After studying abroad in Ireland, I reserve the right to declare a Milwaukee Irish Pub authentic. I gulped in Galway, lapped up in Limerick, drank in Dublin, and consumed in Cork, always enjoying the unique Emerald Isle brews and foodstuffs. Following are the best Irish pubs in Milwaukee for beers like Harp, Guinness, Smithwicks, and Murphy’s and for Irish dishes like shepherd’s pie and potato leek soup. If you need a break from the Miller and bratwursts of Milwaukee’s German heritage, enjoy some perfect pints in the cozy confines of these Irish pubs.
1. County Clare 1234 N. Astor St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
800-942-5273
www.countyclare-inn.com
MCTS Route: 10, 30
County Clare is a well-rounded Irish cultural experience for Milwaukee residents. It’s not just a pub; it’s also a full restaurant and inn. Located near downtown on quaint Astor Street but far enough from buzzing activity to retain quiet charm, this establishment is named after a humble western coastal county. Besides the expected selection of beers, County Clare pours some strong Irish coffee. For lunch or dinner, try the Irish root soup made with sweet potatoes and leek – or the corned beef sandwich. Popular with neighborhood residents on the “Lower East Side” of Milwaukee, County Clare attracts a more intellectual crowd than its counterparts and is also considered the most gay-friendly of the pubs. Irish music is featured several times a week with a schedule of changing acts and recurring acts, including a singing bartender. County Clare also boasts a comfortable inn, a conference space for private gatherings, and even group excursions to Ireland itself. All around, County Clare is tops for Irish chugging and cuisine in Milwaukee.
2. Mo’s Irish Pub
710 N. Plankinton Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53203
414-272-0721
www.mosirishpub.com
MCTS Routes: all downtown service on Wisconsin Ave.
Part of the Mo’s dynasty, just across the street from Mo’s mocha bistro and Mo’s steak house, Mo’s Irish Pub remains popular with tourists, convention-goers, and the happy hour business crowd. Of course, it attracts some of the Water Street barhopping crowd too. With stiff whiskey and the expected selection of beer, Mo’s Irish Pub is patently legitimate, despite its near-corporate branding. The interior is inviting and warm, as a pub should be – except that the presence of large TV screens make it feel more like a sports bar than one would hope. Like County Clare, Mo’s Irish Pub is a full-service restaurant, preparing everything from fried appetizers and BBQ pork (not so Irish) to shepherd’s pie and boxty creations (more appropriate).
3. Paddy’s Pub 2339 N. Murray St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414-223-3496
www.paddyspub.net
MCTS Routes: 21, 30, 15
A relative newcomer to the Milwaukee Irish pub scene, Paddy’s Pub provides a nice nook for North Avenue barhoppers. Since most of the city’s Irish pubs are located near downtown, Paddy’s benefits from its niche situation. Owners Patty and Woody welcome weary walk-ins with whiskey, beer, scotch, and Irish coffee. Especially popular for its Saint Patrick’s day festivities, this pub is a solid choice, especially when the summer patio is open.
4. Murphy’s Irish Pub
1613 W. Wells St.
Milwaukee, WI 53233
414-344-0116
MCTS Routes: 20, 30, 10
www.murphysirishpub.net
Due to its location well west of downtown, Murphy’s a popular with the Marquette University set – students and staff alike. Drink specials are sometimes linked to the school’s basketball games, and many student organizations hold unofficial party nights here. Rumor has it that Marquette law students use Murphy’s for “bar review,” pun intended. The interior is simple but not wholly authentic: warm woods and some green bar lamps do not an Irish pub make. Murphy’s also lacks the comprehensive food menu of County Clare and Mo’s.
5. The Harp Irish Pub
113 E. Juneau Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
MCTS Routes: 15, 57, 11
414-289-0700
Tucked just between Water Street and the Milwaukee River is The Harp Irish Pub. Attracting the bar hopping night-on-the-town set and the somewhat dull business crowd, The Harp is a fair pick with hearty food (including a tightly packed corned beef rollup) and of course its namesake beer. The staff at The Harp tend to get lower marks from patrons, however, for attentiveness and attitude.
