Now that the Temple Bar in Santa Monica is gone, many regulars will be in search of an authentic Irish bar on the west-westside that suits their purist standards. I personally think any bar you can get into on St. Patrick’s Day is a good bar for St. Patrick’s Day.
For purposes of this article, I am defining “west-westside” as the territory including Westwood to the beach and down to the Marina circling back up through Palms. This list is not inclusive of all Irish bars on the west-westside, but includes the Irish bars I have gone to on a regular basis over the years. I’m sure I’ve missed some, so feel free to inform me. This list is in order of preference.
O’Briens
2226 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
310-829-5303
A number 1 Irish bar. Top of the class. For me, this is the premier Irish bar on the Westside. Excellent food and service. Great bar. A little noisy, but full of character and delicious.
The Irish Times
3267 Motor Ave. (Palms)
Los Angeles, CA 90034
310-559-9648
www.theirishtimesla.com
One of my favs when I am not driving and in the neighborhood. I love the dark, cavernous interior and all the wood. The place is authentically Irish in every way. I don’t go there often enough.
McCabe’s Bar & Grill
2455 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310-264-9704
Great food. Devour the excellent Irish standards, but also try the soups. I recommend the split pea. They recently yanked out the old wood and put in coffee house couches. But they still have pool tables.
O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
2941 Main St. (Ocean Park)
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310-396-4725
www.obriensonmain.com
Been years since I had a meal here, but I remember a good selection of appetizers. It’s a comfortable place. They have live music here. Don’t park in the lot behind the building. The people who work there, park there. Ticket and tow time.
O’Hara’s (formerly Maloney’s)
1000 Gayley Ave. (Westwood)
Los Angeles, CA 90024
310-208-1942
Despite the name, it’s not a culturally Irish bar. It’s a “CHEERS” like college sports bar with huge beer mugs and a variety of appetizers. It has always been the unofficial UCLA pub. Nice cavern on a hot day.
Finn McCool’s
2702 Main St. (Ocean Park)
Santa Monica, CA 90407
310-452-1734
www.gerrigilliland.com
Overpriced. I think they gouge you on St. Patrick’s, but they do things right. You get what you pay for. The dining room is a nice big room. Bright and ornate.
Sonny McLean’s
2615 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
310-828-9839
www.sonnymcleans.com
This joint is a New England expatriate hang out. My parents were from Rhode Island, so when I’ve gone to this bar, I’d hear a lot of folks talking like my family. I’ve had some problems with customer service here in the past, so I haven’t been there in years. I do remember a fondness for their appetizers. I once witnessed some terribly rude customers try to pick a fight with an innocent fellow. The management seemed to side with the aggressors. Hmm, sounds a bit like Boston Irish to me.
For the record:
Joxer Daly’s
11168 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90230
310-838-3745
www.joxerdalysirishpub.com
Never been there.
Brennan’s Pub (Irish?)
4089 Lincoln Blvd.
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
310-821-6622
http://www.brennanspub-la.com/
Never been there. But, I’d like to see the turtle races.
For the historically challenged:
Ye Olde Kings Head – Santa Monica
Excellent bar and restaurant - Not Irish.
The Britannia – Santa Monica
Excellent bar and restaurant - Not Irish.
Happy St. Patrick's Day and Good Luck Getting in Anyplace!
