Irish Whiskey opens today in Dupont for lunch and dinner, and is primed to fulfill all your beer and whiskey needs over the weekend. The three-story space, formerly Porter’s, got a full redesign from Maggie O’Neill of O’Neill Studios (Hank’s Oyster Bar and Lounge, Sax), and the pub decor includes green-hued bars, plaid banquettes, and plenty of dark wood, plus Epcot-ian touches like faux fireplaces and taxidermy.
The booze selection focuses on brews and whiskey, with both imported and local drafts (Harp, Flying Dog), as well as more-potent pours that range from the familiar (Bushmills) to the rare and expensive (Knappogue Castle 1951, which goes for $177 an ounce). The owners, who’re also behind the nearby Mighty Pint, are going for more than just bar fare, and have brought on chef Sean McIntosh (formerly of Dean & Deluca) to whip up lunch, dinner, and eventually brunch menus. Classics like fish and chips and shepherd’s pie are served alongside steaks, lobster, and more-interpretive fare—think corned-beef-and-cabbage spring rolls.
Irish Whiskey. 1207 19th St., NW; 202-463-3010; irishwhiskeydc.com. Open Monday through Thursday 11 AM to 2 AM, Saturday 9 AM to 3 AM, and Sunday 9 AM to 2 AM (brunch is set to begin in coming weeks).
Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
