Any conversation about Irish pubs in St. Louis is sure to include O’Connell’s. The popular restaurant and bar has been serving casual fare and cold Guinness for decades. O’Connell’s is a favorite destination for locals looking for a good burger, fish and chips, or onion rings.
O’Connell’s is located at 4652 Shaw Avenue in South St. Louis, just south of I-44 and Kingshighway Boulevard. The kitchen is open Monday through Saturday from 11am to 6pm. M. At midnight, and on Sundays from 11 a. M. At 10 p. M. If you’re just going for a drink, the bar stays open even later. Bar hours are Monday through Thursday until 1:30 am, Friday and Saturday until 3 am and Sunday until midnight. You can reach O’Connell at (314) 773-6600.
An informal place
One word you won’t hear to describe O’Connell is “elegant.” This place is the epitome of the casual, from the food to the decor. O’Connell’s has been open at its current location for over 40 years, and the worn look is part of the charm.
The space is divided into two areas. When you walk in, you will be in the bar section. This area is dominated by a classic wooden bar along one wall. There are stools and some tables too. It is the perfect setting to share a few pints or whiskeys with friends. If you know a little about Irish history, you will recognize the image of Michael Collins hanging prominently behind the bar.
The restaurant section is a larger area filled with dark wood tables and booths, tin ceilings, and antique lamps. There is a large table in the middle of the room that can accommodate larger groups. The rest of the seating is primarily for groups of four to six.
Favorite foods
O’Connells offers a simple pub food menu that hasn’t changed much in decades. One of the best options for many is the hamburger, which often ranks first in local food surveys. The burger is nine ounces of grilled beef cooked to order. The ingredients are simple. There are no caramelized onions or goat cheese here. You can get onions and pickles, but not tomatoes. O’Connell’s prohibits the use of tomatoes as a condiment. Apparently, until the tomatoes taste good all year long, they won’t come close to an O’Connell burger.
Right behind the burger in popularity is O’Connell’s roast beef sandwich. Cut to order, the roast beef is fresh, pink, and lean. It is a stuffed sandwich that combines very well with onion rings. Specials are offered for each day of the week, with fish and chips in the pub on Friday nights. Mushrooms stand out among appetizers, just be sure to order a side of the homemade Mayfair dressing for dipping.
No irish music
Newcomers may be surprised O’Connell’s doesn’t have Irish music like many other pubs in town. You can find good Irish music at McGurk’s in Soulard, but that’s not what O’Connell’s is about. The key to success for an Irish pub like O’Connell’s is its ability to encourage conversation and make guests happy. Judging by these criteria, O’Connell’s is the perfect destination.
More dinner ideas
St. Louis offers a wide variety of dining options for all tastes. Be sure to check out the best Italian restaurants on the hill, the best breakfast and brunch spots in St. Louis, or any of the famous foods in St. Louis.
