A two-room restaurant across from Boston City Hall is a longtime-Irish pub location, as the original oval-shaped bar will attest. The space was reborn in 2022 as The Dubliner, an example of the genre worthy of the well-touristed spot. Chef Aidan Mc Gee, who grew up on a Donegal farm, is new to Boston after two decades in London fine-dining. At The Dubliner, he showcases the best of New England-by-way-of-the Isles, with refined yet authentic comfort food such as Slow Cooked Beef Cheek with mashed potato, confit carrots, and crispy shallots; and an exquisite version of Dayboat Fish and Chips served with curry for dipping the wedges, peas, and an herbaceous tartar sauce. The comfortable space has been spruced up with plush vinyl booths and a new soundsystem for frequent live music performances.

Head to The Banshee when you’re looking for a pub to post up for international soccer, especially the European leagues. This sports bar opens at 9 a.m. on weekends with a breakfast menu of Salsa Verde Baked Eggs, Pulled Pork Breakfast Burrito, and more. A Dorchester favorite, it’s also one of the most reliable pubs in Boston for showing rugby matches and most American sports, too—all with the welcoming vibe of a classic Irish pub. The Banshee isn’t just about physical competition, either: The Wednesday night Pub Quiz is one of Boston’s only independent bar trivia nights. Along with an extensive beer list of imports and local drafts, The Banshee serves up simply satisfying cocktails. The kitchen is open late with plenty of pub fare; we can’t resist O’Malley’s Gaelic Fries topped with butcher’s cut bacon, cheddar cheese, and ranch drizzle.

Founded by a pair of musicians in 1996, The Burren honors that heritage with live music every night in Davis Square. In the convivial Front Room, that’s usually an Irish session, jazz, or other mellow folk, but more goes down in the Back Room venue, including comedy and trivia nights. As far as food goes, there’s a large selection of classics for lunch and dinner, like Bangers and Mash and Guinness Beef Stew, and vegetarian-friendly fare for the college-town crowd, including uniquely delicious Shepherds Pie with lentils and golden mashed potatoes. The full bar crafts creative cocktails and there’s a proper beer list, too. Beloved by grad students, old-timers, locals, and the possibly lost tourist alike, the Burren is a Somerville staple.

This authentic Irish bar in Inman Square offers not only the friendly atmosphere one expects from the genre, but also some of the best pub food around. The Druid Fish and Chips are legendary, with a fresh filet of cod lightly battered, fried crisp, and served on a plate of food-safe newspaper with homemade tartar sauce and hand-cut fries. (Mouth watering yet?) We love the traditional Shepherd’s Pie with roast lamb and root vegetables, but if you visit during the colder months, try the Oxtail Soup, a house favorite from September through March. The Druid does weekend brunch with signatures including a traditional Irish Breakfast. Live music fills the snug space three times a week, including during Sunday brunch. The pub has stained-glass windows and other cool art like ethereal banshees soaring near the ceiling, and the bartenders’ brogues don’t hurt the atmosphere one bit, either. Between the excellent food and intimate space, the Druid is an impressive pick for a romantic dinner on date night.

Jamaica Plain’s Brendan Behan Pub is a Boston institution that’s only getting better as the years go by. To see what we mean, grab a seat on the heated and covered patio out back, which was in the works even before we knew we’d need a pandemic refuge. Inside, the traditional Irish pub is as cozy as ever, with portraits of Irish authors like its namesake playwright decking the dark walls, and a live Irish music session taking over a table every Saturday evening. There are chips for sale and the occasional food pop-up, but patrons often bring in takeout from one of Centre Street’s many mom-and-pops. The craft beer list at the Behan rivals some of Boston’s best beer bars, with fresh New England IPAs, crisp lagers, local stouts, and even fruity sour beers rotating through 19 draft lines aside Guinness. There are wines and classic cocktails, too.

A bar in Inman Square reopened in 2022 as An Sibin, a very Irish name for a modern-day pub. Pronounced like “Shebeen,” it has a snug but sophisticated look of emerald-green walls decorated with framed photos and soaring gold ceilings. But An Sibin isn’t your Nana’s Irish pub: The small spot is lively multiple nights each week with trivia, comedy open mics, and karaoke singalongs. Top-shelf whiskeys and other spirits twinkling behind the bar add to the ambiance—and elevate the impressive pub cocktail list. Try The Bernal, a strong sipper of Vermont-made Mad River Rye plus Montenegro, Cynar, demerara sugar, and Angostura bitters. Food includes a Double Smash Burger with Irish cheddar and slab bacon, plus all-day weekend brunch.

This Brighton mainstay is a timeless Irish dive with squishy black-vinyl seats, a solid wood bar, and gleaming brass fixtures. First opened in 1970, Irish Village doesn’t even have a website—but it has adapted in other ways, such as social media, and offering a thoroughly modern selection of craft beer on draft from the likes of nearby Notch Brewing, Fiddlehead IPA, Jack’s Abby, and others. (Guinness still tastes the same, though—just the way we like it.) As for food, your only option is a Toastie, but when the oozing-cheese sandwich arrives at your booth we’re sure you won’t mind. The IV, as it’s affectionately known, is as welcoming to Allston-Brighton twentysomethings as it is to its expatriate Irish regulars, who may even find common ground over a game of darts.

Nestled on Beacon Hill is a little portal to Ireland in Emmets Pub & Restaurant. It’s not just the prime location near the State House, Boston Common, and the Freedom Trail that makes this Boston spot so popular: Friendly Irish bartenders and servers dish up wonderful comfort food here. Corned Beef and Cabbage is a March special, but the cured favorite can be ordered as a grilled sandwich anytime, thinly sliced and stacked with melty Swiss. We also love the Guinness Onion Soup, an Irish riff on the cheese-topped favorite. There’s weekend brunch, too, with a Full Irish Breakfast—but the signature whiskey-spiked Irish Coffee is a treat no matter what time of day.

Pouring pints of Guinness since 1976, The Black Rose is a bastion of Irish culture in Boston. The “Roisin Dubh” is a beautiful sight, with soaring ceilings and vintage tile floors complementing the classic dark wood bar. After a day spent wandering Quincy Market or the Freedom Trail, many find their way to this downtown Boston pub to warm up with a mug of Jameson Authentic Irish Coffee. They’re often welcomed to their seat by a friendly Irish accent and live music, which frequently emanates from a small stage. Satisfying fare like a famous cup of Clam Chowder, Sausage Rolls with Irish bangers, and whiskey-glazed wings are why we keep coming back whenever we’re in the neighborhood.

Good Will Hunting posters may have replaced the more standard decor of Old World beer signs at L Street Tavern, and you’re probably just as likely to see the millennial clientele saying “sláinte” with vodka sodas or Castle Island Keeper IPA as you are with pints of Guinness. But this South Boston pub is unmistakably a top Irish pub in the most important way: It’s a neighborhood gathering place. Come time for the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade, L Street is the heart of the party, but on any low-key night there’s Keno to play and enough TVs to appease sports fans and Affleck stans alike. Bring in some takeout (there’s no kitchen here) and raise one at this famous and friendly local place.