O'Connell's Pub - A Bit of Dublin in St. Louis

O'Connell's was a great Irish pub long before Irish pubs were fashionable. Unlike newer pubs that look like they were furnished straight out of an Irish gifts catalog, O'Connell's has an Irish pub feel without looking like it's trying. The pub's dark wood booths, tin ceilings and antique light fixtures have all mellowed over the decades, while years of food smells and cigarette smoke have seasoned the very walls and floor. All that's missing is a turf fire.

Great for Drinks
The genuine pub atmosphere keeps O'Connell's barstools full of locals enjoying a pint. Guinness fans boast that the pub offers "the best pour" in St. Louis, although it's also a favorite of Scotch and Irish whiskey fans.

More Than Burgers
Lingering over drinks is bound to make you hungry. Luckily, O'Connell's is no slouch when it comes to top-notch pub grub. Its burgers, which always rank at the top of local polls, don't come with fancy ingredients or exotic cheeses. They are however, nine ounces of masterfully grilled beef. In fact, O'Connell's is so sure it has perfected the burger, it bans the use of tomatoes as a condiment. Apparently, until tomatoes taste great all year long, they won't get near an O'Connell's burger.

Right behind the burger in popularity is O'Connell's roast beef sandwich. Sliced to order, the roast beef is fresh, pink and lean. Specials are offered for each day of the week, with fish & chips packing the pub on Friday nights. Fried mushrooms stand out among the appetizers, putting the bland mushrooms found elsewhere to shame. Just make sure to order a side of the house dressing for dipping.

No Musicians Needed
Newcomers may be surprised that O'Connell's doesn't have Irish food or music. But don't be fooled, the heart of an Irish pub is its ability to encourage conversation and make guests happy. Judged by these criteria, O'Connell's is the perfect Irish pub.