4. Restaurants

Daniel O’Connell’s

112 King St, Alexandria, VA, 22314
  • (703) 739-1124
  • Store is closed

Daniel O’Connell’s Menu

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.

  • jack h.

    The cabbie recommended it. It was 99°F and I wanted a cold one. The bartender suggested the prime rib slider for $9.95. The prime rib is good. The bin is a little too dry. Good deal for the money. 4.2 4.2. Hot day and place was recommended. The prime sliders are a deal but the bread was a little dry. That is where the au jus comes in.

    (4)

  • Ashley A.

    I go to Daniel O'Connell's all the time..so I can say with authority that this resturant is one of those that have many off days...and many on days. On the bad days the service is extremely slow and the servers are non-attentive. One time, I had a server come back and ask for more tip. (I called the manager for that one). Another time, I took a friend there for lunch and we sat for 15 minutes before getting a menu and never got a refill on our drinks. BUT why do I keep going back? It is a really fun place to go. The drinks are well made and almost ever server is Irish which just adds to the experience. The night time bar scene is a blast. My favorite time to go is for a late dinner during the summer so you can sit outside and eat and then go inside for the bar. The food is also very good. I like their homemade chips and their bread pudding the best. Bottom line..try it out. But don't be surprised if your service is poor. Hopefully you will still have a good time.

    (4)

  • Shelby H.

    The shepherd's pie and cheddar burger were both delicious and more than made up for the loud bursts of profanity from the bowl game-watching former frat dudes at the bar. The fries stayed crispy even under an onslaught of malt vinegar. This cozy pub is always a warm retreat from the cold (at least in the back by the fire -- the front bar can be a bit drafty).

    (4)

  • Caitlin H.

    I'm Irish (American), I'm from Boston, I love beer, I love pubs. Hence, I really want this to be a place I love. But - WAMP WAMP - sadly, I do not. I've been here three times - once for brunch, once for lunch, once for pub quiz. Pub quiz is fun, upstairs patio is great, decor is charming and warm. Rocket pepper whatever it's called salad and the wings were decent. But the service is never that great even when it's good. Which would be forgivable if it weren't for the pre-fab Sysco fries, and the microwaved 'veggie' frittata, and the greasy, lackluster grilled cheese panini. Grilled cheese and fries should be the easiest thing in the world. And seriously, microwaved eggs? I don't know what the veggies were, but there weren't many of them and they all looked the same (they were chopped so small as to be indiscernible, and added no perceivable taste. Maybe peppers? I don't know.). The cheese swimming on top was burned to the side in trademark microwave bubbles. So awful. I couldn't even finish it. I'd like to tell you to come here for a beer on the patio or for pub night, but it hurts me to support a place that microwaves eggs. Or an Irish pub that uses frozen Sysco fries.

    (1)

  • Matt D.

    Pretty solid pub. The interior is gorgeous. If you can snag a table out on the sidewalk on a nice evening, DO IT! Some of the best people watching in all of Old Town. The food isn't half bad either. Not sure what they do here, but the Guiness tastes better at O'Connell's. Don't be afraid of the motorcycles that roll into Old Town and setup along the curb in front of O'Connell's. They are exceptionally nice people with a bunch of very nice bikes.

    (4)

  • Charles M.

    Four stars for lunch! Dinner and evenings lead to the meat market, cigarette smoke and things that have no interest for me. But, their 'Quick Lunch' is actually pretty good! For $10 you get your choice of one of four or five sandwiches (they call it a half sandwich, but it is a very good size) a cup of soup and chips. Here's the thing...the food is good! The roast beef has the right amount of horseradish, great bread and terrific cheese. The turkey has really good cranberry dressing and the Dubliner cheddar is great. Add to it that they have Smithwicks on draft and I am a happy man. See you there tomorrow!

    (4)

  • Lindsey T.

    We only get the bar food when we come here because the rest is too damn expensive. And we only get the fish and chips, because they rock. Two large thick pieces of fish perfectly fried golden. Big pile of also delicious chips served with vinegar. Add a full pint of Guinness and the all-Irish waitstaff and you've got a trip to Dublin for about $20 including tip. Nice atmosphere inside, a few bars--some smoky, some not--and seriously one of the poshest bathrooms I've seen in a while (I know that doesn't mean much, but it makes me feel fancy). It won't change your life, but it's bar food done pretty damn good.

    (4)

  • Kimberly F.

    The decor and intricate wood carvings have a quality unlike most places in DC. The ambiance is such that you feel like you will insult the place if you don't have a beer. Or four. Even your grandma will turn into a boozehound. Those customers - none are snotty; the friendliness of the patrons is amazing - even locals come to this bar in the middle of a tourist trap. I don't know how the poster below claimed the greatest Guinness in town - it just comes from a keg like most places. As for the food, well - HEAVY. Every time my belly complains for two solid days - a nauseating amount of filler in the food (i.e. crabdip). Personally I love the calamari - mixed with a god blend of spices featuring paprika, and tomato. So stick with the lighter fare and you won't spend the day moaning on the couch.

    (4)

  • A R.

    I would really like it if I could give this place 3.5 stars but since I can't, 4 it is. I have been to O'Connell's multiple times and each time I have enjoyed it. The menu is not extensive so if you are looking for a wide selection, this is not the place to go. But, if you just want good pub food, you will find it here. The menu tends to change and a few of the items I have had are no longer available but my "go to" is the Irish Bacon and Cabbage. It is similar to corned beef and cabbage but so much better. The parsley sauce is delicious and the portion is generous. Pretty much whatever I have had at O'Connell's has been good. I also appreciate the fact that even though it is in the heart of Old Town the prices are fair. You won't feel robbed when you walk out. As an additional plus, the interior of the restaurant is cool. It's really an enjoyable place to be. The only downside is that the service can be a little unpredictable. I have been in there when it was empty and had trouble getting my drink refilled. Other times I have been there when it is packed and there is not a problem. It's a pub so I can't harp on the place too much but it's important to know what might happen.

    (4)

  • Patrick O.

    Holy friggin crap, this place is cool. An Irish staff and rather chill atmosphere made the stuffiness of the east coast subside as I sipped away on my Guinness. I highly advise the outdoor patio - although smoky it really perceives itself as a completely different pub rather than the "Cheesecake Factory" look they've got going inside. Word to the wise, take a cab home as the staff like to do shots of Jamison.

    (4)

  • Jonathan V.

    So I have been here three times. I really enjoyed the first time I went and had scallops with rice. Delicious!! The second time I went back (December 2011) the menu was completely different. Apparently they hired a new chef who changed many of the dinner items. I was bitterly disappointed. The waited explained very patiently the situation with the new chef/menu and was very gracious though I imagine he explained this to many customers throughout the day. I had brought my family and my father and I tried the new Shepard's Pie. It was so good and fresh tasting. The menu is great and I would recommend it to anyone.

    (4)

  • Grigori R.

    On a lovely Sunday afternoon, we originally wanted to go the Chadwicks for Bloody Mary's. However, with a 45 minute wait and a 6 year old, i felt the odds of remaining somewhat composed was a long shot. (don't judge - 6 year olds and Bloody Mary's do mix). After some deliberation, we came up with this place. On a whole, the afternoon turned out better than I first thought after we were greeted by the blood shot eyed hostess who obviously had a rough time of it the night before. I don't necessarily judge an establishment by the the service, and they should thank me for that. After being seated, I felt I was in an old western, as Clint enters as a ghost town, looking around and no one to be found. I think our server finally got the idea of our discontent (when he appeared out thin air) after we went to the bar for drinks on two occasions. As Irish pubs go, this place had a decent American craft beer selection and the fish and chips were spot on.

    (3)

  • Kolina T.

    I really liked this place. As irish pubs are, this place was casual, but upstairs is a nice dining area that was classier (in ambiance, service, and food presentation) than one would expect of an Irish pub. i had the pistachio-crusted rack of lamb, and it blew my mind. My coworkers and I ordered a bottle of wine, and the waitress was very well trained with the wine ritual. Extra plus for being in the Old Town Alexandria waterfront area - I love the summer ambiance here.

    (5)

  • Derek T.

    Came here for happy hour drinks this week. Terrific atmosphere! Drink prices are about average for Old Town. My experience with the service was good. I'd recommend.

    (4)

  • Jim W.

    Owners put a lot of effort into this place! Beautiful interior brought here almost stick by stick from Ireland. Food is good and the menu is filled with great choices. Go here on the weekend with friends and relax over one of their many good beers and a terrific bar menu!

    (4)

  • Paul M.

    I once walked into an Irish bar in Manchester and asked for a pint of cultural hegemony. They did n't think it was funny, and I was just another spotty student trying to be a smart ass. But I still sort of get nervous going into an Irish bar. What kind of place will it be? Will I like it? For years, literally for years, I avoided Irish bars altogether - too many diddly-dee guys in the corner singing sad songs about lost homelands, too many crappy pints of Guinness, and frankly, too many good American bars that serve margaritas and decent burgers. But then a couple of things happened. Fado opened up their first bar in Atlanta and around the same time Guinness embarked on a massive QA program to ensure almost-top quality beer everywhere, and almost overnight Irish bars in America became what they are supposed to be - decent places to go and sit and have a pint - at least for me. And O'Connells is just such a place. A snug bar in the front with a fantastic window booth to sit in and watch the street go by, a bigger bar in the back. A decent pint of Guinness. The building the bar is in is probably the oldest building an Irish bar in America is in, which adds to the lovely look and feel of the place. We were there just after lunch and the place was pretty busy, and at the long bar in the back the diners were sitting and eating cheek by jowl.

    (4)

  • Bob P.

    The BLOODY MARY's are the absolute best we've ever had. I ordered one, which my four friends proceeded to taste. The next thing i know, there are FOUR bloody marys sitting on the table!!! Three rounds later and we're calling a cab. The brunch here is amazingly tasty and filling.

    (4)

  • Mike T.

    Great atmosphere god beer limited menu.

    (4)

  • Courtney R.

    I love this place because you can smoke. That's my definition of a MF-ing bar, somewhere you can smoke while you drink. Otherwise, I classify it as a place I do not want to drink at. On top of that, O'Connells has pretty good food. I'm too tired to write this review though, so I'll finish it later.

    (4)

  • Cullen M.

    O'Connell's is a cozy Irish pub right on King Street. This is a great place to come any night of the week. It can be pretty loud sometimes, especially on weekend nights, but you can usually get a table. The food is good and the drinks are plentiful. One of the few places where you can get S'More's for desert!!! Try the Trivia on Wednesday Nights...always a blast!! O'Connell's also takes reservations and can host large gathers. I've been here for birthday parties, wakes, and other special occassions and they do a great job. They have a couple different areas that can be used for private functions and they devote a certain amount of staff to the event. Whether you are looking for a good happy hour or a nice dinner or a place to host a birthday party, O'Connell's a staple for Alexandria!

    (4)

  • Gayle G.

    I went here thinking Daniel O'Connell was the name of the chef or owner, but I was so wrong. Evidentally, O'Connell was a famous Irish politician (started a movement for an Irish Parliament). This place claims to have nuevo/modern Irish food. Whatever it was, it was pretty lackluster. I know that french bread is supposed have a crunchy crust, but here it was so dry! I finished my water after taking one bite. Unfortunately, that was a sign of things to come. I had the grilled salmon, and it was overcooked in some spots and undercooked in others. Yuck. It is a good thing that I don't typically go to Irish food places to eat anyway. If I am hungry, I can get a Guinness and call that a meal. And that's pretty much the deal here. O'Connells does have an impressive beer menu: Old Specald Hen, Shinerbock Hefferweisen.. even Smithwicks on tap.

    (2)

  • Marianne S.

    I love this place because the entire staff is Irish. You really feel like you've taken a trip to Dublin! The food is a bit expensive, so I hope someone else picks up your tab, though it is quite delicious. It's a classy joint but still laid back enough so you make a new friend each time you go. I may or may not have a crush on one of the bartenders. They have a great happy hour, and a rooftop deck that's open in warm weather. It's also great for special events; we had our election night party there, with a private room, and my roommate is having her engagement party there.

    (4)

  • Jason M.

    I have been here several times now to meet with friends and grab a few drinks, and we have always had a good time. I enjoy the atmosphere and the staff has always been friendly, and the service quick. I have ordered food once, and it was good, didn't have any complaints, but that was a while ago, so cannot give any more specifics about it. if you're in Old Town, definitely a good place to stop in for some food and drinks.

    (4)

  • Lucy F.

    MEH. We grabbed our Guinness but there was nowhere to sit in the bar so we ventured up to the restaurant. The tables are so close together that when the group next to us left, we had to push our tables together for them to get out. We got a very nice server; everyone seems to be truly Irish here. But he never brought us our waters, even as the table next to us got theirs. They were seated after us too. But they got their waters, and their bread. Bread? We didn't even know we were supposed to get any. My potato leek soup looked tasty enough. But I had to wait for my spoon to arrive before I could eat it. I got the new york strip steak and the boyfriend got the ribeye. We both like ours medium, but mine came out well done. It looked like a hard piece of turd. I should've asked for it rare for it to turn out right. The boyfriend's was overcooked too, although not as much as mine. His was still a little bit of pink in the center but rubbery and overpowered by peppercorn. I was really looking forward to trying the Jameson mashed potatoes but it was meh. I couldn't wait to leave. This place definitely knows how to pour a Guinness and the staff seemed genuinely nice but it didn't make up for the lack of service and disorganization. We went down the street to Murphy's and their fish and chips blew this place out of the water.

    (3)

  • John C.

    The dark wood and dim lights. The smell of guiness and chiming of glasses. This old irish pub has the makings of Irish greatness as it woos passerbys off of Alexandria's grand King Street, but atmosphere is not the only quality that goes into the makings of a great restaurant. Fortunately, Daniel O'Connels Irish Pub has more to offer than authentic Irish first impressions, amusing its diners with delicious cuisine and atmosphere on the top floors, as the party rambles on in the pub downstairs. Beginning with the restaurant, O'Connely's is very dissected. While the bar on the ground floor is the feature bar of the pub, there are actually two additional ones on the upper floors that feature a majority of the same taps and spirits. What the restaurant does well in keeping the pub crawlers and diners divided. If interested in sitting down for dinner, guests are never taken through the pub, but rather a side stairwell above the restaurant. Also to note is that the pub features outside dining on the sidewalk, which is fun for people watching. Upstairs the tables are never to close together, but diners will need to speak up, as some of the tables look over a balcony over the rousing crowd below. Atomosphere aside, the food is quite good. Alexandria always seems to have a flair for surf and turf, and O'Connely's matches this characteristic, offering the best of land and sea. However, because chances are that a diner did not come to an Irish restaurant for its seafood, I would reccomend to steer along the air of redmeat, particularly the beef tenderloin wrapped in bacon. While this may be an easier dish to prepare, it still is one of the best entrees at O'Connely's, and chances are, you're waitress will reccomend it to you. The restaurant also features a variety of cuts that are cooked to order. O'Connely's also features an extensive dessert menu, but to be honest there is nothing unique here other than chocolate cakes and apple tarts. Regardless, their desserts do offer a fine finish. Finally, I was amused with the service. While I won't say that I was forgotten about, my waitress was one busy person. An authentic Irish woman, she sailed up and down the balcony breezing past the table, taking note every now and then for any needs to concerns. When it was time to go, it nearly took me fifteen minutes to get my bill. That was primarlly the shining dissapointment of the experience. While O'Connely's may certainly be a fine place for Irish food and drink (and a damn good steak might I add), it lacks a personal touch or feel that one might expect from an upper tier restaurant along King Street's final block. Because of the super busy service, it gives the appeal of just any other Irish pub where I may be forgotten by the barmaid as I ask for another drink. Fortunately, the food begs to differ from this persona and makes it a worthwhile experience to return to. Four cheers for O'Connely.

    (4)

  • Molly F.

    LOVE the lamb burger & will return just for that. They have a good menu with unique things on it. Corned beef egg rolls were delicious, too. A bit pricey but had to try them & we weren't disappointed.

    (4)

  • M N.

    Others have already commented on the decor (very authentic, dark wood, imported from Ireland), outstanding selection of single malt scotch, and of course, Guinness. Service outstanding. That said, great ambiance, place for drinks, as for the food...well, I will not be going back for the food. My wife and I went to the Irish Pub because I wanted to eat some corned beef and cabbage. Unfortunately, it was not on the menu. So I ordered the steak - not the place for steak. Wife had the salmon - she enjoyed it. A bit on the pricey side, but considering the ambiance, decor, selection of scotch and bier, and the service, it is understandable. Great place for drinks, would pass on the food.

    (3)

  • Ryan M.

    This place is amazing. It's EXACTLY what you want in an Irish pub... dark wood, lots of corner/cubby tables, beer, food, and a place with really authentic character. Not sure why some people don't like that, but this place drips with character. The beer and food and service are great, and it's an incredible spot to grab drinks and a bite with friends. Head here and enjoy.

    (5)

  • Rob R.

    The best Guinness in the area.... best I've had outside of Ireland. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The bartenders will remember your drink and your name.... something crucial to any spot that you would want to come back to regularly. The regulars are a good-naturated bunch that are glad to meet you and quick to smile. The food is at a higher level than 'pub grub' that you are accustomed to. The prices are a bit high for a pub, but it is well worth it. In America, we are accustomed to be in and out of a place in under an hour. We want prompt service. And if things happen to take longer than we like, we take it as a personal slight. Well, prepare to take on a slower, more leisurely pace, when you walk into O'Connell's. This was something I didn't catch onto the first couple times I went there. It was only after a trip to Ireland, and more than a few Public Houses, that I could really appreciate it. Slow down, enjoy a pint (or two) and meet the person next to you.... something we could all stand to do a bit more here in the US.

    (5)

  • Furry P.

    We had a wonderful experience here.. spent the better part of a day hanging in the bar and eating. Service was excellent, and the food was tasty - we loved it. The ambiance is super fun also... feels historic. Not sure if it is or not but heck... so long as it fools you. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Michelle E.

    You would not expect a bar to have good food, but it is delicious. The atmosphere is great, always packed with a range of ages and types. They are busy a lot, so the service is not always extremely prompt, but I have certainly never had bad service. One of my favorite places to eat in Alexandria.

    (5)

  • Erika W.

    Fun times had by all everytime we go here. Where else can you have a drink, people watch and even have s'mores if you want? Gets crowded on the weekends, but now that it's smoke-free (yeah VA!) at least you won't go home smelling like a crowded bar! Love this place. Try the upstairs for a different feel.

    (5)

  • Ryan S.

    On a recent trip to Alexandria my wife and I stumbled upon O'Connell's. The experience was great. The atmosphere is excellent and the inside is deceptively big with lots of little seating areas and a great traditional Irish feel. Our bartender made a fantastic PIMMS, a drink I feel in love with in the UK. I ordered the bangers and mash which were amazing. Seriously, they were the best bangers and mash I have had outside Ireland. My wife had a salad which was fresh, crisp and delightfully tasty. We finished our meal with the wild blueberry bread pudding which was also exceptional. I spent a summer driving throughout the Emerald Isle, and have tried many Irish pubs in the US. Overall, I would give O'Connell's very high marks for authenticity and quality.

    (5)

  • Zita L.

    I dragged a friend to this place because my new boyfriend is Irish American, very tied to his roots...and is named Daniel. Awwwww. Ok if you still decide to keep reading--I'm going to say this place is probably pretty authentic (based on my third-hand understanding of real pubs in Ireland). It has a lot of beautiful dark wood and all kinds of nooks and crannies where you can cuddle up with your pint and your mate...and the food is NOT the main reason you're there. Having said that, I had an espresso-rubbed filet that was unique and delicious, enjoyed my potato soup and the house brew. My friend was not so lucky with her seafood pasta. So my advice: Treat this place like what it is at heart, an Irish pub (translation: don't order the seafood pasta). We ate on the roof deck and I was surprised because a number of reviewers complimented the deck so much. When we got there, it was just this tiny nondescript space with 4 or 5 tables sort of crammed into it. A bunch of chairs were stacked up along with other items not in use, so it felt somewhat like we were dining in a party staging area. I get annoyed when restaurants ignore this kind of detail. Once we saw it, I would have asked to be seated back inside, but the weather was nice and inside there were barely any people. I don't like crowds, but at the same time I think you need at least some kind of quorum of fellow diners. The place felt vast and empty. I think, on a beautiful, sunny summer evening--a dark Irish pub just may not be people's first (or second or even third) dining choice. If you would be lucky to get the ONE table near the front of the roof, you would then have a nice view of King Street. If not, then you're just back in a sort of claustrophobic area that is hemmed in on all sides with buildings and no view. All of the staff were really nice, though, which made up for some annoyances. I read that they imported a lot of their decor from Ireland, and this place looks like it could be a lot of fun with the right crowd. MY ADVICE: Save Daniel O'Connell's for the colder weather. Eat inside (when I imagine there will be a more decent number of fellow diners) and cozy up somewhere for some good food (as long as you stick with meat and potatoes) and good beer in an authentic, good-looking Irish pub.

    (3)

  • John H.

    Had a couple of beers and their awesome prime rib sliders at the front bar (there are four bars here)! They're excellent, served with French fries and crisp fried shoe string onions and au jus on very fresh rolls. The prime rib was perfect, tender and flavorful. A real winner! My bartender, Seve (sp?), was friendly and helpful as was the floor manager who checked on me a couple of times to make sure everything was good. This is a lively place with lots going on. A great place to meet friends or to just grab a pint!

    (4)

  • Lynn F.

    This is my local go to restaurant. They have outdoor seating when the weather permits. I've tried many things on the menu, and everything is delicious.

    (5)

  • Lisa B.

    My husband is a big Irish pub fan so when he's in the mood for some lamb stew and Guiness, we head to O'Connell's. The atmosphere is chill, the servers are generally friendly (and occasionally, authentically Irish), and the food is decent. I've had the fish and chips (a no-brainer in an Irish bar) and enjoyed it. Crisp, battered fresh fish with crunchy outside-soft inside fries. Yum. I've also had the mussels in white wine sauce, which were plump, fresh, and very tasty. Accompanied by a huge cone of fries, this was plenty for a meal, even though it's listed as an appetizer. My advice: Order it as a meal, you won't want to share with the table. As for my husband, well, he gets the lamb stew. He says it's meaty, hearty, tasty. 'Nuff said. Overall, O'Connell's is a good standby on King, we've never had to wait long to be seated, and the prices are *reasonable* (for King Street, that is).

    (4)

  • Karena B.

    The servers are excellent, very attentive. My lil' insiders trick: When I am getting thirsty and wondering where the water is...@ O'Connells the waiter had it there before I could finish the sentence in my head. Very good food, from start to finish. Yes, the dinner menu is more upscale, but they also have a bar menu, so you don't necessarily have to pay a shite load o'money! Great place and there are plenty of places to sit...and the decor is genuinely Irish!

    (4)

  • Keri M.

    Came here for week 23 of trivia (and we won first place!). They only have enough space to hold about 5 teams and you're packed in (I had to share a stool with my friend while cornered by a table). But the service is good before and during the game. Trivia questions were challenging, but not insanely so and not too easy that I lost brain cells. They don't give prizes for trivia and that kind of spoils things - but at least they don't set a maximum team size. Food is just ok, and kind of pricey ($9 for my burger). Pretty good beers on draught - including Harp. The best part about this place is the atmosphere. All the employees are from Ireland and have cool accents and cool sayings. The restaurant managers go to Ireland to recruit employees. Also nice is the interior - lots of thick dark wood everywhere. The place is a bit of a maze, but I think that works well to control the noise level. I'll be back here for happy hour because I feel like I get beamed to Ireland when I enter.

    (3)

  • Mary C.

    I ate at this restaurant during "Restaurant Week" when they have set menus where you pick an appetizer, entree, and dessert for $35 per person. I picked the duck green salad, surf and turf (which was like lobster ravioli with a delicious white sauce and piece of steak on top), and apple crisp for dessert. Excellent food. Perhaps not worth $35, however. One thing I really liked was the seating - very comfortable. We got a table tucked away in this little nook in the back of the non-smoking area of the bar. Very quaint. The beer was good too - I only drank the house lager, but it was good! Nothing to write home about (but clearly enough to write about on yelp!)

    (3)

  • Craig R.

    This bar is really huge, but it still gives off that warm, welcoming vibe. The bartenders are awesome and will definitely take care of you. I definitely will come back to have a drink or two whenever I'm in the area. Everyone who worked here was especially nice and tried to help us fit into a small area where they were having trivia. On that note, trivia was really disappointing. There weren't any prizes for the winners. They just play trivia to play trivia. That's not so bad if you're heading over to the bar that day and you just happen to want to play. They also have a very very very small space for trivia. We could hardly fit a party of four let alone the eight that actually came. The game is your standard trivia game with six/seven rounds with ten questions in each round. The Yelpers pulled out a come from behind win over the regulars in the last round for bragging rights. The food was your typically pub fare. It didn't really blow me away, but I was really hungry and it went down with no hesitation. Needless to say, as a group, we will not be coming back here for trivia.

    (3)

  • Ryan W.

    This place would be 5 stars but no live bands. That said, the food is gourmet - try the beef carpaccio or curry fries. The scotch is fairly priced, and they have a nice but small deck on the roof. I'm somewhat a regular to this place.

    (4)

  • Chase S.

    Easily one of the best Irish restaurants I've ever been to. Located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, the building that houses the pub has some of the most interesting architecture I have ever seen for a restaurant. Moreover, the food is fantastic. If I have to recommend a dish, I'd say the Guinness Burger. Reasonably priced, fast service, and four bars make for an excellent environment and experience.

    (4)

  • Yiling W.

    I quite like this place. It's got that comfortable dark wood decor of a traditional pub, complete with wait staff with Irish accents. I went here for brunch with my girl friends and the lamb burger I had was delicious, as were the fries. It was a great place to eat in after the long trek from the metro stop (no bus for us troopers), and they had it all decked out at the time with green garlands for the holiday season. They sat us near the real fireplace, hooray. P.S. For the germiphobes: the women's bathroom was immaculate!

    (4)

  • Erik A.

    Good food, good service from a real Irishman or someone with a great Irish accent. They did serve two in my party sirloins when they ordered prime rib, but that's what ya get for order'in bloody steaks in an Irish pub! My Sheppard's Pie was great. Imagine that now. Good selection of beers on tap as well. Cool layout and seating set up.

    (3)

  • Michael F.

    I came here for lunch one afternoon and ate at the bar. The mussels in ale were lovely. Their brunch menu looks particularly well priced and the space is beautiful. All of the staff members I encountered were very friendly. I definitely plan to return.

    (4)

  • rosa b.

    This place is usually crowded due to its location. The food is a mixture of classic Irish faire and creative dishes. The decor is terrific and beautiful. The service is spotty. It's so busy when I have been there that one must often work at getting a beer. The upstairs outdoor deck is a well-kept secret but a great hideaway. The food is very good, and it is consistently so. It is above average in price for King Street. This restaurant is a good experience. Well worth the visit.

    (4)

  • Zav Y.

    I was visiting the DC area this weekend and happened to go to O'Connells twice. The first visit was in the early afternoon. I ordered the fish and chips and a pint o black. The Guinness was proper, much to my liking. The fish and chips were so so. A little to rubbery, the didn't seem to be fresh, sad since we were near the water. We went back that night for drinks with more people and the Guinness wasn't so proper. We did order a crab dip, but it was how do you say . . . not so much! I throw in an extra star just for the fact they do know how to pour a proper Guinness, even though it wasn't consistent.

    (4)

  • Andrew F.

    I'd give 2 stars for the food, but 4 stars as a bar . It's a fun place to go on a Friday or Saturday night to hang out, but I went for brunch on a Saturday and it was nothing spectacular. Our food was cold and uninspiring.

    (3)

  • Jennifer H.

    The last time I was at O'Connell's, I was sitting outside with my friends when the server came out to announce that he was leaving. Then he went inside and sat at the bar to drink. The service has pretty much followed this trend on all of my visits. The food is mediocre and definitely not worth the price. We each had ordered margaritas and not one of them tasted them same, their excuse "different bartenders". I have also gotten food that I didn't order. On the up side, the interior is great and there are plenty of places to sit if you don't want to be right at the bar. TH non smoking areas are nice. It is a nice place to hang out with friends and have a few very simple drinks if you stay away from the cocktails.

    (2)

  • Sally H.

    Stopped here for an early dinner after walking through Old Town. My husband and I were pleasantly surprised. There were many things on the menu we wanted to try but settled for the slider trio and the Ruben. Both were delicious. The great thing about the trio was that we got to try three of their sandwiches in one order - crab cake, lamb burger, roast beef. I would def get a full sized lamb burger next time while my husband was quite keen on the crab cake. Our waitress was really great too. Her tables had a lot going on and she handled them smoothly. We will def be back.

    (4)

  • Dawn M.

    Never. Will. Go. Here. Again. Third time here; still have been underwhelmed by the poor service and so-so food. Needless to say, if a restaurant is aware they have two private parties, they should NOT be accepting reservations on Opentable.com . I love parties. Parties are fun. Drinking is fun. Irish pubs are fun. Where do I begin? With the slab of wood and stools stuffed in the back bar that served as our "table" directly on the main aisle? With the non-apology from the host when I indicated that I'd made a reservations several days ago? Or maybe with how we suddenly made all these new friends, who thought it perfectly acceptable to slosh and place their drinks on our table, lean up against our backs, take our menus, or scream in our ears. Perhaps my favorite part of the night was when an obnoxiously drunk man purposely threw his drink on the floor, causing huge chunks of glass to shatter (not to mention sticky liquid everywhere) at our feet. This was the last straw...and we'd been there all of 20 minutes. We asked the waitress for our check (for one drink), and she really seemed to not give a flip that we were leaving. Sorry, O'Connell's. There are plenty of Irish Pubs who actually care about giving good service and keeping their patrons happy. Won't be back.

    (1)

  • Brianne C.

    Gargantuan wooden pillars, frustratingly placed tables, and random nooks and crannies render O'Connell's main floor an indecipherable maze. And the weak drinks poured by overwhelmed bartenders do nothing to enhance the appeal of the crass crowds. Overall, the bar atmosphere dampens otherwise enjoyable gatherings.

    (1)

  • Adam Y.

    I really wanted to like this place. I'm originally from NJ and there are a ton of great Iriish restaurants around my hometown. I was hoping this is where I could get my fix of irish food. The price is great and the portions are generious. The food however was just okay. The overall atmosphere has the right Irish pub feel and the menu is authentic, just the food was OK. The beverages were pretty good. I was really not happy about the smores. When we ordered them they brought us almond chocolate and reese's peanut butter cups. While I like reese's, they aren't very good in a smore's and I don't like nuts in my chocolate. They apologized and said htey ran out of normal chocolate after we complained. It seems to me like this is something you should bring up before we order versus after.... otherwise.... place is meh... much better places in old town....and still haven't found my place for irish food :(

    (3)

  • John R.

    Yeah, not so in love with this place. It's kid friendly and has awesome ambience and a killer rooftop patio for happy hour. That being said, the food was a bit pricey and nothing special. I would've rather gone anywhere else in old town for dinner. (sorry). Of course, if all you want is to have a few drinks and hang out with friends, this is a great spot - and I'd definitely return for that....

    (3)

  • Duane H.

    After three visits to O'Connells it has become our favorite restaurant destination in Old Town. As noted in my previous reviews, my wife and I continually lament the absence of really good, mid priced restaurants in Old Town. Oh what we wouldn't do for a Houstons or Sweetwater in Old Town. O'Connells is that really good, mid priced restaurant that we have been hoping for. Forget Rustico and Overwood - O'Connells is the place to go. Okay, it's not cheap, but If you're dining on King St. then by default you're paying more than you should... Location location location. And we love the ambiance. As other reviewers noted, O'Connells spent a boatload of money on, well, a boatload of furnishings and fixtures to deck out the place. Well done. What O'Connells offers is really good food served in a great atmosphere. And the service is better than average - not great, but better than one would expect in Old Town, which seems to be dominated by lackluster, tourist driven restaurants. The menu at O'Connells can be a bit adventurous, which is a good thing. Besides, who wants the same Irish pub food that is cheaper at a number of other restaurants/pubs in Old Town? (Murphy's, Pat Troy's, etc) For example, the other night at O'Connells I had braised chicken, which was a nice departure from the usual chicken fare offered by most eateries. On that same visit my wife noted that the scallops were some of the best she has ever had. I also dig the 'O'Connells chips', which are big potato wedges cleverly stacked on the plate like firewood. If you're a card carrying member of the I love Guinness club and simply want to knock back a few pints, chat-up yer mates and watch football (soccer) on the tele, then this may not be the place for you, although with 4 separate bars I'm sure this place can meet your needs. If you're simply looking for good food and something a bit different in Old Town, then give O'Connell's a shot.

    (4)

  • Rebecca M.

    We stopped here for lunch and beers on a Saturday afternoon earlier this month. We were seated on the middle level (it was empty when we sat). Our friends said the bartender downstairs was awesome, but our experience upstairs was the opposite - we sat for 15 minutes before the server came to take our drink order, and we had to share menus because we never received enough for the table. My food was not very good - I had the roast beef sliders and they were very dry, and there was barely any meat or sauce. I ended up taking them to go and threw them away at home - it was a lost cause. To top it off, once our plates were cleared, our server came by and tossed the check on the table and said "I've been cut, so I'm going to drop off the check." We were there for about an hour, and had just finished eating, so we hadn't overstayed our welcome (I get it, if you've been cut and your table hangs out drinking/eating, it is annoying, but at least give us an option for one last drink). Because we had a group of six, tip was included, so he already had his 20%. The only reason I didn't give this place one star is because the hostess was very friendly, as was the bartender downstairs (from what my friends said), and the Irish Coffee was very good. The location is prime, and I'd imagine it would be fun to go for a beer at the bar, but I won't be back for food anytime soon.

    (2)

  • James L.

    This is my most favorite restaurant in Old Town Alexandria. My gf and I had our first date there. Great food at reasonable prices and vibrant bar atmosphere are pluses. However, some may not like the noise. Decor is not so bad either. The service has been great everytime we've been there.

    (5)

  • Becca B.

    Note: I've never actually eaten here. The bar here is huge... and it's got a smoking section bar as well as a non-smoking bar, which is great to have in a Virginia. Definitely a good place to meet a friend for a drink, but i'm not sure about much else. It seems pretty expensive.

    (3)

  • Nicole and Jeff M.

    This place is a hidden gem! I ordered a simple hamburger (cooked to order) and it was one of the best I have had (I am a meat snob too.). My wife had the salmon steak over mashes potatoes and mustard sauce with peas. She said it was heavenly. We will be back to explore the menu. The atmosphere is very distinct with lots of nooks and crannies to sit in (great for private conversations.) Worth a visit!

    (4)

  • Victoria A.

    This is a fun place for beers on the patio on a nice summer night, or beers at the bar any time. A place for food it is not, burgers are borderline ok, everything else you should go somewhere else for, unless you have already had many drinks, in which case you won't notice. I went there for Sunday lunch, ordered something called a "prime rib" sandwich. Turned out to be a tiny thin beef slice sandwich on nondescript white bread, with a tiny cup of juice, with a potato chip swimming in it. The pile of chips were stale and unedible. The sandwich was small and not very good. I also ordered lemonade, which seems to be made from a not good powdered mix, very watered down and tasteless.

    (2)

  • Terry G.

    Dinner at the table near the bar around 7:30 pm on a Saturday. Ribeye and a Guinness and all was wonderful. By the time that i was finsihed at 8:30 the bar was really filling up and getting louder for the night.

    (4)

  • Joseph M.

    Food is really good(a little pricey) and the atmosphere(along with the staff) lacks that warm, pub charm. The place gives you kind of the same feeling as when you're in Murphy's. Downstairs smoking bar is always packed and has an odd, dingy, pool-chlorine smell lol. All and all, not a bad place. I head down for a drink here over Murphy's any day of the week.

    (3)

  • Ryan P.

    The menu is extensive and the bar is nearly limitless in potential. I spent quite a few of my evenings in DC here and there wasn't a night that the bar was not packed and patrons weren't pushing through with their spirits of choice back to their tables to watch a game or see a recap of what was happening on the Hill. The house Ale is my favorite. The only downside to this lively pub is the prices. There are many good drinks but for the prices I have had nicer and larger.

    (3)

  • Adrienne A.

    Lovely atmosphere, tasty food, but the service - - - egads.

    (2)

  • Tim G.

    On a visit to Alexandria, 4 of us went to O'Connell's on the recommendation of friends. The furnishings of the pub are fantastic and the food was very good. My disappointment was in the service ... actually in the attitude of server. When we were seated, we told the server we would need two checks, and told him who was with whom. He told us "we run the bills by the table, but I'll take several payments." I was a little surprised because people all around us were being given bills for drinks by the person, not where they were sitting. The food was very good, but when the bll came it was a single amount for the entire table and the server simply dropped it on the table and started to walk away without saying a word. I called him back and said, for the second time, we wanted the bill divided. He then said, "What, split it in half?" I said "No, I want the bill split between us." This pompus twit actually said "When you figure it out, I'll be back" ... and walked away! His ungracious attitude ruined an otherwise nice meal. If they aren't able to do something as simple as split a check without a fight, then I'm not able to return or recommend this pub for anything other than a quick pint. Be advised, a rude server is just as bad as lousy food and can leave just a bad a taste in your mouth.

    (2)

  • Ned F.

    They changed their fish and chips recipe again! it's changed four times that i've noticed since november. it's back to crispy and no more mushy peas since people don't seem to like it - especially when it's served below the fish. either way the batter is bland and void of any taste. my update is still 2 stars.

    (2)

  • J R.

    In a word, awesome. We visited during the recent flooding in Alexandria. The bar was jammed and we had dinner with children (toddlers). We enjoyed an excellent dinner with plenty of beer by our very attentive bartender/server.

    (4)

  • Eric Q.

    Loved this place. Only ordered from the Bar Menu but everything was fantastic and much more sophisticated than expected. Service was great, fun atmosphere as well. A great place to watch the World Cup. I'll be back next time I go to Old Town.

    (4)

  • Meredith R.

    I've been three times now - every visit was for the primary purpose of consuming alcohol and hanging out with friends. (So I can't comment on the food.) I like it. The atmosphere is good. It's a comfortable place to have a few beers and visit with your friends, maybe make a few new ones perhaps. The bartenders are Irish and super cute. [My beer always tastes better where there's an adorable Irishman handing it to me!] One of my male friends complained of his margarita being light on the hooch, but when a female friend ordered his next one the problem was fixed. I did get some bar food the last time we were there: the crab, artichoke, spinach dip. It was about what you'd expect ~ warm and tasty, but nothing outstanding. During one of our outings there one of the other patrons asked me if I was a movie star. Alas, no. But, hey, it's always fun to be mistaken for one! We'll definitely be back. and if you see a girl who looks like a movie star - buy me a beer! ;)

    (3)

  • T. A.

    For several years my husband and I have been going to O'Connells regularly for weekend lunch or brunch. Sitting by the fire at O'Connells on a cold afternoon while drinking the tasty house ale is an experience that can't be beat. Although we still love the cozy atmosphere, the quality of the food has recently taken a distinctive tumble. Our last two or three meals have been virtually inedible. The shepherd's pie was a pile of ground lamb swimming in a pool of grease; the prime rib sandwich was so grisly and fatty that I gave up after a couple of bites. We're sufficiently discouraged by this string of bad meals that we're (sadly) giving up our weekend haunt and looking elsewhere in Old Town for pub fare.

    (2)

  • Brendan D.

    Was having a good time until I got kicked out for not tipping the bartender after waiting for ten minutes for my drink. True Story. Oh and the bartender was the manager also. This place sucks.

    (1)

  • Sarah S.

    One of the bartenders discriminated against me and refused me service based on the crowd he thought I was with. I have never been so humiliated by a bartender. I will never return to this establishment, and I encourage everyone else to avoid O'Connell's. They do not deserve your business after refusing service and humiliating someone in front of a crowd for no valid reason (and let me be clear that I was 100% sober when the bartender refused me service).

    (1)

  • CYNTHIA C.

    I had their fried calamari/oysters appetizer and it wasn't very good at all. It actually made me nauseous. Lunch, on the other hand, is less threatening. The burgers are good. I'm on a burger kick lately. I went there on a Friday night and the drinks were weak! However, the service there is always good. Louise is great!

    (3)

  • Miss E.

    The service is fine. The food is definitely overpriced and not Irish, but it's decent . I like the decor, even though the set-up is a bit awkward. It's a big place, but there aren't many places to sit. I really had no major problems w/this place until last weekend. I saw a roach crawling on the counter in front of the liquor bottles. I realize this place is near the water, but that's just GROSS.

    (2)

  • Oliver N.

    Spent the night here after my boy's wedding; we closed the place down. Good service, large establishment, and a whiskey menu. Particularly uncomfortable seating and the food was straight-up mediocre. I'm not saying it's a bad spot - in fact I'm sure it's a neighborhood favorite - O'Connell's just didn't do it for me.

    (2)

  • James C.

    Lot's of places to sit, 2nd floor balcony for summer, and a great low priced bar menu. Also two blocks from my apartment. One of the best burgers I have had in Old Town, and for under 10 bucks.

    (4)

  • Christina B.

    The food here was wonderful, both the appetizer and main course. Risotto cakes with a caprese salad in a truffle oil were very unique and a pleasant surprise, which I highly recommend. For the main course I had the Pan-Roasted Scallops which came with a wild Mushroom risotto, and miso vinaigrette dressed greens. The scallops were real and cooked perfectly, as was the risotto. I'm Italian and am rarely satisfied with risottos in restaurants (and therefore rarely order them, but I really wanted the scallops), but this risotto was creamy and had excellent consistency.

    (5)

  • Tate L.

    Good food, prompt service with many Irish expats, and a wonderful atmosphere... as long as you know the rules. Do NOT make the mistake I did and order a Black and Tan. This is evidently a faux-pas of the first order. "Tan" is a British thing. Order the "Black and Amber" and you'll get not only great food, but fewer barbs from the staff. I got the evil-eye for a good half hour after my ignorant request. The Kirwan burger, and all the salads and soups are wonderful.

    (3)

  • Matthew T.

    We had lunch at O'Connell's. Good mussels and Bonanza Salad. We'd specifically like give a shout out Louis. She's an excellent waitress!

    (3)

  • Ken C.

    Large crowd on the weekend, many girls group out there. I saw few of them on the last weekend. I know guys got shot down in cold by those gals.... Beer is OK, and great place to hange with buddies and B.S, looking at chick and might look at one that you will know very soon. Recommend for a night that have nothing to do at alexandria, VA.

    (3)

  • Yasu Yori O.

    Having lived in London for a while, I go to this place when I have a hankering for shepherd's pie or bangers and mash with a half pint of Guinness. If one wants to have a real taste of London pub, have these dishes. As for Guinness, I still can't find the kind of Guinness I tasted in Dublin. I probably never will in the U.S.

    (3)

  • Sara S.

    I really wanted to like this place. I had an ok the first time I went. The second time, the bouncer was a complete jerk. Made a REALLY big show about only wanting to card the girls of the group, while letting the guys go in. Then, he RUSHED me out because I was closing my tab when the bar closed AT ONE!! It's OK, kind of boring but too loud to talk. Not exciting enough to just hang out and dance in. I really really doubt I'll be back.

    (2)

  • J. P.

    We head South from Prime 16 in New Haven... about 5 hours South and find ourselves in Virginia. More specifically, Old Town Alexandria. Old Town is a cool little neighborhood along the Potomac in the Eastern and South Eastern part of the city. Laid out in 1749, Old Town was the first section of the city settled and in turn is a Historic District. Today it's a fun community with cool shops, great restaurants, exciting architecture, and a thriving nightlife scene. This is what took me, the wife, and my in-laws here for dinner one evening. We walked around for a little bit and ended up at an Irish Pub and Restaurant on King St. named O'Connell's. What a cool place aesthetically, with lots of neat interior design layered with rich wood tones and high stone fireplaces that split rooms. I mention the fireplace because there's a few of them and they're great, but they can definitely get very hot (I know duh it's a fireplace, right?) It's just that they seem cozy and inviting at first, but after ten minutes, if too close, you'll be sweating bullets, which is definitely not cozy or inviting. We get a seat not too close and not too far from the fire, ha. The waitress comes over and right away you can tell this girl is an order taker not an evening maker. She doesn't know a lot of the simple information that not only is part of her job, but will make it easier. I ask her what kind of beer the 'O'Connell's House Ale' is and she didn't know. I asked her if it was dark or light and she said it's kind of in the middle so I tried it. It's a medium bodied amber colored pale ale with a light hop profile, similar to a Bass... it'll do. We ask her what she suggests for apps and she says "everything's good"-lame. So we order a couple starters sans direction. Of course I want a burger, and immediately the Guinness Burger jumps out at me, advertised as a beef patty with no bun (sounds healthy) on a pile of mashed potatoes and topped with Guinness Cheese, Onion Rings and Pan Gravy (maybe not so healthy after all). Now I'm intrigued but also eyeing the Lamb Burger, Banger's and Mash, a Winter Risotto, or the Pan Seared Sea Scallops so again I enlist the help of the waitress who surprise, never has tried any of the things on the menu (at this point just lie to me), except the fish and chips (great she can tell me what the fried fish and French fries are like, let me guess, greasy). I tell her I'm not a huge Guinness fan and ask her if the cheese tastes a lot like the beer. She doesn't know. I end up ordering the Guinness Burger medium rare. When it comes out, it is pretty much as described and everything on it is good except for the actual burger. It's measly and grey in color as I cut it open. It's dry and over done. It's obvious the chef was not passionate about burgers, although the other things I had weren't bad. The BEER was ok, the BURGER was crappy, and the SERVICE sucked. Go for the ambiance and a beer or app, but sit at the bar and don't get a burger!

    (2)

  • R G.

    Definitely recommend the Guinness burger! Worth the money. Reasonable prices, huge space, and lots of TVs. Lively atmosphere, great for groups. Service was excellent; they seated us right away even though we didn't have a reservation and the place was crowded already.

    (4)

  • Mary P.

    I am from out of town and had to find a location that would accommodate a group of 11 people on a Sat night for dinner which is always difficult. The reviews of this place were mixed, but a family member who is from the area recommended it. Not only was the food awesome, but the service was outstanding and the prices are very reasonable. I and some of my party had the seared scallops and mushroom risotto, and others in my party had the seared tuna, mussels in white wine cream sauce and bacon, fish and chips and a couple of different salmon dishes. There were plenty of different choices to please all tastes, and everyone really enjoyed what they ordered. The desserts were also fantastic! I highly recommend to give Daniel O'Connell's a try!

    (4)

  • Steve R.

    It was OK, not much different from any Irish pub back home in chicago. At first I was ready to write this place off as I had a surly little gal full of attitude for me wanting to not have to sit with my daughter in the street. She had big problems with all my ideas for workarounds for us to sit on their sidewalk patio but zip in the way of solutions. I asked to speak to the owner, who was very nice and accomodating. I can see why you'd need to adhere to whatever municipal codes there may be, but fer chrissake work with people or they'll be happy to go elsewhere for a 7 dollar guinness. Anyhow, the black velvets I had were very tasty and the owner was cool about it, so it bumped up a star.

    (3)

  • N C.

    When my bf and I went to this supposedly authentic Irish pub, there was a certain expectation that comes with that title! Let's start with... drinks were ok... I have to admit, I enjoyed their house ale but that was it! We were seated at the "attic section" without being warned that there were no air conditioning in the area. We were seated and noted the heat... asked the waiter (who barely spoke and even looked at us...) and said "I'll bring you some water..." then as we were eagerly looking at the menu hoping to find some authentic Irish dishes... we found nothing but crab cake, steak, salmon... all the usual entrees you can get at any restaurant... When a manager walked by, we question the excessive heat that started to affect me... the manger's only comment was "air conditioner broken, I can refill your water" and then walked away. I attempted to eat my OVERLY salty salmon where the only thing I could taste was the salt... I have never walked away from my entree but I couldn't even think about bringing the awful so -called salmon back to the hotel to feed the mice! I was on the verge of faint from the heat and awful food! By the way, my bf's steak was flavorless and was undercooked as per his request at the time of ordering. Service was awful and unfriendly... I would not even go there for the bar... there are so many choices to choose from... why go to someplace that cares more about bringing back authentic Irish furniture than providing true authentic Irish food???? Will not want my worst enemy to walk into the place!

    (1)

  • Charles S.

    Big, bright and clean. There are 4 bars, 1 smoking and 3 non as well as an outside patio on top. Lots of warm wood in the interior and the warm old town brick outside. A lot of genuine Irish bartenders which really adds to the atmosphere. I've never actually eaten the food and the drinks are a little expensive. All in all its a pretty good place to meet up for drinks.

    (3)

  • Rob B.

    I don't know were to start, the decor is great and so is the bartenders whom are from Ireland along with the decor. The service at the tables is something that should be revisited. I haven't had that bad of table service in a long time, I'm always understanding because sometimes servers have a bad day or they are in the weeds. So I looked past all of her mistakes until she brought the tab with vodkas tonics I ordered then they charged for tonic which was $3.00 plus $6.50 for vodka. Well needles to say this is were I lost it and wanted to see a manager. Now I pay $7.25 for vodka & tonic at the bar inside, so I did have a good case. The food menu consist of one page of apps, salad, entrees, deserts that sound good and for the most part are good. There isn't one single item on the menu that I can't get elsewhere that is just as good. This place is popular among old townies for now until word spreads that this just another over priced Irish pub among many others that are alot more fun to hang out at. I'm betting they don't make their five year mark. Update: 01-31-08 So I made the mistake of returning to O'CS, for happy hour (HH), I was in and out in half-hour. My hope was that I would put my previous visits behind me and revisit the menu one more time. It should be noted that I didn't pick this place for HH, my just moved back to the area friend wanted to try O'CS for some HH. AWFUL, AWFUL, AWFUL, it's not HH when you charge $4 for a stupid 12oz. Miller-Lite draft. Why even have that on HH menu. Now for the Apps., they were fairly price at $4 also. We tried the crab dip and veggie rolls; umm don't get them if you ever find yourself there during HH. My friend and I after few dips into the dip look up at each other and said this isn't working out! The veg rolls seem worst than the frozen ones available at Murry's stores Moving onto service, I think one could be better served at the Au Bon Pain that I've recently reviewed. This experience at O'CS could be that the GM-owner has my photo from Yelp hanging in his office but I doubt that this is the case. So I once gave O'CS a two star rating, now I'm taking one away for not improving in the year plus since my review.

    (1)

  • Alix H.

    This is a bar and meant for drinking beer -- this is not meant for a family dinner. Our service was less "hit" and more "miss" -- our entrees all arrived at different times (all 4 of them) even though 2 were identical. The server said it was my "fault" for changing my order -- the only problem with this explanation was that the first and last entrees were not the ones that had been changed. Also, anyone with kids knows that the child's entree should arrive first or together but certainly not last! Fish and chips were undercooked and macaroni and cheese was a disappointment. If you're going for drinks, this is undoubtedly a great place, but for a dinner destination, its definitely not a repeat for me.

    (2)

  • Melanie W.

    This is not your typical Irish pub - if you're looking for that you should head to Murphy's. If you're someone who likes a little bit of Irish, but were frightened by the crowd of people drunkenly singing along to Irish songs at the top of their lungs at Murphy's then you should be at O'Connells. Great staff and great layout. This is actually 4 bars and a restaurant in one. The space is done so well. The staff and the management are great - in fact they are my favorite part about this bar. The food is so overthought it's horrific. I've never had anything remotely good here off the standard menu, which is especially bad considering that it's all expensive. So while I wouldn't come here for dinner I would highly recommend stopping by for drinks and exploring the various crowds at any of the 4 bars (two downstairs and two up - only one is smoking) or the small roofdeck. Trivia night on Wednesday is fun and this is one of the only bars in the DC area that shows Six Nations rugby. If you go for 6 nations, then I change what I said about the food and encourage you to get the Irish breakfast - it's perfect and makes you feel like you're in Ireland!

    (3)

  • chancy l.

    Casual dinners. Great burger place. #1 neighborhood hangout for Old Town residents. Outdoor seating goes quickly in nice weather.

    (4)

  • Patrick T.

    Awesome layout. Like an old Irish saloon. It has four bars, great seating, good beer selection and excellent appetizers. We only stopped in for drinks and appetizers so I can't speak about the main courses, but an overall excellent experience. I would love to own an Irish restaurant/bar like this.

    (5)

  • Chelsea O.

    My family and I were in town for Police Week and heard that O'Connell's was a fun place to go. The food was decent and the drinks were great, and the pub itself is beautiful. I gave this place 2 stars because the service was horrible. Our server seemed very annoyed that she had to serve us. Also, a big reason why my family came here was because our last name is O'Connell so we were very tempted to try this place out. Of course we bought 7 t-shirts (because we are dorks like that). The problem is is that our server put the shirts (totaling $140!) on our dinner bill AND charged a 20% gratuity. As a previous server, I understand gratuity. BUT I think it was very unethical of her to put gratuity on $140 for t-shirts... you don't charge a tip for selling merchandise. (That's an extra $28 on her tip!) When we noticed we brought it to her attention and she said that she would take the shirts off of our dinner bill. She did, but she never adjusted the gratuity and left her tip the same. Giving herself a 55% tip on our dinner bill. When we noticed that we asked for the manager. When he came he was not very unapologetic, and our server never apologized. We got the feeling that these kind of things happen often at O'Connell's. Besides the ordeal with our bill, we all really enjoyed ourselves. We come to the DC area every year for Police Week, but unfortunately we don't trust the staff to return. If you go, MAKE SURE TO CHECK YOUR BILL.

    (1)

  • Gary B.

    I used to go to this pub all the time and really enjoyed it. The service was excellent and the food was great. The Sunday brunch was a great time. However, things seemed to have declined and I'm not sure why. Was there with my fiance the afternoon of Saturday, 7 Oct 12, to give it another shot. There were customers inside but it wasn't overly busy. The hostess was very nice and sat us in a great spot on the first floor by the bar where we could see the tv (sports). Not a single server came over to get us started--the entire time we were there. 20 minutes after sitting there (that's not an exaggeration), I was finally able to literally grab a waiter to at least get us drinks--and it wasn't even our waiter! He said, "Oh, she'll be over in just a minute." The young, blonde female who was supposed to be our waitress NEVER came over to us. Not once during the entire meal. Took another ten minutes to receive our INITIAL drinks. We both ordered food--I ordered the roast beef sliders, my fiance ordered a wrap. Both of our meals were cold when we received them. The meat on my sandwiches had a weird taste and the bread was soggy. No one ever came over to check on us to see how things were going. I didn't even try to order another drink (not even water) because we never would've gotten them anyway. Absolutely terrible. I won't be giving them my patronage in the future. I'll also be letting my friends know to stay away from there. Being in the military, I've been to quite a few Irish pubs--all over the world. Never have I been treated this way. There are several other pubs in the area. I would suggest going to one of them and not this place. Unless you don't mind not eating or drinking, that is.

    (1)

  • Jen J.

    Went here for a Sunday brunch after Chadwick's had over an hour wait. Food was delicious, and coupled with their Irish coffee, was a rainy Sunday's dream come true. Staff was warm and friendly. I'm definitely going to come back!

    (5)

  • Jonathan M.

    If you come visit me the odds are high that I'm going to take you to Old Town, and subsequently, Dan O'Connell's. Over-baked, in your face, flag waving, Guinness pouring Irish Pubs are a dime-a-dozen, but this is something different. The food here is great, the atmosphere is great, and the ambiance is as good as it gets in Alexandria. Its not the best grub that Ive had, but the package deal of an authentic Irish Pub, Harp Lager on draft and secluded seat is what I love. You never really feel crowded in this noisy joint, and that's saying something. Odds are you're going to have to wait for a table, but its Old Town - what isn't a hot mess on a prime eat day? When you go for the dessert menu, grab the mini camp fire smores. Its just fun to roast your own marshmallows at your table. Remember, a few Irish flags do not an Irish Pub make. O'Connell's knows that fun fact, and brings you the Real McCoy, as it were.

    (5)

  • C A.

    I have visited this location 2-3 times and really enjoy the 'bar' ambiance. Be sure to go to the bar in the back it's more energetic and lively. The bar upfront feels more like a place to be with a date :). - Great Friday evening spot. - Wonderful atmosphere. - Exceptional service. - Great servers. - Bartenders are very attentive and polite.

    (4)

  • David K.

    Whenever you are looking for a thoroughly mediocre Irish pub, Daniel O'Connell's is there to fill the bill. While decorated nicely, it seems like the owners of O'Connells found a yard sale for olden, wooden furniture and then dropped it into the space to create jumbled tables and nooks. I guess that's fine if that's what they were going for, but it makes the layout confusing. If this were merely a drinking establishment, I could easily look past that. Unfortunately, as a relatively high priced dining establishment, the food is horrendous. I've now had the displeasure of dining here twice, and both times was horribly let down by the food. The lamb burger was a dried out mess with a terribly unmatching mayo/aioli to put on it. The seasoning was off and, as hard as it is to screw up a burger, O'Connell's did. On the second trip, I sampled the Guinness burger. Although not noted on the menu, this is not a burger at all. It is a burger patty with a slimy sauce that had congealed on the patty atop a batch of powder made mashed potatoes. You would think that an item titled as a Guinness Burger, would be a hamburger in the normal sense of the word. What a disappointment. I also was told the brunch is a Whitlows on Wilson style mess that stresses quantity over quality. All in all, this would be a fine place to go drinking at, and it is certainly more spacious than Murphys and had a less crass crowd. Still, if I'm eating, I'd much rather walk down the street to the delicious Eamonn's Dublin Chipper. I'd even prefer the local McDonald's to this slop.

    (3)

  • Hampton C.

    Great Irish pub in the heart of Old Town. They've carved out a great space along the historic street. They have a couple different bar areas and a wonderful upstairs patio! Great for for a quick afternoon pint after hustling up and down King street.

    (4)

  • Vanessa H.

    Service: Good Location: Excellent Food: So-so Recommend: Maybe Came here for lunch with relatives and it was ok at best. We were seated as soon as we walked in the door. Our server was prompt when she took our order as well as take our empty plates. The food didn't take too long to come out despite the restaurant being fairly busy at the height of lunch time. Our orders consisted of 2 orders of fish and chips, mussels and frites, and prime rib. I'm not sure if the mussels were supposed to be cold but it felt a bit rubbery and difficult to eat when cold. I had this dish in Belgium and they offer up hot mussels, which is much easier to chew and go down so compared to that, O'Connell's' dish doesn't really stack up. I ordered the prime rib and 2 things: they didn't omit the mashed potatoes like I requested and the meat came out more of a medium/medium-well as opposed to the medium rare that I like. On top of that, it was just warm. I'm willing to come back another time to see if I get a different experience. For now, I would say that if you don't really care too much about the food then this place is ok to drop in. Otherwise, if you're focused on the food, then you can skip this restaurant and go to the next one.

    (3)

  • Joye P.

    A pretty, casual, Irish pub with comfortable seating and plenty of private nooks for a laid-back night out with friends. The food is better than expected. I had a $7 warm spinach salad with blue cheese. We also got the french fries with cumin dipping sauce: skip them. Better fries are to be had elsewhere and the sauce is mediocre. Prices are moderate. The noise level allows for dinner conversation. It's an all-around solid retaurant/ pub in Old Town.

    (3)

  • Drew S.

    A great spot for a good dinner or brunch. While it's not a dive bar, this place does a great job with their menu. I've tried a few different things and am always impressed.

    (4)

  • Raymond C.

    Walked in because it looked like the place to have a drink and it was the perfect place to have a good time. Sat by the fireplace and enjoyed the Beer and sliders. Thinking of going back for dinner

    (4)

  • Yipin G.

    Came for Good Friday with our Catholic father so menu options were severely limited. Who can say they've tried every seafood dish at an Irish pub? BANGING fish and chips - super fluffy fish, not greasy...it was like the Irish response to tempura. I was on a cloud of fish. Skip the mussels, ale or wine sauce, just meh. Neither was unique or super discernible from the other. The caesar salad was average, but the grilled salmon on the side was some of the best cooked salmon I've had in awhile. Don't get dessert. After reminscing about the Chart House's lava cakes (the only thing I ever got there), we ordered a lava cake and apple pie. The apple pie looked like it had been made from recycled shepherd's pie pastry crust. Not only looked like meat pie, but tasted like one too. Lava cake was equally disappointing - no lava and the cake reminded me of a Betty Crocker microwaveable (not like I've eaten one of those). Go enjoy the great atmosphere - I loved the second floor and how the big restaurant is sectioned off to give it a cozier feel - and order a black and tan with your fish and chips.

    (4)

  • Brad S.

    Best pub in Old Town, no question about it. Pub fare but good salad selections too. If you re looking for a complex menu, keep looking. But if you want a place to relax, have a pint and visit with friends, or eat some good simple food in a great pub environment, then this is your place!

    (4)

  • Rob B.

    Stopped in for dinner while in town and was very satisfied! We we looking for a casual place for a late dinner with a group of 5, including my picky pre-teen niece. We all ended up very happy with our dinner choices. Trio - Sliders (an appetizer item) was plenty of food for my wife and a nice variety. Niece had the Prime Rib slider app and she loved it. Pheasant salad and Oven Roasted Chicken (special) were also great. We also ordered Crabquettes (basically crab cakes) app that was very good. Drinks were all top notch. Great pub atmosphere. Dinner was very reasonable. Great location near the water on King Street in Old Town. Would definitely stop in again.

    (4)

  • David R.

    Want a damn-near perfect Irish pub? I've tried many in the region - Kitty O'Shea's, O'Sullivans (vomit), Ri Ra, Murphy's, O'Malleys. Daniel O'Connell's trumps them all. President's Day weekend, and we got a spot next to the fireplace. The place is warm in both senses of the word. I believe this place used to be Bullfeather's, and any long term northern Virginian will remember Bullfeather's. The beer selection was terrific, and the food was unique. Authentic Irish mixed with a middle eastern and India flavor (several lamb dishes and items with curry). I had the crabquettes (sp) and they were a nice variation on the "crab balls" we all know and love. Fish and chips were light yet meaty and well battered, as fish and chips should be. Service was top notch. And two large bars to choose from. Probably now my favorite spot in lower Old Town.

    (5)

  • E T.

    Bands on the weekend are nice, but the crowd is not. Back fills up and makes it a pain to make it to the restroom. The crowd comes of a bit stuck up and the bartenders seemed bothered that they have to make you a drink.

    (2)

  • Jill H.

    I really like O'Connell's! If been there a handful of times. It's great to eat there outside on a nice day, for happy hour or to dine inside for dinner or lunch. They have a great selection for food on the menu too. I love the ambience too. I didn't think I'd like it when I first went, but it's really nice (for an Irish Pub) inside. The Guiness Burger is amazing! Instead of being on a bun in comes on top of mashed potatoes and gravy. The bread pudding is obviously amazing too! Going there at night is fun; the bar is always fun.

    (4)

  • Andrew E.

    We'll keep looking for a good happy hour place. Bad food, bad food, bad food. We had the nachos and the chips were actually stale. They served us stale chips. How hard is it to make decent nachos? Impossible...if you use stale chips. With so many other options, they need to step it up quite a bit. Sure, it looks really nice, but you can't eat the decor.

    (2)

  • Dan Z.

    Friday night, 7pm, got to dine on the sidewalk! Could not have been better! Love this location, love Old Town! Two Words....Lamb Burger! OMG was that good! Exceeded my expectations!

    (5)

  • Ben T.

    Stumbled here for the first time on Halloween and fell in love. The Bar seems to go on much deeper away from King St that anticipated. Around every corner seems to be a new bar or nook to settle into for a few pints. Obviously very busy at times but all the bartenders have been nothing but welcoming. This is a bar that many guys envision their man cave to resemble. Cant speak much on the food as I have not tried any yet but if its anything like the quality of their Guinness Im sure it would be great. A cool spot to become a regular or if you're just passing through.

    (4)

  • Fred F.

    With many restaurants to choose from in Old Town Alexandria, we took a chance on O'Connell's. The fish and chips I ordered was outstanding. I have traveled the world, and this was among the best I've had. The fish was fresh, flaky, and perfectly cooked. The batter was light and crispy, just like it should be. The bar and restaurant has a very cozy atmosphere and charming ambiance. I recommend stopping in for a pint, and a bite!

    (4)

  • Kirsten P.

    We went on a Saturday evening with parents and in laws. The security guys at the entrance rushed us in, then they almost gave the table that the hostess was about to give us to another party. We were told that we can't sit together (5) people due to security reasons, nor put a fifth chair. The waiter was ok but super dry, cold and the minimum of polite. While sitting outside we observed the security guys who were checking out the girls and making comments - disgusting! All in all a dull place with annoying staff - except the hostess (the only nice and attentive person).

    (2)

  • Debbie P.

    I was here with my son in Feb 2015 and we loved it. He had a reuben that was delicious. I had the lamb stew to die for. I took my friend there in July 2015 and re-ordered the stew. It was terrible. I complained that it was soup, not stew. I was told the chef has been replaced and he brought all his "irish" recipes. A lady at the next table had the reuben and it wasn't anything like my son had. This lady couldn't even take a bite of the corned beef without pulling the whole thick piece out of the sandwich. It looked like a thick piece of tongue not tender, slow cooked corned beef. The service was excellent but the food was bad. They have lost my business forever.

    (1)

  • Diane S.

    this place is so yummy and pretty! I loved their homemade chips yum! only $3 too. I love the bar thats made of a old pharmacy from ireland. The cute irish accents the workers have. The cute servers!! ahh place is amazing, clean and just lovely. The bathroom is so nice and clean, they have cool sinks with snakes, and the towels are so thick i love it!! I went for happy hour and the meals were great at $6 yummy. will be returning to this old town gem :)

    (5)

  • Meghan W.

    Not only does this place have FANTASTIC food and a GREAT staff, but they are also the awesomest place in old town! There is so much old furniture and just cool things inside. There is a lot of space in there and on a busy Friday night we got right in! There are also four bars spread throughout it and they have all the Irish classics!!! If I lived in old town I'd be here literally ALL OF THE TIME!

    (5)

  • David B.

    Learning how to judge one restaurant to another has allowed me to come up my review. Staff could not be nicer, love the decor and price point was perfect. The food: My 5 year old ordered the chicken strips and fries. Fries were cold and the strips were rubber. Flavor was ok, but my 5 year old didn't eat her dinner. I ordered the Happy hour special. Burger and beer special were priced well. Once again food was just ok. Beer was pretty good. My wife ordered 2 items from the starter section. Salad and stew. Very large portions, if we knew she would have only ordered the salad.

    (3)

  • Brian M.

    Good food, stout poors, friendly staff, and a heated outdoor deck for smoking! Loved everything about this Old Town restaurant. Dined 03/31 with friends and had a great time. if you are hungry go for the pork shank oso bucco. Awesome! After a great dinner, several of us retired to the 2nd floor deck to enjoy fine cigars.

    (4)

  • Glenn W.

    It's exactly what you want from and Irish pub. A good Irish band and leek soup. What? You don't think leek soup is the shizznit? Alright. I might have been a touch sauced. Cool atmosphere though. I love old town.

    (4)

  • Stephanie M.

    My boyfriend and I were in Old Town late on a Sunday two weeks ago, wanting to walk around and get some food. We arrived later than we intended and everything was closing down. Hungry, we got on our smartphones and looked up places that might stay open past 11 on Sundays. O'Connell's came up and it was right next to where we were. The place was laid out interestingly and the staff was surprisingly helpful for the hour. The place wasn't very crowded and the prices weren't super cheap but decent. We ordered the seafood shepherd's pie and the Jameson wings. Both were absolutely delicious. We will be coming back.

    (4)

  • Ashley C.

    Was on a business trip in and an associate recommended this place. Food: We ordered the nachos and hummus as appetizers and I had the stuffed chicken pesto for dinner. The nachos were not your typical nachos... instead of tortilla chips, they used potato chips (which were kinda stale). There wasn't much ground beef in the nachos either. I thought the hummus was decent but my vegan co-worker said it tasted like it came out of a can? haha As for my entree, the chicken was good - not too dry and the pesto gave it a nice flavoring. It came in a bed of spinach and lots of potatoes as a side. Service: Our server took a while to refill our waters and keep the beers coming. He also wasn't the happiest when we asked to split our checks (I mean c'mon... a group of people who don't look like a family.... you can expect for all of them to pay separately... though I guess we could've told him from the beginning). Ambiance: Typical Irish pub feel - welcoming and lively. It was bad, but it wasn't good either. I wouldn't make this my go to spot.

    (3)

  • Kittie F.

    I walked over just before midnight and it was closed up tight as a drum. The signs say 1am and so does @yelp. Looked really cute inside. Sad :(

    (1)

  • Gretchen P.

    Hit up Daniel O'Connell's this past weekend for a friend's bachelorette party and had a great time! The layout of the place makes it seem endless, since once you push past the first floor and head upstairs, there is tons of extra space that feels like it just keeps going and going! There's a rooftop patio that I didn't get to check out because it was too crowded, and a second bar upstairs too. However, be warned that on the night we were there, the bartender at the second, much-less-crowded bar, was slooooooooow. It ended up being faster sometimes just to go downstairs to get drinks anyway, even though we were hanging out by the back bar. They had a cover band in on Saturday night rocking some classic 90s tunes, which were much appreciated by the group I was with, and in general the place had a nice vibe. I dug it! Of course, I'm not exactly a bar aficianado, so take my words with a grain of salt. I thought the vodka sodas I crushed all night were perfectly good, however, as was the Lemon Drop shot that I was coerced into downing. Tally ho!

    (4)

  • Rayshawn W.

    Cool Irish pub to grab a snack with brews in Old Town Alexandria. Initially came for a beer with friends but couldn't resist trying out the Irish egg roles since I've been on a corned beef kick lately. The dubliner cheddar combined with the corned beef and cabbage inside of the wonton wrap had a great flavor along with its honey mustard dipping sauce. My friend decided she wanted dessert rather than an appetizer so ordered their delicious apple pie. The pie provided a fresh taste of apple and cinnamon. For me, the crust is what really made the dish. Some of the best I've tasted in while. Going off of tonight, this place is most definitely worth more visits. I'm a fan of Irish pubs so that's a plus as well. Dinner 6/10/2015

    (4)

  • Tenzin G.

    Cool bar, live Irish music but terrible service! Service, service, service, won't get it here. The waitstaff were all rude which is really disappointing when you go somewhere to have a good time. You should re evaluate your service practices or at least have a chat with the staff.

    (3)

  • Sung Moo C.

    Very nice decor, bathroom was very clean. They poured a horrible Black and Tan. Food was ok. It would have been better if it was cooked fresh. Food was definitely microwaved before serving. Batter on scotch eggs were slipping off. Calamari was not freshly fried but microwaves. Hash w eggs Benedict was microwaves as well but cooked in same oil as fish. Can definitely tell they're lazy here. I don't know how they make money. But then again I don't expect their patrons to know the difference. Shame. Also silverware were not clean and waited half an hour for side plates. Don't plan on going back until they change management. People in the DMV need to get their taste buds checked.

    (1)

  • Kristy W.

    Popped in here for a pint and to finish up a game in the NCAA championship. Hung around until our ferry left for National Harbor because of the very decent music and pub-like atmosphere. Beer selection is pretty boring, standard Irish pub selection, but the pints are cold and the Guinness well poured (to be frank, I didn't know a beer could really be "well poured" until I spent time in Ireland). The music playing was loud enough to hear easily, but quiet enough so that I was able to talk to my hubs and not have to scream or put my mouth right next to his ear. It was even good enough that I gave him some money (gasp!). Not sure about the food, but a friend of mine ended up sitting next to me and the burger looked really tasty. Can't verify this information. For what we were looking for, this place fit the bill. Next time I'm in the area I'll pop in for a Guinness and also check out some of the grub.

    (3)

  • Terry L.

    Good bar scene for old town, usually there's a band on weekends. Reminds me of the bars in OBX for some reason. Beers are a lil pricey though, never ate there but the food looks pretty good.

    (3)

  • Susan O.

    Amazing lamb stew! Delicious fish and chips! Great ambiance! We had a terrific waiter who really knew the menu. Food was really good. Service top notch - my fries were cold and the waiter returned with an order of fries that were super hot right out of the frier. Would definitely go back!

    (5)

  • Brian M.

    Great pub and restaurant in a lovely Dublin style setting. Excellent music particularly Monday evening when there is a Irish traditional session with some of the best traditional player in the world. Seriously. Most Monday there are at least two All Ireland Senior champions supported by a number of very high skill musicians. The best show anywhere.

    (5)

  • Curtis H.

    I met a friend for happy hour a bit ago. We were delighted to hear about their happy hour deals. House wines were only $4.50 per glass... For the DC area that's huge!! All appetizers were $3.00 off of their regular price. We decided on the cheese plate and hummus... Everything was really good. The ambiance was good the seats comfortable and will definitely be returning!

    (4)

  • Lendsey C.

    I came in this place on a whim (my fav pizza place didn't do happy hour on Fridays?!). I immediately noticed that many of the patrons were older than I was. It was windy path to our seating which was on a small platform above other seating facing the bar. The downside was we could hear the conversations of the tables below us without trying to. Our waiter was helpful though a little condescending about our knowledge of beer. The place feels like it's been around Old Town since a cousin of George Washington's visited but I don't have the interest to verify it. Happy hour food selection was minimal and just a notch above average bar food when it arrived. If you want to take your aunt or grandma somewhere safe to eat this is probably the spot. If you're looking for a fun happy hour in Old Town there are many more options. Don't get stuck like me.

    (2)

  • Laura H.

    If this were solely a review of the service my party received here this past Friday, I'd be giving this place a single star, and that would be overly generous. I'm giving two stars just because the atmosphere- minus our rude service- was nice. We sat on the rooftop patio and enjoyed that aspect of this experience. To sum up the off putting nature of the service, my boyfriend and I were STARVING - along with the rest of our group-and going to order dinner, but our "server's" terrible attitude and outright rudeness discouraged us from enjoying anything other than drinks (we were a group of five and ate elsewhere afterwards and very much enjoyed our meal!) and even that was pretty uncomfortable. It started when my boyfriend and I made our way to the rooftop to meet a friend who had already arrived and had a table. As soon as we approached the door to the patio, a rude employee (who unfortunately ended up being the "server") blocked the door and said if we wanted to sit out there we had to go back to the host stand downstairs and ask them to seat us outside. We pointed at the friend already at the table and said we were meeting him. Only then did he remove himself from the doorway- silently not even apologizing- and let us pass through. He then took over ten minutes to ask the two of us what we wanted to drink. Was it a coincidence that he waited until the end of happy hour to come over? I think not. Service was apathetically slow all night and despite it being a beautiful night, the patio wasn't crowded. The fifth member of our party came later and we pulled a chair from an unused table to accommodate this person. The only time the "server" was anything but apathetic and slow was when he saw us do this and flat out said we had to put the chair back "or he would lose that table". As if there weren't four other two top tables wide open that could accommodate guests as needed. So what did we do to accommodate this fifth person? My boyfriend and I- being the smaller of the two couples- shared a chair for the remainder of our time there! After that "incident", this server was shooting our group nasty looks all night and was even slower than he originally was, which I didn't think was possible. I worked as a server myself all through school and I would have never been so openly rude to paying guests! I doubt I will return here in the future because of this off putting experience and that's truly a shame the service- not anything else- has been the deterrent here.

    (2)

  • Kendal Ann M.

    I have a hard time writing a review for Daniel O'Connell's because it is one of my favorite places in Old Town. If you like soccer, Irish food, and Irish cider this is your place! Let's face it, this place has an atmosphere that is everything you can dream of when you think of tradtional "Irish Pub". O'Connell's has amazing rich and dark wood, soccer constantly in the background, live bands, and the sweet smell of whiskey lingering in the distance. While you stop at O'Connell's, be sure to try my personal favorite: the Corned Beef and Cabbage!

    (4)

  • Nicole B.

    Went here with a large party. My husband and I weren't hungry so we split a delicious strawberry balsamic dressing and a side of sweet potato fries. They seem to have pretty good lunch specials. The service was accommodating and the food was good.

    (4)

  • Marivic L.

    I've been to O'Connell's a few times in the past couple of months because my friend moved within walking distance. This will definitely be a good standby for a few drinks and appetizers (I only say apps because I have yet to have a proper meal here). Also, have you had their nachos? SO good, especially the homemade chips. I've been to the upstairs bar and the two bar areas downstairs. Each time, the bartenders have been very attentive and super friendly and chatty. There's a good selection for drinks, including the Sweet Baby Jesus beer which I just tried recently just for the name. I mean, how could I not?! The crowd is good and varied, and it just feels really comfortable there. It's not divey and it doesn't try to be fancy. So go, grab a drink, an app or two, and relax. I can't wait 'til it gets nicer out again so we can sit outside in the upstairs patio area.

    (4)

  • Phoenix Simone W.

    This place is great! I naturally love Irish bars in general so I expected nothing less from this place. I've only been here once (so far) and we sat on the balcony. It's a bit cramped up there, but it's a prime location for people watching, and is really nice when it's warm out. There is a variety of food on the menu that's sure to have something for everyone. I can't wait to go back!

    (4)

  • Sam V.

    Was walking down the street on a summer evening. Would have loved to stop by for a few drinks but the hostess told my kids they had to throw away their ice cream cones. Really !!! Apparently they can't endorse other restaurants food ! Even though they don't serve ice cream and it wasn't adults who were bringing food in. Their loss. Mai Thai just a couple of doors down was happy to allow us to do just that.

    (1)

  • Mary T.

    Great Irish bar! The crab cake sandwich was ok. The Reuben sandwich is much better! Sat outside on the sidewalk and had a great time. Servers are pretty attentive when you sit outside!

    (3)

  • Cathy K.

    I love Old Town Alexandria for a perfect mix of character, happening nightlife, and fun restaurants. Out of towners that come to visit us always list Old Town as a highlight of their trip. Therefore, it is unfortunate when a negative and unnecessary experience occurs. I enjoyed the ambience in O'Connell's when we stopped in for appetizers and cocktails at the bar, at first.... However, we had a very negative experience having brought a visitor from out of town here and will never return. We had two personal empty wine glasses sitting on the bar that we got at a wine tasting and the bar tender demanded that we take it off the bar and put it on the ground as he would get it "mixed up" with his own. The wine glasses were nowhere near his edge of the bar. When we refused as it was next to my purse and personal belongings, Paul the manager decided to throw my full drink away as punishment maybe? He said "that's it, you're done." Mind you, this was early evening time during dinner (not 130am with a full busy bar or anything). I am very disappointed in the quality of service. We were very respectful that the glasses would stay in place because of no where to place them he proceed to throw my cocktail that I purchased into the sink. It's unfortunate to see who are ill trained and have such passion to make customers feel worthless. I will not be returning.

    (2)

  • Maggee R.

    Staff was great, noise level a bit crazy but it is a bar w live bands on the weekends. Drinks were solid and great option s for quality scotch. Will be back.

    (5)

  • Peter M.

    Back for Brunch. Pint of Magner's offers promise for real improvements. More to follow

    (4)

  • Greg K.

    Food was great... appetizer tasted great as well.. however you order an app to share and u get 4 small rings of calamari, 1 med shrimp, 1 scallop, and 1 crab cake the size of a small meatball... really! 13 bucks for ?? Great selection of beer too!

    (4)

  • Bob O.

    The restaurant had run out of corned beef! How can this be for an Irish Pub? Rest of the food is good but not great! They charge for toasted bread-$2 for 4 pieces. Strange! Otherwise nice place to eat.

    (3)

  • Sambo R.

    Great place for brunch or drinks. Also has a second story balcony overlooking the street. Fairly priced and good food.

    (3)

  • Mitzi C.

    First time - great atmosphere, especially from the second floor balcony. I'm rating as a 3 because serving sizes for seafood were small for price paid. The seafood tapas appetizer came with one scallop, one shrimp, one crab cake hush puppy thing, and a handfull of fried calamari. There were four of us. How do we share one scallop? So I ordered the pan seared scallops entree, thinking I could get fill with that. Nope. Only three scallops. Moat of my plate was filled with the risotto. Delicious scallops, but not worth 22 bucks. Serving sizes seemed okay for other meals. My suggestion: Don't order seafood.

    (3)

  • Sami A.

    Went here on a very busy night. We were seated quickly and the staff was friendly. Our waiter was a little bit odd but very helpful. The menu was extensive but it is really an Irish Pub menu. I ordered the calamari which I wasn't too happy with. Flavor was ok, but consistency was very chewy. For my meal I ordered the scallops over risotto. When I got the food, it came with three scallops..... I felt a little jipped. I know they're expensive but 3????? The risotto and the scallops were both pretty good. I would give it a try if you're into Irish style food.

    (3)

  • Fluffy D.

    This establishment just lost $60 of our business because the manager does not want dogs on the city owned brick sidewalk next to the outdoor restaurant tables. The inexperienced host boy did not seem to care as we walked away. Try Chadwick's instead, much friendlier, high quality food and better beer!

    (1)

  • Ruth C.

    Three and a half stars. Tap list was boring, but service was attentive, the Friday night cover band was full-volume and talented, and I managed to catch the captioned Stanley Cup game through a gap in the labyrinthian Escher layout. Surprisingly good pub fare, sweet potato waffle fries were great bar bites while hot. Corned beef and cabbage was tender and flavorful with mashed potatoes filling out the robust portion, and generously slathered with parsley cream sauce. I'll be back to try the Bailey's waffles over brunch, plus O'Connell's lamb stew, scotch eggs, and a Dublin deli combo.

    (4)

  • Sharon M.

    Great food everything we ordered was very good and made the way we asked. good service very nice deco. Bar tender friendly.

    (4)

  • Cody Y.

    The inside is a little touristy, but come on - even as a local I thought it was cool. The bar is a two level Irish Pub with lots of old, dark wood, and inviting outside, and comfortable bar stools. I didn't have a chance to taste the food, but the drinks were very well done - half & half, black & tan, and, yes, a car bomb. Our bartender was very attentive and friendly and got us our drinks promptly. This is another place that I will return to in order to try the food.

    (4)

  • Kat B.

    What a relief to get out of the steamy heat and into the cool dark pub on Saturday evening! This two level Irish pub is dark paneled and very soothing after a long walk in the heat of Old Towne with its cobblestone streets. Also, I noted that the details of the moldings were very old and nicely preserved. We were seated right away and given glasses of ice water (yay!) After we received our menus, our drink order taken (I got a white wine).... I ordered the turkey club which came with fries. My club sandwich was 4 large turkey and bacon pieces (speared with toothpicks) which surrounded the large heap of fries with a small tub of ketchup on the side. My son got a dessert which was a VERY large brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with raspberries......Delish! It was very crowded...despite this, the service was excellent!

    (5)

  • Mark D.

    Guinness burger!!!!!! My wife and I thought the food was awesome here. I got the Guinness burger and it was perfect. Service was good too. Huge place too.

    (5)

  • Scott v.

    Great beer selection. Extensive bar menu. Bartender's all friendly and knowledgeable. Of course full English bar food menu. Gotta love the scotch eggs. I had the Irish Cheese steak sandwich. Very good but not sandwich you pick up and est. Bread so soggy you need to eat with fork. Ruben served panninni style. Overall good though.

    (4)

  • Francis U.

    'I live here' To quote Roy from IT crowd, 'I work here!'. To paraphrase Roy, 'I live here.' I'm still sometimes flabbergasted that I live in a place as beautiful as Old Towne Alexandria. The rain and fog of London haunt us not, nor do the plebes of Philadelphia; just gorgeous cobblestone streets festooned with Christmas lights. I am spoiled, to be sure. O'Connell's allows one to live in such a neighborhood, yet get into one's cups. A good whiskey selection, solid beer list, and an unapologeticly Irish bartender ensure you will 'get where you are going'. This is also a meeting place for persons around the globe who enjoy the odd pint or five. Lady Mary and I happenstanced a fellow limey on Halloween proper from the north end. The mysticism of our encounter made for an unexpectedly amazing evening. See what fancies reveal themselves to you!

    (4)

  • Steven M.

    Fairly standard fare for an Irish pub and of decent quality. Good option for lower King st. in Old Town Alexandria. Good selection of beers.

    (3)

  • Kathy J.

    Buffalo Chicken salad was awesome. The waiter had the meal split into two bowls. We also go the mini crab cakes as an appetizer, that were delicious.

    (4)

  • Yulia L.

    Servers are very polite when you come in, but if you are staying for too long, they literally tell you to leave. Overpriced. Food is Okay. Not a welcoming place to go.

    (1)

  • Laura E.

    I love the place for its atmosphere and the servers are always so friendly. The furniture is almost entirely from Ireland! Nice outdoor seating in the summer, cozy fireplaces in the winter. Food is pretty good, drinks are always fabulous.

    (5)

  • Connie N.

    Good beer selection, great ambiance, the Irish Egg Rolls were delicious and the cheese plate was an ample start. Sweet potato fries were also good but I was less than impressed with my burger. Dry and served on a cold bun. But over all the service was wonderful and I would come here again and try the dinner menu!

    (3)

  • Mike. Harris H.

    This is the best pub/bar in Oldtown Alexandria by far. The staff and the service is exemplary. Compared to other local bars, Oconnells is just so far superior. Trini, one of the managers is just spectacular!!! She makes it all the more worth it!!!

    (5)

  • Mary Kate M.

    I've been here a few times now. In recent memory I came here solo to listen to some awesome Irish music, and the second time with my date. Authentic Irish music is played on Monday nights. They got together in the circle and fiddle their hearts out! This is a lot of fun to come just to people watch and have the night out for something low key. O'Connell's is a pretty low key place in general. They have a vast beer selection. Your run of the meal Irish beer selection then a few American beers. They do offer decent food. I would not say it is the best... Murphy's up the street offers better cuisine, but O'Connell's offers a better service when it comes to wanting to hear your beer/dining companion when talking to each other. This is a good time. Come check it out after you've had dinner towards the waterfront.

    (4)

  • Jeff C.

    O Connell's is a upscale Irish pub that boast four bars throughout this location. Each bar has its own feel( it really is like 4 bars in 1) Whenever I have someone visiting in town I always take them here. The decor is warm and inviting, And the owner had all of the wood-taken from castles, churches, and even an apothecary- shipped over from Ireland My go to meal here is the Dublin Deli Combo sandwich with succulent corned beef, turkey, Irish ham , and American ham. But what makes this sandwich is its warm pretzel bread and melted cheese...and let's just say that you will need a nap after this one, for it is really filling. Their scotch eggs are nestled in a fried crust on eggy good ness as well Some pretty cool bartender and staff. I always enjoy running into Andrea, Lee, and Jolene for some top notch service

    (5)

  • Adri S.

    Once you get past the rude hosts, you'll find friendly service, good Irish beer, delicious food, and live music. The crab cakes are the perfect afternoon delight.

    (4)

  • J P.

    What a great spot. Stopped in earlier for a pint of Guinness and got to see a great band. The bar lady on the top floor wasn't friendly or attentive but still, she pulled a good Guinness so the pint made up for it. It's hard to describe but it's just a really great spot. I've done most Irish bars in dc and va and this is by far my favorite.

    (5)

  • Ryan S.

    Menu is good. Presentation is good too. Atmosphere is good for an Irish pub. But the service is terrible. Always has been. I've lived in the area for 3 years and routinely avoid going here bc it's just that bad. Bartenders unresponsive. Bouncers condescending and rude. Most recently my girlfriend and I were enjoying a meal on their sidewalk dining area when after a $100 tab the bouncer told us finish up or go inside bc "there were no more tables." There's always two sides to a coin and I can understand his position but there's a way to say things. Management is clearly out of touch. Just be careful where you go in old town bc they'll always get tourism business so your experience rarely matters.

    (1)

  • Winston S.

    I only came here for lunch once so my experience with Daniel O'Connell's is quite limited. I try not to base reviews on first impressions (I have been told I don't always make the best ones myself), but I feel this is the case that is worth sharing and perhaps my review can be remedied with a simple fix. Let's start with the good: service and decor. The place is big, and is reminiscent of what I perceive an Irish pub should look like. While I have not been to the old country myself, a well traveled coworker confirmed that it looks indeed like an Irish pub (perhaps with higher ceilings and more Halloween decorations). The service was also good - our waiter, despite not having a native command of English, was courteous, attentive to and came to our table to check up on us several times. However, the food was less than impressive (once again, with the caveat being my experience is only based on one dish). Now, I believe making good traditional Irish food is hard. Sure, it is hearty and filling, but unlike other cuisines, it lacks some of the edgy flavors that can hide cooking imperfections. It is simple, so it really has to be made well to make an impression (if that makes any sense). I've ordered Bangers and Mash, and while the salty sausage was pretty tasty, the dish was ruined by a relatively simple mistake: the onion gravy that covered the chunky mashed potatoes either came straight from the fridge or was not reheated for a while. As the result, the mash potatoes were floating in cold (not even lukewarm) gravy that made them very unpleasant to eat. I tried to rebalance the temperature with the sausage (which was served hot), but my efforts were futile. In sum: service and decor 4-5 stars. Food: 2 stars.

    (3)

  • Andrew P.

    Best Irish pub in the DC area. Great live music, nice decor, surprisingly good food.

    (4)

  • David G.

    Looking for Irish food; might want to try somewhere else; the staff aren't Irish don't even know Irish food, I asked for brown bread, and I got the deer in the head lights look from waitress and I could not tell you what they brought out but it was brown toasted; our waitress and the staff doesn't know the food, the lamb stew was soup and it wasn't good tasted like canned soup. Quite a disappointment, nice atmosphere

    (2)

  • Nolan W.

    I've been here a handful of times, I love the dining experience. Not many places that claim to be Irish Pubs can say they have an actual bar imported from Ireland. And the service is top notch, I have yet to have a bad meal or bad time with the servers or hostesses. Those who want a restaurant with dining options will like O'Connell's for the two bars, upper level with seating, and outdoor seating arrangements. Finally, the real reason to come is the food, it's the proverbial icing on the cake. They serve modern and traditional tavern dishes that will make your taste buds feel at home. The waiting is not a problem either as you are permitted to browse the surrounding shops and the hostess will notify you when your table is ready via text message. All in all, one of the best places to eat in the National Harbor area.

    (5)

  • Eleanor M.

    This restaurant/pub is really a tourist type of spot. Great for people who don't know any better. If you just want a beer at the bar, this may be for you, but if you are looking for quality food in a clean environment, this is not the place. It is in need of a refresh -- the chairs are wobbly, the dishes are dirty (when they arrive) and it is loud and dirty. The hostess stand is comedic -- imagine a nasal tone, 20 year old saying, "hey guys", after we stood in front of her for a bit waiting for her to actually notice we existed, then turning to the other hostess and saying, "so where should I put them?", like we are suitcases or something. Food is just not memorable. My friend and I had the lamb burger and we both felt bad later that night. French fries lack any flavor -- just a salty mess. Saw the chicken fingers and they were just a giant fried thing. Seafood shepard's pie looked scarey. If you go, have a guiness and watch a soccer game, and then head out before the chairs collapse!

    (2)

  • B Ginger G.

    I love this place!!! It's huge though, 4 bars so lots of seating and great for parties!! Had the calamari (mostly the rings, huge, a little spicey but worth it!) and the lamb burger was AMAZING.

    (5)

  • Brian S.

    Walking down the main drag in Old Town, O'Connell's seemed like a perfect spot to grab lunch. But we were probably just fooled by the cool-looking exterior (and promising Irish name). When we walked in, the hostess instructed the waiter to bring us past the main dining room to a small upstairs room with no TVs and one couple with two crying babies. We then asked to be in view of a football-playing TV (mostly to escape), and the hostess told the waiter to give us the choice of two tables - one had a giant pillar in the middle, and the other was in the corner, both pitch black. (Neither in view of a TV, since we forgot binoculars, but at least we escaped the sketchy upstairs room and could at least see other people who appeared to be having fun). There were other tables available, but we didn't want to complain again. This was just laughably bad though. We both ordered burgers. The good news: The fries were very good. The bad news: The burgers were smallish, bland, and a little cold. Asking for sauteed onions on top gave us maybe 4 onion pieces (maybe we just couldn't see the others? It was dark). Definitely not the (12 dollar) burger we were hoping for. There's gotta be better places to grab a burger and watch the game, so skip O'Connell's. (Or at the very least insist on a table in the fun-looking room and order something else, maybe we should've gone with one of the more Irish-sounding things)

    (2)

  • Andrew S.

    There is a really nice atmosphere to the place. If you prefer a more rowdy time you can stay inside and bask in the noise all the fun drunks make. If you prefer a little more quiet, you can head outside to the second floor and enjoy a much more quiet dining experience. The food was also good, but it was nothing that special. The drinks were also good, but again, nothing to right home about. Really you go here for the fun and relaxed atmosphere more than anything else.

    (4)

  • Sky M.

    Average spot

    (3)

  • Jonathan F.

    My second trip to this establishment was on NYE and it was as fun as my first trip here on Halloween. This bar winds around FOR EVER! It a deceptively big. I personally like the variety it provides, after all variety is the spice of life as they say. I'm not sure who "they" are but I know "they" are right when it comes to this bar. Downstairs they often have live bands and ample space for cutting a rug if that's your thing. If you don't like to show off your skills, or lack there of, on the dance floor then there are plenty of tables to sit at as well as ample room at the bar. If you want a quieter experience then head upstairs. There you will find more seating as well as another bar....that's right bar #2 folks..... They pour a mean pint of Guinness too I might add. I really enjoy this place but,an does it get crowded. Get there early if you value your choice of spots to set up for the night!

    (4)

  • Imran A.

    Place was aight. We were sitting at a very bad place. Next to the bar. So it was very loud. People were yelling at the bar. Food was ok. Nothing epic about this place. Just another pub. Blah

    (3)

  • Kevin L.

    This is a strong 3 stars for Daniel O'Connell's. I will say that it is oddly layed out but it is to be expected for the classic buildings in Old Town Alexandria. It can often feel overcrowded but it's typically just due to the layout. The pub aspect is great with wonderful bartenders and plentiful beer. It's hard to go wrong in any pub. We did have the nachos (were a little soggy and cool but were full of flavor), the Reuben egg roll (extremely delicious and borderline addictive), and the lamb burger (was not good and was disappointing since I ordered medium rare and it was well well done). I wish I had tried the Reuben or stayed with classic Irish fare. I will be back though and hope to be able to upgrade the rating a star. I agree with Kara N. on a high star bar and low star food.

    (3)

  • Emma W.

    The ambiance was nice and cozy but there was a weird flickering light above our table. Had dessert and a drink. Was good service and good molten chocolate cake... check out the tip for a picture of a half eaten cake ;)

    (4)

  • Rick P.

    I don't know how this place could receive less than five stars! It's not fine dining--it's an Irish pub! And it's a really good one at that.

    (5)

  • Tiara I.

    The calamari is delicious! Great vibe on a Friday night with a live cover band! If you can, grab a seat on the outdoor patio upstairs. The one on the main floor closes at 11.

    (4)

  • Blake I.

    This is my first ever Yelp review. So, you know that for me to make an account and do this means something really inspired me. The staff here is entirely and completely unprofessional. Looking to schedule a nice holiday dinner with friends, I made a reservation for 9 people several weeks ago for a Friday. The week of the dinner, our party grew to 10. Upon learning this, I called O'Connells to let them know of this change and to also confirm the reservation (since I made it online). The restaurant assured me this was no problem. The day of the event finally arrived and everyone was excited. 3 HOURS BEFORE THE RESERVATION, the phone rings. O'Connells tells us that they can not accommodate our party. As a 'consolation', they offered up 2 tables split between a stairwell that our party could use. How nice of them. The fact that they couldn't accommodate us is not the issue here. The fact that I called to confirm the reservations just a few days earlier and was promised it was ok only to find out they suddenly couldn't 3 hours before dinner is completely disrespectful. It was too late to make a reservation at any other restaurant and our evening celebrating holidays with friends had to be cancelled. The staff here is extremely inconsiderate. I would love to name the manager's name on this forum, however I am resisting out of respect for her livelihood. Do yourselves a favor, give your money to a more professional, respectful staff.

    (1)

  • Kate M.

    Lamb stew was really a soup and was the best tasting thing ordered. Blueberry bread pudding is misleading - regular bread pudding with ice cream and blueberries on that. Molten chocolate cake had no molten center as promised, was also bitter and dry, but ice cream was good. Overall the food was entirely too sub-par for the prices charged. Also, the cider on tap was entirely flat. Service was just okay, forgot some requests although weren't at all busy.

    (2)

  • Errin R.

    Was walking downtown and noticed the menu so my husband and I decided to give this place a try - absolutely worth it! Walking into this place was a little weird, it is set up like a pub with another seating area upstairs. It was a little before lunchtime so it wasn't packed yet. We chose a booth by the bar, it was pretty quiet. I ordered the Spinach and Strawberry salad. The strawberries were huge and ripe, the goat cheese was super creamy, and I could have eaten an entire meal of the candied mixed nuts, but honestly the most amazing part of the salad was the Champagne lemon vinaigrette. I am not lying when I say this was the best dressing I have ever had. It was so good I was literally licking it off my plate lol. My husband got the Guinness Burger, which is the 8oz Angus beef patty served on top of mashed potatoes with melted Guinness porter cheese, gravy slathered over it with onion rings. It was really good as well. The meat was really tender for a hamburger and the mashed potatoes and gravy gave it more of a meatloaf feel. I would recommend the food at this place!! Plus it's well priced for the portion size, we only paid $25 walking out of this place with Togo boxes and we were stuffed beyond content!

    (5)

  • Susan H.

    This past Saturday, faced with wonderful weather, we decided to go to Old Town Alexandria. After all, we were way overdue for a visit since we hadn't been there in years. I came up with a few dinner possibilities and my husband chose Daniel O'Connell's because he wanted bangers and mash. We arrived here shortly before 5 p.m. and already the place was doing a brisk business. At this hour, everyone was seated in the bar. We didn't mind as we were given a table that could accommodate 4 people, thus giving us room to spread out. Our waiter arrived promptly to take our drink orders. Instead of ordering a Guinness, my husband got a Stella Artois. I asked the waiter for a recommendation for a sweet cocktail and he suggested a lemon drop martini, which I then ordered. He was right---it was a sweet, but not too sweet drink, served with a rim of sugar. We started out with a caprese salad appetizer. I'm not sure if we ended up with 2 orders (even though we ordered 1) but we each got a plate with 2 tomato slices and 2 thick mozzarella slices. This was a decent caprese. All the right ingredients were there but overall, we've had some with better quality tomatoes and mozzarella. My husband, of course, had what the menu said was "banger and mash". When the dish came, it had more than one "banger". Instead, it had several small bangers. He asked the waiter about that and was told that at one time the dish came with one very big banger but it was recently changed. My husband enjoyed his dish yet wasn't wowed by it. I had the Irish BLT. It was served on toasted rustic bread (a nice touch). Instead of bacon, it had rashers in it. The best description I found of rashers is this --- it is what we call Canadian bacon. It was a tasty sandwich with generous portions of rashers, lettuce and tomatoes. This sandwich comes with fries. The fries were a bit overcooked but still okay. Overall, a decent meal but again, I wasn't wowed. Dinner cost $52 + change before the tip. My husband neglected to see if we ended up with 2 caprese salads before paying the bill. So, I'm not sure if the cost reflects 1 or 2 capreses. While we didn't dislike the place, next time we're in Old Town Alexandria, we will try another restaurant for dinner.

    (3)

  • Alison M.

    This is a pretty cool looking place inside. The set up reminded me of my favorite Irish bar in London. I like how they have outdoor seating. I've only ordered two things here, a bloody mary that was great and the seafood appetizer that was an awful value, $13 for one scallop, 4 calamari rings, and 2 or 3 pieces of shrimp. I would come back, but I would not order that again.

    (3)

  • Megan M.

    This place decides to put a group of 9 people on one ticket! When we asked to Be separated they refused to separate the tickets. It took us 30 minutes for US TO SEPARATE OUR OWN TICKETS!!!! Horrible customer service!!!!! The worst part is that they have a nice register system (POS) that is obviously able to separate tickets. I'll never come to this restaurant with a group of people ever again!!!!!

    (1)

  • Vrsni S.

    Took a trip to Alexandria from Miami and after a heavy weekend of snowboarding, we came across Daniel O'Connell's. On Yelp, we saw it had great reviews, as well as food and drink suggestions. Why not stop here? I go on expeditions in search for the best burger. So I ordered the hamburger with fries. Nothing fancy, I just wanted a good burger from VA and a beer to wash it down. What I wasn't expecting was the mouthwatering crave for another when my burger was gone. I thought it was perfection. Others in the group I was in ordered the Lamb Burger and felt it lived up to the reviews. Overall, great place, amazing atmosphere and very cozy. Nothing too rambunctious or crazy. They have TVs with sports and the staff members are attentive. Highly recommended. PS: to enhance the experience, order the Arrogant Bastard IPA. You wont Regret it. :)

    (4)

  • Carlyn S.

    Great food, great decor and good service. Reasonably priced. I would recommend sitting outside if the weather allows, it's the perfect place to people watch!

    (4)

  • Cat V.

    As a visitor to the Alexandria area, my friend recommended that we go to O'Connell's for Saturday night drinks. The first thing I found appealing about the place was its festive fall decor. I couldn't help but think, 'wow, someone put a lot of effort into this." O'Connell's has two bars on the first floor and restaurant seating on the first and second floors. There's a nice fireplace area nearest the stage on the first floor but I couldn't see it in action. The playlist was all about the 80s and I loved every minute. The bartenders are authentic Irishmen, Liam and Paul. Very friendly guys who know how to take care of you. The customers that come here - at least when we went - range from twenty somethings to sixty somethings, mostly all are white. They have live music everynight. We caught a little segment of a local cover artist who was pretty good. I came back the next evening to look for my lost umbrella (that was stolen) and the musician that night was playing Van Morrison in tune with irish theme of the place!!

    (3)

  • Chrystalle B.

    This place is a lot bigger than it seems. Its bar on top of bar on top of bar! We stopped here for a pint on our jaunt down King St. The atmosphere is very warm and inviting and like most Irish bars, theirs lots of things to see here. I loved the old fireplaces throughout as well. We decided to sit at the second bar up (the bar at the heart of the place) and were served immediately. They have a good beer/cider selection and an even better whisky selection. We werent hungry at this point in out jaunt, but their food looked and smelled delicious. Im very excited to come back and try it. We visited all the Irish bars on King St, this was by far our favorite.

    (4)

  • Brent B.

    On this 8 day vacation with the family this is the only place we have come back to twice. That says a lot for a family that likes to try new things.

    (4)

  • Rich R.

    Stopped to grab some apps and beers for a football game ended up eating a whole meal the apps were so good. I had the Shepard pie which was excellent and my wife had the Rueben always a classic from Irish places. As good as the food was the atmosphere almost out did it just a really cool old town Alexandria place.

    (5)

  • Haley E.

    Stopped in for a late bite after walking around old towne. Normally we love Irish pubs but this was not the best. Although the building was super cool inside and rustic , not much else was appealing. $12 for nachos that were half cold and you could tell had been sitting in the window. Server couldn't make good beer recommendations and he not once checked on us after taking our order. I understand he was busy, but if I table asks for the check when you drop the food, generally you would think to ask if everything was ok. My burger was average and my boyfriend immediately got sick off the fish and chips. Beers were ok but our server told us they were draft and they came in bottles.Overall neat pub atmosphere but would never eat here again. It wasn't even that late (9:40) and you're serving old food. Sad. And for 2 people definitely not worth what I paid especially considering we didn't enjoy it as much as we had hoped. Maybe we'll return for drinks and a second chance but not for food that's for sure

    (2)

  • Dorian M.

    Great food, great beer and great atmosphere. The music isn't always the best, but everything else outweighs that.

    (5)

  • Jonathan A.

    Didn't eat here but enjoyed myself when I went with some co-workers. Fast and friendly service and a decent selection. Clean establishment throughout too.

    (4)

  • Ariana J.

    I have been here many times, a few times for dinner but mostly for live music on the weekends. Quality food, reasonable prices. I really like the layout of upstairs bars and rooftop. Great location!

    (4)

  • Beth A.

    I really wanted to love O'Connell's. The atmosphere is everything you would want in an Irish Pub - dark wood, the smell of ingrained liquors of yesteryear and a board of fare that resembles what you have romanticized as a traditional Irish menu... Well, they have the dark wood and the old booze smell, but their menu... Their menu is hit or VERY miss. I've been to this establishment four times and every time I try something new - Shepherd's Pie, Corned Beef and Cabbage, Fish and Chips and The Classic Bangers and Mash. The first two came out looking delicious, but once tasted, or should I say, barely tasted, I wasn't sure I wanted another bite. The veg for both were not done - crunchy, really. The later two dished were equally blasé. The only thing on the menu I could say is fabulous are the Irish Nachos - which just by typing seems like sacrilege. If you're looking for a place to sit and have a pint in a great Irish drinking hall, DO IT! If you're looking for a place to get a good meal... Hopefully, your experience is better than mine!

    (2)

  • Alina S.

    I went here with the bf for a nice dinner. The atmosphere is nice, a little dark since we were sort of seated at the back corner, but we enjoyed the performer on starge. Our waitress was fabulous. I unfortunately don't remember her name, but she was really lively and helpful. I had the seafood pot pie and my bf had the salmon. His food was better than mine (delicious salmon!) but my food was good as well and it was very filling. Of course, the bf had a good beer as well. It's a tad expensive, but hey, seafood is expensive. We will be visiting again :)

    (4)

  • Ryan S.

    We used to love to come to this place. We'd sit outside on the little porch with our dog outside the ropes and enjoy a good brunch. Showed up recently and they more or less told us to scram. Said that if we had a dog with us, on a public sidewalk mind you, in one of the most dog friendly cities in the U.S., they we would refuse to serve us. Don't be fooled by the dog statue outside. Maybe the host was having an off afternoon. Very bizarre. We always enjoyed this place. It gets a ton of business. The food is good. Hopefully they change their policy and so we can go back on our weekly walks down lovely King Street. UPDATE: Instead of allowing dogs outside the seating area, outside, they removed the dog statue. Hilarious! Just go around the corner to virtue food and grain. Much friendlier to humans & dogs.

    (3)

  • Ashley V.

    I had been here once before on a Saturday night for a friend's birthday. It was super-crowded on the main floor and hard to move about. I really can't comment much more on that experience, as we were only there for one drink. I recently was able to visit again for Happy Hour tonight, and it was a good experience! It was a warm night, so their rooftop deck was open. It is one of few, if not the only, deck I can think of Old Town Alexandria. It's really quaint, wedged between two brick buildings and overlooking King Street. They had a few heat lamps, as well, for when it cooled off. The server was very good. We asked if there were other appetizers, seeing we had seen someone had nachos listed on Yelp and that happened to sound good (despite their negative review), and the waiter shared the Gaelic Nachos with us (think kettle chips with shaved beef and melted Dublin cheese) and a spinach and bean dip that they have. He was also checking up on us just enough without being annoying, and processed our bill quickly. My husband ordered the house beer ($3.50), and I ordered the Sam's Seasonal ($4) during Happy Hour. I believe one of our friends said they also had $5 glasses of wine. The Gaelic Nachos were $6. For the record, the nachos were good! Perhaps, the person who negatively commented was thrown off by the kettle style chip, which I can imagine as being mistaken for stale? It was really unique for nachos, but delicious! The cheese was really good! Other items on the menu included Irish cuisine, such as bacon and cabbage; Shepard's pie; Dubliner cheeseburger; prime rib sliders (which received good reviews); pumpkin risotto, mussels in ale, etc. The prices ranged from about $8-$11 for appetizers to $11-$22 for the entrees. One disappointing thing a friend mentioned was the missing Irish classic: bangers and mash. Bottom line: the food was good, service was great, the drinks were reasonably priced, and we got to enjoy them on the rooftop deck in the nice weather. Successful happy hour. I'll be back.

    (4)

  • Lori H.

    My friends and I came here on a Friday night. We were wandering down King Street and this looked like a pretty decent pub to grab some drinks. I loved the interior of this place. Beautiful wood, perfect lighting. The bar was pretty packed so we got a table. The waiter was friendly and service was quick. They have a good beer selection and your standard Irish fare on the menu. We ordered an appetizer based on the waiter's recommendation, the egg roll, which was fantastic. Their dinner...not so much. Fish and chips were okay, Shepard's pie was bland. My friends and I agreed that we would come back to the place again for drinks and appetizers. We will eat dinner elsewhere.

    (4)

  • vanessa g.

    Lamb Burger!!! That's all I have to say. It was so delicious and juicy just thinking about it makes me want to go back again and again. The seating is still crowded and the place is always busy but that burger is so worth it! In addition I also tried the seafood tapas (very small portion) which includes a shrimp, a scallop, some calamari and my favorite, the Maryland crab cake. It was a very tasty start to my dining experience. I also tried an appletini which tasted decent. Great, now I want a lamb burger again.

    (4)

  • Jamie R.

    Grumpy and worn out from a long airplane flight and business seminar, I slumped down to the hotel lobby where I was staying to ask the front desk clerk for a dinner recommendation. He politely recommended that I check out King Street, only a few minutes away from the hotel, gave me a map, and told me the time for the next bus into town. I begrudgingly boarded the shuttle later that evening with my boss and a fellow teacher and rode into the icy dark. When the shuttle doors opened, we found ourselves on a snowy street. The picturesque businesses were closed and string lights lit up the night sky. There were few people out, but we saw some standing on the far end of the street and began to walk. As we got closer, we heard laughing and music. The people led us to an Irish pub. We stood outside looking at the large restaurant sign, debating whether to go in or continue searching. In big gold letters, it read: O'Connells. The locals who drew us there, now stood next to us-- rosy-cheeked and obviously with a few in them. They saw the curious looks on our faces and said, without our asking, "It's amazing. Best restaurant on the block." We were sold. Wow. It was cozy and smelled amazing. Dim lighting, crackling fireplaces everywhere...the perfect place to snuggle up for a pint. We were seated in a booth overlooking the bar area. We ordered a round (which included Guinness, of course) and perused the menu. So many good choices I wanted to cry over the fact I was leaving the next day. Beer battered bangers? Guiness Burger? Dubliner Cheese??!! (Quite possibly my favorite hard cheese) My boss ordered the Cashel Crusted New York Strip with a port wine demi glace. I had to order the Shepherd's Pie (with Jameson potatoes) since it's one of my favorite Irish classics. My coworker ordered the fish and chips. All amazing. I have seriously considered flying all the way back to Virginia (I live in California) just to try more of the food here. I hardly paid attention to the service since I was so engrossed in the menu, but honestly, if they slapped me in the face when they gave me the menus and shouted profanities, I would still eat here.

    (5)

  • Lia M.

    I went back to O'Connell's for a friend's birthday celebration. I was excited because I had read there was a new head chef and while the menu does not wow me, there were a couple dishes that I liked on it. Happy hour drink specials in the restaurant along with the bar are always a plus. My beloved risotto cakes are gone. Even though I do not like the calamari here, it was ordered, and it was absolutely awful. I truly do not think there was any calamari on our plate - it was all overly crisp batter and peppers. Just by looking at the dish, I wondered if we had been served the correct item. My friend and I split the duck - it was OK, but not worth the jacked-up Old Town prices. The Grand Marnier sauce was tasty though, as were the veggies and mashed potatoes. The birthday girl's fish and chips was good, though. Fries were done right and fish was flaky underneath a crisp batter. We had leftover papaya ketchup from the calamari, which was a pleasant surprise with the fries. Dessert was the molten chocolate cake and it was tasty. Nothing to get excited over, but if you want a dessert while you are here, this was a good choice. The birthday girl brought along her daughter, and O'Connell's (during dinner hours) really is not a bad restaurant for children - crayons and a coloring sheet are provided, along with a children's menu and children's cup. Restrooms, though upstairs, were clean and warm. Our server, William, though quite busy, was friendly and fairly attentive. Still, due to the awful calamari and too high prices for the quality of the food, I would not recommend eating here.

    (2)

  • Lily S.

    Aside from the fact that I'm not even remotely close to being Irish, this isn't so bad a pub to set foot in for a late nite cocktail...if you're in the Alexandria area, which we were. Service was fast & friendly, and drinks were reasonably priced. And yes, I swear almost everyone in there was Irish. The pub's got a bit of a weird smell and the patrons...oh the patrons. I wish I could've photographed the action going on around me and made a little picture book for all to see b/c I'm sure, dear readers, you would've enjoyed it as much as we did.

    (3)

  • Jesy B.

    Wow, is everyone who works here required to have an Irish accent or I was just lucky enough on the two times I went to have that? Plus one star for that alone. (Accents are very neat). Anyway, I'd just gotten into the DC area and this was my first foray in DC/Virginia, etc. I was hungry. And thirsty - and this place took care of both those. I ordered myself some bangers and mash off the bar menu, along with a vodka sour (apparently those aren't common there - the lady had to make sure I didn't say whiskey). The gravy, the 'mash...the meat...all together was a melody of deliciousness in my mouth. I also have to say kudos for their onion rings - light, beer battered and scrumptious!! It was also lovely by the fireplace as it was quite nippy outside. Overall a great place for a bite and a drink.

    (5)

  • Jon K.

    3.5 stars. I see this place is swimming in good reviews and while I did find it enjoyable I didn't find it top notch. It has a great atmosphere, I will give it that and is the perfect place to watch a soccer or football game with friends. Drinks are somewhat expensive which is the norm for being in Old Town by the water in this location. Additionally they have an outside dining area and a roof top which are two big pluses in my book. The food isn't bad, but it's definitely pricey. I have had the sliders here on a few different occasions which are very good. Additionally, the last time I had lunch here I had there lamb burger which was delightful but very overpriced at $13. All in all, this isn't a bad place in the old town area but there are better.

    (3)

  • Scot G.

    The Irish Rolls are awesome and the rest of the food was good too. Very much an Irish pub, have already returned. Okay what the other reviews say about the service being slow can be true (I have seen it slow and fast), but the food is really good which I care so much more about. Plus it is a bar, have a beer why you wait.

    (4)

  • Chris S.

    Visited happy hour after being disappointed at another near by pub. The staff us friendly and great. Drink specials were decent BUT THE SWEET AND SOUR WINGS ARE DELICIOUS. Just a suggestion.

    (4)

  • Brent A.

    Great place for most occasions. Usually a good mix of people (all ages). A good place to eat and watch a game or take a date. One of my favorites in Old Town. Plenty of bars to choose from - - Nice upstairs - Good Service.

    (4)

  • Mama P.

    Food was ok not much of the beer selection on draft. Nothing much to talk about really.

    (3)

  • Kat O.

    I went here with a couple of my coworkers one night in Old Town and I really liked it! It's a great old-school Pub place with really good drinks and food. I initially wanted the prime rib for $20 but they didn't have any that night so they replaced it with a 14oz Ribeye Steak! Still delicious and the sides were so good as well. I have no real complaints about this place except for the following: 1. We sat in the back in a booth where the table was at least a foot away from the chairs. We had to sit on the edge of our seats in order to be sure that we didn't spill any food on our laps but it's not that big of a deal. 2. The waiter wasn't able to separate checks very well. We had to write out what each individual ordered, put the last 4 numbers of our cards (or include just enough cash) and then write how much we wanted to put on our cards. It wasn't very convenient and it took at least 20 minutes to get it all straight. But the food and drinks are awesome so I definitely recommend going here for some good (a tiny bit on the pricey side depending on what you get) pub food!

    (4)

  • Tim W.

    I had some friends in town this week... We met up at D. O'C's... AND got hammered!! Staff and drinks were spot on. Great venue to sit back in a laid back environment and get drunk. King Street is a lot of fun and D. O'C's is my new favorite spot in Old Town. See for yourself.

    (4)

  • Charles H.

    The Irish Burger was good if you enjoy open faced burgers with mashed potatoes. Its quite filling so pass up any appetizers if you order it. As most reviews stated, the Irish ambiance is alive and well in Old Town at O'Connell's.

    (3)

  • Allison A.

    You know, I took a big risk coming here. See, I was with an Irishman. He's super picky anyway, but really picky about anything that purports to be Irish. I didn't look at Yelp first (oops!), but I'm glad I didn't, since you all obviously didn't have the awesome experience I did. It was a Saturday night, so we expected a wait, but got a seat at the bar pretty fast. A nice little corner where we could watch football or talk. We split a few apps (the cheese plate and the slider mix) and grabbed a few beers. First test was the Guinness. It had the nice, perfect Guinness head on it, and was the perfect temperature. Magner's was good on tap, too. But make sure you eat. Cheese plate had back bacon, which is excellent with some Coleman's mustard, and it's served with Branston pickle (which is an acquired taste). Good, hard cheddar and something I don't know, but was good. Lamb slider melted in your mouth, crab cake had a perfect crunch, and beef was just good. Matt was an excellent and attentive server. Go Matt! I'll be back, and the Irishman said, "They did a pretty darned good job." I'll take it.

    (5)

  • Edward M.

    8 years ago (for me) this place was great. There really wasn't a night where things weren't up beat. The food and drink were awesome. I brought a few friends into town and stopped by tonight. The entire bar at 11pm smelled like it had been dowsed in bleach. The crowd was almost entirely dressed in awfully fitted suit jackets and for whatever reason the muzak was playing an endless block of "Foreigner". One tidbit from the night stood out for me. For a restaurant that proclaims it's close ties to Guinness proper in Ireland, we were given a skunk Guinness and a bottom of the Keg Blue Moon. Unbelievable. Next!

    (2)

  • So U.

    Amazing decor! Great dark wood bar and cozy enclosed seating for parties overlooking the bar. Everything we had was amazing! (cheese plate, chicken wings, bangers and mash, rack of lamb). I do want to emphasize the lamb. Very soft and succulent (cooked medium). For a more thorough review: wanderingchopsticksdc.bl…

    (5)

  • Logan M.

    O'connell's is a great Irish restaurant/bar. The place has a great feel inside and seems very authentic. There are 3 separate bars. When the weather is nice sit on the patio upstairs! The food was great, seemed very authentic. The bread pudding is fantastic!

    (4)

  • Amy H.

    We have always had great service, food, fun and laughs at one of the various bar areas (there are 4 bars to choose from) during happy hour so we decided to do a catered event there recently. If you have a group of 10, 20 or even 50 to 60 guests, the staff is awesome at keeping everyone in both small and large groups with drinks in hand and refreshing food throughout the night leaving party guests and hosts to enjoy the event. Everyone had an awesome time at the event, the staff was excellent in terms of service for a party of 60+ people and the food was great as well. We would highly recommend the Fitzgerald room and second floor area if you are looking for a good place to host a party of 20-60 guests.

    (5)

  • DJ J.

    If you want to relax, enjoy a very filling meal and people watch, I can hardly think of any place better than to dine outdoors at O'Connell's Restaurant. The Guinness and Harp is served cold, the portions are extremely generous, and there are two ice cream shops next door for dessert excursions after dinner. The overall ambiance is a delightful combination of rustic and sophisticated. Cozy enough to be romantic, it maintains a bit of the Old World charm while providing prompt American service and attention to detail.

    (4)

  • Scott H.

    We went here on a Friday night with some friends to start the weekend off right. The food is pretty good, and they had a average selection of beer and wine. I can see ourselves going back.

    (4)

  • Rodge B.

    Been here once for lunch and another time for the bar. Lunch was okay, but the one Thursday night we came here was awesome. Girls, music, and lots of different beers mainly representing the Irish obviously. The inside layout is kinda quirky. Reminds me of a slightly upscale Kildare's if any people are familiar with those.

    (4)

  • Karisa D.

    **** 3 1/2 Stars***** Decent Irish Pub in Old Town. I've been here a few times now for food and for drinks. It's fairly large inside with 2 floors and a rooftop bar area that is open in the spring and summer months. Food isn't anything special (decent bar food) and decent drinks. The bartenders and staff are friendly. O'Connell's is not rowdy like Murphy's and the crowd is definitely more relaxed, if that's what you're looking for. The clientele is mixed, but seems to lean towards the older side. They do have live music during the weekend evenings which always livens things up :)

    (3)

  • Leanna L.

    Love this place! I had my birthday night of drinking here and they set aside a group of tables and were more than accommodating. We had our own waiter for drinks who kept everything separate for a group of 20+. On other occasions, we've had dinner and it's been awesome. Highly recommend for either a dinner, or a late night out.

    (4)

  • Bill A.

    My favorite bar in Old Town. It's a huge, two-floor bar area that creates a convincing feeling of actually being in a pub in Ireland. The bar food is pretty good too - we had good fries here once.

    (5)

  • Dana B.

    My company hosted a happy hour here to welcome our colleagues from out of town, and we were extremely impressed with the service and attention we received! Our bartenders were attentive and fun while making sure the event was running smoothly. The upstairs private space is perfect for hosting a larger event (we had approximately 30-35 people), and so charming with the fireplace and private bar. We ordered three big platters of food and only had good things to say about everything that came with them. There was a live band that came on around 10PM. I would definitely recommend O'Connell's.

    (5)

  • Christiana C.

    Usually my favorite bar, until I paid my tab and never received my card back. When I realized and went back, they wouldn't look for it and said to come back tomorrow. And with that, they've lost my patronage.

    (1)

  • Emma M.

    We went and were extremely excited to try the upscale looking Irish menu and selection of beers. Since it was St. Patrick's Day weekend, I figured it would be pretty crowded but we weren't in a rush. Upon walking in we were initially told there was a wait but then told we could be seated. It was about 5:00 PM so despite being a popular weekend, it wasn't a peak time. We waited... and waited... and tried to flag down one of the numerous staff people and managers that passed our table. 2 additional tables were sat right next to us and no one came over to any of us. After about 20 minutes, I went over to the bar next to the tables to ask them if anyone had our section -- when I walked over there the 2 bartenders proceeded to leave from behind the bar without saying anything to me Since it had been 30 minutes and we didn't even have drinks, we left. I was honestly very disappointed.

    (1)

  • Emily A.

    I went here recently on a first date. We just kind of wondered in out of the cold while we were walking around Old Town one evening trying to find a place to eat. We were greeted immediately the hostess was very friendly and it was the day after Halloween so everyone was still dressed up in Halloween costumes and it was pretty cool. We sat down and our service came over I ordered a glass of wine and we got our drinks pretty quickly. I don't eat red meat pork or lamb so the options that everyone recommends on Yelp, I wasn't going to eat. So I saw the strawberry spinach salad with goat cheese and figured it sounded pretty tasty. My date got the curry chicken which he said was very good and I thoroughly enjoyed my salad as well. The decor and ambience of this restaurant was nice, everyone was friendly, we had a decent meal, and it wasn't terribly expensive. I will definitely go back to O'Connell's.

    (4)

  • Monk E. R.

    Of all the Irish pubs in Old town (Murphy's, Ireland's own, Daniel O'Connell's), this place has the best mix of pub vibe (cozy booths), decent pub grub (scotch eggs, bangers & mash, lamb burgers), solid service. Yeah, it's not as cheap as the other places, but the food isn't reheated slop either. Noisy as hell on a Saturday night, but there's plenty of room upstairs so you don't have to wait half an hour for a seat. The crowd skews touristy with a mix of local brahs in baseball caps getting hammered on Guinness and choking down buffalo wings. If you're looking to watch the game over a beer or just get some food on that actually tastes like something, these guys will hook you up.

    (4)

  • Michael L.

    Bangers and Mash were delicious. Wait staff was attentive and personable. In fact, this is the best wait staff I have experienced in D.C.

    (5)

  • John T.

    Things I really liked about this place: The corned beef and cabbage egg roll appetizers, the onion gravy on the Guinness burger, the fish and chips, the large selection of Scotch whisky. Things I didn't like about this place: The noise level, the slow and rude service. Overall, it's worth trying out once to see if it's to your taste. The food is pretty good and the hostesses are cute.

    (3)

  • Erika T.

    Awesome place. Had the Irish Breakfast, an Irish pear cider, and the chocolate cake (which was misleading. It was like thick chocolate mousse in small edible white chocolate cups).

    (5)

  • Jennifer P.

    Come for the booze. Drink. A lot. Then, consider ordering something off the food menu. Do not reverse this order of business. I've been coming to O'Connell's for years; it's got a great atmosphere and friendly staff. It's a shame about the food: when it first opened, there was an excellent chef, then he quit, and the food was just okay. I haven't eaten there in a while, and my fiancee and I visited on a Saturday night for a drink and a few nibbles. The staff is still great, but what slop! We ordered wings, the soup of the day (chicken noodle), and the crab and spinach dip. The wings were dry and flavorless and, randomly, there were other bits of things that must have fallen in the fryer, like carrots; the chicken noodle soup was canned broth (it tasted just like the kind in Campbell's Chicken n Stars), chopped up carrots and chicken breast and....spaghetti...I guess that's a noodle, right? The crab and spinach dip was just kind of icky and the crab was definitely canned. The kitchen needs to step it up considering what they're charging, but they do land-office business there, so I doubt that will happen. It's a shame.

    (3)

  • Pete A.

    First time here, so trying to be open minded. My 1st Smithwicks was flat and stale, but switched to Guinness and it was fine. We did apps for dinner. Cheese plate was skimpy and not worth the price. Calamari was so so, too many hot peppers, not enough calamari. Chicken wings 8/10. Pretty cool atmosphere, cool little booths, friendly and efficient staff. Definitely will return.

    (3)

  • Melissa G.

    I was meandering down King Street the other night after running an errand and Daniel O'Connells just seemed very welcoming so I stopped in and took up residence at the bar. I was there after Happy Hour so I can't vouch for their specials but I got a nice hummus platter with veggies that could have fed 3 people for $8. I also had a draft and bottled beer. The server was good about making recommendations and even let us sample the drafts. I really liked that they were playing a combination of Irish and Scottish music. They had live Irish after 8 and no cover charge.

    (4)

  • Leah N.

    I'm not a regular at Daniel O'Connell's but if I lived in the area I definitely would be! I have stopped here on all of my business trips and order the same thing, the Guinness burger. Truth is, it's not out of this world amazing food but it's comfort food and sometimes that is just what you need. On my first trip here we got the booth in the front by the bar, very cozy. I was helping someone with a work project and it was a great little spot to plug in our laptops and enjoy some food and drinks. On my 2nd time we sat outside. Service was a bit on the slow side but still a good time. I'll be back next time I am in town :)

    (5)

  • Brigitte S.

    We ordered the tapas seafood app and we would not recommend it. The crab cake tasted like a hush puppy with little to no crab meat. The shrimp and scallop were tasty, the calamari was bland. We split the classic Reuben on marble rye, this was very good and came with a huge order of fries which were also yummy. The star of our lunch was the lamb stew, spend the extra $2 and get the mashed potatoes with it. It was delicious and we would return just for the stew. We both had a spicy Bloody Mary that we enjoyed. The layout of the restaurant was cozy and like a traditional Irish pub. Our waiter was great, very attentive.

    (3)

  • Janet P.

    I ate here twice it was so nice. I eat light so Happy Hour was great with $3 off apps. The seafood app was very good, I would recommend it as a light meal. I also had the Irish stew listed under soup with an added spoon of mashed potatoes which made It my second meal, another recommendation. I must also say their house beer on tap was very good, I was also pleased that their Guiness was exceptionally smooth and creamy, a sign of a clean and well used tap.

    (5)

  • Evan M.

    We like this place a lot, even with a few ups and downs. The fish and chips are really great. We've tried both styles of steak before, and honestly I'd pass on those in the future and go with one of the other entrées. Great selection tap and bottled beer.

    (4)

  • Irina K.

    I went to this place with a few friends for lunch the day before St. Patricks day. We were sitting at the bar and each ordered a single beer. Without asking us to leave or suggesting we get the check after our one beer they turned off the lights and left us at the bar without us being able to close out. To close we had to seek out a server to turn the lights back on and find a bartender re-open the POS system. It was the rudest experience I've ever encountered at a bar/restaurant. I will never go to this place ever again.

    (1)

  • meriam c.

    "Meh" my bf and i wanted to try this place with the nice patio outside. We went inside and asked, the server who didnt greet us was rude and didnt seem like she wanted to help. Pros : nothing really Cons : food is not all that, staff was not welcoming , and the price isnt worth it. Slow service.

    (2)

  • Jen C.

    My husband & I spent our last night in Alexandria here. We had a blast. The bartender was awesome & they had a great selection of beer. I told him the type of beer I liked & he recommended an awesome beer. We shared the Sheppard's pie they brought us each out a small dish already split for us. It was delicious! Not greasy like they are at other restaurants. Ingredients tasted fresh. The bartender continued to recommended different beers and Wiskeys for my husband. They had a few men sitting by the fireplace playing Irish music. We will definitely go back to this place.

    (5)

  • Linda V.

    I love this place!! Love the Irish bartenders and it's always a good time. Please please please bring back the Irish bacon and cabbage. That was my favorite dish and there is no where in town that serves that. Very authentic to what you find in Ireland!

    (4)

  • Jeanette W.

    I came here for a reserved party. The server seemed bothered by my specific drink order and not personable. Although this bothered me it was not my most frustrating incident. The appetizers were promised by a certain time and came out over a half hour late. I went to leave and noticed that my debit card was missing. After looking around good for the card I then went to the closest bar tender to keep an eye out for it... He seemed thoroughly uninterested and walked away without taking down any of my information. Frustrated I went to the front door and asked to speak with a manager and again explained my situation. He pointed me to yet another bartender. I explained the situation a 3rd time to him. He told me to go talk to the other bartender. I explained that I had and mentioned that he didn't seem trustworthy as in willing to actually take down my information... The bartender became short with me and snapped that that other guy wouldn't steal my card and walked away... I was double offended as I had asked now two people for help in simply talking my information and neither one could do it and both were very dismissive towards my concerns/needs... Needless to say I do not trust that even if they did find my debit card that they would even take the time to care or contact me. RUDE service! As a customer I will not be back and I will be sure to let others know about my experience! Extremely offended, disappointed and frustrated! They made a bad situation way worse than it needed to be. Thanks for nothing!

    (2)

  • Jessica H.

    We went here for lunch one day and everyone enjoyed it! The bar is really nice looking and has a great Irish Pub atmosphere! Some of the seating was a little uncomfortable for our group. Short benches and low tables. The food was very tasty! We would definitely come back again!

    (4)

  • Lauren S.

    Overall: Irish pub with a decent beer menu, tasty food & good service. Food: Our most recent stop to O'Connell's included a pretty greasy (in a good way) option. My husband and I split an order of nachos and a couple beers outside on a nice Saturday afternoon. (we're obviously having a very hard time adjusting to our new city haha) The nacho toppings are piled on crispy homemade chips - and they're actually crispy! I was expecting them to be kind of soggy but was pleasantly surprised. Other menu options are pretty typical of an irish pub (bangers & mash, fish & chips, shepherd's pie) but every looks great - bonus points for presentation. Service/Atmosphere: The inside is dark and kind of cavernous (much like many restaurants in Old Town) but it's covered from top to bottom in hardwood so it's pretty comfortable and cozy. I think I'll be more of a fan once it gets cooler. For now, outside is great!

    (4)

  • Marisa F.

    Daniel O'Connell's is a fun place to sit around and drink with your friends, but it gets crowded on weekend nights as it is really one of the few places to go drinking in Alexandria. I have never eaten here, but I would as I love pub food. I have definitely been day drinking here on a number of occasions. It is a nice Irish pub and I like the ambiance and decor over Murphy's, the other pub in Old Town. I was also disappointed that they only have magners cider.

    (3)

  • Paul A.

    Good fun place but can get busy, live music makes it a must, reasonable prices for Old Town

    (4)

  • Nick S.

    I took my little sis here as part of her introductory tour of Old Town Alexandria. The interior is classic Irish pub with classy Irish waiters. The menu is all greasy bar food, but it's in the higher echelons of greasy bar food. The prices are average for Old Town - maybe $15-20 a person for an entree and a frothy beverage. If you're not feeling a particular type of cuisine and you're walking by, there's probably something on the menu to satisfy, and the ambiance is great for chilling out. Side note - if you're interested in going to Ireland and happen to chat up a waiter nicknamed "Jockey" - hit him up for recommendations!

    (4)

  • Danielle S.

    Husband and I came here for lunch mid-week and were pretty darn happy with our meal and overall experience. This place is huge (I felt like I was in a labyrinth of Irish woods), but we were seated in a cozy little nook which made the space feel more manageable. We both ordered the fish and chips because the waitress sold us on them with the note that they'd gotten rid of the freezer and everything was fresh. They were simply amazing. We're still talking about it. The plate is huge though - it's totally sharable. The fries were heavenly. The fish was great too. Everything was piping hot and really really tasty. And, I hate that word "tasty," but I couldn't keep saying it was "great." Even though it was. I want to go back!!

    (5)

  • Anil H.

    We were looking forward to eating here but waited over 20 minutes but no one bothered to wait on us. Even after asking the host to send someone, no one showed up, so we reluctantly left.

    (1)

  • Brandy C.

    Amazing atmosphere! The wait staff was super helpful and extremely friendly. The food was great. Even our two-year-old was tearing it up.

    (5)

  • Anne N.

    We have been here before and it was a fantastic meal. Came back with a big group of friends and family and had the worst meal ever. Nachos made with sausage, shepards pie made with breakfast sausage and worst of all corned beef and cabbage made with LUNCH MEAT!

    (1)

  • Michael E.

    Snowy spring day in Alexandria and I decided to stop in to O'Connell's for lunch. Hadn't been here in more than a decade, but wanted a little nostalgia. Ordered the Scotch eggs and was amazed. Fried panko breaded Irish sausage with hard boiled egg in the center - unbelievably tasty, if not very nutritionally correct. Then to add insult to injury, ordered the Irish egg rolls with corned beef and cabbage as the filler. Another winner. I'm not in town that often, but will definitely be back for more of this stuff.

    (4)

  • Christian N.

    The decor and greeters are amazing, the atmosphere, never better! Then we ordered food..... Mandy, "Remember that time when we had a waiter?" Me, "Not tonight." The seafood pie, which the server(when he finally made a cameo) recommended, was flavorless. So sad that I had to dump 1/2 the salt and pepper shakers on it, just to taste the food. Btw, I didn't know you could actually water down Guinness! I could actually see through. No exaggeration!!!

    (2)

  • Phillip S.

    I went into the Irish Pub a 2 weeks ago and i wasnt impressed. I showed up about 3pm and and ordered a Magners Cider. Cider came quick. I waited a little bit and ordered the Corned Beef and Cabbage. That took a bit to come out and it was served up all fancy and shit. Then i waited...beer was empty. Bartendars were caught up in conversations with other guests...i guess it wouldnt be so bad if they werent right next to me. She poured them a shot, on the house and looked at my empty glass. Didnt ask if i wanted another. Now i look through the reviews and see that i should have looked here first. The issue i have is that this place has probably the best Irish Atmosphere in town. Something really needs to be dont about the service or you are just going to be coming out of pocket.

    (2)

  • Brett V.

    We ate here coming back from Mount Vernon and because we were going to take a ghost tour of Old Alexandria. A friend my wife works with who is from the Alexandria area recommended the place. The menu was smaller than some other places, which is actually a plus. That means they can really concentrate on the dishes. I have to say I was highly impressed. My wife and I had the "fish and chips". It was delicious. The fish was cooked to perfection and the breading was on the lighter side which is good. I hate eating fish where you feel like you swallowed a loaf of bread after. I also am not a tarter sauce fan ordinarily, but I think they added dill to theirs so I found it quite tasty and used it on my fish. They give you two filets. My wife and I only ate one each because it was thick and filling, even with the light breading. Of course we also had two appetizers as well. We did the calamari and the buffalo wings. Both were very good. My littlest child had kids tenders. They only give you two, but they were good sized. Not those anemic looking ones you get at some places. My oldest child had a pretzel sandwich. It was piled with meat, I forget what all is on it. I know corn beef is one. My son got the turkey club which, even without the lettuce and tomato was piled high with turkey, cheese and bacon. My only complaint was the service was a little slow. However, they seemed to be busy so I didn't let that affect my star rating. Service was friendly, but our waiter wasn't very helpful with the menu. I appreciate his honesty though because he admitted there are things he doesn't like so he's never tried it. We didn't stay for it, but it looks like they have live music every weekend. If you take a trip to Alexandria's old town, I recommend you stop by and have a meal here. Or pop in for a Guiness or Smithwicks.

    (5)

  • MoonUnit Z.

    We stopped there while sight seeing in Alexandria after visiting the Arlington National Cemetery. What a great find! Food was delicious and service was great! Definitely a place we'll visit again next time we're in town.

    (5)

  • Kara N.

    10 star bar! 3 star food. I have a pint glass policy in this place. If it doesn't come in a pint, I'm not ordering it.

    (4)

  • Cathy K.

    Service was terrible after our first waiter (who was attentive) clocked out. We couldn't get our new waiter, or anyone for that matter, to give us the time of day after we finished eating. My boyfriend finally got up and went to the bar to order our third round. For our fourth round, we had to flag down someone else's waiter. On the plus side, our lunch of fish & chips and a hamburger was quite tasty. The place is easy to find and accessible via public transportation (a must for us). Had the service been better, we would have stayed for another few rounds and ordered dinner. We eat out almost every meal, love to watch all manner of sports, love to drink beer and love an Irish pub. We were looking for a new "home" but this probably won't be it.

    (2)

  • E. K.

    Fusion fun (Irish egg rolls, Irish Nachos) and classic yum (corned beef and cabbage, Shepard's pie) make this place more than your typical Irish pub. The food was great, creative, and delicious. The bar selection is good. They have Magner's on tap and all of the typical Irish beers (that would not be served in the same establishment by Irish pub standards). The bartenders are friendly and yes, do talk to the patrons. This may be construed as bad service, but this is actually very traditional and indicative of a good pub. If you get mad when a bartender chats up his patron and does not fill up your drink the moment it is empty and hits the bar counter, you do not belong in an Irish pub.

    (4)

  • Ahmed K.

    This is about as solid an Irish pub as you can get in the DC area. The food is always spot on and reasonably priced (you won't leave feeling a big dent in your wallet) and the atmosphere is just right (not douche-y like other Irish Bars tend to be). In order to fully enjoy this kind of place, you need to time your visits because it can become very crowded and a little unwieldy at times. The downstairs bar can become a little crazy but if you and your group get in early, there is a very nice upstairs bar that can be a little more on the upscale side. There is also a cool outdoor patio with a great view that could be perfect for lunch or even dinner. Having lived in Alexandria, this is one of the very few Old Town establishment I miss.

    (3)

  • Lori C.

    My favorite Irish Pub on the planet! Get the lamb burger- it is the best but don't be afraid to try one of the specials. Everything and I mean everything I have ever had there is wonderful.

    (5)

  • Katie S.

    This was a great find! I'm glad I checked out O'Connell's Restaurant Week menu, it was definitely worth the trip. Very friendly wait staff and quick service, tasty food that came out hot and delicious. Loooved the Irish Cream Pie! and the Magners on tap. The potato leek soup was tasty, but could use some ham or bacon in my opinion, and the irish egg rolls were delicious! So crispy and the sauce was very tasty I can't wait to come back and try the brunch menu, it sounded delicious.

    (4)

  • Evan P.

    I always try to take visitors here. Great atmosphere, decor and layout. Four bars (two smaller), patio and roof deck seating, lots of tv's, awesome woodwork (supposedly imported from Ireland), live bands on the weekend. It's always crowded at the bars, which is both a positive and negative (for me). I'm also not a big Irish food fan, but you can find the standard things like a burger or salad too. One other thing, lots of the bartending staff are actually Irish, which adds to the feel of legitimacy.

    (4)

  • Nikki K.

    My friend and I went here for dinner on Friday night. I ordered the cod special - the cod was good, but the potatoes were either non-existent or minuscule. The entire dish was served on a piece of soaked cornbread. We were sat on the upper level, which was very loud and made it difficult to talk and hear. There was no Irish atmosphere whatsoever. However, the service was good.

    (2)

  • Naomi M.

    I love a good Irish pub, especially to eat a good breakfast at, but O'Connell's is just alright compared to others that I have been to. The restaurant it is decorated like your average Irish pub, but the build out of the inside is what I was very impressed with. There are a few different rooms each with a pretty unique vibe to them and also an upstairs area. This setup prevents the place from ever feeling overwhelmed or packed with people. The food here is just average and is nothing that I couldn't whip up myself at home. I hate paying for something that is just ok. The servers don't have much to say about the menu when asked and if you want to change something on the menu, they give you some attitude. I would rather eat at iHop for my breakfast than here so I stick to just going to the bar and munching on some small dishes.

    (3)

  • Andrew L.

    Avoid this place. The food is WAY over priced. The exception this, the happy hour/trivia stuff, is sometime just gross. We ordered 20 wings and ate 4 before asking them to just take them away. The drinks are way over priced too; 4.00 for a miller lite or 6.00 for house red is considered "special." This is all combined with spotty, rude service. Strangely enough, the dessert were actually really good--the lava cake was one of the best I've ever had. I came here for trivia a couple times before learning about Murphy's trivia down the street, and will NEVER go back.

    (1)

  • Colleen M.

    There are a few different O'Connell's. There is the weekday lunch place, the weekend brunch, the weeknight trivia hangout and the Saturday night meat market. Different versions of myself have been fond of each of them. The place is huge, sprawling. This can be great for busy nights, but good luck meeting someone here! Food is pretty Irish bar standard, or better. I've been here with several British Isles expats, who have appreciated little touches like curry dipping sauce and ploughman's platters. It feels classier than Murphy's up the block. It's a slightly more cleaned up crowd and the pints are pulled more thoughtfully.

    (4)

  • Krystle B.

    I would give it 0 stars if I could. Wednesday I was in the Old Town area strolling around planning to have a dinner date with myself before meeting others for happy hour. It was hot as the dickens but I still wanted to sit outside and people watch while sipping on some Riesling and reading my Harry Potter book from my Kindle. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. I walked into the public bar area where it said to seat yourself. As I wanted to sit outside I waited to get the bartender's attention to let him know so he could let the server know. I waited at the bar for 5 minutes without getting acknowledged. After getting the bar keep's attention and requesting a menu. He gruffly nodded at me like it was going above and beyond his call of duty to assist me. It was around 3pm so it wasn't really busy. I'm in the service industry, there were no bar tickets pouring in that were requiring his immediate attention. A female server with blonde hair finally got me a menu. She didn't greet me, ask me anything, or seemed to even want my business. As I sat at a booth inside for 20 minutes I finally got up and walked around looking for said server. I was convinced she actually didn't exist and I hallucinated her. I must've got the menu myself somehow because I never saw the chick again. I asked a couple who was sitting there enjoying their ice cold frothy beers (jealous) if anyone worked here. They replied they thought they did. I didn't want to stick around another 20 minutes to find out. After all, I was hot and thirsty, the worst combination to find me in. NEVER will be back at this place again.

    (1)

  • Katy L.

    Update: I'm bumping this up to three stars after a repeat visit to the pub. I ordered a seafood tapas appetizer which came with calamari, a crab cake and a scallop. Not a lot of food, but just what i was in the mood for and very delicious. My husband got the lamb burger with sweet potato fries. OMG. So delicious. I will definitely go back just to get the lamb burger.

    (3)

  • S P.

    One of the only places where the kitchen stayed open late in old town. We were able to enjoy a nice glass of beer and wine. My friend ordered the lamb burger (which was delicious and perfectly cooked ) and I ordered the seafood shepherds pie with shrimp, lobster, and I believe scallops can't recall. Loved every bite of it. Very impressed for the caliber of food considering it is an Irish bar. We enjoyed a nice late night evening. The bar wasn't crowded but considering it was Wednesday at 10, people in old town were likely sleeping. Would go back and probably order the lamb burger for myself. For a restaurant I would give it three stars. But for an irish bar I would give it four considering the beer selection was good, and the food was better than standard bar food.

    (4)

  • J P.

    This is our favorite place in old town!!! Every time we go there we always get a seat.... The Guinness burger is to die for along with the Irish egg rolls!!! Not to mention they pour a mean pint there!!!! Shepard's pie is one of the best I have had in a while, although it may bit gamey for some!

    (4)

  • Kristi R.

    Terrible! Very rude service! I really wanted to like this place and went here a few times with my husband. Tonight, however, showed a whole other side of management. At about 1:30am, with no warning of last call, people were being herded out of the bar. I thought it was just a group of people and made the comment that we still had a while to drink 2 oz of beer ( I was there with my husband and brother-in-law....just talking, and spent over $70 per person already that night). The bar tender came up behind me and asserted "actually we can close the bar whenever we want to, so finish your beer quickly and get the fuck out of here" I responded to his comment that we had never been informed that the bar was closing and he continued to be rude. He then ordered my husband out of the bar because "his woman had a big mouth" I have never been accused of that in my life and take serious offense to his sexism. On principle, I hope that others will avoid this place as well. My husband, when asking to get the name of the manager, was then grabbed by the arm and escorted out the door.

    (1)

  • Antoinette P.

    I went here for a food walking tour. The walking tour was an absolute joke; however, Daniel O'Connell's was a pleasant surprise. The staff and management were very kind and knew so much about the restaurant. The restaurant itself is well decorated and looks exactly like any pub you might wander into in Ireland. Sure enough, one of the owners actually has specialized in a career of designing Irish pubs throughout Europe and the US. This place must be the crown jewel! The decor even includes centuries old bars flown in from Ireland! I didn't drink here, but I am sure that it is a great place to get a pint of Guinness or any ale. We sampled some items from the new menu, all of which were delicious. For those who enjoy a fancy twist on Irish pub fare, you will be delighted by Daniel O'Connell's. For those who wish to have a private Irish bar to themselves, you can also rent out one of their upstairs rooms.

    (4)

  • Clair C.

    It was our first time in a Irish pub & rest. Was so much fun with life music and great food.

    (4)

  • Chad M.

    I love Irish Pubs (good Irish Pubs) and O'Connell's didn't disappoint. My wife and I are new to the area, having just moved here from Indianapolis and love finding new places. Located in Old Town Alexandria, this pub fits right in to the "old charm" of the neighborhood. The staff is very friendly, the decor is wonderful (dark woods everywhere), the food is very good (but as a Vegan, I would like to see more options). My favorite, and only real option, is the hummus/veggie platter, which, is very good. For $8, you get enough to feed more than one person. They have a great beer selection on tap but I would like to see more local selections. At the time of our visit, there was just one local beer on tap. Also, it would be nice to have wireless connectivity available. This would be a great place to come for a beer and get a bit of work done. Overall, I highly recommend O'Connell's and I am absolutely positive that my wife and I will be back again and again and again. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because of the lack of Vegan food options and the lack of wireless connectivity.

    (4)

  • Amy P.

    My husband took me here on our first date, and thankfully he has good taste. ;) We come here for dinner when we can, and we've also attended and hosted parties here over the years. With several bars, private rooms available, and lots of seating, this is a very cool setting for any celebration. We just had dinner here again last night and all of our food was outstanding. They take reservations, which I would recommend for dinner. Last night's good eats: Spinach strawberry salad with goat cheese, Seafood pie, and Bangers & Mash.

    (5)

  • Kenlyn M.

    Bottom line: Delicious food - and if the service isn't perfect, they'll make it so. My better half and I wandered in for an early dinner on a rainy Sunday. Old Town Alexandria can be a crap shoot in some respects--along King Street, some restaurants are simply there because they've been there forever (and certainly not because their food is worth the price). DoC's was, however, both reasonably-priced for the neighborhood and delicious. BH had the Reuben, and I had the mussels--both were promptly delivered, perfectly delectable, and highly enjoyable. Our service was, I'm sorry to say, disappointing--but when we spoke with the manager, he responded quickly and generously. We're looking forward to trying the restaurant again, as we know the service will be up to the high standards of the food.

    (4)

  • Georgio B.

    My fav pub in Olde Towne! Great food, great beer selections, awesome staff! Highly recommend!

    (4)

  • Victor G.

    Do not go here if you are the least uncomfortable around a lot of people. The service was the slowest service I have ever experience in Old town. I do not know if it was because I wasn't some ditsy college girl or what but I stood at the bar with money in hand trying to get a drink for my wife and I. Then to make matter worse when I received my drinks my wife's vodka and diet coke were horrible. How do you mess up that simple drink and my beer was in a dirty glass. The only place we could find room to sit was upstairs but then you had all the dumb college kids standing all in the walking area bumping up against your table and everything and refusing to move for anything. The music is obnoxiously loud probably to make you forget how horrible of an experience you are having. We had our one drink and left, I am pretty sure I wont be back. I will head back to a better bar down on Strand Ave.

    (1)

  • Sasha A.

    It's a very solid Irish pub. Here's the rundown: 1) The atmosphere is great- inside gives off a nice old world vibe, the rooftop adds a great choice. 2) the food isn't revolutionary, but what Irish-inspired food is? It's hearty and feels nice when it's cold out. 3) The beer list isn't huge, but it has good variety that covers all the bases. 4) Gary, who took care of us during my last visit, was EXTREMELY nice. He definitely added a lot to a really nice evening. I'll definitely be back for drinks and m

    (4)

  • Hannah C.

    We arrived tired, hungry, and annoyed by another local eatery... When the fish n chips and Guinness arrived, the clouds parted and the sun shone through. The batter was nicely spiced. The fish was huge and flaky. The Guinness was... well... perfect. The service was great. The ambiance Irish-pub-like with lots of space for a big crowd, and lots of little nooks for a more intimate conversation. So nice. So very very nice. I'll come back here anytime, and screw the Chart House! PS: They have Pub Quiz night ( trivia night ) on Wednesdays.

    (4)

  • Teal G.

    O'Connell's is my go-to lifesaver restaurant. Really I should have Yelped about them before now. We have taken family, friends from out of town, done dates and company dinners here. The food has always been spot-on, the beer decently priced, the ambiance great, and love the live band. Today though O'Connell's saved my butt. My company had a big goodbye party for some of our staffers and we first went to 219 where the manager scolded us before giving us our food menu. (You can check out my review on their page). We evacuated before things got worse. We were desperate and could only migrate so far with a group of 20. I ran into O'Connell's poured out my sob story and guess what? They were pretty packed so they opened a whole section of their restaurant and gave us a private room to party in. The beer came fast and the food was perfect. I want to thank the hostess for being confronted by my plea and her packed restaurant and still making it work. Thank you to the manager for not scolding us. Thank you to the staff for their patience and not blinking an eye when splitting a huge bill between 20 people. You guys already had a fan but now you have a fan for life!

    (5)

  • Mark C.

    This is an Irish bar for sure. If you want to watch sports at the bar, go somewhere else. No TVs at the bar. The bartender was very friendly and provided good service. This area is North Old Town Alexandria and has a lot of shots and restaurants. I had the fish and chips (waffle sweet potato fries) which was very good. A limited draft beer selection if you are a beer snob but a great place to eat, drink and listen to Irish music. The front bar is small but the back bar is very big. I would go again.

    (4)

  • Sydney C.

    I have actually never been to O'Connell's before 10 PM as it is mostly known as one of the best bars in old town. It always has a small but good selection of beers and the bar food menu is great with portions big enough to share with a few people. It is a fun place to meet up with friends as it has a few different bars and seating areas inside (although the upstairs isn't always open). Looks, feels, and tastes like your average Irish pub but with a younger crowd. Go there for St. Patrick's day, they have a band and attentive bartenders even with the huge crowd. You won't be dissapointed!

    (4)

  • Sandra B.

    Went here last night for the first time even though we have lived in Alexandria for a while now. We didn't realize what an authentic place this was, and we enjoyed our visit here very much. We were seated upstairs and had a very nice irish waiter who was attentive and polite even though the place was really busy. We ordered the wings and we both had burgers. I thought the meal all in all was great and want to come back to try the fish and chips and some of the other irish fare they offer. My only complaint: I found the kid running around with the tablet to see where everyone was at in their meals to be really annoying. He must have passed by us twenty times during our meal as if he were on a track, and when we left he and the hostess were so busy trying to figure out how to get more people seated that they failed to acknowledge us at all as we were leaving. Maybe the sale end of things doesn't need to be so obvious. That being said, we had a nice meal, enjoyed the feel of the place (almost as if we were in a pub right in ireland) and we plan to return.

    (4)

  • Giselle O.

    Great service, delicious food, great drinking. What else do you need?

    (5)

  • Dayana S.

    Great bar! Super bartenders. Always have fun when Im there. Great bar for all ages. They make a wicked cocktail!

    (4)

  • Pat C.

    My friend and I felt that the food was ok, but the service was rather pathetic. It took 20 minutes for a glass of red wine to show up, and that was after the a glass of white was mistakenly brought out at the 18 minute mark. There were minor mistakes with the order. Requested water was forgotten. I won't go back there.

    (2)

  • Angela J.

    The service here was excellent, and I have heard the patio is pretty awesome. Right on King St. in Old Town, it's a great place to meet friends for a cocktail. I loved how the upstairs was open so you could see down to the floor below. The decor was really cool, made you feel like you were in an old pub in Ireland. Food, meh, it's ok, nothing amazing. My fish and chips were decent, the burgers around the table looked ok, and I heard the rueben was tasty too. The fries were not that great. Next time I come back...I'll stick to appetizers and drinks :)

    (3)

  • Dee L.

    Ok, it was St. Patrick's Day, it was crowded, there was a line. No big deal, it was St. Patrick's Day, of course there's a line! But the reason this place is getting 2 stars from me is because the bouncer was a TOTAL DICK. While we were in line we inquired about the cover (which supposedly started at 4, we were in line at 3:45). We were told we "would be fine" and wouldn't be charged. At 3:57 we got to the front, were met by a different bouncer, and were charged. It would have been fine if the new bouncer hadn't been such an asshole about it (rude in both tone and demeanor when we were forced to pay). I could understand if we were being obnoxious about it, but we weren't. This guy was clearly on a power trip. The inside we pleasant and we didn't have any more issues, but I'm sorry, the guy at the front completely turned me off from this place. I won't be going back.

    (2)

  • Joe M.

    Best fish and chips around! The bar keep was excellent and the band was awesome and not too loud. Great place for a pint!

    (5)

  • Chris D.

    Our party had reservations placed six weeks ago for the downstairs. Upon arrival, we were informed there was a mix up and we would be placed upstairs. 20 minutes in, while still waiting for the rest of the party to arrive, we were asked if we wanted to order food. When we said we wanted to wait, the waiter informed us there was another party that had our hand-me-down table reserved 75 minutes from then and we would need to get up... so we should keep that in mind. After speaking with the manager, we were informed there was a table we could move to outside as soon as it was freed up. They told us not to order any food until we moved so were somewhat taken aback when the waiter told us to "just chill out, relax and enjoy ourselves" after asking the status a half hour later. Another talk with the manager and we were told our table was being help up by Brooke Hogan, Hulk Hogan's daughter. Well, that is to say it was being held up by some bleach blond hooker-looker who had convinced the staff that's who she was. We would finally move to the outside terrace, but I won't bother to explain the problem there to those of you who are actually still reading. Suffice to say, it was pretty much impossible to get up and use the restroom. O'Connell's gets a 1 star bump for the bagpipe band that showed up and the Royal Air Force rugby team we drank with. Other than that, it was a pretty terrible experience.

    (2)

  • James H.

    My girlfriend and I love this place to the point that we make sure we plan a trip here for lunch at least once any time friends or family come to visit. The ribs are pretty incredible. My girlfriend and I usually fight over which one of us gets to order them each time we go there, with the promise that the loser gets at least one =) My only problem is that they are only available as an appetizer and not as a 1/2 or a full rack. Their alfredo chicken is also really good. There roast beef sliders are incredible! They have these homemade potatochip / fries things that are good, however, I think they'd be better if they were served hot!

    (4)

  • Ada G.

    This place is so cool! We sat upstairs and could see down into the lower level and across to one of the three old school looking bars. All the wood inside the place makes you feel like you could be in an old pub in Ireland. Very cool! We had the lamb burger, the mussels, and side salad with balsamic dressing. The balsamic dressing was the best I've ever had - it was so so good. The lamb burger was our waitress's favorite dish, and I'm glad she suggested it - it was very very tasty. The mussels were good, but the broth was not that memorable. They have a great kids menu. This is a great place to bring kids because it's like being in an old story book with the cool decor. We will definitely be back - great spot!

    (4)

  • Rob P.

    Friday night. 9:00 pm. O'Connell's seems to be a prime meat market for 30-something singles. I was easily the youngest person in the bar by about 10 years (sans for our server, but more on that in a moment). Normally, I wouldn't mind, but the vibe at O'Connell's is dominated by creepy dudes and women who 10-years ago wouldn't have even considered giving them the time of day. A few people in my group asked the sever questions about the draft beers. She couldn't answer them, admitting that she doesn't know anything about beer because she isn't 21. The beers, even the crappy domestics, are expensive, though perhaps not 'overpriced' by Old Town standards. I don't see myself coming back. At least not during this decade.

    (2)

  • Mary P.

    I am from out of town and had to find a location that would accommodate a group of 11 people on a Sat night for dinner which is always difficult. The reviews of this place were mixed, but a family member who is from the area recommended it. Not only was the food awesome, but the service was outstanding and the prices are very reasonable. I and some of my party had the seared scallops and mushroom risotto, and others in my party had the seared tuna, mussels in white wine cream sauce and bacon, fish and chips and a couple of different salmon dishes. There were plenty of different choices to please all tastes, and everyone really enjoyed what they ordered. The desserts were also fantastic! I highly recommend to give Daniel O'Connell's a try!

    (4)

  • Steve R.

    It was OK, not much different from any Irish pub back home in chicago. At first I was ready to write this place off as I had a surly little gal full of attitude for me wanting to not have to sit with my daughter in the street. She had big problems with all my ideas for workarounds for us to sit on their sidewalk patio but zip in the way of solutions. I asked to speak to the owner, who was very nice and accomodating. I can see why you'd need to adhere to whatever municipal codes there may be, but fer chrissake work with people or they'll be happy to go elsewhere for a 7 dollar guinness. Anyhow, the black velvets I had were very tasty and the owner was cool about it, so it bumped up a star.

    (3)

  • N C.

    When my bf and I went to this supposedly authentic Irish pub, there was a certain expectation that comes with that title! Let's start with... drinks were ok... I have to admit, I enjoyed their house ale but that was it! We were seated at the "attic section" without being warned that there were no air conditioning in the area. We were seated and noted the heat... asked the waiter (who barely spoke and even looked at us...) and said "I'll bring you some water..." then as we were eagerly looking at the menu hoping to find some authentic Irish dishes... we found nothing but crab cake, steak, salmon... all the usual entrees you can get at any restaurant... When a manager walked by, we question the excessive heat that started to affect me... the manger's only comment was "air conditioner broken, I can refill your water" and then walked away. I attempted to eat my OVERLY salty salmon where the only thing I could taste was the salt... I have never walked away from my entree but I couldn't even think about bringing the awful so -called salmon back to the hotel to feed the mice! I was on the verge of faint from the heat and awful food! By the way, my bf's steak was flavorless and was undercooked as per his request at the time of ordering. Service was awful and unfriendly... I would not even go there for the bar... there are so many choices to choose from... why go to someplace that cares more about bringing back authentic Irish furniture than providing true authentic Irish food???? Will not want my worst enemy to walk into the place!

    (1)

  • Charles S.

    Big, bright and clean. There are 4 bars, 1 smoking and 3 non as well as an outside patio on top. Lots of warm wood in the interior and the warm old town brick outside. A lot of genuine Irish bartenders which really adds to the atmosphere. I've never actually eaten the food and the drinks are a little expensive. All in all its a pretty good place to meet up for drinks.

    (3)

  • Rob B.

    I don't know were to start, the decor is great and so is the bartenders whom are from Ireland along with the decor. The service at the tables is something that should be revisited. I haven't had that bad of table service in a long time, I'm always understanding because sometimes servers have a bad day or they are in the weeds. So I looked past all of her mistakes until she brought the tab with vodkas tonics I ordered then they charged for tonic which was $3.00 plus $6.50 for vodka. Well needles to say this is were I lost it and wanted to see a manager. Now I pay $7.25 for vodka & tonic at the bar inside, so I did have a good case. The food menu consist of one page of apps, salad, entrees, deserts that sound good and for the most part are good. There isn't one single item on the menu that I can't get elsewhere that is just as good. This place is popular among old townies for now until word spreads that this just another over priced Irish pub among many others that are alot more fun to hang out at. I'm betting they don't make their five year mark. Update: 01-31-08 So I made the mistake of returning to O'CS, for happy hour (HH), I was in and out in half-hour. My hope was that I would put my previous visits behind me and revisit the menu one more time. It should be noted that I didn't pick this place for HH, my just moved back to the area friend wanted to try O'CS for some HH. AWFUL, AWFUL, AWFUL, it's not HH when you charge $4 for a stupid 12oz. Miller-Lite draft. Why even have that on HH menu. Now for the Apps., they were fairly price at $4 also. We tried the crab dip and veggie rolls; umm don't get them if you ever find yourself there during HH. My friend and I after few dips into the dip look up at each other and said this isn't working out! The veg rolls seem worst than the frozen ones available at Murry's stores Moving onto service, I think one could be better served at the Au Bon Pain that I've recently reviewed. This experience at O'CS could be that the GM-owner has my photo from Yelp hanging in his office but I doubt that this is the case. So I once gave O'CS a two star rating, now I'm taking one away for not improving in the year plus since my review.

    (1)

  • Alix H.

    This is a bar and meant for drinking beer -- this is not meant for a family dinner. Our service was less "hit" and more "miss" -- our entrees all arrived at different times (all 4 of them) even though 2 were identical. The server said it was my "fault" for changing my order -- the only problem with this explanation was that the first and last entrees were not the ones that had been changed. Also, anyone with kids knows that the child's entree should arrive first or together but certainly not last! Fish and chips were undercooked and macaroni and cheese was a disappointment. If you're going for drinks, this is undoubtedly a great place, but for a dinner destination, its definitely not a repeat for me.

    (2)

  • Melanie W.

    This is not your typical Irish pub - if you're looking for that you should head to Murphy's. If you're someone who likes a little bit of Irish, but were frightened by the crowd of people drunkenly singing along to Irish songs at the top of their lungs at Murphy's then you should be at O'Connells. Great staff and great layout. This is actually 4 bars and a restaurant in one. The space is done so well. The staff and the management are great - in fact they are my favorite part about this bar. The food is so overthought it's horrific. I've never had anything remotely good here off the standard menu, which is especially bad considering that it's all expensive. So while I wouldn't come here for dinner I would highly recommend stopping by for drinks and exploring the various crowds at any of the 4 bars (two downstairs and two up - only one is smoking) or the small roofdeck. Trivia night on Wednesday is fun and this is one of the only bars in the DC area that shows Six Nations rugby. If you go for 6 nations, then I change what I said about the food and encourage you to get the Irish breakfast - it's perfect and makes you feel like you're in Ireland!

    (3)

  • chancy l.

    Casual dinners. Great burger place. #1 neighborhood hangout for Old Town residents. Outdoor seating goes quickly in nice weather.

    (4)

  • Dee L.

    Ok, it was St. Patrick's Day, it was crowded, there was a line. No big deal, it was St. Patrick's Day, of course there's a line! But the reason this place is getting 2 stars from me is because the bouncer was a TOTAL DICK. While we were in line we inquired about the cover (which supposedly started at 4, we were in line at 3:45). We were told we "would be fine" and wouldn't be charged. At 3:57 we got to the front, were met by a different bouncer, and were charged. It would have been fine if the new bouncer hadn't been such an asshole about it (rude in both tone and demeanor when we were forced to pay). I could understand if we were being obnoxious about it, but we weren't. This guy was clearly on a power trip. The inside we pleasant and we didn't have any more issues, but I'm sorry, the guy at the front completely turned me off from this place. I won't be going back.

    (2)

  • Joe M.

    Best fish and chips around! The bar keep was excellent and the band was awesome and not too loud. Great place for a pint!

    (5)

  • Chris D.

    Our party had reservations placed six weeks ago for the downstairs. Upon arrival, we were informed there was a mix up and we would be placed upstairs. 20 minutes in, while still waiting for the rest of the party to arrive, we were asked if we wanted to order food. When we said we wanted to wait, the waiter informed us there was another party that had our hand-me-down table reserved 75 minutes from then and we would need to get up... so we should keep that in mind. After speaking with the manager, we were informed there was a table we could move to outside as soon as it was freed up. They told us not to order any food until we moved so were somewhat taken aback when the waiter told us to "just chill out, relax and enjoy ourselves" after asking the status a half hour later. Another talk with the manager and we were told our table was being help up by Brooke Hogan, Hulk Hogan's daughter. Well, that is to say it was being held up by some bleach blond hooker-looker who had convinced the staff that's who she was. We would finally move to the outside terrace, but I won't bother to explain the problem there to those of you who are actually still reading. Suffice to say, it was pretty much impossible to get up and use the restroom. O'Connell's gets a 1 star bump for the bagpipe band that showed up and the Royal Air Force rugby team we drank with. Other than that, it was a pretty terrible experience.

    (2)

  • James H.

    My girlfriend and I love this place to the point that we make sure we plan a trip here for lunch at least once any time friends or family come to visit. The ribs are pretty incredible. My girlfriend and I usually fight over which one of us gets to order them each time we go there, with the promise that the loser gets at least one =) My only problem is that they are only available as an appetizer and not as a 1/2 or a full rack. Their alfredo chicken is also really good. There roast beef sliders are incredible! They have these homemade potatochip / fries things that are good, however, I think they'd be better if they were served hot!

    (4)

  • Ada G.

    This place is so cool! We sat upstairs and could see down into the lower level and across to one of the three old school looking bars. All the wood inside the place makes you feel like you could be in an old pub in Ireland. Very cool! We had the lamb burger, the mussels, and side salad with balsamic dressing. The balsamic dressing was the best I've ever had - it was so so good. The lamb burger was our waitress's favorite dish, and I'm glad she suggested it - it was very very tasty. The mussels were good, but the broth was not that memorable. They have a great kids menu. This is a great place to bring kids because it's like being in an old story book with the cool decor. We will definitely be back - great spot!

    (4)

  • Rob P.

    Friday night. 9:00 pm. O'Connell's seems to be a prime meat market for 30-something singles. I was easily the youngest person in the bar by about 10 years (sans for our server, but more on that in a moment). Normally, I wouldn't mind, but the vibe at O'Connell's is dominated by creepy dudes and women who 10-years ago wouldn't have even considered giving them the time of day. A few people in my group asked the sever questions about the draft beers. She couldn't answer them, admitting that she doesn't know anything about beer because she isn't 21. The beers, even the crappy domestics, are expensive, though perhaps not 'overpriced' by Old Town standards. I don't see myself coming back. At least not during this decade.

    (2)

  • Diane S.

    this place is so yummy and pretty! I loved their homemade chips yum! only $3 too. I love the bar thats made of a old pharmacy from ireland. The cute irish accents the workers have. The cute servers!! ahh place is amazing, clean and just lovely. The bathroom is so nice and clean, they have cool sinks with snakes, and the towels are so thick i love it!! I went for happy hour and the meals were great at $6 yummy. will be returning to this old town gem :)

    (5)

  • Meghan W.

    Not only does this place have FANTASTIC food and a GREAT staff, but they are also the awesomest place in old town! There is so much old furniture and just cool things inside. There is a lot of space in there and on a busy Friday night we got right in! There are also four bars spread throughout it and they have all the Irish classics!!! If I lived in old town I'd be here literally ALL OF THE TIME!

    (5)

  • David B.

    Learning how to judge one restaurant to another has allowed me to come up my review. Staff could not be nicer, love the decor and price point was perfect. The food: My 5 year old ordered the chicken strips and fries. Fries were cold and the strips were rubber. Flavor was ok, but my 5 year old didn't eat her dinner. I ordered the Happy hour special. Burger and beer special were priced well. Once again food was just ok. Beer was pretty good. My wife ordered 2 items from the starter section. Salad and stew. Very large portions, if we knew she would have only ordered the salad.

    (3)

  • Brian M.

    Good food, stout poors, friendly staff, and a heated outdoor deck for smoking! Loved everything about this Old Town restaurant. Dined 03/31 with friends and had a great time. if you are hungry go for the pork shank oso bucco. Awesome! After a great dinner, several of us retired to the 2nd floor deck to enjoy fine cigars.

    (4)

  • Glenn W.

    It's exactly what you want from and Irish pub. A good Irish band and leek soup. What? You don't think leek soup is the shizznit? Alright. I might have been a touch sauced. Cool atmosphere though. I love old town.

    (4)

  • Stephanie M.

    My boyfriend and I were in Old Town late on a Sunday two weeks ago, wanting to walk around and get some food. We arrived later than we intended and everything was closing down. Hungry, we got on our smartphones and looked up places that might stay open past 11 on Sundays. O'Connell's came up and it was right next to where we were. The place was laid out interestingly and the staff was surprisingly helpful for the hour. The place wasn't very crowded and the prices weren't super cheap but decent. We ordered the seafood shepherd's pie and the Jameson wings. Both were absolutely delicious. We will be coming back.

    (4)

  • Ashley V.

    I had been here once before on a Saturday night for a friend's birthday. It was super-crowded on the main floor and hard to move about. I really can't comment much more on that experience, as we were only there for one drink. I recently was able to visit again for Happy Hour tonight, and it was a good experience! It was a warm night, so their rooftop deck was open. It is one of few, if not the only, deck I can think of Old Town Alexandria. It's really quaint, wedged between two brick buildings and overlooking King Street. They had a few heat lamps, as well, for when it cooled off. The server was very good. We asked if there were other appetizers, seeing we had seen someone had nachos listed on Yelp and that happened to sound good (despite their negative review), and the waiter shared the Gaelic Nachos with us (think kettle chips with shaved beef and melted Dublin cheese) and a spinach and bean dip that they have. He was also checking up on us just enough without being annoying, and processed our bill quickly. My husband ordered the house beer ($3.50), and I ordered the Sam's Seasonal ($4) during Happy Hour. I believe one of our friends said they also had $5 glasses of wine. The Gaelic Nachos were $6. For the record, the nachos were good! Perhaps, the person who negatively commented was thrown off by the kettle style chip, which I can imagine as being mistaken for stale? It was really unique for nachos, but delicious! The cheese was really good! Other items on the menu included Irish cuisine, such as bacon and cabbage; Shepard's pie; Dubliner cheeseburger; prime rib sliders (which received good reviews); pumpkin risotto, mussels in ale, etc. The prices ranged from about $8-$11 for appetizers to $11-$22 for the entrees. One disappointing thing a friend mentioned was the missing Irish classic: bangers and mash. Bottom line: the food was good, service was great, the drinks were reasonably priced, and we got to enjoy them on the rooftop deck in the nice weather. Successful happy hour. I'll be back.

    (4)

  • Lori H.

    My friends and I came here on a Friday night. We were wandering down King Street and this looked like a pretty decent pub to grab some drinks. I loved the interior of this place. Beautiful wood, perfect lighting. The bar was pretty packed so we got a table. The waiter was friendly and service was quick. They have a good beer selection and your standard Irish fare on the menu. We ordered an appetizer based on the waiter's recommendation, the egg roll, which was fantastic. Their dinner...not so much. Fish and chips were okay, Shepard's pie was bland. My friends and I agreed that we would come back to the place again for drinks and appetizers. We will eat dinner elsewhere.

    (4)

  • vanessa g.

    Lamb Burger!!! That's all I have to say. It was so delicious and juicy just thinking about it makes me want to go back again and again. The seating is still crowded and the place is always busy but that burger is so worth it! In addition I also tried the seafood tapas (very small portion) which includes a shrimp, a scallop, some calamari and my favorite, the Maryland crab cake. It was a very tasty start to my dining experience. I also tried an appletini which tasted decent. Great, now I want a lamb burger again.

    (4)

  • Jamie R.

    Grumpy and worn out from a long airplane flight and business seminar, I slumped down to the hotel lobby where I was staying to ask the front desk clerk for a dinner recommendation. He politely recommended that I check out King Street, only a few minutes away from the hotel, gave me a map, and told me the time for the next bus into town. I begrudgingly boarded the shuttle later that evening with my boss and a fellow teacher and rode into the icy dark. When the shuttle doors opened, we found ourselves on a snowy street. The picturesque businesses were closed and string lights lit up the night sky. There were few people out, but we saw some standing on the far end of the street and began to walk. As we got closer, we heard laughing and music. The people led us to an Irish pub. We stood outside looking at the large restaurant sign, debating whether to go in or continue searching. In big gold letters, it read: O'Connells. The locals who drew us there, now stood next to us-- rosy-cheeked and obviously with a few in them. They saw the curious looks on our faces and said, without our asking, "It's amazing. Best restaurant on the block." We were sold. Wow. It was cozy and smelled amazing. Dim lighting, crackling fireplaces everywhere...the perfect place to snuggle up for a pint. We were seated in a booth overlooking the bar area. We ordered a round (which included Guinness, of course) and perused the menu. So many good choices I wanted to cry over the fact I was leaving the next day. Beer battered bangers? Guiness Burger? Dubliner Cheese??!! (Quite possibly my favorite hard cheese) My boss ordered the Cashel Crusted New York Strip with a port wine demi glace. I had to order the Shepherd's Pie (with Jameson potatoes) since it's one of my favorite Irish classics. My coworker ordered the fish and chips. All amazing. I have seriously considered flying all the way back to Virginia (I live in California) just to try more of the food here. I hardly paid attention to the service since I was so engrossed in the menu, but honestly, if they slapped me in the face when they gave me the menus and shouted profanities, I would still eat here.

    (5)

  • Brad S.

    Best pub in Old Town, no question about it. Pub fare but good salad selections too. If you re looking for a complex menu, keep looking. But if you want a place to relax, have a pint and visit with friends, or eat some good simple food in a great pub environment, then this is your place!

    (4)

  • Lia M.

    I went back to O'Connell's for a friend's birthday celebration. I was excited because I had read there was a new head chef and while the menu does not wow me, there were a couple dishes that I liked on it. Happy hour drink specials in the restaurant along with the bar are always a plus. My beloved risotto cakes are gone. Even though I do not like the calamari here, it was ordered, and it was absolutely awful. I truly do not think there was any calamari on our plate - it was all overly crisp batter and peppers. Just by looking at the dish, I wondered if we had been served the correct item. My friend and I split the duck - it was OK, but not worth the jacked-up Old Town prices. The Grand Marnier sauce was tasty though, as were the veggies and mashed potatoes. The birthday girl's fish and chips was good, though. Fries were done right and fish was flaky underneath a crisp batter. We had leftover papaya ketchup from the calamari, which was a pleasant surprise with the fries. Dessert was the molten chocolate cake and it was tasty. Nothing to get excited over, but if you want a dessert while you are here, this was a good choice. The birthday girl brought along her daughter, and O'Connell's (during dinner hours) really is not a bad restaurant for children - crayons and a coloring sheet are provided, along with a children's menu and children's cup. Restrooms, though upstairs, were clean and warm. Our server, William, though quite busy, was friendly and fairly attentive. Still, due to the awful calamari and too high prices for the quality of the food, I would not recommend eating here.

    (2)

  • Lily S.

    Aside from the fact that I'm not even remotely close to being Irish, this isn't so bad a pub to set foot in for a late nite cocktail...if you're in the Alexandria area, which we were. Service was fast & friendly, and drinks were reasonably priced. And yes, I swear almost everyone in there was Irish. The pub's got a bit of a weird smell and the patrons...oh the patrons. I wish I could've photographed the action going on around me and made a little picture book for all to see b/c I'm sure, dear readers, you would've enjoyed it as much as we did.

    (3)

  • Jesy B.

    Wow, is everyone who works here required to have an Irish accent or I was just lucky enough on the two times I went to have that? Plus one star for that alone. (Accents are very neat). Anyway, I'd just gotten into the DC area and this was my first foray in DC/Virginia, etc. I was hungry. And thirsty - and this place took care of both those. I ordered myself some bangers and mash off the bar menu, along with a vodka sour (apparently those aren't common there - the lady had to make sure I didn't say whiskey). The gravy, the 'mash...the meat...all together was a melody of deliciousness in my mouth. I also have to say kudos for their onion rings - light, beer battered and scrumptious!! It was also lovely by the fireplace as it was quite nippy outside. Overall a great place for a bite and a drink.

    (5)

  • Jon K.

    3.5 stars. I see this place is swimming in good reviews and while I did find it enjoyable I didn't find it top notch. It has a great atmosphere, I will give it that and is the perfect place to watch a soccer or football game with friends. Drinks are somewhat expensive which is the norm for being in Old Town by the water in this location. Additionally they have an outside dining area and a roof top which are two big pluses in my book. The food isn't bad, but it's definitely pricey. I have had the sliders here on a few different occasions which are very good. Additionally, the last time I had lunch here I had there lamb burger which was delightful but very overpriced at $13. All in all, this isn't a bad place in the old town area but there are better.

    (3)

  • Scot G.

    The Irish Rolls are awesome and the rest of the food was good too. Very much an Irish pub, have already returned. Okay what the other reviews say about the service being slow can be true (I have seen it slow and fast), but the food is really good which I care so much more about. Plus it is a bar, have a beer why you wait.

    (4)

  • Kat O.

    I went here with a couple of my coworkers one night in Old Town and I really liked it! It's a great old-school Pub place with really good drinks and food. I initially wanted the prime rib for $20 but they didn't have any that night so they replaced it with a 14oz Ribeye Steak! Still delicious and the sides were so good as well. I have no real complaints about this place except for the following: 1. We sat in the back in a booth where the table was at least a foot away from the chairs. We had to sit on the edge of our seats in order to be sure that we didn't spill any food on our laps but it's not that big of a deal. 2. The waiter wasn't able to separate checks very well. We had to write out what each individual ordered, put the last 4 numbers of our cards (or include just enough cash) and then write how much we wanted to put on our cards. It wasn't very convenient and it took at least 20 minutes to get it all straight. But the food and drinks are awesome so I definitely recommend going here for some good (a tiny bit on the pricey side depending on what you get) pub food!

    (4)

  • Tim W.

    I had some friends in town this week... We met up at D. O'C's... AND got hammered!! Staff and drinks were spot on. Great venue to sit back in a laid back environment and get drunk. King Street is a lot of fun and D. O'C's is my new favorite spot in Old Town. See for yourself.

    (4)

  • Charles H.

    The Irish Burger was good if you enjoy open faced burgers with mashed potatoes. Its quite filling so pass up any appetizers if you order it. As most reviews stated, the Irish ambiance is alive and well in Old Town at O'Connell's.

    (3)

  • Allison A.

    You know, I took a big risk coming here. See, I was with an Irishman. He's super picky anyway, but really picky about anything that purports to be Irish. I didn't look at Yelp first (oops!), but I'm glad I didn't, since you all obviously didn't have the awesome experience I did. It was a Saturday night, so we expected a wait, but got a seat at the bar pretty fast. A nice little corner where we could watch football or talk. We split a few apps (the cheese plate and the slider mix) and grabbed a few beers. First test was the Guinness. It had the nice, perfect Guinness head on it, and was the perfect temperature. Magner's was good on tap, too. But make sure you eat. Cheese plate had back bacon, which is excellent with some Coleman's mustard, and it's served with Branston pickle (which is an acquired taste). Good, hard cheddar and something I don't know, but was good. Lamb slider melted in your mouth, crab cake had a perfect crunch, and beef was just good. Matt was an excellent and attentive server. Go Matt! I'll be back, and the Irishman said, "They did a pretty darned good job." I'll take it.

    (5)

  • Edward M.

    8 years ago (for me) this place was great. There really wasn't a night where things weren't up beat. The food and drink were awesome. I brought a few friends into town and stopped by tonight. The entire bar at 11pm smelled like it had been dowsed in bleach. The crowd was almost entirely dressed in awfully fitted suit jackets and for whatever reason the muzak was playing an endless block of "Foreigner". One tidbit from the night stood out for me. For a restaurant that proclaims it's close ties to Guinness proper in Ireland, we were given a skunk Guinness and a bottom of the Keg Blue Moon. Unbelievable. Next!

    (2)

  • Chris S.

    Visited happy hour after being disappointed at another near by pub. The staff us friendly and great. Drink specials were decent BUT THE SWEET AND SOUR WINGS ARE DELICIOUS. Just a suggestion.

    (4)

  • Brent A.

    Great place for most occasions. Usually a good mix of people (all ages). A good place to eat and watch a game or take a date. One of my favorites in Old Town. Plenty of bars to choose from - - Nice upstairs - Good Service.

    (4)

  • Mama P.

    Food was ok not much of the beer selection on draft. Nothing much to talk about really.

    (3)

  • So U.

    Amazing decor! Great dark wood bar and cozy enclosed seating for parties overlooking the bar. Everything we had was amazing! (cheese plate, chicken wings, bangers and mash, rack of lamb). I do want to emphasize the lamb. Very soft and succulent (cooked medium). For a more thorough review: wanderingchopsticksdc.bl…

    (5)

  • Logan M.

    O'connell's is a great Irish restaurant/bar. The place has a great feel inside and seems very authentic. There are 3 separate bars. When the weather is nice sit on the patio upstairs! The food was great, seemed very authentic. The bread pudding is fantastic!

    (4)

  • Amy H.

    We have always had great service, food, fun and laughs at one of the various bar areas (there are 4 bars to choose from) during happy hour so we decided to do a catered event there recently. If you have a group of 10, 20 or even 50 to 60 guests, the staff is awesome at keeping everyone in both small and large groups with drinks in hand and refreshing food throughout the night leaving party guests and hosts to enjoy the event. Everyone had an awesome time at the event, the staff was excellent in terms of service for a party of 60+ people and the food was great as well. We would highly recommend the Fitzgerald room and second floor area if you are looking for a good place to host a party of 20-60 guests.

    (5)

  • DJ J.

    If you want to relax, enjoy a very filling meal and people watch, I can hardly think of any place better than to dine outdoors at O'Connell's Restaurant. The Guinness and Harp is served cold, the portions are extremely generous, and there are two ice cream shops next door for dessert excursions after dinner. The overall ambiance is a delightful combination of rustic and sophisticated. Cozy enough to be romantic, it maintains a bit of the Old World charm while providing prompt American service and attention to detail.

    (4)

  • Scott H.

    We went here on a Friday night with some friends to start the weekend off right. The food is pretty good, and they had a average selection of beer and wine. I can see ourselves going back.

    (4)

  • Rodge B.

    Been here once for lunch and another time for the bar. Lunch was okay, but the one Thursday night we came here was awesome. Girls, music, and lots of different beers mainly representing the Irish obviously. The inside layout is kinda quirky. Reminds me of a slightly upscale Kildare's if any people are familiar with those.

    (4)

  • Patrick T.

    Awesome layout. Like an old Irish saloon. It has four bars, great seating, good beer selection and excellent appetizers. We only stopped in for drinks and appetizers so I can't speak about the main courses, but an overall excellent experience. I would love to own an Irish restaurant/bar like this.

    (5)

  • Rob B.

    Stopped in for dinner while in town and was very satisfied! We we looking for a casual place for a late dinner with a group of 5, including my picky pre-teen niece. We all ended up very happy with our dinner choices. Trio - Sliders (an appetizer item) was plenty of food for my wife and a nice variety. Niece had the Prime Rib slider app and she loved it. Pheasant salad and Oven Roasted Chicken (special) were also great. We also ordered Crabquettes (basically crab cakes) app that was very good. Drinks were all top notch. Great pub atmosphere. Dinner was very reasonable. Great location near the water on King Street in Old Town. Would definitely stop in again.

    (4)

  • Chelsea O.

    My family and I were in town for Police Week and heard that O'Connell's was a fun place to go. The food was decent and the drinks were great, and the pub itself is beautiful. I gave this place 2 stars because the service was horrible. Our server seemed very annoyed that she had to serve us. Also, a big reason why my family came here was because our last name is O'Connell so we were very tempted to try this place out. Of course we bought 7 t-shirts (because we are dorks like that). The problem is is that our server put the shirts (totaling $140!) on our dinner bill AND charged a 20% gratuity. As a previous server, I understand gratuity. BUT I think it was very unethical of her to put gratuity on $140 for t-shirts... you don't charge a tip for selling merchandise. (That's an extra $28 on her tip!) When we noticed we brought it to her attention and she said that she would take the shirts off of our dinner bill. She did, but she never adjusted the gratuity and left her tip the same. Giving herself a 55% tip on our dinner bill. When we noticed that we asked for the manager. When he came he was not very unapologetic, and our server never apologized. We got the feeling that these kind of things happen often at O'Connell's. Besides the ordeal with our bill, we all really enjoyed ourselves. We come to the DC area every year for Police Week, but unfortunately we don't trust the staff to return. If you go, MAKE SURE TO CHECK YOUR BILL.

    (1)

  • Gary B.

    I used to go to this pub all the time and really enjoyed it. The service was excellent and the food was great. The Sunday brunch was a great time. However, things seemed to have declined and I'm not sure why. Was there with my fiance the afternoon of Saturday, 7 Oct 12, to give it another shot. There were customers inside but it wasn't overly busy. The hostess was very nice and sat us in a great spot on the first floor by the bar where we could see the tv (sports). Not a single server came over to get us started--the entire time we were there. 20 minutes after sitting there (that's not an exaggeration), I was finally able to literally grab a waiter to at least get us drinks--and it wasn't even our waiter! He said, "Oh, she'll be over in just a minute." The young, blonde female who was supposed to be our waitress NEVER came over to us. Not once during the entire meal. Took another ten minutes to receive our INITIAL drinks. We both ordered food--I ordered the roast beef sliders, my fiance ordered a wrap. Both of our meals were cold when we received them. The meat on my sandwiches had a weird taste and the bread was soggy. No one ever came over to check on us to see how things were going. I didn't even try to order another drink (not even water) because we never would've gotten them anyway. Absolutely terrible. I won't be giving them my patronage in the future. I'll also be letting my friends know to stay away from there. Being in the military, I've been to quite a few Irish pubs--all over the world. Never have I been treated this way. There are several other pubs in the area. I would suggest going to one of them and not this place. Unless you don't mind not eating or drinking, that is.

    (1)

  • Susan H.

    This past Saturday, faced with wonderful weather, we decided to go to Old Town Alexandria. After all, we were way overdue for a visit since we hadn't been there in years. I came up with a few dinner possibilities and my husband chose Daniel O'Connell's because he wanted bangers and mash. We arrived here shortly before 5 p.m. and already the place was doing a brisk business. At this hour, everyone was seated in the bar. We didn't mind as we were given a table that could accommodate 4 people, thus giving us room to spread out. Our waiter arrived promptly to take our drink orders. Instead of ordering a Guinness, my husband got a Stella Artois. I asked the waiter for a recommendation for a sweet cocktail and he suggested a lemon drop martini, which I then ordered. He was right---it was a sweet, but not too sweet drink, served with a rim of sugar. We started out with a caprese salad appetizer. I'm not sure if we ended up with 2 orders (even though we ordered 1) but we each got a plate with 2 tomato slices and 2 thick mozzarella slices. This was a decent caprese. All the right ingredients were there but overall, we've had some with better quality tomatoes and mozzarella. My husband, of course, had what the menu said was "banger and mash". When the dish came, it had more than one "banger". Instead, it had several small bangers. He asked the waiter about that and was told that at one time the dish came with one very big banger but it was recently changed. My husband enjoyed his dish yet wasn't wowed by it. I had the Irish BLT. It was served on toasted rustic bread (a nice touch). Instead of bacon, it had rashers in it. The best description I found of rashers is this --- it is what we call Canadian bacon. It was a tasty sandwich with generous portions of rashers, lettuce and tomatoes. This sandwich comes with fries. The fries were a bit overcooked but still okay. Overall, a decent meal but again, I wasn't wowed. Dinner cost $52 + change before the tip. My husband neglected to see if we ended up with 2 caprese salads before paying the bill. So, I'm not sure if the cost reflects 1 or 2 capreses. While we didn't dislike the place, next time we're in Old Town Alexandria, we will try another restaurant for dinner.

    (3)

  • Alison M.

    This is a pretty cool looking place inside. The set up reminded me of my favorite Irish bar in London. I like how they have outdoor seating. I've only ordered two things here, a bloody mary that was great and the seafood appetizer that was an awful value, $13 for one scallop, 4 calamari rings, and 2 or 3 pieces of shrimp. I would come back, but I would not order that again.

    (3)

  • Megan M.

    This place decides to put a group of 9 people on one ticket! When we asked to Be separated they refused to separate the tickets. It took us 30 minutes for US TO SEPARATE OUR OWN TICKETS!!!! Horrible customer service!!!!! The worst part is that they have a nice register system (POS) that is obviously able to separate tickets. I'll never come to this restaurant with a group of people ever again!!!!!

    (1)

  • Jen J.

    Went here for a Sunday brunch after Chadwick's had over an hour wait. Food was delicious, and coupled with their Irish coffee, was a rainy Sunday's dream come true. Staff was warm and friendly. I'm definitely going to come back!

    (5)

  • Jonathan M.

    If you come visit me the odds are high that I'm going to take you to Old Town, and subsequently, Dan O'Connell's. Over-baked, in your face, flag waving, Guinness pouring Irish Pubs are a dime-a-dozen, but this is something different. The food here is great, the atmosphere is great, and the ambiance is as good as it gets in Alexandria. Its not the best grub that Ive had, but the package deal of an authentic Irish Pub, Harp Lager on draft and secluded seat is what I love. You never really feel crowded in this noisy joint, and that's saying something. Odds are you're going to have to wait for a table, but its Old Town - what isn't a hot mess on a prime eat day? When you go for the dessert menu, grab the mini camp fire smores. Its just fun to roast your own marshmallows at your table. Remember, a few Irish flags do not an Irish Pub make. O'Connell's knows that fun fact, and brings you the Real McCoy, as it were.

    (5)

  • C A.

    I have visited this location 2-3 times and really enjoy the 'bar' ambiance. Be sure to go to the bar in the back it's more energetic and lively. The bar upfront feels more like a place to be with a date :). - Great Friday evening spot. - Wonderful atmosphere. - Exceptional service. - Great servers. - Bartenders are very attentive and polite.

    (4)

  • David K.

    Whenever you are looking for a thoroughly mediocre Irish pub, Daniel O'Connell's is there to fill the bill. While decorated nicely, it seems like the owners of O'Connells found a yard sale for olden, wooden furniture and then dropped it into the space to create jumbled tables and nooks. I guess that's fine if that's what they were going for, but it makes the layout confusing. If this were merely a drinking establishment, I could easily look past that. Unfortunately, as a relatively high priced dining establishment, the food is horrendous. I've now had the displeasure of dining here twice, and both times was horribly let down by the food. The lamb burger was a dried out mess with a terribly unmatching mayo/aioli to put on it. The seasoning was off and, as hard as it is to screw up a burger, O'Connell's did. On the second trip, I sampled the Guinness burger. Although not noted on the menu, this is not a burger at all. It is a burger patty with a slimy sauce that had congealed on the patty atop a batch of powder made mashed potatoes. You would think that an item titled as a Guinness Burger, would be a hamburger in the normal sense of the word. What a disappointment. I also was told the brunch is a Whitlows on Wilson style mess that stresses quantity over quality. All in all, this would be a fine place to go drinking at, and it is certainly more spacious than Murphys and had a less crass crowd. Still, if I'm eating, I'd much rather walk down the street to the delicious Eamonn's Dublin Chipper. I'd even prefer the local McDonald's to this slop.

    (3)

  • Hampton C.

    Great Irish pub in the heart of Old Town. They've carved out a great space along the historic street. They have a couple different bar areas and a wonderful upstairs patio! Great for for a quick afternoon pint after hustling up and down King street.

    (4)

  • Vanessa H.

    Service: Good Location: Excellent Food: So-so Recommend: Maybe Came here for lunch with relatives and it was ok at best. We were seated as soon as we walked in the door. Our server was prompt when she took our order as well as take our empty plates. The food didn't take too long to come out despite the restaurant being fairly busy at the height of lunch time. Our orders consisted of 2 orders of fish and chips, mussels and frites, and prime rib. I'm not sure if the mussels were supposed to be cold but it felt a bit rubbery and difficult to eat when cold. I had this dish in Belgium and they offer up hot mussels, which is much easier to chew and go down so compared to that, O'Connell's' dish doesn't really stack up. I ordered the prime rib and 2 things: they didn't omit the mashed potatoes like I requested and the meat came out more of a medium/medium-well as opposed to the medium rare that I like. On top of that, it was just warm. I'm willing to come back another time to see if I get a different experience. For now, I would say that if you don't really care too much about the food then this place is ok to drop in. Otherwise, if you're focused on the food, then you can skip this restaurant and go to the next one.

    (3)

  • Joye P.

    A pretty, casual, Irish pub with comfortable seating and plenty of private nooks for a laid-back night out with friends. The food is better than expected. I had a $7 warm spinach salad with blue cheese. We also got the french fries with cumin dipping sauce: skip them. Better fries are to be had elsewhere and the sauce is mediocre. Prices are moderate. The noise level allows for dinner conversation. It's an all-around solid retaurant/ pub in Old Town.

    (3)

  • Drew S.

    A great spot for a good dinner or brunch. While it's not a dive bar, this place does a great job with their menu. I've tried a few different things and am always impressed.

    (4)

  • Raymond C.

    Walked in because it looked like the place to have a drink and it was the perfect place to have a good time. Sat by the fireplace and enjoyed the Beer and sliders. Thinking of going back for dinner

    (4)

  • Yipin G.

    Came for Good Friday with our Catholic father so menu options were severely limited. Who can say they've tried every seafood dish at an Irish pub? BANGING fish and chips - super fluffy fish, not greasy...it was like the Irish response to tempura. I was on a cloud of fish. Skip the mussels, ale or wine sauce, just meh. Neither was unique or super discernible from the other. The caesar salad was average, but the grilled salmon on the side was some of the best cooked salmon I've had in awhile. Don't get dessert. After reminscing about the Chart House's lava cakes (the only thing I ever got there), we ordered a lava cake and apple pie. The apple pie looked like it had been made from recycled shepherd's pie pastry crust. Not only looked like meat pie, but tasted like one too. Lava cake was equally disappointing - no lava and the cake reminded me of a Betty Crocker microwaveable (not like I've eaten one of those). Go enjoy the great atmosphere - I loved the second floor and how the big restaurant is sectioned off to give it a cozier feel - and order a black and tan with your fish and chips.

    (4)

  • David R.

    Want a damn-near perfect Irish pub? I've tried many in the region - Kitty O'Shea's, O'Sullivans (vomit), Ri Ra, Murphy's, O'Malleys. Daniel O'Connell's trumps them all. President's Day weekend, and we got a spot next to the fireplace. The place is warm in both senses of the word. I believe this place used to be Bullfeather's, and any long term northern Virginian will remember Bullfeather's. The beer selection was terrific, and the food was unique. Authentic Irish mixed with a middle eastern and India flavor (several lamb dishes and items with curry). I had the crabquettes (sp) and they were a nice variation on the "crab balls" we all know and love. Fish and chips were light yet meaty and well battered, as fish and chips should be. Service was top notch. And two large bars to choose from. Probably now my favorite spot in lower Old Town.

    (5)

  • E T.

    Bands on the weekend are nice, but the crowd is not. Back fills up and makes it a pain to make it to the restroom. The crowd comes of a bit stuck up and the bartenders seemed bothered that they have to make you a drink.

    (2)

  • Jill H.

    I really like O'Connell's! If been there a handful of times. It's great to eat there outside on a nice day, for happy hour or to dine inside for dinner or lunch. They have a great selection for food on the menu too. I love the ambience too. I didn't think I'd like it when I first went, but it's really nice (for an Irish Pub) inside. The Guiness Burger is amazing! Instead of being on a bun in comes on top of mashed potatoes and gravy. The bread pudding is obviously amazing too! Going there at night is fun; the bar is always fun.

    (4)

  • Andrew E.

    We'll keep looking for a good happy hour place. Bad food, bad food, bad food. We had the nachos and the chips were actually stale. They served us stale chips. How hard is it to make decent nachos? Impossible...if you use stale chips. With so many other options, they need to step it up quite a bit. Sure, it looks really nice, but you can't eat the decor.

    (2)

  • Dan Z.

    Friday night, 7pm, got to dine on the sidewalk! Could not have been better! Love this location, love Old Town! Two Words....Lamb Burger! OMG was that good! Exceeded my expectations!

    (5)

  • jack h.

    The cabbie recommended it. It was 99°F and I wanted a cold one. The bartender suggested the prime rib slider for $9.95. The prime rib is good. The bin is a little too dry. Good deal for the money. 4.2 4.2. Hot day and place was recommended. The prime sliders are a deal but the bread was a little dry. That is where the au jus comes in.

    (4)

  • Ashley A.

    I go to Daniel O'Connell's all the time..so I can say with authority that this resturant is one of those that have many off days...and many on days. On the bad days the service is extremely slow and the servers are non-attentive. One time, I had a server come back and ask for more tip. (I called the manager for that one). Another time, I took a friend there for lunch and we sat for 15 minutes before getting a menu and never got a refill on our drinks. BUT why do I keep going back? It is a really fun place to go. The drinks are well made and almost ever server is Irish which just adds to the experience. The night time bar scene is a blast. My favorite time to go is for a late dinner during the summer so you can sit outside and eat and then go inside for the bar. The food is also very good. I like their homemade chips and their bread pudding the best. Bottom line..try it out. But don't be surprised if your service is poor. Hopefully you will still have a good time.

    (4)

  • Shelby H.

    The shepherd's pie and cheddar burger were both delicious and more than made up for the loud bursts of profanity from the bowl game-watching former frat dudes at the bar. The fries stayed crispy even under an onslaught of malt vinegar. This cozy pub is always a warm retreat from the cold (at least in the back by the fire -- the front bar can be a bit drafty).

    (4)

  • Caitlin H.

    I'm Irish (American), I'm from Boston, I love beer, I love pubs. Hence, I really want this to be a place I love. But - WAMP WAMP - sadly, I do not. I've been here three times - once for brunch, once for lunch, once for pub quiz. Pub quiz is fun, upstairs patio is great, decor is charming and warm. Rocket pepper whatever it's called salad and the wings were decent. But the service is never that great even when it's good. Which would be forgivable if it weren't for the pre-fab Sysco fries, and the microwaved 'veggie' frittata, and the greasy, lackluster grilled cheese panini. Grilled cheese and fries should be the easiest thing in the world. And seriously, microwaved eggs? I don't know what the veggies were, but there weren't many of them and they all looked the same (they were chopped so small as to be indiscernible, and added no perceivable taste. Maybe peppers? I don't know.). The cheese swimming on top was burned to the side in trademark microwave bubbles. So awful. I couldn't even finish it. I'd like to tell you to come here for a beer on the patio or for pub night, but it hurts me to support a place that microwaves eggs. Or an Irish pub that uses frozen Sysco fries.

    (1)

  • Matt D.

    Pretty solid pub. The interior is gorgeous. If you can snag a table out on the sidewalk on a nice evening, DO IT! Some of the best people watching in all of Old Town. The food isn't half bad either. Not sure what they do here, but the Guiness tastes better at O'Connell's. Don't be afraid of the motorcycles that roll into Old Town and setup along the curb in front of O'Connell's. They are exceptionally nice people with a bunch of very nice bikes.

    (4)

  • Charles M.

    Four stars for lunch! Dinner and evenings lead to the meat market, cigarette smoke and things that have no interest for me. But, their 'Quick Lunch' is actually pretty good! For $10 you get your choice of one of four or five sandwiches (they call it a half sandwich, but it is a very good size) a cup of soup and chips. Here's the thing...the food is good! The roast beef has the right amount of horseradish, great bread and terrific cheese. The turkey has really good cranberry dressing and the Dubliner cheddar is great. Add to it that they have Smithwicks on draft and I am a happy man. See you there tomorrow!

    (4)

  • Lindsey T.

    We only get the bar food when we come here because the rest is too damn expensive. And we only get the fish and chips, because they rock. Two large thick pieces of fish perfectly fried golden. Big pile of also delicious chips served with vinegar. Add a full pint of Guinness and the all-Irish waitstaff and you've got a trip to Dublin for about $20 including tip. Nice atmosphere inside, a few bars--some smoky, some not--and seriously one of the poshest bathrooms I've seen in a while (I know that doesn't mean much, but it makes me feel fancy). It won't change your life, but it's bar food done pretty damn good.

    (4)

  • Kimberly F.

    The decor and intricate wood carvings have a quality unlike most places in DC. The ambiance is such that you feel like you will insult the place if you don't have a beer. Or four. Even your grandma will turn into a boozehound. Those customers - none are snotty; the friendliness of the patrons is amazing - even locals come to this bar in the middle of a tourist trap. I don't know how the poster below claimed the greatest Guinness in town - it just comes from a keg like most places. As for the food, well - HEAVY. Every time my belly complains for two solid days - a nauseating amount of filler in the food (i.e. crabdip). Personally I love the calamari - mixed with a god blend of spices featuring paprika, and tomato. So stick with the lighter fare and you won't spend the day moaning on the couch.

    (4)

  • A R.

    I would really like it if I could give this place 3.5 stars but since I can't, 4 it is. I have been to O'Connell's multiple times and each time I have enjoyed it. The menu is not extensive so if you are looking for a wide selection, this is not the place to go. But, if you just want good pub food, you will find it here. The menu tends to change and a few of the items I have had are no longer available but my "go to" is the Irish Bacon and Cabbage. It is similar to corned beef and cabbage but so much better. The parsley sauce is delicious and the portion is generous. Pretty much whatever I have had at O'Connell's has been good. I also appreciate the fact that even though it is in the heart of Old Town the prices are fair. You won't feel robbed when you walk out. As an additional plus, the interior of the restaurant is cool. It's really an enjoyable place to be. The only downside is that the service can be a little unpredictable. I have been in there when it was empty and had trouble getting my drink refilled. Other times I have been there when it is packed and there is not a problem. It's a pub so I can't harp on the place too much but it's important to know what might happen.

    (4)

  • Patrick O.

    Holy friggin crap, this place is cool. An Irish staff and rather chill atmosphere made the stuffiness of the east coast subside as I sipped away on my Guinness. I highly advise the outdoor patio - although smoky it really perceives itself as a completely different pub rather than the "Cheesecake Factory" look they've got going inside. Word to the wise, take a cab home as the staff like to do shots of Jamison.

    (4)

  • Jonathan V.

    So I have been here three times. I really enjoyed the first time I went and had scallops with rice. Delicious!! The second time I went back (December 2011) the menu was completely different. Apparently they hired a new chef who changed many of the dinner items. I was bitterly disappointed. The waited explained very patiently the situation with the new chef/menu and was very gracious though I imagine he explained this to many customers throughout the day. I had brought my family and my father and I tried the new Shepard's Pie. It was so good and fresh tasting. The menu is great and I would recommend it to anyone.

    (4)

  • Grigori R.

    On a lovely Sunday afternoon, we originally wanted to go the Chadwicks for Bloody Mary's. However, with a 45 minute wait and a 6 year old, i felt the odds of remaining somewhat composed was a long shot. (don't judge - 6 year olds and Bloody Mary's do mix). After some deliberation, we came up with this place. On a whole, the afternoon turned out better than I first thought after we were greeted by the blood shot eyed hostess who obviously had a rough time of it the night before. I don't necessarily judge an establishment by the the service, and they should thank me for that. After being seated, I felt I was in an old western, as Clint enters as a ghost town, looking around and no one to be found. I think our server finally got the idea of our discontent (when he appeared out thin air) after we went to the bar for drinks on two occasions. As Irish pubs go, this place had a decent American craft beer selection and the fish and chips were spot on.

    (3)

  • Kolina T.

    I really liked this place. As irish pubs are, this place was casual, but upstairs is a nice dining area that was classier (in ambiance, service, and food presentation) than one would expect of an Irish pub. i had the pistachio-crusted rack of lamb, and it blew my mind. My coworkers and I ordered a bottle of wine, and the waitress was very well trained with the wine ritual. Extra plus for being in the Old Town Alexandria waterfront area - I love the summer ambiance here.

    (5)

  • Derek T.

    Came here for happy hour drinks this week. Terrific atmosphere! Drink prices are about average for Old Town. My experience with the service was good. I'd recommend.

    (4)

  • Jim W.

    Owners put a lot of effort into this place! Beautiful interior brought here almost stick by stick from Ireland. Food is good and the menu is filled with great choices. Go here on the weekend with friends and relax over one of their many good beers and a terrific bar menu!

    (4)

  • Paul M.

    I once walked into an Irish bar in Manchester and asked for a pint of cultural hegemony. They did n't think it was funny, and I was just another spotty student trying to be a smart ass. But I still sort of get nervous going into an Irish bar. What kind of place will it be? Will I like it? For years, literally for years, I avoided Irish bars altogether - too many diddly-dee guys in the corner singing sad songs about lost homelands, too many crappy pints of Guinness, and frankly, too many good American bars that serve margaritas and decent burgers. But then a couple of things happened. Fado opened up their first bar in Atlanta and around the same time Guinness embarked on a massive QA program to ensure almost-top quality beer everywhere, and almost overnight Irish bars in America became what they are supposed to be - decent places to go and sit and have a pint - at least for me. And O'Connells is just such a place. A snug bar in the front with a fantastic window booth to sit in and watch the street go by, a bigger bar in the back. A decent pint of Guinness. The building the bar is in is probably the oldest building an Irish bar in America is in, which adds to the lovely look and feel of the place. We were there just after lunch and the place was pretty busy, and at the long bar in the back the diners were sitting and eating cheek by jowl.

    (4)

  • Bob P.

    The BLOODY MARY's are the absolute best we've ever had. I ordered one, which my four friends proceeded to taste. The next thing i know, there are FOUR bloody marys sitting on the table!!! Three rounds later and we're calling a cab. The brunch here is amazingly tasty and filling.

    (4)

  • Mike T.

    Great atmosphere god beer limited menu.

    (4)

  • Courtney R.

    I love this place because you can smoke. That's my definition of a MF-ing bar, somewhere you can smoke while you drink. Otherwise, I classify it as a place I do not want to drink at. On top of that, O'Connells has pretty good food. I'm too tired to write this review though, so I'll finish it later.

    (4)

  • Cullen M.

    O'Connell's is a cozy Irish pub right on King Street. This is a great place to come any night of the week. It can be pretty loud sometimes, especially on weekend nights, but you can usually get a table. The food is good and the drinks are plentiful. One of the few places where you can get S'More's for desert!!! Try the Trivia on Wednesday Nights...always a blast!! O'Connell's also takes reservations and can host large gathers. I've been here for birthday parties, wakes, and other special occassions and they do a great job. They have a couple different areas that can be used for private functions and they devote a certain amount of staff to the event. Whether you are looking for a good happy hour or a nice dinner or a place to host a birthday party, O'Connell's a staple for Alexandria!

    (4)

  • Gayle G.

    I went here thinking Daniel O'Connell was the name of the chef or owner, but I was so wrong. Evidentally, O'Connell was a famous Irish politician (started a movement for an Irish Parliament). This place claims to have nuevo/modern Irish food. Whatever it was, it was pretty lackluster. I know that french bread is supposed have a crunchy crust, but here it was so dry! I finished my water after taking one bite. Unfortunately, that was a sign of things to come. I had the grilled salmon, and it was overcooked in some spots and undercooked in others. Yuck. It is a good thing that I don't typically go to Irish food places to eat anyway. If I am hungry, I can get a Guinness and call that a meal. And that's pretty much the deal here. O'Connells does have an impressive beer menu: Old Specald Hen, Shinerbock Hefferweisen.. even Smithwicks on tap.

    (2)

  • Marianne S.

    I love this place because the entire staff is Irish. You really feel like you've taken a trip to Dublin! The food is a bit expensive, so I hope someone else picks up your tab, though it is quite delicious. It's a classy joint but still laid back enough so you make a new friend each time you go. I may or may not have a crush on one of the bartenders. They have a great happy hour, and a rooftop deck that's open in warm weather. It's also great for special events; we had our election night party there, with a private room, and my roommate is having her engagement party there.

    (4)

  • Jason M.

    I have been here several times now to meet with friends and grab a few drinks, and we have always had a good time. I enjoy the atmosphere and the staff has always been friendly, and the service quick. I have ordered food once, and it was good, didn't have any complaints, but that was a while ago, so cannot give any more specifics about it. if you're in Old Town, definitely a good place to stop in for some food and drinks.

    (4)

  • Lucy F.

    MEH. We grabbed our Guinness but there was nowhere to sit in the bar so we ventured up to the restaurant. The tables are so close together that when the group next to us left, we had to push our tables together for them to get out. We got a very nice server; everyone seems to be truly Irish here. But he never brought us our waters, even as the table next to us got theirs. They were seated after us too. But they got their waters, and their bread. Bread? We didn't even know we were supposed to get any. My potato leek soup looked tasty enough. But I had to wait for my spoon to arrive before I could eat it. I got the new york strip steak and the boyfriend got the ribeye. We both like ours medium, but mine came out well done. It looked like a hard piece of turd. I should've asked for it rare for it to turn out right. The boyfriend's was overcooked too, although not as much as mine. His was still a little bit of pink in the center but rubbery and overpowered by peppercorn. I was really looking forward to trying the Jameson mashed potatoes but it was meh. I couldn't wait to leave. This place definitely knows how to pour a Guinness and the staff seemed genuinely nice but it didn't make up for the lack of service and disorganization. We went down the street to Murphy's and their fish and chips blew this place out of the water.

    (3)

  • Fred F.

    With many restaurants to choose from in Old Town Alexandria, we took a chance on O'Connell's. The fish and chips I ordered was outstanding. I have traveled the world, and this was among the best I've had. The fish was fresh, flaky, and perfectly cooked. The batter was light and crispy, just like it should be. The bar and restaurant has a very cozy atmosphere and charming ambiance. I recommend stopping in for a pint, and a bite!

    (4)

  • Kirsten P.

    We went on a Saturday evening with parents and in laws. The security guys at the entrance rushed us in, then they almost gave the table that the hostess was about to give us to another party. We were told that we can't sit together (5) people due to security reasons, nor put a fifth chair. The waiter was ok but super dry, cold and the minimum of polite. While sitting outside we observed the security guys who were checking out the girls and making comments - disgusting! All in all a dull place with annoying staff - except the hostess (the only nice and attentive person).

    (2)

  • Debbie P.

    I was here with my son in Feb 2015 and we loved it. He had a reuben that was delicious. I had the lamb stew to die for. I took my friend there in July 2015 and re-ordered the stew. It was terrible. I complained that it was soup, not stew. I was told the chef has been replaced and he brought all his "irish" recipes. A lady at the next table had the reuben and it wasn't anything like my son had. This lady couldn't even take a bite of the corned beef without pulling the whole thick piece out of the sandwich. It looked like a thick piece of tongue not tender, slow cooked corned beef. The service was excellent but the food was bad. They have lost my business forever.

    (1)

  • Ashley C.

    Was on a business trip in and an associate recommended this place. Food: We ordered the nachos and hummus as appetizers and I had the stuffed chicken pesto for dinner. The nachos were not your typical nachos... instead of tortilla chips, they used potato chips (which were kinda stale). There wasn't much ground beef in the nachos either. I thought the hummus was decent but my vegan co-worker said it tasted like it came out of a can? haha As for my entree, the chicken was good - not too dry and the pesto gave it a nice flavoring. It came in a bed of spinach and lots of potatoes as a side. Service: Our server took a while to refill our waters and keep the beers coming. He also wasn't the happiest when we asked to split our checks (I mean c'mon... a group of people who don't look like a family.... you can expect for all of them to pay separately... though I guess we could've told him from the beginning). Ambiance: Typical Irish pub feel - welcoming and lively. It was bad, but it wasn't good either. I wouldn't make this my go to spot.

    (3)

  • Kittie F.

    I walked over just before midnight and it was closed up tight as a drum. The signs say 1am and so does @yelp. Looked really cute inside. Sad :(

    (1)

  • Gretchen P.

    Hit up Daniel O'Connell's this past weekend for a friend's bachelorette party and had a great time! The layout of the place makes it seem endless, since once you push past the first floor and head upstairs, there is tons of extra space that feels like it just keeps going and going! There's a rooftop patio that I didn't get to check out because it was too crowded, and a second bar upstairs too. However, be warned that on the night we were there, the bartender at the second, much-less-crowded bar, was slooooooooow. It ended up being faster sometimes just to go downstairs to get drinks anyway, even though we were hanging out by the back bar. They had a cover band in on Saturday night rocking some classic 90s tunes, which were much appreciated by the group I was with, and in general the place had a nice vibe. I dug it! Of course, I'm not exactly a bar aficianado, so take my words with a grain of salt. I thought the vodka sodas I crushed all night were perfectly good, however, as was the Lemon Drop shot that I was coerced into downing. Tally ho!

    (4)

  • Rayshawn W.

    Cool Irish pub to grab a snack with brews in Old Town Alexandria. Initially came for a beer with friends but couldn't resist trying out the Irish egg roles since I've been on a corned beef kick lately. The dubliner cheddar combined with the corned beef and cabbage inside of the wonton wrap had a great flavor along with its honey mustard dipping sauce. My friend decided she wanted dessert rather than an appetizer so ordered their delicious apple pie. The pie provided a fresh taste of apple and cinnamon. For me, the crust is what really made the dish. Some of the best I've tasted in while. Going off of tonight, this place is most definitely worth more visits. I'm a fan of Irish pubs so that's a plus as well. Dinner 6/10/2015

    (4)

  • Tenzin G.

    Cool bar, live Irish music but terrible service! Service, service, service, won't get it here. The waitstaff were all rude which is really disappointing when you go somewhere to have a good time. You should re evaluate your service practices or at least have a chat with the staff.

    (3)

  • Sung Moo C.

    Very nice decor, bathroom was very clean. They poured a horrible Black and Tan. Food was ok. It would have been better if it was cooked fresh. Food was definitely microwaved before serving. Batter on scotch eggs were slipping off. Calamari was not freshly fried but microwaves. Hash w eggs Benedict was microwaves as well but cooked in same oil as fish. Can definitely tell they're lazy here. I don't know how they make money. But then again I don't expect their patrons to know the difference. Shame. Also silverware were not clean and waited half an hour for side plates. Don't plan on going back until they change management. People in the DMV need to get their taste buds checked.

    (1)

  • Kristy W.

    Popped in here for a pint and to finish up a game in the NCAA championship. Hung around until our ferry left for National Harbor because of the very decent music and pub-like atmosphere. Beer selection is pretty boring, standard Irish pub selection, but the pints are cold and the Guinness well poured (to be frank, I didn't know a beer could really be "well poured" until I spent time in Ireland). The music playing was loud enough to hear easily, but quiet enough so that I was able to talk to my hubs and not have to scream or put my mouth right next to his ear. It was even good enough that I gave him some money (gasp!). Not sure about the food, but a friend of mine ended up sitting next to me and the burger looked really tasty. Can't verify this information. For what we were looking for, this place fit the bill. Next time I'm in the area I'll pop in for a Guinness and also check out some of the grub.

    (3)

  • Terry L.

    Good bar scene for old town, usually there's a band on weekends. Reminds me of the bars in OBX for some reason. Beers are a lil pricey though, never ate there but the food looks pretty good.

    (3)

  • Susan O.

    Amazing lamb stew! Delicious fish and chips! Great ambiance! We had a terrific waiter who really knew the menu. Food was really good. Service top notch - my fries were cold and the waiter returned with an order of fries that were super hot right out of the frier. Would definitely go back!

    (5)

  • Brian M.

    Great pub and restaurant in a lovely Dublin style setting. Excellent music particularly Monday evening when there is a Irish traditional session with some of the best traditional player in the world. Seriously. Most Monday there are at least two All Ireland Senior champions supported by a number of very high skill musicians. The best show anywhere.

    (5)

  • Ben T.

    Stumbled here for the first time on Halloween and fell in love. The Bar seems to go on much deeper away from King St that anticipated. Around every corner seems to be a new bar or nook to settle into for a few pints. Obviously very busy at times but all the bartenders have been nothing but welcoming. This is a bar that many guys envision their man cave to resemble. Cant speak much on the food as I have not tried any yet but if its anything like the quality of their Guinness Im sure it would be great. A cool spot to become a regular or if you're just passing through.

    (4)

  • Lendsey C.

    I came in this place on a whim (my fav pizza place didn't do happy hour on Fridays?!). I immediately noticed that many of the patrons were older than I was. It was windy path to our seating which was on a small platform above other seating facing the bar. The downside was we could hear the conversations of the tables below us without trying to. Our waiter was helpful though a little condescending about our knowledge of beer. The place feels like it's been around Old Town since a cousin of George Washington's visited but I don't have the interest to verify it. Happy hour food selection was minimal and just a notch above average bar food when it arrived. If you want to take your aunt or grandma somewhere safe to eat this is probably the spot. If you're looking for a fun happy hour in Old Town there are many more options. Don't get stuck like me.

    (2)

  • Laura H.

    If this were solely a review of the service my party received here this past Friday, I'd be giving this place a single star, and that would be overly generous. I'm giving two stars just because the atmosphere- minus our rude service- was nice. We sat on the rooftop patio and enjoyed that aspect of this experience. To sum up the off putting nature of the service, my boyfriend and I were STARVING - along with the rest of our group-and going to order dinner, but our "server's" terrible attitude and outright rudeness discouraged us from enjoying anything other than drinks (we were a group of five and ate elsewhere afterwards and very much enjoyed our meal!) and even that was pretty uncomfortable. It started when my boyfriend and I made our way to the rooftop to meet a friend who had already arrived and had a table. As soon as we approached the door to the patio, a rude employee (who unfortunately ended up being the "server") blocked the door and said if we wanted to sit out there we had to go back to the host stand downstairs and ask them to seat us outside. We pointed at the friend already at the table and said we were meeting him. Only then did he remove himself from the doorway- silently not even apologizing- and let us pass through. He then took over ten minutes to ask the two of us what we wanted to drink. Was it a coincidence that he waited until the end of happy hour to come over? I think not. Service was apathetically slow all night and despite it being a beautiful night, the patio wasn't crowded. The fifth member of our party came later and we pulled a chair from an unused table to accommodate this person. The only time the "server" was anything but apathetic and slow was when he saw us do this and flat out said we had to put the chair back "or he would lose that table". As if there weren't four other two top tables wide open that could accommodate guests as needed. So what did we do to accommodate this fifth person? My boyfriend and I- being the smaller of the two couples- shared a chair for the remainder of our time there! After that "incident", this server was shooting our group nasty looks all night and was even slower than he originally was, which I didn't think was possible. I worked as a server myself all through school and I would have never been so openly rude to paying guests! I doubt I will return here in the future because of this off putting experience and that's truly a shame the service- not anything else- has been the deterrent here.

    (2)

  • Curtis H.

    I met a friend for happy hour a bit ago. We were delighted to hear about their happy hour deals. House wines were only $4.50 per glass... For the DC area that's huge!! All appetizers were $3.00 off of their regular price. We decided on the cheese plate and hummus... Everything was really good. The ambiance was good the seats comfortable and will definitely be returning!

    (4)

  • Kendal Ann M.

    I have a hard time writing a review for Daniel O'Connell's because it is one of my favorite places in Old Town. If you like soccer, Irish food, and Irish cider this is your place! Let's face it, this place has an atmosphere that is everything you can dream of when you think of tradtional "Irish Pub". O'Connell's has amazing rich and dark wood, soccer constantly in the background, live bands, and the sweet smell of whiskey lingering in the distance. While you stop at O'Connell's, be sure to try my personal favorite: the Corned Beef and Cabbage!

    (4)

  • Nicole B.

    Went here with a large party. My husband and I weren't hungry so we split a delicious strawberry balsamic dressing and a side of sweet potato fries. They seem to have pretty good lunch specials. The service was accommodating and the food was good.

    (4)

  • Marivic L.

    I've been to O'Connell's a few times in the past couple of months because my friend moved within walking distance. This will definitely be a good standby for a few drinks and appetizers (I only say apps because I have yet to have a proper meal here). Also, have you had their nachos? SO good, especially the homemade chips. I've been to the upstairs bar and the two bar areas downstairs. Each time, the bartenders have been very attentive and super friendly and chatty. There's a good selection for drinks, including the Sweet Baby Jesus beer which I just tried recently just for the name. I mean, how could I not?! The crowd is good and varied, and it just feels really comfortable there. It's not divey and it doesn't try to be fancy. So go, grab a drink, an app or two, and relax. I can't wait 'til it gets nicer out again so we can sit outside in the upstairs patio area.

    (4)

  • Phoenix Simone W.

    This place is great! I naturally love Irish bars in general so I expected nothing less from this place. I've only been here once (so far) and we sat on the balcony. It's a bit cramped up there, but it's a prime location for people watching, and is really nice when it's warm out. There is a variety of food on the menu that's sure to have something for everyone. I can't wait to go back!

    (4)

  • Sam V.

    Was walking down the street on a summer evening. Would have loved to stop by for a few drinks but the hostess told my kids they had to throw away their ice cream cones. Really !!! Apparently they can't endorse other restaurants food ! Even though they don't serve ice cream and it wasn't adults who were bringing food in. Their loss. Mai Thai just a couple of doors down was happy to allow us to do just that.

    (1)

  • Mary T.

    Great Irish bar! The crab cake sandwich was ok. The Reuben sandwich is much better! Sat outside on the sidewalk and had a great time. Servers are pretty attentive when you sit outside!

    (3)

  • Cathy K.

    I love Old Town Alexandria for a perfect mix of character, happening nightlife, and fun restaurants. Out of towners that come to visit us always list Old Town as a highlight of their trip. Therefore, it is unfortunate when a negative and unnecessary experience occurs. I enjoyed the ambience in O'Connell's when we stopped in for appetizers and cocktails at the bar, at first.... However, we had a very negative experience having brought a visitor from out of town here and will never return. We had two personal empty wine glasses sitting on the bar that we got at a wine tasting and the bar tender demanded that we take it off the bar and put it on the ground as he would get it "mixed up" with his own. The wine glasses were nowhere near his edge of the bar. When we refused as it was next to my purse and personal belongings, Paul the manager decided to throw my full drink away as punishment maybe? He said "that's it, you're done." Mind you, this was early evening time during dinner (not 130am with a full busy bar or anything). I am very disappointed in the quality of service. We were very respectful that the glasses would stay in place because of no where to place them he proceed to throw my cocktail that I purchased into the sink. It's unfortunate to see who are ill trained and have such passion to make customers feel worthless. I will not be returning.

    (2)

  • Maggee R.

    Staff was great, noise level a bit crazy but it is a bar w live bands on the weekends. Drinks were solid and great option s for quality scotch. Will be back.

    (5)

  • Peter M.

    Back for Brunch. Pint of Magner's offers promise for real improvements. More to follow

    (4)

  • Greg K.

    Food was great... appetizer tasted great as well.. however you order an app to share and u get 4 small rings of calamari, 1 med shrimp, 1 scallop, and 1 crab cake the size of a small meatball... really! 13 bucks for ?? Great selection of beer too!

    (4)

  • Bob O.

    The restaurant had run out of corned beef! How can this be for an Irish Pub? Rest of the food is good but not great! They charge for toasted bread-$2 for 4 pieces. Strange! Otherwise nice place to eat.

    (3)

  • Sambo R.

    Great place for brunch or drinks. Also has a second story balcony overlooking the street. Fairly priced and good food.

    (3)

  • Mitzi C.

    First time - great atmosphere, especially from the second floor balcony. I'm rating as a 3 because serving sizes for seafood were small for price paid. The seafood tapas appetizer came with one scallop, one shrimp, one crab cake hush puppy thing, and a handfull of fried calamari. There were four of us. How do we share one scallop? So I ordered the pan seared scallops entree, thinking I could get fill with that. Nope. Only three scallops. Moat of my plate was filled with the risotto. Delicious scallops, but not worth 22 bucks. Serving sizes seemed okay for other meals. My suggestion: Don't order seafood.

    (3)

  • Sami A.

    Went here on a very busy night. We were seated quickly and the staff was friendly. Our waiter was a little bit odd but very helpful. The menu was extensive but it is really an Irish Pub menu. I ordered the calamari which I wasn't too happy with. Flavor was ok, but consistency was very chewy. For my meal I ordered the scallops over risotto. When I got the food, it came with three scallops..... I felt a little jipped. I know they're expensive but 3????? The risotto and the scallops were both pretty good. I would give it a try if you're into Irish style food.

    (3)

  • Fluffy D.

    This establishment just lost $60 of our business because the manager does not want dogs on the city owned brick sidewalk next to the outdoor restaurant tables. The inexperienced host boy did not seem to care as we walked away. Try Chadwick's instead, much friendlier, high quality food and better beer!

    (1)

  • Ruth C.

    Three and a half stars. Tap list was boring, but service was attentive, the Friday night cover band was full-volume and talented, and I managed to catch the captioned Stanley Cup game through a gap in the labyrinthian Escher layout. Surprisingly good pub fare, sweet potato waffle fries were great bar bites while hot. Corned beef and cabbage was tender and flavorful with mashed potatoes filling out the robust portion, and generously slathered with parsley cream sauce. I'll be back to try the Bailey's waffles over brunch, plus O'Connell's lamb stew, scotch eggs, and a Dublin deli combo.

    (4)

  • Sharon M.

    Great food everything we ordered was very good and made the way we asked. good service very nice deco. Bar tender friendly.

    (4)

  • Cody Y.

    The inside is a little touristy, but come on - even as a local I thought it was cool. The bar is a two level Irish Pub with lots of old, dark wood, and inviting outside, and comfortable bar stools. I didn't have a chance to taste the food, but the drinks were very well done - half & half, black & tan, and, yes, a car bomb. Our bartender was very attentive and friendly and got us our drinks promptly. This is another place that I will return to in order to try the food.

    (4)

  • Kat B.

    What a relief to get out of the steamy heat and into the cool dark pub on Saturday evening! This two level Irish pub is dark paneled and very soothing after a long walk in the heat of Old Towne with its cobblestone streets. Also, I noted that the details of the moldings were very old and nicely preserved. We were seated right away and given glasses of ice water (yay!) After we received our menus, our drink order taken (I got a white wine).... I ordered the turkey club which came with fries. My club sandwich was 4 large turkey and bacon pieces (speared with toothpicks) which surrounded the large heap of fries with a small tub of ketchup on the side. My son got a dessert which was a VERY large brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with raspberries......Delish! It was very crowded...despite this, the service was excellent!

    (5)

  • Mark D.

    Guinness burger!!!!!! My wife and I thought the food was awesome here. I got the Guinness burger and it was perfect. Service was good too. Huge place too.

    (5)

  • Scott v.

    Great beer selection. Extensive bar menu. Bartender's all friendly and knowledgeable. Of course full English bar food menu. Gotta love the scotch eggs. I had the Irish Cheese steak sandwich. Very good but not sandwich you pick up and est. Bread so soggy you need to eat with fork. Ruben served panninni style. Overall good though.

    (4)

  • Francis U.

    'I live here' To quote Roy from IT crowd, 'I work here!'. To paraphrase Roy, 'I live here.' I'm still sometimes flabbergasted that I live in a place as beautiful as Old Towne Alexandria. The rain and fog of London haunt us not, nor do the plebes of Philadelphia; just gorgeous cobblestone streets festooned with Christmas lights. I am spoiled, to be sure. O'Connell's allows one to live in such a neighborhood, yet get into one's cups. A good whiskey selection, solid beer list, and an unapologeticly Irish bartender ensure you will 'get where you are going'. This is also a meeting place for persons around the globe who enjoy the odd pint or five. Lady Mary and I happenstanced a fellow limey on Halloween proper from the north end. The mysticism of our encounter made for an unexpectedly amazing evening. See what fancies reveal themselves to you!

    (4)

  • Steven M.

    Fairly standard fare for an Irish pub and of decent quality. Good option for lower King st. in Old Town Alexandria. Good selection of beers.

    (3)

  • Kathy J.

    Buffalo Chicken salad was awesome. The waiter had the meal split into two bowls. We also go the mini crab cakes as an appetizer, that were delicious.

    (4)

  • Yulia L.

    Servers are very polite when you come in, but if you are staying for too long, they literally tell you to leave. Overpriced. Food is Okay. Not a welcoming place to go.

    (1)

  • Laura E.

    I love the place for its atmosphere and the servers are always so friendly. The furniture is almost entirely from Ireland! Nice outdoor seating in the summer, cozy fireplaces in the winter. Food is pretty good, drinks are always fabulous.

    (5)

  • Connie N.

    Good beer selection, great ambiance, the Irish Egg Rolls were delicious and the cheese plate was an ample start. Sweet potato fries were also good but I was less than impressed with my burger. Dry and served on a cold bun. But over all the service was wonderful and I would come here again and try the dinner menu!

    (3)

  • Mike. Harris H.

    This is the best pub/bar in Oldtown Alexandria by far. The staff and the service is exemplary. Compared to other local bars, Oconnells is just so far superior. Trini, one of the managers is just spectacular!!! She makes it all the more worth it!!!

    (5)

  • Mary Kate M.

    I've been here a few times now. In recent memory I came here solo to listen to some awesome Irish music, and the second time with my date. Authentic Irish music is played on Monday nights. They got together in the circle and fiddle their hearts out! This is a lot of fun to come just to people watch and have the night out for something low key. O'Connell's is a pretty low key place in general. They have a vast beer selection. Your run of the meal Irish beer selection then a few American beers. They do offer decent food. I would not say it is the best... Murphy's up the street offers better cuisine, but O'Connell's offers a better service when it comes to wanting to hear your beer/dining companion when talking to each other. This is a good time. Come check it out after you've had dinner towards the waterfront.

    (4)

  • Jeff C.

    O Connell's is a upscale Irish pub that boast four bars throughout this location. Each bar has its own feel( it really is like 4 bars in 1) Whenever I have someone visiting in town I always take them here. The decor is warm and inviting, And the owner had all of the wood-taken from castles, churches, and even an apothecary- shipped over from Ireland My go to meal here is the Dublin Deli Combo sandwich with succulent corned beef, turkey, Irish ham , and American ham. But what makes this sandwich is its warm pretzel bread and melted cheese...and let's just say that you will need a nap after this one, for it is really filling. Their scotch eggs are nestled in a fried crust on eggy good ness as well Some pretty cool bartender and staff. I always enjoy running into Andrea, Lee, and Jolene for some top notch service

    (5)

  • Adri S.

    Once you get past the rude hosts, you'll find friendly service, good Irish beer, delicious food, and live music. The crab cakes are the perfect afternoon delight.

    (4)

  • J P.

    What a great spot. Stopped in earlier for a pint of Guinness and got to see a great band. The bar lady on the top floor wasn't friendly or attentive but still, she pulled a good Guinness so the pint made up for it. It's hard to describe but it's just a really great spot. I've done most Irish bars in dc and va and this is by far my favorite.

    (5)

  • Ryan S.

    Menu is good. Presentation is good too. Atmosphere is good for an Irish pub. But the service is terrible. Always has been. I've lived in the area for 3 years and routinely avoid going here bc it's just that bad. Bartenders unresponsive. Bouncers condescending and rude. Most recently my girlfriend and I were enjoying a meal on their sidewalk dining area when after a $100 tab the bouncer told us finish up or go inside bc "there were no more tables." There's always two sides to a coin and I can understand his position but there's a way to say things. Management is clearly out of touch. Just be careful where you go in old town bc they'll always get tourism business so your experience rarely matters.

    (1)

  • Winston S.

    I only came here for lunch once so my experience with Daniel O'Connell's is quite limited. I try not to base reviews on first impressions (I have been told I don't always make the best ones myself), but I feel this is the case that is worth sharing and perhaps my review can be remedied with a simple fix. Let's start with the good: service and decor. The place is big, and is reminiscent of what I perceive an Irish pub should look like. While I have not been to the old country myself, a well traveled coworker confirmed that it looks indeed like an Irish pub (perhaps with higher ceilings and more Halloween decorations). The service was also good - our waiter, despite not having a native command of English, was courteous, attentive to and came to our table to check up on us several times. However, the food was less than impressive (once again, with the caveat being my experience is only based on one dish). Now, I believe making good traditional Irish food is hard. Sure, it is hearty and filling, but unlike other cuisines, it lacks some of the edgy flavors that can hide cooking imperfections. It is simple, so it really has to be made well to make an impression (if that makes any sense). I've ordered Bangers and Mash, and while the salty sausage was pretty tasty, the dish was ruined by a relatively simple mistake: the onion gravy that covered the chunky mashed potatoes either came straight from the fridge or was not reheated for a while. As the result, the mash potatoes were floating in cold (not even lukewarm) gravy that made them very unpleasant to eat. I tried to rebalance the temperature with the sausage (which was served hot), but my efforts were futile. In sum: service and decor 4-5 stars. Food: 2 stars.

    (3)

  • Andrew P.

    Best Irish pub in the DC area. Great live music, nice decor, surprisingly good food.

    (4)

  • David G.

    Looking for Irish food; might want to try somewhere else; the staff aren't Irish don't even know Irish food, I asked for brown bread, and I got the deer in the head lights look from waitress and I could not tell you what they brought out but it was brown toasted; our waitress and the staff doesn't know the food, the lamb stew was soup and it wasn't good tasted like canned soup. Quite a disappointment, nice atmosphere

    (2)

  • Nolan W.

    I've been here a handful of times, I love the dining experience. Not many places that claim to be Irish Pubs can say they have an actual bar imported from Ireland. And the service is top notch, I have yet to have a bad meal or bad time with the servers or hostesses. Those who want a restaurant with dining options will like O'Connell's for the two bars, upper level with seating, and outdoor seating arrangements. Finally, the real reason to come is the food, it's the proverbial icing on the cake. They serve modern and traditional tavern dishes that will make your taste buds feel at home. The waiting is not a problem either as you are permitted to browse the surrounding shops and the hostess will notify you when your table is ready via text message. All in all, one of the best places to eat in the National Harbor area.

    (5)

  • Eleanor M.

    This restaurant/pub is really a tourist type of spot. Great for people who don't know any better. If you just want a beer at the bar, this may be for you, but if you are looking for quality food in a clean environment, this is not the place. It is in need of a refresh -- the chairs are wobbly, the dishes are dirty (when they arrive) and it is loud and dirty. The hostess stand is comedic -- imagine a nasal tone, 20 year old saying, "hey guys", after we stood in front of her for a bit waiting for her to actually notice we existed, then turning to the other hostess and saying, "so where should I put them?", like we are suitcases or something. Food is just not memorable. My friend and I had the lamb burger and we both felt bad later that night. French fries lack any flavor -- just a salty mess. Saw the chicken fingers and they were just a giant fried thing. Seafood shepard's pie looked scarey. If you go, have a guiness and watch a soccer game, and then head out before the chairs collapse!

    (2)

  • B Ginger G.

    I love this place!!! It's huge though, 4 bars so lots of seating and great for parties!! Had the calamari (mostly the rings, huge, a little spicey but worth it!) and the lamb burger was AMAZING.

    (5)

  • Brian S.

    Walking down the main drag in Old Town, O'Connell's seemed like a perfect spot to grab lunch. But we were probably just fooled by the cool-looking exterior (and promising Irish name). When we walked in, the hostess instructed the waiter to bring us past the main dining room to a small upstairs room with no TVs and one couple with two crying babies. We then asked to be in view of a football-playing TV (mostly to escape), and the hostess told the waiter to give us the choice of two tables - one had a giant pillar in the middle, and the other was in the corner, both pitch black. (Neither in view of a TV, since we forgot binoculars, but at least we escaped the sketchy upstairs room and could at least see other people who appeared to be having fun). There were other tables available, but we didn't want to complain again. This was just laughably bad though. We both ordered burgers. The good news: The fries were very good. The bad news: The burgers were smallish, bland, and a little cold. Asking for sauteed onions on top gave us maybe 4 onion pieces (maybe we just couldn't see the others? It was dark). Definitely not the (12 dollar) burger we were hoping for. There's gotta be better places to grab a burger and watch the game, so skip O'Connell's. (Or at the very least insist on a table in the fun-looking room and order something else, maybe we should've gone with one of the more Irish-sounding things)

    (2)

  • Andrew S.

    There is a really nice atmosphere to the place. If you prefer a more rowdy time you can stay inside and bask in the noise all the fun drunks make. If you prefer a little more quiet, you can head outside to the second floor and enjoy a much more quiet dining experience. The food was also good, but it was nothing that special. The drinks were also good, but again, nothing to right home about. Really you go here for the fun and relaxed atmosphere more than anything else.

    (4)

  • Sky M.

    Average spot

    (3)

  • Jonathan F.

    My second trip to this establishment was on NYE and it was as fun as my first trip here on Halloween. This bar winds around FOR EVER! It a deceptively big. I personally like the variety it provides, after all variety is the spice of life as they say. I'm not sure who "they" are but I know "they" are right when it comes to this bar. Downstairs they often have live bands and ample space for cutting a rug if that's your thing. If you don't like to show off your skills, or lack there of, on the dance floor then there are plenty of tables to sit at as well as ample room at the bar. If you want a quieter experience then head upstairs. There you will find more seating as well as another bar....that's right bar #2 folks..... They pour a mean pint of Guinness too I might add. I really enjoy this place but,an does it get crowded. Get there early if you value your choice of spots to set up for the night!

    (4)

  • Imran A.

    Place was aight. We were sitting at a very bad place. Next to the bar. So it was very loud. People were yelling at the bar. Food was ok. Nothing epic about this place. Just another pub. Blah

    (3)

  • Kevin L.

    This is a strong 3 stars for Daniel O'Connell's. I will say that it is oddly layed out but it is to be expected for the classic buildings in Old Town Alexandria. It can often feel overcrowded but it's typically just due to the layout. The pub aspect is great with wonderful bartenders and plentiful beer. It's hard to go wrong in any pub. We did have the nachos (were a little soggy and cool but were full of flavor), the Reuben egg roll (extremely delicious and borderline addictive), and the lamb burger (was not good and was disappointing since I ordered medium rare and it was well well done). I wish I had tried the Reuben or stayed with classic Irish fare. I will be back though and hope to be able to upgrade the rating a star. I agree with Kara N. on a high star bar and low star food.

    (3)

  • Emma W.

    The ambiance was nice and cozy but there was a weird flickering light above our table. Had dessert and a drink. Was good service and good molten chocolate cake... check out the tip for a picture of a half eaten cake ;)

    (4)

  • Rick P.

    I don't know how this place could receive less than five stars! It's not fine dining--it's an Irish pub! And it's a really good one at that.

    (5)

  • Tiara I.

    The calamari is delicious! Great vibe on a Friday night with a live cover band! If you can, grab a seat on the outdoor patio upstairs. The one on the main floor closes at 11.

    (4)

  • Blake I.

    This is my first ever Yelp review. So, you know that for me to make an account and do this means something really inspired me. The staff here is entirely and completely unprofessional. Looking to schedule a nice holiday dinner with friends, I made a reservation for 9 people several weeks ago for a Friday. The week of the dinner, our party grew to 10. Upon learning this, I called O'Connells to let them know of this change and to also confirm the reservation (since I made it online). The restaurant assured me this was no problem. The day of the event finally arrived and everyone was excited. 3 HOURS BEFORE THE RESERVATION, the phone rings. O'Connells tells us that they can not accommodate our party. As a 'consolation', they offered up 2 tables split between a stairwell that our party could use. How nice of them. The fact that they couldn't accommodate us is not the issue here. The fact that I called to confirm the reservations just a few days earlier and was promised it was ok only to find out they suddenly couldn't 3 hours before dinner is completely disrespectful. It was too late to make a reservation at any other restaurant and our evening celebrating holidays with friends had to be cancelled. The staff here is extremely inconsiderate. I would love to name the manager's name on this forum, however I am resisting out of respect for her livelihood. Do yourselves a favor, give your money to a more professional, respectful staff.

    (1)

  • Kate M.

    Lamb stew was really a soup and was the best tasting thing ordered. Blueberry bread pudding is misleading - regular bread pudding with ice cream and blueberries on that. Molten chocolate cake had no molten center as promised, was also bitter and dry, but ice cream was good. Overall the food was entirely too sub-par for the prices charged. Also, the cider on tap was entirely flat. Service was just okay, forgot some requests although weren't at all busy.

    (2)

  • Errin R.

    Was walking downtown and noticed the menu so my husband and I decided to give this place a try - absolutely worth it! Walking into this place was a little weird, it is set up like a pub with another seating area upstairs. It was a little before lunchtime so it wasn't packed yet. We chose a booth by the bar, it was pretty quiet. I ordered the Spinach and Strawberry salad. The strawberries were huge and ripe, the goat cheese was super creamy, and I could have eaten an entire meal of the candied mixed nuts, but honestly the most amazing part of the salad was the Champagne lemon vinaigrette. I am not lying when I say this was the best dressing I have ever had. It was so good I was literally licking it off my plate lol. My husband got the Guinness Burger, which is the 8oz Angus beef patty served on top of mashed potatoes with melted Guinness porter cheese, gravy slathered over it with onion rings. It was really good as well. The meat was really tender for a hamburger and the mashed potatoes and gravy gave it more of a meatloaf feel. I would recommend the food at this place!! Plus it's well priced for the portion size, we only paid $25 walking out of this place with Togo boxes and we were stuffed beyond content!

    (5)

  • Vrsni S.

    Took a trip to Alexandria from Miami and after a heavy weekend of snowboarding, we came across Daniel O'Connell's. On Yelp, we saw it had great reviews, as well as food and drink suggestions. Why not stop here? I go on expeditions in search for the best burger. So I ordered the hamburger with fries. Nothing fancy, I just wanted a good burger from VA and a beer to wash it down. What I wasn't expecting was the mouthwatering crave for another when my burger was gone. I thought it was perfection. Others in the group I was in ordered the Lamb Burger and felt it lived up to the reviews. Overall, great place, amazing atmosphere and very cozy. Nothing too rambunctious or crazy. They have TVs with sports and the staff members are attentive. Highly recommended. PS: to enhance the experience, order the Arrogant Bastard IPA. You wont Regret it. :)

    (4)

  • Carlyn S.

    Great food, great decor and good service. Reasonably priced. I would recommend sitting outside if the weather allows, it's the perfect place to people watch!

    (4)

  • Cat V.

    As a visitor to the Alexandria area, my friend recommended that we go to O'Connell's for Saturday night drinks. The first thing I found appealing about the place was its festive fall decor. I couldn't help but think, 'wow, someone put a lot of effort into this." O'Connell's has two bars on the first floor and restaurant seating on the first and second floors. There's a nice fireplace area nearest the stage on the first floor but I couldn't see it in action. The playlist was all about the 80s and I loved every minute. The bartenders are authentic Irishmen, Liam and Paul. Very friendly guys who know how to take care of you. The customers that come here - at least when we went - range from twenty somethings to sixty somethings, mostly all are white. They have live music everynight. We caught a little segment of a local cover artist who was pretty good. I came back the next evening to look for my lost umbrella (that was stolen) and the musician that night was playing Van Morrison in tune with irish theme of the place!!

    (3)

  • Chrystalle B.

    This place is a lot bigger than it seems. Its bar on top of bar on top of bar! We stopped here for a pint on our jaunt down King St. The atmosphere is very warm and inviting and like most Irish bars, theirs lots of things to see here. I loved the old fireplaces throughout as well. We decided to sit at the second bar up (the bar at the heart of the place) and were served immediately. They have a good beer/cider selection and an even better whisky selection. We werent hungry at this point in out jaunt, but their food looked and smelled delicious. Im very excited to come back and try it. We visited all the Irish bars on King St, this was by far our favorite.

    (4)

  • Brent B.

    On this 8 day vacation with the family this is the only place we have come back to twice. That says a lot for a family that likes to try new things.

    (4)

  • Rich R.

    Stopped to grab some apps and beers for a football game ended up eating a whole meal the apps were so good. I had the Shepard pie which was excellent and my wife had the Rueben always a classic from Irish places. As good as the food was the atmosphere almost out did it just a really cool old town Alexandria place.

    (5)

  • Haley E.

    Stopped in for a late bite after walking around old towne. Normally we love Irish pubs but this was not the best. Although the building was super cool inside and rustic , not much else was appealing. $12 for nachos that were half cold and you could tell had been sitting in the window. Server couldn't make good beer recommendations and he not once checked on us after taking our order. I understand he was busy, but if I table asks for the check when you drop the food, generally you would think to ask if everything was ok. My burger was average and my boyfriend immediately got sick off the fish and chips. Beers were ok but our server told us they were draft and they came in bottles.Overall neat pub atmosphere but would never eat here again. It wasn't even that late (9:40) and you're serving old food. Sad. And for 2 people definitely not worth what I paid especially considering we didn't enjoy it as much as we had hoped. Maybe we'll return for drinks and a second chance but not for food that's for sure

    (2)

  • Dorian M.

    Great food, great beer and great atmosphere. The music isn't always the best, but everything else outweighs that.

    (5)

  • Jonathan A.

    Didn't eat here but enjoyed myself when I went with some co-workers. Fast and friendly service and a decent selection. Clean establishment throughout too.

    (4)

  • Ariana J.

    I have been here many times, a few times for dinner but mostly for live music on the weekends. Quality food, reasonable prices. I really like the layout of upstairs bars and rooftop. Great location!

    (4)

  • Beth A.

    I really wanted to love O'Connell's. The atmosphere is everything you would want in an Irish Pub - dark wood, the smell of ingrained liquors of yesteryear and a board of fare that resembles what you have romanticized as a traditional Irish menu... Well, they have the dark wood and the old booze smell, but their menu... Their menu is hit or VERY miss. I've been to this establishment four times and every time I try something new - Shepherd's Pie, Corned Beef and Cabbage, Fish and Chips and The Classic Bangers and Mash. The first two came out looking delicious, but once tasted, or should I say, barely tasted, I wasn't sure I wanted another bite. The veg for both were not done - crunchy, really. The later two dished were equally blasé. The only thing on the menu I could say is fabulous are the Irish Nachos - which just by typing seems like sacrilege. If you're looking for a place to sit and have a pint in a great Irish drinking hall, DO IT! If you're looking for a place to get a good meal... Hopefully, your experience is better than mine!

    (2)

  • Alina S.

    I went here with the bf for a nice dinner. The atmosphere is nice, a little dark since we were sort of seated at the back corner, but we enjoyed the performer on starge. Our waitress was fabulous. I unfortunately don't remember her name, but she was really lively and helpful. I had the seafood pot pie and my bf had the salmon. His food was better than mine (delicious salmon!) but my food was good as well and it was very filling. Of course, the bf had a good beer as well. It's a tad expensive, but hey, seafood is expensive. We will be visiting again :)

    (4)

  • Ryan S.

    We used to love to come to this place. We'd sit outside on the little porch with our dog outside the ropes and enjoy a good brunch. Showed up recently and they more or less told us to scram. Said that if we had a dog with us, on a public sidewalk mind you, in one of the most dog friendly cities in the U.S., they we would refuse to serve us. Don't be fooled by the dog statue outside. Maybe the host was having an off afternoon. Very bizarre. We always enjoyed this place. It gets a ton of business. The food is good. Hopefully they change their policy and so we can go back on our weekly walks down lovely King Street. UPDATE: Instead of allowing dogs outside the seating area, outside, they removed the dog statue. Hilarious! Just go around the corner to virtue food and grain. Much friendlier to humans & dogs.

    (3)

  • Karisa D.

    **** 3 1/2 Stars***** Decent Irish Pub in Old Town. I've been here a few times now for food and for drinks. It's fairly large inside with 2 floors and a rooftop bar area that is open in the spring and summer months. Food isn't anything special (decent bar food) and decent drinks. The bartenders and staff are friendly. O'Connell's is not rowdy like Murphy's and the crowd is definitely more relaxed, if that's what you're looking for. The clientele is mixed, but seems to lean towards the older side. They do have live music during the weekend evenings which always livens things up :)

    (3)

  • Leanna L.

    Love this place! I had my birthday night of drinking here and they set aside a group of tables and were more than accommodating. We had our own waiter for drinks who kept everything separate for a group of 20+. On other occasions, we've had dinner and it's been awesome. Highly recommend for either a dinner, or a late night out.

    (4)

  • Bill A.

    My favorite bar in Old Town. It's a huge, two-floor bar area that creates a convincing feeling of actually being in a pub in Ireland. The bar food is pretty good too - we had good fries here once.

    (5)

  • Dana B.

    My company hosted a happy hour here to welcome our colleagues from out of town, and we were extremely impressed with the service and attention we received! Our bartenders were attentive and fun while making sure the event was running smoothly. The upstairs private space is perfect for hosting a larger event (we had approximately 30-35 people), and so charming with the fireplace and private bar. We ordered three big platters of food and only had good things to say about everything that came with them. There was a live band that came on around 10PM. I would definitely recommend O'Connell's.

    (5)

  • Christiana C.

    Usually my favorite bar, until I paid my tab and never received my card back. When I realized and went back, they wouldn't look for it and said to come back tomorrow. And with that, they've lost my patronage.

    (1)

  • Emma M.

    We went and were extremely excited to try the upscale looking Irish menu and selection of beers. Since it was St. Patrick's Day weekend, I figured it would be pretty crowded but we weren't in a rush. Upon walking in we were initially told there was a wait but then told we could be seated. It was about 5:00 PM so despite being a popular weekend, it wasn't a peak time. We waited... and waited... and tried to flag down one of the numerous staff people and managers that passed our table. 2 additional tables were sat right next to us and no one came over to any of us. After about 20 minutes, I went over to the bar next to the tables to ask them if anyone had our section -- when I walked over there the 2 bartenders proceeded to leave from behind the bar without saying anything to me Since it had been 30 minutes and we didn't even have drinks, we left. I was honestly very disappointed.

    (1)

  • Emily A.

    I went here recently on a first date. We just kind of wondered in out of the cold while we were walking around Old Town one evening trying to find a place to eat. We were greeted immediately the hostess was very friendly and it was the day after Halloween so everyone was still dressed up in Halloween costumes and it was pretty cool. We sat down and our service came over I ordered a glass of wine and we got our drinks pretty quickly. I don't eat red meat pork or lamb so the options that everyone recommends on Yelp, I wasn't going to eat. So I saw the strawberry spinach salad with goat cheese and figured it sounded pretty tasty. My date got the curry chicken which he said was very good and I thoroughly enjoyed my salad as well. The decor and ambience of this restaurant was nice, everyone was friendly, we had a decent meal, and it wasn't terribly expensive. I will definitely go back to O'Connell's.

    (4)

  • Monk E. R.

    Of all the Irish pubs in Old town (Murphy's, Ireland's own, Daniel O'Connell's), this place has the best mix of pub vibe (cozy booths), decent pub grub (scotch eggs, bangers & mash, lamb burgers), solid service. Yeah, it's not as cheap as the other places, but the food isn't reheated slop either. Noisy as hell on a Saturday night, but there's plenty of room upstairs so you don't have to wait half an hour for a seat. The crowd skews touristy with a mix of local brahs in baseball caps getting hammered on Guinness and choking down buffalo wings. If you're looking to watch the game over a beer or just get some food on that actually tastes like something, these guys will hook you up.

    (4)

  • Michael L.

    Bangers and Mash were delicious. Wait staff was attentive and personable. In fact, this is the best wait staff I have experienced in D.C.

    (5)

  • John T.

    Things I really liked about this place: The corned beef and cabbage egg roll appetizers, the onion gravy on the Guinness burger, the fish and chips, the large selection of Scotch whisky. Things I didn't like about this place: The noise level, the slow and rude service. Overall, it's worth trying out once to see if it's to your taste. The food is pretty good and the hostesses are cute.

    (3)

  • Erika T.

    Awesome place. Had the Irish Breakfast, an Irish pear cider, and the chocolate cake (which was misleading. It was like thick chocolate mousse in small edible white chocolate cups).

    (5)

  • Jennifer P.

    Come for the booze. Drink. A lot. Then, consider ordering something off the food menu. Do not reverse this order of business. I've been coming to O'Connell's for years; it's got a great atmosphere and friendly staff. It's a shame about the food: when it first opened, there was an excellent chef, then he quit, and the food was just okay. I haven't eaten there in a while, and my fiancee and I visited on a Saturday night for a drink and a few nibbles. The staff is still great, but what slop! We ordered wings, the soup of the day (chicken noodle), and the crab and spinach dip. The wings were dry and flavorless and, randomly, there were other bits of things that must have fallen in the fryer, like carrots; the chicken noodle soup was canned broth (it tasted just like the kind in Campbell's Chicken n Stars), chopped up carrots and chicken breast and....spaghetti...I guess that's a noodle, right? The crab and spinach dip was just kind of icky and the crab was definitely canned. The kitchen needs to step it up considering what they're charging, but they do land-office business there, so I doubt that will happen. It's a shame.

    (3)

  • Pete A.

    First time here, so trying to be open minded. My 1st Smithwicks was flat and stale, but switched to Guinness and it was fine. We did apps for dinner. Cheese plate was skimpy and not worth the price. Calamari was so so, too many hot peppers, not enough calamari. Chicken wings 8/10. Pretty cool atmosphere, cool little booths, friendly and efficient staff. Definitely will return.

    (3)

  • Melissa G.

    I was meandering down King Street the other night after running an errand and Daniel O'Connells just seemed very welcoming so I stopped in and took up residence at the bar. I was there after Happy Hour so I can't vouch for their specials but I got a nice hummus platter with veggies that could have fed 3 people for $8. I also had a draft and bottled beer. The server was good about making recommendations and even let us sample the drafts. I really liked that they were playing a combination of Irish and Scottish music. They had live Irish after 8 and no cover charge.

    (4)

  • Leah N.

    I'm not a regular at Daniel O'Connell's but if I lived in the area I definitely would be! I have stopped here on all of my business trips and order the same thing, the Guinness burger. Truth is, it's not out of this world amazing food but it's comfort food and sometimes that is just what you need. On my first trip here we got the booth in the front by the bar, very cozy. I was helping someone with a work project and it was a great little spot to plug in our laptops and enjoy some food and drinks. On my 2nd time we sat outside. Service was a bit on the slow side but still a good time. I'll be back next time I am in town :)

    (5)

  • Brigitte S.

    We ordered the tapas seafood app and we would not recommend it. The crab cake tasted like a hush puppy with little to no crab meat. The shrimp and scallop were tasty, the calamari was bland. We split the classic Reuben on marble rye, this was very good and came with a huge order of fries which were also yummy. The star of our lunch was the lamb stew, spend the extra $2 and get the mashed potatoes with it. It was delicious and we would return just for the stew. We both had a spicy Bloody Mary that we enjoyed. The layout of the restaurant was cozy and like a traditional Irish pub. Our waiter was great, very attentive.

    (3)

  • Janet P.

    I ate here twice it was so nice. I eat light so Happy Hour was great with $3 off apps. The seafood app was very good, I would recommend it as a light meal. I also had the Irish stew listed under soup with an added spoon of mashed potatoes which made It my second meal, another recommendation. I must also say their house beer on tap was very good, I was also pleased that their Guiness was exceptionally smooth and creamy, a sign of a clean and well used tap.

    (5)

  • Evan M.

    We like this place a lot, even with a few ups and downs. The fish and chips are really great. We've tried both styles of steak before, and honestly I'd pass on those in the future and go with one of the other entrées. Great selection tap and bottled beer.

    (4)

  • Irina K.

    I went to this place with a few friends for lunch the day before St. Patricks day. We were sitting at the bar and each ordered a single beer. Without asking us to leave or suggesting we get the check after our one beer they turned off the lights and left us at the bar without us being able to close out. To close we had to seek out a server to turn the lights back on and find a bartender re-open the POS system. It was the rudest experience I've ever encountered at a bar/restaurant. I will never go to this place ever again.

    (1)

  • meriam c.

    "Meh" my bf and i wanted to try this place with the nice patio outside. We went inside and asked, the server who didnt greet us was rude and didnt seem like she wanted to help. Pros : nothing really Cons : food is not all that, staff was not welcoming , and the price isnt worth it. Slow service.

    (2)

  • Jen C.

    My husband & I spent our last night in Alexandria here. We had a blast. The bartender was awesome & they had a great selection of beer. I told him the type of beer I liked & he recommended an awesome beer. We shared the Sheppard's pie they brought us each out a small dish already split for us. It was delicious! Not greasy like they are at other restaurants. Ingredients tasted fresh. The bartender continued to recommended different beers and Wiskeys for my husband. They had a few men sitting by the fireplace playing Irish music. We will definitely go back to this place.

    (5)

  • Linda V.

    I love this place!! Love the Irish bartenders and it's always a good time. Please please please bring back the Irish bacon and cabbage. That was my favorite dish and there is no where in town that serves that. Very authentic to what you find in Ireland!

    (4)

  • Jeanette W.

    I came here for a reserved party. The server seemed bothered by my specific drink order and not personable. Although this bothered me it was not my most frustrating incident. The appetizers were promised by a certain time and came out over a half hour late. I went to leave and noticed that my debit card was missing. After looking around good for the card I then went to the closest bar tender to keep an eye out for it... He seemed thoroughly uninterested and walked away without taking down any of my information. Frustrated I went to the front door and asked to speak with a manager and again explained my situation. He pointed me to yet another bartender. I explained the situation a 3rd time to him. He told me to go talk to the other bartender. I explained that I had and mentioned that he didn't seem trustworthy as in willing to actually take down my information... The bartender became short with me and snapped that that other guy wouldn't steal my card and walked away... I was double offended as I had asked now two people for help in simply talking my information and neither one could do it and both were very dismissive towards my concerns/needs... Needless to say I do not trust that even if they did find my debit card that they would even take the time to care or contact me. RUDE service! As a customer I will not be back and I will be sure to let others know about my experience! Extremely offended, disappointed and frustrated! They made a bad situation way worse than it needed to be. Thanks for nothing!

    (2)

  • Jessica H.

    We went here for lunch one day and everyone enjoyed it! The bar is really nice looking and has a great Irish Pub atmosphere! Some of the seating was a little uncomfortable for our group. Short benches and low tables. The food was very tasty! We would definitely come back again!

    (4)

  • Lauren S.

    Overall: Irish pub with a decent beer menu, tasty food & good service. Food: Our most recent stop to O'Connell's included a pretty greasy (in a good way) option. My husband and I split an order of nachos and a couple beers outside on a nice Saturday afternoon. (we're obviously having a very hard time adjusting to our new city haha) The nacho toppings are piled on crispy homemade chips - and they're actually crispy! I was expecting them to be kind of soggy but was pleasantly surprised. Other menu options are pretty typical of an irish pub (bangers & mash, fish & chips, shepherd's pie) but every looks great - bonus points for presentation. Service/Atmosphere: The inside is dark and kind of cavernous (much like many restaurants in Old Town) but it's covered from top to bottom in hardwood so it's pretty comfortable and cozy. I think I'll be more of a fan once it gets cooler. For now, outside is great!

    (4)

  • Marisa F.

    Daniel O'Connell's is a fun place to sit around and drink with your friends, but it gets crowded on weekend nights as it is really one of the few places to go drinking in Alexandria. I have never eaten here, but I would as I love pub food. I have definitely been day drinking here on a number of occasions. It is a nice Irish pub and I like the ambiance and decor over Murphy's, the other pub in Old Town. I was also disappointed that they only have magners cider.

    (3)

  • Paul A.

    Good fun place but can get busy, live music makes it a must, reasonable prices for Old Town

    (4)

  • Nick S.

    I took my little sis here as part of her introductory tour of Old Town Alexandria. The interior is classic Irish pub with classy Irish waiters. The menu is all greasy bar food, but it's in the higher echelons of greasy bar food. The prices are average for Old Town - maybe $15-20 a person for an entree and a frothy beverage. If you're not feeling a particular type of cuisine and you're walking by, there's probably something on the menu to satisfy, and the ambiance is great for chilling out. Side note - if you're interested in going to Ireland and happen to chat up a waiter nicknamed "Jockey" - hit him up for recommendations!

    (4)

  • Danielle S.

    Husband and I came here for lunch mid-week and were pretty darn happy with our meal and overall experience. This place is huge (I felt like I was in a labyrinth of Irish woods), but we were seated in a cozy little nook which made the space feel more manageable. We both ordered the fish and chips because the waitress sold us on them with the note that they'd gotten rid of the freezer and everything was fresh. They were simply amazing. We're still talking about it. The plate is huge though - it's totally sharable. The fries were heavenly. The fish was great too. Everything was piping hot and really really tasty. And, I hate that word "tasty," but I couldn't keep saying it was "great." Even though it was. I want to go back!!

    (5)

  • Anil H.

    We were looking forward to eating here but waited over 20 minutes but no one bothered to wait on us. Even after asking the host to send someone, no one showed up, so we reluctantly left.

    (1)

  • Brandy C.

    Amazing atmosphere! The wait staff was super helpful and extremely friendly. The food was great. Even our two-year-old was tearing it up.

    (5)

  • Anne N.

    We have been here before and it was a fantastic meal. Came back with a big group of friends and family and had the worst meal ever. Nachos made with sausage, shepards pie made with breakfast sausage and worst of all corned beef and cabbage made with LUNCH MEAT!

    (1)

  • Michael E.

    Snowy spring day in Alexandria and I decided to stop in to O'Connell's for lunch. Hadn't been here in more than a decade, but wanted a little nostalgia. Ordered the Scotch eggs and was amazed. Fried panko breaded Irish sausage with hard boiled egg in the center - unbelievably tasty, if not very nutritionally correct. Then to add insult to injury, ordered the Irish egg rolls with corned beef and cabbage as the filler. Another winner. I'm not in town that often, but will definitely be back for more of this stuff.

    (4)

  • Christian N.

    The decor and greeters are amazing, the atmosphere, never better! Then we ordered food..... Mandy, "Remember that time when we had a waiter?" Me, "Not tonight." The seafood pie, which the server(when he finally made a cameo) recommended, was flavorless. So sad that I had to dump 1/2 the salt and pepper shakers on it, just to taste the food. Btw, I didn't know you could actually water down Guinness! I could actually see through. No exaggeration!!!

    (2)

  • Phillip S.

    I went into the Irish Pub a 2 weeks ago and i wasnt impressed. I showed up about 3pm and and ordered a Magners Cider. Cider came quick. I waited a little bit and ordered the Corned Beef and Cabbage. That took a bit to come out and it was served up all fancy and shit. Then i waited...beer was empty. Bartendars were caught up in conversations with other guests...i guess it wouldnt be so bad if they werent right next to me. She poured them a shot, on the house and looked at my empty glass. Didnt ask if i wanted another. Now i look through the reviews and see that i should have looked here first. The issue i have is that this place has probably the best Irish Atmosphere in town. Something really needs to be dont about the service or you are just going to be coming out of pocket.

    (2)

  • Brett V.

    We ate here coming back from Mount Vernon and because we were going to take a ghost tour of Old Alexandria. A friend my wife works with who is from the Alexandria area recommended the place. The menu was smaller than some other places, which is actually a plus. That means they can really concentrate on the dishes. I have to say I was highly impressed. My wife and I had the "fish and chips". It was delicious. The fish was cooked to perfection and the breading was on the lighter side which is good. I hate eating fish where you feel like you swallowed a loaf of bread after. I also am not a tarter sauce fan ordinarily, but I think they added dill to theirs so I found it quite tasty and used it on my fish. They give you two filets. My wife and I only ate one each because it was thick and filling, even with the light breading. Of course we also had two appetizers as well. We did the calamari and the buffalo wings. Both were very good. My littlest child had kids tenders. They only give you two, but they were good sized. Not those anemic looking ones you get at some places. My oldest child had a pretzel sandwich. It was piled with meat, I forget what all is on it. I know corn beef is one. My son got the turkey club which, even without the lettuce and tomato was piled high with turkey, cheese and bacon. My only complaint was the service was a little slow. However, they seemed to be busy so I didn't let that affect my star rating. Service was friendly, but our waiter wasn't very helpful with the menu. I appreciate his honesty though because he admitted there are things he doesn't like so he's never tried it. We didn't stay for it, but it looks like they have live music every weekend. If you take a trip to Alexandria's old town, I recommend you stop by and have a meal here. Or pop in for a Guiness or Smithwicks.

    (5)

  • MoonUnit Z.

    We stopped there while sight seeing in Alexandria after visiting the Arlington National Cemetery. What a great find! Food was delicious and service was great! Definitely a place we'll visit again next time we're in town.

    (5)

  • Kara N.

    10 star bar! 3 star food. I have a pint glass policy in this place. If it doesn't come in a pint, I'm not ordering it.

    (4)

  • Cathy K.

    Service was terrible after our first waiter (who was attentive) clocked out. We couldn't get our new waiter, or anyone for that matter, to give us the time of day after we finished eating. My boyfriend finally got up and went to the bar to order our third round. For our fourth round, we had to flag down someone else's waiter. On the plus side, our lunch of fish & chips and a hamburger was quite tasty. The place is easy to find and accessible via public transportation (a must for us). Had the service been better, we would have stayed for another few rounds and ordered dinner. We eat out almost every meal, love to watch all manner of sports, love to drink beer and love an Irish pub. We were looking for a new "home" but this probably won't be it.

    (2)

  • E. K.

    Fusion fun (Irish egg rolls, Irish Nachos) and classic yum (corned beef and cabbage, Shepard's pie) make this place more than your typical Irish pub. The food was great, creative, and delicious. The bar selection is good. They have Magner's on tap and all of the typical Irish beers (that would not be served in the same establishment by Irish pub standards). The bartenders are friendly and yes, do talk to the patrons. This may be construed as bad service, but this is actually very traditional and indicative of a good pub. If you get mad when a bartender chats up his patron and does not fill up your drink the moment it is empty and hits the bar counter, you do not belong in an Irish pub.

    (4)

  • Ahmed K.

    This is about as solid an Irish pub as you can get in the DC area. The food is always spot on and reasonably priced (you won't leave feeling a big dent in your wallet) and the atmosphere is just right (not douche-y like other Irish Bars tend to be). In order to fully enjoy this kind of place, you need to time your visits because it can become very crowded and a little unwieldy at times. The downstairs bar can become a little crazy but if you and your group get in early, there is a very nice upstairs bar that can be a little more on the upscale side. There is also a cool outdoor patio with a great view that could be perfect for lunch or even dinner. Having lived in Alexandria, this is one of the very few Old Town establishment I miss.

    (3)

  • Lori C.

    My favorite Irish Pub on the planet! Get the lamb burger- it is the best but don't be afraid to try one of the specials. Everything and I mean everything I have ever had there is wonderful.

    (5)

  • Katie S.

    This was a great find! I'm glad I checked out O'Connell's Restaurant Week menu, it was definitely worth the trip. Very friendly wait staff and quick service, tasty food that came out hot and delicious. Loooved the Irish Cream Pie! and the Magners on tap. The potato leek soup was tasty, but could use some ham or bacon in my opinion, and the irish egg rolls were delicious! So crispy and the sauce was very tasty I can't wait to come back and try the brunch menu, it sounded delicious.

    (4)

  • Evan P.

    I always try to take visitors here. Great atmosphere, decor and layout. Four bars (two smaller), patio and roof deck seating, lots of tv's, awesome woodwork (supposedly imported from Ireland), live bands on the weekend. It's always crowded at the bars, which is both a positive and negative (for me). I'm also not a big Irish food fan, but you can find the standard things like a burger or salad too. One other thing, lots of the bartending staff are actually Irish, which adds to the feel of legitimacy.

    (4)

  • Nikki K.

    My friend and I went here for dinner on Friday night. I ordered the cod special - the cod was good, but the potatoes were either non-existent or minuscule. The entire dish was served on a piece of soaked cornbread. We were sat on the upper level, which was very loud and made it difficult to talk and hear. There was no Irish atmosphere whatsoever. However, the service was good.

    (2)

  • Naomi M.

    I love a good Irish pub, especially to eat a good breakfast at, but O'Connell's is just alright compared to others that I have been to. The restaurant it is decorated like your average Irish pub, but the build out of the inside is what I was very impressed with. There are a few different rooms each with a pretty unique vibe to them and also an upstairs area. This setup prevents the place from ever feeling overwhelmed or packed with people. The food here is just average and is nothing that I couldn't whip up myself at home. I hate paying for something that is just ok. The servers don't have much to say about the menu when asked and if you want to change something on the menu, they give you some attitude. I would rather eat at iHop for my breakfast than here so I stick to just going to the bar and munching on some small dishes.

    (3)

  • Andrew L.

    Avoid this place. The food is WAY over priced. The exception this, the happy hour/trivia stuff, is sometime just gross. We ordered 20 wings and ate 4 before asking them to just take them away. The drinks are way over priced too; 4.00 for a miller lite or 6.00 for house red is considered "special." This is all combined with spotty, rude service. Strangely enough, the dessert were actually really good--the lava cake was one of the best I've ever had. I came here for trivia a couple times before learning about Murphy's trivia down the street, and will NEVER go back.

    (1)

  • Colleen M.

    There are a few different O'Connell's. There is the weekday lunch place, the weekend brunch, the weeknight trivia hangout and the Saturday night meat market. Different versions of myself have been fond of each of them. The place is huge, sprawling. This can be great for busy nights, but good luck meeting someone here! Food is pretty Irish bar standard, or better. I've been here with several British Isles expats, who have appreciated little touches like curry dipping sauce and ploughman's platters. It feels classier than Murphy's up the block. It's a slightly more cleaned up crowd and the pints are pulled more thoughtfully.

    (4)

  • Krystle B.

    I would give it 0 stars if I could. Wednesday I was in the Old Town area strolling around planning to have a dinner date with myself before meeting others for happy hour. It was hot as the dickens but I still wanted to sit outside and people watch while sipping on some Riesling and reading my Harry Potter book from my Kindle. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. I walked into the public bar area where it said to seat yourself. As I wanted to sit outside I waited to get the bartender's attention to let him know so he could let the server know. I waited at the bar for 5 minutes without getting acknowledged. After getting the bar keep's attention and requesting a menu. He gruffly nodded at me like it was going above and beyond his call of duty to assist me. It was around 3pm so it wasn't really busy. I'm in the service industry, there were no bar tickets pouring in that were requiring his immediate attention. A female server with blonde hair finally got me a menu. She didn't greet me, ask me anything, or seemed to even want my business. As I sat at a booth inside for 20 minutes I finally got up and walked around looking for said server. I was convinced she actually didn't exist and I hallucinated her. I must've got the menu myself somehow because I never saw the chick again. I asked a couple who was sitting there enjoying their ice cold frothy beers (jealous) if anyone worked here. They replied they thought they did. I didn't want to stick around another 20 minutes to find out. After all, I was hot and thirsty, the worst combination to find me in. NEVER will be back at this place again.

    (1)

  • Katy L.

    Update: I'm bumping this up to three stars after a repeat visit to the pub. I ordered a seafood tapas appetizer which came with calamari, a crab cake and a scallop. Not a lot of food, but just what i was in the mood for and very delicious. My husband got the lamb burger with sweet potato fries. OMG. So delicious. I will definitely go back just to get the lamb burger.

    (3)

  • S P.

    One of the only places where the kitchen stayed open late in old town. We were able to enjoy a nice glass of beer and wine. My friend ordered the lamb burger (which was delicious and perfectly cooked ) and I ordered the seafood shepherds pie with shrimp, lobster, and I believe scallops can't recall. Loved every bite of it. Very impressed for the caliber of food considering it is an Irish bar. We enjoyed a nice late night evening. The bar wasn't crowded but considering it was Wednesday at 10, people in old town were likely sleeping. Would go back and probably order the lamb burger for myself. For a restaurant I would give it three stars. But for an irish bar I would give it four considering the beer selection was good, and the food was better than standard bar food.

    (4)

  • J P.

    This is our favorite place in old town!!! Every time we go there we always get a seat.... The Guinness burger is to die for along with the Irish egg rolls!!! Not to mention they pour a mean pint there!!!! Shepard's pie is one of the best I have had in a while, although it may bit gamey for some!

    (4)

  • Kristi R.

    Terrible! Very rude service! I really wanted to like this place and went here a few times with my husband. Tonight, however, showed a whole other side of management. At about 1:30am, with no warning of last call, people were being herded out of the bar. I thought it was just a group of people and made the comment that we still had a while to drink 2 oz of beer ( I was there with my husband and brother-in-law....just talking, and spent over $70 per person already that night). The bar tender came up behind me and asserted "actually we can close the bar whenever we want to, so finish your beer quickly and get the fuck out of here" I responded to his comment that we had never been informed that the bar was closing and he continued to be rude. He then ordered my husband out of the bar because "his woman had a big mouth" I have never been accused of that in my life and take serious offense to his sexism. On principle, I hope that others will avoid this place as well. My husband, when asking to get the name of the manager, was then grabbed by the arm and escorted out the door.

    (1)

  • Antoinette P.

    I went here for a food walking tour. The walking tour was an absolute joke; however, Daniel O'Connell's was a pleasant surprise. The staff and management were very kind and knew so much about the restaurant. The restaurant itself is well decorated and looks exactly like any pub you might wander into in Ireland. Sure enough, one of the owners actually has specialized in a career of designing Irish pubs throughout Europe and the US. This place must be the crown jewel! The decor even includes centuries old bars flown in from Ireland! I didn't drink here, but I am sure that it is a great place to get a pint of Guinness or any ale. We sampled some items from the new menu, all of which were delicious. For those who enjoy a fancy twist on Irish pub fare, you will be delighted by Daniel O'Connell's. For those who wish to have a private Irish bar to themselves, you can also rent out one of their upstairs rooms.

    (4)

  • Clair C.

    It was our first time in a Irish pub & rest. Was so much fun with life music and great food.

    (4)

  • Chad M.

    I love Irish Pubs (good Irish Pubs) and O'Connell's didn't disappoint. My wife and I are new to the area, having just moved here from Indianapolis and love finding new places. Located in Old Town Alexandria, this pub fits right in to the "old charm" of the neighborhood. The staff is very friendly, the decor is wonderful (dark woods everywhere), the food is very good (but as a Vegan, I would like to see more options). My favorite, and only real option, is the hummus/veggie platter, which, is very good. For $8, you get enough to feed more than one person. They have a great beer selection on tap but I would like to see more local selections. At the time of our visit, there was just one local beer on tap. Also, it would be nice to have wireless connectivity available. This would be a great place to come for a beer and get a bit of work done. Overall, I highly recommend O'Connell's and I am absolutely positive that my wife and I will be back again and again and again. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because of the lack of Vegan food options and the lack of wireless connectivity.

    (4)

  • Amy P.

    My husband took me here on our first date, and thankfully he has good taste. ;) We come here for dinner when we can, and we've also attended and hosted parties here over the years. With several bars, private rooms available, and lots of seating, this is a very cool setting for any celebration. We just had dinner here again last night and all of our food was outstanding. They take reservations, which I would recommend for dinner. Last night's good eats: Spinach strawberry salad with goat cheese, Seafood pie, and Bangers & Mash.

    (5)

  • Kenlyn M.

    Bottom line: Delicious food - and if the service isn't perfect, they'll make it so. My better half and I wandered in for an early dinner on a rainy Sunday. Old Town Alexandria can be a crap shoot in some respects--along King Street, some restaurants are simply there because they've been there forever (and certainly not because their food is worth the price). DoC's was, however, both reasonably-priced for the neighborhood and delicious. BH had the Reuben, and I had the mussels--both were promptly delivered, perfectly delectable, and highly enjoyable. Our service was, I'm sorry to say, disappointing--but when we spoke with the manager, he responded quickly and generously. We're looking forward to trying the restaurant again, as we know the service will be up to the high standards of the food.

    (4)

  • Georgio B.

    My fav pub in Olde Towne! Great food, great beer selections, awesome staff! Highly recommend!

    (4)

  • Victor G.

    Do not go here if you are the least uncomfortable around a lot of people. The service was the slowest service I have ever experience in Old town. I do not know if it was because I wasn't some ditsy college girl or what but I stood at the bar with money in hand trying to get a drink for my wife and I. Then to make matter worse when I received my drinks my wife's vodka and diet coke were horrible. How do you mess up that simple drink and my beer was in a dirty glass. The only place we could find room to sit was upstairs but then you had all the dumb college kids standing all in the walking area bumping up against your table and everything and refusing to move for anything. The music is obnoxiously loud probably to make you forget how horrible of an experience you are having. We had our one drink and left, I am pretty sure I wont be back. I will head back to a better bar down on Strand Ave.

    (1)

  • Sasha A.

    It's a very solid Irish pub. Here's the rundown: 1) The atmosphere is great- inside gives off a nice old world vibe, the rooftop adds a great choice. 2) the food isn't revolutionary, but what Irish-inspired food is? It's hearty and feels nice when it's cold out. 3) The beer list isn't huge, but it has good variety that covers all the bases. 4) Gary, who took care of us during my last visit, was EXTREMELY nice. He definitely added a lot to a really nice evening. I'll definitely be back for drinks and m

    (4)

  • Hannah C.

    We arrived tired, hungry, and annoyed by another local eatery... When the fish n chips and Guinness arrived, the clouds parted and the sun shone through. The batter was nicely spiced. The fish was huge and flaky. The Guinness was... well... perfect. The service was great. The ambiance Irish-pub-like with lots of space for a big crowd, and lots of little nooks for a more intimate conversation. So nice. So very very nice. I'll come back here anytime, and screw the Chart House! PS: They have Pub Quiz night ( trivia night ) on Wednesdays.

    (4)

  • Teal G.

    O'Connell's is my go-to lifesaver restaurant. Really I should have Yelped about them before now. We have taken family, friends from out of town, done dates and company dinners here. The food has always been spot-on, the beer decently priced, the ambiance great, and love the live band. Today though O'Connell's saved my butt. My company had a big goodbye party for some of our staffers and we first went to 219 where the manager scolded us before giving us our food menu. (You can check out my review on their page). We evacuated before things got worse. We were desperate and could only migrate so far with a group of 20. I ran into O'Connell's poured out my sob story and guess what? They were pretty packed so they opened a whole section of their restaurant and gave us a private room to party in. The beer came fast and the food was perfect. I want to thank the hostess for being confronted by my plea and her packed restaurant and still making it work. Thank you to the manager for not scolding us. Thank you to the staff for their patience and not blinking an eye when splitting a huge bill between 20 people. You guys already had a fan but now you have a fan for life!

    (5)

  • Mark C.

    This is an Irish bar for sure. If you want to watch sports at the bar, go somewhere else. No TVs at the bar. The bartender was very friendly and provided good service. This area is North Old Town Alexandria and has a lot of shots and restaurants. I had the fish and chips (waffle sweet potato fries) which was very good. A limited draft beer selection if you are a beer snob but a great place to eat, drink and listen to Irish music. The front bar is small but the back bar is very big. I would go again.

    (4)

  • Sydney C.

    I have actually never been to O'Connell's before 10 PM as it is mostly known as one of the best bars in old town. It always has a small but good selection of beers and the bar food menu is great with portions big enough to share with a few people. It is a fun place to meet up with friends as it has a few different bars and seating areas inside (although the upstairs isn't always open). Looks, feels, and tastes like your average Irish pub but with a younger crowd. Go there for St. Patrick's day, they have a band and attentive bartenders even with the huge crowd. You won't be dissapointed!

    (4)

  • Sandra B.

    Went here last night for the first time even though we have lived in Alexandria for a while now. We didn't realize what an authentic place this was, and we enjoyed our visit here very much. We were seated upstairs and had a very nice irish waiter who was attentive and polite even though the place was really busy. We ordered the wings and we both had burgers. I thought the meal all in all was great and want to come back to try the fish and chips and some of the other irish fare they offer. My only complaint: I found the kid running around with the tablet to see where everyone was at in their meals to be really annoying. He must have passed by us twenty times during our meal as if he were on a track, and when we left he and the hostess were so busy trying to figure out how to get more people seated that they failed to acknowledge us at all as we were leaving. Maybe the sale end of things doesn't need to be so obvious. That being said, we had a nice meal, enjoyed the feel of the place (almost as if we were in a pub right in ireland) and we plan to return.

    (4)

  • Giselle O.

    Great service, delicious food, great drinking. What else do you need?

    (5)

  • Dayana S.

    Great bar! Super bartenders. Always have fun when Im there. Great bar for all ages. They make a wicked cocktail!

    (4)

  • Pat C.

    My friend and I felt that the food was ok, but the service was rather pathetic. It took 20 minutes for a glass of red wine to show up, and that was after the a glass of white was mistakenly brought out at the 18 minute mark. There were minor mistakes with the order. Requested water was forgotten. I won't go back there.

    (2)

  • Angela J.

    The service here was excellent, and I have heard the patio is pretty awesome. Right on King St. in Old Town, it's a great place to meet friends for a cocktail. I loved how the upstairs was open so you could see down to the floor below. The decor was really cool, made you feel like you were in an old pub in Ireland. Food, meh, it's ok, nothing amazing. My fish and chips were decent, the burgers around the table looked ok, and I heard the rueben was tasty too. The fries were not that great. Next time I come back...I'll stick to appetizers and drinks :)

    (3)

  • John C.

    The dark wood and dim lights. The smell of guiness and chiming of glasses. This old irish pub has the makings of Irish greatness as it woos passerbys off of Alexandria's grand King Street, but atmosphere is not the only quality that goes into the makings of a great restaurant. Fortunately, Daniel O'Connels Irish Pub has more to offer than authentic Irish first impressions, amusing its diners with delicious cuisine and atmosphere on the top floors, as the party rambles on in the pub downstairs. Beginning with the restaurant, O'Connely's is very dissected. While the bar on the ground floor is the feature bar of the pub, there are actually two additional ones on the upper floors that feature a majority of the same taps and spirits. What the restaurant does well in keeping the pub crawlers and diners divided. If interested in sitting down for dinner, guests are never taken through the pub, but rather a side stairwell above the restaurant. Also to note is that the pub features outside dining on the sidewalk, which is fun for people watching. Upstairs the tables are never to close together, but diners will need to speak up, as some of the tables look over a balcony over the rousing crowd below. Atomosphere aside, the food is quite good. Alexandria always seems to have a flair for surf and turf, and O'Connely's matches this characteristic, offering the best of land and sea. However, because chances are that a diner did not come to an Irish restaurant for its seafood, I would reccomend to steer along the air of redmeat, particularly the beef tenderloin wrapped in bacon. While this may be an easier dish to prepare, it still is one of the best entrees at O'Connely's, and chances are, you're waitress will reccomend it to you. The restaurant also features a variety of cuts that are cooked to order. O'Connely's also features an extensive dessert menu, but to be honest there is nothing unique here other than chocolate cakes and apple tarts. Regardless, their desserts do offer a fine finish. Finally, I was amused with the service. While I won't say that I was forgotten about, my waitress was one busy person. An authentic Irish woman, she sailed up and down the balcony breezing past the table, taking note every now and then for any needs to concerns. When it was time to go, it nearly took me fifteen minutes to get my bill. That was primarlly the shining dissapointment of the experience. While O'Connely's may certainly be a fine place for Irish food and drink (and a damn good steak might I add), it lacks a personal touch or feel that one might expect from an upper tier restaurant along King Street's final block. Because of the super busy service, it gives the appeal of just any other Irish pub where I may be forgotten by the barmaid as I ask for another drink. Fortunately, the food begs to differ from this persona and makes it a worthwhile experience to return to. Four cheers for O'Connely.

    (4)

  • Molly F.

    LOVE the lamb burger & will return just for that. They have a good menu with unique things on it. Corned beef egg rolls were delicious, too. A bit pricey but had to try them & we weren't disappointed.

    (4)

  • M N.

    Others have already commented on the decor (very authentic, dark wood, imported from Ireland), outstanding selection of single malt scotch, and of course, Guinness. Service outstanding. That said, great ambiance, place for drinks, as for the food...well, I will not be going back for the food. My wife and I went to the Irish Pub because I wanted to eat some corned beef and cabbage. Unfortunately, it was not on the menu. So I ordered the steak - not the place for steak. Wife had the salmon - she enjoyed it. A bit on the pricey side, but considering the ambiance, decor, selection of scotch and bier, and the service, it is understandable. Great place for drinks, would pass on the food.

    (3)

  • Ryan M.

    This place is amazing. It's EXACTLY what you want in an Irish pub... dark wood, lots of corner/cubby tables, beer, food, and a place with really authentic character. Not sure why some people don't like that, but this place drips with character. The beer and food and service are great, and it's an incredible spot to grab drinks and a bite with friends. Head here and enjoy.

    (5)

  • Rob R.

    The best Guinness in the area.... best I've had outside of Ireland. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The bartenders will remember your drink and your name.... something crucial to any spot that you would want to come back to regularly. The regulars are a good-naturated bunch that are glad to meet you and quick to smile. The food is at a higher level than 'pub grub' that you are accustomed to. The prices are a bit high for a pub, but it is well worth it. In America, we are accustomed to be in and out of a place in under an hour. We want prompt service. And if things happen to take longer than we like, we take it as a personal slight. Well, prepare to take on a slower, more leisurely pace, when you walk into O'Connell's. This was something I didn't catch onto the first couple times I went there. It was only after a trip to Ireland, and more than a few Public Houses, that I could really appreciate it. Slow down, enjoy a pint (or two) and meet the person next to you.... something we could all stand to do a bit more here in the US.

    (5)

  • Furry P.

    We had a wonderful experience here.. spent the better part of a day hanging in the bar and eating. Service was excellent, and the food was tasty - we loved it. The ambiance is super fun also... feels historic. Not sure if it is or not but heck... so long as it fools you. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Michelle E.

    You would not expect a bar to have good food, but it is delicious. The atmosphere is great, always packed with a range of ages and types. They are busy a lot, so the service is not always extremely prompt, but I have certainly never had bad service. One of my favorite places to eat in Alexandria.

    (5)

  • Erika W.

    Fun times had by all everytime we go here. Where else can you have a drink, people watch and even have s'mores if you want? Gets crowded on the weekends, but now that it's smoke-free (yeah VA!) at least you won't go home smelling like a crowded bar! Love this place. Try the upstairs for a different feel.

    (5)

  • Ryan S.

    On a recent trip to Alexandria my wife and I stumbled upon O'Connell's. The experience was great. The atmosphere is excellent and the inside is deceptively big with lots of little seating areas and a great traditional Irish feel. Our bartender made a fantastic PIMMS, a drink I feel in love with in the UK. I ordered the bangers and mash which were amazing. Seriously, they were the best bangers and mash I have had outside Ireland. My wife had a salad which was fresh, crisp and delightfully tasty. We finished our meal with the wild blueberry bread pudding which was also exceptional. I spent a summer driving throughout the Emerald Isle, and have tried many Irish pubs in the US. Overall, I would give O'Connell's very high marks for authenticity and quality.

    (5)

  • Zita L.

    I dragged a friend to this place because my new boyfriend is Irish American, very tied to his roots...and is named Daniel. Awwwww. Ok if you still decide to keep reading--I'm going to say this place is probably pretty authentic (based on my third-hand understanding of real pubs in Ireland). It has a lot of beautiful dark wood and all kinds of nooks and crannies where you can cuddle up with your pint and your mate...and the food is NOT the main reason you're there. Having said that, I had an espresso-rubbed filet that was unique and delicious, enjoyed my potato soup and the house brew. My friend was not so lucky with her seafood pasta. So my advice: Treat this place like what it is at heart, an Irish pub (translation: don't order the seafood pasta). We ate on the roof deck and I was surprised because a number of reviewers complimented the deck so much. When we got there, it was just this tiny nondescript space with 4 or 5 tables sort of crammed into it. A bunch of chairs were stacked up along with other items not in use, so it felt somewhat like we were dining in a party staging area. I get annoyed when restaurants ignore this kind of detail. Once we saw it, I would have asked to be seated back inside, but the weather was nice and inside there were barely any people. I don't like crowds, but at the same time I think you need at least some kind of quorum of fellow diners. The place felt vast and empty. I think, on a beautiful, sunny summer evening--a dark Irish pub just may not be people's first (or second or even third) dining choice. If you would be lucky to get the ONE table near the front of the roof, you would then have a nice view of King Street. If not, then you're just back in a sort of claustrophobic area that is hemmed in on all sides with buildings and no view. All of the staff were really nice, though, which made up for some annoyances. I read that they imported a lot of their decor from Ireland, and this place looks like it could be a lot of fun with the right crowd. MY ADVICE: Save Daniel O'Connell's for the colder weather. Eat inside (when I imagine there will be a more decent number of fellow diners) and cozy up somewhere for some good food (as long as you stick with meat and potatoes) and good beer in an authentic, good-looking Irish pub.

    (3)

  • John H.

    Had a couple of beers and their awesome prime rib sliders at the front bar (there are four bars here)! They're excellent, served with French fries and crisp fried shoe string onions and au jus on very fresh rolls. The prime rib was perfect, tender and flavorful. A real winner! My bartender, Seve (sp?), was friendly and helpful as was the floor manager who checked on me a couple of times to make sure everything was good. This is a lively place with lots going on. A great place to meet friends or to just grab a pint!

    (4)

  • Lynn F.

    This is my local go to restaurant. They have outdoor seating when the weather permits. I've tried many things on the menu, and everything is delicious.

    (5)

  • Lisa B.

    My husband is a big Irish pub fan so when he's in the mood for some lamb stew and Guiness, we head to O'Connell's. The atmosphere is chill, the servers are generally friendly (and occasionally, authentically Irish), and the food is decent. I've had the fish and chips (a no-brainer in an Irish bar) and enjoyed it. Crisp, battered fresh fish with crunchy outside-soft inside fries. Yum. I've also had the mussels in white wine sauce, which were plump, fresh, and very tasty. Accompanied by a huge cone of fries, this was plenty for a meal, even though it's listed as an appetizer. My advice: Order it as a meal, you won't want to share with the table. As for my husband, well, he gets the lamb stew. He says it's meaty, hearty, tasty. 'Nuff said. Overall, O'Connell's is a good standby on King, we've never had to wait long to be seated, and the prices are *reasonable* (for King Street, that is).

    (4)

  • Karena B.

    The servers are excellent, very attentive. My lil' insiders trick: When I am getting thirsty and wondering where the water is...@ O'Connells the waiter had it there before I could finish the sentence in my head. Very good food, from start to finish. Yes, the dinner menu is more upscale, but they also have a bar menu, so you don't necessarily have to pay a shite load o'money! Great place and there are plenty of places to sit...and the decor is genuinely Irish!

    (4)

  • Keri M.

    Came here for week 23 of trivia (and we won first place!). They only have enough space to hold about 5 teams and you're packed in (I had to share a stool with my friend while cornered by a table). But the service is good before and during the game. Trivia questions were challenging, but not insanely so and not too easy that I lost brain cells. They don't give prizes for trivia and that kind of spoils things - but at least they don't set a maximum team size. Food is just ok, and kind of pricey ($9 for my burger). Pretty good beers on draught - including Harp. The best part about this place is the atmosphere. All the employees are from Ireland and have cool accents and cool sayings. The restaurant managers go to Ireland to recruit employees. Also nice is the interior - lots of thick dark wood everywhere. The place is a bit of a maze, but I think that works well to control the noise level. I'll be back here for happy hour because I feel like I get beamed to Ireland when I enter.

    (3)

  • Mary C.

    I ate at this restaurant during "Restaurant Week" when they have set menus where you pick an appetizer, entree, and dessert for $35 per person. I picked the duck green salad, surf and turf (which was like lobster ravioli with a delicious white sauce and piece of steak on top), and apple crisp for dessert. Excellent food. Perhaps not worth $35, however. One thing I really liked was the seating - very comfortable. We got a table tucked away in this little nook in the back of the non-smoking area of the bar. Very quaint. The beer was good too - I only drank the house lager, but it was good! Nothing to write home about (but clearly enough to write about on yelp!)

    (3)

  • Craig R.

    This bar is really huge, but it still gives off that warm, welcoming vibe. The bartenders are awesome and will definitely take care of you. I definitely will come back to have a drink or two whenever I'm in the area. Everyone who worked here was especially nice and tried to help us fit into a small area where they were having trivia. On that note, trivia was really disappointing. There weren't any prizes for the winners. They just play trivia to play trivia. That's not so bad if you're heading over to the bar that day and you just happen to want to play. They also have a very very very small space for trivia. We could hardly fit a party of four let alone the eight that actually came. The game is your standard trivia game with six/seven rounds with ten questions in each round. The Yelpers pulled out a come from behind win over the regulars in the last round for bragging rights. The food was your typically pub fare. It didn't really blow me away, but I was really hungry and it went down with no hesitation. Needless to say, as a group, we will not be coming back here for trivia.

    (3)

  • Ryan W.

    This place would be 5 stars but no live bands. That said, the food is gourmet - try the beef carpaccio or curry fries. The scotch is fairly priced, and they have a nice but small deck on the roof. I'm somewhat a regular to this place.

    (4)

  • Chase S.

    Easily one of the best Irish restaurants I've ever been to. Located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, the building that houses the pub has some of the most interesting architecture I have ever seen for a restaurant. Moreover, the food is fantastic. If I have to recommend a dish, I'd say the Guinness Burger. Reasonably priced, fast service, and four bars make for an excellent environment and experience.

    (4)

  • Yiling W.

    I quite like this place. It's got that comfortable dark wood decor of a traditional pub, complete with wait staff with Irish accents. I went here for brunch with my girl friends and the lamb burger I had was delicious, as were the fries. It was a great place to eat in after the long trek from the metro stop (no bus for us troopers), and they had it all decked out at the time with green garlands for the holiday season. They sat us near the real fireplace, hooray. P.S. For the germiphobes: the women's bathroom was immaculate!

    (4)

  • Erik A.

    Good food, good service from a real Irishman or someone with a great Irish accent. They did serve two in my party sirloins when they ordered prime rib, but that's what ya get for order'in bloody steaks in an Irish pub! My Sheppard's Pie was great. Imagine that now. Good selection of beers on tap as well. Cool layout and seating set up.

    (3)

  • Michael F.

    I came here for lunch one afternoon and ate at the bar. The mussels in ale were lovely. Their brunch menu looks particularly well priced and the space is beautiful. All of the staff members I encountered were very friendly. I definitely plan to return.

    (4)

  • rosa b.

    This place is usually crowded due to its location. The food is a mixture of classic Irish faire and creative dishes. The decor is terrific and beautiful. The service is spotty. It's so busy when I have been there that one must often work at getting a beer. The upstairs outdoor deck is a well-kept secret but a great hideaway. The food is very good, and it is consistently so. It is above average in price for King Street. This restaurant is a good experience. Well worth the visit.

    (4)

  • Zav Y.

    I was visiting the DC area this weekend and happened to go to O'Connells twice. The first visit was in the early afternoon. I ordered the fish and chips and a pint o black. The Guinness was proper, much to my liking. The fish and chips were so so. A little to rubbery, the didn't seem to be fresh, sad since we were near the water. We went back that night for drinks with more people and the Guinness wasn't so proper. We did order a crab dip, but it was how do you say . . . not so much! I throw in an extra star just for the fact they do know how to pour a proper Guinness, even though it wasn't consistent.

    (4)

  • Andrew F.

    I'd give 2 stars for the food, but 4 stars as a bar . It's a fun place to go on a Friday or Saturday night to hang out, but I went for brunch on a Saturday and it was nothing spectacular. Our food was cold and uninspiring.

    (3)

  • Jennifer H.

    The last time I was at O'Connell's, I was sitting outside with my friends when the server came out to announce that he was leaving. Then he went inside and sat at the bar to drink. The service has pretty much followed this trend on all of my visits. The food is mediocre and definitely not worth the price. We each had ordered margaritas and not one of them tasted them same, their excuse "different bartenders". I have also gotten food that I didn't order. On the up side, the interior is great and there are plenty of places to sit if you don't want to be right at the bar. TH non smoking areas are nice. It is a nice place to hang out with friends and have a few very simple drinks if you stay away from the cocktails.

    (2)

  • Sally H.

    Stopped here for an early dinner after walking through Old Town. My husband and I were pleasantly surprised. There were many things on the menu we wanted to try but settled for the slider trio and the Ruben. Both were delicious. The great thing about the trio was that we got to try three of their sandwiches in one order - crab cake, lamb burger, roast beef. I would def get a full sized lamb burger next time while my husband was quite keen on the crab cake. Our waitress was really great too. Her tables had a lot going on and she handled them smoothly. We will def be back.

    (4)

  • Dawn M.

    Never. Will. Go. Here. Again. Third time here; still have been underwhelmed by the poor service and so-so food. Needless to say, if a restaurant is aware they have two private parties, they should NOT be accepting reservations on Opentable.com . I love parties. Parties are fun. Drinking is fun. Irish pubs are fun. Where do I begin? With the slab of wood and stools stuffed in the back bar that served as our "table" directly on the main aisle? With the non-apology from the host when I indicated that I'd made a reservations several days ago? Or maybe with how we suddenly made all these new friends, who thought it perfectly acceptable to slosh and place their drinks on our table, lean up against our backs, take our menus, or scream in our ears. Perhaps my favorite part of the night was when an obnoxiously drunk man purposely threw his drink on the floor, causing huge chunks of glass to shatter (not to mention sticky liquid everywhere) at our feet. This was the last straw...and we'd been there all of 20 minutes. We asked the waitress for our check (for one drink), and she really seemed to not give a flip that we were leaving. Sorry, O'Connell's. There are plenty of Irish Pubs who actually care about giving good service and keeping their patrons happy. Won't be back.

    (1)

  • Brianne C.

    Gargantuan wooden pillars, frustratingly placed tables, and random nooks and crannies render O'Connell's main floor an indecipherable maze. And the weak drinks poured by overwhelmed bartenders do nothing to enhance the appeal of the crass crowds. Overall, the bar atmosphere dampens otherwise enjoyable gatherings.

    (1)

  • Adam Y.

    I really wanted to like this place. I'm originally from NJ and there are a ton of great Iriish restaurants around my hometown. I was hoping this is where I could get my fix of irish food. The price is great and the portions are generious. The food however was just okay. The overall atmosphere has the right Irish pub feel and the menu is authentic, just the food was OK. The beverages were pretty good. I was really not happy about the smores. When we ordered them they brought us almond chocolate and reese's peanut butter cups. While I like reese's, they aren't very good in a smore's and I don't like nuts in my chocolate. They apologized and said htey ran out of normal chocolate after we complained. It seems to me like this is something you should bring up before we order versus after.... otherwise.... place is meh... much better places in old town....and still haven't found my place for irish food :(

    (3)

  • John R.

    Yeah, not so in love with this place. It's kid friendly and has awesome ambience and a killer rooftop patio for happy hour. That being said, the food was a bit pricey and nothing special. I would've rather gone anywhere else in old town for dinner. (sorry). Of course, if all you want is to have a few drinks and hang out with friends, this is a great spot - and I'd definitely return for that....

    (3)

  • Duane H.

    After three visits to O'Connells it has become our favorite restaurant destination in Old Town. As noted in my previous reviews, my wife and I continually lament the absence of really good, mid priced restaurants in Old Town. Oh what we wouldn't do for a Houstons or Sweetwater in Old Town. O'Connells is that really good, mid priced restaurant that we have been hoping for. Forget Rustico and Overwood - O'Connells is the place to go. Okay, it's not cheap, but If you're dining on King St. then by default you're paying more than you should... Location location location. And we love the ambiance. As other reviewers noted, O'Connells spent a boatload of money on, well, a boatload of furnishings and fixtures to deck out the place. Well done. What O'Connells offers is really good food served in a great atmosphere. And the service is better than average - not great, but better than one would expect in Old Town, which seems to be dominated by lackluster, tourist driven restaurants. The menu at O'Connells can be a bit adventurous, which is a good thing. Besides, who wants the same Irish pub food that is cheaper at a number of other restaurants/pubs in Old Town? (Murphy's, Pat Troy's, etc) For example, the other night at O'Connells I had braised chicken, which was a nice departure from the usual chicken fare offered by most eateries. On that same visit my wife noted that the scallops were some of the best she has ever had. I also dig the 'O'Connells chips', which are big potato wedges cleverly stacked on the plate like firewood. If you're a card carrying member of the I love Guinness club and simply want to knock back a few pints, chat-up yer mates and watch football (soccer) on the tele, then this may not be the place for you, although with 4 separate bars I'm sure this place can meet your needs. If you're simply looking for good food and something a bit different in Old Town, then give O'Connell's a shot.

    (4)

  • Rebecca M.

    We stopped here for lunch and beers on a Saturday afternoon earlier this month. We were seated on the middle level (it was empty when we sat). Our friends said the bartender downstairs was awesome, but our experience upstairs was the opposite - we sat for 15 minutes before the server came to take our drink order, and we had to share menus because we never received enough for the table. My food was not very good - I had the roast beef sliders and they were very dry, and there was barely any meat or sauce. I ended up taking them to go and threw them away at home - it was a lost cause. To top it off, once our plates were cleared, our server came by and tossed the check on the table and said "I've been cut, so I'm going to drop off the check." We were there for about an hour, and had just finished eating, so we hadn't overstayed our welcome (I get it, if you've been cut and your table hangs out drinking/eating, it is annoying, but at least give us an option for one last drink). Because we had a group of six, tip was included, so he already had his 20%. The only reason I didn't give this place one star is because the hostess was very friendly, as was the bartender downstairs (from what my friends said), and the Irish Coffee was very good. The location is prime, and I'd imagine it would be fun to go for a beer at the bar, but I won't be back for food anytime soon.

    (2)

  • James L.

    This is my most favorite restaurant in Old Town Alexandria. My gf and I had our first date there. Great food at reasonable prices and vibrant bar atmosphere are pluses. However, some may not like the noise. Decor is not so bad either. The service has been great everytime we've been there.

    (5)

  • Becca B.

    Note: I've never actually eaten here. The bar here is huge... and it's got a smoking section bar as well as a non-smoking bar, which is great to have in a Virginia. Definitely a good place to meet a friend for a drink, but i'm not sure about much else. It seems pretty expensive.

    (3)

  • Nicole and Jeff M.

    This place is a hidden gem! I ordered a simple hamburger (cooked to order) and it was one of the best I have had (I am a meat snob too.). My wife had the salmon steak over mashes potatoes and mustard sauce with peas. She said it was heavenly. We will be back to explore the menu. The atmosphere is very distinct with lots of nooks and crannies to sit in (great for private conversations.) Worth a visit!

    (4)

  • Victoria A.

    This is a fun place for beers on the patio on a nice summer night, or beers at the bar any time. A place for food it is not, burgers are borderline ok, everything else you should go somewhere else for, unless you have already had many drinks, in which case you won't notice. I went there for Sunday lunch, ordered something called a "prime rib" sandwich. Turned out to be a tiny thin beef slice sandwich on nondescript white bread, with a tiny cup of juice, with a potato chip swimming in it. The pile of chips were stale and unedible. The sandwich was small and not very good. I also ordered lemonade, which seems to be made from a not good powdered mix, very watered down and tasteless.

    (2)

  • Terry G.

    Dinner at the table near the bar around 7:30 pm on a Saturday. Ribeye and a Guinness and all was wonderful. By the time that i was finsihed at 8:30 the bar was really filling up and getting louder for the night.

    (4)

  • Joseph M.

    Food is really good(a little pricey) and the atmosphere(along with the staff) lacks that warm, pub charm. The place gives you kind of the same feeling as when you're in Murphy's. Downstairs smoking bar is always packed and has an odd, dingy, pool-chlorine smell lol. All and all, not a bad place. I head down for a drink here over Murphy's any day of the week.

    (3)

  • Ryan P.

    The menu is extensive and the bar is nearly limitless in potential. I spent quite a few of my evenings in DC here and there wasn't a night that the bar was not packed and patrons weren't pushing through with their spirits of choice back to their tables to watch a game or see a recap of what was happening on the Hill. The house Ale is my favorite. The only downside to this lively pub is the prices. There are many good drinks but for the prices I have had nicer and larger.

    (3)

  • Adrienne A.

    Lovely atmosphere, tasty food, but the service - - - egads.

    (2)

  • Tim G.

    On a visit to Alexandria, 4 of us went to O'Connell's on the recommendation of friends. The furnishings of the pub are fantastic and the food was very good. My disappointment was in the service ... actually in the attitude of server. When we were seated, we told the server we would need two checks, and told him who was with whom. He told us "we run the bills by the table, but I'll take several payments." I was a little surprised because people all around us were being given bills for drinks by the person, not where they were sitting. The food was very good, but when the bll came it was a single amount for the entire table and the server simply dropped it on the table and started to walk away without saying a word. I called him back and said, for the second time, we wanted the bill divided. He then said, "What, split it in half?" I said "No, I want the bill split between us." This pompus twit actually said "When you figure it out, I'll be back" ... and walked away! His ungracious attitude ruined an otherwise nice meal. If they aren't able to do something as simple as split a check without a fight, then I'm not able to return or recommend this pub for anything other than a quick pint. Be advised, a rude server is just as bad as lousy food and can leave just a bad a taste in your mouth.

    (2)

  • Ned F.

    They changed their fish and chips recipe again! it's changed four times that i've noticed since november. it's back to crispy and no more mushy peas since people don't seem to like it - especially when it's served below the fish. either way the batter is bland and void of any taste. my update is still 2 stars.

    (2)

  • J R.

    In a word, awesome. We visited during the recent flooding in Alexandria. The bar was jammed and we had dinner with children (toddlers). We enjoyed an excellent dinner with plenty of beer by our very attentive bartender/server.

    (4)

  • Eric Q.

    Loved this place. Only ordered from the Bar Menu but everything was fantastic and much more sophisticated than expected. Service was great, fun atmosphere as well. A great place to watch the World Cup. I'll be back next time I go to Old Town.

    (4)

  • Meredith R.

    I've been three times now - every visit was for the primary purpose of consuming alcohol and hanging out with friends. (So I can't comment on the food.) I like it. The atmosphere is good. It's a comfortable place to have a few beers and visit with your friends, maybe make a few new ones perhaps. The bartenders are Irish and super cute. [My beer always tastes better where there's an adorable Irishman handing it to me!] One of my male friends complained of his margarita being light on the hooch, but when a female friend ordered his next one the problem was fixed. I did get some bar food the last time we were there: the crab, artichoke, spinach dip. It was about what you'd expect ~ warm and tasty, but nothing outstanding. During one of our outings there one of the other patrons asked me if I was a movie star. Alas, no. But, hey, it's always fun to be mistaken for one! We'll definitely be back. and if you see a girl who looks like a movie star - buy me a beer! ;)

    (3)

  • T. A.

    For several years my husband and I have been going to O'Connells regularly for weekend lunch or brunch. Sitting by the fire at O'Connells on a cold afternoon while drinking the tasty house ale is an experience that can't be beat. Although we still love the cozy atmosphere, the quality of the food has recently taken a distinctive tumble. Our last two or three meals have been virtually inedible. The shepherd's pie was a pile of ground lamb swimming in a pool of grease; the prime rib sandwich was so grisly and fatty that I gave up after a couple of bites. We're sufficiently discouraged by this string of bad meals that we're (sadly) giving up our weekend haunt and looking elsewhere in Old Town for pub fare.

    (2)

  • Brendan D.

    Was having a good time until I got kicked out for not tipping the bartender after waiting for ten minutes for my drink. True Story. Oh and the bartender was the manager also. This place sucks.

    (1)

  • Sarah S.

    One of the bartenders discriminated against me and refused me service based on the crowd he thought I was with. I have never been so humiliated by a bartender. I will never return to this establishment, and I encourage everyone else to avoid O'Connell's. They do not deserve your business after refusing service and humiliating someone in front of a crowd for no valid reason (and let me be clear that I was 100% sober when the bartender refused me service).

    (1)

  • CYNTHIA C.

    I had their fried calamari/oysters appetizer and it wasn't very good at all. It actually made me nauseous. Lunch, on the other hand, is less threatening. The burgers are good. I'm on a burger kick lately. I went there on a Friday night and the drinks were weak! However, the service there is always good. Louise is great!

    (3)

  • Miss E.

    The service is fine. The food is definitely overpriced and not Irish, but it's decent . I like the decor, even though the set-up is a bit awkward. It's a big place, but there aren't many places to sit. I really had no major problems w/this place until last weekend. I saw a roach crawling on the counter in front of the liquor bottles. I realize this place is near the water, but that's just GROSS.

    (2)

  • Oliver N.

    Spent the night here after my boy's wedding; we closed the place down. Good service, large establishment, and a whiskey menu. Particularly uncomfortable seating and the food was straight-up mediocre. I'm not saying it's a bad spot - in fact I'm sure it's a neighborhood favorite - O'Connell's just didn't do it for me.

    (2)

  • James C.

    Lot's of places to sit, 2nd floor balcony for summer, and a great low priced bar menu. Also two blocks from my apartment. One of the best burgers I have had in Old Town, and for under 10 bucks.

    (4)

  • Christina B.

    The food here was wonderful, both the appetizer and main course. Risotto cakes with a caprese salad in a truffle oil were very unique and a pleasant surprise, which I highly recommend. For the main course I had the Pan-Roasted Scallops which came with a wild Mushroom risotto, and miso vinaigrette dressed greens. The scallops were real and cooked perfectly, as was the risotto. I'm Italian and am rarely satisfied with risottos in restaurants (and therefore rarely order them, but I really wanted the scallops), but this risotto was creamy and had excellent consistency.

    (5)

  • Tate L.

    Good food, prompt service with many Irish expats, and a wonderful atmosphere... as long as you know the rules. Do NOT make the mistake I did and order a Black and Tan. This is evidently a faux-pas of the first order. "Tan" is a British thing. Order the "Black and Amber" and you'll get not only great food, but fewer barbs from the staff. I got the evil-eye for a good half hour after my ignorant request. The Kirwan burger, and all the salads and soups are wonderful.

    (3)

  • Matthew T.

    We had lunch at O'Connell's. Good mussels and Bonanza Salad. We'd specifically like give a shout out Louis. She's an excellent waitress!

    (3)

  • Ken C.

    Large crowd on the weekend, many girls group out there. I saw few of them on the last weekend. I know guys got shot down in cold by those gals.... Beer is OK, and great place to hange with buddies and B.S, looking at chick and might look at one that you will know very soon. Recommend for a night that have nothing to do at alexandria, VA.

    (3)

  • Yasu Yori O.

    Having lived in London for a while, I go to this place when I have a hankering for shepherd's pie or bangers and mash with a half pint of Guinness. If one wants to have a real taste of London pub, have these dishes. As for Guinness, I still can't find the kind of Guinness I tasted in Dublin. I probably never will in the U.S.

    (3)

  • Sara S.

    I really wanted to like this place. I had an ok the first time I went. The second time, the bouncer was a complete jerk. Made a REALLY big show about only wanting to card the girls of the group, while letting the guys go in. Then, he RUSHED me out because I was closing my tab when the bar closed AT ONE!! It's OK, kind of boring but too loud to talk. Not exciting enough to just hang out and dance in. I really really doubt I'll be back.

    (2)

  • J. P.

    We head South from Prime 16 in New Haven... about 5 hours South and find ourselves in Virginia. More specifically, Old Town Alexandria. Old Town is a cool little neighborhood along the Potomac in the Eastern and South Eastern part of the city. Laid out in 1749, Old Town was the first section of the city settled and in turn is a Historic District. Today it's a fun community with cool shops, great restaurants, exciting architecture, and a thriving nightlife scene. This is what took me, the wife, and my in-laws here for dinner one evening. We walked around for a little bit and ended up at an Irish Pub and Restaurant on King St. named O'Connell's. What a cool place aesthetically, with lots of neat interior design layered with rich wood tones and high stone fireplaces that split rooms. I mention the fireplace because there's a few of them and they're great, but they can definitely get very hot (I know duh it's a fireplace, right?) It's just that they seem cozy and inviting at first, but after ten minutes, if too close, you'll be sweating bullets, which is definitely not cozy or inviting. We get a seat not too close and not too far from the fire, ha. The waitress comes over and right away you can tell this girl is an order taker not an evening maker. She doesn't know a lot of the simple information that not only is part of her job, but will make it easier. I ask her what kind of beer the 'O'Connell's House Ale' is and she didn't know. I asked her if it was dark or light and she said it's kind of in the middle so I tried it. It's a medium bodied amber colored pale ale with a light hop profile, similar to a Bass... it'll do. We ask her what she suggests for apps and she says "everything's good"-lame. So we order a couple starters sans direction. Of course I want a burger, and immediately the Guinness Burger jumps out at me, advertised as a beef patty with no bun (sounds healthy) on a pile of mashed potatoes and topped with Guinness Cheese, Onion Rings and Pan Gravy (maybe not so healthy after all). Now I'm intrigued but also eyeing the Lamb Burger, Banger's and Mash, a Winter Risotto, or the Pan Seared Sea Scallops so again I enlist the help of the waitress who surprise, never has tried any of the things on the menu (at this point just lie to me), except the fish and chips (great she can tell me what the fried fish and French fries are like, let me guess, greasy). I tell her I'm not a huge Guinness fan and ask her if the cheese tastes a lot like the beer. She doesn't know. I end up ordering the Guinness Burger medium rare. When it comes out, it is pretty much as described and everything on it is good except for the actual burger. It's measly and grey in color as I cut it open. It's dry and over done. It's obvious the chef was not passionate about burgers, although the other things I had weren't bad. The BEER was ok, the BURGER was crappy, and the SERVICE sucked. Go for the ambiance and a beer or app, but sit at the bar and don't get a burger!

    (2)

  • R G.

    Definitely recommend the Guinness burger! Worth the money. Reasonable prices, huge space, and lots of TVs. Lively atmosphere, great for groups. Service was excellent; they seated us right away even though we didn't have a reservation and the place was crowded already.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 1:00pm
  • Mon : 11:00 am - 1:00pm

Specialities

  • 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 : Background
    Good For Dancing : No
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Happy Hour : Yes
    Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
    Coat Check : No
    Smoking : Yes
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Daniel O’Connell’s

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