There’s no place quite like an Irish pub to whet whistles with a hearty pint of Guinness and a full plate of rustic grub.
Spend a few hours in an Irish pub and you’ll consider purchasing a one-way flight to Dublin to immerse yourself in craic and traditional folk music for the rest of your life. Nobody hosts a pub night quite like the Irish, who have had thousands of years to perfect the experience.
Always cosy and always inviting, there’s an Irish pub in every major Australian city that’s worth a visit. Each beloved establishment promises a night of nourishing food, ice-cold drinks, traditional live music and endless banter.
Whether you go solo or with a group, you’ll leave with at least three more friends than you came with – that’s the Irish promise.
NSW | Vic | Qld | NT | SA | WA | Tas
1. The Mercantile Hotel, Sydney, NSW
In this day and age, where can patrons find $8 pints of Guinness during Happy Hour? The Mercantile Hotel, that’s where.
Operating for over 100 years, Sydney’s oldest Irish pub has stood the test of time for good reason: live music can be heard every other day, the Shamrock Pie remains a crowd favourite, winning over taste buds with its delightful beef and Guinness combination, and the atmosphere is nothing short of electric.
Sydney’s oldest Irish pub has stood the test of time for good reason.
Address: 27 George St, Sydney, NSW
2. P.J. O’Brien’s, Sydney, NSW
For an evening of whimsy and wine, P.J. O’Brien’s is hard to top.
The wholly Irish experience at P.J.’s comes from its welcoming decor and a fully stocked bar with crisps, Irish whiskey and Kilkenny on tap.
Weekly entertainment caters to all walks of life, from The Simpsons trivia nights to screenings of the Rugby World Cup – just be prepared to shout at the top of your lungs every few minutes, as per tradition.
The vibrant atmosphere at P.J. O’Brien’s keeps regulars happy. (Image: William Watt)
Address: 57 King St, Sydney, NSW
3. Scruffy Murphy’s, Sydney, NSW
Home to live entertainment seven nights a week, there’s no shortage of things to see and do at Scruffy Murphy’s.
Boasting four bars under one roof, the days of waiting in line for a frothy beverage are long gone. From Thursday to Sunday, Scruffy Murphy’s transforms into a music venue, hosting an ever-changing line-up of Sydney’s best artists and DJs. Come for the food, stay for the show.
Scruffy Murphy’s is a crowd-winning pub where people come for food and music.
Address: 43-57 Goulburn St, Haymarket, NSW
4. The Last Jar, Melbourne, Vic
With a menu curated by Northern Ireland expat and Head Chef Jake Beazley, a night at The Last Jar will feel like you’ve been transported to Éire itself. Pair The Last Jar’s famous Irish Stew and homemade brown soda bread with a tall glass of Irish Champagne for a true Irish experience.
During the warmer seasons, pull up a seat in The Last Jar’s charming beer garden and soak up the sun while your soda bread soaks in the stew.
Address: 616 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, VIC
5. The Drunken Poet, Melbourne, Vic
Making the list of ‘The 10 best Irish pubs in the world (outside of Ireland)’ is no easy feat, yet it’s one that The Drunken Poet can scream from the top of their Peel Street watering hole.
This timber-laden pub has it all: countless cocktails and beers, beautiful artwork lining the walls, and an atmosphere that offers a safe refuge from a cold winter’s eve.
Order a Bushmills Malt whiskey, whip out a pen and paper and see if The Drunken Poet inspires you.
The Drunken Poet is undeniably one of the best Irish pubs in Melbourne.
Address: 65 Peel St, West Melbourne, VIC
6. The Fifth Province, Melbourne, Vic
Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night tipples, The Fifth Province is a one-stop Irish-infused shop.
For a touch of competitive fun, head to the St Kilda-based venue on Wednesday night for weekly trivia, or clock off work early and get there after 3pm for five hours of $5 pints, wines and spirits as an end-of-week treat.
The Fifth Province is a one-stop Irish-infused shop. (Image: Griffin Simm)
Address: 3/60 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, VIC
7. Gilhooleys, Brisbane, Qld
An Irish-Australian feast awaits you at Gilhooleys, a Brisbane favourite since opening its doors 30-odd years ago.
Promising good old Irish hospitality and genuine laughs, Gilhooleys will quickly become a Sunday staple to unwind over a glass of vino and a weekend roast smothered in rich gravy. Alternatively, start the day early and devour an Irish breakfast complete with hashbrowns, grilled tomatoes, a mountain of baked beans, buttery toast, bacon and classic black pudding to round it out.
Gilhooleys has been a favourite Irish pub for three decades.
Address: Albert St & Charlotte St, Brisbane City, QLD
8. Finn McCool’s, Brisbane, Qld
The pub so nice they opened it twice; in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, to be exact.
A not-so-hidden gem in Fortitude Valley, Finn McCool’s has been serving up pints and feeding home-cooked meals to merry patrons for over eight years. Round up a crew for $1 chicken wings every Thursday or end the week on a high note and relish in live music every Sunday afternoon.
Savour a core range of beers and whiskeys at Finn McCool’s.
Address: 295 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley, QLD
9. Shenannigans, Darwin, NT
There are no missing Shenannigans during a saunter down Darwin City’s main strip. The boisterous bar has been a locals’ favourite for decades, seeing a revolving door of locals and tourists arrive to catch a match on the big screen and people-watch on the terrace.
Take a break from the powerful Darwin sun and cool down with a cheap-as-chips pint as NRL fans infectiously chant in the background.
Address: 1/69 Mitchell St, Darwin City, NT
10. Fiddler’s Green, Darwin, NT
For a balmy evening, venture to Fiddler’s Green at the Darwin Waterfront for delightful views and a laid-back dining experience.
Tuck into fresh chilli mud crab while being serenaded by a local band at this indoor-outdoor hybrid Irish pub, perfect for a quiet catch-up with friends or a hazy session trading stories and drinking refreshing mojitos. There’s nothing Irish about a mojito but occasionally life calls for one.
Head to Fiddler’s Green on a balmy evening.
Address: 19 Kitchener Dr, Darwin City, NT
11. Mick O’Shea’s Hotel, Adelaide, SA
Make a pitstop at Mick O’Shea’s Hotel en route to McLaren Vale and you might miss the winery portion of the trip altogether. Spend hours relaxing in the lush beer garden, chow down on the seasonal menu or simply nurse a pint while listening to the buzzing conversations around you.
If you spend far longer at Mick O’Shea’s Hotel than anticipated, it doubles as accommodation too, so get a good night’s rest in one of its comfy rooms and resume the planned road trip to the winery region the next day.
Address: Main S Rd, Hackham, SA
12. Brecknock Hotel, Adelaide, SA
The heritage-listed Brecknock Hotel has been operating in some form for over 150 years, and this tiny slice of heaven certainly delivers on its Irish inspiration.
Featuring open fireplaces to warm souls and an expansive menu offering a range of Irish delicacies, no time is wasted if it’s spent in this historic, cosy pub.
Address: 401 King William St, Adelaide, SA
13. Fibber McGee’s, Perth, WA
Fairy lights and a delightful dry-aged steak is all a pub needs to please the masses, and Fibber McGee’s has both in droves.
Pair your medium-rare steak with thick-cut chips and a divine mushroom sauce while sipping on black gold to get as close to heaven as humanly possible. As the night progresses, nurse a tipple of Irish whiskey and listen intently to the bartender’s amusing anecdotes and tall tales.
Fibber McGee’s has been a go-to Irish pub and steakhouse since 1998.
Address: 711 Newcastle St, Leederville, WA
14. Paddy Malone’s, Perth, WA
Journey to the centre of Joondalup and discover the much-adored Paddy Malone’s. In keeping with traditional Irish pubs, expect a game or match blasting from the screens as punters eagerly follow along.
The Irish-inspired menu is not to be overlooked either, as Paddy Malone’s fish and chips are as fresh as they come.
Pair your beer with traditional Irish food at Paddy Malone’s.
Address: 13/115 Grand Blvd, Joondalup, WA
15. New Sydney Hotel, Hobart, Tas
Fitted with Irish memorabilia that will take most of the night to look at, New Sydney Hotel is the epitome of a pub that oozes authenticity.
This quaint inn is one of the cosiest pubs in Australia and touts the best Guinness in Hobart, but if clear spirits are more to your liking, New Sydney Hotel’s selection of gins is second to none. Outside in the garden, beer barrels have been converted into seats, giving the entire space a unique and oh-so-cute aesthetic.
New Sydney Hotel is one of Australia’s cosiest pubs.
Address: 87 Bathurst St, Hobart, TAS
16. Irish Murphy’s, Hobart, Tas
Irish Murphy’s might have every other pub in Australia beat. The building dates back to 1812, yet there’s no sign of ageing just by looking at it.
Expect a flawlessly renovated restaurant and pub in the stunning precinct of Salamanca Place, a must-visit whenever you’re in Hobart.
The Irish Murphy’s building dates back to 1812.
Perch on the seats out front and watch hordes of people scouring the weekly Saturday markets for a bargain or finish your pint and join them in the hunt.
The pub’s interior has had a refurb. (Image: Sammy Jones)
Address: 21 Salamanca Pl, Hobart, TAS
