The Irish Pubs Of Ac

The Irish Pubs of AC
Friends, let's take a trip in the way back machine. We're going to go back to about, say, seven years ago. Seven years ago in Atlantic City if you asked where the Irish pub was, you would be directed to THE Irish Pub. That Irish pub is The Irish Pub and Inn, at St. James Avenue and the Boardwalk. Make no mistake, the Irish Pub and Inn is still the most famous of AC's truly Irish pubs, but there have been a couple of new additions over the last couple of years that'll make you think twice if somebody asks you which is the best Irish pub in AC. Here are our favorites, just in time for St. Patrick's day.

Trinity Pub and Carvery Pier at Caesars 609.345.6900
Trinity Pub is the latest and greatest addition to the Atlantic City pub scene. It's been transplanted from the Emerald Isle piece by piece - everything from the ceiling tiles to the floorboards originate in Ireland. Trinity boasts a menu with nouveau and old school pub fare choices, good sandwiches, steaks, seafood, and truly excellent burgers. One of CityAtlantic's favorite treats from Trinity is the Curry Fries. Chef Martin Doyle created a sublimely sweet and creamy curry sauce that's truly delectable. Try it especially on St. Patty's day because it goes perfectly with large quantities of beer.

Their onsite carvery and rotisserie that emphasizes freshly carved meats (all hand cut to order, no less) must be sampled to be believed. Options include Herb Roasted Free Range Chicken, with thyme chicken gravy; Apricot Stuffed Boneless Pork Loin, with apple fritters and whole grain mustard sauce; and Herb Rubbed Boneless Leg of Lamb, with mint jus. The casual bar and restaurant features eight beers on tap, including Guinness, live music, two bars and a fireplace. For St. Patrick's Day you can expect live Irish music and entertainment, drink specials and lots of flowing libations.

Irish Pub and Inn St. James Avenue at the Boardwalk 609.344.9063
As stated in the intro, this is the granddaddy of pubs in AC. The Irish Pub is famous for their cheap food & drink as well as the fact that it's open 24 hours. However, the Irish Pub's fame on St. Patty's grows exponentially because of Bag Day, an authentic and original AC tradition. The evening of St. Patty's day through the following morning, Irish Pub patrons wear brown paper bags on their head and then drink like fish. Bag Day vets come in ornately decorated bags, but a plain bag is perfectly acceptable. It's a fun way to drink and make a fool of yourself as anonymously as possible.

Ri-Ra Irish Pub 3rd floor, The Quarter at Tropicana 609.348.8600
OK, it is a chain. But this chain of Irish pubs (seven to date) specializes in buying remnants of authentic Irish pubs and getting them over here to ye United States for reconstruction. Even the bric-a-brac in the windows came from across the pond. The two massive plasma screens over the bar and the correctly ethnic menu (the burgers use Irish rasher bacon, not American) are a great place to watch a televised parade or to start one of your own...right thru the Quarter. www.rira.com

Maloney's Uptown 142 Tennessee Avenue 609.347.3100
This AC-style reincarnation of the famed Maloney's at Margate lets the Irish spirit live on after the Margate location's unfortunate but extremely well-attended final bash. Maloney's has carried the name of owner John Maloney since 1956. The new (now into its 2nd season) joint is decorated so well that you would never expect several nights a week of one dollar drink specials, nor would you expect the prototypical crazy Saint Patty's crowd here either. Have no fear -- the specialty dishes of the old place made the move too: you can still those kickass burgers and crab cakes. Look for this year's St. Patty's day bash to be even better than last year - and that's saying something. www.maloneysuptown.com