Best Pubs in VanPort
Anglo-Saxon culture gave us the public house, commonly known as a pub. A little different than a tavern and very unlike a roadhouse. A legit pub has classic comfort food, beer, ales and a cozy, unpretentious vibe. You’ll probably have to order at the bar and not cross in front of the dart board unawares. These are best pubs around here.
1. Horse Brass Pub
Portland – CentralDependable legit British pub grub. The vibe is perfect. Other than the accents, this could be a pub in England or Ireland. There are several dart stations throughout the pub. Huge beer selection. The best thing that I’ve eaten there are the fish and chips. They are halibut, therefore on the smaller side. But you can order a three-piece which is adequate. The coleslaw they serve with it is flavorless. It’s neither sweet nor vinegar. The fries are decent. The chicken pot pie is bone dry. The steak and mushroom pie is less than great too. The chicken sandwich is decent.
2. The Highland Stillhouse
Portland- Oregon City
Great Scottish pub. The food is pretty good. Portions are generous. The ale is very good. Excellent selection of whisky. Cocktails are very basic. Staff is friendly. The best part is the décor. One of the most authentic UK pub interiors in the USA. They have a small parking lot that fills up quickly.
3. Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub
Portland – Downtown
Long time Portland Irish pub with a significant whiskey selection. Gets loud and rowdy at night though. Best to go for lunch. Parking can be challenging. I prefer Horse Brass or the Highland Stillhouse.
4. Full Heart Irish Pub
Vancouver – Downtown
Full Heart is a new pub downtown Vancouver. It’s a small joint. Cozy is a kinder word. The vibe is spot on. The food menu is pretty limited. They have four entrees: White Cheddar Mac, a Reuben sandwich, Guinness Stew and Cottage Pie. Which is just the Guinness stew with mash on top. So, it’s kind of three entrees. Half the cocktails on the drinks menu are variations on old fashioneds ranging from $13-$24. The other cocktails are a couple of Irish coffee types drinks, etc. But craft cocktails are possible if you know what to ask for and they do have a nice selection of Irish whiskey. I had a lovely pint of Guinness and the Guinness Stew. I was disappointed in how small the bowl was for $10 but it was tasty and it came with a couple pieces of bread. Full Heart is not a place to go if you’re very hungry. But it’s a fab place to have a pint with a mate or two and perhaps a small bite to tide you over. Dogs are welcomed. Minors are not. Street parking only.
5. T.C. O’Leary’s
Portland – North
Lovely Irish pub with decent food, beer and wonderful music. The music is the shining star here.
6. The Moon and Sixpence
Portland – Central
A solid neighborhood pub with good food, drink and vibe.
7. Shanahan’s Pub & Grill
Vancouver – Downtown
Kind of an Irish pub/roadhouse. They have one of the better valued happy hours in Vancouver. It’s not fine dining but the large variety of items available on the happy hour menu is the best I’ve seen (3-7pm).The sausage and pretzels are good. I like how salty the pretzels are. My wife likes the mild sausage. I like the smoked chicken quesadilla without the BBQ sauce. The cod tacos are good. We don’t care for the caprese salad but the Cesar looks much better. The Irish nachos are yummy. The mac & cheese with corn beef are a huge hit. The club sandwich is ample and excellent. I like that it’s only two pieces of bread. Onion rings are ok. The garlic cheese bread is like a grilled cheese sandwich and is wonderful. The sliders are not great. They have some kind of jelly on them. Also the buns are very dry. Only pedestrian cocktails at best. They make a pretty good bloody Mary. The Stairway stout is very good. Ample parking. The Infirmary, next door has far better spirits.
8. Feast 316
Vancouver – Camas
Having Feast in a pub list will raise more than a few eyebrows but the vibe is dark woods and rustic decor but most importantly they serve the Best fish & chips I’ve had on the Vancouver side of the river. It dwarfs the puny fish served at most places. The catch is that they only serve it for lunch. INSIDER TIP: It’s not on their website or even their menu, but they do serve beer.
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