O'Brien's Irish Pub & Restaurant

05/12/08

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

by millie at Citysearch

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 at Citysearch

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 mandazie at Citysearch

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 at Citysearch

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

12/18/06

An unfortunate mistake, not to be repeated.

by msmith97 at Citysearch

First time was the last time. There is NO parking. Once parking was found there was NO service. When I asked, for my date, if there was any food offered..I was told by the surly doorman "NO". No explaination, no suggestion, no manners. Didn't even look up.

The beer selection was weak. The beer tasted tainted like line mold. The service almost unavailable and rude. If you need a hook-up for the night (plentiful rock and roll type women) or a wannabee hangout, this is your place.

Anything else? Forget it.

Suffice it to say I am not a lover of the music played there. That could make a significant to some. Bad live music sets me on edge.

• Pros: Target rich environment
• Cons: Not much else!

11/24/06

Drink outside when you can!

by dmenkes at Citysearch

The patio's definitely the reason to com here and people watch the girls heading to the different clubs on a Saturday night. Their drinks are strong and the crowd is chill. There's hardly any parking so thankfully you can have time to walk it off on your way back to the car.

11/13/06

Great place for a beer

by coastalliving at Citysearch

I went here on Friday 11/10/06 around 5PM.

My friend and I were the first people there and that's always cool.

We sat outside on the patio and drank beer.

The barkeep was cool. He was chill and friendly with a smile and I enjoy that at bars.

Hate bars that have the "What the eff do you want?" attitude.

Will definetly come here again. We left at *PM because we had to go to dinner but, by then the place was starting to get crowded and more people were coming in. I think this place was a great place to hang out and chill.

• Pros: Chill atmosphere, friendly staff, good happy hour
• Cons: Nothing I could think of.

Electric guitars and pints of Guinness flow freely at this Santa Monica Irish pub.

by Contributor at Citysearch

In Short
When nearby store owners are closing down shop for the evening, things are just getting started at this Main Street tavern. Head outside to the patio and join just-turned-21 college kids as they gather for a post-exam toast. Although, conversation can be difficult when live music blares through the pub six nights a week. Tuesday through Sunday evenings are dominated by Irish tunes, ska, blues and cover bands. And like most Celtic establishments, there is a robust menu of beers to choose from.

05/31/06

I love this place!

by woman_x at Citysearch

The staff and crowd is incredibly friendly. I live in the neighborhood and love dropping in for a bite to eat or a drink. My roommate and I went recently for their comedy night and had a great time- the comics were pretty funny, the bartender bought us drinks, and we made a couple of new friends. I highly recommend O'Brien's.

• Pros: friendly staff, good crowd, good food

05/19/06

great weekday hangout

by rceasar at Citysearch

I went on a random Wednesday night after just missing happy hour. The evening started out slow but then a local soccer team came in a liven things up. Unlike some of the reviews, I found this place to be unpretenious with friendly regulars and a great bar staff. And yes, Irish people really go here. Plus, they have Stella on top---can't beat it. The musician playing/singing was also a nice touch. Very nice, local feel.

• Pros: staff, friendly people, laid back
• Cons: parking