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Top 12 Best Irish Pubs in Milwaukee

By: Author Adam

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Top 12 Best Irish Pubs in Milwaukee

Milwaukee is known for a lot of things, like beer, brats, cheese, and its German past. The city should also be known for its Irish heritage. After all, the city has a long history of Irish immigrants, it has one of the largest Irish festivals in the world, does a great job of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Milwaukee, and of course, has plenty of Irish pubs and restaurants.

One can find Irish-style pubs all over the world, and Milwaukee is no exception. The best Irish pubs in Milwaukee do a few things especially well, including great Irish fare, plenty of Irish-themed decor, great Irish beers on tap, and a cozy ambiance that may as well transport you to a small Irish town. Read below for a quick guide to the best Irish bars in Milwaukee and restaurants.

 

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1. Harp Irish Pub

Located right between Water Street and Old World 3rd Street, the Harp Irish Pub is one of Milwaukee’s best Irish pubs for a reason. Since 1953 they have offered a cozy Irish-inspired interior, along with a three-season porch and a fantastic outdoor patio right on the river with great views of downtown. This is best Irish pub in Milwaukee in the summer as it’s right on the Milwaukee River and has an amazing patio. DOG-FRIENDLY

Understandably the Harp gets pretty packed in summer, and busy on weekend nights and before or after Milwaukee Bucks games. They also serve limited food options, like a really good butter burger with caramelized onions and cheese ($7.50), Reuben rolls ($8), and cheese curds ($7.50). The Reuben sandwich is also worth a try ($9.50), and every Friday the Harp offers an affordable fish fry ($11.95). Check out one of the best outdoor patios in Milwaukee at the Harp Irish Pub.

Specials

Nightly drink specials keep patrons coming back to the Harp. The weeknight happy hour runs from 4 pm to 7 pm and offers $2 Miller and select taps.

  • Monday $2 Miller Lite taps, $3 Jameson shots, and fifty-cent chicken wings with assorted sauces
  • Tuesday $3 Skyy vodka bombs and $3 import bottles
  • Wednesday $2 Coors Lite Bullets & Miller Lite Grenades and $3 Skyy vodka bombs
  • Thursday $3 taps all day and $3 Skyy vodka bombs
  • Sunday $6 vodka bombs and $7 Cornitas buckets of beer (5)

Location

2. Mo’s Irish Pub

Mo’s Irish Pub is one of the most popular Irish pubs and restaurants in Milwaukee. There are actually two locations, one in the center of downtown, the other in Wauwatosa just west of the city, in addition to several out of state locations. Both Milwaukee area Mo’s Irish Pubs are spacious, offer occasional live music, and get pretty lively at night.

The food is also great, like the Dublin Sampler Platter with spinach and cheese dip, crispy fried wrapped cheeseburger bites, and chicken quesadillas ($14.99), which goes perfectly washed down with your favorite Irish or local beer. The menu also features a great Reuben sandwich ($11.99), salads, and burgers, along with larger plate options like the Jameson glazed chicken with mixed vegetables ($13.99) or Mo’s Shepherd’s Pie with simmered beef, leeks, carrot, peas, potatoes, and gravy over mashed potatoes. After dinner, stick around because Mo’s transforms into a really popular nighttime destination.

If you’re in town for a brewery game both Mo’s Irish Pubs offer free shuttles to Miller Park to and from the Brewers Game.

Specials

There are plenty of specials at Mo’s to keep the fun going. Happy hour runs from Monday through Friday from 3 pm to 6 pm. Each location has different specials. Wauwatosa Mo’s Irish Pub Happy Hour offers twenty-two beers for $2.22 each, in addition to rotating nightly specials. While Downtown Milwaukee Mo’s has $5 domestic and craft beers.

3. Trinity Three Irish Pubs

Why go to just one Irish pub when you could go to three, all under the same roof. Trinity Three Irish Pubs boasts three different bars all in one building and transforms from a popular spot for dinner to one of the busiest drinking establishments in the city once the sun goes down.

For dinner, try the Sham’s Irish Nachos, or chips covered with cheddar, corned beef, scallion, red onion, and Thousand Island sour cream sauce ($10.50), or the really tasty cheese curds ($7). The restaurant also features pizzas, wings, burgers, and sandwiches, like the Killarney Wrap with chicken, bacon, beans, pepper jack cheese, and chipotle mayo ($10.50). The fish and chips are also a great choice ($13).

On weekends, Trinity also has a tasty brunch where they serve a traditional Irish breakfast for $11. At night, head over to Trinity Three Irish Pub for one of the best parties in the city, with live music most Friday and Saturday nights. They also have a very large outdoor patio which is a great place to enjoy a Guinness on a summer night in Milwaukee.

Free shuttle to Miller Park to all home games. 

Specials

There are plenty of specials to take advantage of at Trinity Three Irish Pubs, beyond the Monday through Friday happy hour from 4pm to 7pm when bar-goers can get $3 off select taps.

  • Monday $5 vodka talls and $2 select bombs
  • Tuesday $3 select bombs and $3 drafts
  • Wednesday $3 car bombs, $3 vodka bombs, and $5 vodka talls
  • Thursday $2 Jameson and Paddy shots, $3 select bombs, and $5 Stoli talls
  • Friday & Saturday live music
  • Sunday $2 Tullamore Dew shots, $7 mini Miller buckets, $3 select bombs

Details

 

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4. County Clare Irish Pub

County Clare Irish Pub is probably Milwaukee’s most popular spot for a traditional Irish pub with authentic cuisine. The wood-paneled interior features a small but cozy bar, plenty of seats, and a fireplace to keep the room warm in winter. Attached is a boutique Irish hotel, but beyond hotel patrons, customers come from all over the east side and beyond to enjoy a true Irish experience, which occasionally even features live music.

The pub has a great bar menu, with numerous Irish taps like Guinness and Murphy’s, in addition to Irish inspired craft cocktails, like the Irish Mule with whiskey, ginger beer, and lime, or the Irish Lemonade with citrus and honey local vodka, lemonade and black currant juice. They also have one of the best bloody marys in the city.

Try any one of the brunch or dinner options, like the Irish Frittata, or baked eggs with onions, chef’s choice of meat, cheese, and choice of potatoes ($11.80). For dinner, try the Colcannon Poppers, or mashed potatoes, white cheddar, cabbage, and onions rolled in panko, fried, and served with Guinness gravy, or the Bradan, or smoked salmon on brown bread toast with dill cream, lemon, and capers ($10.50). For dinner, try the Cottage Pie, with stewed beef, peas, carrots, onions and topped with mashed potatoes and baked ($16). The corned beef and cabbage served with horseradish cream, slaw, and choice of potato is one of the best in the city ($16).

Specials

County Clare runs Happy Hour Monday through Thursday, 4 pm to 6 pm, and offers $5 taps and discounted select appetizers. They also run a special on Monday and Tuesday nights, where diners can pick two from a select menu of entrees and it’s $25.

Location

  • Address: 1234 N. Astor St
  • Phone: (414) 272-5273
  • Pub Hours: Monday 3am-12am | Tuesday-Thursday, 3pm-1am | Friday, 3pm-2am | Saturday, 9am-2am | Sunday, 9am-12am
  • Restaurant Hours: Monday-Thursday, 5pm-9pm | Friday, 4pm-10pm | Saturday and Sunday, 9am-9pm
  • Official Website

5. Flannery’s

Located right across the street from Cathedral Square in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, Flannery’s has been one of the east side’s go to Irish bars for decades. With plenty of seating and a spacious bar, Flannery’s is ideal for lunch, dinner, watching the game, or partying the night away.

They have great chicken wings in assorted sauces ($7.99 for six), a great tenderloin medallion appetizer with crostini, horseradish sauce, and dill pickles ($12.99), in addition to burgers, wraps, and paninis. The Flannery’s Reuben is also a really tasty treat ($10.99). For something a little different from the regular Friday fish fry, try the blackened salmon sliders on pretzel buns ($13.99).

Specials

Flannery’s transforms every night from a great restaurant to a perfect spot for drinking with friends, and the nightly specials will keep your budget in check. With all these specials, head over to Flannery’s for a great time and to save some money.

  • Happy hour every weeknight from 3 pm to 6 pm, with $1 off drafts, beer bottles, cocktails and wine
  • Mondays $12 domestic pitchers, $3 domestic pints, and sixty-nine cent wings.
  • Tuesday $2 tacos, $4 margaritas and select beers, and $3.50 tequila shots.
  • Wednesday $3 domestic beers, $4 craft beers, $5 import beers, and $2 off select whiskeys.
  • Thursday $5 Jack Daniel and Tito vodka talls and $5.99 twelve inch pizzas.
  • Friday and Saturday run a late night happy hour from 10 pm through midnight, which offers $3.50 domestic bottles and taps, and $5.50 top shelf double tall cocktails.
  • Sunday $3.50 domestic tallboy beers and $2 off Tito vodka bloody mary drinks.

Location

6. Halliday’s Irish Pub

Many people around Milwaukee might consider Halliday’s a dive bar, but the people that frequent it would say it’s a no-nonsense kind of place with cheap drinks, a friendly crowd, and entertaining bar staff that’s been around since 1967. The bar is located on Milwaukee’s east side a few steps from the super popular Brady Street, so Halliday’s is also a great way to escape the crowds, especially when taking advantage of their spacious back patio.

The bar has a distinct Irish flare. In fact, the name was once changed from Halliday’s Lounge to Halliday’s Irish Pub to pay homage to the heritage of the bar’s founder. Halliday’s features two bars with two different seating areas, the one in the front is a classic horseshoe-shaped bar meant to promote socializing. The bar does not serve food, but has plenty of options right nearby, like Red Light Ramen and Zaffiro’s Pizza.

Specials

Halliday’s is pretty much always inexpensive unless drinking top-shelf booze. They do have nightly specials sometimes posted on a sign out front, or patrons can ask the bartender if anything is at a discount. It’s also the kind of place that if the bartender decides to like you, at least one drink will be on the house. By the way, Halliday’s is cash only, but they do have an ATM right inside.

7. McGillycuddy’s

McGillycuddy’s is one of the most popular spots on Water Street, one of Milwaukee’s top destinations for nightlife. The bar is incredibly spacious with plenty of seating options, and it becomes necessary on weekend nights when the place gets pretty jammed. Weeknights are less crowded and serve as a great spot for tasty bar food, inexpensive drinks, and a warm yet not overbearing Irish atmosphere. McGillycuddy’s has one of the most popular patios in the summer. On any given summer night in Milwaukee, the patio will be packed and there will be a fire going.

Check out some of the tasty dishes like the Guinness battered onion rings ($7), the jumbo pretzel with dipping sauces ($13), or the Irish Burger with a grilled patty, topped with corned beef, swiss cheese, and slaw ($12). There are also plenty of nearby food options if only stopping in for a couple of pints.

McGillycuddy’s offers free shuttles to Brewer’s games for all customers.

Specials

McGillycuddy’s draws the crowds with plenty of great drink specials. The weeknight happy hour from 4 pm to 7 pm offers $1 off taps, $2 specialty taps, $4 double tall cocktails, and $5 select appetizers. There are also great weekday lunch specials and discounted drinks in addition to nightly specials. Get yourself over to McGillycuddy’s for a great time and really tasty food.

  • Monday starting at 7 pm, $2.50 domestic bottles & drafts, $3 tallboys, and build a baked potato starting at $1
  • Tuesdays all day$5 Reuben and corned beef sandwiches, $7 domestic pitchers. $4 vodka double mixers
  • Wednesday after 5 pm, dub & domestic beer  $10, $4 Titos & Captain Morgan doubles
  • Thursday build a smash burger starting at $5, $8 specialty burgers, drink specials after 7 pm
  • Fridays all day $12.99 fish fry and $5 Old Fashioneds til 8 pm (best old fashioned in Milwaukee guide)
  • Sunday  $2 Jameson shots, $6 Deep Eddy doubles, $10 giant mimosas, $15 Corona/Modelo buckets

Location

8. Murphy’s Irish Pub

Along with Caffrey’s Pub, Murphy’s Irish Pub is one of the two mainstay Marquette University bars on campus. While the bar certainly has a distinct college bar vibe, it also attracts older alumni and locals too. The pub features a spacious bar with plenty of seating, along with some tables and booths, in addition to a nice outdoor patio outback.

The bar doesn’t serve food besides buttery popcorn, but there are several options right nearby, like a couple of places for sub sandwiches, and the Milwaukee staple Real Chili is basically right next door. Return to your college days by heading over to Murphy’s Irish Pub.

Specials

College bars often equal great nightly specials. At Murph’s, as the students call it, try the Monday through Thursday happy hour with $3 taps and rail mixers from 5 pm to 8 pm.

  • Monday $3 mimosas and micro bottles
  • Tuesday $3 Wisconsin taps
  • Wednesday $2 rail drinks for women
  • Thursday $2 vodka bombs
  • Friday $2.50 PBR tallboys
  • Saturday happy hour through midnight  $3 taps and rail mixers

Location

9. O’Brien’s Irish American Pub

O’Brien’s Irish American Pub, right in the center of the city, has one of those locals only kind of vibes while still welcoming strangers. The bar is great for drinks or for dining in, with delicious appetizers like a bucket of bacon ($9.95), Reuben rolls ($8.95), or assorted flavors of wings ($10.95 for 12). They also have great soups and salads, wraps and sandwiches, and larger entrees, like O’Brien’s mac n’ cheese with chicken and bacon and gobs of cheese ($11.95). The shepherd’s pie at O’Brien’s is also really tasty and totally affordable ($8.95). Stop over to O’Brien’s for a drink and stay for the food.

Free shuttle to Miller Park.

Specials

Beyond weekly and nightly specials, O’Brien’s is always a budget-friendly choice. They have a Monday through Friday happy hour from 3 pm to 6 pm with discounted beers and cocktails, in addition to nightly specials.

  • Monday $3 off pizzas and $6 Moscow mules, plus a two for one tap beer special
  • Tuesday $3.50 Silos and $6 Tall Captain cocktails
  • Wednesday $3.50 Mexican beers, $6.95 giant tacos, $9.95 Mexican food specials
  • Thursday wing night, with sixty cent wings along with import beers for $3.75 and tall Bacardi drinks $6
  • Friday $7 Tall Ketel One drinks, $10.95 cod fish fry
  • Saturday tallboy beers for $3.50 and $8.95 burger of the week with a side
  • Sunday Service Industry Night 7pm-close everything is 2-4-1

Location

10. O’Lydia’s Bar and Grill

O’Lydias is a local’s favorite kind of Irish bar. While not overly Irish with its menu or decor, there is certainly a distinct Irish vibe to the place – after all, a shamrock is right in the logo. O’Lydia’s is a fantastic spot for drinks or food, located right on the edge of Walker’s Point pretty close to downtown.

They are also known for having some of the best wings in the city. Head over for brunch and try the housemade biscuits and gravy with two eggs ($10), or munch on some appetizers while having drinks, like the Reuben rolls ($4/$9) or the buffalo chicken dip ($9). They also have salads, sandwiches, like the Irish Beef with pot roast and Guinness gravy on a roll with mashed potatoes ($10), or the open-faced meatloaf sandwich ($10), in addition to stellar chicken wings and a great fish fry on Friday. For a great bar with Irish charm, check out O’Lydia’s Bar and Grill.

There are free parking and shuttles to all home Milwaukee Brewers, Bucks, Men’s Marquette Basketball, and Men’s UWM Basketball games. Free shuttles to Summerfest and Irish Fest. Occasionally additional shuttles to concerts & festivals, check their website for an update. Check out our Brewers shuttle guide and Milwaukee Bucks Fiserv Forum shuttle guide.

Specials

O’Lydia’s has plenty of budget-friendly specials, like a weekday happy hour from 2pm to 6pm with $3 rail drinks, $3 tap beers, $2 cans of PBR, and $5 select appetizers.

  • Monday all you can tacos and Mexican drink discounts
  • Tuesday discounts on lasagna dinners
  • Wednesday sixty cent wing night
  • Thursday discounted burgers
  • Friday all-day fish fry
  • Sunday $8 bloody mary specials

Details

11. Paddy’s Pub

For one of the most authentic feeling Irish pubs in the city, head over to Paddy’s Pub on Milwaukee’s East Side. Located right off of North Avenue, Paddy’s Pub is located in what looks like a small castle house, along with a garden outdoor patio that’s awesome in summer.

Inside it feels like a small and cozy Irish pub, with two seating areas and about fifteen seats at the bar. There is also an upstairs space available for rent. While the bar doesn’t serve food, there are plenty of restaurant options on North Avenue, including tacos, pizza, and the new Crossroads Collective food mall. For a true taste of Ireland, grab a pint at Paddy’s Pub.

Specials

Paddy’s Pub has no permanent specials, instead, they often rotate daily and aren’t really advertised. It is, however, one of those bars where if you buy a few, you often get a free one in return. The bar also features live Irish music every Thursday night 7pm-10pm.

12. McBob’s Pub & Grill

Since 1986, McBob’s Pub & Grill has been a locals-only kind of joint serving up no-frills drinks and hearty food. They have award-winning corned beef, which for a sandwich is only $11, along with great appetizers like a scotch egg ($3), cheesy potatoes with sour cream and crumbled bacon ($7), and larger plates like Irish Meatloaf stuffed with corned beef, and topped with bacon, swiss cheese, and served with either American fries or mashed potatoes ($12). McBob’s also serves breakfast, like the McGinnity, or three eggs over corned beef and potatoes ($11).

Specials

Besides the excellent food, McBob’s attracts patrons with a comfortable and affordable bar. They actually offer a third shift happy hour from Monday through Friday 8 am to 11 am, and have other weekday and weekend food and drink specials. For a no-nonsense pint of beer and hearty Irish food, step over to McBob’s Pub & Grill.

  • Monday $6 basked of wings
  • Tuesday $2.50 domestic bottles
  • Wednesday $1 off whiskey
  • Thursday Modelo & Taco special (eat in only)
  • Saturday 4pm-10pm prime rib dinner
  • Sunday $2 mimosas 8am-2pm and prime rib dinner 4pm-10pm

Details

Irish Pubs in Milwaukee Suburbs

 

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Five Points Irish Pub

Located in Waukesha, an up and coming area about thirty minutes west of Milwaukee is another Irish boutique hotel with attached pub and restaurant. The place is operated by the same folks over at County Clare, so patrons know they are in for a quality experience. The pub has a cozy fireplace, wood decor, and transports you right to the best pubs in Ireland.

Besides pouring up great drinks, they also serve some top-notch Irish cuisine, like a number of sandwiches including the Black $ Tan Burger, with white cheddar, Guinness battered onions, fried mushrooms, tomato and arugula on a brioche bun ($16), in addition to other favorites like the Root Soup, with carrot, sweet potato, leek, and lemon cream ($3.50 for cup, $4.50 for a bowl). The Reuben rolls are fantastic ($10), and go great before one of the entrees, like the Ruby, with seared chicken, port wine reduction, goat cheese, pecan, vegetables, and mashed potatoes ($19). The River Shannon Salmon is also great, with a salmon filet, dill, spinach, and red potatoes ($20).

Specials

Numerous food and drink specials keep the good times rolling at Five Points Irish Pub. Happy hour runs daily from 4 pm to 6 pm, with $1 off Irish taps, $4.50 Irish coffee, $1 off house wines, and $1 off rail shots.

  • Monday  & Tuesday two entrees for $25
  • Saturday$4 Old Fashioneds and $4 beer taps

Details

Mulligan’s Irish Pub

Franklin is a bit outside of Milwaukee, about twenty-five minutes south, but Mulligan’s is definitely worth the drive if you don’t live in the area. The restaurant and pub offer excellent drinks and even better food. Try the Irish Nachos, with thick cut pub chips, Irish cheddar cheese, salsa, jalapenos, and choice of meat ($9.45), or the Corned Beef Dippers, with corned beef and swiss cheese stuffed pretzels and dipping sauce ($9.95). The Reuben soup is delicious and super affordable ($1.95 for a cup, $2.95 for a bowl). They also have larger entrees like bangers and mash with Guinness gravy and stout bread ($12.95) or twin steak filets wrapped in rasher bacon and served alongside mashed potatoes ($17.95). With food like this, Mulligan’s Irish Pub is well worth a stop.

Specials

There are quite a few ways to save money at Mulligan’s, like the nightly happy hour that runs from 2 pm through 6 pm and again from 10 pm through midnight, when patrons can get $3.50 micro taps, $4.50 import taps, $3 rail cocktails, and half off select appetizers. On

  • Mondays $8 one topping pizza and 50% bottles of premium wine specials
  • Tuesday fifty cent wings 4-9pm
  • Thursday $2 off burgers
  • Friday early bird fish fry 11am-3pm
  • Saturday Prime rib starting at 4 pm, $21.95 16oz King cut and $18.95 120z Queen cut
  • Sunday $4 bloody mary specials all day and half price Irish Whiskeys 4-9pm

Location

Bub’s Irish Pub

Located about a half-hour northwest of downtown Milwaukee in Germantown is Bub’s Irish Pub, a super popular destination for good food, drinks, and live music. The entire space is about 15,000 square feet, so you know this place draws the crowds, especially on Saturday nights for live music.

They also offer great food, which is mostly well-executed bar food with an Irish twist. Try the Pot o’ Gold, or potato skins with bacon, tomato, cheddar cheese, chives and sour cream ($4.99/$8.99), or the Reuben Quesadilla, or flour tortilla stuffed with corned beef, sauerkraut, cheese sauce, and served with Thousand Island dressing ($10.99). There are several sandwiches to pick from, like the Dublin Dipper with hot roast beef on French bread and topped with mozzarella cheese with a side of dipping au jus ($10.99). The menu also offers wraps, sandwiches, ribs, pizza, and a Friday fish fry, in addition to larger entrees like the Jameson flat iron steak, which is a steak marinated in Jameson whiskey, seared, and served with Irish stuffing or fries ($12.99).

Specials

Food and drink specials at Bub’s Irish Pub keep the patrons coming back for more. Take advantage of any of these specials and stick around for the live music at Bub’s Irish Pub in Germantown.

  • Monday $14 pizza and pitcher deal
  • Tuesday $2 tacos and $6.50 chimichangas
  • Wednesday fifty cent wings and $6 pitchers of select beers
  • Thursday $6 rib sandwich and $8-$10 dinner specials

Location

No matter where you are in the city you are sure to find an Irish pub in Milwaukee serving up a tasty Guinness or whiskey shot!