The Essential Irish Pubs of Dallas

The Irish have observed March 17 as a religious holiday for centuries. The first recorded celebration in America was in 1600. Over the next four centuries, we’ve learned the particular satisfaction of sipping a dark beer in a dim Irish pub. Parades, green eyeshadow and dyeing entire rivers green are all just incidental to the charm of a proper Irish pub.

Following is a roundup of great Irish pubs around North Texas with proper pints and great traditional dishes.

Blackfriar Pub

2621 McKinney Ave. (Uptown)

Blackfriar Pub is a popular spot every day of the year, and when the weather is nice, the large, dog-friendly patio is bustling. Inside, dark wood and warm lights give it a proper pub atmosphere. Try the corned beef poutine (yeah, you read that right) made with house-made corned beef, white cheddar and Guinness gravy over steak fries. The cheese boards are stellar too. Pub chicken curry and fish and chips are also standard hits here. And if you go for brunch, you can get a proper Irish breakfast.

Cannon’s Corner Irish Pub

1314 W. Davis St. (Oak Cliff)

Cannon’s Corner is tucked away on Davis Street and might be easy to miss when passing along the busy road. But pass by you should not, especially when the weather is nice and big windows open up to the patio. This is one of three spots in Dallas owned and operated by Dublin-native Alan Kearney. You can get many traditional dishes here, including duck wings and fish and chips. And while the Monte Cristo sandwich might remind you of Bennigan’s, try the real thing here.

Cannon’s Corner is not doing St. Patrick’s Day, but St. Patrick’s week. March 11–18 the pub will present a series of bands, drinks specials and giveaways.

The Crafty Irishman Public House

1800 Main St. (Downtown Dallas)

Inside the historical Mercantile Building in downtown Dallas, The Crafty Irishman Public House is also owned and operated by Alan Kearney, so every detail is rooted in Irish tradition. During happy hour, weekdays 3–7 p.m., look for $6 drunken mussels, corned beef cabbage rolls, Irish nachos and a warm pretzel — all for $6 each.

Like its brother above, this spot is also celebrating an entire week with events, music and drink specials.

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The Dubliner on Lower Greenville.

Lauren Drewes Daniels

The Dubliner

2818 Greenville Ave.

The Dubliner on Lower Greenville is an institution. It’s the local dive bar version of Irish pubs. The taps are full of the standard Irish hits — Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s and Newcastle — plus a good whiskey selection. They have cheese boards and shepherd’s pie here, but also pizza. Get a black and tan (Smithwick’s and Guinness) or a Snakebite with one part Magner’s Cider and one part Harp.

The Dubliner opens at 11 a.m on St. Patrick’s Day and will serve as the center of the St. Patrick’s Day parade universe. It will also have live music, dancers, bagpipers and traditional fare as long as it lasts, which might not be long.

Harwood Arms

2850 N. Harwood St.(Uptown)

Harwood Arms is one of several concepts on La Rue Perdue, a cobblestone alleyway at the base of the Harwood No.10 office tower. Elephant East and Poco Fiasco are nearby. A circular bar in the middle of Harwood Arms makes it a great place to watch a game and sip a fine whiskey or Guinness. The Reuben fries are a great choice for starters; shoestring fries are tipped with corned beef, Swiss cheese sauce, sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing and caraway spices. The most Irish thing in this city might be the Sunday roast supper here; starting at 4 p.m. you get a slab of tender and juicy roast served with vegetables, roasted potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and traditional gravy. But be sure to leave enough room for the whiskey toffee cake, which is served with Jameson anglaise, candied hazelnuts and vanilla whip.

Harwood Arms is taking over the entire block for its 3rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day party. There will be bagpipers, three live bands, green beer and food specials.

Lochland’s

8518 Plano Road (Northeast Dallas)

Lochland’s is a sister spot to the Dubliner and is owned by an Irishman and his wife (originally from Dallas). This Lake Highlands spot has a large outdoor beer garden, picnic tables, string lights and heaters for chilly Dallas nights. The menu has several American dishes along with traditional fare of the Emerald Isle such as corned beef and cabbage, Shepherd’s pie and fish and chips. Definitely get the sticky toffee pudding and an Irish coffee.

Saturday, March 11 events include traditional Irish pub songs performed by the duo Claddagh and Irish dancers. On St. Patrick’s Day look for traditional dancers at 1 and 4 p.m. Claddagh will perform again at 2 p.m. and there will be an appearance by bagpipers. 

The Old Monk

2847 N. Henderson Ave. (Knox/Henderson)

The Old Monk has been a staple in Dallas for more than two decades. The popular spot is unpretentious while bougie at the same time; there’s something for everyone and then some. While brunch here is an entire scene, there’s stellar standard Irish fare too like the Guinness beef stew, perfect for cold days. If you feel like a stroll, head east toward one of its two sister bars just down the road, Spider Murphy’s or The Skellig.

On St. Patrick’s Day a parade will pass by The Old Monk. Also here: a full menu and specials on Irish favorites.

The Playwright Irish Pub

1722 Routh St.

The Playwright Irish Pub is a bit more refined (for the art), with chandeliers overhead and beautiful woodwork throughout the space. A large patio looks over the Arts District. For traditional fare get the Scotch eggs encased in a sausage and rolled in panko crumbs, or the Gaelic mac and cheese with three cheese, bangers and bacon topped with Guinness Stout. And while not authentic at all, the Irish nachos with a mix of ground beef and lamb with pico and a cheese sauce are amazing. 

Check out Facebook for a complete list events, which includes bagpipers, a Jameson giveaway and live Irish music.