Vaughan's Public House

Jon was great, food was great, atmosphere was great. Honestly the house made potato chips were great too. They came out nice and warm. We're definitely going back.

The good. Great atmosphere, bartender fast and friendly. Great selection of Irish beer and two Guinness taps. Wings were hot and delicious. Meatloaf was flavorful and the gravy is outstanding. The issue was the “Shepherd’s Pie.” A: Its Cottage Pie because it contains beef, not lamb. Hard to trust an Irish pub that doesn’t know the difference. B: The pie was completely dry. No sauce, no gravy, nothing. Just 2/3 potatoes and 1/3 meat vegetable. Can’t recommend that meal, but other food was good.

First time at Vaughan’s Public House after recently moving to the area, and it was a great experience. The Old Fashioneds were spot on — well balanced and clearly made with care. The bartender was kind, welcoming, and fantastic. Great atmosphere and absolutely worth the walk in 4-degree weather. Will definitely be back.

This past Saturday (1/3/2026), we held an after-party here for my daughter's wedding and it was AWESOME! I (as the father of the bride) coordinated the party with Erin who was amazingly helpful, friendly and professional. We talked on the phone a few times to finalize the details for the big day and after the wedding, I walked in and everything was going exactly as planned. I chose to have chicken fingers, fries and onion rings available for the party. Everyone loved all the food and it was absolutely delicious! Just what these folks needed to soak up some of their prior consumption during the open bar at the wedding. I would recommend Vaughn's for any event!!! Or even if you are in Hartford looking for a cool Irish pub for food and a beverage or two... Thank you Erin for all your help in putting the finishing touches on a perfect Saturday evening in Hartford, CT!!!!!

The pub has so much potential to be an authentic, stellar Irish bar. We loved walking in, I wouldn't change anything about the decor or style. But the food was lacking. The shepherd's pie was made with beef, so it's not a shepherd's pie. It wasn't bad but wasn't special either. We also got the bangers and mash. Which, the sausage was more like small Jimmy Dean breakfast sausages. They were way overcooked. It was not the type of sausage you would nornally get at an Irish restaurant when you order bangers and mash. So, if you're hoping for actual Irish fare, you won't find it here. But the bar is super cool and the service was quick and they were very kind.

Genuinely a five star experience that I felt compelled to write about. My partner has a peppercorn allergy, which is naturally going to be tricky for many restaurants to navigate. Our waitress Tiffany was incredible at helping us and ensuring that they received food that was safe for them. And the food we got was absolutely excellent! The lamb guinness stew was everything I wanted it to be, and my partners burger and fries was basic, but so good (potentially the best fries we've ever had?) And we both ordered a cheesecake, which was also amazing in texture and flavor. The cherry syrup tasted very fresh, from black cherries. I can't say enough good things about the experience here, and cannot recommend it enough. As an out of towner, I'll definitely be back any time I'm in Hartford.

We got the shepherd's pie and guinness lamb stew. It was okay! The servings were super big for me. If you're not a big food eater I think you can share it. They have good Irish drink options.

I liked this place. First time I went it was a saturday, it was super loud and busy. Ended up putting in my concert earplugs, but besides that everything was great. The shepherd's pie was delicious, lots of mashed potatoes and the meat was well spiced and tasty. The combo plate was good, I enjoyed all the different selection of everything. Wasn't a huge fan of the beans, but I think that was a me thing, not the food was bad thing. They also have Guinness zero proof, which I was very grateful for as I was on my dinner break from work

Wow, this is the crown jewel of the Crown Jewel city (Hartford's unofficial nickname). Just like this beautiful city it is a home away from home! I recommend you try the meatloaf and the Reuben sandwich. Great spot, great vibes, great bartenders, great food, and great people! Next time you're in Hartford, GO TO Vaughan's!

My go-to restaurant and bar in Hartford. I enjoy the quality of service and the food is always excellent. My favorites are the Pub Wings, Glenkerry Potatoes, and Steak Tips which all pair well with a pint of Guinness! The ceiling is a very classy addition to the Irish Pub ambiance and adds a level of modern style that doesn't clash with the classic Irish furniture. Great burgers as well!

As we entered this bar for lunch, we were immediately struck by the authentic feel of it, as a regular client sat at the bar telling a story to his friend and the bartender in a thick Irish brogue. Awesome! Our server Jeremy was professional and efficient. We got a couple coffees to start with to try to get us over the coast-to-coast time difference and also to warm up (it had been a brisk windy 48 degrees all morning!) Then we ordered a Farmer's salad with blackened chicken and the Bangers and mash. The food came out maybe 25-30 minutes later, oh and worth the wait! Because the blackened chicken was piping hot, I wish it had been slightly to the side of the spring mix lettuce so that the salad would be a bit crisper but the flavors were wonderful. It came with a balsamic vinaigrette. My husband's Bangers and Mash included garlicky mashed potatoes, a rich thick mushroom gravy, and flavorful sausages, all on a bed of vegetables. Mmm super satisfying. Cozy welcoming ambience. Reasonable prices for the quality and quantity of food I think.

Waited at the bar for a solid 10 minutes before we saw a bartender, but once he was visible, he was attentive. Typical Irish like bar, you could tell there were some typical "regulars", they had food ball on. The handicapped (upstairs) bathroom definitely had "the smell", but sometimes can be expected in older building. They did not have a liquor list which was disappointing because I had to try and find out what whiskey/bourbons they had by looking at the bottles on the shelves. As for food, my party and I ordered the Steak and ale spring rolls, steak tips, and bangers/mash. The food was way better than I expected. Everything was hot, fresh, and delicious! Jesse, our bartender/server was definitely hustling around with the growing crowd, but was excellent, very personable and friendly.

Great service, atmosphere and perfectly cooked burger. A must do when in Hartford, friendly and welcoming environment.

During Lent I choose to try the Fish & Chips at Vaughans. The food is very fresh and had a great beer batter breading on it. I'm not crazy about any fries but they were very fresh and deep fried. Great place to go to for St Patrick's Day. The service was very good and w an Irish flare.

Vaughan's has that classic Irish pub vibe with good service to match. The food is just okay, but honestly, I feel like that's kind of the expectation at an Irish pub. The baked Brie was a standout, though, it was really good. The beers were cold, and our server was quick to change the TV when we asked. It's a no-frills kind of place, but it's not bad at all. If you're looking for a casual spot with a laid-back vibe, Vaughan's fits the bill.

Walk in and it's an old building. Very old. Has an old smell to it. And that is the only criticism I have for the place. Ordered a rare Irish whiskey and the owner himself served it. The food was normal Irish pub fare. The departed's pie was excellent

Great time, excellent beer and food. The staff was super friendly, will definitely go back next time in Hartford.

I was about to go into another bar on pratt st but it was closed. Thankfully, Vaughan's was open and welcoming my friend and I right in! We met the owner who is a very down to earth guy and super focused on bringing back a sense of community which I appreciated. Bartender was funny and kind. Beer was great, their homemade irish cream was even better! I'll definitely be back for that and to order some irish fare for dinner!

This is a plenty good place to go in downtown Hartford--close to Hartford Stage and the XL Center. There's a substantial bar and booths and small tables--whatever works for you or you & your party. I like sitting upstairs. This most recent visit I had fish & chips and my friends had a BLT and a chicken sandwich. And a couple of beers and tea. It was all good. There was chaos downstairs because Pratt Street was having a Bad Bunny festival, but our waiter took care of us upstairs timely and accurately. I've also had their baked potato soup before--AND I LOVE IT. There is an impressive array of beers on tap--including Guinness and Smithwick's. With other spots closing downtown, I'm happy to still have this place as a go-to.

I like coming here whenever I'm visiting family in the state. It's located right in downtown and feels hidden in a little street. Very cozy place and chill place, this place for me is more about the vibe. The staff is attentive and welcoming. Drink and food prices are reasonable. The food is okay, they have a variety of options. However, I truly come for the drinks. They have a good selection of beers

A traditional small Irish pub with great food set in a closed off street (platt) in Hartford. Across from the XL Center, which we were heading to after dinner. Greeted by welcoming staff who recited a good list of beers on tap. A Kilkenny beer for me to go along with some potato soup and bread pudding. I opted for a lighter meal so I could enjoy the delicious dessert. Copilot had the Sheppard's pie and reported it was very good. A wonderful vibe was felt in this establishment. All patrons showed to be laughing and smiling. Will return if in Hartford again!!!

Strolled into this joint after getting recommendations from 2 separate strangers as we strolled through the streets. I was pleasantly surprised by the extremely cordial, attentive and funny staff. Made me feel at home and thats priceless! Drinks and brews were on point and the pub fare hit the spot. I hit up the steak and ale spring rolls and the bangers and mash. I Enjoyed both and I was gladly teased when I didn't come Close to finishing the bangers. It's. A lively crowd ... in the streets and the bar. leave your sensitivity at home. And it shows a lot of class to have actually maintained plantings outside. Really a deserved 4 stars but those garnered the fifth.

Had good drinks in a fun atmosphere ! Went after a Wolfpack game. Pretty quick service despite it filling up. I'd go back again!

I had the lamb Stew and loved it. Lots of veggies and Lamb. I had the Irish red was very light for an Irish beer. We went on Sunday and the fans were there so if you are looking for a quiet little place ... but if you are looking to be around people having fun this is the place! And the cheese cake wow

Nothing about it was authentic Irish. They need to learn what rasers are and what a mixed grill is. The server was more interested in socializing than taking care of patrons

Had a great lunch at Vaughan's on Veterans Day when it wasn't too busy. Hubby had the chicken ceaser wrap blackened and i got the Reuben and had to order a side of curry sauce ($3.50) to dip my fries in since i was so excited the curry was back - during COVID they weren't making it and i was calling all the time. The Rueben came out so hot that the bottom bread got a little soggy from the steam of the meat and the bartender resolved it so quickly it just gave me a chance to eat my yummy fries. Great that there is a nice lunch spot in Hartford where you can have a casual meal, a beer with your lunch and sports on TV.

Jeremey did a great job taking care of myself and a friend. His enthusiasm added to the positive experience. His recommendations were on point, and we enjoyed the burger and ruben.

I was on Pratt Street on one of their Pratturdays, with some friends. They have a DJ and some special sales at different retailers. When we got hungry we went to Vaughan's Public House to get some lunch. We looked at the menu on the window outside, and a few things looked like something we'd enjoy. There was plenty of seating outside, but we decided to sit inside since we wanted to cool off. Inside was pretty dark, but also had the look of an old building, when in reality it's only been around for 20 years. When our menu arrived I was disappointed to see none of the options that I saw on their outside menu were available. The waiter just said the outside menu wasn't updated. Vaughan's Public House is an Irish restaurant, here you'll find the typical Irish dishes and plenty of their beer. I was honestly a bit underwhelmed with the menu. I got the Reuben, I don't think it's particularly Irish. But it's ok. Our waiter was very quick and attentive, it's not his fault about the menu situation, but I call it false advertising for sure. My Ruben arrived quickly, it wasn't the huge version of the Ruben that I generally see, which is good. The rye bread was fresh and toasted just enough. The sliced corned beef was a bit off, not the best I've ever had, it wasn't properly cut, it had some odd chunks in it. Despite the dressing and the cheese, it was still missing some flavor to it. The fries were pretty good, I had them with ketchup. I was very hungry, so it all worked out fine, but far from amazing or something I'd want again. I also noticed their online menu prices don't match with the prices in the restaurant. Their management should look into this, and update all their menus. I can't say I was impressed with my experience at Vaughan's Public House. I'll give them three stars this time.

After a long day, went looking for a local place for a drink and dinner. Stumbled upon this little gem on Pratt St. and decided to give it a try. It was an absolutely beautiful evening so we sat outside where they had a live band playing as well (just down the street) and made for a great atmosphere. The staff was great and very nice. The food was great!! Went with some good Irish meals and were not disappointed. We'll be back.

Oh how many years has it been...but the place looks the same as then. Too hot to eat outside today so found a little niche for two inside. She had the Shepherd's Pie [beef not lamb] and declared it luscious. The Brown Bread detail was only a taste tempter. I had the Cod and Chips which were a little too fried but hot, crunchy and delicious with a huge side of Onion Rings with a honey mustard dip. Yummy! The Bloody Mary was strong and started off the meal on a bang. Need to go back and have the Lamb Stew which I should have ordered but didn't so just the right excuse to return. Good service and a nice crowd, reminds me of my time back HOME.

I am so late in reviewing this place, but I came here with a few girlfriends on St. Patty's day and the service was wonderful, the food and drinks were delicious. Of course we had car bombs and Jameson shots. We had a bunch of apps including fries and soup. Everything hit the spot and I would definitely come back to try more menu items. If an Irish pub can handle the craziness of the holiday, they for sure can do a great lunch or dinner during normal business days. Thank you Vaughns!

Sad that I chose to have lunch here. Smelly, dirty dump with no positive dive qualities. Reuben sandwich tasted like something you might get at a fast food place - didn't have any flavor or taste remotely freshly made. Can't wait to get out of here.

We really enjoyed Vaughn's Public House. We stopped in for a beer and an appetizer to take short break while walking around. The place is super comfortable with a nice Irish Pub feel to it, not dark and dreay like some other places. We were served very quickly and water refills kept coming as well. They had a nice selection of beers on tap and we settled on 2 Harps. We also munched on some Black and Tan onion rings, which were tasty. The menu looked nice - higher end bar food with the traditional Irish slant. They had a few TVs on with some soccer games on. It seemed like a great place to hang out with friends and watch a sporting event. Worth the stop in!!

This is a cute little pub! The staff was nice, we enjoyed our food. The potato soup is chicken based ( boo ) but I did find a vegetarian option, buffalo cauliflower. The one stalled ladies room is down stairs, so keep that in mind if you have mobility problems.

Good pub scene. Small dining area on second level. Typical Irish pub food. Downtown parking is on costly side but street parking available in area. Pedestrian traffic only on Pratt street.

Meh, tried it on a whim. Would choose something else if I got a repeat. Kind of cramped, needs updating. I got the farmhouse chicken stew, and it was full of mushrooms, which wasn't listed in the menu. Waitress was pleasant and draft beer was good. I guess just not much that stood out, so 3 stars.

I hate to leave a negative review on a business. But everything at this place minus the location is just wrong. Staff is semi-friendly but definitely not attentive. The cooks and staff could be seen outside throughout the night, smoking cigarettes and hitting vape pens that smell like marijuana in front of the diners. The food is very cheap in quality, but not in price. Most of the food comes directly from the freezer and taste just like the inside of the freezer smells. I ordered a Diet Coke and it tasted like it was 10 years old. This business is located in a beautiful location and the outside ambience is very nice. The overall appearance of the inside of the bar and restaurant was quite dirty and drab. Also, the bathroom was very dirty too.

Sunday Funday! Vaughn's has been a fun spot with authentic Irish fare for years now. I have so many great memories here. It's located on Pratt Street, one of the most unique streets in Hartford. It's the only place in the city where there is still an early 20th-century streetscape. Check out those bricks. We came in for lunch around 2:30 PM, found a couple of seats at the bar and ordered up some grub. The menu is a little limited due to Covid, understandable as the masses are not back out carousing yet. I ordered the Pub Salad - mixed greens, tomato, cucumbers, red onion, carrots, hard boiled egg and toasted croutons with honey mustard dressing. I paired it with the blackened chicken and it was delicious. The toasted croutons...yes, please. My friend ordered the Shepherd's Pie - a casserole of ground beef with carrots, celery and corn topped with whipped champs. It came out golden brown and bubbling as the menu says. It's also served with homemade Irish brown bread. I stole a piece of the bread. So good. Pro tip- Champs are mashed potatoes and chips are french fries here. The more you know... When you're at Vaughn's, the streams of Irish whiskey are definitely flowing. Try something different- Tullamore Dew, Powers, Dead Rabbit or Redbreast...all great choices. Ask your bartender for a recommendation. There is also an impressive selection of fourteen drafts- local and European style. Bonus- the city has been closing vehicle traffic on Pratt street more frequently and setting up tables outside. Check out the pic below for days and times while the weather is still nice. Sláinte!

Nice place. Good drinks. Great service. Can get a little loud but was really fun. Shepherds pie was pretty good.

Vaughn's partnered with TheaterWorks to offer a choice of two meals with the purchase tickets for the Christmas production. Vaughn's offered either shepherds pie or lamb stew. We ordered one of each because we couldn't decide. Both meals were outstanding! The shepherds pie had a lot of flavor...not overpowered with mashed potatoes. I make my own shepherds pie. Vaughn's is a good rival! I wish the lamb stew had been a bit thicker, but generous slices of Irish bread were perfect to soak up the liquid. In spite of the great meals the Guinness Brownie with the Irish cream was the winner. I don't usually have dessert, but I thoroughly enjoyed the dessert. While I was eating it, I kept thinking it was a perfect way to end 2020.

Girlfriend and I went to this establishment on Sunday 11/19 for our anniversary weekend. The food was fantastic and the service was excellent. A young gentleman who was serving us, congratulated us on our anniversary and even bought us our dessert. Truly a splendid night. I would highly recommend going.

Worst Ruben ever. Don't eat here or if u do it's at your own risk .... one tiny thing the staff is nice so tip well they are not the ones cooking

It's hard to judge the food at Vaughan's on the day of Hartford's St Patrick's Day parade. Obviously the lines to the bathroom were miserable as there was only one women's stall available and a $5 cover for an extremely crowded pub. BUT I will have to say that I've never had a more delicious Irish Car Bomb. Vaughan's doesn't use baileys but their homemade Irish cream! Wow! We loved it so much that we ordered an Irish coffee with their homemade cream because it is seriously THAT good! However the corned beef and cabbage was so below my expectations for such a cool Irish pub. The corned beef was dry and difficult to cut. Maybe it was just because of the parade and they were whipping them out left and right but it wasn't the best. I heard the sliders are better. I would definitely love to try this pub again when it's not as crazy. Fun atmosphere & delicious home made Irish cream and drink selections! Will be back!

Have stopped many times, most recently before a game at the XL Center. Great vibe. Good service. Have not eaten there in a while so hard to comment but the place was busy and the food all looked good. Nice to meet for happy hour or pregame. Bartenders are professional and seem to get to everyone despite the crowd.

This pre-concert destination was recommended by a family member. It is located conveniently close to the XL Center. The reason for my low score is based on two factors: 1. All the fried items we ordered were excessively greasy. 2. Our server was distracted and unable to get our orders correct. The French fries, onion rings, and buffalo cauliflower bites were too greasy to eat. We all sampled each, but the majority of each went uneaten. All three had great potential. The fries seem to be hand cut. The onion rings were beer battered, just the way I like them. The buffalo sauce on the cauliflower was nicely spiced. However, I suspect the oil temperature was too low in the fryer and none of our fried foods were crispy and their serving bowls were filled with grease. Our waitress confirmed with us that we wanted all our selections to be served together. It was her suggestion. We agreed. Our selections came to our table as they became ready over about a half hour period. The last selection to make it to the table was a salad. A salad....really? I forgot the egg roll appetizer. It came late with the salad. And you guessed it, it was really greasy. Most of them went uneaten after one of our group sampled and warned us off. I won't go back for food. Next time I'll stick to the Guinness and house made Bailey's.

A great straight forward pub experience. A definite recommend. On this Monday it wasn't all that busy. But the vibe was relaxed and comfortable. For my libation I chose the double IPA which was smooth and satisfying. For dinner the Guinness lamb stew was a real winner. Portion size was generous and most importantly there was tender rich tasting lamb in 80% of spoonfuls. A hearty dish for sure. Great flavor consistency and portion. I also ordered a pub salad with grilled chicken for a next day meal which was generally proportioned and of as good quality as a salad can get. Highly recommended. Community minded. Everything one could ask for in a local pub.

CLOSED indefinitely because their pipes burst. Someone else can update when they are back open.

Stopped by for a few drinks and a quick bite with the guys, businesses like this need everyone's help during tough times. Bartender was very attentive, food came out nicely prepared and correct. Although business was slow, the quality and attention wasn't compromised. Rules, regulations, and safety protocols were set in place and followed by staff and patrons.

I came here from out of town late night in a monday, their bartender Jesse was super friendly and acknowledging. They have awesome beer on tap and solid eats. Definitely Recommend stopping by!

Why hadn't I been here? Just minutes from Farmington valley and easy parking. Cool street and stepping in felt like a Irish pub in Boston. People ( every single one) was happy and inviting- truly glad to be there. Food as great Guinness perfect poursssssss. Perfect chill pub.

Cozy place with excellent service. Their carbombs are to die for. Would visit this place for any happy hour going forward. Their rotation of beers are excellent too. They carried a hanging hills stout which was extraordinarily creamy and delicious. An Irish pub, that's true to it's reputation

Such a great restaurant/ pub. We had so much fun here. Their homemade baileys/ Irish cream is to die for!! We ordered Irish car bombs after the parade and sampled the liqueur before putting them into our Guinness. So delicious we all wanted to order glasses of it! The pub was PACKED. So many people were there after the parade, but we were able to get a booth to sit at and order food. We ordered the corned beef and cabbage. It wasn't the best and was a little dry but I'm sure they were making large quantities of it throughout the day so that may have been why. We ordered Irish coffees after dinner and they were delicious! A HUGE downside was the bathroom. The line was so long and there was only ONE stall in the women's bathroom. I'm sure on a typical evening it isn't that bad, but on this particular day it was terrible. Because the Irish cream was so good and we were there on a parade day I wasn't going to judge too harshly. I will definitely be coming back on a regular day.

Great Irish bar. Dark wood and murals on the wall. Nice music. Friendly and very attentive staff. And tonight... free T-shirts from the pretty lasses of Guinness! A very nice place. Ambience and noise level are perfect. I had a calamari at the bar and enjoyed every bite.

Their shepherd's pie was absolutely amazing!! The bartender was awesome. And loved the decor.

a solid place for a drink and a bite to eat. Their fish and chips is tasty and filling, and not too expensive. A great meal on a cold night with a drink.

We go here every now and then, and always end up wondering why we don't visit more often. This bar is authentic, clean, and staffed by welcoming professionals. When we revisit this post we'll have news about the food.

This Irish European pub is a staple in downtown Hartford. Every time I go here there is a great beer selection on tap, top shelf liquor, and pub food that you can't get enough of. When you walk through the doors there is a curtain which you push open and ahhhhh. The Vaughns public house a European pub experience that is sure to leave you in a good mood. The ambience here is just what you'd want to see from a true pub. It is though a very narrow restaurant and it is very tight seating. Last time I was there I got the Reuben sandwich which they make so good but they do cheap out on the portion of meat. Also the melindas meatloaf sandwich is what they are known for. The only thing that annoys me with this place is the wait staff always forget something it's honestly amazing to me because it happens every time I am there but since the food is so good myself and others usually don't mind. *I've also been here during the World Cup and it is an absolute made house and I loved it Pros: Great pub food Great drinks selection Cons: Tight Seating Forgetful wait staff