Molly Maguires might be the most neighborhoody Irish pub on this list. It’s tucked away in the West Woodland section of Ballard that seems to be trying to rebrand as Stumbletown. Whether or not that will stick, Molly Maguires adds to the stumbling with no fewer than four classic Irish drafts: Kilkenny, Smithwick’s, Guinness, and Harp, alongside a number of other local and import brews. The food here seems to be in flux at the moment: There used to be a menu of homey Irish classics available, but during our most recent visit, menus were not available. No matter — don’t want to be weighed down for karaoke here on Thursday or Friday anyway.

A great people-watching spot thanks to comfortable booths along large front windows, a long bar, and a side patio along Market Street, Old Pequliar is a respite from the louder bars in Seattle. Guinness and Smithwick’s are on tap, and the atmosphere is generally understated Irish pub zen, complete with a vibey fireplace. While it’s more of a watering hole than an eatery, OP does have a small menu of economical and simple bar snacks that are even more economical during the 4 to 7 p.m. happy hour. (We thought we were being given a happy hour price when the generously sized duo of juicy lamb sliders and with fries we ordered appeared on the check for $11, but it turned out that’s the regular price.)

Murphy’s has been a Wallingford institution since opening in 1981, and claims to be Seattle’s first Irish pub. Whether or not that’s wholly accurate, it’s at the very least the longest-running Irish pub still in existence within Seattle city limits. Though it went through a decade of malaise after founder Chris Barnes sold it in 2001, its current owners have restored its charm ever since taking over in 2015. Murphy’s checks every single box you could want in this type of bar: There’s plenty of rustic atmosphere with prominent woodwork, dark walls, stained glass accents, and a fireplace. There’s abundant seating to accommodate groups, including a snug sofa and coffee table area, along with an inviting back patio. There’s a wide variety of beer on draft, with Irish essentials such as Harp, Smithwick’s, Kilkenny, and (of course) Guinness in addition to local brews, augmented by a good selection of whiskey. The kitchen hits the bullseye with unfussy yet well-crafted Irish-American classics: bangers and mash, corned beef and cabbage, Murphy’s stout beef stew, shepherd’s pie, Irish brown bread. There’s also exemplary cod and chips, as well as a crowd-favorite reuben, a “Paddy melt,” and salt and vinegar potato chips, among other standards. There’s live Americana and Irish music on weekends, along with an Irish jam on Mondays. And the staff is first-name-basis friendly, giving delighted greetings to regulars like, “There she is!” Murphy’s is the kind of Irish pub Irish pubs go to.

A few years after opening as a smaller and divey pub in 2001, Mulleady’s moved across the street into what was then a dilapidated former grocery store, refurbishing it into the two-level pub it is today. Mulleady’s arguably establishes the upper limit for how refined an Irish pub can be while still being an Irish pub. It’s spacious yet cozy, with a fireplace and an almost ski lodge-like atmosphere. The menu is top-notch, with bangers sourced from Beast and Cleaver, and an enticing roasted cauliflower that includes jalapeño harissa, maple tahini, and cashew salsa verde. The wine selection is more extensive than a typical Irish pub (co-owner Sarah Zehner is a level 3 sommelier), yet you can sip it at a well-worn Brunswick Empire bar. There’s successful equilibrium here: An Irish pub that is also kid-friendly, and a true dining destination. And if it still sounds too “elevated,” the men’s room includes the giant vintage urinal original owner Dave Mulleady salvaged from the old Orpheum Theater.

The Chieftain is a spacious and boisterous (especially on weekends) college bar, but it occupies the former location of Doc Hamilton’s Barbecue Pit, one of Seattle’s swankiest Prohibition-era speakeasies. While the exterior has changed a lot since then, the interior retains the certain hideaway atmosphere that makes hoisting a pint here feel like just the thing — there are lots of cozy nooks, especially in the dining room area. (The food, however, is limited to bar snacks.)

Owl ‘N Thistle is among the very best places in Seattle to duck in from a rainy day, an appealingly cavernous cellar at the base of the Colman Building. It’s got ghosts, though the pub itself doesn’t date back earlier than the 1990s — the longest-tenured tenant was the Colman Lunch, whose letter etching is still visible on the woodwork leading into the pool room from the hallway. The pub food menu keeps it simple yet satisfying — Guinness beef stew served with hearty soda bread is the most Irish-identified item here. The pub also hosts an abundance of musical acts on its stage.