The Irish Pub, One of the Best Restaurants in Atlantic City

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The Irish Pub near Atlantic City Boardwalk is a century-old historic hotel where visitors enjoy hearty, inexpensive pub fare with Irish beer and ambiance.

Originally opened in 1904 as the Elwood Hotel, the old pub has been serving customers through the Roaring Twenties and Prohibition, the Great Depression, two World Wars, the economic slump in the 1970s, and Atlantic City's rebirth with the legalization of casino gaming. Richard and Cathy Burke purchased and remodeled the historic hotel and pub in 1972, using old newspapers and Atlantic City memorabilia on the walls to give the place an antique look. Located steps from the world famous Boardwalk, The Irish Pub's gloomy exterior is often daunting to first-time visitors. Two windowless entryways open onto St. James Place. The entrance closest to the Boardwalk opens directly into the bar, while the farther entrance opens into the gift shop and restaurant.

Inside, the pub is dark yet inviting. Guests are surrounded by old newsprint; photographs of residents, visitors, and entertainers; pictures of Atlantic City’s past; and antique posters that cover the walls. A copper-colored metallic ceiling reflects small lamps on wooden booths that line the pub and quaint tables and chairs that fill the restaurant. The atmosphere is friendly and bustling. For smokers and people who enjoy al fresco dining, there is a broad second-floor, covered patio.

The Irish Pub offers informal, casual dining. The home cooked meals they serve are simple, hearty, inexpensive but tasty pub food.

A daily Poor Richard soup & sandwich special for lunch. Most sandwiches on the a la care menu are served with a pickle, and sides such as French fries or their delicious potato salad are extra.

For dinner, the Irish Pub offers daily blackboard specials in addition to the regular menu of seafood, chicken, sandwiches and salads.

A pub would not be Irish without Irish beer, and The Irish Pub does not disappoint. Beers include Guinness, Harp, and Murphy’s on tap, as well as domestic drafts and bottles. Prices for premium beers are what you would expect to pay at most bars in Atlantic City; however, they sell domestic beers at some of the cheapest prices in town.

The Inn is a quaint Victorian-era rooming house that offers few amenities at low prices. A European-style inn with small rooms, staying at The Inn at The Irish Pub is a unique peek back at a bygone era. The Inn is not air-conditioned, there are no televisions, and many rooms have shared bathroom facilities. Rooms are available weekly, daily, or nightly. Weekend reservations and rooms with private showers are the most expensive.

The Irish Pub, located steps away from the Boardwalk near the Ripley's Believe It or Not! odditorium, is open 24 hours and offers free parking. Lunch is served from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Dinner is served from 2 PM on weekdays, and from 11:30 AM on Saturdays and Sundays.

A gift shop offers logo merchandise and all-things Irish, including timepieces, glassware, music boxes, linens, hand-painted porcelain dolls, and wool caps.

The historic Irish Pub and Inn is a must-see for Atlantic City visitors who want a glimpse of life in the Monopoly city before casino gambling arrived in 1976. The establishment has barely changed since the days when the Boardwalk was new and grand hotels like the Traymore, Ambassador, Dennis Hotel, Haddon Hall and Chalfonte surrounded it. Now nestled among the luxury casino resorts, The Irish Pub continues to flourish as one of the best options for cheap eats in Atlantic City.