Cheers to Our Favorite Pubs in Dallas-Fort Worth
Sláinte! As St. Patrick's Day approaches, it's the perfect time to get acquainted with one (or, better yet, a few) of DFW's best pubs. Whether they're Irish-style pubs, British-style pubs or they just have the word "pub" in their name, we love the European vibes, the pub grub and the welcoming, "come one, come all" attitude of the servers and staff at these spots, which are listed here in no particular order.
1. harwood arms
An afternoon or evening at Harwood Arms encompasses all your favorite things about the a trip to Merry Old England, from the whiskey and Guiness to their menu of fish and chips, bangers and mash, reuben fries and more! Their happy hour Monday through Thursday from 4-7 p.m., and extended happy hour from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Fridays is AMAZING. They've got $5-$6 bites, $1 off beer, $6 wine by the glass and $5 wells during those hours.
2. the blackfriar pub
Blackfriar has lived a long life and a merry one as a Dallas beer-drinking institution. 2023 will mark the 20th anniversary of the Uptown location, and they have since added a second location in the Lakewood area. We love their EXTENSIVE beer selection almost as much as those Fish & Chips. But TBH, sometimes we prefer the simplicity of a pull of Guinness and a shot of Jameson at one of the most authentic Irish pubs in town.
3. J Gilligan's
If you're headed to J. Gilligan's in Arlington, you're probably headed there for a plate full of those incredible Irish Nachos, the natural-cut Cottage Fries with skins, topped with melted cheddar, bacon, chives, onions, tomatoes and jalapeños. And who could blame you? But here's a couple more reasons: the vibe is always a party, and it's the perfect place to tailgate before a Dallas Cowboys or Texas Rangers game. They've got a shuttle that'll take you to and from the game, and you don't have to pay those EXORBITANT parking prices.
4. trinity college
One of our quieter obsessions lo these many years of blogging about the DFW scene has been a good Scotch Egg. It's like the turducken of the hard-boiled egg world, where the egg is surrounded by a thin layer of sausage then deep fried. When done right, it's just marvelous, and the Scotch Egg is definitely done right at Fort Worth's Trinity College of West 7th. We love their pub food menu in general, their extensive selection of both Irish and English beers and whiskeys, and the vibes out on their semi-covered patio.
5. spider murphy's pub
The specials at Spider Murphy's in the Knox-Henderson neighborhood are INSANE. On Martini Thursdays, all Martinis are just $6. They've got a selection of 11 different cocktails, including their Mezcal Old Fashioned, their Ranch Water and Habanero Margarita, that are half price all day Wednesday. And from 4-7 p.m.Wednesday - Friday, their Happy Hour, all appetizers are half off. Don't miss their weekend brunch, served from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, either.
6. durty murphy's
We love Durty Murph's brand of "Durty." This downtown Fort Worth dive has been a favorite of ours for YEARS. Many a-quarter has been lost on that Big Buck Hunter machine playing loser buys next round. They pour a generous shot, appreciate a generous tipper and treat every day like St. Patrick's Day at Durty Murphy's.
7. uptown pub
Set in one of McKinney Avenue's landmark buildings, Uptown Pub offers more than just your typical pub menu. This warm, rustic Dallas institution has one of the best patios in the neighborhood and one of the most eclectic menus as well. The bar slings a number of unique imported beers and whiskeys, and we love munching on their garlic buffalo fries as well!
8. Cannon's corner
Cannon's Corner puts Oak Cliff on the map for great Irish pub fare. They recently started serving brunch from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on weekends, and it is GREAT, too. On Wednesdays, they discount select whiskeys that are normally $12 or more, for HALF PRICE, so get some of the good stuff in ya! Their Shepherd's Pie and corned beef are not to be missed, either.
9. The old monk
Owned by the same folks and located in the same neighborhood as Spider Murphy's, The Old Monk is the perfect place to chill on the front patio and cross a few beers off your "to try" list. They've got an absolutely massive selection, and the menu ain't nothing to sneeze at either. Start with some of their spicy tempura mushrooms and keep it going with one of their really great and under-rated cheese boards as the conversation unwinds.
10. ye olde bull and bush
All we can say about Ye Olde Bull and Bush is, if you know, you know. This spot is such a cool hang, whether you're on a date for drinks, you just want a place to read where they'll keep the beers coming or you've got a night full of grudge matches on on the dart board on tap. It's also one of those places that's open 365 days a year, which can come in handy after those larger/longer mandatory family get-togethers.
11. The Crafty Irishman
When it's time for the perfect Guinness pour, it's time for a trip to The Crafty Irishman downtown. Nestled quietly and unassumingly on the ground floor the of historic Mercantile Building, The Crafty Irishman is deeply rooted in Irish tradition — it's one of the most authentic Irish pubs on this list. The place is locally owned by an ACTUAL Dublin native, so you really can't go wrong here, especially when you order the fish & chips, which are just perfect.
The Abbey
The Abbey is one of Fort Worth's oldest Irish pubs — it was off West 7th before West 7th was ever West 7th! It's a great place to start the evening crawl, too. They've got more than 60 different local, national and international beer selections, and their Irish whiskey selection is almost as impressive.
13. The Ginger Man
The immense beer selection and the great pub grub set have set the Ginger Man apart from the pack for years. After shedding two locations in both Dallas and Fort Worth in recent years, you can still get both at their Irving location, with a big caveat. As of February 2023, that location was temporarily shut down for a move. According to their Instagram, the move won't take that long, and they'll be back to serving it up at their new location, "a couple doors down from Cork & Pig," before you know it.
