Kirwan’s on the Wharf
Category: Irish Pubs, Waterfront, Happy Hour Spots
Neighborhood: The Wharf
Price:
Address: 749 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024, United States
✨ Vibe
A beautifully authentic and laid-back Irish retreat that blends traditional "home away from home" warmth with stunning waterfront views of the Potomac River.
🍸 Best For
Waterfront dining, authentic Irish comfort food, late-night drinks, live weekend music, and scenic river views.
🔥 Highlights
- Award-Winning Fish & Chips: Renowned for serving some of the best fish and chips in the city, the dish features a traditional Galway-inspired recipe with North Atlantic cod and double-fried Yukon Gold potatoes.
- Lively Weekend Entertainment: A perennially busy staple of Wharf nightlife that hosts energetic live cover bands on weekends and stays open later than many neighboring establishments.
- Authentic Irish Flavors: The menu boasts premium imported Irish Nature beef, signature Beef Wellington, and perfectly poured, frothy pints of Guinness.
ℹ️ Need to Know
- For those seeking a late-night bite, a dedicated late-night menu is served from 10:00 PM to 12:00 AM.
- Outdoor seating is highly recommended for prime views of the boats and river, and reservations can be made for both lunch and dinner.
🔄 Weekly Events
🌙 Late Night Dining
Late night kitchen service featuring a selection of flatbreads, burgers, fish and chips, and traditional Irish curry.
🥞 Sunday Family Waffles
A Sunday afternoon tradition featuring waffles for the family.
🍳 Weekend Fare
A special weekend menu featuring a Traditional Irish Breakfast, Prime Rib Steak Sandwiches, Crab Cake Sandwiches, and more.
📰 In the News
Where to Eat and Drink on D.C.’s Southwest Waterfront
Kirwan’s on the Wharf is a laid-back Irish pub at the Southwest Waterfront known for its potent whiskey cocktails, frothy Guinness pours, and classic fare like beer-battered fish and chips. The perennially busy bar hosts live cover bands on weekends and stays open later than many neighboring establishments.
Chef of Wharf’s Kirwan’s pub collapses, dies of apparent heart attack at 33
Kirwan’s on the Wharf mourned the sudden loss of its executive chef, Fredy Lopez, who passed away at the age of 33 in early 2025. Lopez began his career at the restaurant as a line cook in 2017 and was highly regarded by his colleagues and the community for his leadership and dedication.
Kirwan's restaurant mourns sudden death of executive chef
Kirwan’s on the Wharf is mourning the sudden passing of executive chef Fredy Lopez, who served as a cornerstone of the restaurant’s culinary team for nearly a decade. Lopez rose from line cook to executive chef during his tenure, earning acclaim for his signature beef wellington and his role as a dedicated mentor to the kitchen staff.
Ranked: The 4 Best Fish and Chips at the Wharf
Kirwan’s on the Wharf serves a highly-ranked, traditional fish and chips dish inspired by a classic Irish recipe from Galway. The plate features high-quality North Atlantic cod paired with hand-cut, double-fried Yukon Gold potatoes and housemade mushy peas.
An Irish Pub Owner Tries to Save His Bars While Working as a D.C. Cop
Kirwan’s on the Wharf owner Mark Kirwan balanced his role as a D.C. Metropolitan Police Department officer while navigating the challenges of keeping his business afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. The venue pivoted to takeout operations and donated meals to local first responders during the city-wide dine-in shutdown.
Recent Reviews from Google
Great dining experience on the wharf! Came for dinner around 6pm and there was no wait to sit outside. Good service and food. Not pictured: oysters. The fish & chips were great, the batter was...
The atmosphere of the restaurant is nice and the servers are friendly and attentive. I ordered the fish and chips. I enjoyed the chips and the tartar sauce the came with them. The batter for the fish...
A beautiful place off the wharf. We were looking for a place to grab lunch. We had some delicious fresh raw oysters and the Irish steak sandwich. My son had fish and chips. The bread for the sandwich...
I stopped in on a weekday lunch and it was easy to get a seat. The service was quick and friendly, the food was delicious, and the place was a nice chill atmosphere. I had the chicken pot pie and a...
Food was good - ordered a lobster roll with a side salad (made differently than what I am used to, but it was good) and the second order was a chicken Caesar salad. Mai Tai's for drinks. Service was...
