The North American Pub List
but first...
A few thoughts...

  "The pub is an institution unique to England, and there is nothing more English. It is not an American bar, darkened still by the long shadow of Prohibition; not a French café, where people sunnily drink aperitifs on the pavement; not a Bavarian beer-hall, full of swaying and noise..."
   Such is the way distinguished drinks author Michael Jackson (1942 - 2007) begins his 1976 book The English Pub. And I would tend to agree, with a few reservations. Having spent a good bit of time working and traveling in the United Kingdom, as well as Ireland and many other parts of the globe, and being somewhat of a semi-professional beer drinker myself, I long ago became quite captivated with the British pub. I remember my first - British pub that is - from years ago. It was called the Bag-o-Nails, located just south of Hyde Park, in central London. I had barely been off the trans-Atlantic flight for more than a few minutes, still dazed at lack of sleep, when I went in search of my first genuine British pint. When I walked through the doors of the Bag-o-Nails, I felt as if I had just come home.  One could say that the Bag-o-Nails was a rather commercial, city pub, but I thought it was great, all the same. I have been frequenting pubs ever since.

  Mr. Jackson goes on to say, "Despite honourable efforts, the pub has not been successfully transplanted into other countries, because it is an organic part of the growth of English community life." He says that only half-hearted efforts have managed to export the pub to such nearby locations as Scotland, Wales, and across the water to Ireland. Hmmm? Perhaps on this point I would have to respectfully disagree. I do very much agree with Mr. Jackson on several aspects of the English pub, including the fact that a pub is a fundamental and historic part of the local community, and that a pub exudes a particular form of hospitality, often based on the fact that the landlord and landlady actually own the pub, that are not often found in your basic bar. Yes, indeed, but these same criteria can be applied to almost any drinking establishment, regardless of location, or whether it's called a pub, tavern, bar, lounge, etc...
    So what makes a good British pub? Is it the decor, the beer, the music, the food (some say there is no place for food in a good pub)? It is the name that makes it a good pub? Well, yes to all that. But to me, the viability of a pub is based on a simple gut feeling - basically, is the place comfortable? I hate to use a cliché, but a good pub, to me, must feel like putting on an old sweater. Like I said, entering a pub must feel like coming home. I honestly think that this comfortable feeling, one that I have enjoyed in countless British pubs, can be exported around the world. Heck, one of my favorite pubs was located in Agana, Guam - about as far away from the home sod as you can get. I only went there a few times, but every time I walked through the door of The London Square Pub, I felt like I was the owner's long lost son. He made me feel like family, despite the fact that one doesn't wear a sweater in Guam. 
   Shortly after I started this blog my wife and I were on the road, and stopped into a stateside pub called O'Reilly's (How many O'Reilly's pubs are there in the world?). We had never been there before, so intrigued by the name and the prospects of a decent pub, we stopped in for a pint. It met many of the above criteria - dark wood, brass accents, Guinness on tap. But it just didn't feel right. Maybe it was the out of place music, too many wide-screen TVs, a somewhat aloof staff. Maybe it was the sense that the patrons were in their own little worlds, never to go beyond their boundaries. I don't really know, but it just didn't feel right - I did not feel like I was home. Even my wife, who is not quite as hyper-sensitive to the pub atmosphere as I am, said it didn't feel like a pub should. So, to my wife and I, notwithstanding the name, the decor, the beer, etc..., this place does not qualify as a pub. It did not meet my always somewhat hazy idea of a pub. Then again, I may be wrong and should give it another chance. If I am ever back in those parts, perhaps I will.
   I most certainly agree with Mr. Jackson that a good pub has a sense of community, but I would venture further and say that a good pub also has a sense of acceptance.  Now, we have all been in a bar, perhaps one of those darkened caverns, with red velour on the walls, where all the customers are protected by an invisible privacy fence, maybe staring at a TV, but never looking around. They want to be left alone with their drinks and their thoughts, which is ok, I guess. A good pub, however, is a very welcoming place. I have walked into a British pub for the first time, a total stranger, and within a few minutes I am chatting away with the locals, being treated like I had been coming there for years, like I was a local myself. I think a good pub, regardless of its locale, fosters this sort of cordiality. I think it goes beyond the fact that I am the odd-ball American who just walked in. I think a good pub crowd is also a friendly crowd, one that would make even the oddest of Americans feel at ease.

  Talk about conviviality - My wife and I were in Dublin, Ireland, and stopped in a pub to get out of the rain, and, of course, to get a quick warm-up with a pint of Guinness and a dram of Powers' Irish Whiskey. Within minutes of settling into the snug, we were in an animated conversation with our snug-mates, talking about all manner of things. On our pub travels through Dublin, this happened more often than not. I think, for the most part, a pub just makes people friendlier. (Helpful hint: Just make sure you know which football [soccer to us Yanks] team the locals support.) Again, I respectfully disagree with Mr. Jackson - pubs can be worldwide.
   The big question is: Can a North American pub be as good as a British pub? That's easy - I say the answer is most certainly yes. Sorry about that Mr. Jackson, but the way I look at it, once I am through the front door, I apply the above listed criteria to the pub, regardless of where it is physically located. If I feel good about the place, then it's a good pub. Of course, Guinness on tap, or even better, a British cask conditioned ale, helps out quite a bit. Yes, I do acknowledge the fact that the terms "Public House" and "Pub" did originate back in the olden days of England, and have a strict historical definition, but I think that it's fine to also acknowledge that these terms have morphed somewhat over the years, to include the more encompassing meanings of today. 

   I recently read on some website or another an article titled something like: Fifteen Reasons Why UK Pubs Are Better Than US Pubs. The funny thing is that many of the derisive characteristics the author of the article noted for US pubs can be applied to some UK pubs also, i.e. TVs, loud music, problematic decor, poor beer selection, food (or no food), etc... There are good and not so good, great and downright bad, drinking establishment everywhere, some of which are called pubs. Some are in North America and some are in the UK. Another one of my all-time favorite pubs is actually in The Netherlands. Once you are through the front door, except for some people speaking Dutch, you really can't tell where you are, except that you are in a great pub.
   So, I decided to chronicle my travels throughout North America, and list some of the great pubs I have found. Plus, throw in some extra chatter about other British stuff - cars, food, life, etc... - and maybe a bit of other boozy ephemera. Like I mention at various locations around this blog, I tend to avoid making negative reviews. Everything about this blog - the pubs, the beer, the food, the cars - everything is purely subjective. If I - or you - like it, then great. If not, then that's great, too - it's your call. If I - or you - don't particularly like something, then no amount of objective reasoning can make me - or you - change my/our minds. I feel that most negative reviews are simply overly pompous, an exercise in snobbery, and sometimes just down right mean. Not my style.

   A few final thoughts: This list is comprised of public houses throughout North America - and a few honorable mentions in other parts of the world - which I have actually been to, and like, and can recommend. I don't do negative reviews, so if I didn't like a particular establishment, for whatever reason, I will not list it here.
  My criteria for liking a pub is purely subjective. I have been to pubs all over the UK and Ireland, and I have found that no two are exactly alike, serve the same beer, or make the same food. So too in North America - no two pubs are the same. Therefore, an objective set of markers for determining the authenticity or quality of a pub is simply not possible. In the end, it is up to you whether or not you like a particular pub.
Stumbled upon a good Bowsing Ken - Drop me a line.   OK...So here we go. Cheers Mate!

The North American Pub List

 - Updated: 1 December 2022 - 

United States:

Alabama

Huntsville:
Keegan’s Public House. The last time I was in downtown Huntsville was probably over 15 years ago - around the turn of the last century. Back then, say 1998-ish or so, there was only one pub-type place around, and that was called Bubba’s Sushi Bar. I liked Bubba’s a lot, and I went there a lot, but it was not really a pub, per se, nor was it even a sushi bar, although I guess they did serve sushi. It was just a good bar and grill. It’s gone today.
More recently - in November 2018 - I found myself passing through Huntsville again, for the first time in years, and decided to see if there were any pubs in the downtown area. To my pleasure I found that the downtown had undergone a huge revitalization, many more bars and restaurants, including a pub called Keegan’s Public House. Opened in late summer 2017, Keegan’s Public House is part of a family of similarly named establishments around the southern United States.
When I first tried to find this place, I followed the directions and ended up in front of a nondescript, multi-storied office building. I went through the glass doors and was pleased to find the entrance to Keegan’s. Once inside, I saw that the back of the pub opens out - complete with a patio - onto what is called Big Spring Park - a multi-level forested oasis in the heart of the city. Very nice.
Keegan’s offers a reasonably standard fare of imported beers - they pour a good pint of Guinness, Anglo-American pub food, and a good selection of whiskies. I had the fish and chips - the fish was very good, but if I may make one humble suggestion - please serve this with regular chips, not seasoned American french fries. Great - Cheers!

Mobile: 
Callaghan's Irish Social Club. Just outside of downtown proper, Callaghan's Irish Social Club is located in the historic Oakleigh Garden District of Mobile, Alabama. Back in the 1920s, the building was used as a butcher shop and meat market. In 1946, a man by the name of Wendell Callaghan opened a bar, and there has been a bar there ever since. I think some of the stuff on the walls has been there since the beginning, meaning there is a wonderful and inviting patina of age to this place. Great beers, a simple but delicious menu and a happy staff - all in a Irish pub - what more could one ask for. Plus great music and a St Patrick's Day party I plan on attending next year. Click here for all the details.

Update: Just stopped in - December 2022 - for a quick pint and a burger, and I am glad to say Callaghan’s Irish Social Club is open and still doing well. Stop by, you will enjoyed it.

Colorado

Colorado Springs:
The Golden Bee. At The BROaDMOOR Hotel. OK, you will have to stop by this place and get the full story from the staff, but here's the gist - The BROaDMOOR Hotel opened in 1918, just outside of Colorado Springs. Later, on a trip to the UK, the owner stopped in a London pub for a beer, and he liked the place so much he bought it, had the whole pub disassembled and shipped to the US. Evidently, the pub languished in crates for a number of years, before it was finally unpacked and reassembled in a portion of the hotel. A more authentic British pub in the US, you will not find.
  Although it has been a while, I used to go to The Golden Bee all the time. They always had a fine selection on British and Irish beers on draft, served if you desire, in a glass yard. Be careful, however, because as soon as you tip up your yard of ale, the crowd will heartily encourage you to down it on one quaff. (Be sure to spin the yard to keep the flow going smoothly.) Quite decent food, too.
  As a badge of honor, be sure to get one of the embroidered Golden Bee stickies. When I used to go there the doorman could flip one of these across the room and stick it to the lapel of your jacket. Check it out here:  The Golden Bee
  Also, ask the barkeep why the name BROaDMOOR is spelled with a small letter "a."

Florida

Coral Gables (Miami):
John Martin’s Irish Pub. The name of this pub is a play on the first names of the founders - namely John Clarke and Martin Lynch, who both grew up in the same neighborhood in Killinkere, Ireland. So, I guess they may know a thing or two about Irish pubs, which is a good thing for us. Founded in 1989, the first such establishment in the area, John Martin’s Irish Pub has been around long enough to establish its credentials. The owners obviously take care to ensure there is a decent variety of appropriate beers on tap, and whiskies behind the bar, and the menu offers a number of Irish dishes. There is nothing worse that going to an Irish pub that doesn’t offer Irish food, something more than your generic fish and chips. You will not be dissatisfied with the menu offerings at John Martin’s.
John Martin’s Irish Pub is located in what is called the Miracle Mile area of Coral Gables. Much of the city of Coral Gable was planned by a man named George Merrick (1886-1942), and one of his goals for the city, at least for the downtown business district, was that everything should be within a two-block walk. As such, the Miracle Mile is full of great pubs, bars, and shops. Park you car once and start walking, knowing that you won’t have to walk too far. The Miracle Mile is an oasis of sanity and calm in the overall hustle and bustle of the greater Miami area. And, if you need to relax even a bit more, stop into John Martin’s for a nice pint of Guinness. Cheers!

Pensacola:
McGuire’s Irish Pub. In the northwest panhandle of Florida, the town of Pensacola is about as far west as you can go in Florida and still be in Florida. Pensacola is the literal and spiritual home of U.S. Naval Aviation, and for years McGuire’s Irish Pub was a home away from home for generations of Naval Aviators. Countless young Naval Aviators, proudly wearing their brand new shiny Wings-O-Gold, made McGuire’s Irish Pub a mandatory stop on a long night of celebrations. Back in the old days, McGuire’s used to get a list of the newly winged aviators, and each new aviator who stopped in on that big day was presented with a free bottle of champagne.
True Story: On the day your humble editor pinned on his Wings-O-Gold, back in 1984, probably 20 or 30 of us, along with our girl and boy friends, spouses, and parents rolled into McGuire’s Irish Pub, you know, for our free champers. We were sporting our starched white uniforms, so it was sorta clear who we all were. Well, let’s say this big crowd was quite animated, and apparently we were a bit too rowdy for a couple of patrons. We tried to tone it down a bit, but clearly it was not enough for the irate patrons - heck we even invited them to come and join us for some champagne - so they called the manager. He politely tried to explain to these people that we had just been made real live Naval Aviators, that we were kind of considered the Home Town Boys - and Girls - and that we were just celebrating our accomplishment. Well, the Mr and Mrs Irate did buy it, got up and left. The manager just shrugged his shoulders, patted us all on the back, and went back to work.
( A Side Note: There was another legendary Naval Aviation bar in Pensacola called Trader Jon’s. With the passing of Trader, the bar held on for a few more years, until it was finally closed for good.)
The original McGuire’s Irish Pub, founded in 1977 by McGuire and Molly Mason, was located in a strip mall. In 1982, it was moved to its present location - a converted old firehouse dating back to 1927. Long known for its great food, McGuire’s has been making its own beer for years, offering up a number of varieties - my favorite is the Irish Red. Check their schedule for the nightly entertainment of Irish singers, but watch out, if you are not careful, you will be required to Kiss the Moose. Wait - What - Kiss the Moose? Sorry, you are going to have to stop in to find out more.
According to tradition, the first tip that Molly Mason received back in 1977 - for one whole dollar - instead of going in the tip jar, was tacked it up on the wall behind the bar. Over time, more dollar bills were added, signed by patrons. Today, the ceiling is awash with dollar bills, reportedly over a million bucks. Apparently, a nosey IRS agent viewed the dollar bills as revenue, and forced McQuire’s Irish Pub to pay taxes on it, since it was considered profit. Some people have no sense of humor.
Speaking of no sense of humor, for years the signs on the restroom doors were decidedly, and deliberately, confusing. Located right next to each other, the doors were adorned with big signs that read “Mens” and “Ladies.” Under these words were hands pointing to the opposite door. It was a years long running gag. If you were a regular patron you knew the gag, and you were certainly not going to tell a newby. It was all in good fun - until 2007. Apparently, some grumpy old man did not think it was funny when he walked into the Ladies room. Instead of just leaving and never coming back, - you know, like Mr and Mrs Irate, noted above - this no-sense-of-humor Mr Grumpy filed a complaint with the local commercial licensing office. Ultimately the signs were changed. I hate people like that.

Pensacola: 
O'Riley's Irish Pub. There are actually two O’Riley’s Irish Pubs in Pensacola, both part of the same pub family. O’Riley’s Irish Pub actually has a long history in Pensacola, nearly a half a century. The original O’Riley’s is located up in North Pensacola, and has been a neighborhood Irish pub for over 40 years. It is still open today.
The second pub is located in historic downtown Pensacola, and is one of the newer kids on the block. Opened in 2013, it is a great addition to the downtown area, which itself is enjoying a bit of a revival. Great beers and good food, a happy staff, all in a great atmosphere with some fine sidewalk seating. There are several pool tables, and real steel darts lanes, so you will have to do your math to play 501 here. 

St Augustine:
King’s Head British Pub. Red British telephone box - check. Red British double decker bus - check. Plenty of British Union flag bunting - check. Well, with all that on the outside of the building, it was a simple decision to go inside and check it out. I was not disappointed.
The King’s Head pub - well this one as there appears to be dozens of unrelated King’s Head pubs around the world - is located just a few miles north of the historic district of St Augustine, Florida, on Highway 1. If the outside looks great, just walk inside, and you will not be disappointed.
OK…so the way I understand it, in 1992 a couple of British expats decided to open a pub here in the ol’ USA. They built this building and had a bunch of the interior furnishings shipped over from the old country, which certainly lends a healthy dose of pub legitimacy to the place. Walk in and you find yourself deep within the inviting, dark woods one would hope to find in a comfortable old pub. Plenty of British stuff hanging on the walls, and mercifully few giant television monitors. In good weather there is an outside patio, while back inside there is a couple  of dedicated dart lanes - real darts, here.
There is a decent selection of British beers on tap - hey, if you have Old Speckled Hen on tap, then it’s good by me. I am not sure if the chef is from the Old Sod, but he has got a darn good handle on how to make good pub fare. On this, our first visit, we had to go with the standard - fish and chips, and bangers and mash. Both were quite nice, and having eaten plenty of both over in the U.K. the orders served up at the King’s Head were about as close as you can get without pulling out your passport. Great staff, too.
And…over thirty years later the King’s Head pub is still going strong, which adds quite a bit of credibility. I would recommend you stop by - let me know what you think.

And in Old Pub News…

British Public Houses To Install Drink Meters For Car Drivers

CARLISLE, ENGLAND - Fourteen public houses owned by the British government are installing drink meters to tell car drivers when they've had enough. The meters test reaction speeds.  The driver drops a coin in the meter, then tries to stop the coin by pressing a button. If he can stop it in less than .12 of a second he gets the coin back. If not, he loses the coin and gets warning that is reactions have slowed up.
The machines are approved by Britain's Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents, though not by some police officers. Sidney Ballance, chief constable of neighboring Barrow-in Furness, called them a menace.  He said they will encourage drivers to drink more to test their capacity.
Some people doubt the drink meters efficiency.   Peter Johnson, a young Royal Air Force officer, wrote to the Observer Sunday to say he and several other young pilots tried out the machines and found their reactions improving as they had more to drink.

As reported in the Muskogee Daily Phoenix (Muskogee, Oklahoma) Monday, 27 June 1960.

Indiana

Carmel: 
The Brockway Public House. Located in the newer development in the city center of Carmel, Indiana (just north of Indianapolis), The Brockway Public House looks like it has been there for fifty years, although it was opened in January 2008. It has a good patina of age that makes one feel comfortable the minute you walk to the door. The area where this pub is located is a fine mix of shops, restaurants, apartments and other businesses.  As such, if you happened to life and work in the area, The Brockway Public House could easily become your local. Described as an Dublin Industrial Pub - meaning a style of working class pub - The Brockway Public House has a nice selection of beers, a great whisky list, good food, a couple of steel dart lanes and live music. Everything one needs.
  I travel up to Indy at least once a year - for the Grand Prix of Indy - a plan to stop in each time - cheers!

Carmel:
Muldoon's Irish Pub. It's always nice to see a city save an old urban community from decay, investing the time and money to preserve a historic district and turn it into a great place to go. What was alternatively called Old Town Carmel, the Carmel Arts and Design District is the result of a far sighted and long term public/private plan to invest in and to save this area of classic old buildings. And, what historic downtown area is complete without a pub or two? Muldoon's Irish Pub has been around since 1981, so it has a bit of history itself. It is one of those classic pubs - kinda dark and dare I say cozy -  with a long well worn wooden bar that invites one to sidle up and have a pint of Guinness, which, by the way, they have on tap, and the staff knows how to serve. A decent menu is on offer, with a mix of Irish and American standards. Nothing super fancy, just good food. The staff is great, and like I said, they do know how to pour a good pint of Guinness. So, if you ever get a chance to visit the Carmel Arts and Design District, stop in to Muldoon's Irish Pub, and let us know what you think. I believe you will be happy. By the way, at Muldoon's dogs are quite welcome, so good for that!

Plainfield:
The Claddagh Irish Pub. I am not too sure how to present The Claddagh Irish Pub. I was going to say there are both pros and cons, but the cons I sensed were not really all that bad, so let’s just say there were pro and not-so-pro aspects of this place. Heck, I am confusing myself.
Ok, let’s get the not-so-pros out of the way first, then we can concentrate on the good stuff. Well, to begin with, The Claddagh Irish Pub is part of a big chain of Irish pubs of the same name, so there is just a wee bit of a “Bennigan’s” sort of feel to place. (Actually, I always kind of liked the Bennigan’s that were near me.) Plus, as part of a chain it really doesn’t have an onsite owner - the landlord or publican - to give it that sort of homegrown “pub” feel, if that makes any sense. You know, an owner oftentimes imparts an aspect of his own personality on his pub, and the level of hospitality is totally his responsibility. The Claddagh Irish Pub is really big, which in itself is not too bad, but the Irish pubs I used to haunt when I was running around in Ireland all tended to be smaller, more cozy places that were usually run by the actual owner. There is also a sort of “new” feel to the place, which is not so bad when one considers that all pubs were new once. Well, that’s about it for the not-so-pros. Not too bad.
So, for the pros… The decor is sufficiently dark, woody and warm - complete with various Irish-oriented memorabilia - to make it feel reasonably welcoming, and at least semi-Irish. They have a decent variety of Irish and British beers on tap, as well as a good selection of whiskies, which is always appreciated. They know how to pour a proper pint of Guinness Stout, which is a basic requirement. I was really quite surprised by the food, in particular the fish and chips. Unlike many North American pubs that serve simply battered chunks of fish, The Claddagh Irish Pub serves proper whitefish fillets, while the chips are more like they should be, unlike the seasoned fries one so often gets on this side of the pond. Alas, no mushy peas. Anyway, all of this was served up by a friendly staff. So, good booze, good food, good people - it’s all good by me.
Although I am not really into proclaiming a star-numbered rating for a pub - if you like it or not, that’s your call - I liked this place, and when I am back in the area I will probably stop back in - for some fish and chips and a pint of Guinness. Cheers!

Update: Not sure when it happened, but word has it that the Claddagh Irish Pub has closed its doors. Pity.

Kentucky

Bowling Green:
Cliffs of Moher Irish Pub. It’s funny but when a lot of people think of a pub - me included - they imagine a place that has been around a long time, you know the place - kind of well worn and broken in. Well, even the oldest pub in the world was once brand new. Open for just over a year the Cliffs of Moher Irish Pub still has that sort of “new pub” feel, which is certainly not a bad thing. Located in the nice old downtown area of Bowling Green, on the Fountain Square Park, Cliffs of Moher was founded and is run by a trio of native Irish folks, so I guess they know what makes a decent Irish pub, regardless of how long it has been around. A smaller, more intimate pub, the kind of place where people naturally get to know each other, Cliffs of Moher has a congenial decor, several genuine Irish beers on tap, and a well rounded menu of Irish whiskies. The barkeep made me feel welcome the moment I sat down, and I was soon in a conversation with the other folks at the bar. I mean, let’s face it, if you are not going to chat with your pub mates, then what are you doing in a pub? Music is offered on a regular basis, but alas not when I was there, as I only had time for a quick pint. The next time I come through Bowling Green I will make certain I plan accordingly.
The Cliffs of Moher Irish pub gets its name from the geological formation of the same name, located on the shores of County Clare, Ireland. These cliffs, upwards of 700 feet high in places, are considered one of the Seven Irish Wonders. The word “Moher” - alternatively “Mothar” - actually refers to the ruins of a long gone circular fortress that was sited atop the cliffs. The elevation of the cliffs afforded the soldiers in the fort a expansive view of the seas, and any approaching invaders.

Bowling Green:
White Squirrel Brewery. HONORABLE MENTION: Ok, so maybe this place does not fit into the more classic definition of a British or Irish public house, but I will give it a mention all the same. After all, I guess you could classify it as an ale house - a house that serves ale - seems fair enough to me. Really though, why get too wrapped up in definitions when there is beer involved. Actually, I was coming back from an Irish pub in the downtown area of Bowling Green when I saw the White Squirrel Brewery, and I had to stop in. Great place, good beers, good food, good people, good vibes. Their beer selection, those that are brewed on site, is rather small, maybe a half a dozen. However, the way I look at it, I would rather have a few really well made beers on tap than a bunch of so-so beers brewed just to fill up a menu. I had the pale ale and fish-and-chips, and I must say that this is the first time I had deep fried green pickles instead of mushy peas. Interesting - a different twist on an old standard. The pale ale, by the way, was quite nice. Stop by, I think you will like it.

Update: Opened in 2015, the White Squirrel Brewery closed down in 2020. In May of 2022, we stopped over in Bowling Gress, on our way up to Indy for the Grand Prix, and I looked forward to eating at the White Squirrel again, but alas it was closed. A new bar, called the Alley Cat Bar and Grill, was opened in its place. So, why not, we gave the Alley Cat a try. The place still had a nice, laid back vibe, good folks running the bar, and the beer and food were both quite good. Word has it that the folks who owned the White Squirrel Brewery are planning a 2023 reopening, at a yet to be determined location in Bowling Green. We will keep you informed.

Covington:
Molly Malone’s Irish Pub and Restaurant. There are sometimes when you walk into a place and just know it’s right. It looks right, sounds right and even smells right - you know - that old pub smell. Luvly! Even walking up to Molly Malone’s seemed just right - it’s located in the old downtown part of Covington, Kentucky (the town just to the south of Cincinnati, Ohio - across the Ohio River), kind of old, lots of brick, a well worn urban environment, just a block or two from the river. Once through the door, the big bar - with plenty of taps, the well worn wood and snug booths certainly begs one to stay awhile. According to the barman, Molly Malone’s has been open here for a dozen or so years, but the building - at least the ground floor - has been a drinking establishment for many more years.
Regarding the upper floors of the building - today they are used for special events and for storage. However, back in the old days, there were a number of apartments above the bar. As the story goes, years ago a man came home one day only to find his wife entertaining another gentleman. The man, evidently quite enraged, killed them both, and then himself. As related by the barman, even today the ghosts of these people still haunt the building. The barman said it really does get quite spooky closing up the bar in the early hours of the morning.
Sitting at the bar I spied a decent variety of British and Irish beers, as well as a good selection of whiskies. I only had time for a quick coupla pints, so I didn’t have a chance to sample the food. But, now that I know the Molly Malone’s is there, I will be back when I have a bit more time.

Louisville:
Molly Malone’s Irish Pub and Restaurant. “Yea, it’s a good place, but it’s just part of a chain.” Such is the sorry lament proffered by many Americans when they find out that a local British or Irish pub, here in the states, is one of several run by the same company. Consider this, however. In the UK, as well as in Ireland, many pubs are owned, operated, managed and/or tied to a parent company, often times a brewery. This parent company exercises a various amounts of control over these pubs, particularly what brands of beer can be found on tap. Does this mean that all the pubs under a certain corporate umbrella offer just the cookie cutter sameness from pub to pub. Sort of the “Olive Garden” syndrome. Of course not, to me at least. I have been to the Molly Malone’s Irish Pub in Covington, Kentucky and this one in Louisville, and I can tell you that while both are owned by the same folks, both are really nice pubs, and they both have their own individual charms. So, my advice would be to come on in, order a pint, and relax. Don’t get to wrapped up in the minutiae of whether or not it is just one pub, or one of several pubs in the same family. You just gotta relax.

Opened in August 1998, Molly Malone’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, located on Baxter Avenue in the Highlands District of Louisville, Kentucky, has been around long enough to garner much credibility. One early, and rather snotty, reviewer noted when it was first opened the place seemed: “so new and so pubby.” She complained that: “it’s all a bit shiny and new to feel authentic.” Well it just opened so what did she expect. And, what exactly is the definition of “pubby?” I mean, think about it, even the oldest pub in Ireland was new the day it opened. And, having been to dozens of pubs in Ireland I can say that the criteria for being “authentic” is simply not possible to set in stone. Look at it this way, if all pubs tried to achieve the same level of authenticity, wouldn’t they all end up being the same?
So, having been around now for 25 years or so, Molly Malone’s has certainly shed the feeling of newness that so annoyed the above mentioned reviewer. More cred comes from the fact that the pub was designed by an Irish firm that has sired many pubs all over Europe. Even some of the materials, like the paving stones on the patio, much of the wood, and the stained glass, were imported from Ireland. One thing the above-mentioned reviewer failed to note in her newspaper piece is that the owners are natives of Ireland. Can’t get much more Irish cred than that.
A couple of months back we stopped in for a quick lunch. The Guinness was rightly poured, and while the menu offered much in the way of food, we settled on the Scotch eggs and fish and chips, which were spot on. The place had a great feel, and the staff was friendly and accommodating. All in all, I wish we could have stayed longer. My advice, which I plan on taking myself, is to ink Molly Malone’s on to your list of pubs to visit. You will be most happy you did.
By the way, the Highland District, an older and thriving area of town, has its share of Irish and English pubs, certainly enough to schedule a reasonably lengthy pub crawl. Yes, I have inked that on my calendar, too. Cheers!

Nebraska

Omaha:
The Brazen Head Pub. This pub is named for the Brazen Head pub located on Bridge Street in Dublin, Ireland. The name comes from two things: First, the "Brazen" is a nod to the barrels of fire - Brazers - that the soldiers who were guarding the city used to warm their hands over, and that fact that it was located at the head of the River Liffey, which run through Dublin.
  I love this place, and used to frequent it often when I lived in Omaha. Don't let the fact that it's in a strip mall put you off. Once you walk through the front door you will be transported to The Emerald Isle. Heck, the bar was designed and made in Ireland and then shipped over here. They even used Irish craftsmen to reassemble it. You can't get much more authentic than that. 
Great food, beer and people.  The music is quite good, too.  The Brazen Head Pub

 Omaha:
The Dundee Dell. I am not sure that this place really qualifies as a British - style pub, it's more of a good ol' American bar. That said, back in the my olden days - the 1970s and 80s - it was the only place in town that served a decent fish and chips. The old location - right on Dodge Street - was kind of dark and cozy, especially on a cold winters night. Sort of pub-like, I guess. I can remember sitting in a nice warm booth, eating fish and chips, and drinking beer, while outside it was snowing and sleeting. The new location - a few blocks away - is a bit more modern, light and airy. Regardless, the beer selection is quite extensive and the Scotch locker is huge - plus they still serve their fish and chips.  The Dundee Dell

Omaha:
Mr Toad's Pub. Established the day after Christmas 1970, Mr. Toad's Pub is a long term fixture in Omaha's Old Market District. Dark woods and stained glass makes for an inviting place to have a few beers. Another place that I have been to a thousand times, Mr. Toad's Pub was always the place to start when hanging out in the Old Market. There's no food, but there is a fine selection on beers and spirits, all served at a 20-foot antique oak bar. There is also a nice sidewalk seating area for those nice summer days. Plus music in the library.  Mr Toad's Pub

Nevada

Las Vegas:
The Crown & Anchor Pub. So, you want the head down to you local pub, and bring your dog with you. At the Crown & Anchor Pub you can. This nice British pub, located just off the center of the largest gambling mecca in the world, has a very nice beer garden so you can have a pint, and hang out with your dog. The Crown & Anchor, located on Tropicana Blvd, had been been serving up decent British beers and great British food for over 20 years now. The decor is one of those pleasant mixes of warm dark wood, nautical ephemera and football stuff - both English football and American soccer. It's all quite cozy and inviting, tempting one to stay  a while. One thing that makes the Crown & Anchor a bit different is the fact that it is open 24 hours a day. Rather different from an England English pub, but who wouldn't want their local, regardless of the country, to be open anytime they happened to fancy a pint, or a hot plate of fish and chips. 

Some may cry foul at the video poker machines embedded in the bar - hey, it's Vegas Baby - however, the way I see it, I have been to any number of pubs in the U.K. that had various video gaming machines blinking away in the corner. I even had the pleasure years ago to drink several pints at a place called The British-American Club, on the island of Majorca. In the club was a very proper British pub, complete with a broken "fruit machine" that paid out every time. So, the way I see it, gambling and pubs go hand in hand. I must say that the video machines at the Crown & Anchor are quiet, unobtrusive and only found in the bar.

I stopped into the Crown & Anchor last week (December 2016) for a quick lunch. I found the menu was indeed extensive - I had a Cornish pasty and chips - and any pub that has one of my favorite beers on tap - Old Speckled Hen - is just fine by me.  Click here for all the scoop - food, booze and the hours, which is 24 hours a day - perfect.

Tennessee

Nashville:
Fleet Street Pub.   The name - Fleet Street Pub - has to do with the publishing and printing industry. Harkening back to the 1500s, Fleet Street, in London, was the center for the industry - newspapers, print shops and publishers. Meanwhile, starting the late 1800s, an urban area known as Printer's Alley, in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, also became a thriving center for the trade. Today, both Fleet Street and Printer's Alley have seen much of the printing business move elsewhere.
 Today, the Fleet Street Pub, located in the Printer's Alley, is a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the thriving, and at times quite crazy, nightlife of downtown Nashville. Opened a couple of years ago, Fleet Street Pub is situated in the basement of one of the old buildings, so one will descend from the hot, bright sunshine into a cool, subdued, and most welcoming pub. What will also greet you is at least eight British/Irish beers on tap, including the standards like Harp and Guinness, but also some rarer types - at least here in the US - like Boddingtons and Fuller's London Pride. There are also several other beers  - British, North American and a few local area craft beers - available in bottles and cans. A decent American/British menu, real darts, and a wonderful staff round out a great pub. I just wish I could get there more often.

Canada

British Columbia

 Richmond (Vancouver):
 Ceili's Modern Irish Pub. Nice comfortable Irish pub. I have been here a thousand times. I think there may be two or three of these in the Vancouver area, but I have only been to the one on Westminster Highway, down the street from the Sheraton Hotel. It was a home away from home in Vancouver. Good beer - with some Irish ales on draft, good food, great people. For the old timers, this used to be called the Foggy Dew. There were many a night when I sat in this nice warm pub, when it was freezing cold and rainy outside. What could be better?  Check it out here:  Ceili's Modern Irish Pub

Vancouver:
The Flying Beaver. Ok, so this may not be the most British of pubs, but it does deserve an honorable mention. Lets' just say it's more of a western Canadian fishing lodge pub, or something like that. This place has got great beer and great food, and the view is outstanding. It is actually in the same building as the passenger terminal of the Vancouver International Seaplane Base. The "beaver" we assume means de Havilland Beaver - on floats. These and other floatplanes, like the Turbine-Otter seen below, can be seen coming and going all day. I am not sure if they still do this, but ask about the Frequent Beaver card, where with each entree or sandwich you get a "pelt" stamp. After ten stamps the eleventh is free. Fair enough.  Stop by:

Mexico

Does anybody know if there are any British pubs in Mexico?

Nearby (and Honorable Mentions)

Bahamas

Nassau:
The Green Shutters Pub. Back in my Navy days, the ship I was on made a port call at Nassau, and a crowd of us stopped by The Green Shutters Pub for a bunch of beers. This was in 1985, and I haven't been back since. I seem to remember that it was run by a British ex-pat. Anybody been here lately? Is it still open 30 years later?

Guam

Agana:
The London Square Pub. Ok, so it's not nearby, nor is it in North America, but I was just wondering if this place is still around. I drank ale here a few times back in the late 1970s. It was kind of a neat pub, sort of a British pub in the tropics, and I believe it was run by a retired Marine Corps Sergeant Major. Semper Fi!