Mushroom Sandwich with roasted red peppers, fresh mozzarella and basil pesto mayo on a Ciabatta.

Location and Hours

123 West 45th Street
New York N.Y. 10036
(212) 354-1099
www.theperfectpintnyc.com 

Hours
Monday to Sunday 9 AM to 2 AM

The District Tap House - Times Square

Conveniently located just a couple of blocks from the Port Authority Bus Terminal and the Theater District, The District Tap House has become a favorite watering hole and gathering spot for the fashionista crowd who work over in the nearby Garment District. Hey, if you are taking a bus home to the suburbs after work, why not stop by The District for a little much-deserved R & R ? You'll arrive home totally refreshed with no need to cook or order dinner. And, if you are Broadway Show bound, The District's staff is adept at getting you in and out well before curtain time. With a softly lit, dark wood setting, this spacious pub also works well as a date spot. And with dozens of brews available on tap or by the bottle, Big Apple beer lovers will always have a place to call home here.

Be sure to check out their Happy Hour, weekdays, from 4 to 7 PM. Some of their special offers and deals change daily so stop by frequently to see what surprises they have in store for you. Popular Happy Hour deals include, for only $12, a Cucumber Gimlet (cucumber-infused vodka, elderflower, lime juice and orange bitters) and a Jalapeno Margarita (jalapeno-infused Avion Tequila, agave and lime juice). Six-dollar beers include Stella Artois and Session IPA while ten bucks will deliver a glass of bubbly, red, or white wine to your place at the bar. Now, this cocktail is NOT part of their Happy Hour, but you should still try the sexy-as-hell District Manhattan which is composed of Four Rose Bourbon, Dolin Rouge and house-made chartreuse.

Executive Chef Ivan Aguilar has created an imaginative menu that focuses on small plates. Regulars rave about his fabulous Goat cheese Croquettes dusted with panko and Aleppo honey as well as his Meatballs that are made with onions, a touch of garlic and crushed red pepper. Don't sleep on those luscious and satisfying bacon-wrapped dates and cashews or the Triple Cheese grilled cheese that blends cheddar, mozzarella, AND Swiss. Other must-try dishes are the Truffle Fries covered in white truffle oil, fresh parsley and paprika and the Pulled Pork Nachos served with braised pork, corn tortillas, jalapenos and black beans.

Location and Hours

246 West 38th Street
New York N.Y. 10018
(212) 221-1822
www.districttaphouse.com 

Hours
Monday to Saturday 12 PM to 12 AM
Sunday 12 PM to 10 PM

The Playwright - Times Square

Easily recognizable by its bright red facade and long black awnings decorated with green shamrocks, The Playwright Tavern is the kind of laid-back, authentic pub that tourists and business travelers from the Emerald Isle visit whenever they're in town. There are two spacious floors here; the ground floor being the main bar area while the second floor offers a quieter, more sedate atmosphere for dining. On the weekends, The Playwright features live music so stay tuned for that. You can hear everything from traditional Irish folk songs to a Frank Sinatra impersonator. No, we are NOT kidding. The walls of the pub are decorated by Broadway theater memorabilia and sketches of Irish playwrights and poets throughout history.

The food portions are quite large and well worth the money. Their burgers are juicy, mouth-watering and downright addictive. The James Joyce patty is topped with Irish bacon, and imported cheddar and comes with a side of French fries. The Sean O'Casey burger is crowned with a veritable salad of lettuce and tomatoes, red onion slices and sliced pickles. The Playwright offers a filling Corned Beef and Cabbage platter complete with boiled red bliss potatoes. You'll also adore the chef's old-fashioned Brown beef Stew which consists of slow-braised beef chunks, carrots, onions, turnips, celery and potatoes. Remember to ask for some Irish soda bread so that you can sop up the gravy.

In addition to a stellar line-up of beer and spirits, the bartenders mix some very nice cocktails
including a Mai Tai that consists of light and dark rum, orange curacao, Amaretto and lime juice. Their French martini is as refined and sensual as it sounds with a blend of Chambord, Absolut Vanilla Vodka and pineapple juice. Basic yet far from the plain is the Pink Gin Fizz with Gordon's Pink Gin, lime juice and simple syrup.

Location and Hours

202 West 49th Street
New York N.Y. 10019
(212) 262-9229
www.theplaywrighttavern.com 

Hours
Monday to Sunday 11 AM to 4 AM