Irish Channel Restaurant & Pub — Restaurant in Washington

I stopped by this restaurant today thinking I might grab some lunch. The restaurant was busy, and there were a couple of large parties outside waiting to be seated.

When I got to the door, poised to enter, a hostess moves from her podium on the side to basically block the door with her body and prevent me from entering saying, "Can I help you?"

I thought this was odd because, like I said, I was just about to enter the front door and did not request any assistance in doing so. Her method of "greeting" me was on the rude side and intrusive to my personal space. 🤨

I asked her where the bathroom was, and she escorted me personally. After my bathroom visit, I approached the bar to get a menu.

I watched four employees -- each made eye contact with me -- going about their duties behind the bar. I waited patiently for a few minutes to catch at least one of the several employees' attention 👀 so I could request a menu to order lunch for takeout.

But, NOT ONE of them even hesitated to ask me if I needed anything. They almost ran from me, obviously refusing to wait on me.

I understand it was busy, but if someone is standing there 👀 at you to get your attention, the good customer service that this place CLAIMS to have would at least warrant a, "Can I help you?" Just like the entrance-blocking hostess did.

By the way, I revisited the hostesses' podium just outside the front door, and she was nowhere to be found. There was a stack of menus at her podium. I began to reach for one so I could finally place my order.

Then, I thought, "I don't want to patronize a restaurant where THE EMPLOYEES obviously don't think (based on the way they all treated me) that I belong here." So, I left.

But I wanted to leave this review because I want the reader to know that it isn't all good at this restaurant. I was the only person of color that I saw who didn't work there. Based on my horrible service experience alone, I won't be back. 4+...

I will give this place a two star rating. When we arrived we were greeted quite fast. However after that it was downhill from there. No one came and checked on us after the food was dropped. I had to yell across the bar to get a refill on water, and reason being the cooks servers and bartenders were all at the end of the bar. One girl was even sitting on the bar and they were just talking. In order for me to receive any other service other than our initial drink order I had to actively look for a bartender, and sucks too because there was only two other people at the bar and one table in the restaurant.

Which was my only refill mind you. The thing that made me frustrated was several employees walked past and did not check on us. One bartender even looked at the water and just walked away. The food was not that great. We didn’t finish our meal because the lack of flavor. They do have a decent HH with 2$ beers and $5 well whiskey which is great.

Maybe if I try again this pub would offer great service, but first time experience was terrible. Not to mention it was my partner and mine three year anniversary. We ended leaving and going...

Arrived yesterday, St Patricks Day 2025 at around 245pm. Read a lot of good things about this place. Right off the bat the bouncers outside and the female working the cover charge stand were extremely rude. Especially the female. She was very abrasive and not exactly welcoming. I understand it is St Patricks Day at an Irish Pub, but if at the same time you want people to come here. With so many other places in DC to eat, I'd think you'd want the money. You can jack up all your prices on this day of the year and people will still pay them to be a part of the "irish" feel. The African American bouncer Id checker was pretty rude as well. We paid the cover, went inside. Seemed like a great party. We decided to not patronize any further after having a pretty similar run in with a waitress asking for a table for 2. Sad, we went to Founding Farmers instead. After talking with a few people this seems to be the normal here. I know I am on person, and it doesn't matter because people will still come here and spend money, but if anyone reads these reviews, be aware...don't expect much...