Best Irish Bars in Manhattan

Finding the best Irish bars in New York City is no easy feat. The city’s sheer size and diversity make it nearly impossible to compare boroughs side by side. That’s why this list focuses solely on Manhattan. So no “what about...” comments—yes, I’m looking at you, Bronx loyalists.

NYC boasts a wide range of Irish bars, from authentic neighborhood gems to tourist traps with little more than an Irish-sounding name, a flag, and a Guinness that tastes like regret. Times Square area is packed with the latter—bars that offer little Irish charm beyond the branding. There are plenty of places that do justice to the Irish-American pub experience. Spots like Rosie Dunn’s and Peter Dillon’s strike a respectable balance, offering atmosphere, character, and a decent pour.

Speaking of pours, let’s talk Guinness. Nothing kills the vibe faster than a poorly poured pint in an undersized glass. That’s a whole saga for another day—what even is a true pint measurement, and why is Guinness supplying these thimbles? But credit where it’s due: hats off to the bars that serve Guinness in a proper pint glass (looking at you, Jack Dempsey’s). Now, let’s get to the good stuff. These are my favorite Irish bars in Manhattan—places known for their well-poured Guinness, Irish crisps (yes, potato chips), live Irish music, Irish staff and patrons, or where you can catch the GAA Finals on screen.

Let’s start at the southern tip of Manhattan and work our way north. Sláinte!

Name: The Dead Rabbit

Address: 30 Water St, New York, NY 10004

Website: https://thedeadrabbit.com/location/new-york/

What Stood Out:

• Neighborhood: In the NYC Financial District.

• Style: Hip, Popular, and normally packed. Make reservations.

• Food: Great offering of food.

• Comedy: Top-notch comedy, including one of my personal favorites—Katie Boyle from

  Kildare— with some great Irish & American Humor.

• Entertainment/Music: With a rotating lineup of live acts and seasonal festivities,

  especially vibrant during the holidays, it's always buzzing with energy. Be sure to check

  their event calendar or follow them on social media to stay in the loop.

• Pub Crawl: A go-to spot that consistently delivers—well-known and well-loved, it

  definitely earns its reputation.

• Nearby by Bars: Other popular bars in the area include Fraunces Tavern, The White

  Horse Tavern - Financial District, Stone Street (a short cobblestone street with 10+ bars),

  Killarney Rose (quieter & cheaper bar for larger groups), and the Full Shilling.

• Nearby Interest: Wall Street, Staten Island Ferry, Battery Park, and Ferry to Governors’ Island

  Island.

Name: Swift Hibernian Lounge

Address: 34 E 4th St, New York, NY 10003

Website: https://www.swiftnycbar.com/

What Stood Out:

• Neighborhood: North of Houston, Bowery, East Village

• Style: Trendy vibe with communal seating, warm wood accents, and eye-catching murals.

• Food: A good food menu and a nice variety of Irish Whiskeys.

• Music: A diverse lineup. Visit their Happenings page.

• Pub Crawl: An excellent spot to grab a quick drink if it's packed—or settle in and soak up the vibe if you snag a seat.

• Nearby Bars: McSorley’s Old Ale House, Sláinte Bar and Lounge, and Rocco's Sports & Rec

• Nearby Interest: Village, Houston Street, and East Village.

• What Stood Out: The wood and mural in the back room. I also eyed a nice bottle of West Cork Whiskey on the shelf.

Name: The Long Hall Pub & Grocery

Address: 58 E 34th St, New York, NY 10016

Website: https://www.thelonghallnyc.com/

What Stood Out:

• Neighborhood: Midtown South by Murray Hill

• Style: Vintage Irish Grocer Pub.

• Food: Yes, a good bar menu with Irish Fare. They also offer a Full Irish Breakfast.

• Sports/TVs: Yes, and plan on being here for the GAA Finals.

• Entertainment/Music: Yes. Rotation DJs, trivia, and event nights.

• Large Groups or Pub Crawl: Depends on the time of day or events going on.

• Nearby Bars: Turntable Chicken Jazz, Cask Bar & Kitchen, The Flying Cock, and Ted’s Corner Tavern.

• Nearby Interest: Empire State Building

• What Stood Out: Taytos and Friendly Irish Staff.

Name: Paddy Reilly's Music Bar

Address: 519 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10016

Website: https://www.paddyreillysmusicbar.com/

What Stood Out:

• Neighborhood: Midtown - Kips Bay

• Style: Irish Music Bar.

• Food: Irish Crisps (Potato Chips)

• Sports/TVs: There is a Television in the bar and one by the pool table.

• Entertainment/Music: Yes, Irish Music Nightly and a Bluegrass Open Session on Sunday

  at 5pm.

• Pub Crawl: Yes, Great bar for a group of friends. You can also reserve the backroom that

  has a pool table and darts.

• Nearby Bars: Fáilte, Bella Union, The Crooked Knife, and Hill & Bay.

• Nearby Interest: East River Greenway, AMC 15, and 3rd Avenue is great for nightlife and

  barhoping.

• What Stood Out: The Craic (Irish for a good time), good bartenders, music, and fun

  crowd. Don’t forget the Donegal Jersey hanging on the wall.

Name: Ernie O'Malley's

Address: 140 E 27th St, New York, NY 10016

Website: https://www.ernieomalleys.com/

What Stood Out:

• Neighborhood: Midtown - Kips Bay

• Style: Irish Bar.

• Food: A solid pub menu with plenty to choose from. Standout appetizers include fried pickles and battered sausage, while the sandwich lineup covers classics like burgers and hearty steak sandwiches. For something more substantial, the entrées range from Fried Chicken and a proper Spice Bag to a Full Irish breakfast.

• Sports/TVs: Yes. Lots of televisions to view from every angle. Perfect bar if you want to watch the GAA or the Celtics F.C.

• Entertainment/Music: Irish Rebel Songs on Friday Nights. Plus, they hold events in their secret back room; check out the website for upcoming events.

• Pub Crawl: Yes, Great bar for a group of friends. You can also reserve the backroom.

• Nearby Bars: John Devoy’s Bar & Kitchen, The Gem Saloon, The Sundays Well, and the Bella Union.

• Nearby Interest: Madison Square Park and the Flatiron Building.

• What Stood Out: Spacious with a smart, easy flow and TV arrangement. The bar is decorated with Irish, GAA, and Celtic F.C. memorabilia. Don't miss the hidden shabeen in the back — part secret bar, part event space, part Ireland’s Independence Museum. If Michael Collins ever needed a quiet room for a drink and a bit of strategic planning, this back room would be the spot.

Name: The Landmark Tavern

Address: 626 11th Ave, New York, NY 10036

Website: https://thelandmarktavern.com/

What Stood Out:

• Neighborhood: Clinton by Hell’s Kitchen

• Style: Old Irish Bar, since 1868. Wood accents, tin ceiling, large mirrors, and some

  stained glass.

• Food: Yes, good variety with some Irish classics.

• Sports/TVs: Limited televisions.

• Entertainment/Music: Yes, they have Irish Traditional Music Sessions.

• Large Groups or Pub Crawl: Yes, good spot for a large group or a pub crawl.

• Nearby Bars: Scruffy Duffy’s, Bar Centrale, The Mean Fiddler, and The Woo Woo.

• Nearby Interest: Intrepid Museum, Circle Line, and the Hudson River.

Name: The Dead Poet

Address: 450 Amsterdam Ave #2, New York, NY 10024

Website: http://thedeadpoet.com/

What Stood Out:

• Neighborhood: Manhattan - Upper West Side

• Style: Neighborhood bar.

• Food: Cheap hot dogs and popcorn.

• Sports/TVs: A few televisions.

• Large Groups: Tight bar. If the weather is nice, you can sit outside.

• Nearby Bars: The Hoptimist, The Gin Mill, Jake’s Dilemma, and Dublin House.

• Nearby Interest: Central Park, The American Museum of Natural History, Hayden

  Planetarium, and Banksy "Hammer Boy" Mural.

• What Stood Out: Bar Dice (ask to play), Guinness Pint Club, and their merchandise.

Name: Carlow East

Address: 1254 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10028

Website: https://www.facebook.com/carlow.east

What Stood Out:

• Neighborhood: Manhattan - Upper East Side

• Style: Neighborhood bar & Irish hangout. Great bar to strike up conversations with

  other patrons.

• Food: No food, but plenty of drink.

• Sports/TVs: Yes, lively NYC & Seattle Sports Bar. A pool table in the back.

• Entertainment: Pool Table, Televisions, and good conversations.

• Large Groups or Pub Crawl: Yes, this is perfect for a pub crawl or large group.

• Nearby Bars: UES (Ice Cream Parlor and Speakeasy) and Bemelmans Bar.

• Nearby Interest: Central Park and Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.

• What Stood Out: Warm, welcoming bartender and a friendly owner set the tone. Packed

  with Irish regulars, it’s the kind of bar where conversations flow easily, and strangers

  become mates. If it were in my neighborhood, it’d be my go-to local without question.