Wednesday 10th of September 2008 01:40:06 PM

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Murphy’s is a Seattle institution. It was one of the few places in Seattle that carried microbrewery beers in the early days. Now there are quite a few other places to visit, but Murphy’s still holds its own. It’s an Irish pub in style (at least an American version of such) and it looks like it’s been here for generations (although the current location is 3 storefronts down from its earlier and much smaller incarnation). It’s well worn but it feels like a well-loved place as opposed to a rundown place and is comfortable and inviting and the beer makes it well worth the visit.

When we were last there, there were 7 craft beers plus two on cask (and the cask-conditioned Skagit River IPA was superb and quite well kept) and it was a balanced selection, if not the most innovative we’ve ever seen: Whistler Pale Ale, Pyramid, Alaskan Amber, Manny’s Pale, Sierra Nevada Pale, Sawtooth Ale, and Boundary Bay IPA. There were also 8 major beers and a cider: Guinness, Murphy’s, Stella Artois, Newcastle, Bass, Bodingtons, Paulaner, PBR, and Fox Hard Cider.

There is a nice oak bar in the shape of two sides of a square and a great oak bar back with Celtic designs etched in the glass cabinet doors. The ceilings are tall (painted brown) and the ceiling and walls are decorated with British pub towels, beer/liquor posters, and mirrors and Irish and US flags. All the wood (bar and tables) is fairly light in color, including a built-in wooden bench along the two sides with windows. One corner of the room is dedicated to darts and another to a stage, where there is frequent music in the evenings, and of course, Irish music on St. Patrick’s Day. A fireplace divides the bar area from the music area. There are at least 5 TVs

We haven’t often eaten here, so can’t really say much about the food, but fish & chips and burgers are prominent on the menu.