Arlington VA Irish Pub
Arlington stretches from Rosslyn down to Shirlington, with the National Landing offices and Crystal City anchoring its south end. For all its restaurants, a genuine Irish pub that runs late is harder to find than it should be.
That pub is McNamara’s Pub and Restaurant, at 567 23rd Street South beside Crystal City and about a mile from the gates at Reagan National. It runs as equal parts Irish pub and neighborhood sports bar, with the bar and kitchen both going until close.
Irish Pub in Arlington VA
Irish Restaurant in Arlington
The food at McNamara’s starts with the Irish classics and takes them seriously. Bangers and mash, corned beef and cabbage, and a proper shepherd’s pie sit alongside burgers and wings that pair just as well with a pint. The kitchen builds regulars by getting the basics right.
It works equally well for a quick lunch or a long dinner, with salads and lighter options for a smaller appetite. Good food, no pretension. Browse the full menu for a better look on what we offer.
Whiskey & Wine
Arlington gets a proper midweek reset on Wednesdays. All day long, bottles of wine are half off and select whiskey is too, so a Wednesday at McNamara’s rewards a little curiosity. The Opus One even joins in at 25% off, which is rare enough to plan around.
The mood is calm and conversational, quality over volume, exactly what the middle of the week calls for. Split a bottle over dinner or line up a flight of pours. See the full whiskey and wine list here.
Sports Bar in Arlington
As a sports bar in Arlington, McNamara’s keeps the games on and the room engaged. You will find the NFL, MLB, NHL, and college football across the screens, with the World Cup pulling its own crowd when it comes around.
Early evenings stay family-friendly, easy for a dinner and the first half, before the night picks up. Settle in for the whole game or drop by for the final minutes.
Trivia Night in Arlington
For Arlington locals, Monday has a standing appointment: trivia from 7 to 9, five themed rounds deep. It rewards quick thinking and a team willing to argue over the last answer, with categories spanning memory, pattern recognition, and pop culture. Prizes go to the top two finishers.
Third place earns the right to choose a topic for next week, so the rivalry never really ends. The room packs in early, and any group of ten or more should reserve ahead.
Specials
Being an Arlington local has its perks, and the specials board sits near the top of the list. Happy hour lands 3 to 7 every weekday, $2 off food and drinks, with the good cocktails and all the appetizers in play. On Tuesdays a sandwich, fries, and a soda runs $13 until 3, and Thursdays swap in burgers at the same price, a draft for an extra five.
The kitchen also rolls out new monthly menu specials, so the lineup never goes stale. Weekends add brunch from 10 to 2 with dollar mimosa refills for two hours when you order an entree, and a rotating drink feature that currently means $6 Tito’s and Jameson all day Sunday.
Karaoke
Arlington weekends get a little louder at McNamara’s. Karaoke takes over Friday and Saturday nights starting at 9, drawing regulars, newcomers, and the occasional friend talked into taking the mic. The energy is high and the setlist is anyone’s guess.
It is the kind of night where a shy first-timer can bring the house down or a regular can own the room. Sing a song or just enjoy the show.
Special Events
For Arlington special events, McNamara’s keeps a private party room that seats up to 30. It takes on wedding receptions, work parties, and holiday get-togethers, with everything from the food to the bar handled in house.
Your group gets its own space while still feeling the energy of the pub. Go buffet-style or sit down to a plated meal, whichever suits the day.
Bingo Night
If you are in Arlington and your Tuesdays have flatlined, McNamara’s runs bingo as the fix. The first of eight rounds kicks off at 7, prizes turn up all night, and there is no team to organize and no trivia cramming required. Just a card, a pint, and the small suspense of one more number.
Bingo here leans easygoing, which is why it works midweek. Seats at the bar are first come, so a larger group should show up early to land a table together.
Online Ordering
For Arlington nights in, McNamara’s is a few taps away. The whole menu, burgers, wings, shareable starters, and the Irish classics, is set up for pickup or delivery across Seamless, Grubhub, Postmates, Uber Eats, and Waitbusters.
Grab it on the way home or have it sent over, whichever the evening calls for. Delivery times and what is available can vary with demand, so a large order is happiest with some notice.
Arlington Irish Pub FAQs
Where exactly is McNamara's in Arlington?
In National Landing at 567 23rd Street South, near Crystal City and a short walk from the Crystal City Metro.
How far is the airport?
Reagan National is about a mile away, which is why Arlington travelers treat the pub as a first or last stop.
Does it cover both Irish and American food?
Yes, the kitchen runs corned beef and cabbage and fish and chips next to burgers, wings, and a few good salads.
Can larger groups be seated?
The private room holds up to 30, and busy weeknights around Arlington are worth a reservation.
Why Arlington Residents Choose McNamara's Pub and Restaurant
Arlington has bars on every corner, but few that put a serious kitchen, a deep whiskey shelf, and something happening every night under one roof.
From a quick weeknight stop to a full private party, McNamara’s is the one locals end up naming when someone asks where to go.