Best Irish Bar in Every New England State

Even though New England’s late-winter landscape may not have brightened much by mid-March, the region still greens up in a big way each year when Saint Patrick’s Day arrives. Irish roots run deep here: In a ranking of U.S. states whose residents claim Irish ancestry, New England occupies the first five slots (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Maine). But visitors don’t need to time their trip to Saint Paddy’s Day to get in on the camaraderie of the Emerald Isle, since New England offers a great Irish bar scene year-round. In big cities and small towns alike, you can find plenty of places to hoist a perfectly poured pint and tap your feet to some lively music. To get you started, here are our top picks for the best Irish bar in every state.

Best Irish Bar in Every New England State

Best Irish Bar in Massachusetts
J.J. Foley’s Café | Boston, MA

Long a favored haunt of Boston politicians, cops, and journalists, J.J. Foley’s is the oldest family-run Irish bar in the city. It opened on East Berkeley Street in the South End in 1909, with a second location following in 1959 on Kingston Street, in the heart of downtown. Both are run by descendants of Irish-immigrant founder Jeremiah Foley, but the South End location remains the go-to for those seeking the quintessential Irish bar experience in Boston. The ceiling is pressed tin; the long bar has a traditional standing-room-only setup; the impeccable pints come courtesy of bartenders in timeless pressed white shirts and tucked-in ties.

Best Irish Bar in Maine
Rí Rá | Portland, ME

Since 1996, Rí Rá has been an uber-popular, authentic Irish Pub located in Portland’s Old Port. Built from salvaged pub interiors shipped over from Ireland, Rí Rá is spread over two floors, with the upper floor offering stunning views of Portland Harbor. Grab a perfectly poured Guinness, settle in for shepherd’s pie or fish and chips, and stick around for the frequent live music.

Best Irish Bar in Connecticut
The Harp and Hound | Mystic, CT

A native of County Limerick, Leo Roche wasted no time fostering the Irish spirit in Mystic after moving to this historic seaport more than a decade ago. Not only did he open a classic pub in one of Mystic’s oldest buildings, on Pearl Street, but he also helped establish a Saint Patrick’s Day parade. With such bona fides, it’s no wonder the Harp and Hound checks all the boxes for Irish bar fans: frequent live music, simple but cozy seating, Irish libations on tap, and hearty pub fare.

Best Irish Bar in Rhode Island
The Fastnet Pub | Newport, RI

The Fastnet is named for a small island and lighthouse off the south coast of Ireland, which is also the namesake of a famous U.K. yacht race, giving this often-boisterous pub a strong link to sailing and the sea that makes it a perfect fit for Newport. Owned and managed by Irish natives, the Fastnet fully looks the part of a classic Irish bar, including a bank of windows that open onto the street, a façade hung with Irish flags, and lots of well-worn wood. Among the 30-plus taps are half a dozen Irish favorites, including Guinness and Magner’s Cider; the array of whiskeys encompasses Teeling, Midleton, and Glenalough. A full menu of hearty fare is on offer daily, and on weekends you can load up on an authentic Irish breakfast — sausage, rashers, beans, and all.

Best Irish Bar in Vermont
McGrath’s Irish Pub | Killington, VT

The Green Mountains meet the Emerald Isle at this venerable pub, part of the Inn at Long Trail — both of which have been owned by the McGrath family since 1977. The interior is one-of-a-kind Vermont, filled with local wood and featuring a mountain boulder (yes, an actual slab of rock) protruding from the wall. But the vibe is pure Ireland, going all the way back to when McGrath’s was the first Vermont bar to serve Guinness and the first to stock Bailey’s; today it boasts the state’s largest selection of Irish whiskies. Hikers, skiers, and locals all crowd into the cozy space for a pint and to dig into a menu that includes a renowned Guinness beef stew and an “Irish Reuben” (corned beef with red cabbage and melted Swiss).

See More: Favorite Killington Restaurants & Bars

Best Irish Bar in New Hampshire
May Kelly’s Cottage | North Conway, NH

Situated in a picturesque yellow cottage above the Saco River, May Kelly’s Cottage is a destination unto itself. The interior of this intimate pub and restaurant is jam-packed with Irish ephemera, from flags, sports jerseys, and vintage signs to an old post office counter (“Oifig an Phoist”); outdoors there’s a lovely patio with a mural depicting the famed Guinness toucans and a terrific view of the Moat Mountain range. Every Sunday, musicians gather for a “seisiun,” while the kitchen keeps the Gaelic flavor going strong with standout versions of shepherd’s pie, beef stew, fish and chips, meatloaf, and more — all ideally paired with a pint of Guinness.

Where are your picks for the best Irish bar in every New England state? Let us know!

This post was first published in 2018 and has been updated. 

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