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Top o’ the morning to ya!
We enjoy using holidays as a reason to try new restaurants or explore new flavors. St. Patrick’s Day is one of those occasions that unites people with hearty food, lively music and busy pubs. It’s a perfect way to get through the final part of winter and welcome spring.
During a recent business trip through Conway, I stopped at O’Malley’s Irish Pub and immediately thought, “This would be a fun spot for St. Patrick’s Day.” After dinner and a quick chat with the owner, I realized something even better. At O’Malley’s, every day feels a little like St. Patrick’s Day.
From hearty Irish comfort food to a relaxed pub atmosphere where locals and travelers easily mingle, it’s the kind of place you’ll want to add to your list the next time you’re driving down Interstate 40.
What Are Traditional Irish Foods for St. Patrick’s Day?
Irish pub food is known for being hearty, comforting and full of slow-cooked flavors. Many of the classic dishes were originally created to make the most of simple ingredients like potatoes, cabbage, and meats that could simmer for hours.
Some of the most well-known Irish favorites include:
- Corned beef and cabbage, a traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal
- Irish stew, a slow-cooked dish traditionally prepared with beef or lamb.
- Bangers and mash, sausages paired with creamy mashed potatoes
- Cottage pie or shepherd’s pie, a meat and gravy dish topped with mashed potatoes
- Dublin coddle, a hearty sausage and potato stew
- Irish soda bread, a quick bread served with most meals
- Irish apple cake, often served with a warm custard sauce or homemade Irish cream
And of course, no Irish pub experience is complete without Irish beer or Irish whiskey, which often find their way into sauces, desserts and marinades.
At O’Malley’s in Conway, many of these classic flavors are highlighted on the menu, often with a playful Arkansas twist.
O’Malley’s Irish Pub in Conway
Since opening in 2020, O’Malley’s Irish Pub has quickly become one of Conway’s top gathering spots and was recently named one of the Top 10 Irish Pubs in America.
The vibe is exactly what you expect in a neighborhood pub. It’s casual, friendly and relaxed. Walk-in with a “pick any spot” attitude, and you’ll see a mix of locals, travelers, families, and sports fans settling in for a meal.
The bar area was recently expanded, nearly doubling in size, and now features neon green under-lighting around the bar, creating a festive glow. TVs often show Razorback games, making it a perfect spot to grab dinner and watch a game after a busy day.
Pubs – the official sunblock of Ireland
The pub is situated just on the edge of historic downtown Conway, making it walkable from nearby businesses and hotels while still offering easy parking in the adjacent lots. If you’re traveling through the area on Interstate 40, it’s a convenient and worthwhile stop right off the Dave Ward exit.
The owner is often there a few nights each week, chatting with regulars and welcoming newcomers. It’s the kind of place where locals are known by name, but visitors feel like they belong right away.
Highlights on the Menu
The menu at O’Malley’s emphasizes classic pub flavors, featuring several popular house favorites that guests love.
- Pub Pretzels – Soft pretzels are sliced into chunks and lightly deep-fried, resulting in crispy, salty edges and soft, fluffy centers. They’re served with pub cheese and mustard for dipping, making them the perfect starter for the table.
- Guinness Steak Tips – Ask anyone about their favorite dish here, and this one will probably be mentioned. Tender beef tips are served in a rich house sauce that starts with Guinness, adding deep, savory flavor.
- Bangers and Mash – A classic Irish comfort food with sausages served over creamy mashed potatoes. It’s simple, hearty, and exactly what you’d expect from a traditional Irish pub plate.
- Cottage Pie – Think of this as a richer cousin to shepherd’s pie. Instead of ground meat, this version features slow-cooked roast beef in a savory brown gravy, topped with mashed potatoes and baked until it’s perfectly comforting.
- Fish and Chips – The fish is battered with Arkansas Lost Forty beer, adding local flavor to a pub classic. The fries are a unique cut tater twist that pairs perfectly with the crispy fish.
- Reuben Sandwich – Many see it as the classic St. Patrick’s Day dish. O’Malley’s version features housemade corned beef. Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on grilled rye.
- Corned Beef Sandwich – Not a fan of sauerkraut? This sandwich features our housemade corned beef but swaps out the usual toppings for spicy mustard and a hot, grilled style that boosts the meat’s flavor. The corned beef is brined, cooked in-house and sliced fresh each day.
- Bourbon Caramel Bread Pudding – It reportedly took six months to perfect the sauce, and it was worth the wait. The warm bread pudding is topped with a rich caramel sauce infused with Jameson Irish whiskey.
- Weekend Brunch – On Saturdays, O’Malley’s opens early for brunch from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The brunch menu features inventive pub favorites like Corned Beef Hash and Corned Beef Eggs Benedict, along with traditional breakfast staples such as pancakes, eggs and bacon.
Many dishes feature Guinness in sauces and marinades, keeping the menu’s link to traditional Irish cooking while adding creative touches.
A Place That Celebrates Community
Beyond the food, O’Malley’s is a place that genuinely values community.
The pub strongly supports Arkansas first responders and proudly backs the Kitchen Table Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to mental health resources for first responders. Guests will see patches from various departments across the state displayed along the back wall.
The restaurant also offers a private party area that can be reserved for events like rehearsal dinners, family reunions, graduation parties or company lunches.
St. Patrick’s Day at O’Malley’s
If you truly want the full experience, visit on St. Patrick’s Day, when O’Malley’s becomes Conway’s headquarters for celebration.
The pub is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and hosts:
- Live Irish music all day long
- Performances by the McCafferty Academy of Dance
- Live bagpipers
- The Wandering Troubadours will perform during lunch and evening hours.
- A patio celebration with a tent in the parking lot
- There’s a $5 cover charge, but the lively atmosphere makes it totally worth it.
O’Malley’s Irish Pub is the kind of place that doesn’t take itself too seriously but takes hospitality and food quality seriously.
It’s fun, inviting and full of flavor. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick meal while passing through Conway, gathering with friends to watch a Razorback game or celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, this pub provides the kind of experience that keeps you coming back.
Because at O’Malley’s, good food, friendly people, and a touch of Irish spirit are always on the menu.
O’Malley’s Irish Grill
803 Harkrider St, Ste 12
Faulkner Square | Conway
501-504-6949
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