O'Malley's Pub & Restaurant — Restaurant in Raleigh

O'Malley's Irish Pub is the kind of place that keeps you coming back, not just for the food and drinks, but for the atmosphere that feels both familiar and full of surprises. The decor is an eclectic mix that ensures you notice something new every visit. From the unique chandeliers over each booth to the high-backed seating that offers a cozy, intimate dining experience, the details here make it stand out from your average dive bar. And if you’re looking for a special place to pop the question, there’s even a booth with "Will you marry me" carved into it—what better setting than over a pint of Guinness?

Live music is a staple at O’Malley’s, with performances every night that range from full bands to solo acoustic sets. You never quite know what you’re going to get, and that’s part of the charm. Some acts are incredible, others are a little rough around the edges, but that’s all part of the fun. If the music isn’t quite hitting the right note, an Irish whiskey special will help set the mood.

The menu is full of classics done right. The Reuben on rye with homemade chips is a standout, as is the French dip. Vegetarians aren’t left out, with options like the Beyond Burger or tempeh substitutions. Start your meal with the soft pretzels and beer cheese or the mac-n-cheese bites—both perfect pairings with a cold beer. And if you have room, finish with the Elvis cake and ice cream or, if you prefer, another round of Irish whiskey.

Having been a staple in Raleigh for over 25 years, O’Malley’s has built a loyal crowd of fun-loving regulars. The prices are reasonable, the service is friendly, and while the food takes a little time, it just means more opportunity to enjoy the music, chat with friends, and soak in the atmosphere. Whether you’re here to dance like nobody’s watching, meet new people, or just enjoy a unique local experience, O’Malley’s delivers every time. You just can’t beat a...

GO NOW! It's the bar you wish you'd known about in 2020 and had been attending as a ritual weekly. For all of us, O'Malley's on a Friday (Memorial Day 2022 weekend, no doubt) was full of a good time having crowd. The Music (locally sourced band - see details and attached song, below) was able to throw down a diverse portfolio of crowd requests for only two guys, ranging from NIrvana through the Blink 182, and honestly - many tunes used the dual strings as an advantage. The food, here, this night - was quick, and dispatched hot - a welcome change from nearly every place it seems. I ordered the Fish and Chips, and the meal was appropriately sourced from the very clean appearing kitchen. The servers were all extremely kind, knew the menu well, and provided rapid service. The specific details of the menu are irrelevant - they will, and can - serve you quite literally the entire night menu. Kim, a wonderful and very prompt attendant got me exactly what was ordered, faster than I expected. Overall, the experience was and still is amazing. The band, as a general rule (Mike and Adam) focuses on making sure the patrons are happy. With a nearly combined recipe of pre-during-post 90's grunge its obvious where the influences originate. While Mike seems down to admit he'll rock anything that sounds good, Adam has the definite post-80's (but with a source from the 70's Rock) via a Hall and Oates shout out. Adam also laid down a nice solo, soulfull track from which I extracted some legit riffs which I'll be attaching to this post. Pictures wouldn't do justice, as the vibe isn't simply one to examine through one medium. Come and enjoy a little you-group-them time, the food won't let you down and the tunes are there for the ear gobbling. The O'Malleys Experience is what the...

I got egg on my shirt, so yes, a darn good brunch was had! Forget the over-cooked omelets you could have at some of those over-crowded brunchy joints. The eggs of my 'Full Irish' were perfectly runny, the hashrowns perfectly ready to soak up the yolk, and the breakfast sausage had that lovely crispness you want when you slice through the skin, but was oh so juicy and flavourful. It's a certifiable nap on a plate. Also their mini potato pancakes are to die for, crispy, just salty enough, and much to easy to share out of someone else's basket!

Did I mention service is tops here? They may be understaffed according to the sign on their door, but everyone who came to the table was attentive, friendly, and more than willing to help. They were also more than happy to find answers to our allergen concerns! Staff like this are why regulars come back to a pub, and when you see a granny waving at a strapping hulk of a server because she knows him, you're in the right spot!

What else do you get? Well you get a real pub with dim lighting in the back (perfect for a retreat from a hot summer's day), and you also get kids during the day (as you would expect for a proper pub). There's a descent selection on tap. The restrooms are two genderless toilet closets that are well cleaned and well kept (and have tiles missing from their wood wall trim, somehow perfect for the atmosphere). It's a very homey place and I'm sorry I only discovered it now, in the middle of the day. I'm definitely looking forward to coming back again and trying more on their extensive menu...and also doing some night drinking. So far though, its an 11/10.

(The only knock I might have is the lack of rashers and puddings in the Irish breakfast -- but in this country...