Daniel O'Connell's Irish Restaurant & Bar

My wife and I recently dined at O'Connell's, and unfortunately, our experience was far from pleasant. While the food was somewhat passable, the cleanliness of the establishment left much to be desired. From the moment we walked in, it was evident that cleanliness is not a priority. The seating benches at the tables appeared as though they hadn't been cleaned in months. We had to constantly shoo away flies from our food, which was incredibly off-putting. At one point, my wife accidentally dropped her water bottle on the floor. When she picked it up, it was covered in dirt and even had a clump of hair stuck to it. It was absolutely disgusting! This level of neglect in maintaining a clean environment is unacceptable for any establishment, especially a restaurant. In conclusion, O'Connell's has a lot of work to do if it hopes to improve its reputation. The food, while not terrible, is certainly not worth the discomfort of dining in such an unclean environment. I hope the management takes these concerns seriously and makes significant improvements. Until then, I cannot recommend O'Connell's to anyone looking for a pleasant dining experience.

I have been here many times. A must stop when on King Street in Old Town, VA. Food is good to great, atmosphere is great, and the location cannot be beat. A fantastic Irish Pub!

So when I got there the hostess took me and my family and thought it was smart to sit me, my wife and my 6yr old daughter in the bar area with the door opening and closing near the cold and rainy weather day in a booth. It was absolutely ridiculously LOUD INSIDE THE BAR! CURSING! LOUD CONVERSATIONS AND ALOT OF DRUNKS. I understand this is an Irish pub and if you promote that you are kid friendly; stick with it and not sit family’s in the bar area! My wife was very uncomfortable and my daughter just wanted to go. We really did not know if we had a waiter or a bartender serving food our food! My wife had the sea food and she liked it. I had corn beef and cabbage and I have to be honest the corn beef tasted like it came out of Can! The carrots were blend, mashed potatoes were good and the gravy were the only thing on the plate that tasted really good. While we were there a family who came in also about the time when I was about to pay, they got pissed because they did not want to be seated in the bar area and they were moved upstairs. My advice to this restaurant if you see a family especially a little kid; bring the family upstairs to your restaurant not the bar area! I felt like I wasted my time and money at this place and i was on vacation visiting and let’s just say it left a bad taste in my mouth!

The atmosphere was great, and it reminded me of our last visit to Dublin. I love the Guinness stout, Irish shepherd pie, and my husband had lamb stew. I wish the dishes would have come with a side instead of just a small piece of bread.

It's a beautiful classic building filled with the most delicious food. We had the Irish Cider on tap - which was the best cider I've ever had. We ordered the steamed mussels in a white wine sauce, the seafood linguini, a kid's cheeseburger, and the steak. Everything was amazing. I would order any of it again and be ecstatic.

Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant & Bar in Alexandria, VA, is my go-to pub when visiting the area. The authentic Irish pub atmosphere, complete with cozy interiors and traditional décor, sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. The Irish fare served here is top-notch, with each dish reflecting the rich culinary heritage of Ireland. One standout dish is the Shepherd’s Pie, an absolute classic that embodies comfort and flavor. Made with hearty ingredients and served piping hot, it's a must-try for anyone visiting Alexandria. Moreover, the great service provided by the staff adds to the overall charm of the establishment. HUGE shoutout to the bartender, Paul, for his exceptional service and conversation. I highly recommend stopping by Daniel O’Connell’s next time you're in Alexandria—it's a shamrock that captures the essence of Ireland right in the heart of Virginia.

Have an event here and book the room attached to the balcony! Shout out to Kate B and her crew. My wife and I booked our rehearsal dinner here and everything was beyond fantastic, to the point where the next night at the wedding people were still talking about O’Connell’s. The bartender and servers were great, we came in with a crew and they made quick work of getting people drinks, handling requests and setting up the buffet. When the sun went down and King street came alive, the balcony was the spot to be. Having that to ourselves was so much fun. Given the occasion, I would challenge anyone to book the balcony and TRY to have a better time than us. The location is prime, the staff is great and the food was not only delicious but the portions were incredible (they brought out food like Andre the giant was having a family reunion). Thank you all so much for taking a joyous occasion and making it into an unforgettably fun night with family and friends!

On October 26th, at 2:00 on a Thursday, the place was pretty empty. The Fish n Chips were delicious. The homemade tarter sauce could use some capers, lemon juice and some gherkins, it's a bit too much mayonnaise. The fish was very flaky with a delicious beer batter. But the Kilkenny....amazing. Just like I remember when I had it in Ireland. Service is fantastic. You don't feel rushed at all. I'm definitely going to revisit this establishment for dinner.

Many thanks to the amazing staff for their efficient and professional handling of our tour group of 92 patrons on Thursday night (May 23, 2024)! Led expertly by manager Sam, their team of servers Caleb and Lindy, along with their support staff of food runners Jose, Josue, Miguel, had all of our guest served their pre-ordered entrees in just 15 minutes during a busy dinner time! It's restaurants like these that make large tour group sit-down dinners possible during the hectic Spring tour season within the DC Metro area. Many thanks from my colleague Danielle and I, along with the entire tour company!

The day after St. Patrick's Day and we finally found our way to a pub! Walking inside and it almost felt like we'd walked into a pub in Ireland! Loved the fireplace and bar area. Enjoyed a Guinness and the Guinness Burger. I couldn't eat all the mashed potatoes, but it sure was delicious, what a treat! Service was excellent and it seemed like the bar was filled with regulars, if only I lived closer I'd join them!

Food was too expensive for how bland I found it and how infrequent our waiter was at our table. But the place seemed more of a lively pub style of night out so if you're looking for that this is your spot. Place was packed with people watching the game and around the bar in general.

Probably the most authentic Irish pub in Alexandria. All the usual favorites are here..Guinness, Smithwicks, and a host of craft beer. The food menu is equally impressive. Do yourself a favor and order the Irish curry. Simply an amazing, especially on a chilly night. This pub looks the part..dark wood bar, subdued lighting, and lots of live music will have you thinking your sitting in a pub in Ireland in no time. Ask for Roy, an authentic Irishman who is friendly and courteous. A must see for a proper pint and a meal!

Springtime, game time and indulgences! Looking to people watch...outdoor seating is available. Looking to watch sports...plenty of TV's inside. Looking for an Irish bar atmosphere? The woodwork, stain glass and multitude of seating offer an Irish dining experience. Although the burger was just a burger, and the steak fries and onion rings were average, the black and tan was refreshing.

We really liked this Irish pub in Alexandria. It was a little pricey (but all the restaurants were a bit pricey in this area) and I would have liked a full dozen wings, but the chicken wings were pretty good! I really liked the look of the bar inside, had a very authentic old Irish pub feel.

Nice little bar in old town! The food was decent, but I absolutely loved my fish and chips. The fish was huge and so crispy and delicious!

After the Scottish parade we made our way into Daniel O'Connell's, the place was packed but we made our way upstairs and discovered the place is huge on two levels with an upper patio. We eventually got seats at the bar and ordered drinks and some shots of Glenmorangie. The Reuben sandwich was stuffed with sauerkraut and tasted amazing. The bar tenders were over extended yet got to our drinks promptly. Nothing can be funnier than an Irish bar slammed with people.

Very warm feel to this Irish Pub/restaurant. While the food portions are a bit on the smaller side, the lamb burger and corned beef and cabbage have always been my go-to orders. Service is usually speedy and the drinks are good. This is a great spot to sit and get a beer and a bite to eat. It is absolutely lively late at night!

The service was slow despite it not being crowded. The reason I have SO much time to write this review is due to just how much time I have waiting for her return. Additionally, when I asked the hostess, all she could say was "I am not your server". I should have had a clue when she had to come back and ask me what our order was again. We have been done eating for over 15 minutes and STILL no one. Finally gave up and went to the bar to pay. But the MOST disappointing thing was the food. I ordered the eggs Benedict and they were sadly way OVERCOOKED to the point of being more boiled egg than poached on a dry, hard biscuit (see photos). I brought this to the attention of our waitress. Nothing done about it other than "I will tell him". Really? No manager, no apologies. That isn't fixing any issues and I basically left the rest of my meal untouched because it was so bad. The ambiance is typical Irish pub that you find in DC and we have had better experiences in the past. Though they have TVs with the soccer games on for those who like the pub atmosphere when watching European sports. Still haven't seen my waitress, so we are leaving and said goodbye to the two hostesses outside (who evidently couldn't take the time to find our server).

Authentic Irish bar in old town! Beer selection is exactly what it should be. Service is very friendly. Reuben tasted just right. Fish and chips also hit the spot. Love the decor.

I've been coming here for a long time. O'Connells has good food, drinks, service and live music in the walkable lower King Street. They have 2 bars and plenty of seating upstairs along with their rooftop dining. Bar and dining downstairs plus a stage for bands. Great for groups and private events. Come get your Irish on at O'Connells.

Very rude service, average bangers and mash. Beer is good though. Has the potential but lacking in the details

Shep pie was great, attentive service, comfortable atmosphere. No complaints, just can't give 5 stars to everyone

We felt going Irish and gave this place a try. Because of location, parking will be a challenge but we lucked out. Servers were friendly but I would say didn't check on us. The seating was nice as we sat outside in great weather. Environment was relaxing and comfortable. My dish (Whiskey Sizzler) was fantastic but my wife's dish (onion rings and Irish egg rolls) were not impressive. My son's fish and chips also left something to be desired. Finally, I never got the potato leek soup I ordered but was not charged so it wasn't a big deal.

Honestly, I love this place. Good beer, great food, great atmosphere. I've always had a great time here and the service has been helpful. The Irish egg rolls were my favorite!

Somehow, I missed doing this review. Better late than never I guess. With two Irish Pubs in close proximity in Old Town Alexandria, this is the one we chose for this visit. Upon entering, the interior provides a realistic Irish Pub ambience. The menu was varied, with most of the typical Irish foods one would expect and, even more important perhaps, with an excellent choice of beers. I feel that any restaurant claiming to be Irish should offer both Kilkenny and Harp on draft. O'Connells offers both. The service and food were excellent and we never felt rushed to eat, drink, and get out (which happens in some places). Want a good Irish experience? Head to O'Connells and you won't be disappointed.

Loved the vibes here. lots of people. actually- too many people maybe. our server was slow and the one drink I ordered was really gross. so we decided not to order anything else and try a different place.

Stopped by while out exploring old town. You can't beat a good Irish pub. All the food looked really good. My buddy had lamb stew and said it was really good. I had a simple chopped salad. They have some decent beers on tap and was thrilled to have a couple of Kilkenny's. Service was quick and it's a great place to hang out. I imagine this place gets busy and is a lot of fun to hang out at.

If you're looking for genuine pub food, go no further as well as that pub ambiance. Fish & Chips are exactly how you want them. Very generous portions of fish. Waiter knew menu back, front, and inside out. If it's not on the menu, ask. I didn't care for the potato leek soup so much but I was expecting something a bit different. Great place to meet friends and grab food and drink!

I enjoyed Lunch at O'Connell's so much! We sat on the sidewalk on a beautiful July afternoon. This shows how Irish I am: I became ecstatic at the thought of having corned beef & cabbage! It was the best I've ever had. A delicious cream sauce with chives made everything better. Perfectly steamed carrots, homemade mashed potatoes, moist corned beef & Al dente cabbage! Can't wait for my next trip King St.

Claissic Irish Pub with a menu to match. The ambiance is just that of an Irish pub loud, fun, and cheerful! The service was also good to the point I can remember after all of the Guinness! Drink up my friends!

A for decor, coziness and vibe. A for Holiday cheer! Located on the famed King Street, I checked out O'Connell's on a weeknight in the early evening without a reservation and my party was able to seat ourselves right away. We were helped immediately and ordered some drinks and a delicious, Scotch Egg appetizer, which I highly recommend! All via a touchless QR code to the menu located at the table. When I go to traditional pubs like this one, I help myself to the Fish N' Chips (and was pleasantly surprised there's a chicken version on the menu). The portion was large although a lot of it was batter/fatty at the end, so unfortunately, I wasn't able to finish it. Fries, coleslaw and the dressing were great. Our waiter was attentive as well (although I didn't catch his name). Definitely a fun place to hang out with a group of friends and watch "the game" on the TVs at the bar. As we left, more people were coming in. I'm not sure if they open the upstairs area, but it looks very cool up there.

On a street with great options... walk on by. Food was mediocre at best. Burgers dry, onion rings soggy, and nothing special about the scant fries on the plate. Nice looking bar.

Stopped in for a quick bite. Just Guiness and scotch eggs, so I can't really comment much. Neat atmosphere, felt like we were in Ireland. Server was cordial. I'd like to try dinner there.

Awesome Irish bar with great beer choices and amazing food. They have an amazing beer list!

Visited again on Friday around 2 pm. The sign by the entrance said seat yourself. The back bar and seating was almost full on this sunny day. Servers were very attentive. I ordered the Fish and chips again along with ice tea. Received my entree fairly quickly. The large piece of fish was on top of the chips, causing the chips to be a bit limp - not crispy. The meal was not as good as precious visit. The place filled up with diners in the front section by the time I left.

Good food, good drinks, good vibes. Went on a Saturday evening ~ 7:45. Was seated within 30 minutes no reservations for a party of 4. They also had a live band around 9pm? Definitely coming back here for Happy Hour

Came here for St Patricks day and, all things considered, this is a very nice pub. Not the first time I've been here and on less significant nights it is a more enjoyable environment, but tonight I had a grand time despite the many drunkards wandering about! The food is good, traditional, and always hot. The drinks, the many drinks, keep flowing. The wait staff even when overwhelmed and busy are delightful. The only negative is that the bathroom was, to put it kindly, vile(and I wont get into details). Of course it's St Patricks day so I don't hold that against them! They also were very quick to kick out a rambunctious millennial who had raised his voice, and for that I am thankful. Will be coming back!

Back with an office colleague for a good pint and dinner. I made reservations and we got a nice table up front. The bar was crowded for a Thursday night, and I got a couple of back-eye looks for looking to see if my friend was in the bar. No one wore a mask, save maybe a couple of wait staff. So keep that in mind when coming here. Our area was fairly private, and isolated- so we stayed. The hostess seated us promptly, and waiter was quick with suggestions and explanations on bar liquor and food. All were spot on. The whiskey selection is always amazing (although I argue it is better in some of the private lounges upstairs.) Food was quick and made to order, without any real questions for minor changes. Our bill was a bit steep, but considering the offerings and quality, was reasonable overall. But be prepared to pay more than average for a plate of fish & chips. I'm not ready to bring the family here on a late night, but if you need a ale vice a beer, you can find it here.

Super bad experience we do NOT recommend this place at all awful food bad service ! Our food was completely terrible we ordered 2 lamb hamburgers and we received meat asked the hostess as the waiter was no where to be found and nothing didn't come around my potato and leak soup was salty bad bad , never got a refill in waters and on top of all when we received the check we got an automatic 20 % change in tips and we were only 4 people

Popped by for a quick pint at happy hour while out biking... stayed to try the food because it looked/smelled so delicious! Had the Irish Egg Rolls (delicious corned beef, cabbage and Irish cheddar fried with mustard sauce for dipping) and Scotch Eggs (hard boiled eggs and pork fried to perfection). So good! The O'Connell's Pilsner was cold and enjoyable. Definitely recommend! Safe patio seating (even a menu for your doggie on the Paw-tio!). Their pleasant service is on-point. A local favorite- so very busy and in a fun area. Enjoy!

2 stars for ambiance. Can't speak to anything else. Waited as a single woman at the bar for 15 minutes while chaps on either side of me at the bar got served and the bartender never acknowledged my presence, let alone served me the guineas I never got to ask for. I left.

Starting off my review, there are many positives about O'Connell's: great food and liquor selection, excellent atmosphere to watch sports (especially soccer and rugby with my UK-based friends), and some very nice people working there. So why 2 stars? Having been there several times over the past year, today may be it. There is a consistent trend of slow service (which I understand when it get's busy) coupled with multiple servers taking care of one table which leads to confusion and overcharges needing to be addressed when the check comes. Today I fear was the final straw, as the servers admitted they overcharged our group and the manager on duty still overcharged my girlfriend's friend's card after we and the servers explained the failure on the establishment's part. In all we spent about a half hour just attempting to sort out this mess; the manager on duty was unprofessional, disagreeable, and after it was all said and done, I fear dishonest as well. I retrospect, the morale of the employees seemed poor and many didn't appear to want to be there. I hope O'Connell's management fixes this issue and prevents potential swindles of their guests in the future. If you do go, make sure you get a printed running tab of your beverages but be prepared to wait for slow service.

Service is good with low staffing Food came hot and timely I've never had a bad meal. Food the best

I wanted some fried fish and hadn't had any in awhile so I thought I'd go for some fish and chips. This place is next to another restaurant I liked so checked out the menu before I went. I was sat at a table upstairs and got a glass of house white wine and fish n chips. The food came out pretty fast and nice looking plate. Was a nice size piece of fish and the right amount of fries. Not a ton of fries but right amount. I could finish the whole plate. It was good. Not amazing but good. Seems like a good spot for friends to hang out.

The best part about this place is the pub aesthetic! I came in and was thinking the inside may be on the smaller side, but it's huge! So many levels and loved that there was a historical fireplace near our table. Overall, there is just a lot of Irish charm in the restaurant that I enjoyed. I ordered the Guinness and Chicken Curry. Chicken curry was tasty and not too spicy thankfully! It filled me up and was nice to have for leftovers. There were lots of other options that I wish I would've tried. I don't eat lamb, but the lamb stew looked incredible! Not a lot of vegetarian options. My only complaint was that my seat wasn't the most comfortable while eating. It was an older chair to match the aesthetic, but I would have preferred a chair that didn't have as straight of a back. However, this is a very minor detail and I overall liked the place!

We had dinner at this place the last evening of our tour. (Colorado people) Great service and the atmosphere was great. Very quaint with lots of old wood floors and banisters. I had Fish and Chips; excellent. The real great, though, was the Bread Pudding for desert! Really, really, good!! It's may favorite whenever I can get it; however, all Bread Puddings are not created equal! This one was at the top! Will go back again when I return to Alexandria.

Spent last Sunday enjoying some football, beers, and this amazing shepherd's pie. The family style portion size is massive, but we were able to split it perfectly between 4 people. The pie was cooked to perfection and topped with delicious mashed potatoes. The service here was also great, it's the perfect environment for a laid back day, drinking with friends.

Cool Irish pub near the harbor in Alexandria. 2 stories with a roof top area and it's a lot bigger on the inside than it looks. Great staff all around. Drinks were good as well. We didn't get any food this go around but we will be returning customers!

I have visited this place a few times. The layout is solid, to be honest, with a well-balanced decor with a lot of space. The food has always been pretty good (pub cuisine). That said, the service has always been sub-par each and every damn time. To be honest, each and every time, the bartenders are spending time with their regulars, or they are macking on the pretty college ladies. I have to wait forever to get a drink. The hell is this? This place has a strange "reservation" sort of status for tables that are "reserved" for people, yet these folks never seem to show up on Saturday nights to claim their tables. This means that the place is filled with a bunch of empty tables with those stupid little "reserved" tags on them. We know good and hell well that these tables aren't being claimed. Word to to the wise - fill your tables! Go to an "Irish" pub in Detroit, Chicago, or Cleveland and you'll be treated well. This shoddy behavior wouldn't be tolerated elsewhere. The customer service exhibited by the team at this place wouldn't be tolerated elsewhere. Then again, this place is about about as "Irish" as a Bennigan's.

Stopped by for a beer outside and a sit down. Great location and the inside feels like a real pub. Smithwicks AND Guinness on tap made my day. Kilkenny would be perfect but you can't have everything in life. We had the scotch eggs which were excellent and came with a decent sauce with mustard. Staff were knowledgeable and friendly. Can't really ask for more. Will be back.

Food was great! Service and atmosphere were great too! Highly recommended the Guinness Burger and onion rings!

Vibes are fantastic, people are even better. Food was delish, and the selection was amazingly broad. 10/10

Great spots for drinks and bar fare. Love that they have a little secluded outdoor spot, which is where we had our drinks and food. Service was so great and friendly! Our server was kind and cheerful and gave us great recommendations. Drinks and the nacho tots were perfect! We'll definitely be returning!

you gotta hit up this Irish spot! The food is on point, pints are a vibe, and the place is just too cool. Live tunes amp up the fun - it's the spot for a legit good time.

Recently ate here for the first time and it won't be the last time! I had the Shepard's Pie, which I thought was very good. My only complaint is that I felt the portion was too small for the price. The mashed potatoes were crisped appropriately and the filling was terrific. I was told by my dining companions that the fish and chips were awesome as were the chicken strips. The staff was friendly and efficient. There seems to be a few different dining areas which is nice. Good place to go in Old Town.

Thank you Anne-Marie for a wonderful evening! 10/10 service. We wanted to stop for dinner in the Old Town after walking around the marina. Glad we chose here! Our server was super friendly and quick with our orders. I asked if I could combine two menu items into my own creation and she was more than willing to accommodate my request. Drinks were great too- highly recommend their old fashioned!

I always have a great time when I go to O'Connell's. Whether that be grabbing a drink or having a meal, it is certainly a restaurant I recommend to friends when they visit me in Alexandria. The service is very quick and helpful! It is a really historic building and if you ask them about the history they will share it with you. Btw- the Shepherds pie is the best! I have also tried the Guinness burger and usually rotate those options when I go because they are delicious!

I've been a couple of times. The food is average depending on the day. The one consistency is the service is not very good. They are slow to check on you and seem a bit overwhelmed and ill tempered. Not my favorite place in Old Town.