Dubliner Restaurant & Pub

Gypsy in the Palace
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
6
Reviews
3
Photos
Editor Pick

Convivial Irish Pub

  • February 21, 2009
  • Rated 3 of 5 by Idler from Poolesville, Maryland
Convivial Irish Pub

My "history" with this place goes back to my college years in the 1970's -- not too long after the place opened, in fact. Back then -- and to this day -- the Dubliner offers a lively evening scene, with live music most nights. If you're fond of an Irish ballad or sing-along, then this is a place you'll probably enjoy. Located on a corner just across from Union Station, it's an easy place to get to, too, which makes it a favorite gathering place for groups of friends at lunch or after work.

In more recent years, I've joined a friend "of Irish distraction" (as we say) here for St. Paddy's Day, which is something of a marathon event. Be forewarned: the Dubliner is downright crazy on St. Patrick's, but if you're in the mood for celebrating the day in a room crammed with tipsy folk clad in green, then this is THE place to do that in DC. I've never been able to manage more than a couple of hours of the epic day, and stand in awe of my friend and her cohorts, who stake out a spot early in the day and are there until the wee hours.

However, on occasion I also join the same friend for a much quieter lunch at the Dubliner, when sanity rather than excess reign, and as this is much more the "norm" of what the average patron would experience, I'll confine my review to these sorts of visits.

As might be expected, the Dubliner has a fine selection of Irish ales, stouts, and lagers, many on tap and even more bottled. These go well with the wide selection of sandwiches and pub dishes, a few of which I can vouch for, such as the immense grilled Ruben (served on a tasty dark Russian rye bread), a nice shepherd's pie, standard fish-and-chips, and a flaky-crusted chicken pot pie.

On my most recent visit, though, minding my carbs and calories, I had a generous cobb salad with dressing on the side, accompanied by a perfectly unremarkable glass of sauvignon blanc. The salad was loaded with slabs of grilled chicken, so I felt I'd gotten my protein allotment for the week. In general, the Dubliner serves good, steady pub fare with no real surprises. The only complaint I had on this most recent visit is that we had a table wedged between the door and the busy entrance to the kitchen -- I hadn't picked the table and found my friend already seated when I arrived; otherwise, I'd have held out for something in one of the other dining rooms further away from the main bar.

Service is usually good though quite straightforward at the Dubliner, and on this most recent occasion our server was quick to bring our food and drinks. It was a busy Friday, not really the ideal place to linger over quiet conversation, but the sort of congenial atmosphere to put you at your ease. All in all, a good pub choice.

From journal Tastes Like DC

The Dubliner Pub

  • June 3, 2007
  • Rated 3 of 5 by Bruce Horne from Seaford, Delaware
This is a typical Irish bar. The baked cod was very good, prime rib came overcooked and dampened our good mood. They have good beer and service. You could crawl between Dubliner and Irish Times if you had too, not that I recommend that.

From journal D.C. Trip

The Dubliner

  • July 16, 2005
  • Rated 3 of 5 by Kate Chopin from Boston, Massachusetts
The Dubliner has a great selection of beers and provides wonderful outdoor dining. The food is pretty traditional for an Irish pub: a few salads with salmon and grilled chicken, a selection of sandwiches, and then some traditional Irish fare. Though I didn't try it, the chicken pot pie looked amazing. The staff is friendly and the place is bustling at night. If you're going in the evening and want outdoor seating, I would recommend arriving before 6pm. Its great location right across from Union Station makes it easy to catch the red line home or go to a movie at the Union Station theater.

From journal Great Markets in D.C.

Editor Pick

The Dubliner Pub

  • June 10, 2005
  • Rated 4 of 5 by JulieHolm from Vienna, Virginia
The Dubliner Pub

This Irish Pub on Capitol Hill in Washington DC has been named the "Best Irish Pub" in the U.S. for three years running, at least. No idea what this means, but it is a place where the brogue is heavily heard and the Guinness flows freely from the tap.

The beer menu includes a dozen or so tap beers, including a wide variety of Irish options--the aforementioned Guinness and the same number of bottled options, including a good cider.

The food menu has American pub fare: hamburgers and cheesesteaks and the like, as well as a group of nicer entrees and salads. They have a set of Irish favorites like fish and chips, shepherd's pie, Irish stew, and the like, and their specials may be even more Irish.

Their big claim to fame is an almost constant stream of quality Irish entertainment, late at night. You can't get within blocks of the place on St. Patty's day. But they have the music year round, so if you want an interesting night activity and you're staying at one of the hotels on Capitol Hill, this might be a nice place to be.

Their website is at http://www.dublinerdc.com/.

Note that lunch service is not their strong point. Expect to have a slower lunch if you go here. Vegetarians have a single option.

Also note that there is a second Irish pub next door. They aren't nearly as good as the Dubliner and don't generally have live music.

Union Station Metro, down D street past the Post Office Museum and the Cap City Brewing Company. Then across the street.

From journal Wonderful Washington DC

Editor Pick

The Dubliner Pub

  • January 23, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Jim Rosenberg from Wausau, Wisconsin
Here's a place that belongs on your "A" list for filling, reasonably priced food, draught beer, nightly entertainment, and an overall fun atmosphere. Located at the Phoenix Hotel, the Dubliner offers that great "Irish pub" experience, and like many others, you may find you linger a little longer than you might have expected. We find the help to be attentive and the ambience to be wonderful.

A quick look at the food menu (which is printed daily to accommodate various specialties): shepherd's pie; corned beef and cabbage; fish and chips; turkey breast sandwich; ruben sandwich; corned beef sandwich; chicken Caesar salad; sirloin burger; chicken melt. All of these menu meals fell between $10 and $13.95. Soup of the day on our visit was a creamy potato offering. Dessert features include bread pudding with warm Irish custard and Bailey's Irish Cream cheesecake. There is a hot dog and fries for $5.50 for the kids. You may also find some specials. On the day we visited, these included chicken Kiev; grilled salmon and shrimp, and roast prime rib—all a few dollars more than the rest of the menu, but well worth their prices.

By 9pm, you can expect to hear traditional Gaelic entertainment being enjoyed in the front room by an appreciative crowd.

This is a great place to unwind, enjoy a hearty meal, socialize with friends, and enjoy a wonderful time without breaking the bank or needing to dress up. We highly recommend it!

Metro access is easy enough; just a block down Massachusetts Avenue from Union Station at the intersection of Mass and Capitol, you'll see the awnings for the Phoenix Park Hotel and the Dubliner, each facing their respective streets on the corner building that they occupy.

From journal Washington DC - Five Hotels; Dining

Compare Washington, D.C. Rates

1. Enter travel information

City

2. Select websites to compare rates

Each selected website will open a new window.

Washington, D.C. Travel Deals