"Murphy’s has been a Wallingford institution since opening in 1981, and claims to be Seattle’s first Irish pub. Whether or not that’s wholly accurate, it’s at the very least the longest-running Irish pub still in existence within Seattle city limits. Though it went through a decade of malaise after founder Chris Barnes sold it in 2001, its current owners have restored its charm ever since taking over in 2015. Murphy’s checks every single box you could want in this type of bar: There’s plenty of rustic atmosphere with prominent woodwork, dark walls, stained glass accents, and a fireplace. There’s abundant seating to accommodate groups, including a snug sofa and coffee table area, along with an inviting back patio. There’s a wide variety of beer on draft, with Irish essentials such as Harp, Smithwick’s, Kilkenny, and (of course) Guinness in addition to local brews, augmented by a good selection of whiskey. The kitchen hits the bullseye with unfussy yet well-crafted Irish-American classics: bangers and mash, corned beef and cabbage, Murphy’s stout beef stew, shepherd’s pie, Irish brown bread. There’s also exemplary cod and chips, as well as a crowd-favorite reuben, a “Paddy melt,” and salt and vinegar potato chips, among other standards. There’s live Americana and Irish music on weekends, along with an Irish jam on Mondays. And the staff is first-name-basis friendly, giving delighted greetings to regulars like, “There she is!” Murphy’s is the kind of Irish pub Irish pubs go to." - Mark DeJoy
