WHY For a fantastic old carved wooden bar from Ireland, Guinness, good Irish appetizers (try the mini Yorkshire puddings) and, on Sunday afternoon, musicians playing Irish tunes around an old wooden table, just like in Galway.

WHAT The bar gets boisterous late on weekend nights, but at other times this handsome, high-ceilinged pub from L.A.’s best-known Irish chef, Gerri Gilliland, is a surprisingly sweet spot. The extensive menu is tempting, but we’d advise passing on the dinner entrées in favor of the much better appetizers, snacks and desserts. They move a lot of Guinness here, and the deft bartenders are fun to watch.

WHO Families for weekend lunches; mates meeting for a few pints and a meal in the evening.