THE FIELD

It isn’t difficult to give any old dive bar an Irish pub feel.

Tap the keg of Guinness, throw some Gaelic sayings on the wall and give yourself a classic Irish name — How does O’Shannon’s sound?

That cookie-cutter setup can be found in countless “Irish pubs” across the country. But it’s rare to come across a place anywhere in America that has a true Irish feel.
Enter: The Field, in downtown San Diego.

The moment you walk into The Field, you know that something is different. Many of the beers seem unfamiliar. Dozens of different whiskeys and scotches cover the bar shelves. Televisions are tuned to the English Premier League. The lights are dim, leaving a dark, almost gloomy atmosphere that takes you right out of “the most beautiful city in the country.”

But none of that contributes to why The Field has such an authentic Irish atmosphere. That feeling comes when the bartender opens his mouth.

“Cheers, mates. What can I getcha?”

It isn’t just the booze that comes straight from the Emerald Isle, the staff does as well. During my midday visit, I notice two bartenders are from Northern Ireland and that two of the three waitresses are from Ireland.

But what would an Irish pub be without locals, right? Again, The Field has no problem fitting into the mold. Numerous friendly Irish regulars find their way to the bar, pounding shot after shot of Midleton Very Rare and pint after pint of Guinness. Just like Dublin in the rare old times.

The food is pretty solid as well. The fish and chips came out well beyond expectations, with a flaky, tender fish to accompany a crunchy fried exterior. The corned beef and cabbage was flavorful, as it should be. On top of that, the mashed potatoes were excellent.

The Field had everything I hoped for in an Irish pub in San Diego: good food, good drinks and an even better atmosphere.

So if you want to spend a day off in the Irish countryside, head down to Fifth Avenue and throw back some beers with the locals. It’s about as close as you’ll get to the real thing.

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