Tom Bergin's ~ 840 Fairfax Ave. (@ W. 8th st.) Los Angeles, CA 90036
Tom Bergin's on Fairfax has been a dependable Irish pub party spot for 70 years, ever since Tom himself, a former attorney, opened its doors on Wilshire west of Fairfax. It has been in its current quaint home near Museum Row since 1949. These days the old pub boasts a gigantic menu of creative and standard bar eats plus some of the best Guinness pints in the city.
We tried the corned beef spring rolls, which were delicious anti-gourmet munchies and a very solid burger with pepper jack cheese. The strong Irish Coffee is celebrated and rumor has it over 5,000 were served on a certain St. Patrick's Day. The walls are covered with Los Angeles memorablia and hundreds of personalized shamrocks. Found gathered around the horseshoe shaped bar (which legend has it inspired the sitcom Cheers) is an eclectic crowd of blueshirted knobs, newly graduated hotties, punky loners, hardboiled old timers and everyone else under the sun who wants a good drink with atmosphere included.
