Alexander Meddings
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Verified Writer
4.94(2344)
22 Guests Max
3 hrs
Flexible TravelRome is renowned for its culture and cuisine, but sometimes you need a break from all the pizza, pasta and prosecco. When a cold pint of Guinness calls, you’ll find plenty of Irish pubs in Rome where you can trade in prosecco for pints and cocktail bars for the craic.
Whether you’re in search of live sports, friendly international groups, or dignity-obliterating karaoke nights, Rome's Irish pubs serve up something for everyone. Carpe Diem's Alexander Meddings went and tried out all the Irish pubs in Rome’s city centre, at considerable cost to his liver and so you don’t have to.
Open: Daily 11:00 - 03:30
Address: Via del Plebiscito 101B, 00186
Not only is Scholars Lounge the biggest and most popular Irish pub in Rome, but it’s also run by real Irish staff, and not by Italians putting on an accent. Scholars is a multiple international award-winner, the Daniel Day-Lewis of Irish pubs in Rome, situated smack bang in the city centre and easily reachable from Rome’s central square, and the world’s most terrifying roundabout: Pizza Venezia.
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Spread out across two rooms and two floors of bars, booths and balconies, Scholars Lounge stocks an impressive international beer menu, Italy's largest whiskey collection, and enough of the golden good stuff to comfortably cater for their 1000-person capacity.
During the day, the vibe is more relaxed and family-orientated. Its 22 big screens, Sky Sports subscription and friendly international crowd make it the best place in Rome to watch football, and you can soak up your pint with decent pub grub until 10 pm. By night (every night), Scholars is much more raucous. Tuesdays and Thursdays are karaoke nights, which might be the closest surviving spectacle to the heydays of the Colosseum, with both performances involving crowds cheering people on as they publicly perish on stage.
If listening to your best-loved songs being murdered in various international accents isn’t your thing, come a little later when the dancefloor opens up and the frozen daiquiris start flowing.
No evening plans? Book our Spritz & Spaghetti Cooking Class and get tipsy making real Roman recipes.
Open: Daily 12:00 - 02:00
Address: Via del Governo Vecchio 51, 00186
Named after the famous Dublin venue where Irish literary greats from James Joyce to George Bernard Shaw showcased their masterpieces, the Abbey Theatre is nonetheless one of the cosiest and most characterful Irish pubs in Rome. You’ll find it nestled between the artisan shops and authentic trattorie of Via del Governo Vecchio, just around the corner from Piazza Navona, which is incidentally where we finish our Rome Night Walking Tour. 😏
Abbey Theatre boasts a real old-world charm, with dark wood Gaelic decor spread out across four cosy rooms and two low-beam floors. Friendly, native English-speaking bar staff and big screens make it the perfect spot to catch up on how dreadfully Man Utd are doing in the Premier League and banter about it with a dynamic international crowd.
The Abbey Theatre hosts regular themed nights—some of them traditionally Irish, like live folk music on Fridays and occasional pub quizzes, and some of them less traditional, like tequila Tuesdays and taco Thursdays. Their menu consists of no-nonsense pub classics and decent burgers by Rome’s standard. But if you fancy something more Italian, pop across the road to Da Baffetto for one of the best pizzas in Rome.
Open: Fri & Sat 12:00 - 01:00; Sun - Thur 13:00 - 00:30
Address: Via Leonina 66, 00184
Situated in the historic district of Monti, a stone’s throw from the metro station Cavour (Line B), Finnegan Irish Bar is among the most authentic, intimate, and easily accessible Irish pubs in Rome. The capital’s expat community flocks to Finnegan’s on a Friday night to meet, mingle, and nurse the coldest pints of Guinness in Rome.
At Finnegan’s you’ll find tour guides, UN workers, English teachers, and – every so often – the Carpe Diem team. Its Irish owners are friendly, welcoming, and always happy to help, and every Thursday Finnegan’s puts on a pub quiz, run by local scouser James.
Finnegan’s is the perfect place for a pint after (or before 😏) one of our Colosseum Tours as it’s just a 10-minute walk from the ancient amphitheatre and Roman Forum. It’s also a great place to come and watch live sports, especially when A.S. Roma or Lazio play, or kick back and play some pool or darts. Finnegan’s doesn’t do food but they’re happy for you to order and BYO.
Open: Daily 12:00 - 02:00
Address: Via del Colosseo 1/c, 00184
Our plucky group of Brits first visited Shamrock to watch the Euro 2020 final between Italy and England, and being met by a small army of Italian fans banging drums and letting off flares was absolutely terrifying. But those were strange times, and while this Irish pub is a Mecca for football fans and a favourite of A.S. Roma and Lazio supporters, its vibe is usually a lot more chilled, albeit football centred.
Decorating its interior are swathes of football scarves from around the world interspersed with big screens. Shamrock serves up simple pub grub, but you’d be better sticking to drinks. Their small kitchen isn’t capable of cooking up anything complex, and you can find traditional Roman cuisine just across the road at La Nuova Pizzetta restaurant.
Perfect for people-watching, Shamrock Pub has a decent outdoor area facing onto one of Monti’s theoretically pedestrianised backstreets. Inside they have seating, two booths, a long bar, and a back room with a pool table. You’ll find it just around the corner from the Colosseum and the Imperial Forums.
Open: Daily 09:30 - 01:30
Address: Via Nazionale 17, 00184
Named after the famous Irish playwright and satirist, the Flann O'Brien might just be home to the best pint of Guinness in Rome, expertly pulled and served at just the perfect temperature.
The Flann O'Brien isn't the most traditional of Irish pubs in Rome in terms of its decor, but it can't be beaten for convenience. It's the closest Irish pub in Rome to Termini station, and because of this it tends to rely more on passing trade than regular locals. That said, it offers a decent menu with a few stand-out pub classics.
Situated above the pub are the three-star Flann O'Brien Guest Rooms, which offer its guests discounts in the pub. The Flann O'Brien might not be worth going out of your way for, but if you're passing by, and a cold pint of Guinness calls, you'd do well to drop in.
Open: Daily 16:00 - 00:30/01:30
Address: Via dell'Olmata 43, 00184
Situated just around the corner from Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome's Four Major Basilicas, the Fiddler's Elbow is the oldest Irish pub in the Italian capital. Founded in 1976 by Gioacchino Bottigliero, it still operates under the same ownership, and you'll find Gioacchino behind the bar pulling pints and chatting to customers with the same passion as he's been putting in for the last 40 years.
As the name suggests, the Fiddler's Elbow's main offering is live music, and the quality and variety make Fiddler's the best Irish pub for live music in Rome. They put on performances every night of the week, ranging in genre from traditional Irish folk music to jazz and rock groups and singer-songwriters. Drinks prices are reasonable for Rome (€6 a pint) and they serve up a decent variety of draft beers, including Guinness, Kilkenny, Harp and a strong selection of German bottled beers.
Open: Daily 12:00 - 01:00 / 03:00
Address: Via del Collegio Romano 6, 00186
Named after Dublin's foremost university, to which it pays homage through its distinct decor and mahogany interior, Trinity College is an excellent Irish pub that combines great service, a friendly, international crowd and a convenient, central location. You'll find it right next to the Church of Sant'Ignazio, one of the stops on our Rome Walking Tour, just a five-minute walk from the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain.
Trinity College is one of the best Irish pubs in Rome for food. They specialise in slow-cooked barbecue ribs, brisket, and pulled pork, marinated in their own unique mix of sauces and spices. Munch your way through their menu either indoors or outdoors (depending on the weather) accompanied by a choice of more than 13 draft beers.
From pulled pork to dignity shredding public singing, Thursdays are karaoke nights at Trinity College (from 10 pm) while at the weekends DJs set up shop to play pop hits until the early hours. During the day, Trinity College is a great place to watch live sports and Premier League matches, offering a slightly more intimate environment than the nearby Scholars Lounge.
Open: Daily 17:00 - 02:00
Address: Via di S. Martino Ai Monti 28, 00184
Considering that it was the Romans who eradicated the Druids, you've got to give the stubborn Celts some credit for setting up shop in the capital. Still, between their disappearance from the historical record in the 2nd century and the emergence of this pub in the 1980s, I suppose the Druids had the time to perfect the art of pouring pints and providing excellent customer service.
So perhaps we shouldn't be all that surprised; times change—and we adapt or die.
Situated three minutes away from the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in the trendy district of Monti, the Druid's Den is one of the smallest, most intimate Irish pubs in Rome. But don't let that put you off. Its charming, characterful interior and scent of spirits-infused mahogany packs a punch that could make even the most homesick Irishman feel like he's back on the Emerald Isle.
A perfectly poured Guinness is the Druid Den's specialty, and every Monday night from 10 this small space transforms into a venue for live Irish music. Just be aware that it can get a little congested, so get here early if you want to find a seat.
Open: Mon-Fri 15:00 - 00:30; Sat-Sun 12:00 - 00:30
Address: Via della Madonna dei Monti 83, 00184
Nestled in a cobbled side street between the Imperial Forums and Monti's central piazza, The Surge is one of the best-loved Irish pubs in Rome. Don't let its name deceive you. The Surge is actually pretty chilled—unless there's a Roma or Lazio game on, in which case it descends into a medley of football chanting, exuberant hand-gesturing, and excessive beer splashing.
Which is either seventh heaven or Dante's seventh circle of hell, depending on your tastes.
Come here to catch up on live sports or for a well-poured pint of Guinness or an after-dinner Jameson. The Surge is also a great place to play darts (if you have the space) and hang out with a hip young crowd of tourists and Monti locals.
You can expect to pay €5 - €7 for a pint of draft beer in most Roman pubs. Italian draft beers like Peroni, Birra Moretti and Nastro Azzurro tend to be cheaper at around €5, while imported lagers and ales usually cost a premium.
Scholars Lounge serves up a hearty all-day breakfast consisting of real Irish sausages and bacon, fried egg, baked beans, tomatoes and toast. If you're staying closer to Termini, the Flann O'Brien also does a decent full Irish breakfast.
An Irish pub is much more than just a place to get a drink. Ireland's pub culture has a lengthy history, but at its heart is a sense of companionship and friendliness.
This type of pub serves as both a venue to consume alcohol and a meeting spot for friends, neighbours, and even complete strangers to shoot the breeze in a comfortable setting. For example, if you go to the Brazen Head, Ireland’s oldest pub, you can enjoy some dear moments with those around while watching some of the most important historical sites of Dublin.
Nowadays, you can find such Irish pubs all around the world — in Rome, New York, Paris, Istanbul, or Berlin, but the tradition behind their story has never changed.
Visiting Rome for the first time? Join us on our famous Tipsy Tour of Rome!
This unique experience blends the best elements of travelling: sharing scandalous stories, learning the local history, and trying traditional drinks with fun-loving, like-minded travellers. Spaces are limited in the summer so book now to avoid disappointment!
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