If you throw a dart at a map of pretty much any Long Island town, chances are you’ll come within striking distance of at least one, or perhaps several, Irish pubs. There may be locales in the world where pints of Guinness are in short supply, but thankfully LI is decidedly not one of those places.
So whether you’re looking to kick it like a Celt on St. Patrick’s Day, or just pop in for a pint and a shepherd’s pie on a Tuesday, you’ll find no lack of nearby options. Some recommended Irish oases include:
Buckley’s Irish Pub
386 Montauk Hwy., Center Moriches, 631-909-8330, buckleyspubrestaurant.com
Buckley’s has been a staple in the Moriches area for many years, and it’s easy to see why the locals and visitors keep coming back for more. The warm and inviting atmosphere pairs well with the quality dining and drink choices, and there are some great daily specials, like two-for-one Tuesdays, “Wine Down Wednesdays” and prime rib Thursdays. A popular event is burger night on Mondays, where $5.95 gets you a meaty slab of heaven.
Carney’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
136 Broadway, Amityville, 631-464-4445, carneysamityvillage.com
Situated in the heart of quaint old Amityville, Carney’s has all the elements of a great Irish pub, from the vibe, to the drinks, to the food. Brunch is served on Sundays and happy hour runs from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, featuring drink specials and reduced price appetizers. Check the online calendar for upcoming live music, which typically goes down several times per week.
Flanagan’s Pub
451 Hawkins Ave., Lake Ronkonkoma, 631-588-9843, flanaganspub.net
Lake Ronkonkoma has its own Flanagan’s-dubbed Irish pub, which takes pride in its Celtic cuisine and expertly poured pints. Happy hour runs Monday through Saturday from 4 pm to 7 pm, along with daily food specials like “Burger and a Beer / Boozy Bingo” on Tuesday nights, or “Fish & Chips / Wine Not” Wednesdays. There’s even a delectable late-night happy hour menu served in the bar area until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; for just $9 you can crush a corned beef Reuben and fries, or loaded tater tots, or a host of other drunken wee-hour glories.
Fulton’s Gate
124 E. Main St., Patchogue, 631-289-1490, fultonsgate.com
Patchogue’s killer nightlife assortment includes this Irish-themed gem, where traditional meets modern and we’re all the better for it. While throwing back pints and/or cocktails your eye is likely to also wander to the tempting dining menu, boasting extensive favorites like Irish fish chowder and Dublin coddle as well as unexpected surprises like edamame dumplings and duck wontons.
Grafton Street Pub
261 Veterans Memorial Hwy., Hauppauge, 631-360-0761, graftonstreetpubli.com
Don’t let the unassuming strip-mall exterior fool you: Grafton Street has reimagined the former Gallaway’s, bringing this neighborhood hangout into the next generation. Honoring Dublin’s famous Grafton Street, the pub focuses on food that’s as tasty as its pints, especially its massive burgers. Check the website for its lengthy list of daily food and drink specials.
James Joyce
49 S. Ocean Ave., Patchogue, 631-562-4000, jamesjoyceny.com
Named for the famed Irish author, the James Joyce in Patchogue actually lives by the famous quote from another Irish scribe, William Butler Yeats: “There are no strangers here; only friends you haven’t yet met.” Strangers and friends alike converge on the pub for its extensive whiskey list, wide range of imported and domestic draft beers, and large selection of wine and liquors. The menu is also well worth your time and cash, if for no other reason than to enjoy the decadent Scotch egg offered among the appetizers.
Lily Flanagan’s Pub
345 Deer Park Ave., Babylon, 631-539-0816, lilyflanaganspub.com
Lily’s opened its Babylon location in 2007 and has been a fixture of the village’s thriving restaurant and nightlife scene ever since. Grab a beverage from one of two oversized 360-degree bars, featuring 24 seasonally rotating draft beers, seasonal craft cocktails, and all of the classics. Live music happens on Friday nights, happy hour is hosted daily from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday Shenanigans provide 2-for-1 Corona bottles from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. The kitchen, which serves “Irish fare with an American twist,” runs until 11 p.m.
Mary Carroll’s Irish Pub
121 Deer Park Ave., Babylon, 631-587-6181, facebook.com/IRISHPUB.mc
Another downtown Babylon favorite among pub peeps is Mary Carroll’s, where the brick and wood paneling look of the place gives off that classic Irish bar ambiance. Inside you’ll find tasty grub and a full range of draft beer and cocktails, as well as an outdoor patio/beer garden for warm-weather drinking. Locals praise the wings and late-night food and drink options.
Napper Tandy’s Irish Pub
15 E. Main St., Smithtown, 631-360-0606. nappertandysirishpub.com
229 Laurel Ave., Northport, 631-757-4141, northport.nappertandysirishpub.com
60 E. Main St., Bay Shore, 631-665-0040, nappertandysbayshore.com
Napper’s has its own Irish pub empire on Long Island, with multiple locations for folks looking to get their Irish on. Each location has its own identity, however; the newest branch — Bay Shore — occupies the former Nutty Irishman pub, located in an old downtown firehouse. Napper’s in Smithtown, meanwhile, has grown into a major live entertainment venue, in addition to providing food and drink. For diners, fret not: Each Napper’s serves similar pub menus featuring classic comfort food, with some variation by the chefs at each venue.
The Nutty Irishman
320 Main St., Farmingdale, 516-293-9700, thenuttyirishman.com
The Nut’s slogan is “Cold beer, great music, good times,” and how can one go wrong with that? The place is also legendary for its burgers and wings and offers 26 taps, plus a packed live music calendar, with two bands performing on both Friday and Saturday nights. Can’t decide on a beverage? Try the beer flight, featuring five different 10-ounce beer tasters. Tuesday is country music night, complete with live music and line dancing, in case you’re really feeling nutty.
Paddy’s Loft
1286 Hicksville Rd., Massapequa, 516-798-7660, paddysloft.com
This Nassau County Gaelic hangout touts itself as the “home of the 20-ounce Guinness pint,” so what more reason to visit do you really need? As you’re imbibing that tower of frothy goodness, you’ll also enjoy the cozy vibe of the place, from its traditional wood furnishings to the crackling stone hearth. It’s a favorite for night owls, serving both food and drink until 4 a.m., just in case the urge hits you for lamb stew or bangers and mash at the witching hour.
Paddy Power
70 Merrick Ave., Merrick, 516-223-3900, paddypowerpub.com
Paddy Power is serious about keeping Nassau County pub-goers happy: Normally its happy hour runs all day until 7 p.m. on weekdays, but in 2020 the pub will offer happy hour every day, until 10 p.m.! Pop in for daily food specials, too, like Mexican Mondays or its Irish Sunday brunch. Thursdays are karaoke and ladies night, while tap beers and apps are just $5 on Tuesdays after 7 p.m. The menu is extensive and has something for all.
Shandon Court
115 E. Main St., East Islip, 631-581-5678, shandoncourt.net
Blessed with both a first-rate restaurant as well as a bar, Shandon Court is a perennial favorite for Irish fare in the Islip area, and is regularly voted tops on Long Island. This is your spot when you’re looking for seriously elevated Irish-American cuisine and are willing to pay for it, like its grilled sirloin shepherd’s pie ($21) or ale-marinated corned beef and cabbage ($23). The lounge offers 14 beers on tap, daily drink specials and live music on Fridays, starting at 5:30 p.m.
