Bars in Madrid: O’Neill’s Irish Pub
From the outside, O’Neill’s Irish Pub is attractive. Surrounded by other bars, shops, and restaurants on the action-packed Calle Principe (between the Plaza de Santa Ana and Plaza de Canalejas), its clean navy blue exterior, signs for Guinness and Murphy’s Irish Red, and a blackboard announcing upcoming football games and events are all inviting cues to enter. Yet it’s only after stepping inside this Irish pub that you realize what a chief of bars you have stumbled across.
At the front of the bar, O’Neill’s boasts everything you would expect from a chipper Irish pub: rich mahogany woodwork, stained glass, round tables and stools, and people enjoying a football game and a beer. Moving towards the rear, the pub opens up into an expansive space for relaxing, playing, watching the game, or throwing back a few drinks. Ornate lamps cast a yellow light over dark wooden tables and booths, creating a snug and homey feel. Bookshelves and a plush crimson leather couch surround an enormous fireplace, an ideal lounge-spot for a group of friends. For additional Irish flair, the space is adorned with photographs of Dublin, advertisements championing, “A Guinness A Day,” Irish musings painted on the peach walls, and an enormous, jade-green organ spruced up with shamrocks. Two floors offer ample space for recreation; above, there is table football and two scarlet pool tables; below, there is an additional bar and open space for late-night dancing.
Beyond the cozy and exceptionally Irish ambience, a variety of attractions draw crowds to this spacious pub. One is the beer; O’Neill’s offers half-pints and pints of Ireland’s famous Guinness, Heineken, and Murphy’s Irish Red (2.50 euros per half-pint, 5 euros per pint). Other popular beverages include cider, Irish liquors, or, for a quick pick-me-up, Irish coffee. Daily food and drink specials and a regular menu also ensure that tasty finger food is readily available.
Keep an eye out for O’Neill’s regular events as well. Every Tuesday evening (10 p.m.) there are language exchanges, where bar-goers come to chat in English, Spanish or whatnot, and enjoy discounted drinks (4 euros per pint, 6 euros per mixed drink). Wednesday is Shots Night, with shots for 1 euro. And every Friday, you’ll find the lower level packed with people grooving to a live band. Football games are also feature events, not to be missed. With two enormous TV screens and surround sound, the players, cheers, and action are all closer than ever. And not to worry, although the pub is Irish and draws an English-speaking crowd, it is also well known by Madrileños and the majority of the patrons are locals.
O’Neill’s Irish Pub
Calle Principe, 12
Telephone: 915 212 030
Metro: Sol, Sevilla
Hours: 1:00 p.m.—3:00 a.m.
PRICES:
DRINKS
Tap Beer (Guinness, Heineken, Murphy’s Irish Red)
Half Pint- 2.50 euros
Pint- 5 euros
Beer by the Bottle (Carlsburg, Desperado, Heineken, Paulaner)- 5 euros
Cider (Magners)- 5.50 per bottle
Liquor (rum, whisky, Irish liquors, etc.)- 7 euros
Coffee (Regular)- 1.80 euros
Coffee (Irish)- 6 euros
FOOD
Daily Specials (food plus drink)- 10-15 euros
Regular Menu:
Finger Food- 3-6.90 euros
Salads- 6.90 euros
Burgers and Sandwiches- 7.50-8.50 euros
O’Neill’s Classics- 7.90-8.50 euros
Dessert- 3 euros
By Jane Caffrey
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