10 Best Irish pubs in Rome

Rome probably has more Irish pubs than many cities in the Emerald Isle itself these days but which ones are not to be missed?

Despite the rise of the pub crawl phenomenon, with crowds of foreign students swarming from one establishment to the next, Rome still has a number of pubs where the Irish traditions and atmosphere are lovingly preserved.

We’ve compiled a list of our 10 favourites, based on what we believe makes the perfect pub - the quality of the beer and other beverages on sale, the atmosphere and the friendliness of the staff.

Here’s our Top 10…

MONTI

The Fiddler’s Elbow

The first-ever Irish pub to open in Rome back in 1976. To this day, The Fiddler – as it’s known to the locals – is still run by Gioacchino Bottigliero, who has been putting the same level of passion into his job every day for the last 40 years. The pub’s name leaves no secret as to one of its main attractions – live music.

The Fiddler has some sort of live act on every night, with styles ranging from traditional Irish music (every Wednesday from 22:00) to jazz and rock. Singer-songwriters also play regularly. In terms of the beer, the Guinness flows by the bucketload (€6 a pint) and – most importantly – is served at the perfect temperature. There is also Kilkenny, Harp and a host of German bottled beers. House speciality in the winter months is hot whiskey (€5), a warming brew of hot water and whiskey, infused with a slice of lemon, a dash of sugar and a few cloves. The staff are friendly and speak both English and Italian.

The Fiddler’s Elbow, Via dell’Olmata, Rome.
Tel. 064872110.

The Druid’s Den

That the Monti district has four pubs in our Top 10 is largely down to the fact that over 30 years ago, the Bottigliero brothers decided to reproduce Dublin’s Temple Bar district in the Eternal City. Not long after The Fiddler opened, in the early 1980s they set up first The Druid’s Den and then The Druid’s Rock, both dreamt up by Gioacchino Bottigliero’s brother Tonino. The Druid’s Den may be small, but it certainly packs a punch. As soon as you cross the threshold, you’re hit by the scent of the wood and the traditional spirits that have permeated it over the decades. It’s the perfect spot to have a drink and the beer does not disappoint: Guinness at €6 a pint is poured to perfection, something you don’t always see in Italy. Be warned that given its small size, The Druid’s Den can become crowded and noisy. Head over on a Monday from 22:00 for traditional Irish music.

The Druid’s Den, Via San Martino ai Monti 28, Rome.
Tel. 0648904781.T

The Druid’s Rock

The Druid’s Den’s bigger brother in terms of size, The Druid’s Rock is a large, noisy pub extending over two floors. If you can stand the din, you’re in store for an excellent pint of Guinness (€6) and a fantastic range of branded Scotches. It’s also a good place for a bite to eat, with toasted sandwiches and great chips prepared on-site. Live music every weekend from rock bands and cover acts.

The Druid’s Rock, Piazza dell’Esquilino 1, Rome.
Tel. 064741326.

Finnegan

The Finnegan is located in the heart of the Monti district, one of the main stomping grounds for Rome’s vibrant Irish community. The draught Guinness is kept well and served at the perfect temperature (€6), and you can even play some pool while you enjoy it. In the summer months, you can take your drinks outside and soak up the atmosphere.

Finnegan, Via Leonina 66, Rome.
Tel. 064747026.

CITY CENTRE

Abbey Theatre

One of the capital’s most charming pubs, the Abbey Theatre – located a few steps from Piazza Navona – is a two-storey pub set in an old palazzo on Via del Governo Vecchio. The dark wooden walls are adorned with old posters and photos from the legendary Abbey Theatre in Dublin, a place where the greats of Irish literature – from Wilde to Beckett, Joyce and Shaw – showcased their masterpieces. There are a vast array of beers available – both by the bottle and on tap – but this is one place you simply have to give the magnificent whiskey menu a spin: you’ll find a huge range of whiskeys from Scotland and Ireland, divided by region. Visit on a Thursday or Friday night for live music. A note for the locals: The staff don’t speak much Italian (and understand even less!).

Abbey Theatre, Via del Governo Vecchio 51.
Tel. 066861341.

PRATI

Four Green Fields

With over 12 beers on draught, visitors to Four Green Fields can choose between the classic Irish names (Guinness, Harp, Kilkenny all at €5.50 a pint), the amber beers of Belgium and some fantastic German lagers. Blond beer lovers will not go thirsty. The food is excellent too, with the tasty menu changing daily. There is a focus on quality, with stand-out dishes including rigatoni with guanciale, pecorino cheese and truffle at €10 and a selection of Northern Italian cured meats at €11. Each dish is given its own special beer pairing. A vast and sometimes noisy pub, Four Green Fields also shows football matches on big screen projectors.

Four Green Fields, Via Constantino Morin 38, Rome.
Tel. 063725091

HISTORIC CENTRE

Scholars Lounge

Situated a stone’s throw from Piazza Venezia, this enormous pub is arguably the most appealing Irish pub in Rome – think ten metre-high ceilings, over 200 varieties of whisky and a sitting room complete with a small library. Scholars Lounge has excellent Guinness, poured to perfection (€6 a pint), while the food is good – the delicious chips deserve a special mention. Head down for live music every Friday from 19:00. The staff are native English speakers.

Scholars Lounge, Via del Plebiscito 101, Rome.
Tel. 0669202208.

Trinity College

Set in a stunning art-nouveau style building behind Piazza del Collegio Romano, Trinity College is not a particularly large pub, despite being split over two floors. The dimmed lights create an intimate atmosphere, making it feel like you’re relaxing in a private living room. The best time to enjoy the pub in all its glory is outside of peak hours in the afternoon, when you can take in a pint and chat with friends in blissful peace. The ground floor is dedicated to the bar, while the first floor is a restaurant. From 22:00 onwards it’s disco time, when you’ll be hard-pushed to find a place to stand, let alone a seat. Prices are slightly above average (Guinness at €7 a pint).

Trinity College, Via del Collegio Romano 6, Rome.
Tel. 066786472.

COLOSSEUM

Shamrock

It may be just a short stroll from the Colosseum, but the Shamrock really does feel like a little corner of Ireland. The smell of old wood and alcohol washes over you as soon as you step through the door and you’re sure to be stunned by the sight of hundreds of football scarves from clubs all over the world hanging over the bar. One of the reasons Shamrock is so popular is its laid-back vibe – you’re not going to find swarms of noisy students here, as is the case in many other pubs. On the contrary, the Shamrock is the perfect spot to enjoy a good beer (Guinness and others are €6 a pint) and catch up with friends – without risking a perforated eardrum.

Shamrock, Via del Colosseo 1, Rome.
Tel. 066791729.

MONTEVERDE VECCHIO

Finn Mac Cumhaill

This fortunes of this pub in the heart of Monteverde Vecchio have taken a turn for the better in recent times, with a change in management already starting to bear fruit. The kitchen has seen the most marked improvement, with the fish and chips at €9 now definitely up there with the best in all of Rome. The Guinness isn’t bad either (€6 a pint), while regular live music and welcoming staff make sure Finn Mac Cumhaill gets a place in our top ten.

Finn Mac Cumhaill, Viale di Villa Pamphili 54, Rome.
Tel. 3927777464.

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