I used to frequent this place regularly on bar trivia night until my recent experience. My table ordered a bunch of food, highlighted with 4 orders of the 1/2 price potato skins. When our bill arrived, we were charged full price. We asked our nice waitress to resolve the matter and she seemed confused, responding "I'll check about the price" even though the specials are on placards on every table. She came back with a bill that had the skins cheaper than full price but about a dollar more than half price per order. When one of our party approached the bartender (who is apparently the manager and possibly also the owner of the pub) to point out the mistake, he immediately and aggressively accused our friend of "nickel and dime-ing" him and threw the bill at her. The bartender/manager/owner didn't even bother to apologize during the next 10 minutes we were there. We informed the waitress who said "the skins are in our computer system at the higher price" as a half-hearted explanation. If this is true, every person who orders the 1/2 price skins is getting jacked. Needless to say that despite the Strongbow on tap, convenient location, and efficient bar trivia, I won't be back.
(1)
Ryan N.
I have always walked by Harp and Fiddle and said "that looks like a place I should try." Well, recently I decided to try it for lunch, then for dinner, then ended up booking their back room for an event. Let me start from the beginning...I was looking around Bethesda for a location for a rehearsal dinner, and the last stop on the list was Harp and Fiddle. I had lunch here while I checked out the back room, which is awesome. As far as the food went, I had a Celtic Club with fries which was delicious and simple. I met Mac, who acted like we had known each other for years when discussing having a function there. He went out of his way to mail special menus and wanted to ensure he was involved at every step of the way. Well between the good lunch food, the dinner menu I glanced at, and Mac being awesome, I took the soon-to-be bride in for dinner. We ordered the brisket and Donegal chicken with rice, garlic potatoes, beans, and vegetables. We were both very impressed by the food. The brisket was moist and smokey, the potatoes were crisp on the outside and warm inside. I don't like beans but she told me they were great, and the rice and vegetables couldn't have been done any better. The bread pudding topped everything off perfectly. I can't say the restaurant was too lively either time I went, but the bar was well patronized and everyone seemed to be having a good time and shooting the breeze. Next, I'll be in for a weekend alternative to the garbage down at Union Jack's.
(5)
Ana T.
Last the night the Fatsbys band was out of this world. The food the staff were great. Very often we forget the support staff. There was a man that worked his butt off putting out ice, bringing clean glasses to the bar, removing the tables from the dance floor. I tip my hat to Marco. He too made our evening enjoyable. Keep up the good work. This will become one of my favorite places to go. Thank you all.
(5)
Andre M.
HORRIBLE service, try to get food after 9??? FORGET it, the servers are rude and don't care if you want to spend money or not. What kind of place is this????? Better off going to Caddies!
(1)
Nicole G.
Came here strictly for their cheap pitchers of Blue Moon for a happy hour with co-workers. We ended up splitting two pitchers and two baskets of fries. Service was friendly and the outdoor alley space was great on a beautiful day. The regular food seemed a bit pricey, but I would like to come back to try it some time!
(4)
Rick J.
On January 28, 2014 I went with my girlfriend to hear a band play. We sat at the bar and received the worst service known to humankind. Someone wearing horse blinders and dark sunglasses could've given better I eye contact better than the two bartenders working that night. Being in sales I'm keen to body language and everyone around the bar seemed visibly frustrated and annoyed. This place is losing money because of the two stooges behind the bar with zero personality and no interest in serving. The men's bathroom was void of any paper towels and was dirty. I decided not to eat there after checking out the bathroom. What a dump RIck
(1)
J L.
Two of us had a wonderful experience, Shepard's Pie & sandwich, drinks, good service and reasonable price. I would recommend for others. Enjoy!!
(5)
Nate H.
This is the only place I've been in DC where I had to do the servers job for them. Let me explain. The atmosphere was cool, they hit the "pub" feel. Food was good, nothing crazy about it, but they did a better Reuben than Arby's. I came with a large group on a business trip, and all around everyone said the food was good. Now comes the harsh truth. The server needed an EXTREME lesson in customer service. His personality can be compared to wad of gum on the sidewalk. You see it, and knows it exists, but it does nothing to contribute to society. When asked about a drink in stock, he gave attitude. Asked about fixing an order that was brought out wrong (on his part), gave attitude. Here's a tip (and it's the only one he deserved), just because you hate your life doesn't mean you should hate your customers. Food service has the word SERVICE in it. We asked to spit the check and he said "I can't do that, you all figure it out" and left. Asked the manager, manager says the SAME EXACT THING. We did math and split 8 checks, on our own. Needless to say, we kept our tips because WE did his job. You gotta earn it, my friend. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND, go to the other Irish pub.
(1)
Libby F.
I like $4.00 vodka martinis at happy hour. They make me happy. I like Monday night trivia here. It's just like I remember. While I'm a fan of Stump Trivia, I 'll stick with McGinty's Monday night trivia solely to get their $5.00 fish and chips happy hour deal. Harp & Fiddle... Bring back your bread pudding! (McGinty's has it.)
(4)
John F.
2 stars for the fun Irish bar atmosphere. Unfortunately the stars stop there however! I ordered the Mac & Cheese Egg Rolls because they sounded interesting. You get 3 and the are covered with BBQ Pork. The pork was pretty good but the Mac & Cheese was tasteless. Wouldn't order it again. My main course was Shepherds Pie. It came out microwave hot! The potatoes were so soupy and scalding that I burnt the roof of my mouth. The "pie" looked more like a Mexican dish of whipped potatoes and refried beans than it did an traditional Irish dish! As I joked above about the temp of the food, I pretty sure this was not baked! I don't think the Mac & cheese egg rolls were deep fried either! Not good! There were 2 bartenders (I think)! One worked his ass off while the other kind of came and went. I sat at the bar and got to here the frustration from the good bartender. It was Trivia Night and it brought in a nice crowd. I did not participate in the trivia but it would have been challenging except for the amazingly easy clues that came with each question. For example, if the answer was Florida, he would play Flo Rida music while you though about the answer to the real question. Everyone got question right while I was there. How is that fun?
(2)
Ithaca P.
Just about had it with this place. Coworkers and I go almost every week for Happy hour because of the cheap beer and the music. But for the past half a year or so, both the food AND the service have dropped to abysmal levels. Food: The food was never something to crow about, but the standards have really slid recently. From watery sauces to cold nachos... it's really hit a new low even for loyal customers who go for the music or just out of habit. Service: This is where they really let us down. Each week we go back thinking last week was an anomaly, but no... the same surly waitstaff, the extremely slow service, and the lame excuses. I've had to go the bar to get my own beer and food, and I don't think I've ever had to wait an hour to get fries at any other place. If it weren't for the cheap beer at happy hour (which btw was served warm today), we would not have given this place so many chances. Oh and while I'm at it get proper ventilation for the back room! Only thing I would ever go back for is the music and the 'local' feel. Sorry you've just lost a bunch of very loyal and frequent customers.
(1)
D G.
Finally found a place with the heart and character of a true Irish Pub. I was amazed to see the arch windows, the floor boards, and the even our friendly Irish owner Steve - just everything you want in a local Irish pub. To top it all - they were the first ones to make Gluten Free Fish and chips for my daughter - they also do GF Irishpie - wow. She loved it - we are now hooked on Harp and Fiddle. You should visit it he pub - if nothing else - but for the character.
(5)
Vicki L.
We came here a couple times to watch the Premier League matches. Decent selection of British foods, but terrible terrible screens! They're either too tiny to see properly, or big but blurry and out of focus! Grrrr...
(3)
Tiffany H.
I don't know that the service is all that great, but excellent drinks and the Guinness pie is simply to die for! My husband had the Reuben and said it was one of the best he has ever had. Hope we get to come back! I would like to try the bread pudding and the chocolate torte!
(5)
Priscilla Y.
I came here because a friend wanted to see his friend's band play. It's a cute pub with nice decorations. There are a lot of pictures on the side wall and plenty of tables in the back area. From the bar, you get a good view of the stage. I don't know about the other nights, but on a Thursday night, it seems to attract the 40+ crowd. Even the bartender was an older gentleman. The service here seems to be lacking. The bar area was pretty packed, but there was only one bartender. It was difficult to get his attention. They also do not have that many choices of beer on tap (Guinness, Blue Moon, Stellas, Heineken, Strongbow). I didn't eat anything except for some fries, which were the beer-battered kind of fries. Crunchy! The other pubs I've been to usually have that dirty, sticky feeling to it, but this place is pretty clean. Same with the bathrooms.
(3)
Crystal G.
Flannigans is where my friends and I go on Monday nights for trivia. The trivia is accompanied by musical hints, which is fun. For drinks, I always get beer, and beer is always good to me so can't say much there. For food, I get the mashed potato pizza- add a little salt and pepper and it is really really good! Overall, a casual atmosphere to play trivia, darts, or simply have food and/drink with friends.
(4)
Harold L.
First off you need to give at least a four star for all the good this bar does for the community, they have very big hearts for our service people as well police and fire. I have never had a bad meal and they treat my family as if they were their own. Best neighborhood tavern and bar in town... Drinks and food are priced well for the average budget and the fish and chips are great!!! I took a read on some of the one and two star postings, and I somewhat take issue with some remarks. If you come to an Irish bar on St. Pat's and are looking for food you might want to think twice, not really a food day. If you live in Clarksburg and are pissed off that a quarter does not give you enough time on the meter, welcome to Bethesda......it's not the bar setting the price of meters (fool) If you have to spend $ 5 bucks to hear live musicians and local great music and your pissed, well you probably only tipped 2 bucks anyway. Go to Clyde's instead and listen to free bands and pay double the prices (fool) way to support local musicians. If you need to leave one star at least go to a place a couple times, would love to yelp a lot of people at there place of employment....just saying!
(5)
Cynthia H.
Fish and chips Yummy. Reuben looks and tastes amazing. Lots if fun going on inside and out. Make the stop here if you are in the area.
(4)
Gabby M.
Before you... chicken avocado sandwich. Enough said. Oh! and the staff is awesome. If you are new in town, make sure you tell the staff they will be quick to point you to the regulars and make you feel right at home. Harp love!
(5)
Rob W.
Live music, fantastic friendly wait staff, fast service. Decent food. Started at the bar, then moved to a table when colleagues arrived. Prompt, friendly service at the bar. No problems moving our tabs over to the table. Friendly wait service for dinner as well. The Bangers & Mash was pretty standard pub fare, but the great service pushes this up to 4 stars.
(4)
Margaret D.
This is the real-life hangout bar from How I Met Your Mother. Where you meet with your friends, have a drink, watch some sports, eat some food. Just enjoying company. We came on a lazy Sunday afternoon, so we didn't encounter any issues with service. There was just one guy manning both the bar and the tables. We had the fish and chips, shepherd's pie, steak n guinness pie. All were served hot and were pretty nondescript but we ate it all. Nothing super tongue catching there, for good or for bad. The fish n chips portion was a little disappointing even if it was lunch; there was only one fish stick. In the end though, we paid eight dollars for each meal. Very decent bar food. The bread pudding however- I would return just to eat two portions as a meal. It looked like a strange like of pale yellow goop on the plate, and tasted like mushy heaven. You could totally eat this no problem if you had no teeth. It wasn't overly sweet, and had sour wild cherries to punctuate the pudding drizzled in caramel. A homemade recipe, apparently! Well done.
(3)
C J.
Ended up Getting a salad instead of typical Irish bar fare. My boyfriend got the lettuce wraps. The service was good. And we still talk abut the food. Who would have expected that. No shamrock with he Guinness though.
(4)
Sam J.
This is hands down the best bread pudding I have ever had. I don't even like bread pudding but I can't get enough of this. The ooey-gooey-ness of the white chocolate with the tartness of the cherries is truly a masterpiece! I also ordered the Jamison Meatloaf which was phenomenal! I highly recommend this place!
(5)
R M.
Best bar in Bethesda. Steve and Alan are the best. This place is a fun, no nonsense neighborhood bar. If you want a good drink and fun live music, this is the place to go.
(5)
Oliver J.
They place lives and breathes a traditional Irish American Bar. Reminds me of a British Pub. The service was really really good. The Steak and Guinness pie was really good too. I was a bit sad that the portion size wasn't bigger, but it was really good. They pastry on top was solid too. It reminded me of good British pies. I also ordered the chicken tenders and fries - totally fine. On the whole, good HH specials. It's great they have free games such as darts and foosball. Great place for happy hour.
(4)
Maria P.
This is one of my favorite bars in downtown Bethesda. There's something about the laid-back vibes and strong drinks that holds a special place in my social repertoire. Yeah, the crowd tends to be a little older (late 20's-30's) but in my eyes that makes it better. I'll always like Blackfinn and Union Jacks, but as of late the amount of douchebags that congregate there really push my buttons. That's why I come here instead. Low lighting, comfortable seating, and a strong drink is enough for me. Oh yeah, and the eye candy isn't too bad either ;) Single ladies, take note!
(4)
Angelica P.
I went here for a farewell get together for a friend. We specifically chose this place because it had karaoke. The food was great (Really it was, I was shocked because I was expecting typical bar food but it was truly amazing) and it was a very fun atmosphere, I did not expect such a huge turn out for karaoke. The problem? The bartendar could not make any decent cocktails/shots. We had to look up recipes on our phone and hand it over to the bartendar and even then the drinks still sucked. Granted it is a very strict irish bar so I guess they truly specialize in straight whisky shots and beer. The service was okay. My water was never refilled, which to me is very important, and I kept having to go to the bar to get my drinks since the waitress seemed to be busy with another party most of the night. Either way, I would come back for the fun and food but I will stick to ordering just beer at this time.
(3)
Ellie B.
They changed their recipes and their food is now horrible. When I asked them why they would change it because it was decent before, they laughed in my face. You can laugh all you want but your restaurant still sits almost always empty because your food sucks. Plus the wife of the owner seems to hate even being there. She either spends her time glaring at people, or sitting down and smoking outside so you can't even taste the food from all the smoke.
(1)
Carlyn K.
Run by a real Irishman so you know it's legit. Had a few appetizer which were fine but my BF had the steak and Guinness pie per the Irishman's suggestion and it was..you guessed it... Legit. Always a good spot for drinks and live music.
(4)
Chris J.
Great food and Guiness! They have live music once every now and then, which is a plus. Very friendly staff and always willing to make your experience better. If you are out with a lot of people, venture here instead of the the less than spectacular establishments such as Rock Bottom or Caddys.
(4)
Erica L.
Take this review with a grain of salt. I went here for Sunday brunch on St Patty's because of a family lunch for an Irish grandmother. The service was friendly but well I wouldn't recommend this place if you aren't drinking. The shepherd's pie was alright but it's also not the place for those who don't want meat. The only options are a very sad and wilted salad, a pot of cream with a touch of leek and potato, and corned beef sides (read steamed and tasteless and unseasoned cabbage, carrots, and potatoes). I'm sure this is all the fault of our ordering and not wanting meat at a sober brunch but I can't recommend it.
(2)
Paul A.
Great bar and a great atmosphere. Some nights, there's a cover for Irish Bands that I don't mind listening to, but isn't the draw. What're you gonna do, though? Good spot overall.
(4)
CZ Z.
To DR woman should be safe at any bar. It's not Harps fault tgat this man came there. Harp does wonderful things for the community, supports live music and in general is a wonderful place. Yelp is not for rating people who have been to an establishment and the establishment has no control over.
(5)
Daniel A.
Our last work Happy Hour at Flanagan's bumped it up a notch. What I did not previously know was that happy hour specials from 4-7 is $5 pitchers of beer. The website advertises Shock Top as an option, but when we got there we were told this was not the case anymore. HOWEVER, the waiter said he would give it to us anyway. Stand up guy, that one. We ended up ordering over 14 pitchers. They had to tap another keg for us. Good work, team. Two things prompted this update. 1) The service was excellent. Sometimes during happy hour, the servers disappear because they don't want you to score big on lower prices. Not here. Our waiter was essentially running suicides (the gym class exercise, nothing dark) to keep us drinking. He was funny and friendly and took the fact that it was a mustache happy hour in stride. 2) The outdoor patio. Last time I came it was too cold, but in good weather it is great. There were some smokers out there which was not too pleasant, but it was otherwise a beautiful evening and we enjoyed every second of it.
(4)
Fredo A.
I loves me a good, divey Irish-style pub. After just one visit, I can definitely say this place is not one of them. My roommate and I decided to pop in after I got out of work late on a Saturday night. I was mildly surprised by the $5 cover. It honestly didn't bother me -- there was an actually decent live band, so it felt justified. The service, or rather the lack thereof, brought down the score. When we got a table, it took a while before any of the employees acknowledged us. One or two walked by, but went about their business. Our server eventually made it over to us, and he certainly seemed likable, cracking wise with us from the start. We ordered a couple of pints and asked for a menu; we had to repeat that last part for him. Several minutes later, he came back with the beer, but no menu. And then that was it. It was over half an hour before we finally saw him at our table again. No return with a menu. No check in to make sure we were okay. Nada. The service wasn't all slow, though. When we asked for the check, it appeared within a couple of minutes. Fortunately, we had enough cash to cover the bill and a VERY modest tip. (I've done food service before - I won't not tip.) I wasn't going to chance waiting for a credit card to come back. Under better circumstances (Better luck?), I might give this place another go, but I won't be going out of my way to do that.
(2)
Faith E.
Randomly ended up here on Halloween. Loved the vibe, ambiance and energy. Had no idea we would have as much fun as we did. The music was great. Not sure who DJ'd that night but they did an awesome job.
(5)
Kristi B.
Great place , great people, great staff. Been coming here since day 1 and the old Flan/harp on old g-town . Probably the best live local music you'll find in Bethesda. Great draft selection. Irish Nachos are the best around, nasty good. Bring back Dublin Steak Sandwich !!!
(5)
Miles S.
Harp and Fiddle is on the decline. A couple of the workers are great, but a good amount of them aren't too friendly. The fact that I still went to this place every Thursday for their happy hour deals says something about the atmosphere and drink deals. I stopped going. Their buffalo chicken pizza was a god among men. This this was so good and only 5 dollars! The last time I ordered it (which will be the last time forever), it was different. It was no longer a circle, but a strange elliptical shape with a primary axis of equal length to the diameter of the old pizza. That's right, it was a FOOTBALL shape! Not only did they gyp me on the pizza surface area, it cost more and the crust wasn't up to it's usual standards. The turned a 5-star happy-hour gem into a 2 star wanna-be artisan flatbread. So weak, and so disappointing. It's just not worth it anymore -- there are better options within walking distance.
(3)
C O.
Been coming here for years! Easy location, decent bar food and beer selection, great happy hour! The owner Steve is the man. He is always friendly and welcoming to customers and loves a familiar face as much as he welcomes in the new ones! He makes people feel like one big happy Irish family. I recently witnessed two drunk guys harassing some women at the bar...the girls moved away but the dudes wouldn't leave them alone and Steve was gracious and quick have the ladies backs as he asked the drunk jerky men to leave his bar. There are great bands that play from time to time too!
(5)
Solace C.
I had a get together here with co workers and the service was mediocore. We had slim Jim manning the entrace. Its hard to tell if you were at the right place because we had some drunks blocking the entrance. No welcoming host, more like the look of why are you here. The waitress we had was very very arrogant. (Jesse) The food was less than desirable. The sliders. Yuck. Charred, dry as bone. Chicken wings very dry. Possible overcooked or sitting on the warmer for far to long. Buffalo pizzas was good. I must stress again, the service sucked. Maybe it was the waitress. Refills seemed like it was a burden and usual requests for more napkins became a burden. First of all, you have to go through hell and back to find parking. Then you have to fork over a lot of quarters for the meter. .25 cents per every 8 minutes. So yeah, I expected better. It just seemed to me that this place caters better service to certain type of crowd. Excuse my group for not rolling in Versace or Chanel or waving our black AMEX. I sure as do not recommend this place to anyone. They really live up to the snobby reputation in Bethesda. That people claim how Bethesda is. That some establishments are snobby. This happen to be what my group experience. A while ago, one fellow Yelper had the nerve to message tell me to get the chip off my shoulder because of my review of this place. This was our actual experience. We didnt get good service, and it wasnt like the place was packed. None, of my reviews are watered downed or sugar coated. This is what we experienced.
(2)
Jen L.
I went around 10:30 PM on a Saturday night and this place was hopping with live music. The crowd was middle-aged, 30's-40's and up. The decor of the restaurant is clearly Irish. The employees were super friendly. A solid nightlife scene for the non-College-aged-kids in downtown Betheda. This place also plays irish sports games (soccor & rugby).
(4)
Jennifer N.
To be fair, Harp and Fiddle didn't seem like my scene as soon as I walked in the door - the dining room smells a bit - a mix between old beer and just old funk - and it's dark and drafty (or, in winter, just cold) and slightly depressing. But we went to hear music, and so I was willing to forgive the divey surroundings. The food, though, was equally depressing and somehow very old school (in fact, the entire place reminded me of being transported in a time machine back to the mid 80s) - the potato leek soup tasted neither of potato nor leek. Instead, it was a deadly thick, dense, tasteless, too-creamy mush (that was served with that weird thick layer on top that soup gets when it has been sitting for a while). The green salad was quite basic - big chunks of romaine and cucumbers, a few crumbles of blue cheese, and a handful of cranberries and strawberries. In their defense, the waitstaff here is really quite friendly and cheerful, and the music is pleasant (and very cheap - we paid a $5 cover). I can't say that I'd go back for dinner, though I might consider it if a good band were playing.
(2)
Robin F.
Bless their heart, they were open on a snow day! Hugs to Jenny and Steve.
(4)
Greg F.
Nothing bad to say, exactly what you expect from an Irish pup including the Irish accented bar tenders.
(3)
Will B.
Moving here recently I noticed I had a bar at my doorstep and boy am I thankful it is this one. When it comes to an Irish pub only two things matter...the atmosphere and the Guinness and both are top notch.Was there for St. Patties and the place was a blast...shame on you if you didn't go to an Irish bar for the holiday!All in all great atmosphere, live music, and fresh Guinness!
(5)
Helen C.
My friends and I come here for happy hour and always have a great time. Pitchers of Blue Moon are really cheap and the chicken tenders and fries (which are perfectly fried potato wedges) are very very good. The chicken tenders and fries are only $5. The servers are always very nice.
(4)
Chase R.
This is as close as you will get to a dive bar in Bethesda. It's a fun place with a great pub atmosphere. They have a good Happy Hour and decent selection of beers. Live music sometimes. Overall it's a good place.
(4)
Elizabeth D.
Great bar for happy hour! Casual atmosphere with a nice mix of people. Music was traditional Irish to start, then switched over to Top 40 until the band started (which we didn't stay for). Service was terrific despite the number of tables. And the specials were very good (especially the $7 Blue Moon pitchers)! The potato wedges are perfect to snack on (and $2.50 during happy hour) and I really enjoyed the wings (they are more like sweet/spicy than buffalo).
(4)
Ralph R.
Got an 185 dollar ticket for speeding on my way back from Flanagan's Harp and Fiddle aka Harp N Fiddle but that b*tch (ticket) didn't kill my vibe...we had a great night last and we want everyone to know that we are planing 1 helluva Halloweeny party on Wednesday 10.30.13 - Join us in games, prizes, elves, and some freaky deaky, trick o' treatin' Halloween fun karaoke 9PM...where a costume n' win a prize. Fun, fun, fun at Flanagans Harp and Fiddle! A uber thank you goes out to: Rochelle, Mary, Ernie, Sharon, Robert, Jema, Jamie, Jay, Kat, Jason, Sosun, Jen, Mikey Mike, Noelle, Sam, Mike, Tom, Steven, Josh, Sam, Emory, Lindsey, Andrew, Ricardo, Jackie, Dave, Lisa, Adam, Justin, Vincent, and all that hung out enjoyed a burger or shot of Jameson at the Harp N' Fiddle.Thank you Cat (server) and Steve (bartender) and all staff too. We had a great night of fun!!!
(4)
Robert B.
Kind of a fun Irish pub. Good beer selection and a nice atmosphere. The food is okay, kinda typical bar food but with a few outstanding items. The lamb stew was awesome, the fish and chips just so-so. Lots of special events that are worth attending as well.
(3)
Barbara B.
I was there recently with a friend to see the 19th Street Band. Its not some place I often go, but I had a really good time. I had the Shepard's pie which was excellent and the service was very good. We sat at a table near the back where the band was playing. And the band was fantastic. $5 cover to get in but it was worth it.
(4)
J M.
Late yesterday afternoon (Friday June 15), Motrya and I were walking along Cordell Ave and were choosing between Caddies on Cordell or this place. We walked in and no one greeted us. After walking through the patio, the inside towards the rear (near the restrooms) and back towards the bar, FINALLY our server, Isa, who just watched us walk around, seated us at a booth inside. Even though it was busy in the restaurant, it took her a while to get our drink order (HH Miller Lite was $2.50). I got the Irish Lamb Stew ($14.45) and Motrya got the chicken sandwich with side salad ($9.75). The Euro-something soccer tournament was the only game they had on all their televisions. They could've turned down the volume a little too. Isa never came by to say how everything was. It came to a point where I had to get up to flag her down for more drinks, which is absolutely ridicuolous! Her excuse was something like, "Sorry, I was busy in the back." As we left, she was at the front where she didn't even say "thank you" or "thanks for coming" or "have a nice evening" - nothing!
(1)
Kate O.
I'm still drinking here but guess what? I'm thrilled to say the food has improved quite a bit!
(3)
Alicia G.
I really enjoy coming here for the trivia nights! Stump trivia is pretty sweet and our team of yelpers won 2nd place back in October ($25 gift certificate). So we came back last night for Kathleen's last trivia and to use the gc. Since our team was larger than 6, we weren't able to win first place which is fair. We ended up in a tie for 2nd but lost the tiebreaker. Hey, 3rd place ain't bad! Another gift certificate = another trivia night at the Harp & Fiddle! It was much fuller than last time; I was surprised to see such a good showing for a cold, rainy Monday night. Service was alright - two servers for the whole place - I felt like we were maintained well but I think Jeff felt differently. We squaffed a bit at the prices but thankfully, the sliders are half off during the 8-10 period that we were there. $3 yuenglings and rail cosmos are the drink specials.
(4)
Katie B.
Smells like a latrine
(1)
Dee B.
2 stars for last visit, 3 stars on average Played trivia with some friends here last week. We were served by a waitress who was so earnest that it seemed like she'd rather be doing anything else. And my burger was as hard as a hockey puck. Still like trivia here, though.
(3)
Morgan G.
Everything about this experience was lousy. quite possibly the WORST experience with a waitress that i've ever had (and i'm not being dramatic). we were there early ... like 5:30 on a weeknight ... hardly anyone there ... sat at a table .. after no one came over after 10 mins., i approached a waitress who was filling salt and pepper shakers and asked her if we had a server or if we should order from the bar ... wow ... she was so rude! she made a face, sighed, and said, "what? yeah? order from him ... at the bar!" in a sassy, yell-y voice. my $12 salad also would certainly not win an award. my advice--when looking for a nice/chill bar in Bethesda, go to the Barking Dog. not this place. Yikes.
(1)
Izzat A.
Went here for St. Pattie's day with some coworkers. Got the Chicken Celtic and it was pretty good. Pretty big portion. Fries cost $2 extra so it ended up being about $10. Fries were really good. Decor is really cool and laid back. Service was slow and that is why I'm giving it 3*. Didn't seem really packed so not sure what the deal was. Would come back again.
(3)
Fernando F.
Bar had five people in it yet I still seemed to be invisible to the bartender. I stopped going here due to shiddy service
(1)
Diana P.
This is a salt of the earth bar rather than a destination bar, which to me is always superior. The food is good but not great.....with one very powerful exception. They have the BEST bread pudding I have ever had. The service can be sort of hit and miss in terms of attentiveness but they are certainly always knowledgeable, polite and friendly.
Still no reply (nor I am I expecting one) from management regarding my earlier concern from several weeks ago. With hesitation, I went back to H&F for a fundraising event this (Sunday) evening. Got served fairly quickly this time around, and thought to myself, "Maybe I judged too quickly". Unfortunately, the Guinness pour was so-so and the fish & chips were THE WORST I've ever consumed. Frozen fish filets, battered and fried, making them rubbery and tasteless. Mrs. Paul's are 3-steps above these 'restaurant quality' fish filets. Chips weren't much better -- had some weird off-flavor and unusual texture. And yes... overpriced. Kudos for holding this fundraiser, but man, do something about the food. Management, take heed: most of Flanagan's H&F more recent reviews were far from positive....
(1)
Juliana C.
My high school graduation was at DAR Hall. I didn't review the venue until I went back for a show; if I hadn't waited, I would have given it 2 stars. Well, my five-year high school reunion was at Harp & Fiddle, and if I hadn't gone for trivia last night, it would have gotten 1. Good thing I'm (a) patient (b) lazy (you pick) with my writing. The food establishments I've tried recently have had mysterious goings-on. McLean Pizza charged $15.95 for a hawaiian (2-ingredient) calzone, yet a 3-ingredient make-your-own was $13.95. Huh? Similarly, H&F said they were out of sliders when Alicia C's companion requested them, but he was allowed to order a massive cheeseburger instead. What? Are they not made of the same meat? Do they not bleed if rare? If you bite them, do they not both dribble with burger juice? I don't get it. It looked good, though. $3 Yuenglings after 8 pm? Not a terrible deal. My $4 cosmo was passable. $6 for a flat cider? Not so much. Service was attentive, however, and Stump! Trivia is always a good time. I enjoy a little snark now and again, and since I don't enjoy feeling stupid and can usually figure out the music clues Deb provides, the easy-to-medium difficulty of the question rounds are right up my alley. That said, my team of nine people ("Jon & Kate's 8, Plus 1 Lover") consistently scored seventh place. Yeah, watch out!
(3)
Steven B.
Went on St. Patrick's Day. So this is a COMPLETELY unfair review. Its going to be about what happened there during one day out of the year that they were way overcrowded and struggling to make it through the night. Went with some coworkers and honestly, it was not that bad. They did charge a cover to get in at a certain point (again, once a year thing). The place was PACKED. And the live music was pretty awful. I did have a great time and met some really fun people that night. I ended up getting a parking ticket because I had fun there for too long in fact. I would suggest checking the place out, the servers were nice and patient even though they were swamped. Overall it did a really solid job of dealing with being an Irish pub on St Patty's Day. I will have to try it out again some time when it is not that one day of the year that things are probably different.
(3)
Marianne L.
Part 2 of last Monday's Wing and Trivia outing found us at the Harp and Fiddle. My review is primarily of the Trivia here (as I was already stuffed with wingy goodness from Wing Hub), but I'll probably be back if only to spend the gift certificate we came away with. A cursory glance at the menu showed there was at least something I'd probably order - though as Mike T. mentioned - the chocolate cake and chicken tenders probably won't be it. But its an Irish pub. I'm sure there's at least a hearty soup I'll enjoy. I did find the hot tea oddly disappointing. The tea bag was of just about the lowest quality and the tea had almost no flavor. I know its weird, but I would think an Irish pub could at least offer a passable spot of tea on a cold night. I wouldn't recommend ordering it. Maybe I will try a nice Irish coffee next time. The waitress was nicely attentive and pleasant. I would recommend not sitting at a table along the wall where the rail dividing the center tables is however, especially on trivia night, or you will be constantly jostled and if I was trying to enjoy a meal it would not be pleasant. TRIVIA The trivia game was ok. Any team with well-roundedness in history, literature and general knowledge should do just fine as we did. The game format is interesting with picture, fill-in-the-series-of-answers, and bonus rounds to break up the other rounds of single answer. The musical "clues" to some answers is a nice touch and I'm sure helps out some people who are just casual trivia players. However having a runner from your team have to relay the little slips of paper up to trivia hostess after every question makes the game drag on unnecessarily I feel. Why not just have people write down the 4 answers for the round and only go up once? It really made the pacing of the game grueling if all you were really there for was to play trivia that night (as opposed to dining or socializing with friends and idly playing trivia). ATMOSPHERE Overall the place has a nice neighborhood bar feel. Not so much a "pick-up joint", but more of a Cheers-like place where you go after a long day to meet up with friends and relax. If I lived up here, I could see making this a regular haunt to wash away the days troubles. A nice, clean place to hang out with an "old" feel. And my lungs enjoyed the break from the smokiness of VA bars.
(3)
A. J.
Alright, it's not what it used to be, but the place is growing on me.
(3)
Mark A.
Great little pub with crappy service. If the beer wasn't so good, I would not have stayed past the first round. If you can't walk a block to one of the better bars... Stay there and be dazzled by the servers!
(2)
Russell L.
Usually I am drinking and listening to music at the Harp and Fiddle, but today I had lunch. 1/2 price burger Wednesday. The burger was cooked just like I wanted, the other three in my party felt the same.The burger was larger than I expected and tasted great. Given the lunch gathering was on my tab today, I got lucky with the 1/2 price burgers! See you there next Wednesday!
(4)
Russianthistle I.
One of the best hamburgers in town... add in the great fries and I am a happy man. It never hurts to have a perfect Harp draft and maybe toss in a conversation with a neighbor or some live music and that's happiness!
(4)
Vah G.
I had a get together with some coworkers here a few weeks ago. Two of us arrived at the pub early and decided to go in so we can get tables. When we entered the pub we were ignored by the wait staff or a floor hostess if they even had one. We stood at the front for five to ten minutes being completely ignored. At the time the restaurant/bar was not busy for them to not have noticed us. We waited to see if we were going to be seated. It didn't happen. My friend and I decided leave and walk around the neighborhood to pass time until the rest of the people arrived. Half an hour later when the rest of the group arrived we went to the pub. We were still ignored up to the point that we finally just took upon our selves to go into the dinning area that we were finally greeted by the staff in which we were finally seated. At the end of our dinning and drinking our waiter returned to our table with our check. We asked her if she could separate the check. She gave us an aggravated look and told us that she couldn't do it and if we wanted to we had to calculate our own bills. This was the first time ever that we had to calculate all of our individual orders and presented the prices that we got calculated to the waiter at the register. It was total confusion trying to separate the checks. When we had all paid and just walked out the door the waiter followed us and told us that we didn't add in her tip even though we already left her a cash tip on the table.
(2)
Miriam W.
If you want a shot at winning trivia, you need fuel. It won't guarantee you a win, now, but it will surely make you feel a lot better in the heat of the competition, especially when faced with tough questions about fabric and movie titles. Recommended fuel at Flanagan's Harp and Fiddle: Buffalo Chicken Sandwich and a bottle of Blue Moon Dessert's less exciting, so skip it in favor of an extra beer. Service is incredibly friendly and if it's been awhile since someone called you baby/honey/darlin'/sweetheart, you're in luck! An easy walk from the Metro, Flanagan's is a good spot to while away a Monday night when there's trivia from 8-10 pm.
Too hot in restaurant. Food meh. Wouldn't split bill for table, water in plastic cups with beer label, brought water pitcher but didn't refill it.
(2)
Laurie O.
Great happy hour; nice crowd. Usually excellent live music several nights a week.
(4)
Rick D.
I've been a semi-regular since Flanagan's was in the Basement @ Woodmont Corner in the mid 80s - tho i still miss that old divey atmosphere a little, the more recent Harp & Fiddle offers a lot - from games to play, to games to watch, good food, great drink, jovial proprietors and good conversation, except when the bands are playing - tho generally not too loud, the music is always top shelf - local talent that exceeds many from Chicago, Nashville, LA or NY.
(5)
Neal E.
Great Irish Pub! Took a few minutes though to find a place to park. Had to run out once during the evening to feed the meter... I went here to see Canadian Celtic group Searson perform. I had never been to Flanagan's prior to that. The place is really not designed to host a band. They had a bunch of chairs and tables pushed out of the way across from the end of the bar. So the band members were crowded fairly close to one another. I came early and got some dinner - I always try the Shepherd's Pie when I am scoping out a new Irish Pub - and it was pretty good. I always add a bit of black pepper and Tabasco sauce to Shepherd's Pie. Add a few Guinness and Hard Ciders, and some kick ass celtic music - and you have a great Irish Pub! I would recommend this place to anyone!
(5)
Chef A.
Old time favorite college hangout. Come for the Guinness, and stay for Ted Gerber. Knowing the bar keepest helped to keep the tab down, but man, do I miss this place. IDK what the food is like now, I was only in recently for a pint, but for years the food has been great. Sad to hear if it sux now. If that's true, fix that right away.
(5)
Morris S.
You must check out live music at Flanagans. Make sure to catch the Cathy Ponton King band rocking the house. The food is pub fare done pretty well, and they have Smithwicks on tap, Harp, etc. The chili fries are particularly good.
(3)
B C.
Extra stars for friendly, caring service and very comfortable atmosphere. I came in late and wanted something to eat and a pint ("Pints? They come in pints? I want one of THOSE!"). Had the Shepherd's Pie, which at $14.95 for the "pie" and two slices of Irish soda bread was decidedly unimpressive. Service was good and the small crowd was very friendly with a good vibe. I'll definitely come back for a few pints and skip the dinner next time.
(4)
Lauren A.
I live near this place, so we've had a couple run-ins. I've ordered delivery, and it was quick. I've only eaten one thing - the shepherd's pie - and it was not good - certainly no competition for Ri-Ra's S.P. We've tried to come here for the bar a few times, but it's always been empty. And the time we tried to go for trivia night, we got there and they told us it had been canceled. So all in all, I haven't had the best experiences at Harp and Fiddle - but I'd try another item on the menu if I ever found myself there again. I'll keep you posted.
(2)
Jane J.
Been here for happy hour. Terrible service - so bad you can almost laugh at it (but you can't because you really want another beer). Food is ok, but the prices make it a happy hour choice at my office.
(2)
Ali S.
MOOD: This is the reason I come here, the most excellent place in Bethesda (and probably most of Washington, D.C.) to watch live soccer games. They have nice tvs and projectors, and a good crowd. I would highly recommend going there for the world cup games especially, has a real Irish pub feel to it. SERVICE: Always a bit slow, mostly because it is the bartender doing the bar and the whole restaurant. He's pretty good, but they need someone else for larger events. FOOD: It is pretty standard for bar-food, nothing extraordinary but also nothing terrible. The appetizers weren't that appealing, I liked the burger and fries as they go very well with the beers. Go for a stella or a guinness draft for the games.
(3)
IH K.
One of my favorite standbys in bethesda - it's always less crowded and the patrons tend to be unassuming compared to the usual bethesda crowd. The food menu is a bit limited for a non-red-meat eater, but I don't have any complaints about what I have had. I'd say that the dishes are generally overpriced for the quality and offerings, but you can easily make up for it with their reasonable drink prices. For special functions, they're also willing to accommodate the menu to personalize the festivities. Generally, it's very friendly service and I've never had a bad experience here. Though I don't know that this is where I want to be hanging out on a Friday or Saturday night, it's a great place to waste weekday evenings and Sundays with friends (if you're local).
(3)
Pat A.
Great ambiance and friendly staff. A very well-rounded and accepting atmosphere from the patrons that frequent the place. Food is bar fare with a hint of class. Prices are standard for the Bethesda area. Friendly bunch of ppl there, so don't just ignore everyone, join in the merriment and I'm sure you'll walk away with a smile on your face
(5)
Bill D.
The other reviews for this place seem to emphasize trivia and coming here with groups to hang out. I, on the other hand, made the foolish mistake of trying to eat dinner here. The food is not very good, it's more expensive than it should be, and the beer's overpriced as well. The atmosphere is all Irish, as expected, with all Irish-oriented music in the background. So, in summary, overpriced and not very good. Won't be going back, even with a group.
(2)
Kevin L.
Well, I tried recommending the sliders this trip, since they were pretty solid the last time I was here for trivia. That was a mistake. Maybe a different cook? Maybe the cook botched them? These sliders were pretty disappointing - dry, tasteless, with oversized buns. Although during trivia happy hour prices it's not a bad deal at $6ish, I would never ever consider paying full price for the quad of miniburgers. A Smithwicks during trivia will also run you almost as much as the burgers. Heh. Bleh. Really, the only reason I could possibly see for wanting to come here is for Stump trivia. The lady that runs it is on the ball. A little catty, but entertaining, and she's extremely efficient with grading and announcing scores. This is one of the more well-run trivia games I've seen. Sub-par food, excessively priced beer, only redeemed by the entertainment factor of Stump. Outside of Monday nights, you won't find me here.
(3)
Alicia C.
Came here last night for my first Yelp trivia outing. Showed up a bit later and missed the first couple rounds but was able to jump right in when I got there (though sorry guys, don't know how much help I actually was... science major+history questions=me looking very confused). As Alicia G. mentioned, the prices were kind of shocking at first, but I was put at ease when told the sliders were actually 1/2 off from 8-10 block for trivia. I got and order of those along with cheese fries to split with Jaclyn S. I was a bit disappointed with the sliders (overcooked, charred, dry), though Kevin L. mentioned that previous experiences had been better, so I'll give Harp and Fiddle the benefit of the doubt. The fries were decent, the cheese helped. I did enjoy the hard cider I got though, and that kept me happy enough. I'd been H&F once before, this past New Year's eve. Both times service was pretty good considering the server to customer ratio. The had a good mix of question ranging from more obvious one to those that left me completely clueless, but it was definitely one of the better trivia nights I've been to. I'll likely give this place another shot at impressing me food-wise and hope to check out the trivia night again sometime soon.
(3)
Michelle P.
I really like the Harp and Fiddle, maybe because we keep rocking at trivia and winning gift certificates! Or maybe because the atmosphere is fun, the trivia lady is very friendly and sliders are half price on Monday! You can get four mini burgers and a substantial side of fries for a measley $7! And yes, thats half price (regularly $14). I will give them credit for charging $7 for a glass of wine, but at least it was a BIG glass! Prices are VERY steep, but some of the deals ($3 Yeunglings) are a good. Plus, i always make sure to bring along my "splenda daddy" to help subsidize the absurd costs. The irish atmosphere is fun and it seems like they have a lot of local artists come in and play live music. I also like the stump trivia, even though some of the questions are way too easy for our "ringers" :P And they even manage to tie it into MNF with calling things quarters, etc. I will definitely be back... especially since we have a $15 gift certificate to spend!
(4)
Mikel B.
I've been going here for years and I love it. Meet the regulars and you will always have a friend at the pub. The food is pretty good. They have a great Irish breakfast. The live music ranges from trad to blues and back again.
(4)
Marc H.
Ah, the Drunk and Ugly, a favorite of my friends. It's not one of our favorites bc it's a good place to go, but rather, it's usually less busy than most of the usual suspects in bethesda. You can go here with a large group of friends, take over a section of the bar, watch some sports, drink some beer, and have a good time amongst yourselves. You don't go here to meet new people or at least I never have... you go here to hang out, drink with your friends, and just chill out. Also, the little outdoor patio area they have, which is more like a a dead-end alley, can be pretty fun in the warmer months.
(3)
Sebastian P.
Have you ever wondered why this place is almost empty, while all the pubs nearby are bustling? Well, if the bartender almost hugs you one day to not even recognize or pay attention to you the next day, it's either because he is on the rag or something else is wrong. I used to go to Harp & Fiddle about twice a week, but when you get bad service three of four times, the one time you get good service just doesn't make up for it. I don't expect the bartender to be overly nice, but being treated like a burden as soon as you enter is not the way to go. Since I meanwhile avoid Harp & Fiddle, just like so many of the old regulars do, I should probably only give it one star. I had some good times in the past though, so that earns them an extra one, also in the hope that it will get better again in the future.
(2)
Tony P.
I came here for the trivia with the Yelp team. The facility is nice and clean with a large projection screen showing football on a stage set to one side of the restaurant. I ordered the sliders and potato and leek soup. Both were good. The service was attentive and expedient. It was a good outing even though we tanked the trivia.
(3)
Paul M.
OK - I promise - no more Irish bar reviews from me after this one, but there are some important points that need to be communicated about this bar. 1. Sports. Want to see Roscommon vs Meath in the All-Ireland football? Unless you have Setanta at home this is your only option - and for all its Guinness serving glory Ri Ra doesn't do Irish sports (you Amurikans prefer your amurikan football and your baseball). 2. The clientele. 30 years ago the typical Irish emigrant got off the boat with a shovel, today ( if there even are any Irish emigrants any more) they get off a 747 with a laptop. This place does old school - authentic, friendly, real - a million miles from the corporate chains. And all the good hard working men who built this country are in there on a Sunday morning watching their hometown GAA heroes on satellite TV. In short it's just like the Irish bars I grew up with. Except MY Uncle Seamus or MY Uncle Tommy aren't in there - but somebody else's surely are.
(3)
Patrick H.
Really a 3.5* locale. Great ambiance, including the ultra "Irishy" entrance and long darkwood bar. We stopped in for a quick bite last night, and while they aren't breaking any new ground here, the pub grub was just fine. I had the shepherds pie, (I know, sheperds pie in August? Call me crazy) and it was really good. Loaded with mashers which blanketed the rich meaty sauce below. It was chocked full of fresh veg and flavor. Very nice. My companions ordered the Bangers and Mash, and the "lightly" seasoned chicken breast. I prefer my bangers whole thank you, and not grilled like a kielbasa, but they were tasty enough and the addition of beans was a nice surprise. The chicken breast was expertly cooked but really really boring. It came with a nice mound of wild rice, potatoes and fresh veg. My favorite part of the meal was the soda bread. Go figure. Very nice slathered with copious amounts of soft creamy butter. All in all a fun stop, very comfortable with extra friendly service, and to me, that says Irish pub.
(4)
Jennifer G.
We made the trek from Alexandria to Bethesda this past Saturday morning to watch the Celtic-Hearts football match. Since watching football generally goes hand in hand with the consumption of beer we decided the best bet was to rely on public transportation. We're new to the area and didn't realize that there wouldn't be as many trains on the weekend so this took quite a bit longer than expected, but it was my first time on the Metro and wound up being a learning experience. We arrived at Flanagans shortly after the match had started. It was being shown in the dining room at the back of the building and it was virtually pitch black so that the image on the projection screen was as clear as possible. We're Hearts fans and were meeting up with two other Hearts fans, but we were watching this match at the home location of the opposing team's supporters club. We've done this before in NYC and it's been scary, but this place wasn't like that. When Hearts scored first we were able to celebrate without holding back. Flanagans has a breakfast menu for these morning matches and R and I both went with the Light Irish Breakfast. It includes four pieces of toast with Irish butter and jelly, scrambled eggs, your choice of sausage or Irish bacon and beans (but you can substitute potatoes). Robert went with the sausage and beans options and was very pleased with his breakfast. I requested sausage also but wound up with Irish bacon, and I substituted potatoes for my beans (I still can't get my head around eating beans for breakfast). My bacon was a little overcooked but still okay, and I felt the eggs were a little watery. The breakfast was still good though, the potatoes were spectacular. I don't know how they make them but they were amazing. Since I had some breakfast in my belly I felt it was safe to have a beer and I went with a Harp. It was great. R was drinking Stella Artois and he was happy with it. We really enjoyed Flanagans and even decided to hang out there for a while after the Hearts-Celtic match was over (final score 1-1). Manchester United was on in another room so we watched that. It wasn't extremely busy but there was still a decent amount of people there to watch soccer. The place has the typical Irish pub look and feel to it. The bartender deserved a gold medal for her efforts that morning. She was running the bar, taking meal orders, serving the food and busing tables. She really didn't miss a step. I really liked Flanagans. Unfortunately it's really out of the way for us. We might be back again when Celtic plays Hearts again if we can't find somewhere closer to watch it. If we lived in the area I could imagine it being a place we would go to quite often.
(4)
Jeffrey A.
This place rocks. First, it is walking distance.....correction, crawling distance, to my apartment. Second, it is a great take on the pub for the area, with a large dark bar experience, but also an outdoor area if you want to get away from the live music that night. Third, it's just a really fun environment. A lot of places in this area definitely give you the older vibe, but this is not one of them. It's a laid back atmosphere of people who just want to have a good time. The bar is stocked with several classic favorites on tap, but also boasts a pretty good menu for those who need some munchies. With live music acts most nights, it's a good way to experience the local talent. All in all, I can see myself going back here many nights and sipping on a harp.
(4)
Rachael B.
Great beer, great staff and GREAT chicken avocado sandwich. Very reasonably priced and Mondays are the best because of the trivia game they host. I highly recommend trying it out, you'll LOVE it!
(5)
Aaron F.
One of the only bars in bethesda with regular live music. great atmosphere - usually good bands and good crowd. Its not overcrowded like most of bethesda unless scythian is playing. not too many yuppies or knuckleheads in there. the price goes right along with the location (bethesda) i liked the old fish n chips better, for desert try their bread pudding - very good. there are two parking garages within 3 blocks of the place. i've come here on and off for a few years (the old and new spot) enjoyed the people who worked there - always friendly. the owners if i remember correctly are from belfast during the religious wars. They will talk shit with the best of them but know how to run a buisness. I've been lucky enough to have been dubbed a familiar face so i may have a drink slide down my way on occassion. The bar also sponsors a club soccer team a friend of mine plays for... so here's to showing support to the locals myfriends. (and thats what got my 5th star) Once in a blue moon we'll come in and rail on some bagpipes with the owners permission whilst ooggling the pretty women whom i can't afford.. and all this before i hit puberty eh'?! if i could transplant this place somewhere that was closer to home and keep the yuppies/frat boys out I would gladly be a daily patron.. But for the trips to bethesda you are the best choice for a good night, great ambience, low testostorone and full bellies of great food the reminds me of me own ma's cookin'.
(5)
James D.
OK I will give the place ratings for ambience. The outdoor patio as you walk in is very other side of the pond. When you enter the bar is stereotypical rectangle with tables surrounding. There is a dark back room with Big Screen for soccer games. Here is what is lacking..... THE GUINNESS IS WATERED DOWN?!!!!! My friend and I were both appalled yesterday as we got watery Guinness and walked out and went down the street to another pub for redemption. I will never go here again just because of this. SORRY.
(2)
Sarah W.
Everything about my experience here was poor. My friends and I initially went there because of specials advertised on their website that turned out to not actually be available. Their nacho plate had mediocre toppings, the chips were extremely stale and their other food was nothing to get excited about. I saw another post where someone recommended anything with scallops, but I would honestly be frightened to eat any seafood that came out of their kitchen. Our server was friendly but largely inattentive. I would not recommend this place, or go back.
(1)
Joe K.
Our waitress was nice. Portions of food were very "skimp" and not flavorful at all...do not order the Guiness Beef Skewers.
(2)
Sue H.
Hey...the winner here is the cider on tap. They have it. I love it. Music is too loud inside and patio is cool but smoky. But...cider on tap. Nuf said.
(3)
Laurie W.
I do not love the Harp & Fiddle. It is neither harpish nor fiddlish. I think it's because I don't like the layout - long and narrow and weird, but lacking the New York charm of long, narrow, weird buildings. Hard to explain - or maybe I'm just too picky. The food is okay. I am never blown away by any food in an Irish pub and this place keeps that tradition going. Kind of comforts me. I had a cheeseburger once that wasn't very memorable. The cheese fries were really good, but come on - cheese fries? Bad cheese fries are good. If they have loud - er, live - music on a night you're there, hope it's good, because there's really nowhere to escape from the volume. The last time I was there the band wasn't very good, and as we were seated up front by the stage, talking was out of the question. Trivia night is fun, although the woman who typically runs it is a tad snarky in a way that is not fun. The up side? Half and halfs (Guinness and Harp) work anywhere, and I love them - plus the bar is kinda cool. And if I still smoked I'd love it, because the side patio is neat. Smoky, but neat.
(3)
Kathleen M.
As we make the trivia rounds, I'm finding that I like Maryland more and more, and have more and more distaste for Virginia: it's a great social experiment wrapped up into a nice little trivia package. Anyhoo, on to the bar review. Harp and Fiddle is a nice quick walk from the Bethesda Metro. The entrance is weird as it opens on to a very small courtyard and its difficult to open the door. There's some awkwardness inside too: some parts of the bar are elevated and they felt is necessary to add a bunch of the guard bars which makes it difficult to get around. I don't know if this is code in Bethesda or something, but I don't like it. Our server was great and didn't even seem annoyed that I was set on just drinking water for the night (although of course that changed about an hour into it). She checked up on us often, brought food and drinks super fast, but I was weirded out that she kept calling us sugar even though I'm pretty sure she was exactly my age. This is strange, even from a southerner's perspective. The food was good and the drink selection was great but I wish they had a better happy hour special. The trivia was great-- it's Stump trivia which is also used by Madam's Organ and a couple of other local bars, which is my favorite. The MC was the sister of the Stump founder/owner/whatever so that was kind of cool. I just really like the way that this trivia system is organized with the quarters and being able to wager points, although the question on fabric was absolutely ridiculous.
(4)
Chris C.
My top spot for happy hour. Drinks are cheap, strong, but maybe a bit on the smallish side. I love the appetizers, and the Guinness cheescake is wonderful. But in terms of desert, the creme brulee really takes the cake. It's a bit of a walk from the metro, but well worth the trip. The waiters and owner are friendly, there are lots of events, including trivia and live music, and seating usually isn't an issue.
(5)
Kathy S.
It's a nice spot to stop for a pint or two or three. The bar staff is very friendly. The food - eh. It's just not somewhere I'd go for food - pricey and boring. It's also not very good for sports viewing. Still, I enjoy myself when I stop in and mean to go there much more often than I do.
(3)
Craig R.
Flanagan's was soooooooo incredibly close to a five star review. The happy hour specials were almost non-existent. A dollar off draughts and bottles only? No half-priced burger nights? No half-priced appetizers? I'm a bit picky when it comes to doling out those illustrious five star reviews. The bar atmosphere here is incredible. As Libby already pointed out, their lights are real dim, they have smaller booths along the right wall while tables adorn the left and they have an outside patio that screams party area. Moreover, they have a more secluded dining area in the back for parties and overflow. This is definitely the furthest thing from a dive bar as it looks as if they care about their appearances (which is refreshing). Their buffalo chicken sandwich is one of the best I've had. Multiple chicken tenders doused with a spicy sauce gave my tongue quite a burn, but was quickly neutralized with the tasty cole slaw that topped my sandwich. I'm growing hungry just thinking about it again. Their fries are home-made so they have that light, oily texture to them and they have a considerable amount of "crunch". The more and more I play Stump! trivia, the more I fall in love with this trivia game. The hostess (who was the sister of the owner of Stump!) kept the game flowing nicely and threw in well-timed quips about anything throughout the game. It kept it interesting. If you love trivia, this is a place you have to visit. Almost another five star trivia place.
(4)
OIivia H.
As we walk in we pass a bunch of cops in kilts, and I have to swallow down the tourist in me and not ask for a photo. We sit at the bar and order a bloody mary and a martini. It was the saddest martini ever, it literally made me sad. I asked the bartender to do something with it, anything, it just tasted like watered down vodka and needed some love. He poured in a couple of things, but it couldn't be saved. 2 stars because he earnestly tried, and if I was a bartender and saw people taking pics of my drink while making sad faces, I wouldn't have been as helpful as he was.
(2)
shawn d.
a good irish bar that usually isn't too crowded and is a welcome respite after walking past the std-pool called caddy's right down the street. more of a working-class feel than ri-ra on the other side of bethesda and the live music is usually some good blues rock or something else irish-bar appropriate. standard irish beer selection on tap.
(3)
Elly S.
Harp & Fiddle is what I consider a true neighborhood gem in Bethesda. I've been going here regularly for several years and have not once had anything but tasty, mouth-watering food, fabulous customer service, and a jovial crowd often with live music. To break it down into greater detail, lets start with the food. Primarily, the chicken wings. No matter if you get the house smoked or regular, you are going to get juicy, plump wings fully loaded with flavor. Your taste buds will not be let down! The potato skins are also my favorite in town and no matter what time of year or what bikini I'm trying to fit into, I ALWAYS make room for these. Again, chock full of flavor, crispy potato skins, and gooey, cheesey, mashed potato-y goodness that I can't even put into words. Onto the chicken tenders - which are in no way your run-of-the-mill chicken tenders. They have this crispy-ness on the outside and the most moist chicken you will ever have on the inside that make this dish one of my favorite "comfort foods" of all time. Anytime I'm stressed out or just need something to make me feel at ease, I pop in and pick up some of these tenders and they quickly put a smile on my face. I could go on like this about everything on the appetizer menu and I still wouldn't be doing the food justice. You just have to stop in and try it for yourself. Onto the customer service - which starts first and foremost with Mac, whose smile and antics have made even my grumpiest of ex-boyfriends smile and laugh. He truly embodies the jovial spirit which makes me enjoy Harp & Fiddle oh so much and that spirit floats through the restaurant and through the servers and bartenders and really makes you enjoy your interactions with them. They aren't the type of staff to be in your face and understand when to give you and sometimes your rowdy group some space and time to figure out what it is you want. Even when they are out of my favorite (Malibu Rum - have been out a few times) they are so pleasant about offering to make a similar drink to the one I am requesting that it makes me forget that they didn't have just what I wanted. And finally, the jovial crowd and live music... there really isn't much more I can say about this other than they have some amazing live bands that really get the crowd going and the folks that frequent Harp & Fiddle are all light-hearted and easy-going which makes it such a fun place to stop by. Just don't make any unwarranted soccer jokes, as someone might clock you, myself included. Which reminds, if you are looking for somewhere this summer to catch a World Cup game or two, Harp & Fiddle it is in Bethesda because the soccer lovers unite in full-force here and we make sure everyone in Bethesda knows it!
(5)
Meghan G.
For a place to grab drinks I give Harp & Fiddle 4 stars, the food experience I can only give three and a half. I come here on an occasional basis and the food varies, but unlike the review from Katherine where it ranges from 'really good' to 'orgasmic.'...my experience was 'blah' to 'just good'. The steak caeser is kinda bland and flavorless, the grilled cheese I ordered to make up for the watery let down of a salad that left me hungry was massively burnt on one side. The bangers and mash is really good, the Irish breakfast they serve on the weekends is really a good artery clogging way to start a day, good for chilly weather. Overall, H & F is a clean, authentic in a pre-fab pub sorta way, but a good pick for happy hours, team trivia (Tuesdays) and decent eats.
(4)
Katherine K.
For a great pub experience, nothing beats H&F. The staff is incredibly friendly and the pub has a relaxed, casual ambiance. Definitely the kind of place you could bring your parents to for a drink. Or a place you can go to and drink after you've visited your parents. The food is sometimes inconsistent, and by inconsistent I mean it varies from "really good" to "orgasmic" - the best bangers and mash of any Irish pub in the area. The Steak Jameson also does not disappoint. The dining area in the back is rather large and somewhat separate from the stage area where musicians sometimes play, so if live music isn't your thing you can dine in a somewhat quieter area. Monday night is trivia night....a fun multi-part trivia game - waaaay more fun than the SAT mega-test administered by 4 Provinces in Cleveland Park. Note: Parking is very tight...your best bet is to just park in a garage and hoof it. You need to work off that beer gut anyway.
(5)
Laura V.
The BF and I finally had the chance to stop by to check it out after walking by numerous times. I'm glad we did. Somehow, we ended up spending close to 4 hours here! The people watching was great, the bartender was awesome, the live music was very entertaining (if a bit on the loud side). The Harp and Fiddle has this adorable little outside courtyard to sit and enjoy a few pints. Inside, there's this great bar, with seating all around. We found ourselves some seats at the bar and enjoyed some pleasant conversation with the bartender. Great beers on draft and relatively decent prices. Somehow, we just ended up losing track of time while thoroughly enjoying ourselves. While we didn't eat here, we noticed many plates of nachos coming out from the back and they looked really yummy. I think next time, we're going to have to check out those nachos for ourselves. This is a great neighborhood bar that I think the BF and I both agreed on. We will certainly make it back soon.
(4)
Joanne C.
A group of my friends and I go to Harp and Fiddle every Monday night (give or take a few). The woman who runs trivia is awesome. She's friendly, speaks clearly and gives clarification as to questions. I was disappointed this week however by the management of this bar. Before I get to that though, I will say I have never been amazed by the food here, however I've never been let down. I'd say it's about 1 step above something I could create in the kitchen. You go here for the great atmosphere, the trivia and the live music. There were some rude patrons who were yelling out answers and basically ruining the game for a fair number of people. When the woman who runs the trivia asked the bartender to escort the rude people out of the bar (and the other patrons of the bar were singing "Nah-Nah-Nah-Nah, Nah-Nah-Nah-Nah, Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye") the bartender didn't kick them out and told the woman running trivia to keep going. Personally, I didn't think that was a way to treat the woman who brings in the majority, if not ALL of your Monday night crowd.
(4)
Katie F.
This is your standard Irish pub. If you want to play trivia with an MC with a deadpan voice this is your place. Comfortable booth seating available for a big group makes the two hour game way more tolerable.
(3)
Kristin M.
Great staff, great food/drinks,great friends. I just had my 30th birthday party here and it was so easy to plan! Once there, I was taken great care of!
(4)
Mic X.
why am i giving this a 5 star rating? because it suits me. they serve the guinness in honest-to-goodness royal pint glasses (and unlike what some reviewer said - it's not "watered" down. the guinness goes from the keg to the tap to the glass. you can't add water to the tap line or pour water into the keg you gobshite. if you are going to complain to anyone about the beer - do it to the montgomery county government, because that's where every bar and restaurant in the county has to buy their beer and liquor from - it's law). but i digress.... the food here is darn good with recipes from a real chef. the atmosphere is clean and homey. the music is eclectic (blues to folk to traditional irish to fusion) and the mood of the place is just to chill and have fun. if you want a bit of entertainment, go up to steve the large, bartender/owner and tell him his belfast accent is fake. he loves that.
(5)
Mim B.
I think I need to give H&F 4 stars because I came here after fencing practice one Saturday afternoon with my bf and a few friends, and we literally stayed ~6 hours. The kind people at H&F didn't kick us out despite the fact that we were wearing sweaty warmups and we likely smelled rather foul. Instead, they served us hot tasty food and plenty of alcohol. Be warned! You can run up QUITE a bill here. Granted, the food is quite good. The smoked brisket is smoky and delicious, the curry sauce you get with curry fries is very nice, and the fries themselves aren't miserable. When fresh, they're delicious. At the time I was starving, and everything was magnificent. But as I stuffed my face with wild abandon and enjoyed the gradually spreading warm glow of nutrients replenishing my body (ferried by surprisingly tasty cider on tap), I was somewhat conscious that everything really was very good. My bf had a salad that he rated as a total crash (it was cold, he was cold, he was starving, the salad was not heavy enough, not enough dressing), but he'd had the lamb stew and the beef and Guinness stew on previous visits, and those earned thumbs up. So, why not 5 stars? First of all, It is a little pricey. I can make stew for 9 for the $20 I paid for my brisket. Keep in mind, this isn't Rockbottom, which is simply an elaborate housing for a greasy, greasy, greasy spoon joint that happens to sell very tasty beer. H&F has someone at the helm of the food who clearly knows what he/she is doing (unlike Rockbottom and RiRa). They sometimes have worthwhile music (unlike Rockbottom and RiRa). They have bartenders who know what they're doing. Second of all, I'm a bit disappointed with their beers on tap. I always look expectantly, hoping to see something local and excellent (like a real ale/stout/whatever; this is an Irish pub after all), and it's never there. It's the same commercial brews time and again, and while their cider is nice and dry, they pour a good black and tan, and their Guinness, is, well, Guinness, it makes me shrug. Overall, a solid pub. The food is good, the beer is all right, but you have to watch yourself because you'll run up a hell of a tab.
(4)
Terry C.
Beginning with Paddy, Mac, and Steve, the Harp is an Incredibly comfortable adult bar in Bethesda with Good food and great entertainment (most of the time). The fish n Chips is outstanding and Marianne Redmond is one of the best female vocalists in the area.
(5)
Andrew W.
no, as the locals repeatedly remind me, especially when drunkenly relating tales of the good ol' times (in bethesda?!), this is not the larger, grungier, irisher (and generally betterer in every way) basement institution once known simply (and apparently lovingly) as flanagan's...as a young and dynamic (ahem.cough.) latecomer to the area, i unfortunately never had the privilege of experiencing this wonder, and thus am left to comment on flanagan's more recent and humble enterprise: the harp and fiddle...relocated to cordell ave in the woodmont triangle ok, so while this may not be the bastion it once was, harp and fiddle sitll has it's plusses: 1) draft beer close to my apartment (guinness, harp, and smithwick's will do when you're in a pinch), 2) a large outdoor smoking section w/ tables -- complete with seemlingly protective rooftop that in actuality is just some wooden crossbeams lacking their partner; prepare to get rained upon, 3) live music, sometimes with genuinely good performers (ie. mary ann redmond band, robert lighthouse, etc.), 4) free poker on tuesday nights, 5) steve the grumbly irish bartender, 6) kind of cozy, and generally lots of empty stools for sitting at the bar 7) darkness..... and then the reasons why harp and fiddle is what it is: a rather mediocre, but dependable three star joint: 1) bethesda (meaning, yes, nightlife sucks here, the patrons are often dumpy, and the bar closes much, much earlier than it should), 2) live music: both a virtue and a fault, the music often sucks (despite sometimes good performers) and there is no way to escape the dark tunnel of sound punishing your ears 3) douchebags (yup. they make their way here too...and its too small a place to get away easily), 4) no middle ground (this place is too often either a dead bar for middle agers blabbing overboard or sipping beer sadly into oblivion, or it's crowded with douchebags on weekends looking for irish carbombs and some new place at which to suck), 5) more pricy than it should be, and sometimes a cover (seriously. cover in bethesda...i think not).... so altogether this rather slapdash and stupidly put together equation yields an overall slightly better than neutral result....sure it's bethesda, so you know what to expect, but there's something to be said for an irish bar playing a lot of van morrison in the off hours no matter where it is, and this place is the only non-corporate offering in b-town that you'll find in that department (yes, it's tough to admit, but the "authentic neighborhood feel" of rira and blackfinn just might be a bit manafactured...shocking).... so yeah, not too bad a place to slug back a few pints, provided there's some soccer on tv you want to watch, a decent music night, you hate people in general, or you want some fish 'n chips....just don't expect dublin when you walk in and when the hell are irish bars in america ever gonna start serving kilkenny? oh, and to the "server" who went balistic on my friend that time just because he was drunkely stammering and bumping into everything in sight...suck it up. or better yet, go find a mop and clean off some of that pouty makeup
(3)
Laura C.
I LOVE this place. To be honest, a bunch of my friends work there and I spend way too much time there, but it really is THE BEST Irish bar in the DC metro area. Aside from the great authentic Irish food and AMAZING staff, they show all the rugby and football games every weekend and have live music every night. If you like chill bars (with a non-"Bethesda" feel) with outdoor patios you can sit at for hours, a fantastic bar and great people, Harp is it!!!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner, Late Night Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Live, Juke Box Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Mon, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Madeleine S.
I used to frequent this place regularly on bar trivia night until my recent experience. My table ordered a bunch of food, highlighted with 4 orders of the 1/2 price potato skins. When our bill arrived, we were charged full price. We asked our nice waitress to resolve the matter and she seemed confused, responding "I'll check about the price" even though the specials are on placards on every table. She came back with a bill that had the skins cheaper than full price but about a dollar more than half price per order. When one of our party approached the bartender (who is apparently the manager and possibly also the owner of the pub) to point out the mistake, he immediately and aggressively accused our friend of "nickel and dime-ing" him and threw the bill at her. The bartender/manager/owner didn't even bother to apologize during the next 10 minutes we were there. We informed the waitress who said "the skins are in our computer system at the higher price" as a half-hearted explanation. If this is true, every person who orders the 1/2 price skins is getting jacked. Needless to say that despite the Strongbow on tap, convenient location, and efficient bar trivia, I won't be back.
(1)Ryan N.
I have always walked by Harp and Fiddle and said "that looks like a place I should try." Well, recently I decided to try it for lunch, then for dinner, then ended up booking their back room for an event. Let me start from the beginning...I was looking around Bethesda for a location for a rehearsal dinner, and the last stop on the list was Harp and Fiddle. I had lunch here while I checked out the back room, which is awesome. As far as the food went, I had a Celtic Club with fries which was delicious and simple. I met Mac, who acted like we had known each other for years when discussing having a function there. He went out of his way to mail special menus and wanted to ensure he was involved at every step of the way. Well between the good lunch food, the dinner menu I glanced at, and Mac being awesome, I took the soon-to-be bride in for dinner. We ordered the brisket and Donegal chicken with rice, garlic potatoes, beans, and vegetables. We were both very impressed by the food. The brisket was moist and smokey, the potatoes were crisp on the outside and warm inside. I don't like beans but she told me they were great, and the rice and vegetables couldn't have been done any better. The bread pudding topped everything off perfectly. I can't say the restaurant was too lively either time I went, but the bar was well patronized and everyone seemed to be having a good time and shooting the breeze. Next, I'll be in for a weekend alternative to the garbage down at Union Jack's.
(5)Ana T.
Last the night the Fatsbys band was out of this world. The food the staff were great. Very often we forget the support staff. There was a man that worked his butt off putting out ice, bringing clean glasses to the bar, removing the tables from the dance floor. I tip my hat to Marco. He too made our evening enjoyable. Keep up the good work. This will become one of my favorite places to go. Thank you all.
(5)Andre M.
HORRIBLE service, try to get food after 9??? FORGET it, the servers are rude and don't care if you want to spend money or not. What kind of place is this????? Better off going to Caddies!
(1)Nicole G.
Came here strictly for their cheap pitchers of Blue Moon for a happy hour with co-workers. We ended up splitting two pitchers and two baskets of fries. Service was friendly and the outdoor alley space was great on a beautiful day. The regular food seemed a bit pricey, but I would like to come back to try it some time!
(4)Rick J.
On January 28, 2014 I went with my girlfriend to hear a band play. We sat at the bar and received the worst service known to humankind. Someone wearing horse blinders and dark sunglasses could've given better I eye contact better than the two bartenders working that night. Being in sales I'm keen to body language and everyone around the bar seemed visibly frustrated and annoyed. This place is losing money because of the two stooges behind the bar with zero personality and no interest in serving. The men's bathroom was void of any paper towels and was dirty. I decided not to eat there after checking out the bathroom. What a dump RIck
(1)J L.
Two of us had a wonderful experience, Shepard's Pie & sandwich, drinks, good service and reasonable price. I would recommend for others. Enjoy!!
(5)Nate H.
This is the only place I've been in DC where I had to do the servers job for them. Let me explain. The atmosphere was cool, they hit the "pub" feel. Food was good, nothing crazy about it, but they did a better Reuben than Arby's. I came with a large group on a business trip, and all around everyone said the food was good. Now comes the harsh truth. The server needed an EXTREME lesson in customer service. His personality can be compared to wad of gum on the sidewalk. You see it, and knows it exists, but it does nothing to contribute to society. When asked about a drink in stock, he gave attitude. Asked about fixing an order that was brought out wrong (on his part), gave attitude. Here's a tip (and it's the only one he deserved), just because you hate your life doesn't mean you should hate your customers. Food service has the word SERVICE in it. We asked to spit the check and he said "I can't do that, you all figure it out" and left. Asked the manager, manager says the SAME EXACT THING. We did math and split 8 checks, on our own. Needless to say, we kept our tips because WE did his job. You gotta earn it, my friend. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND, go to the other Irish pub.
(1)Libby F.
I like $4.00 vodka martinis at happy hour. They make me happy. I like Monday night trivia here. It's just like I remember. While I'm a fan of Stump Trivia, I 'll stick with McGinty's Monday night trivia solely to get their $5.00 fish and chips happy hour deal. Harp & Fiddle... Bring back your bread pudding! (McGinty's has it.)
(4)John F.
2 stars for the fun Irish bar atmosphere. Unfortunately the stars stop there however! I ordered the Mac & Cheese Egg Rolls because they sounded interesting. You get 3 and the are covered with BBQ Pork. The pork was pretty good but the Mac & Cheese was tasteless. Wouldn't order it again. My main course was Shepherds Pie. It came out microwave hot! The potatoes were so soupy and scalding that I burnt the roof of my mouth. The "pie" looked more like a Mexican dish of whipped potatoes and refried beans than it did an traditional Irish dish! As I joked above about the temp of the food, I pretty sure this was not baked! I don't think the Mac & cheese egg rolls were deep fried either! Not good! There were 2 bartenders (I think)! One worked his ass off while the other kind of came and went. I sat at the bar and got to here the frustration from the good bartender. It was Trivia Night and it brought in a nice crowd. I did not participate in the trivia but it would have been challenging except for the amazingly easy clues that came with each question. For example, if the answer was Florida, he would play Flo Rida music while you though about the answer to the real question. Everyone got question right while I was there. How is that fun?
(2)Ithaca P.
Just about had it with this place. Coworkers and I go almost every week for Happy hour because of the cheap beer and the music. But for the past half a year or so, both the food AND the service have dropped to abysmal levels. Food: The food was never something to crow about, but the standards have really slid recently. From watery sauces to cold nachos... it's really hit a new low even for loyal customers who go for the music or just out of habit. Service: This is where they really let us down. Each week we go back thinking last week was an anomaly, but no... the same surly waitstaff, the extremely slow service, and the lame excuses. I've had to go the bar to get my own beer and food, and I don't think I've ever had to wait an hour to get fries at any other place. If it weren't for the cheap beer at happy hour (which btw was served warm today), we would not have given this place so many chances. Oh and while I'm at it get proper ventilation for the back room! Only thing I would ever go back for is the music and the 'local' feel. Sorry you've just lost a bunch of very loyal and frequent customers.
(1)D G.
Finally found a place with the heart and character of a true Irish Pub. I was amazed to see the arch windows, the floor boards, and the even our friendly Irish owner Steve - just everything you want in a local Irish pub. To top it all - they were the first ones to make Gluten Free Fish and chips for my daughter - they also do GF Irishpie - wow. She loved it - we are now hooked on Harp and Fiddle. You should visit it he pub - if nothing else - but for the character.
(5)Vicki L.
We came here a couple times to watch the Premier League matches. Decent selection of British foods, but terrible terrible screens! They're either too tiny to see properly, or big but blurry and out of focus! Grrrr...
(3)Tiffany H.
I don't know that the service is all that great, but excellent drinks and the Guinness pie is simply to die for! My husband had the Reuben and said it was one of the best he has ever had. Hope we get to come back! I would like to try the bread pudding and the chocolate torte!
(5)Priscilla Y.
I came here because a friend wanted to see his friend's band play. It's a cute pub with nice decorations. There are a lot of pictures on the side wall and plenty of tables in the back area. From the bar, you get a good view of the stage. I don't know about the other nights, but on a Thursday night, it seems to attract the 40+ crowd. Even the bartender was an older gentleman. The service here seems to be lacking. The bar area was pretty packed, but there was only one bartender. It was difficult to get his attention. They also do not have that many choices of beer on tap (Guinness, Blue Moon, Stellas, Heineken, Strongbow). I didn't eat anything except for some fries, which were the beer-battered kind of fries. Crunchy! The other pubs I've been to usually have that dirty, sticky feeling to it, but this place is pretty clean. Same with the bathrooms.
(3)Crystal G.
Flannigans is where my friends and I go on Monday nights for trivia. The trivia is accompanied by musical hints, which is fun. For drinks, I always get beer, and beer is always good to me so can't say much there. For food, I get the mashed potato pizza- add a little salt and pepper and it is really really good! Overall, a casual atmosphere to play trivia, darts, or simply have food and/drink with friends.
(4)Harold L.
First off you need to give at least a four star for all the good this bar does for the community, they have very big hearts for our service people as well police and fire. I have never had a bad meal and they treat my family as if they were their own. Best neighborhood tavern and bar in town... Drinks and food are priced well for the average budget and the fish and chips are great!!! I took a read on some of the one and two star postings, and I somewhat take issue with some remarks. If you come to an Irish bar on St. Pat's and are looking for food you might want to think twice, not really a food day. If you live in Clarksburg and are pissed off that a quarter does not give you enough time on the meter, welcome to Bethesda......it's not the bar setting the price of meters (fool) If you have to spend $ 5 bucks to hear live musicians and local great music and your pissed, well you probably only tipped 2 bucks anyway. Go to Clyde's instead and listen to free bands and pay double the prices (fool) way to support local musicians. If you need to leave one star at least go to a place a couple times, would love to yelp a lot of people at there place of employment....just saying!
(5)Cynthia H.
Fish and chips Yummy. Reuben looks and tastes amazing. Lots if fun going on inside and out. Make the stop here if you are in the area.
(4)Gabby M.
Before you... chicken avocado sandwich. Enough said. Oh! and the staff is awesome. If you are new in town, make sure you tell the staff they will be quick to point you to the regulars and make you feel right at home. Harp love!
(5)Rob W.
Live music, fantastic friendly wait staff, fast service. Decent food. Started at the bar, then moved to a table when colleagues arrived. Prompt, friendly service at the bar. No problems moving our tabs over to the table. Friendly wait service for dinner as well. The Bangers & Mash was pretty standard pub fare, but the great service pushes this up to 4 stars.
(4)Margaret D.
This is the real-life hangout bar from How I Met Your Mother. Where you meet with your friends, have a drink, watch some sports, eat some food. Just enjoying company. We came on a lazy Sunday afternoon, so we didn't encounter any issues with service. There was just one guy manning both the bar and the tables. We had the fish and chips, shepherd's pie, steak n guinness pie. All were served hot and were pretty nondescript but we ate it all. Nothing super tongue catching there, for good or for bad. The fish n chips portion was a little disappointing even if it was lunch; there was only one fish stick. In the end though, we paid eight dollars for each meal. Very decent bar food. The bread pudding however- I would return just to eat two portions as a meal. It looked like a strange like of pale yellow goop on the plate, and tasted like mushy heaven. You could totally eat this no problem if you had no teeth. It wasn't overly sweet, and had sour wild cherries to punctuate the pudding drizzled in caramel. A homemade recipe, apparently! Well done.
(3)C J.
Ended up Getting a salad instead of typical Irish bar fare. My boyfriend got the lettuce wraps. The service was good. And we still talk abut the food. Who would have expected that. No shamrock with he Guinness though.
(4)Sam J.
This is hands down the best bread pudding I have ever had. I don't even like bread pudding but I can't get enough of this. The ooey-gooey-ness of the white chocolate with the tartness of the cherries is truly a masterpiece! I also ordered the Jamison Meatloaf which was phenomenal! I highly recommend this place!
(5)R M.
Best bar in Bethesda. Steve and Alan are the best. This place is a fun, no nonsense neighborhood bar. If you want a good drink and fun live music, this is the place to go.
(5)Oliver J.
They place lives and breathes a traditional Irish American Bar. Reminds me of a British Pub. The service was really really good. The Steak and Guinness pie was really good too. I was a bit sad that the portion size wasn't bigger, but it was really good. They pastry on top was solid too. It reminded me of good British pies. I also ordered the chicken tenders and fries - totally fine. On the whole, good HH specials. It's great they have free games such as darts and foosball. Great place for happy hour.
(4)Maria P.
This is one of my favorite bars in downtown Bethesda. There's something about the laid-back vibes and strong drinks that holds a special place in my social repertoire. Yeah, the crowd tends to be a little older (late 20's-30's) but in my eyes that makes it better. I'll always like Blackfinn and Union Jacks, but as of late the amount of douchebags that congregate there really push my buttons. That's why I come here instead. Low lighting, comfortable seating, and a strong drink is enough for me. Oh yeah, and the eye candy isn't too bad either ;) Single ladies, take note!
(4)Angelica P.
I went here for a farewell get together for a friend. We specifically chose this place because it had karaoke. The food was great (Really it was, I was shocked because I was expecting typical bar food but it was truly amazing) and it was a very fun atmosphere, I did not expect such a huge turn out for karaoke. The problem? The bartendar could not make any decent cocktails/shots. We had to look up recipes on our phone and hand it over to the bartendar and even then the drinks still sucked. Granted it is a very strict irish bar so I guess they truly specialize in straight whisky shots and beer. The service was okay. My water was never refilled, which to me is very important, and I kept having to go to the bar to get my drinks since the waitress seemed to be busy with another party most of the night. Either way, I would come back for the fun and food but I will stick to ordering just beer at this time.
(3)Ellie B.
They changed their recipes and their food is now horrible. When I asked them why they would change it because it was decent before, they laughed in my face. You can laugh all you want but your restaurant still sits almost always empty because your food sucks. Plus the wife of the owner seems to hate even being there. She either spends her time glaring at people, or sitting down and smoking outside so you can't even taste the food from all the smoke.
(1)Carlyn K.
Run by a real Irishman so you know it's legit. Had a few appetizer which were fine but my BF had the steak and Guinness pie per the Irishman's suggestion and it was..you guessed it... Legit. Always a good spot for drinks and live music.
(4)Chris J.
Great food and Guiness! They have live music once every now and then, which is a plus. Very friendly staff and always willing to make your experience better. If you are out with a lot of people, venture here instead of the the less than spectacular establishments such as Rock Bottom or Caddys.
(4)Erica L.
Take this review with a grain of salt. I went here for Sunday brunch on St Patty's because of a family lunch for an Irish grandmother. The service was friendly but well I wouldn't recommend this place if you aren't drinking. The shepherd's pie was alright but it's also not the place for those who don't want meat. The only options are a very sad and wilted salad, a pot of cream with a touch of leek and potato, and corned beef sides (read steamed and tasteless and unseasoned cabbage, carrots, and potatoes). I'm sure this is all the fault of our ordering and not wanting meat at a sober brunch but I can't recommend it.
(2)Paul A.
Great bar and a great atmosphere. Some nights, there's a cover for Irish Bands that I don't mind listening to, but isn't the draw. What're you gonna do, though? Good spot overall.
(4)CZ Z.
To DR woman should be safe at any bar. It's not Harps fault tgat this man came there. Harp does wonderful things for the community, supports live music and in general is a wonderful place. Yelp is not for rating people who have been to an establishment and the establishment has no control over.
(5)Daniel A.
Our last work Happy Hour at Flanagan's bumped it up a notch. What I did not previously know was that happy hour specials from 4-7 is $5 pitchers of beer. The website advertises Shock Top as an option, but when we got there we were told this was not the case anymore. HOWEVER, the waiter said he would give it to us anyway. Stand up guy, that one. We ended up ordering over 14 pitchers. They had to tap another keg for us. Good work, team. Two things prompted this update. 1) The service was excellent. Sometimes during happy hour, the servers disappear because they don't want you to score big on lower prices. Not here. Our waiter was essentially running suicides (the gym class exercise, nothing dark) to keep us drinking. He was funny and friendly and took the fact that it was a mustache happy hour in stride. 2) The outdoor patio. Last time I came it was too cold, but in good weather it is great. There were some smokers out there which was not too pleasant, but it was otherwise a beautiful evening and we enjoyed every second of it.
(4)Fredo A.
I loves me a good, divey Irish-style pub. After just one visit, I can definitely say this place is not one of them. My roommate and I decided to pop in after I got out of work late on a Saturday night. I was mildly surprised by the $5 cover. It honestly didn't bother me -- there was an actually decent live band, so it felt justified. The service, or rather the lack thereof, brought down the score. When we got a table, it took a while before any of the employees acknowledged us. One or two walked by, but went about their business. Our server eventually made it over to us, and he certainly seemed likable, cracking wise with us from the start. We ordered a couple of pints and asked for a menu; we had to repeat that last part for him. Several minutes later, he came back with the beer, but no menu. And then that was it. It was over half an hour before we finally saw him at our table again. No return with a menu. No check in to make sure we were okay. Nada. The service wasn't all slow, though. When we asked for the check, it appeared within a couple of minutes. Fortunately, we had enough cash to cover the bill and a VERY modest tip. (I've done food service before - I won't not tip.) I wasn't going to chance waiting for a credit card to come back. Under better circumstances (Better luck?), I might give this place another go, but I won't be going out of my way to do that.
(2)Faith E.
Randomly ended up here on Halloween. Loved the vibe, ambiance and energy. Had no idea we would have as much fun as we did. The music was great. Not sure who DJ'd that night but they did an awesome job.
(5)Kristi B.
Great place , great people, great staff. Been coming here since day 1 and the old Flan/harp on old g-town . Probably the best live local music you'll find in Bethesda. Great draft selection. Irish Nachos are the best around, nasty good. Bring back Dublin Steak Sandwich !!!
(5)Miles S.
Harp and Fiddle is on the decline. A couple of the workers are great, but a good amount of them aren't too friendly. The fact that I still went to this place every Thursday for their happy hour deals says something about the atmosphere and drink deals. I stopped going. Their buffalo chicken pizza was a god among men. This this was so good and only 5 dollars! The last time I ordered it (which will be the last time forever), it was different. It was no longer a circle, but a strange elliptical shape with a primary axis of equal length to the diameter of the old pizza. That's right, it was a FOOTBALL shape! Not only did they gyp me on the pizza surface area, it cost more and the crust wasn't up to it's usual standards. The turned a 5-star happy-hour gem into a 2 star wanna-be artisan flatbread. So weak, and so disappointing. It's just not worth it anymore -- there are better options within walking distance.
(3)C O.
Been coming here for years! Easy location, decent bar food and beer selection, great happy hour! The owner Steve is the man. He is always friendly and welcoming to customers and loves a familiar face as much as he welcomes in the new ones! He makes people feel like one big happy Irish family. I recently witnessed two drunk guys harassing some women at the bar...the girls moved away but the dudes wouldn't leave them alone and Steve was gracious and quick have the ladies backs as he asked the drunk jerky men to leave his bar. There are great bands that play from time to time too!
(5)Solace C.
I had a get together here with co workers and the service was mediocore. We had slim Jim manning the entrace. Its hard to tell if you were at the right place because we had some drunks blocking the entrance. No welcoming host, more like the look of why are you here. The waitress we had was very very arrogant. (Jesse) The food was less than desirable. The sliders. Yuck. Charred, dry as bone. Chicken wings very dry. Possible overcooked or sitting on the warmer for far to long. Buffalo pizzas was good. I must stress again, the service sucked. Maybe it was the waitress. Refills seemed like it was a burden and usual requests for more napkins became a burden. First of all, you have to go through hell and back to find parking. Then you have to fork over a lot of quarters for the meter. .25 cents per every 8 minutes. So yeah, I expected better. It just seemed to me that this place caters better service to certain type of crowd. Excuse my group for not rolling in Versace or Chanel or waving our black AMEX. I sure as do not recommend this place to anyone. They really live up to the snobby reputation in Bethesda. That people claim how Bethesda is. That some establishments are snobby. This happen to be what my group experience. A while ago, one fellow Yelper had the nerve to message tell me to get the chip off my shoulder because of my review of this place. This was our actual experience. We didnt get good service, and it wasnt like the place was packed. None, of my reviews are watered downed or sugar coated. This is what we experienced.
(2)Jen L.
I went around 10:30 PM on a Saturday night and this place was hopping with live music. The crowd was middle-aged, 30's-40's and up. The decor of the restaurant is clearly Irish. The employees were super friendly. A solid nightlife scene for the non-College-aged-kids in downtown Betheda. This place also plays irish sports games (soccor & rugby).
(4)Jennifer N.
To be fair, Harp and Fiddle didn't seem like my scene as soon as I walked in the door - the dining room smells a bit - a mix between old beer and just old funk - and it's dark and drafty (or, in winter, just cold) and slightly depressing. But we went to hear music, and so I was willing to forgive the divey surroundings. The food, though, was equally depressing and somehow very old school (in fact, the entire place reminded me of being transported in a time machine back to the mid 80s) - the potato leek soup tasted neither of potato nor leek. Instead, it was a deadly thick, dense, tasteless, too-creamy mush (that was served with that weird thick layer on top that soup gets when it has been sitting for a while). The green salad was quite basic - big chunks of romaine and cucumbers, a few crumbles of blue cheese, and a handful of cranberries and strawberries. In their defense, the waitstaff here is really quite friendly and cheerful, and the music is pleasant (and very cheap - we paid a $5 cover). I can't say that I'd go back for dinner, though I might consider it if a good band were playing.
(2)Robin F.
Bless their heart, they were open on a snow day! Hugs to Jenny and Steve.
(4)Greg F.
Nothing bad to say, exactly what you expect from an Irish pup including the Irish accented bar tenders.
(3)Will B.
Moving here recently I noticed I had a bar at my doorstep and boy am I thankful it is this one. When it comes to an Irish pub only two things matter...the atmosphere and the Guinness and both are top notch.Was there for St. Patties and the place was a blast...shame on you if you didn't go to an Irish bar for the holiday!All in all great atmosphere, live music, and fresh Guinness!
(5)Helen C.
My friends and I come here for happy hour and always have a great time. Pitchers of Blue Moon are really cheap and the chicken tenders and fries (which are perfectly fried potato wedges) are very very good. The chicken tenders and fries are only $5. The servers are always very nice.
(4)Chase R.
This is as close as you will get to a dive bar in Bethesda. It's a fun place with a great pub atmosphere. They have a good Happy Hour and decent selection of beers. Live music sometimes. Overall it's a good place.
(4)Elizabeth D.
Great bar for happy hour! Casual atmosphere with a nice mix of people. Music was traditional Irish to start, then switched over to Top 40 until the band started (which we didn't stay for). Service was terrific despite the number of tables. And the specials were very good (especially the $7 Blue Moon pitchers)! The potato wedges are perfect to snack on (and $2.50 during happy hour) and I really enjoyed the wings (they are more like sweet/spicy than buffalo).
(4)Ralph R.
Got an 185 dollar ticket for speeding on my way back from Flanagan's Harp and Fiddle aka Harp N Fiddle but that b*tch (ticket) didn't kill my vibe...we had a great night last and we want everyone to know that we are planing 1 helluva Halloweeny party on Wednesday 10.30.13 - Join us in games, prizes, elves, and some freaky deaky, trick o' treatin' Halloween fun karaoke 9PM...where a costume n' win a prize. Fun, fun, fun at Flanagans Harp and Fiddle! A uber thank you goes out to: Rochelle, Mary, Ernie, Sharon, Robert, Jema, Jamie, Jay, Kat, Jason, Sosun, Jen, Mikey Mike, Noelle, Sam, Mike, Tom, Steven, Josh, Sam, Emory, Lindsey, Andrew, Ricardo, Jackie, Dave, Lisa, Adam, Justin, Vincent, and all that hung out enjoyed a burger or shot of Jameson at the Harp N' Fiddle.Thank you Cat (server) and Steve (bartender) and all staff too. We had a great night of fun!!!
(4)Robert B.
Kind of a fun Irish pub. Good beer selection and a nice atmosphere. The food is okay, kinda typical bar food but with a few outstanding items. The lamb stew was awesome, the fish and chips just so-so. Lots of special events that are worth attending as well.
(3)Barbara B.
I was there recently with a friend to see the 19th Street Band. Its not some place I often go, but I had a really good time. I had the Shepard's pie which was excellent and the service was very good. We sat at a table near the back where the band was playing. And the band was fantastic. $5 cover to get in but it was worth it.
(4)J M.
Late yesterday afternoon (Friday June 15), Motrya and I were walking along Cordell Ave and were choosing between Caddies on Cordell or this place. We walked in and no one greeted us. After walking through the patio, the inside towards the rear (near the restrooms) and back towards the bar, FINALLY our server, Isa, who just watched us walk around, seated us at a booth inside. Even though it was busy in the restaurant, it took her a while to get our drink order (HH Miller Lite was $2.50). I got the Irish Lamb Stew ($14.45) and Motrya got the chicken sandwich with side salad ($9.75). The Euro-something soccer tournament was the only game they had on all their televisions. They could've turned down the volume a little too. Isa never came by to say how everything was. It came to a point where I had to get up to flag her down for more drinks, which is absolutely ridicuolous! Her excuse was something like, "Sorry, I was busy in the back." As we left, she was at the front where she didn't even say "thank you" or "thanks for coming" or "have a nice evening" - nothing!
(1)Kate O.
I'm still drinking here but guess what? I'm thrilled to say the food has improved quite a bit!
(3)Alicia G.
I really enjoy coming here for the trivia nights! Stump trivia is pretty sweet and our team of yelpers won 2nd place back in October ($25 gift certificate). So we came back last night for Kathleen's last trivia and to use the gc. Since our team was larger than 6, we weren't able to win first place which is fair. We ended up in a tie for 2nd but lost the tiebreaker. Hey, 3rd place ain't bad! Another gift certificate = another trivia night at the Harp & Fiddle! It was much fuller than last time; I was surprised to see such a good showing for a cold, rainy Monday night. Service was alright - two servers for the whole place - I felt like we were maintained well but I think Jeff felt differently. We squaffed a bit at the prices but thankfully, the sliders are half off during the 8-10 period that we were there. $3 yuenglings and rail cosmos are the drink specials.
(4)Katie B.
Smells like a latrine
(1)Dee B.
2 stars for last visit, 3 stars on average Played trivia with some friends here last week. We were served by a waitress who was so earnest that it seemed like she'd rather be doing anything else. And my burger was as hard as a hockey puck. Still like trivia here, though.
(3)Morgan G.
Everything about this experience was lousy. quite possibly the WORST experience with a waitress that i've ever had (and i'm not being dramatic). we were there early ... like 5:30 on a weeknight ... hardly anyone there ... sat at a table .. after no one came over after 10 mins., i approached a waitress who was filling salt and pepper shakers and asked her if we had a server or if we should order from the bar ... wow ... she was so rude! she made a face, sighed, and said, "what? yeah? order from him ... at the bar!" in a sassy, yell-y voice. my $12 salad also would certainly not win an award. my advice--when looking for a nice/chill bar in Bethesda, go to the Barking Dog. not this place. Yikes.
(1)Izzat A.
Went here for St. Pattie's day with some coworkers. Got the Chicken Celtic and it was pretty good. Pretty big portion. Fries cost $2 extra so it ended up being about $10. Fries were really good. Decor is really cool and laid back. Service was slow and that is why I'm giving it 3*. Didn't seem really packed so not sure what the deal was. Would come back again.
(3)Fernando F.
Bar had five people in it yet I still seemed to be invisible to the bartender. I stopped going here due to shiddy service
(1)Diana P.
This is a salt of the earth bar rather than a destination bar, which to me is always superior. The food is good but not great.....with one very powerful exception. They have the BEST bread pudding I have ever had. The service can be sort of hit and miss in terms of attentiveness but they are certainly always knowledgeable, polite and friendly.
(4)Séamus C.
Still no reply (nor I am I expecting one) from management regarding my earlier concern from several weeks ago. With hesitation, I went back to H&F for a fundraising event this (Sunday) evening. Got served fairly quickly this time around, and thought to myself, "Maybe I judged too quickly". Unfortunately, the Guinness pour was so-so and the fish & chips were THE WORST I've ever consumed. Frozen fish filets, battered and fried, making them rubbery and tasteless. Mrs. Paul's are 3-steps above these 'restaurant quality' fish filets. Chips weren't much better -- had some weird off-flavor and unusual texture. And yes... overpriced. Kudos for holding this fundraiser, but man, do something about the food. Management, take heed: most of Flanagan's H&F more recent reviews were far from positive....
(1)Juliana C.
My high school graduation was at DAR Hall. I didn't review the venue until I went back for a show; if I hadn't waited, I would have given it 2 stars. Well, my five-year high school reunion was at Harp & Fiddle, and if I hadn't gone for trivia last night, it would have gotten 1. Good thing I'm (a) patient (b) lazy (you pick) with my writing. The food establishments I've tried recently have had mysterious goings-on. McLean Pizza charged $15.95 for a hawaiian (2-ingredient) calzone, yet a 3-ingredient make-your-own was $13.95. Huh? Similarly, H&F said they were out of sliders when Alicia C's companion requested them, but he was allowed to order a massive cheeseburger instead. What? Are they not made of the same meat? Do they not bleed if rare? If you bite them, do they not both dribble with burger juice? I don't get it. It looked good, though. $3 Yuenglings after 8 pm? Not a terrible deal. My $4 cosmo was passable. $6 for a flat cider? Not so much. Service was attentive, however, and Stump! Trivia is always a good time. I enjoy a little snark now and again, and since I don't enjoy feeling stupid and can usually figure out the music clues Deb provides, the easy-to-medium difficulty of the question rounds are right up my alley. That said, my team of nine people ("Jon & Kate's 8, Plus 1 Lover") consistently scored seventh place. Yeah, watch out!
(3)Steven B.
Went on St. Patrick's Day. So this is a COMPLETELY unfair review. Its going to be about what happened there during one day out of the year that they were way overcrowded and struggling to make it through the night. Went with some coworkers and honestly, it was not that bad. They did charge a cover to get in at a certain point (again, once a year thing). The place was PACKED. And the live music was pretty awful. I did have a great time and met some really fun people that night. I ended up getting a parking ticket because I had fun there for too long in fact. I would suggest checking the place out, the servers were nice and patient even though they were swamped. Overall it did a really solid job of dealing with being an Irish pub on St Patty's Day. I will have to try it out again some time when it is not that one day of the year that things are probably different.
(3)Marianne L.
Part 2 of last Monday's Wing and Trivia outing found us at the Harp and Fiddle. My review is primarily of the Trivia here (as I was already stuffed with wingy goodness from Wing Hub), but I'll probably be back if only to spend the gift certificate we came away with. A cursory glance at the menu showed there was at least something I'd probably order - though as Mike T. mentioned - the chocolate cake and chicken tenders probably won't be it. But its an Irish pub. I'm sure there's at least a hearty soup I'll enjoy. I did find the hot tea oddly disappointing. The tea bag was of just about the lowest quality and the tea had almost no flavor. I know its weird, but I would think an Irish pub could at least offer a passable spot of tea on a cold night. I wouldn't recommend ordering it. Maybe I will try a nice Irish coffee next time. The waitress was nicely attentive and pleasant. I would recommend not sitting at a table along the wall where the rail dividing the center tables is however, especially on trivia night, or you will be constantly jostled and if I was trying to enjoy a meal it would not be pleasant. TRIVIA The trivia game was ok. Any team with well-roundedness in history, literature and general knowledge should do just fine as we did. The game format is interesting with picture, fill-in-the-series-of-answers, and bonus rounds to break up the other rounds of single answer. The musical "clues" to some answers is a nice touch and I'm sure helps out some people who are just casual trivia players. However having a runner from your team have to relay the little slips of paper up to trivia hostess after every question makes the game drag on unnecessarily I feel. Why not just have people write down the 4 answers for the round and only go up once? It really made the pacing of the game grueling if all you were really there for was to play trivia that night (as opposed to dining or socializing with friends and idly playing trivia). ATMOSPHERE Overall the place has a nice neighborhood bar feel. Not so much a "pick-up joint", but more of a Cheers-like place where you go after a long day to meet up with friends and relax. If I lived up here, I could see making this a regular haunt to wash away the days troubles. A nice, clean place to hang out with an "old" feel. And my lungs enjoyed the break from the smokiness of VA bars.
(3)A. J.
Alright, it's not what it used to be, but the place is growing on me.
(3)Mark A.
Great little pub with crappy service. If the beer wasn't so good, I would not have stayed past the first round. If you can't walk a block to one of the better bars... Stay there and be dazzled by the servers!
(2)Russell L.
Usually I am drinking and listening to music at the Harp and Fiddle, but today I had lunch. 1/2 price burger Wednesday. The burger was cooked just like I wanted, the other three in my party felt the same.The burger was larger than I expected and tasted great. Given the lunch gathering was on my tab today, I got lucky with the 1/2 price burgers! See you there next Wednesday!
(4)Russianthistle I.
One of the best hamburgers in town... add in the great fries and I am a happy man. It never hurts to have a perfect Harp draft and maybe toss in a conversation with a neighbor or some live music and that's happiness!
(4)Vah G.
I had a get together with some coworkers here a few weeks ago. Two of us arrived at the pub early and decided to go in so we can get tables. When we entered the pub we were ignored by the wait staff or a floor hostess if they even had one. We stood at the front for five to ten minutes being completely ignored. At the time the restaurant/bar was not busy for them to not have noticed us. We waited to see if we were going to be seated. It didn't happen. My friend and I decided leave and walk around the neighborhood to pass time until the rest of the people arrived. Half an hour later when the rest of the group arrived we went to the pub. We were still ignored up to the point that we finally just took upon our selves to go into the dinning area that we were finally greeted by the staff in which we were finally seated. At the end of our dinning and drinking our waiter returned to our table with our check. We asked her if she could separate the check. She gave us an aggravated look and told us that she couldn't do it and if we wanted to we had to calculate our own bills. This was the first time ever that we had to calculate all of our individual orders and presented the prices that we got calculated to the waiter at the register. It was total confusion trying to separate the checks. When we had all paid and just walked out the door the waiter followed us and told us that we didn't add in her tip even though we already left her a cash tip on the table.
(2)Miriam W.
If you want a shot at winning trivia, you need fuel. It won't guarantee you a win, now, but it will surely make you feel a lot better in the heat of the competition, especially when faced with tough questions about fabric and movie titles. Recommended fuel at Flanagan's Harp and Fiddle: Buffalo Chicken Sandwich and a bottle of Blue Moon Dessert's less exciting, so skip it in favor of an extra beer. Service is incredibly friendly and if it's been awhile since someone called you baby/honey/darlin'/sweetheart, you're in luck! An easy walk from the Metro, Flanagan's is a good spot to while away a Monday night when there's trivia from 8-10 pm.
(4)Jeremy M.
Great bar. Friendly and attentive staff plus loads of great bands. The food, from bar munchies to the entrées, is solid as well.
(4)Ganlin J.
Too hot in restaurant. Food meh. Wouldn't split bill for table, water in plastic cups with beer label, brought water pitcher but didn't refill it.
(2)Laurie O.
Great happy hour; nice crowd. Usually excellent live music several nights a week.
(4)Rick D.
I've been a semi-regular since Flanagan's was in the Basement @ Woodmont Corner in the mid 80s - tho i still miss that old divey atmosphere a little, the more recent Harp & Fiddle offers a lot - from games to play, to games to watch, good food, great drink, jovial proprietors and good conversation, except when the bands are playing - tho generally not too loud, the music is always top shelf - local talent that exceeds many from Chicago, Nashville, LA or NY.
(5)Neal E.
Great Irish Pub! Took a few minutes though to find a place to park. Had to run out once during the evening to feed the meter... I went here to see Canadian Celtic group Searson perform. I had never been to Flanagan's prior to that. The place is really not designed to host a band. They had a bunch of chairs and tables pushed out of the way across from the end of the bar. So the band members were crowded fairly close to one another. I came early and got some dinner - I always try the Shepherd's Pie when I am scoping out a new Irish Pub - and it was pretty good. I always add a bit of black pepper and Tabasco sauce to Shepherd's Pie. Add a few Guinness and Hard Ciders, and some kick ass celtic music - and you have a great Irish Pub! I would recommend this place to anyone!
(5)Chef A.
Old time favorite college hangout. Come for the Guinness, and stay for Ted Gerber. Knowing the bar keepest helped to keep the tab down, but man, do I miss this place. IDK what the food is like now, I was only in recently for a pint, but for years the food has been great. Sad to hear if it sux now. If that's true, fix that right away.
(5)Morris S.
You must check out live music at Flanagans. Make sure to catch the Cathy Ponton King band rocking the house. The food is pub fare done pretty well, and they have Smithwicks on tap, Harp, etc. The chili fries are particularly good.
(3)B C.
Extra stars for friendly, caring service and very comfortable atmosphere. I came in late and wanted something to eat and a pint ("Pints? They come in pints? I want one of THOSE!"). Had the Shepherd's Pie, which at $14.95 for the "pie" and two slices of Irish soda bread was decidedly unimpressive. Service was good and the small crowd was very friendly with a good vibe. I'll definitely come back for a few pints and skip the dinner next time.
(4)Lauren A.
I live near this place, so we've had a couple run-ins. I've ordered delivery, and it was quick. I've only eaten one thing - the shepherd's pie - and it was not good - certainly no competition for Ri-Ra's S.P. We've tried to come here for the bar a few times, but it's always been empty. And the time we tried to go for trivia night, we got there and they told us it had been canceled. So all in all, I haven't had the best experiences at Harp and Fiddle - but I'd try another item on the menu if I ever found myself there again. I'll keep you posted.
(2)Jane J.
Been here for happy hour. Terrible service - so bad you can almost laugh at it (but you can't because you really want another beer). Food is ok, but the prices make it a happy hour choice at my office.
(2)Ali S.
MOOD: This is the reason I come here, the most excellent place in Bethesda (and probably most of Washington, D.C.) to watch live soccer games. They have nice tvs and projectors, and a good crowd. I would highly recommend going there for the world cup games especially, has a real Irish pub feel to it. SERVICE: Always a bit slow, mostly because it is the bartender doing the bar and the whole restaurant. He's pretty good, but they need someone else for larger events. FOOD: It is pretty standard for bar-food, nothing extraordinary but also nothing terrible. The appetizers weren't that appealing, I liked the burger and fries as they go very well with the beers. Go for a stella or a guinness draft for the games.
(3)IH K.
One of my favorite standbys in bethesda - it's always less crowded and the patrons tend to be unassuming compared to the usual bethesda crowd. The food menu is a bit limited for a non-red-meat eater, but I don't have any complaints about what I have had. I'd say that the dishes are generally overpriced for the quality and offerings, but you can easily make up for it with their reasonable drink prices. For special functions, they're also willing to accommodate the menu to personalize the festivities. Generally, it's very friendly service and I've never had a bad experience here. Though I don't know that this is where I want to be hanging out on a Friday or Saturday night, it's a great place to waste weekday evenings and Sundays with friends (if you're local).
(3)Pat A.
Great ambiance and friendly staff. A very well-rounded and accepting atmosphere from the patrons that frequent the place. Food is bar fare with a hint of class. Prices are standard for the Bethesda area. Friendly bunch of ppl there, so don't just ignore everyone, join in the merriment and I'm sure you'll walk away with a smile on your face
(5)Bill D.
The other reviews for this place seem to emphasize trivia and coming here with groups to hang out. I, on the other hand, made the foolish mistake of trying to eat dinner here. The food is not very good, it's more expensive than it should be, and the beer's overpriced as well. The atmosphere is all Irish, as expected, with all Irish-oriented music in the background. So, in summary, overpriced and not very good. Won't be going back, even with a group.
(2)Kevin L.
Well, I tried recommending the sliders this trip, since they were pretty solid the last time I was here for trivia. That was a mistake. Maybe a different cook? Maybe the cook botched them? These sliders were pretty disappointing - dry, tasteless, with oversized buns. Although during trivia happy hour prices it's not a bad deal at $6ish, I would never ever consider paying full price for the quad of miniburgers. A Smithwicks during trivia will also run you almost as much as the burgers. Heh. Bleh. Really, the only reason I could possibly see for wanting to come here is for Stump trivia. The lady that runs it is on the ball. A little catty, but entertaining, and she's extremely efficient with grading and announcing scores. This is one of the more well-run trivia games I've seen. Sub-par food, excessively priced beer, only redeemed by the entertainment factor of Stump. Outside of Monday nights, you won't find me here.
(3)Alicia C.
Came here last night for my first Yelp trivia outing. Showed up a bit later and missed the first couple rounds but was able to jump right in when I got there (though sorry guys, don't know how much help I actually was... science major+history questions=me looking very confused). As Alicia G. mentioned, the prices were kind of shocking at first, but I was put at ease when told the sliders were actually 1/2 off from 8-10 block for trivia. I got and order of those along with cheese fries to split with Jaclyn S. I was a bit disappointed with the sliders (overcooked, charred, dry), though Kevin L. mentioned that previous experiences had been better, so I'll give Harp and Fiddle the benefit of the doubt. The fries were decent, the cheese helped. I did enjoy the hard cider I got though, and that kept me happy enough. I'd been H&F once before, this past New Year's eve. Both times service was pretty good considering the server to customer ratio. The had a good mix of question ranging from more obvious one to those that left me completely clueless, but it was definitely one of the better trivia nights I've been to. I'll likely give this place another shot at impressing me food-wise and hope to check out the trivia night again sometime soon.
(3)Michelle P.
I really like the Harp and Fiddle, maybe because we keep rocking at trivia and winning gift certificates! Or maybe because the atmosphere is fun, the trivia lady is very friendly and sliders are half price on Monday! You can get four mini burgers and a substantial side of fries for a measley $7! And yes, thats half price (regularly $14). I will give them credit for charging $7 for a glass of wine, but at least it was a BIG glass! Prices are VERY steep, but some of the deals ($3 Yeunglings) are a good. Plus, i always make sure to bring along my "splenda daddy" to help subsidize the absurd costs. The irish atmosphere is fun and it seems like they have a lot of local artists come in and play live music. I also like the stump trivia, even though some of the questions are way too easy for our "ringers" :P And they even manage to tie it into MNF with calling things quarters, etc. I will definitely be back... especially since we have a $15 gift certificate to spend!
(4)Mikel B.
I've been going here for years and I love it. Meet the regulars and you will always have a friend at the pub. The food is pretty good. They have a great Irish breakfast. The live music ranges from trad to blues and back again.
(4)Marc H.
Ah, the Drunk and Ugly, a favorite of my friends. It's not one of our favorites bc it's a good place to go, but rather, it's usually less busy than most of the usual suspects in bethesda. You can go here with a large group of friends, take over a section of the bar, watch some sports, drink some beer, and have a good time amongst yourselves. You don't go here to meet new people or at least I never have... you go here to hang out, drink with your friends, and just chill out. Also, the little outdoor patio area they have, which is more like a a dead-end alley, can be pretty fun in the warmer months.
(3)Sebastian P.
Have you ever wondered why this place is almost empty, while all the pubs nearby are bustling? Well, if the bartender almost hugs you one day to not even recognize or pay attention to you the next day, it's either because he is on the rag or something else is wrong. I used to go to Harp & Fiddle about twice a week, but when you get bad service three of four times, the one time you get good service just doesn't make up for it. I don't expect the bartender to be overly nice, but being treated like a burden as soon as you enter is not the way to go. Since I meanwhile avoid Harp & Fiddle, just like so many of the old regulars do, I should probably only give it one star. I had some good times in the past though, so that earns them an extra one, also in the hope that it will get better again in the future.
(2)Tony P.
I came here for the trivia with the Yelp team. The facility is nice and clean with a large projection screen showing football on a stage set to one side of the restaurant. I ordered the sliders and potato and leek soup. Both were good. The service was attentive and expedient. It was a good outing even though we tanked the trivia.
(3)Paul M.
OK - I promise - no more Irish bar reviews from me after this one, but there are some important points that need to be communicated about this bar. 1. Sports. Want to see Roscommon vs Meath in the All-Ireland football? Unless you have Setanta at home this is your only option - and for all its Guinness serving glory Ri Ra doesn't do Irish sports (you Amurikans prefer your amurikan football and your baseball). 2. The clientele. 30 years ago the typical Irish emigrant got off the boat with a shovel, today ( if there even are any Irish emigrants any more) they get off a 747 with a laptop. This place does old school - authentic, friendly, real - a million miles from the corporate chains. And all the good hard working men who built this country are in there on a Sunday morning watching their hometown GAA heroes on satellite TV. In short it's just like the Irish bars I grew up with. Except MY Uncle Seamus or MY Uncle Tommy aren't in there - but somebody else's surely are.
(3)Patrick H.
Really a 3.5* locale. Great ambiance, including the ultra "Irishy" entrance and long darkwood bar. We stopped in for a quick bite last night, and while they aren't breaking any new ground here, the pub grub was just fine. I had the shepherds pie, (I know, sheperds pie in August? Call me crazy) and it was really good. Loaded with mashers which blanketed the rich meaty sauce below. It was chocked full of fresh veg and flavor. Very nice. My companions ordered the Bangers and Mash, and the "lightly" seasoned chicken breast. I prefer my bangers whole thank you, and not grilled like a kielbasa, but they were tasty enough and the addition of beans was a nice surprise. The chicken breast was expertly cooked but really really boring. It came with a nice mound of wild rice, potatoes and fresh veg. My favorite part of the meal was the soda bread. Go figure. Very nice slathered with copious amounts of soft creamy butter. All in all a fun stop, very comfortable with extra friendly service, and to me, that says Irish pub.
(4)Jennifer G.
We made the trek from Alexandria to Bethesda this past Saturday morning to watch the Celtic-Hearts football match. Since watching football generally goes hand in hand with the consumption of beer we decided the best bet was to rely on public transportation. We're new to the area and didn't realize that there wouldn't be as many trains on the weekend so this took quite a bit longer than expected, but it was my first time on the Metro and wound up being a learning experience. We arrived at Flanagans shortly after the match had started. It was being shown in the dining room at the back of the building and it was virtually pitch black so that the image on the projection screen was as clear as possible. We're Hearts fans and were meeting up with two other Hearts fans, but we were watching this match at the home location of the opposing team's supporters club. We've done this before in NYC and it's been scary, but this place wasn't like that. When Hearts scored first we were able to celebrate without holding back. Flanagans has a breakfast menu for these morning matches and R and I both went with the Light Irish Breakfast. It includes four pieces of toast with Irish butter and jelly, scrambled eggs, your choice of sausage or Irish bacon and beans (but you can substitute potatoes). Robert went with the sausage and beans options and was very pleased with his breakfast. I requested sausage also but wound up with Irish bacon, and I substituted potatoes for my beans (I still can't get my head around eating beans for breakfast). My bacon was a little overcooked but still okay, and I felt the eggs were a little watery. The breakfast was still good though, the potatoes were spectacular. I don't know how they make them but they were amazing. Since I had some breakfast in my belly I felt it was safe to have a beer and I went with a Harp. It was great. R was drinking Stella Artois and he was happy with it. We really enjoyed Flanagans and even decided to hang out there for a while after the Hearts-Celtic match was over (final score 1-1). Manchester United was on in another room so we watched that. It wasn't extremely busy but there was still a decent amount of people there to watch soccer. The place has the typical Irish pub look and feel to it. The bartender deserved a gold medal for her efforts that morning. She was running the bar, taking meal orders, serving the food and busing tables. She really didn't miss a step. I really liked Flanagans. Unfortunately it's really out of the way for us. We might be back again when Celtic plays Hearts again if we can't find somewhere closer to watch it. If we lived in the area I could imagine it being a place we would go to quite often.
(4)Jeffrey A.
This place rocks. First, it is walking distance.....correction, crawling distance, to my apartment. Second, it is a great take on the pub for the area, with a large dark bar experience, but also an outdoor area if you want to get away from the live music that night. Third, it's just a really fun environment. A lot of places in this area definitely give you the older vibe, but this is not one of them. It's a laid back atmosphere of people who just want to have a good time. The bar is stocked with several classic favorites on tap, but also boasts a pretty good menu for those who need some munchies. With live music acts most nights, it's a good way to experience the local talent. All in all, I can see myself going back here many nights and sipping on a harp.
(4)Rachael B.
Great beer, great staff and GREAT chicken avocado sandwich. Very reasonably priced and Mondays are the best because of the trivia game they host. I highly recommend trying it out, you'll LOVE it!
(5)Aaron F.
One of the only bars in bethesda with regular live music. great atmosphere - usually good bands and good crowd. Its not overcrowded like most of bethesda unless scythian is playing. not too many yuppies or knuckleheads in there. the price goes right along with the location (bethesda) i liked the old fish n chips better, for desert try their bread pudding - very good. there are two parking garages within 3 blocks of the place. i've come here on and off for a few years (the old and new spot) enjoyed the people who worked there - always friendly. the owners if i remember correctly are from belfast during the religious wars. They will talk shit with the best of them but know how to run a buisness. I've been lucky enough to have been dubbed a familiar face so i may have a drink slide down my way on occassion. The bar also sponsors a club soccer team a friend of mine plays for... so here's to showing support to the locals myfriends. (and thats what got my 5th star) Once in a blue moon we'll come in and rail on some bagpipes with the owners permission whilst ooggling the pretty women whom i can't afford.. and all this before i hit puberty eh'?! if i could transplant this place somewhere that was closer to home and keep the yuppies/frat boys out I would gladly be a daily patron.. But for the trips to bethesda you are the best choice for a good night, great ambience, low testostorone and full bellies of great food the reminds me of me own ma's cookin'.
(5)James D.
OK I will give the place ratings for ambience. The outdoor patio as you walk in is very other side of the pond. When you enter the bar is stereotypical rectangle with tables surrounding. There is a dark back room with Big Screen for soccer games. Here is what is lacking..... THE GUINNESS IS WATERED DOWN?!!!!! My friend and I were both appalled yesterday as we got watery Guinness and walked out and went down the street to another pub for redemption. I will never go here again just because of this. SORRY.
(2)Sarah W.
Everything about my experience here was poor. My friends and I initially went there because of specials advertised on their website that turned out to not actually be available. Their nacho plate had mediocre toppings, the chips were extremely stale and their other food was nothing to get excited about. I saw another post where someone recommended anything with scallops, but I would honestly be frightened to eat any seafood that came out of their kitchen. Our server was friendly but largely inattentive. I would not recommend this place, or go back.
(1)Joe K.
Our waitress was nice. Portions of food were very "skimp" and not flavorful at all...do not order the Guiness Beef Skewers.
(2)Sue H.
Hey...the winner here is the cider on tap. They have it. I love it. Music is too loud inside and patio is cool but smoky. But...cider on tap. Nuf said.
(3)Laurie W.
I do not love the Harp & Fiddle. It is neither harpish nor fiddlish. I think it's because I don't like the layout - long and narrow and weird, but lacking the New York charm of long, narrow, weird buildings. Hard to explain - or maybe I'm just too picky. The food is okay. I am never blown away by any food in an Irish pub and this place keeps that tradition going. Kind of comforts me. I had a cheeseburger once that wasn't very memorable. The cheese fries were really good, but come on - cheese fries? Bad cheese fries are good. If they have loud - er, live - music on a night you're there, hope it's good, because there's really nowhere to escape from the volume. The last time I was there the band wasn't very good, and as we were seated up front by the stage, talking was out of the question. Trivia night is fun, although the woman who typically runs it is a tad snarky in a way that is not fun. The up side? Half and halfs (Guinness and Harp) work anywhere, and I love them - plus the bar is kinda cool. And if I still smoked I'd love it, because the side patio is neat. Smoky, but neat.
(3)Kathleen M.
As we make the trivia rounds, I'm finding that I like Maryland more and more, and have more and more distaste for Virginia: it's a great social experiment wrapped up into a nice little trivia package. Anyhoo, on to the bar review. Harp and Fiddle is a nice quick walk from the Bethesda Metro. The entrance is weird as it opens on to a very small courtyard and its difficult to open the door. There's some awkwardness inside too: some parts of the bar are elevated and they felt is necessary to add a bunch of the guard bars which makes it difficult to get around. I don't know if this is code in Bethesda or something, but I don't like it. Our server was great and didn't even seem annoyed that I was set on just drinking water for the night (although of course that changed about an hour into it). She checked up on us often, brought food and drinks super fast, but I was weirded out that she kept calling us sugar even though I'm pretty sure she was exactly my age. This is strange, even from a southerner's perspective. The food was good and the drink selection was great but I wish they had a better happy hour special. The trivia was great-- it's Stump trivia which is also used by Madam's Organ and a couple of other local bars, which is my favorite. The MC was the sister of the Stump founder/owner/whatever so that was kind of cool. I just really like the way that this trivia system is organized with the quarters and being able to wager points, although the question on fabric was absolutely ridiculous.
(4)Chris C.
My top spot for happy hour. Drinks are cheap, strong, but maybe a bit on the smallish side. I love the appetizers, and the Guinness cheescake is wonderful. But in terms of desert, the creme brulee really takes the cake. It's a bit of a walk from the metro, but well worth the trip. The waiters and owner are friendly, there are lots of events, including trivia and live music, and seating usually isn't an issue.
(5)Kathy S.
It's a nice spot to stop for a pint or two or three. The bar staff is very friendly. The food - eh. It's just not somewhere I'd go for food - pricey and boring. It's also not very good for sports viewing. Still, I enjoy myself when I stop in and mean to go there much more often than I do.
(3)Craig R.
Flanagan's was soooooooo incredibly close to a five star review. The happy hour specials were almost non-existent. A dollar off draughts and bottles only? No half-priced burger nights? No half-priced appetizers? I'm a bit picky when it comes to doling out those illustrious five star reviews. The bar atmosphere here is incredible. As Libby already pointed out, their lights are real dim, they have smaller booths along the right wall while tables adorn the left and they have an outside patio that screams party area. Moreover, they have a more secluded dining area in the back for parties and overflow. This is definitely the furthest thing from a dive bar as it looks as if they care about their appearances (which is refreshing). Their buffalo chicken sandwich is one of the best I've had. Multiple chicken tenders doused with a spicy sauce gave my tongue quite a burn, but was quickly neutralized with the tasty cole slaw that topped my sandwich. I'm growing hungry just thinking about it again. Their fries are home-made so they have that light, oily texture to them and they have a considerable amount of "crunch". The more and more I play Stump! trivia, the more I fall in love with this trivia game. The hostess (who was the sister of the owner of Stump!) kept the game flowing nicely and threw in well-timed quips about anything throughout the game. It kept it interesting. If you love trivia, this is a place you have to visit. Almost another five star trivia place.
(4)OIivia H.
As we walk in we pass a bunch of cops in kilts, and I have to swallow down the tourist in me and not ask for a photo. We sit at the bar and order a bloody mary and a martini. It was the saddest martini ever, it literally made me sad. I asked the bartender to do something with it, anything, it just tasted like watered down vodka and needed some love. He poured in a couple of things, but it couldn't be saved. 2 stars because he earnestly tried, and if I was a bartender and saw people taking pics of my drink while making sad faces, I wouldn't have been as helpful as he was.
(2)shawn d.
a good irish bar that usually isn't too crowded and is a welcome respite after walking past the std-pool called caddy's right down the street. more of a working-class feel than ri-ra on the other side of bethesda and the live music is usually some good blues rock or something else irish-bar appropriate. standard irish beer selection on tap.
(3)Elly S.
Harp & Fiddle is what I consider a true neighborhood gem in Bethesda. I've been going here regularly for several years and have not once had anything but tasty, mouth-watering food, fabulous customer service, and a jovial crowd often with live music. To break it down into greater detail, lets start with the food. Primarily, the chicken wings. No matter if you get the house smoked or regular, you are going to get juicy, plump wings fully loaded with flavor. Your taste buds will not be let down! The potato skins are also my favorite in town and no matter what time of year or what bikini I'm trying to fit into, I ALWAYS make room for these. Again, chock full of flavor, crispy potato skins, and gooey, cheesey, mashed potato-y goodness that I can't even put into words. Onto the chicken tenders - which are in no way your run-of-the-mill chicken tenders. They have this crispy-ness on the outside and the most moist chicken you will ever have on the inside that make this dish one of my favorite "comfort foods" of all time. Anytime I'm stressed out or just need something to make me feel at ease, I pop in and pick up some of these tenders and they quickly put a smile on my face. I could go on like this about everything on the appetizer menu and I still wouldn't be doing the food justice. You just have to stop in and try it for yourself. Onto the customer service - which starts first and foremost with Mac, whose smile and antics have made even my grumpiest of ex-boyfriends smile and laugh. He truly embodies the jovial spirit which makes me enjoy Harp & Fiddle oh so much and that spirit floats through the restaurant and through the servers and bartenders and really makes you enjoy your interactions with them. They aren't the type of staff to be in your face and understand when to give you and sometimes your rowdy group some space and time to figure out what it is you want. Even when they are out of my favorite (Malibu Rum - have been out a few times) they are so pleasant about offering to make a similar drink to the one I am requesting that it makes me forget that they didn't have just what I wanted. And finally, the jovial crowd and live music... there really isn't much more I can say about this other than they have some amazing live bands that really get the crowd going and the folks that frequent Harp & Fiddle are all light-hearted and easy-going which makes it such a fun place to stop by. Just don't make any unwarranted soccer jokes, as someone might clock you, myself included. Which reminds, if you are looking for somewhere this summer to catch a World Cup game or two, Harp & Fiddle it is in Bethesda because the soccer lovers unite in full-force here and we make sure everyone in Bethesda knows it!
(5)Meghan G.
For a place to grab drinks I give Harp & Fiddle 4 stars, the food experience I can only give three and a half. I come here on an occasional basis and the food varies, but unlike the review from Katherine where it ranges from 'really good' to 'orgasmic.'...my experience was 'blah' to 'just good'. The steak caeser is kinda bland and flavorless, the grilled cheese I ordered to make up for the watery let down of a salad that left me hungry was massively burnt on one side. The bangers and mash is really good, the Irish breakfast they serve on the weekends is really a good artery clogging way to start a day, good for chilly weather. Overall, H & F is a clean, authentic in a pre-fab pub sorta way, but a good pick for happy hours, team trivia (Tuesdays) and decent eats.
(4)Katherine K.
For a great pub experience, nothing beats H&F. The staff is incredibly friendly and the pub has a relaxed, casual ambiance. Definitely the kind of place you could bring your parents to for a drink. Or a place you can go to and drink after you've visited your parents. The food is sometimes inconsistent, and by inconsistent I mean it varies from "really good" to "orgasmic" - the best bangers and mash of any Irish pub in the area. The Steak Jameson also does not disappoint. The dining area in the back is rather large and somewhat separate from the stage area where musicians sometimes play, so if live music isn't your thing you can dine in a somewhat quieter area. Monday night is trivia night....a fun multi-part trivia game - waaaay more fun than the SAT mega-test administered by 4 Provinces in Cleveland Park. Note: Parking is very tight...your best bet is to just park in a garage and hoof it. You need to work off that beer gut anyway.
(5)Laura V.
The BF and I finally had the chance to stop by to check it out after walking by numerous times. I'm glad we did. Somehow, we ended up spending close to 4 hours here! The people watching was great, the bartender was awesome, the live music was very entertaining (if a bit on the loud side). The Harp and Fiddle has this adorable little outside courtyard to sit and enjoy a few pints. Inside, there's this great bar, with seating all around. We found ourselves some seats at the bar and enjoyed some pleasant conversation with the bartender. Great beers on draft and relatively decent prices. Somehow, we just ended up losing track of time while thoroughly enjoying ourselves. While we didn't eat here, we noticed many plates of nachos coming out from the back and they looked really yummy. I think next time, we're going to have to check out those nachos for ourselves. This is a great neighborhood bar that I think the BF and I both agreed on. We will certainly make it back soon.
(4)Joanne C.
A group of my friends and I go to Harp and Fiddle every Monday night (give or take a few). The woman who runs trivia is awesome. She's friendly, speaks clearly and gives clarification as to questions. I was disappointed this week however by the management of this bar. Before I get to that though, I will say I have never been amazed by the food here, however I've never been let down. I'd say it's about 1 step above something I could create in the kitchen. You go here for the great atmosphere, the trivia and the live music. There were some rude patrons who were yelling out answers and basically ruining the game for a fair number of people. When the woman who runs the trivia asked the bartender to escort the rude people out of the bar (and the other patrons of the bar were singing "Nah-Nah-Nah-Nah, Nah-Nah-Nah-Nah, Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye") the bartender didn't kick them out and told the woman running trivia to keep going. Personally, I didn't think that was a way to treat the woman who brings in the majority, if not ALL of your Monday night crowd.
(4)Katie F.
This is your standard Irish pub. If you want to play trivia with an MC with a deadpan voice this is your place. Comfortable booth seating available for a big group makes the two hour game way more tolerable.
(3)Kristin M.
Great staff, great food/drinks,great friends. I just had my 30th birthday party here and it was so easy to plan! Once there, I was taken great care of!
(4)Mic X.
why am i giving this a 5 star rating? because it suits me. they serve the guinness in honest-to-goodness royal pint glasses (and unlike what some reviewer said - it's not "watered" down. the guinness goes from the keg to the tap to the glass. you can't add water to the tap line or pour water into the keg you gobshite. if you are going to complain to anyone about the beer - do it to the montgomery county government, because that's where every bar and restaurant in the county has to buy their beer and liquor from - it's law). but i digress.... the food here is darn good with recipes from a real chef. the atmosphere is clean and homey. the music is eclectic (blues to folk to traditional irish to fusion) and the mood of the place is just to chill and have fun. if you want a bit of entertainment, go up to steve the large, bartender/owner and tell him his belfast accent is fake. he loves that.
(5)Mim B.
I think I need to give H&F 4 stars because I came here after fencing practice one Saturday afternoon with my bf and a few friends, and we literally stayed ~6 hours. The kind people at H&F didn't kick us out despite the fact that we were wearing sweaty warmups and we likely smelled rather foul. Instead, they served us hot tasty food and plenty of alcohol. Be warned! You can run up QUITE a bill here. Granted, the food is quite good. The smoked brisket is smoky and delicious, the curry sauce you get with curry fries is very nice, and the fries themselves aren't miserable. When fresh, they're delicious. At the time I was starving, and everything was magnificent. But as I stuffed my face with wild abandon and enjoyed the gradually spreading warm glow of nutrients replenishing my body (ferried by surprisingly tasty cider on tap), I was somewhat conscious that everything really was very good. My bf had a salad that he rated as a total crash (it was cold, he was cold, he was starving, the salad was not heavy enough, not enough dressing), but he'd had the lamb stew and the beef and Guinness stew on previous visits, and those earned thumbs up. So, why not 5 stars? First of all, It is a little pricey. I can make stew for 9 for the $20 I paid for my brisket. Keep in mind, this isn't Rockbottom, which is simply an elaborate housing for a greasy, greasy, greasy spoon joint that happens to sell very tasty beer. H&F has someone at the helm of the food who clearly knows what he/she is doing (unlike Rockbottom and RiRa). They sometimes have worthwhile music (unlike Rockbottom and RiRa). They have bartenders who know what they're doing. Second of all, I'm a bit disappointed with their beers on tap. I always look expectantly, hoping to see something local and excellent (like a real ale/stout/whatever; this is an Irish pub after all), and it's never there. It's the same commercial brews time and again, and while their cider is nice and dry, they pour a good black and tan, and their Guinness, is, well, Guinness, it makes me shrug. Overall, a solid pub. The food is good, the beer is all right, but you have to watch yourself because you'll run up a hell of a tab.
(4)Terry C.
Beginning with Paddy, Mac, and Steve, the Harp is an Incredibly comfortable adult bar in Bethesda with Good food and great entertainment (most of the time). The fish n Chips is outstanding and Marianne Redmond is one of the best female vocalists in the area.
(5)Andrew W.
no, as the locals repeatedly remind me, especially when drunkenly relating tales of the good ol' times (in bethesda?!), this is not the larger, grungier, irisher (and generally betterer in every way) basement institution once known simply (and apparently lovingly) as flanagan's...as a young and dynamic (ahem.cough.) latecomer to the area, i unfortunately never had the privilege of experiencing this wonder, and thus am left to comment on flanagan's more recent and humble enterprise: the harp and fiddle...relocated to cordell ave in the woodmont triangle ok, so while this may not be the bastion it once was, harp and fiddle sitll has it's plusses: 1) draft beer close to my apartment (guinness, harp, and smithwick's will do when you're in a pinch), 2) a large outdoor smoking section w/ tables -- complete with seemlingly protective rooftop that in actuality is just some wooden crossbeams lacking their partner; prepare to get rained upon, 3) live music, sometimes with genuinely good performers (ie. mary ann redmond band, robert lighthouse, etc.), 4) free poker on tuesday nights, 5) steve the grumbly irish bartender, 6) kind of cozy, and generally lots of empty stools for sitting at the bar 7) darkness..... and then the reasons why harp and fiddle is what it is: a rather mediocre, but dependable three star joint: 1) bethesda (meaning, yes, nightlife sucks here, the patrons are often dumpy, and the bar closes much, much earlier than it should), 2) live music: both a virtue and a fault, the music often sucks (despite sometimes good performers) and there is no way to escape the dark tunnel of sound punishing your ears 3) douchebags (yup. they make their way here too...and its too small a place to get away easily), 4) no middle ground (this place is too often either a dead bar for middle agers blabbing overboard or sipping beer sadly into oblivion, or it's crowded with douchebags on weekends looking for irish carbombs and some new place at which to suck), 5) more pricy than it should be, and sometimes a cover (seriously. cover in bethesda...i think not).... so altogether this rather slapdash and stupidly put together equation yields an overall slightly better than neutral result....sure it's bethesda, so you know what to expect, but there's something to be said for an irish bar playing a lot of van morrison in the off hours no matter where it is, and this place is the only non-corporate offering in b-town that you'll find in that department (yes, it's tough to admit, but the "authentic neighborhood feel" of rira and blackfinn just might be a bit manafactured...shocking).... so yeah, not too bad a place to slug back a few pints, provided there's some soccer on tv you want to watch, a decent music night, you hate people in general, or you want some fish 'n chips....just don't expect dublin when you walk in and when the hell are irish bars in america ever gonna start serving kilkenny? oh, and to the "server" who went balistic on my friend that time just because he was drunkely stammering and bumping into everything in sight...suck it up. or better yet, go find a mop and clean off some of that pouty makeup
(3)Laura C.
I LOVE this place. To be honest, a bunch of my friends work there and I spend way too much time there, but it really is THE BEST Irish bar in the DC metro area. Aside from the great authentic Irish food and AMAZING staff, they show all the rugby and football games every weekend and have live music every night. If you like chill bars (with a non-"Bethesda" feel) with outdoor patios you can sit at for hours, a fantastic bar and great people, Harp is it!!!
(5)