Irish-Americans have helped shaped this country from the ground up, and one of the greatest gifts they have bestowed upon us is their nourishing selection of food and drink.

In Los Angeles, the finest place to go for the best Guinness on draught and a hearty beef stew is The Irish Times Pub & Restaurant, located in the Culver City area. Under the freeway pass, right on the corner of Motor Ave and National Blvd sits this quaint little bar, unchanged and unwilling to succumb to trite stereotypes. The Times is as traditional as it gets; the customers are loyal, the bar-wenches are quite friendly (if not the least bit cheeky as well), and the music resembles that of a Leprechaun’s happy dance.

When there’s not Live Irish Music bellowing within the dark oak tavern walls (generally live music is performed Thursday thru Saturday 9:30pm-12:30pm), the tunes of choice resemble Brit-pop icons of the 70’s and 80’s (i.e. The Clash, Rolling Stones, U2, Bowie). Generally the place does not get overly packed, but Tuesdays are popular for their weekly Trivia Night. Test your intoxicated brain cells with the DJ host and you just may win a prize…a cash prize! Amenities also include a sturdy old pool table (3 quarters a game), Golden Tee, and of course, a dart board (darts are free!).

Ambience is straight-forward; the Irish flag is front and center, red-leather booths in the dining room, old/nostalgic photographs thrown on the walls, Christmas lights strung randomly, and the faint stench of spilled beer and wool...Aah, just like the days of yore.

Having just returned from my first trip ever to the charming island of Ireland, where the Guinness tastes like holy water and meat and potatoes is what’s for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I was pressed to find a piece of that in the lovely LA basin. I have found The Irish Times to be the closest jump to the green motherland. Sure you can get your Burgers, Chips and Salsa, Nachos, or Buffalo Wings at The Times, if you want. However, I suggest going native and enjoying all the Irish goodies, such as, the Traditional Irish Stew, Fish & Chips, Shepherd’s Pie, Guinness & Beef Pie, and the delicious Bangers & Mash. I am drooling just thinking about it! It doesn’t cost much either; pints are just $4, and the Guinness is only $5.

You will catch the occasional celeb sighting at this local haunt, but the usual crowd consists of down-to-earth, neighborhood regulars. The mix of old and young allows for a diverse blend of personalities; if you really want to feel like your in Ireland, then you’ll spark up a conversation with any bloke or lassie that takes a seat near you. When I went to The Irish Times on St. Patrick’s Day, I got a wonderful earful from a mature Scottish gentleman (complete with a set of bagpipes and kilt). He told me tales of scooping up his wife of 30 years and jokes involving a sheep and…you don’t want to know what else. It’s the characters that really make a place live and breathe. The devotion of The Times clientele is what has solidified its reputation and keeps it thriving.

The Irish Times Pub & Restaurant

3267 Motor Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034 (310) 559-9648

Hours of operation: Sun-Fri: 11am-2am Sat: 2pm-2am

Written by: Erin Landsberg