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Food & Drink

Irish Pubs

Rating: NNNNN


Brazen Head 165 East Liberty, at Hanna, 416-535-8787. This brand new two-storey Celtic complex across from the 24-hour Dominion doesn’t just celebrate the Great Day with a week of events, but hosts a St. Patrick’s Day hangover brunch the following morning with $4 Caesars from 11 am till 3 pm.

Dora Keogh 141 Danforth, at Broadview, 416-778-1804. Next door to Allen’s, this no-frills Irish cousin features Celtic musicians, semi-private snugs and an Olde World kitchen that can be booked for dinner parties.

Fionn MacCool’s 70 The Esplanade, at Church, 416-362-2495. Another Irish-type pub going to great lengths for authenticity points, it’s pretty much everything you’d expect, with the bonus of Ceilidh Wednesdays and live bands Friday and Saturday nights.

Foggy Dew 803 King W, at Tecumseth, 416-703-4042. Sibling to the Pour House and Murphy’s Law, this upscale Irish pub features live Celtic musos every Saturday night once the Leafs game is over. Decent Irish-themed pub grub, too.

Fynn’s of Temple Bar 489 King W, at Spadina 416-586-1331 Fynn’s is a classy-looking Irish pub that does the whole theme-night thing, including martinis, tapas or cheap pints. The food’s relatively good, and there’s a DJ every Friday to help the suits slide into weekend mode.

Grace O’Malley’s 14 Duncan, at Pearl, 416-596-1444. Billing herself as Toronto’s Maritime headquarters, this sprawling corporate meat market also attracts leprachauns come St. Paddy’s Day. Live Celtic-ish bands Thursday to Saturday.

Irish Embassy 49 Yonge, at Wellington, 416-866-8282. Located in a bank building built in 1873, this pub and grill boasts its original tile floors and a vast collection of beers on tap.

JAMES JOYCE 386 Bloor W, at Major, 416-324-9400. A fairly typical Irish pub located in the Annex, the James Joyce serves up your standard pub fare and a better-than-average selection of drafts. Between that and regularly performing live bands, you’re in for an average, albeit perfectly enjoyable time.

McVeigh’s New Windsor Tavern 124 Church, at Richmond E, 416-364-9698. Come St. Paddy’s Day, if you’re looking for green beer you’ve come to the wrong joint. Instead, find an unpretentious working-class pub proud of its Irish heritage without the tourist shtick, where Celtic musicians play most nights in one corner and darts get thrown in t’opposite. Irish stew, too.

Murphy’s Law 1702 Queen E, at Kingston, 416-690-5516. Located in a converted bank, this multi-floor Celtic-themed pub features several semi-private snugs, 45-cent wings Tuesdays and a week’s worth of St. Patrick Day festivities. Live music Saturday nights, too.

OverDraught 156 Front W, at University, 416-408-3925. Downstairs from Joe Badali’s, this luxe Irish tavern features live Celtic music Fridays after work and a menu that includes authentic Old World grub like steak marinated in Jameson’s, Guinness-braised bangers ‘n’ mash and, er, chicken curry.

P.J. O’Brien’s 39 Colbourne, at Church, 416-815-7562. Hidden behind the King Eddie, this upscale Irish pub, co-owned by ex-Leafs coach Pat Quinn, comes equipped with Windsor chairs, a snug and a bar loaded with more than 20 Irish whiskeys. Closed Sunday.

Pogue Mahone 777 Bay, at College, 416-598-3339. Kiss me Irish arse, indeed! This new-ish corporate pub doesn’t just celebrate St. Paddy’s Day, it parties for the entire week with whiskey tastings, limerick-writing contests and commemorative T-shirts.

Pour House 182 Dupont, at St. George, 416-967-7687. Unquestionably a beautiful homage to the classic Irish pubs of, well, Ireland, the Pour House offers an unpretentious, hospitable setting perfect for tying a few on while watching TV or taking in live music every Saturday evening.

Unicorn Pub 175 Eglinton E, at Redpath, 416-482-0115. Remember The Unicorn, by the Irish Rovers, those Toronto-based Irish folkies who had a hit with the song back in the 70s? Well, here’s the none-more-authentic pub the band’s singer, Will Millar, started with his royalties, though today the only time you hear it is during Monday-night karaoke.

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