For a beer nowadays, I mostly seek a Shiner Bock, something from the local tap at Division Brewing, or the elusive pint of Guinness—my favorite and the hardest to find.
Based on my research, Mac’s Bar & Grill does the best pint in Arlington. Runners-up include J. Gilligan’s and Plaza Pub. Here are my notes on the ones I’ve tracked down.
My Top 3 Pints of Guinness in Arlington
#1 — Mac’s Bar & Grill (West Arlington)
Mac’s is my favorite place in Arlington for a Guinness. They pour a gorgeous pint, and the food is excellent—try a pint paired with their gumbo in the winter. Mac’s has an unbeatable atmosphere that feels like a cozy corner pub. Whether packed or nearly empty, the experience is top-notch. It’s one of the few places I see others drinking Guinness, and the bartenders are friendly and knowledgeable. Bonus: there are four framed Guinness prints in the men’s room.
The first Guinness I ever had from Mac’s Bar & Grill – July 2023
#2 — J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill (Downtown)
An Arlington staple since 1979, J. Gilligan’s is a vibrant local haunt where 20-somethings sit next to septuagenarians at the bar. Their St. Patrick’s Day party is legendary, and they remain one of the best spots for a Guinness downtown. They usually do it right with proper glassware and a two-step pour. Pair your pint with their world-famous Irish Nachos and you’re set.
#3 — Plaza Pub (East Arlington)
Opened in 1954, Plaza Pub is a dive bar in the purest sense. Decent Guinness is rare at a dive bar, but they pull it off with correct glassware and a proper two-step pour. The regulars mostly drink Bud Light and shots, but between the wild stories, dark lighting, and Guinness decor, it’s an evening you won’t forget.
Other Pints of Guinness in Arlington
Element Cocktail Lounge (Downtown)
Element Cocktail Lounge opened in May 2026, taking over the former On Tap spot downtown. A cocktail lounge with 20 beers on tap, I was there solely for the Guinness. The bartender took his time, did the two-step pour, and used the proper glassware. It was better than Mellow Mushroom across the street. However, subsequent visits with different bartenders were inconsistent.
Mellow Mushroom (Downtown)
Mellow Mushroom pours an average Guinness if you’re downtown or have tickets to a concert at the Arlington Music Hall next door. They have plenty of other beers on draft, yet their bar area and ambiance can be a hit or miss.
The Chuggin’ Monk (North Arlington)
For a $3.75 Happy Hour draft, their Guinness was more than adequate. They don’t use the correct glassware, yet they do the two-step pour. It may be a dingy dive bar, but they have cheap drinks. I doubt I’ll become a regular there, yet it’s not bad for a quick pint, especially when it’s Happy Hour and you’re in the area.
Hooligan’s Pub (Downtown)
Hooligan’s Pub pours a fairly decent pint, but it’s not in official Guinness glass. It seems like a cool place, though, and they have some Guinness decor. It’s more pub than sports bar. It’s usually kinda dead in there, but maybe I just go during off-hours. They have cheap Guinness during Happy Hour, yet it sometimes attracts the college crowd. I’m too old for that.
The Social House (North Arlington)
I went once on a Saturday afternoon and it was busy as hell with a brunch and/or lunch crowd. It was loud, had a trendy, sports bar atmosphere, and not a place that I would probably visit again, for a Guinness or otherwise. The name is The Social House, though, so it’s meant to be social and lively. There are better options.
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse (Arlington Highlands)
BJ’s is a decent place for a beer, as it’s nearby and they have an extensive list. However, their Guinness is overpriced and usually a disastrous pour at best. That said, their homegrown Tatonka Stout is very decent, especially for a chain restaurant/brewery. And, dare I say it, it may actually be better than Guinness, or at least, better than the Guinness they serve.
Honorable Mention: J.R. Bentley’s Pub (Downtown)
It was a damn shame when J.R. Bentley’s closed in 2023. If nothing else, they did a fantastic pint of Guinness and likely had the best collection of Guinness memorabilia and collectibles that I’ve seen in a pub. They had a cool Guinness mural outside, too. There are other “pubs” on this list, but J.R. Bentley’s really felt like an authentic pub, similar to the ones I visited in London. Bentley’s was my original go-to place for Guinness and the first place I had it on draft in Arlington.
Coming Soon
Other spots on my radar to try next: The Londoner, Tanstaafl Pub, BFF Asian Grill & Sports Bar, Anchor Bar, McCullars Irish Pub & Grill, Mac’s Tavern & Grill, and Bobby Valentine’s. Stay tuned.
Blog post by Jason S. Sullivan, 09-15-26
Jason S. Sullivan 