Best of Boston

1999 Best Irish Pub

Kitty O’Shea’s

It’s tough for a newcomer to stand out in a city that already has more Irish pubs than Ireland. Kitty O’Shea’s, though, is like a trip to the Emerald Isle. The bar was fashioned from a church pulpit in the Old Country, the fireplace was brought from Dublin, and even the floor-boards are 200 years old. Stained-glass windows of Irish scenes filter out the bustle of the Financial District. Guinness and other Irish beers run from the taps, and the staff is off-the-boat Irish. The only thing that doesn’t seem true to the authentic Irish pub theme is the food. It’s good.

131 State St., Boston, 617-725-0100,