Foggy Bottom DC Irish Pub
Foggy Bottom sits between the river, the university, and the Kennedy Center, busy by day and quieter once the offices empty. For a real Irish pub that runs late, the trip is over the bridge and south.
McNamara’s Pub and Restaurant is a short trip away at 567 23rd Street South in Arlington, near Crystal City and about a mile from Reagan National. It is a neighborhood Irish pub that shows the game, keeps things family-friendly, and feeds you late.
Irish Pub near Foggy Bottom DC
McNamara’s gives Foggy Bottom residents a traditional pub setting for a pint, a meal, or an evening out without heading deeper into downtown. The bar carries Guinness, Irish whiskey, wine, cocktails, and rotating drafts, with a relaxed atmosphere that shifts naturally from casual daytime dining to a livelier late-night crowd.
Sports Bar near Foggy Bottom
Foggy Bottom is a short hop over the bridge to catch the game. McNamara’s keeps the major leagues on the screens, MLB, NBA, NHL, and football of every flavor, with the World Cup in the rotation.
The room is family-friendly early and livelier later, good for a quiet dinner or a loud finish. Watch the whole thing or arrive for the closing stretch.
Trivia Night near Foggy Bottom
Foggy Bottom is a short trip over the bridge for a Monday that beats studying. McNamara’s trivia runs 7 to 9, five themed rounds that test memory, pattern recognition, and pop culture. The top two finishers take prizes.
Third place gets to set a category for the following week, which is reason enough to return. The room fills early, so get there ahead of time, and reserve any party of ten or more.
Irish Restaurant near Foggy Bottom
Foggy Bottom is a short hop over the bridge to a real Irish kitchen. McNamara’s plates shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and a Guinness beef stew, with burgers and wings for anyone who wants both sides of the menu. Consistency is the point.
It works for a quick lunch or a long dinner, with salads and lighter fare too. Nothing leaves the kitchen as filler.
Whiskey & Wine
On Wednesday, McNamara’s Pub and Restaurant runs offers on select whiskey and wine. all day. The offer is a whopping 50% off wine bottles and 50% off select whiskey all day, which makes the trip worth taking. Even the Opus One drops to 25% off.
The mood is calm and unhurried, built for tasting rather than crowds. Open a bottle to share or work through a couple of whiskeys.
Karaoke
We run karaoke on Friday and Saturday from 9, with regulars, first-timers, and brave friends taking the mic. The energy runs high and the setlist is anyone’s guess.
It is the rare night where nerves and talent get the same applause. Step up or cheer from the bar.
Bingo Night
Tuesday night is bingo night that beats staying in. The first of eight rounds opens at 7, prizes appear all night, and you will not need a team or any prep. Take a card, grab a pint, and listen for your numbers.
Bingo here is built social first, which is what makes it land midweek. Bar stools are first come, so bring a bigger group early.
Specials
Happy hour at McNamara’s Pub and Restaurant runs 3 to 7 on weekdays, $2 off food and drinks, with the good cocktails and every appetizer included. Tuesday sets a sandwich, fries, and soda at $13 until 3, while Thursday swaps in burgers at the same price, a draft for an added $5.
Weekends do their part with brunch from 10 to 2, where one mimosa unlocks dollar refills for two hours beside an entree, and a Sunday feature currently set at $6 Tito’s and Jameson open to close. A fresh round of monthly menu specials rotates in often, all on the specials page.
Online Ordering
The full McNamara’s menu is available for pickup or delivery through Seamless, Grubhub, Postmates, Uber Eats, and Waitbusters, covering burgers, wings, starters, and the Irish staples.
Order ahead for pickup or let delivery handle it. Delivery times move with how busy things are, so a bigger order is best with a little lead time.
Special Events
Your special event deserves a special space, and we have just the place for you. McNamara’s Pub and Restaurant seats up to 30 and takes on wedding receptions, retirements, and holiday gatherings, with food and drink covered in house.
Your group gets its own space while keeping the pub atmosphere. Run a buffet or a plated dinner, whichever fits.
Foggy Bottom Irish Pub FAQs
Can large groups dine together?
Yes. McNamara’s can accommodate group dining, although advance reservations are recommended so the restaurant can prepare the right seating arrangement.
What time does the kitchen close?
Kitchen availability may vary depending on the day and current operating schedule. Call McNamara’s at 703-302-3760 to confirm late-night food service before traveling from Foggy Bottom.
What is the menu like?
Fish and chips and shepherd’s pie anchor the Irish side, with burgers, wings, and salads rounding it out.
When is the happy hour?
Weekdays from 3 to 7, with $2 off food and drinks and every appetizer in the deal.
Why Foggy Bottom Residents Choose McNamara's Pub and Restaurant
For Foggy Bottom, the bridge leads to a late Irish pub with a full week of events, a deep whiskey list, and food worth the short trip.
A quiet booth, a family dinner, or a group night out, it all works once you are across the river.