With three weeks to go until St. Patrick’s Day, ARLnow.com has compiled a list of Irish bars in Arlington, Va. to help you decide where to celebrate the holiday.
We sent a questionnaire to each of the following bars, asking everything from the cost of a pint to the hours of operation.
The Celtic House
2500 Columbia Pike
♣ Open: Daily from 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
♣ Happy hour: Weekdays from 3-7 p.m.
♣ Established: Dec. 2014
♣ Pour of Guinness: $7
♣ Shot of Jameson: $7
♣ Describe the establishment: “We are a cozy, Irish-owned-and-run pub with a gorgeous bar, a flair for true & traditional Irish food, and the perfect spot to slide into a booth with your kids, friends, or date for beer and bite — root beer for the kids, of course. We love soccer, so the games are always on. And if you ask nicely, we might just show March Madness as well.”
♣ St. Patrick’s Day plans: “Join us on Paddy’s day for an experience that could only compare to spending the day in Ireland itself. Hot pub food, cold beer — and none of that green, American beer! We’ve got the real stuff! Be on the lookout for guest appearances from local dance troupes, sounds of Ireland, and all for no cover charge!”
Ireland’s Four Courts
2051 Wilson Blvd (Courthouse)
♣ Open: Weekdays from 11 a.m.-2 a.m., weekends from 9 a.m.-2 a.m.
♣ Happy hour: Weekdays from 4-8 p.m., weekends from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
♣ Established: March 1996
♣ Pour of Guinness: $7.50
♣ Shot of Jameson: $7
♣ Describe the establishment: “We are a friendly Neighborhood Pub that serves Irish/American Traditional food and drinks. Our decor is authentic dark
wood, fireplaces and the memorabilia and decor all came from Ireland. Many of our regulars drink from our Pewter Mugs from also Ireland (we have sold almost 2500 since we opened). We have entertainment 7 nights a week, including open mic, Solo Musicians, Bands, karaoke and Pub Quiz. It can also be a very romantic place! We have had three engagements in since Thanksgiving! ”
♣ St. Patrick’s Day plans: “Not a day for the faint hearted. Doors open at 9 a.m. on St. Patrick’s Day. We will be serving traditional Irish breakfast and lunch and the party will be in full swing with music starting at 10 a.m. Join in this all-day celebration with, satellite bars, a heated outdoor tent, Irish dancers performing, and six bands playing live music from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.”
O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub
3207 Washington Blvd (Clarendon)
♣ Open: M-Tu from 3 p.m.-1:30 a.m., W-Fr from 11 a.m.-1:30 a.m., Sat. from 10 a.m.-1:30 a.m., Sun. from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 a.m.
♣ Happy hour: Daily from 4-7:30 p.m.
♣ Established: Sept. 2006
♣ Pour of Guinness: $7.25
♣ Shot of Jameson: $7
♣ Describe the establishment: “We are a neighborhood Irish Pub located in the heart of Clarendon offering good food and drink, live music and most importantly a big welcome to all our guests from our regulars to first time visitors. From George Mason students to local residents, we work hard to ensure all age brackets enjoy the time they spend here. Our bartenders and management team are strong and form good relationships with our guests.”
♣ St. Patrick’s Day plans: “For St. Patrick’s Day we have live music all day, 3 different dance groups who will be performing throughout the day and bagpipers. It’s always an electric day. It’s important to honor the great St. Patrick in the best possible way.”
Samuel Beckett’s Irish Pub
2800 S. Randolph Street (Shirlington)
♣ Open: Weekdays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., weekends from 10 a.m.-2 a.m.
♣ Happy hour: Weekdays from 4-7 p.m.
♣ Established: Jan. 2011
♣ Pour of Guinness: $7
♣ Shot of Jameson: $8
♣ Describe the establishment: “An authentic Irish pub providing contemporary Irish cuisine. We are managed and staffed by a team of both native Irish and locals. We aim to bring provide our customers with genuine Irish hospitality. We have decorated our pub with artifacts and paintings that were brought over from Ireland in order to give it an authentic atmosphere. Our menu is a collaboration of items from old Ireland and modern Ireland. We are trying to present an example of what we loved to eat growing up in Ireland and what is now popular from some of our favorite haunts back home.”
♣ St. Patrick’s Day plans: “We will have live music throughout the day and night as well as traditional Irish dancers performing throughout the evening.”
P. Brennan’s Irish Pub
2910 Columbia Pike
♣ Open: M-W 4 p.m.-2 a.m., Th-Sun. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
♣ Happy hour: M-Th from 4-7 p.m., Fri. from 3-6 p.m.
♣ Established: April 2010
♣ Pour of Guinness: $6
♣ Shot of Jameson: $6
♣ Describe the establishment: “We were one of the first bars to open on Columbia Pike apart from the Draft House. We are an Irish owned and managed Pub and Restaurant bringing a contemporary twist to the traditional Irish Public House. A place for the community to meet, eat, & drink while bringing the true hospitality. Our customers are loyal, friendly & fun loving. They range from families, middle aged to young professionals.”
♣ St. Patrick’s Day plans: “For St. Patrick’s Day we have a harp player and bagpipe player at 11 a.m. throughout lunch. Irish dancers from the Boyle School of Irish Dance will be dancing at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Acoustic music from 4 -7 p.m. and then a live Irish band at 8 p.m. to close. All Irish special menu.”
RiRa Irish Pub
2915 Wilson Blvd (Clarendon)
♣ Open: Weekdays 2:45 p.m.-2 a.m., weekends 10 a.m.-2 a.m.
♣ Happy hour: Weekdays 3-7 p.m.
♣ Established: March 2006
♣ Pour of Guinness: $6.50
♣ Shot of Jameson: $7.50
♣ Describe the establishment: “Our Victorian style bar was imported here from Ireland. Our decor is very unique and from Ireland. Our guest base varies greatly on the time of the day. From open to 10 p.m. we have all sorts of age groups from the local Arlington scene. When we have live music on Friday and Saturday nights our average age is 25 to 30.”
♣ St. Patrick’s Day plans: “St. Patrick’s Day we will have Brian Fitzy playing from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Irish dancers at 3 p.m., the Lenny Bridge Trio from 3:30 to 7 p.m., Ghost Pepper 8 to 11 p.m.”
Sine Irish Pub & Restaurant
1301 S. Joyce Street (Pentagon Row)
♣ Open: Su-W 11 a.m.-12 a.m., Th-Sat. 11 a.m.-1:30 a.m.
♣ Happy hour: Daily from 4-7 p.m.
♣ Established: 2002
♣ Pour of Guinness: $5.50
♣ Shot of Jameson: $7.50
♣ Describe the establishment: “Bar with standard pub grub & Irish specialties, plus TV sports & Sunday night trivia.”
♣ St. Patrick’s Day plans: “$5 Green drink specials, Full menu from 11:00 to 4:00, and $14 Irish Buffet from 4:00 to 11:00.”