5 Great Monmouth County Pubs To Keep Your Irish Eyes Smiling

With St. Paddy’s Day right around the corner, Monmouth County is gearing up to celebrate in a big way. But even if you aren’t planning on attending any of the fabulous parades, there is a good chance you may be looking for a fun Irish pub or restaurant to partake in the festivities. Here are a few of the best spots guaranteed to keep your Irish eyes smiling.

St. Stephen’s Green (Spring Lake)

Arguably the most authentic Irish Pub in all of New Jersey, St. Stephen’s Green Publick House is a gloriously warm and welcoming place to grab a pint and a plate of bangers and mash. The dark, elaborately crafted woodwork and soft lighting help to create an enchanting atmosphere that is absolutely dripping with Celtic charm. Live bands are the norm here, including the highly festive and utterly authentic Irish group, The Bantry Boys, who never fail to bring the cheerful vibe to a level of near exhuberance. A word of caution though – on

St. Patrick’s Day, St Stephen’s Green can be PACKED. So, if you are a fan of the crowds and energy of the holiday, have at it. If not, plan your visit for the weekend before to take in everything in a slightly less chaotic state. SSGPUB. com

Kelly’s (Neptune) Operating in its present location since 1959, Kelly’s Tavern has become a true icon of the Jersey Shore. This staple of the Neptune City nightlife scene features visual tributes to the owner’s Irish heritage all around, including the large, hand-painted ancestral map of Ireland, which covers the ceiling above their massive main bar. The menu skews more towards standard pub grub – don’t sleep on the grilled buffalo wings by the way – but those looking for Emerald Isle-themed munchies will do well with the corned beef platter, which is served with boiled cabbage and potatoes; the Irish potato soup or the Guinness Burger, which comes topped with cheddar cheese, caramelized Guinness onions and cabbage. K ellysTavernJerseyShore.com

McDonagh’s Pub (Keyport) A quote ion the wall at Mc Donagh’s reads: “The soul of Ireland right in the heart of Keyport.” And that pretty much sums it up. If the gorgeous red exterior wasn’t eye-catching enough to make you march right in, the fabulous menu of bar food and Irish-themed favorites such as fish and chips, shepherd’s pie and the fabulous corned beef eggrolls should be enough to do the trick. Add to that an impressive selection of beers on tap and signature cocktails and you have reason to dance a jog right on the spot. McDonaghs.com

The Dublin House Restaurant & Pub ( R ed Bank) Located smack dab in the middle of Red Bank’s bustling downtown, The Dublin House has been a popular watering hole for years. Its exterior entrance is notable with its massive white pillars that are outside the norm from what you might expect from a typical Irish bar. Inside is cozy and offers the perfect spot to settle in for a night of laughter and good times with friends. The menu is dotted with Irish creations like shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, corned beef as well as some decidedly non-Irish offerings such as jambalaya or penne vodka), but our St. Paddy’s Day pick is the Irish Surf and Turf, a sampling of bangers and mash, fish and chips and shepherd’s pie served with tartar sauce and onion au jus. TheDublinHouse.co

The Black Swan Public House (Asbury Park) – Located in the space that formerly housed Modine, Chef James Avery’s Black Swan Public House is an utterly enchanting space inspired by the neighborhood pubs and inns often found in England and Ireland. As you wander through it, surprises pop up around every corner – a breathtaking main bar with ornate flowers and branchwork quickly twists over to a downright dainty tea room, while the main dining room with its high ceilings has an almost NYC trendiness to it that fits in perfectly in Asbury Park. And the masculine coziness of the vault room in the back simply must be seen in person to be fully appreciated.

The menu boasts many a UK favorite, including a fabulous chicken tika masala - an Indian-inspired dish created in England – but if we had to choose just one dish, it would be the unforgettable shepherd’s pie, a divine mix of ground beef, lamb, peas and carrots topped with mashed potatoes, all of which pairs perfectly with a cheerfully raised pint of Harp. TheBlackSwanAP.com