Throughout west LA, rows of Irish pubs line streets in Venice and Santa Monica. These pubs are equipped for any occasion – particularly the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day. Whether gearing up for the annual day of drinking, a weekend bar crawl, or simply being a place to find the perfect pint with a friend, these are the most note-worthy Irish pubs in the area.
O'Brien's Irish Pub
Cocktail Bar, Pub, Restaurant, Irish, Pub Grub, $$$
O’Brien’s Irish Pub first opened its doors on May 22, 1994 and is now a Westside go-to for locals and travelers alike. This Irish-themed sports bar and restaurant is the ideal location for watching your favorite sporting event and grabbing a bite to eat. It offers a friendly atmosphere with a full bar boasting a large variety of whiskey to toast with. O’Brien’s also has a substantial menu offering both traditional Irish dishes and typical American fanfare for lunch and dinner (brunch on the weekends before 2 p.m.). Every Monday (at 8:30 p.m.) and Wednesday night (at 8 p.m.) O’Brien’s hosts pub quizzes. No entry fee, $150 (approximately €121) in cash and prizes. Opens early (at 8:00 a.m.) on St. Patricks Day for traditional Irish breakfast and, of course, drinks.
Brennan’s is the premier Irish-themed beach and city restaurant for entertaining visitors or grabbing a drink in a casual atmosphere. This local watering hole offers a robust live music schedule, bar games (including pool and darts), plus a jovial happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.- Fri. Live turtle races take place every third Thursday of the month. This unique event makes Brennan’s a must-see for anyone visiting Los Angeles. On St Patrick’s Day, Brennan’s hosts a massive daytime party (starting at 6 a.m.) with multiple live musical acts and a special menu of food and drinks. (No cover before noon.)
In 2001, Geraldine Gilliland moved her late stepfather’s pub in Ireland to Santa Monica, in order to open Finn McCool’s. The bar was dismantled and shipped via the Panama Canal in order to create an authentic Irish atmosphere by the beach. The bar was reconstructed on St. Patrick’s Day 2002, and has since become a staple for locals and visitors. LA Magazine has rated the “Sunday Night Traditional Irish Music” as the best in Los Angeles. Finn McCool’s showcases both talented professionals and up-and-coming performers most nights of the week. With 18 draught beers on tap and over 200 whiskeys from all over the world, this casual pub is the perfect St Paddy’s stop. The menu offers traditional Irish cuisine, as expected, but also includes seaside favorites such as salmon and deep fried calamari. They also feature an extensive vegetarian and vegan menu for the healthy or socially conscious guest. Happy hour at Finn McCool’s is not to be missed, with deals for both food and drink from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.) and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Sat.-Sun.). Late night happy hour from 9 p.m. to close (Sun.-Wed.)
This pub opened on November 4, 1995 by founder James McGurrin Sr., who spent years working as a printer for a newspaper by the same name in Ireland. The Irish Times is a dive-y and dimly lit Irish pub with comfortable surroundings. Authentic Celtic music plays over the speakers on weekdays and bands perform on the weekends with no cover. Regulars enjoy trivia on Tuesdays and the menu includes Irish favorites such as bangers and mash or beef and Guinness pie. The party starts at 9 a.m. on St Patrick’s Day with Irish breakfast and free entry until 12:30 p.m. and bands playing the rest of the day until late.
Located in Culver City, Joxer Daly’s is a great bar to enjoy good food, music, and a friendly staff. With plenty of imported beers and drafts on tap and a full bar, this is an adequate setting for St Patrick’s Day festivities or a casual night out with friends. A perfect venue to watch your favorite sporting event and have a cheap drink. Open early for Premier League soccer (football) games serving a full Irish breakfast and offering discounted breakfast cocktails.
