Even though it was police appreciation day, the hostess was able to sit us immediately. The waitress stopped by within five minutes to take our beverage and appetizer order. Beverages promptly came to our table, and the appetizer showed up sooner than expected. However, the spinach artichoke dip top was cheesy and bubbly, but when you dipped into the center of the dip, it was still quite cold.. Obviously, taking out of the refrigerator covered in cheese and then put under the salamander to melt the cheese however, it did not get the dip hot. We shared a classic Reuben that came with french fries and a tasty coleslaw. The sandwich was good. read more

Kelly's Irish Times - Small bar- good place for a group to hang out - Dive Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I read some good reviews about them being one of the best places for fish and chips. Disappointment is an understatement. The fish was definitely not filets. It was two pieces of fish sticks about one and a half times as big as a fish stick. Being a famed Irish restaurant, it was a shame. Never again. Tim read more

I visited here during police week in DC. The bar was insanely packed, but even with how busy it was, I was able to make my way to the bar and get served right away. I only enjoyed drinks while here, but my drinks were strong and made well. The bartenders were friendly. This is a cop bar with tons of department patches covering the walls. There was great music playing and overall a great time. A DJ showed up to play. In the front of the bar, they opened up a separate cooler area with several choices of beers to help accommodate the number of people and speed up service getting another drink. If you are in this area of DC, definitely stop in and get some drinks and enjoy the vibes. It was also easy to get an Uber from this location. Next time I visit, I will try the food. read more

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I had to give fish and chips a try everywhere I go! The drinks and food at this spot is pretty good. It's a lively pub, I'd love to come back here read more

Kelly's Irish Times - Fish and Chips - Dive Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The white male bartender was either a racist, misogynist, or both! 10 of us Latinas went on 4/21/26 and we ordered food and drinks. However, the white male bartender started being rude to us and began to complain about serving us. He got mad that a white male customer had walked out because of the wait - mind you, this customer ended up coming back. The bartender aggressively said to us "I'm losing customers because I've been serving you!" Yet, we were paying customers. I had planned to order more drinks, but after this interaction I decided this business would no longer get my money. From the looks of it, a white male's money was valued more than 10 of us Latinas' money. read more

Random Sunday funday in dc. food: TOTS and FRIES. Tots came out the perfect eating temperature (don't know or cares if that was a god or bad thing bc yummy) and crispness. Fries were hot and slightly mushy (like back in the day Wendy's fries). I liked it especially with the cheese sauce that we know is super unhealthy and still will eat. server: DOUG. Awesome. Attentive. Honest with the fries v. tots v. onion rings suggestion. Appreciate the food honestly. Apparently their onions rings are delicious. Maybe I'll come back to find out. ambiance: Perfect random Sunday. Nice random people. Nice service (thanks, DOUG! You rock!). Decent bar food. Women's bathroom doesn't smell the best. I wasn't there for the bathroom though. If bathrooms matter to you in the ocd/germaphobe way, you may want to hold it). read more

Kelly's Irish Times - TOTS & FRIES | yum. Tots came out perf temp. Not sure if that is good or bad [ONION RINGS solid. Usu don't like them.. these are great] - Dive Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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It's a rocking place for st Patrick's day. Good drinks and food. Nice patrons... best in the area! read more

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Male bartender with glasses was extremely rude and unwelcoming. First time I have experienced that at an Irish bar. We are a super friendly group of people and he was so awful it prompted me to leave a bad review which I rarely do. Why work in customer service????? read more

Amazing Irish pub in capital hill area. Cheap drinks and tons of seating. Staff is friendly and treats you like regulars. We came here multiple times during our trip because we liked it so much. Laid back vibes and off the beaten path. Loved the patch wall in the back and police memorabilia. read more

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At best mediocre. The bartender met every stereotype of apathy and focusing on his friends. They made the recommendation for the fish and chips. I would not. Everything was bland. Fries were soggy. Beer was ok, just not to my liking. Limited selection on IPAs but I expect that of an Irish pub. Had an old Irish pub feeling. Would not say a clean old feeling, just an old feeling. I wrapped up quick and just went back to my hotel. Probably won't be back. read more

Great bar right near the Capitol and Union Station. Nice drinks and decent menu. Feels like a no judgment place. Definitely try it. 4 stars

How is it that you kept the remaining amount of money from $17 and some change from the $20 bill I gave you? What kind of service is that? The Fish & chips were 4 stars( being that they were once frozen and only came with a small container of tartar sauce. You need to request more in order to finish the meal.) Upstairs is loud filled with lots of people but downstairs is more chill... so recommend the ambiance downstairs. read more

Fantastic little Irish pub with friendly locals and bartenders. The ambiance is a cop bar feel which is up my alley. Lots of cool decor and patches all over the bar. Decent prices for the area. read more

Seated and had drinks within minutes of walking through the door. Very friendly service but after getting our drinks It was a long time before server came back for food order. Food was as expected for a dive bar. Average but priced accordingly. read more

Kelly's Irish Times - Support our law enforcement officers! - Dive Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Kelly's can either be a hit or miss for many people. You never know what the vibe is really going to be in Kelly's, sometimes it will be completely dead but sometimes it will be much more packed and loud, but that is the Kelly's experience. As a regular, I have enjoyed going there for a quick drink with friends. The ambiance is really casual and it's a nice play to do a happy hour. Once you get to know them the bartenders are really friendly and can give good recommendations on drinks. The bar food in general has been pretty decent and is not overpriced. The side of tator tots always hit though the bar service in general can sometimes be a bit slow depending on how busy it is. Kelly's definitely gives dive bar energy but be warned, the bathroom is absolutely terrifying (go anywhere else even if it is the street). read more

One of my favorite Irish pub in the area. I would definitely recommend visiting it during the Police week in June - you'll be surprised! read more

Kelly's Irish Times - Goose Island IPA - Dive Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

It's a diver bar. The floors are uneven. (Seriously, watch your step!) Things are sticky. Service is slow. Wouldn't trust the food. Beer list is average. But we come for the convenience and the conversation. The bartenders will actually remember your name and your preferred order. read more

Been here a few times and I really want to love it. I honestly do. I like the atmosphere of the pub, kind of a dive. The hot pretzels are good. However, the service is such a big letdown. Whether seated at the bar or a table, it is always lacking. This last time I asked the server for my check three times only to find her standing at the bar playing on her phone. Not cool. read more

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The bar of my workplace! Love this place. Always good service. I came very late the other day to meet friends and needed to order dinner. The corned beef was fantastic, A++ would eat again. Potatoes were okay. Cabbage lackluster but can't ask much from a place like this. Here's a better cabbage recipe for this place and anyone reading: 1/2 large head cabbage or 1 small head cabbage (green) 1/2 yellow onion 3/4 - 1 cup water 1 tsp garlic salt Add all ingredients to a pan, cover, venting slightly, until wilted. Anyway, would recommend Kelly's. Solid dive bar! read more

If in DC, you have to go to Kelly's Irish Times bar. There's a reason why it's so popular. There's seating inside and out and the staff is very friendly. Our server (Cerniglio?) was amazing and even lent me her phone charger when I mentioned my phone battery was low. The food was brought out quickly and of course nothing better than enjoying a cold beer with our food. If in DC, stop by and enjoy the food and hospitality of the staff. My wife and I will definitely come back. Cheers read more

Kelly's Irish Times - Outside view of Kelly's Irish Times - Dive Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Kelly's is true dive bar. Serving Capitol Hill since 1978. You can smell the stale beer and the back bar has patches from every police force hanging on the wall. Nothing fancy here just cold beer, Guinness, cocktails and a place to meet your friends. They have live music on weekends (pre Covid). They have good burgers and bar food. Wings, fries & tots. I'm all about those Tots. Because of Covid they have limited hours & are closed on Sundays. They are doing indoor dining & takeout. read more

Kelly's Irish Times - The Bar. - Dive Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

With the exception of two patrons at the bar, we were the only dining customers. This is a typical Irish bar which serves food. We both have the fish and chips. The fish are fried to perfection. The bartender waited on us, the service was okay. Not much ambiance for this once thriving bar/restaurant. We were surprised it was still in business. The fish and chips were a lot better than the Dubliner. read more

Kelly's became my spot when I was in DC. Great atmosphere, great food, and some decent employees. Not being from DC or visiting very often you go with the flow when you are with a group of people that know a thing or two. There was no debate my first night here, I was told we were coming here and that we did. My first visit here started out as a day drinking/happy hour trip and ended up with us eating dinner. I didn't look at the menu because I was eyeing up the specials on the board. I was kind of craving a burger and they had their 'The BBQ' on special. I wanted it, you said BBQ and I knew that was exactly what I was suppose to have. The burger was a thick and juicy one that was topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, onion straws and of course BBQ sauce. Served with fries and it was a complete, typical bar food meal. My next go at this place for food was more in line with their name, fish and chips. I have no idea why I crave this all the time now, but I do. I want it all the time. They did not disappoint either. Nice fluffy beer battered fish planks served with crispy crisps, Cole slaw and a nice tartar sauce. The Cole slaw had me wanting more, it was a nice cool flavor that complimented the freshly fried fish and chips. Give the fish a squirt of the lemon and on they way you go. My last visit that consisted of me eating here I went with the fish tacos. I paired them with tater tots. What I think is the same fish that is served for the fish and chips piled into flour tortillas with a cilantro slaw and chipotle aioli. That aioli packed a punch. It was spicy but when paired with the slaw, it evened out. Now as for the decor in here, it looks just like a pub should look. Police badges from varying cities across the states and globe adorn the walls. Pictures of noted political and entertainment celebrities are throughout. And let's talk about the bathroom for a bit here. It is small and cramped. As a fellow patron said to me when I apologized for walking in, "The bathroom is designed for maximum awkwardness." And I have to say I enjoyed the googly eyes on all the signs in the bathroom. As for the staff, everyone but one bartender was a delight to deal with. My last visit this bartender seemed bothered by patrons that weren't regulars. Not everyone that enters your establishment is going to be well known to you. Answer the questions with some poise. When I had to remind this bartender that I never received my drink refill all I got was a snarky "I'm getting it." No apology, just the sense that I was bothering him. I am glad that you weren't there for each of my visits or else this review may have had a different tone. Learn some manners. read more

Kelly's Irish Times - Fish and chips. - Dive Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I love Kelly's Irish Times. I'd known it was there forever, but never went in until earlier this year -- maybe March? Now, I go at least once a week and I'd say it's probably one of my 5 favorite bars in the city (definitely top 10). In a town where every bar seems to just be filled with power-hungry 22-year-olds bragging about which senator they're interning for while sipping on over-priced mixed drinks, Kelly's is one of the few places in the city where it feels like everyone just enjoys being themselves, having a beer and some fries, and talking about whatever game is on TV. W/ re: food: The chicken tenders are top-notch (I know...chicken tenders are chicken tenders...but for real, these are better than what you get at most other bars in the city) and the onion rings are exactly what onion rings should be. Crispy & delicious. W/ re: drinks: I'm really just a beer guy -- so I can't speak to anything else, but the beer is cheap, cold, and good. Really can't ask for anything more than that. W/re: staff: They rock. It's rare that you find a bar where it feels like everyone working there is genuinely having a good time and glad to be there. I've been there a number of nights where one of my favorite bartenders, Hunter, will have the night off -- but he'll be at Kelly's anyway because it's just a fun place to hang out. You've got to be a pretty decent bar if your bartenders decide to show up when they aren't even on the clock, right? Kelly's doesn't get overcrowded. It doesn't try to be anything it isn't. It just tries to be a place where you can have a beer, watch a baseball game, munch on fries or pierogies or tots or w/e your potato of choice is, and talk with whoever winds up sitting next to you at the bar. It's one of the rare places you can go in DC where it looks like everyone around you is talking for the sake of talking -- not networking to try and get the next step up in their career. Anyway, between the bar staff, the clientele, the cheap Miller lites, and the perfect chicken tenders (seriously, try 'em), there are few places I'd rather go after work if I need to just forget about my job and relax for a few hours. 10/10. read more

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Kelly's can be smelly and a little gross, but if you can get past that, you'll find that Kelly's rocks! Their bartenders are cool and serve you quickly. They have a ton of seating, including outdoor seating. They also have good drink options, and always have a cider! If you're looking for a place to grab a drink and sit down at a table in the area, check out Kelly's! read more

We are absolutely in love with Mr, Phil. And plan to come everyday between the hours of 12-5 M-F* Forgetting to feed yourself is hard with all the talk in such a historic building. Great company + Plus Phil makes for a pleasant outing. read more

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A true DC classic! This is a great bar filled with locals. The drinks are sold and Everyone is very nice. The food great bar food. It's not fancy but you will feel at home here. It's a great place to watch the game. Go enjoy read more

Kelly's Irish Times - Dive Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We were close by and hungry so "Kelly's Irish Times" looked promising. However, looks can be deceiving. Once we walked in we were instructed to wear our masks. I don't have a issue with masks, don't get me wrong, but we didn't even get a greeting first. I didn't even know we had to find our own seats. He just kept helping the other group. Once we sat ourselves, he apologized for the outburst and offered us menus. We ordered the loaded tater tots and they came out quickly. My brother ordered a drink but they didn't have a ingredient. He made the drink and brought it over. Now back to the tots. They were crunchy and really delicious; I believed we were in for a treat. I ordered the wings and he told me they were big and delicious. My brother got a chicken sandwich. When they came out, the wings were not as big as I was lead to believe, and they were not that good. My brother enjoyed his chicken sandwich and said the onion rings were okay. The bartender came over again and made a comment about me not using my lemon because I ordered another seltzer. Ultimately, my brother spoke to him and he was a nice guy. He actually grew up near me on Long Island. But this review is for the food. I'm pretty sure I won't go back. read more

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How can you mess up an Irish bar!?!! So as you can see... if you're interested anyway, I don't write bad reviews, generally speaking... That said, this place STINKS... At least during the weekday. And I've been to this place before when it was good during the weekday... back in the day. I was in DC on a weekday eve and thought this place would be a good stop but... uh... hard NO on that now. If you want an Irish bar, MOST DEFINITELY GO NEXT DOOR to the Dubliner. I came here BEFORE visiting the Dubliner and asked about how late they would be open, which the guy said 1:00AM. They had 3 people in the bar. I came back AFTER visiting the Dubliner at 11pm and there were 4 people at the bar, 2 were employees and there was NO interest that I was there at all. Some of these reviews talk about how it smells like cat litter and I can only laugh... Meow... At 12:15 one of the "folks at the bar" thought it would be funny if they played a "get the F out" song on the AMI jukebox and I had had enough. I tip VERY WELL at bars and left nothing. If I was the owner? I would come visit my bar at random hours and see what's going on... cuz... uh... you might want to do that. read more

Love Kelly's - a favorite of my group of friends! An affordable spot with a dive-y atmosphere, which is definitely appreciated given the trendy, high-priced DC bar scene. We were always big fans of the $8 beer/shot combo (a tallboy PBR and house whiskey). Close to Union Station, the Hill, etc. Nothing not to like, a great spot to get a drink! read more

Kelly's Irish Times - Dive Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

What a friendly place! The owner Shawn was super kind. If you are in town for the weekend, I would highly recommend visiting this pub. True Irish culture read more

Fantastic atmosphere and service. Definitely try this place out if you're in the area.

After having dinner at Kelly's with my wife and my cousin, I've decided this would not be my first choice for dinner or drinks, much less an Irish Pub. I'm a bourbon guy so I asked for a Manhattan, and it was okay, but barely - too much vermouth for me. My cousin was asking for a martini - only slightly dirtied, but somehow "slightly" got lost in translation. The highlight of my dinner was the clam chowder soup. My dinner, however, was not very memorable. I think it's great they support local police, but the food and drinks just are not to my liking. read more

Kelly's is your classic Irish pub, complete with kitschy decor, dark wood, and low lighting. It's unpretentious, casual, and not expensive. It's also super convenient if you work on the Hill or are in the Union Station neighborhood -- it's a big place, plenty of room to bring a crowd of friends for a drink. And they've got decent beer and whiskey lists. For some reason though, they won't let you pay or order at the bar if you're sitting at a table -- and get kind of rude and dismissive if you try to do it, with no explanation. So you're left waiting on your server, who's likely to get overwhelmed when it's busy there. It's unfortunate, because they've added another bar inside in recent years. The food is also what you'd expect from a pub -- burgers and fries, some rotating specials. Not a ton of vegetarian/vegan options. read more

Not a fan of this place for the following reasons: Tartar sauce was gross, had some sort of cinnamon/sugar in it that made it sweet and unappealing; there weren't any lemon slices/wedges included in the order; ordering online was confusing- thought I was ordering tots to replace fries, but got a whole plate of tots and was charged as such. Fish was ok- pretty small pieces and the restaurant seemed to overcompensate with sides. Just okay, would order again if the above changes were made. The redeeming side was cole slaw. read more

Kelly's Irish Times - Fish and chips - Dive Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The fish and chips at this bar were delicious and the vibe screamed "Irish." Visited here with friends and would recommend: fast service and great location. read more

I was starving after visiting the Postal Museum across the street and thought I'd visit the restaurant that shares my name. I walked in and was probably the first patron of the day, since the majority of the front staff all stopped and stared as I walked in. Not the warmest of welcomes, but they all quickly got their bearings and made sure I was settled. I got a table near the window (and near an outlet, so I could charge my phone!) and had the waitress's full attention even after a large table of people walked in. I had the veggie burger and fries, neither of which were particularly Earth-shatteringly unique but definitely hit the spot. In a city where things are marked up, my entire lunch with tip was only about $15. I would definitely recommend a visit here. read more

Kelly's Irish Times - Dive Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I would say if you're looking for a class dive bar to grab a few drinks and get some cheap eats, then this place should meet all your expectations. I have been there twice in the past few weeks and each time my food was on point. Grilled Portobello sandwich - goatCheese, mushroom, peppers with a aioli sauce that was delicious. BBQ chopped chicken sandwich - This was a special of the day that I think they should add to their regular menu. The chicken was nice and moist and the sauce was on point. To top of off all their sandwich come with a side of either tots, fries, veggie or salad. All for under $10 --- you can't really beat a solid lunch like that. If you're looking for a few drinks they have a good selection. i went on a Thursday and they had DC Brau for $3.00 the entire day (a steal). I will definitely be back!! Don't expect too much in terms of ambience, etc. It's a dive bar people, CMON. read more

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Stayed in DC for a trip and ended up STARVING really late at night. Kelly's happened to be open (and only a quick walk from my hotel) and I'm really happy it was! The atmosphere of the place was so cool and the food was incredible! Will definitely visit again on my next trip! read more

Marie was amazing! Best bartender I have ever witnessed in a long time. So attentive and friendly and efficient. Was food running bartending and bar backing and still had time to chat with the customers! Will definitely be back for her! read more