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Kitty O'Shea's - CLOSED
Categories: Restaurants Irish Nightlife Bars Sports Bars Irish, Sports Bars [Edit]
2403 Wilson BlvdArlington, VA 22201
(703) 522-5295
- Nearest Transit:
-
Courthouse Metro Station (Orange)
Clarendon Metrorail Station (Orange)
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Yes
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
55 reviews for Kitty O'Shea's
Review Highlights
"...watch almost every English Premier League game at this pub..."
(in 3 reviews)
"Kitty O'Shea's is a great neighborhood bar."
(in 4 reviews)
"A truly quality dive for soccer fans and non-fans alike."
(in 12 reviews)
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55 reviews in English
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Review from Sam F.
New Orleans, LA
6/19/2011
They don't have a wide selection of beer on tap, but they have the 'right' selection.
I didn't try the food, but everything else about the visit was nice. The staff was attentive and courteous, though that probably wasn't too difficult since we beat the after-work rush.
I'd definitely like to visit again if I'm in the area. -
Review from Sean T.
12/20/2010 1 Check-in Here
We hit Kitty O'Shea's on the third stop of our Third Quarter Irish Pub Crawl, and I knew right away that this was going to turn into a long stop. This place reminds me of the local pubs where I used to live in Western Ireland - small, cozy, and a bit divey. The crowd was very diverse - from the older set sipping their pints and reading the paper, to the slightly rowdy younger patrons downing shots - a good crowd.
Our barman, Gerry, greeted us right when we came in and was extremely friendly during our entire stay. The pints were perfectly poured, and the crowd was very friendly. One patron actually gave us a couple Georgetown cupcakes for helping her out with the crossword puzzle. I'd definitely like to stop in sometime and catch some rugby or EPL matches. Good craic. -
Review from Lexie D.
2/6/2011
This is the kind of bar where everybody knows your name, except I only came once and felt like I had two heads and didn't belong.
The bar offers a solid on-tap selection of Irish beers (and, oddly, PBR). The menu is standard - decently-priced bar food that tastes as you'd expect and nothing more.
The waitress was a little more concerned with drinking with her friends than refilling my drink, but as I visited on a Thursday, I wasn't too concerned with her speed.
Nothing special, nothing terrible. -
Review from Amanda S.
Arlington, VA
8/25/2010
This is definitely your hole in the wall, family, bar. I enjoy going here it is usually not super crowded. Great place to go with a few friends. The drinks are normal prices, not the necessarily crazy high prices you will see in the rest of arlington.
They do have an outside area which is great in the spring/summer. -
Review from Eric D.
Washington, DC
4/23/2010
Don't bother with Kitty's unless you are interested in investing the time to become a regular. Up until that point you have no guarantee that you will be treated with anything other than disdain.
Now before the whole community comes crashing down, hear me out. I am not one for Clarendon bars. In fact, just last night we left Spider Kelly's because it was a horrifying place and sought the solitude of a bar that was filled with a better clientele and would be showing the soccer game they advertised. Sadly we didn't find either of those things.
Long story short, we encountered a friendly waitress who couldn't help us because the bartender was the boss and he had decided to be an asshat. He wouldn't switch a single TV over to the soccer game they claimed they would be showing because, according to him, people were already watching all of the TVs. Of course nevermind that everyone in the bar (aside from us) was facing in the opposite direction and clearly not watching the TVs that were directly above their heads. When I pointed this out he claimed it was because people had gotten here first and they wanted to watch the NFL Draft.
Bottom Line: I've been to this place several times and I've never expected much, but this last time was the final straw. The food is alright, the beer is fine, the clientele is low-key, and the service by and large sucks. I can put up with apathetic service, but there are far too many other bars I can go to where I at least won't be treated as an annoyance. If you want to avoid the other bars in the area and don't mind putting up with people who will treat you poorly unless you are there 4 nights a week, by all means go to Kitty's. -
Review from Neal E.
11/29/2009
After our UYE P.I.G. visit to The Boulevard Woodgrill, we walked a few blocks to Kitty O'Shea's. My first time here ever, First impression - very small and smoky.
We snagged a table in the back corner and settled in. Our server, a cute blonde came to take our order, I asked her name and then told her she should smile. She did not like that all and came back with a sarcastic comment. I was kind of surprised - as was everyone at the table. We were trying to be friendly and lighthearted with her. Oh well.
Later she came up to me and asked if I was mad at her. I told her I was not mad at her - that we were simply trying to be friendly and engage with her. I took the high road and apologized. She then in turn apologized for her attitude and all was well.
Beer was good, service was pretty good considering how crowded the small place. My beef with the place was the amount of cigarette smoke. I ended up leaving the bar early - I simply could not continue to deal with the smoke. I paid my bill, said my goodbyes, and hit the road.
If the place was smoke-free, it would have earned at least another 1.5 stars. As much as I love Irish pubs - I doubt I will be back. -
Review from Justin C.
9/16/2008 4 photos
Top o' the morning! Or in our case, afternoon...but it was brunch, so that's almost morning, right? I did at least have breakfast food, so I'm pretty sure I'm OK to use Irish cliches, especially since I'm Irish. In my quest to visit every Irish establishment in the DC area I stumbled upon Kitty's, a tiny little roadside pub in Arlington.
Since it was a Saturday, we were of course trolling behind in our usual list of things to do, waking up being the first. We eventually managed to find enough clothes to be presentable to the outside world and haphazardly picked a place off my ever-expanding To Try list, ruling out all things Asian as our stomachs were still reeling from the night before. I thought, what better way to combat post-gastro-depression than with an incredibly large amount of grease, preferably affixed to multiple variations of pork. In walks Mr. Irish Breakfast, and suddenly Bob's your uncle.
I'm convinced whoever came up with the term black "pudding" for a sausage made out of blood must be some ancient descendant of Karl Rove, a pure devilishly deceptive spin-genius. Personally, I love everything in an Irish breakfast, and I even ordered a side of home fries because you can never have enough calories to start the day. There is a bit of a problem when the person sitting across from you doesn't eat pork, so you have to try and enjoy it all without the obligatory hedonistic smugness that usually accompanies a meat induced engorgement. Nicole actually tried the black pudding, much to my surprise, but just don't let her mom find out or I'm a goner.
So a little about Kitty O'Shea's, since this is supposedly about the restaurant. It's not big, so if you're coming during busy hours or for a fútbol (or even football if you want) game expect to be shoulder to shoulder in one of the few remaining bars that allows smoking. This was one of the few detractors (the smoke, not the size) of Kitty's, because there was someone sitting behind us killing themselves at our expense. It's not overly done with the tired Irish theme decorations that seem to litter many of the chain pubs, and the few that are in actually look authentic and cool, not like they picked it up in the international section of HomeGoods. They have plenty of TV's, enough to show every college football game that was on at 1pm, plus 2 European Premiere League games.
My food was great, in the sense that it was exactly what I expected, nothing more nothing less. Nicole got the spinach omelet which was loaded to the brim with cheese and spinach and pretty damn good for a dish without meat. They mistakenly brought out a ham and cheese omelet initially (of course it would contain the one ingredient she couldn't eat), but when I pointed it out they quickly replaced it and didn't charge us for either one, really nice. There was one guy running the bar and waiting all the tables, so I can see how things got a bit hectic. Despite that he seemed to be managing pretty well, and I saw him constantly zip by from one side of the place to the other.
I think this place excels at what it promises, which is why I chose to give it 5 stars, even though I have been to a few pubs which are in my mind better. If I lived closer this would absolutely be my neighborhood bar, and if you're in the Arlington area I suggest you make it yours.Listed in: When Ireland calls...
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Review from James L.
12/1/2009
I had almost forgotten how much fun these P.I.G. outings were so thanks to DC's resident Yelpstar, Tina R, for reviving the tradition. The evening began innocently enough at The Boulevard Woodgrill ( http://www.yelp.com/bi...). I won't waste my time reviewing that place since my impressions are similar to Courtney R's in that to me, it is utterly forgettable - meh!
So after having a few beers at the Woodgrill, our motley crew meandered over the Kitty O'Shea's and while I agree that it is not entirely a "dive" bar, it comes pretty darn close. Lots of wooden tables, and oddly situated and angled tables made for a congested traffic pattern causing many "excuse me's" on my way to the bathroom. But it's a Irish pub and my draft Smithwicks tasted fine and not too chilled as is supposed to be served.
I guess the only one real complaint was the immense amount of cigarette smoke, but that is part of the deal when you enter into a "traditional" Irish pub. I will be interested to come back in a few months to see how the character of this place has changed once Virginia's smoking ban goes into effect. -
Review from Anh H.
Washington, DC
8/12/2010
I'm overstating the quality of this place by giving it a single star. But one star is the lowest you can go.
This place sucked. The service was awful. AWFUL. It took them about 2 hours for us to get served from start to finish. And it wasn't crowded, not at all. Maybe they're racist, and had something against minorities. I wouldn't be surprised if they were. The food was decent. But we came on half-price burger night. So that made it okay. I literally gave them a 10-cent tip. But if we're not worth your time and you're not considerate of ours, then you're not worth a tip anymore than "your place sucks." -
Review from Rahul J.
9/28/2010 2 Check-ins Here
To know me is to know beer. No wait, it's to love beer. Something like that. Anyhow, this is a god damned nice place to drink.
Dirty, gritty, beer soaked wooden floors. No flashy bar mats on the counter or velvet cushions on stools; just simply roll up your sleeves and don't let your ass complain. Features friendly bar tenders, but only if you're recognized (there), and very animated patrons (trust me, talk to a stranger and you'll be legitimately educated on anywhere from the Black-Sholes model to bohemian colonies in Richmond).
They make no excuses or pretentions when it comes to their pub food: fish and chips on the Wednesday, pies on the Tuesday, and bangers and mash on the Saturday morning (they serve all this every day, but I'd do it in that order). -
Review from Gayle G.
Woodbridge, VA
2/8/2007
Just what this area needs..another Irish bar (insert sarcasm here). But, I will give Kitty's props, they do it well.
The block bar is on is a bit odd. I was walking along and saw a vac cum cleaner store, and then BOOM -- Irish bar. It is a small-ish place which makes it feel cozy when it is not super crowded. But, as the night went on, and more and more folks stuffed in..it felt cramped. That tends to be the case for most tiny, popular bars. No cover, which is sweet. They don't charge cover (or at least they didn't last year) for St Patty's day, either.
The food is pretty much what you would expect: Irish-style bar food. Entree items include Shepard's Pie, and fish and chips (both are really good).
The bartenders here are friendly and quick. I recommend going with crowd. Kitty's has a bunch of televisions for all kinds of sports -- the main attraction here is Aussie Rules football. Oh, and the quiz night on Wednesdays is fun.Listed in: Luck Of The Irish
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Review from William P.
Gaithersburg, MD
7/14/2010
I live and work in MD and you VA peeps are lucky to have this place.....they treated me a FIRST TIMER like a REGULAR. Nice clean small place cozy up to the bar and meet wonderful barkeep Ashley (a George Mason student) $4 Blue Moons during HH and friendly regulars at the bar. Decent HUGE blackened chicken sandwich with fries $8.95.....
Didn't have a plan on going here but glad I did and will be back. Nice corner there.....you got Thai at Corner, Kitty's, Velocity 5 and Ray's the Steaks. All winners indeed. If you went during WC month of course it was crowded and service spotty, youngsters. -
Review from David O.
Arlington, VA
6/29/2010
I'm a big fan of Kitty's. Best reason. Danny, the owner. Danny's been around bars for a long time. He is from Ireland.
I'm sort of a semi regular. Its not a stuffy place. Its easy to become a regular there. For a bar the food is way above average with some excellent meals and values.
Hey its an active sports bar. TV's everywhere and a real strong soccer (futball) hangout with knowledgable fans.
If you are in the neighborhood definitely worth stopping by. -
Review from Mike S.
Arlington, VA
3/28/2009
The cultural heritage of Kitty O'Sheas, may be lost to an average Arlington resident, thus the pub may come across as an average Arlington establishment. However closer inspection reveals a whole host of ex-pat ties that link the quaint pub to cultures and continents abroad.
For starters let's take a look at their name: most likely an homage to a storied figure in Irish and English politics (Katherine O'Shea), if nothing else for her ties to Charles Parnell, founder and leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party.
Second, look at their broadcasting schedule of the Premiership. You can watch almost every English Premier League game at this pub, I should know as I'm there practically every Saturday or Sunday to watch the Chelsea match. That being said, this IS NOT a Chelsea bar; it's not a United bar; it is indeed a Liverpool bar.
This pub is a Liverpool establishment, make no mistakes about it. From the Liverpool crest on the wall, to the Robbie Fowler autobiography lofted above the tables at eye-level with the TVs, it is evident. Not that the large red-sporting group gatherings on Saturdays and Sundays wouldn't tip you off first.
Now as for the food, it really is a steal for most of the prices you'd pay for brunch elsewhere in the area. You can always get a breakfast sandwich and a cup o' joe for well under $10.00. I love how most yelpers refer to their authentic Irish and English pub-grub, which for the most part is spot on. But it begs the question, if the cuisine is not made by the Irish or English is it still authentic? I say sure why not! That being said, I pretty much get the special every Sat/Sun morning. It's usually a breakfast burrito, or an enchilada of some kind, GET IT, it never disappoints. -
Review from Bill R.
Emeryville, CA
7/10/2007
Great place I visited on a recent trip. Great food. Makes me Irish heart proud!!
I Loved the visit!! -
Review from Sally M.
11/16/2008
An ex-boyfriend first brought be here for brunch, and since we broke up a few months before my big move to SF, I left it alone, so as not to run into him at "his place". Luckily, it's now a year and a half later, so all bets are off!
I met a couple friends here yesterday for Saturday Brunch and got the fabulous Irish breakfast I had remembered:
DUBLIN CITY -
A classic fry with Two Eggs, Irish Sausage, Irish Rashers, Black & White Pudding, Irish Beans, Grilled Tomato & Toast
Sounds yummy, right? It was. -
Review from Dan i. C.
Updated - 1/7/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Yes it's official I love this place! Great vibe, staff, and regulars. Man, I would hang out here in a heartbeat, of course, if I lived here. Damn I will miss this area:(
1 Previous Review:
-
1/5/2011
Four words; I LOVE This Place!
Remember to tell them Dan sent you and Stay Hungry!
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Review from Jennifer S.
Arlington, VA
9/27/2006 1 photo
How sad a day it was when Joseph's (a local dive that served great greasy food, cheap) moved out and Kitty moved in. Wasn't it enough that Molly Malone's opened down the street just a few months before? Were all the Irish bars of the world going to congregate in my corner of the planet and choke me with their Guinness pours? Yes, it seems so, because another Irish place opened soon after this one too - Ri Ra. If you've read any of my reviews of Irish pubs, you'll know I am not a fan. Ditto for sports bars. Kitty O'Shea's bills itself as both - lucky me! While two things I despise co-exist in one locale, this bar at the corner of Wilson Blvd. and N. Adams Street did one good thing and that was to add some nightlife to a quiet block. I am hopeful that other COOLER bars will follow.
Kitty's has some limited outdoor seating which tends to be popular. The inside consists of one small room with seats at the wooden bar, a couple tall tables and a few booths. Small rooms fill up quickly and this place generally draws a crowd - mostly men. Kitty's features all the typical schtick that an Irish sports bar could offer- quiz night on Wednesday, Guinness on tap, sports on Sunday (which is sometimes subbed with a movie) and televisions in every corner showing every game under the sun. Since the food is slightly better than most, I could see myself watching NCAA games here, but let's not get crazy.
With a decent brunch (served until 3 PM) and a better-than-most regular menu, I can actually find something to eat when forced to hang here. Half-price specials on both the traditional Irish and pub food run throughout the week and during major sporting events. -
Review from David K.
1/22/2009
Kitty O'Shea's is a great neighborhood bar. It is probably only about 200 square feet of seating, but it feels cozy and like a real Irish pub. The servers are friendly, the service is fast, and the jukebox is always going. There are often large groups here to watch soccer on the TVs. I found it to be a mediocre place to watch football because of the smaller TVs and less than optimal TV placement, but it is still fine place to go on any night. The trivia night in particular is fun, although very crowded.
I have eaten their burger which is good but not exceptional, as well as ther fish and chips which I found to be bit flavorless. Perhaps some work on the batter is needed, although everywhere can't be as tasty as Eamonn's. Overall, the food is fine, but won't wow you. I imagine most people are coming for liquid refreshment rather than food though.
Keep a special eye out for Danny, the publican, he is a riot and always makes sure to take care of his customers. -
Review from Jon L.
3/1/2009
If your looking for an Authentic neighborhood Irish Pub...look no further!
There are alot of appealing aspects to KOS but let me start with the primary one first...can you say Guiness. You will not find a fresher, cleaner more refreshing pint outside of County Doneghal. Danny the properietor will tell you the reason it's so good is the decidcated tap lines. They only run Guiness thru the line not multiple beers as so many other Pubs do & they are cleaned at least every two weeks.
Danny is a former soccer player from County Doneghal...thus the commitment to showing league soccer on the multiple screens.
As other's have noted this place is small in size but large in presence.
You won't find multiple wide screen plasmas but they have a few and you will always find them tuned to a game. They are a knowledgeable soccer crowd so if your a true fan of 'football' you'll feel right at home.
During NFL Season, they carry DTV Sunday ticket and you'll find the usual Redskins and Cowboys fans living in peacful co-existince.
The crowd is a regular mix of neighborhood locals. The reputation of this place reaches far beyond DC so don't be surprised if you hear accents from around the world.
The food is authentic Irish as well. It's what I call Irish Pub grub. For a starter try the Spinach & Feta Pie, this is outstanding. For main's try the Sheppards Pie or the Corned Beef & Cabbage. You won't be disappointed.
If your going to join for dinner, ask for Matilda, she'll point you to the juke box and give you some pointers on the pubs favorite tunes.
During the Spring & Summer there's a sidewalk patio where you can get full service and enjoy the sights and sounds of the neighborhood.
If you you've had a pint or two beyond your limit...It's easy stumbling distance to the Court House Metro. If your driving there's ample free parking in the rear. -
Review from Edward P.
Columbia, MD
3/11/2008
Though the Bar itself can be a little walk and I must agree is located in a rather odd area of town, it is Arlington so real estate I imagine is really where ever you can find it.
As a rule I tend to give any bar about 3 visits before I make a opinion. one weekend, one weekday and one happy hour, just to get a good feel for the place.
Kitty's has def. become a good spot for my friends and I over the past month however. the bar is small but the waitstaff has really been always polite and friendly, even on Saturdays when the place is packed to the brim and one would not blame them for being more gruff then usual.
place has a lot of regulars so if you are just looking for a brew and a stool then on a weekday this is a great place. Also their 1/2 price burgers are surprisingly delicious. I tend to eat my own burger with just some red onions and touch of mayo because I don't want to overpower the taste of the burger and they cooked n seasoned it just right!
Beer is always a good option. Their house microbrew is actually quite good and a great deal when it comes by the pitcher.
on weekends though word of warning because like any good pub / bar this place can get packed ans has limited seating so if you don't get there early you should check that you are ok with standing.
decor is like most irish pubs but it is the atmosphere which sets this one apart. little more relaxed and that is reflected not only in the feel of the place but the majority of the patrons as well.
also though I don't think they have a bouncer these guys have enough regulars that if anyone start trouble these guys pretty much have their own inhouse posse, which i thought was interesting.
so overall somewhere i would def recommend for when your looking for a place where the beer is good and the crowd is friendly. one of my own favorites. -
Review from Oliver R.
Arlington, VA
9/19/2009
The most authentic of the Irish pubs in the Clarendon/Courthouse area, Kitty's is a good place to grab a drink during the week.
A little less puke on your shoes rowdiness and a little more old guy reading the paper at the bar while rugby is on.
If you're looking to grab a drink while avoiding the clubish-rubbish of the other bars on Wilson this is the place for you.
They could use a better beer selection by my taste. -
Review from Jack F.
8/26/2010
CliffsNotes: Small and quaint, it's your typical Irish-themed neighborhood bar that you'd find with loyal customers who keep coming back. Probably not the most authentic Irish menu but a good meeting place for small gatherings. Tuesday night trivia is not well attended so maybe your chances are better here. [Original Visit: August 25, 2010]
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Review from Jim A.
Arlington, VA
7/21/2007
Best Irish bar in the area.
Properly poured Guinness, lots of regulars willing to share some crack (not the drug, but a bit of Irish patter).
Food is way above average for pub food. Small and smokey, this is a bar. Not for kids. If you hunker down at the bar too long, somebody will soon be buying rounds of shots. Great place to pass a rainy Sunday in November. Outdoor seating is OK during summer evenings, but the real deal is inside.
Never knew Joseph's (the local dive it replaced), but this is a pretty damn good bar. -
Review from Eddie S.
Arlington, VA
8/3/2008
Nice cozy place to hang and socialize.
Unlike several others who have posted here, I really don't give a flying fig which "corner" of Wilson Blvd. it sits on.....? -
Review from Jed W.
7/21/2009
I've been here a couple of times, all late night experiences, but haven't quite grasped what makes this place so highly touted on Yelp. Maybe it really is the brunch or the soccer games, both of which I haven't really tried out here. It's been basically the same story every time I've been - some old fellas drinking at the bar, some younger looking dudes all over the place, one or two cute female bartenders and a smattering of girls in the place. Drink a couple of beers, and then head out. They do have a decent number of TVs, but it doesn't help when some of your TVs are under 9 inches. Plus, the place is not non-smoking, stupid Virginia, so I get that nice smoky smell on my clothes whenever I leave.
I'll try the place out when soccer season rolls around again, and maybe catch a couple of football games there as well - which would be a good time to try out their brunch! But, for the bar experience, three stars. Decent dive bar, but nothing special. But, if you're a single girl looking to meet guys, I'd go here. If you're a group of single girls, then the place would just probably explode. -
Review from Alex S.
Baltimore, MD
1/21/2007
Smoky but outside patio is nice when it's warm. Good service and burgers are great (even though it's across the street from Five Guy's). Wings are average. Mostly male and alot of them middle aged. Usually at least one A-hole plastered and talking to himself.
A lot of Carolina Panthers fans on Sundays. Half price burgers during NFL. Good place to grab a drink with friends.
Update: they must've changed the wing recipe. They were actually pretty good last time I had them. Half price on Monday nights. -
Review from Chris A.
Washington, DC
2/24/2008
This was stop 3 of 6 on a state line crossing pub crawl last night, and it was my favorite of the lot. A common theme among reviews of Irish pubs is how tired the faux-Irish atmosphere is. The whole failure by trying too hard problem didn't seem to strike Kitty O'Shea's, and it's probably helpful that the owner is straight from Ireland (via some time in NY) and that he was nice enough to hang out with us on a busy Saturday night so that I'd even know that. The wait staff was also really nice, which is kind of amazing when you consider that we invaded the place with some 40 of us that had been drinking for a good four hours. Kudos to them.
A fun place to hang out, especially if you're already in that neck of the woods. I don't see myself making any special trips out there, but it's much better than the majority of the bars on the Clarendon-Courthouse strip. -
Review from Derrick L.
San Francisco, CA
5/21/2009
I usually go watch football matches here because it's cozy and friendly. They attract some American-turned-scouzers mostly, but also some stray Londoners.
The food is hit-or-miss. The beer is fine.
You go here because you like the atmosphere, but I can understand people not liking the place. -
Review from Ben W.
Arlington, VA
7/10/2009
Definitely one of your quintessential neighborhood dive bars.
I haven't tried the food, so to be fair this is only based on the drinking/experience side, but I was not all that impressed.
The service in the couple times I've been there has been hit-or-miss, as in, 'Miss, could you please come to my table occasionally?'
The beer is overpriced and my Guinness did not have the proper pour, but life can occasionally be full of little disappointments.
The clientèle is pretty much what you'd expect in an Irish bar, sans the tremendous number of frat-boy douchebags inhabiting all the other 'Irish' bars in the area.
Overall, its an ok place as a casual hangout. The prices are a little more reasonable than all the other bars in the area, but it still seems overpriced when the drinks aren't extraordinary and the Guinness isn't perfect. -
Review from David S.
Arlington, VA
9/21/2009
We went there for the Sunday brunch with some friends, and were disappointed on a few levels.
The bar was smoky, even at 10am (there was a soccer game on the tv, and the place was packed). So we sat outside, and after ordering our food, had to wait 45 minutes for it to arrive.
My plate was kind of sad. By comparison I just got back from the UK, and had the pleasure of ordering a "full english" breakfast most of the days. So when I saw what was on the plate (single over cooked sausage, crispy potatoes, single sad rasher, undercooked eggs, dry black and white pudding, beans and toast), it was a bit of a let down. Flavor-wise it was OK. But i ended up drowning everything in HP sauce.
Good the Bloody Mary was perfect. Otherwise I might have said something.
We probably won't do that again. -
Review from Seriously C.
Arlington, VA
3/22/2008
I have been to many bars but this Irish bar always pours a perfect pint of
Guinness. Many bars will slop the beer in unofficial pints and not let it settle before slinging it in front of you, aghhhh!!! Kitty's owner is born and raised from Ireland which is good for an Irish bar. If your looking for a futball match / soccer, you can be sure kitty's will have 7am openings for those across the pond live matches. I've noticed the regulars range from Arlington's highly educated to the common village idiot. Great place for an evening of sports. -
Review from Aaron S.
Falls Church, VA
2/26/2009
A truly quality dive for soccer fans and non-fans alike.
This is the kind of great place that I fear won't be in this part of Arlington for much longer. -
Review from black p.
Annandale, VA
11/30/2009
was three sheets to the wind by the time us fellow PIG yelp faces headed here Sat night from Boulevard Woodgrill.
so... here's what i remember.
the joint was packed prior to us getting there. somehow, the fifteen or so of us still managed to shut it down in the back corner claiming it as our own.
smoke. a lot of it. ain't complaining. don't mind the smoke... and quite frankly, gonna miss it once the law changes in VA.
drinks. i didn't pay for any there. score. thanks again, Jason!
pictures. a shit load were taken. and i look like a retahd in 80% of them. Anna, you're a hell of a photo opportunist. i need to become much more assertive w/ my cam. you've inspired me.
fun. a lot of it. what a great group of yelp peeps... all fun. no drama. can't wait for the next PIG outing! love youze guys
this bar is three stars all da way... would def come back -
Review from Monty C.
Arlington, VA
11/30/2009
It is weird to hear Kitty O'Shea's referred to as a dive bar for anyone that remembers when Joseph's occupied that space. Joseph's was a complete shithole of the highest order. It was completely gutted three or four years ago and is now virtually unrecognizable. Kitty's is OK I suppose, but it seems like all the character was swept out with the renovation. It is kind of like a pair of jeans that still needs to be broken in. Plus, at nearly $20 for a pitcher of Yuengling, there are plenty of other pubs in the neighborhood with more to offer than Kitty O'Shea's.
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Review from Allyson P.
Washington, DC
11/30/2009
I probably shouldn't write a review, because I don't actually remember much about this bar. But the fact that I don't remember anything means I was probably having fun. And judging from the pictures my husband took, I certainly appeared to be having a good time. Not sure if the fun was due to the bar itself or just the awesome yelpers I was with, but probably both, so I'm gonna go ahead and give it 4 stars.
Listed in: Out in the 'burbs
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Review from Bassey E.
Arlington, VA
1/26/2009
Kitty O'Shea's is a soccer bar where old men come to spend their pensions after years working at the scrap yard. It's where dreams come to die. I love it! The atmosphere is somber and the regulars are intimdating. It's a bare bones bar, few frills. Not surprised this is the first place I EVER had a whiskey drink. It just fits. Come here after you've had a domestic altercation and the cops are after you. Come here to drink away your kid's college money. Come here if you're on a "Leaving Las Vegas" kick. Come here to get away and cure what ails you.
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Review from MiC g.
Silver Spring, MD
2/28/2009
a friend of mine comes here a lot ( a guy kind of like what basey e. described) and i have met him (and others) for a drink or two before and what can i say other than that it is a perfect sized dive bar.
it is low key pseudo - cheers good times. the staff is very friendly. -
Review from Beryl L.
Washington, DC
2/21/2011
Dived into a Kitty burger after wading my way to the outside seating area on invitation from someone familiar with the nooks of the thoroughfare that is wilson (which often causes thoughts of Cast Away to surface to my noggin). Never did make it into the overly shaded bar that crystalline-sunny day. Aside from the pleasing-as-punch patio settings, the meal was remotely-far from bogus on that burger bogo day, especially for ratio of food givings. It was rare fare as I emphasized for specs, but I was raring to receive it for a prolonged period: I'm sure they wanted to get it 'just right' on the first day that 'saw the light' this season. Eaten with fork 'n' knife as it was plenty juiceful. Got the best of both sides of the coin in terms of meal accessories. A salad of 'berg was paired with the burg' so I was handed booty of spice fries in a lifeboat-oval basket to boot, with absolutely no prompting or mutinous calling out from me.
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Review from Ben T.
Arlington, VA
10/19/2010
I love Kitty's. It's a great place to grab a burger and watch soccer or rugby! The staff is great, usually pretty funny and the atmosphere is relaxed. When I am trying to avoid the usual Arlington madness this is where I go!
