O'Brien's Irish Pub & Restaurant

02/22/10

When I think of Irish pubs, I think of Boondock Saints.

by ronnielee

....And getting sloshed. maybe the occasional leprechaun cuz i'm ignorant.

Needless to say, I did not get to experience any of those things for lunch today. I guess I can start with some positives. Service was good. Ridiculously good with the refilling of drinks. It's dark on the inside with dark wood and dark tables. Surrounded by flat screens, it's an ideal place to catch a game. Annnd I never seen so many condiments on a table - grey poupon! HB sauce! hot sauce! A-1! It's like a sauce lovers dream!

Located on Wilshire and 23rd, a sign specifically says to park on Wilshire because 22nd and 23rd was strict permit parking only. Luckily we found a meter right outside with a broken meter. Someone actually stuck a sign on there that said "Meter Fail." cute.

Back to the food, all their lunch specials are 7 bucks. By lunch specials, i mean choose between a sandwich, a burger, or a salad. Ick. Nothing really struck my fancy but I went with the corned beef sandwich because it sounded the most appropriate and uhhh Irish-y. I mean what?! I'm not gonna get a BLT here for 7 bucks.

The sandwich came and it was like rabbit food. Tons of weird shredded lettuce. Not fresh tomato and onions. They gave you a lot of corned beef but it was pretty salty like spam and didn't go well with the veggies. And some weird white mystery sauce. Jenni said it was horseradish. Eli said it was tartar. I claim it was mayo. Ehh. Food. Fail.

I really don't want to end on a negative note. Ehh. OH. The pickle was good.

I love pickles.

• Pros: Lots of lunch specials
• Cons: Food is bland. Hard parking.

05/12/08

The attitude and service at this place is a poor representation of what Venice aims to be...

by millie

After reading a few of the reviews, I realize my experience with the extremely rude and horrible doorman is not unique. It's also interesting that he seems to admit more male customers than female. As I approached to enter the bar, the doorman asked for my ID and I olbiged and handed it to him. I explained I was meeting my friends inside. At which point he simply said, "you can't go in". When I inquired as to why, he said "i was inebriated". Now... this strikes me as interesting because A. the folks inside this BAR were far more inebriated than I because B. I was sober.

I don't venture out to the west side anymore simply because of this type of attitude and awful service. Previouse reviews of the doorman and service being awful and sexist are not exaggerations... if you're in the west side and considering going to O'briens... I suggest looking at the various other bars walking distance of this place. I wouldn't be too surprised if this place soon got new management and continued to receive complaints about their questionable actions.

• Pros: It's in close vicinity to other bars with better service and attitude
• Cons: appaling service and attitude

04/26/08

Exactly what you expect

by alirg

So I was SHOCKED to see a line on a saturday night for a DINGY Pub. Once I got inside, I was still shocked and didn't understand WHAT in the world the line was for.

The place isn't swank or pretty, it's not newly renovated. It's a two room pub, nothing big or exciting. It's overcrowded at times. You can ALWAYS and easily get a drink however, and that's key at a pub!

The LIVE MUSIC is WAY TOO LOUD but it is AMAZING!!! I just wish that they'd tone it down since they play in a TINY room. It's like having a speaker in your ear.

The people who come to O'Brien's are usually VERY casual. Jeans and T-shirts, maybe a baseball hat, some girls dress up, but it's rare.

I always have a good time here once it gets crowded. That's during the weekends mostly. It's NOT the kind of place you want to take a date. It's pretty good for single mingling, but it's not romantic or the kind of place to have a serious conversation over a beer.

• Pros: good beer, easy place to get a drink, casual mingling, great live music
• Cons: LOUD music, overcrowded at times , empty at other

07/16/07

Best Pub in Santa Monica

by GIRLinMETROPOLIS

Comedy & music nights are enjoyable. Very laidback vibe. Mix of locals and people coming in from other parts of LA. Young crowd, but most docile environment for nightlife on main. Cool atmosphere, great drinks. good food. Bartender David is hilarious and makes the best mixed drinks and pours the best guinness. No attitude here at the door or from any of the staff inside. This pub is a great hub.

• Pros: friendly bartenders, food, drinks, irish setting

05/24/07

Fun bar

by rwayner

FUn bar, can get crowded! Overall good vibes..........Lots of cool restaurants nearby! Parking can be nuts though...