Established in 2015, St. James Gate is a proper Irish pub offering a mix of traditional Irish fare and bar food in a spirited atmosphere with friendly staff.
Situated along the downtown strip at 11 Center St., their wood and stone interior was designed by international designer Benjamin Kay and the Teevan family, with windows that open wide to allow cool ocean breezes to waft through. They serve lunch and dinner daily and have both indoor and outdoor patio (pet friendly) seating. Their comfortable outdoor garden setup comes equipped with a fireplace for the cooler months and resembles a sunny European-style café the rest of the year.
While lunch consists more of your typical bar food (wraps, sandwiches, hot dogs, seafood baskets, wings, etc.) the dinner menu dishes up some Irish pub classics such as Bangers & Mash, Guinness-braised sausages and mashed potatoes soaked in savory brown gravy.
Their Shepherd’s Pie is a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs type meal of braised beef, veggies, mashed potatoes and cheddar cheese that will leave you full and fulfilled. Or since you’re at the beach, why not order the Seafood Au Gratin, a casserole of scallops, shrimp, haddock, bechamel mornay, asiago cheese and an herb crust baguette.
Maybe you’re in the mood for Irish Breakfast for Dinner, a plate loaded down with two eggs, Irish sausages, black & white pudding, Irish bacon, beans, fries and toast. And of course, what Irish pub would be complete without Fish & Chips, that starchy staple of hand beer-battered Atlantic cod accompanied by a generous portion of fries.
Whether you want a snack to complement your drinks, or an appetizer before your main entrée, St. James has you covered. The Curry Chips, fries smothered in yellow Irish curry sauce and onion, are addictive. Irish Spring Rolls, crispy egg rolls stuffed with corned beef, cabbage, cheese and potatoes, are an enjoyable Emerald Isle spin on the concept. Another tempting option is their Irish Tots, styled like a deconstructed Reuben on potatoes, with shredded corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss cheese and house-made Russian dressing.
For less adventurous palettes who would rather stick to standard bar items, St. James Gate has fried pickles, wings, pub pretzels, sweet & spicy calamari, deviled eggs and more. There are seafood platters, sandwiches and burgers, including the Dubliner Burger, piled high with Irish back bacon, a fried egg and Irish cheddar, all slathered in mayo.
When it comes time to wet your whistle, they have plenty of cocktail, beer and wine options, in addition to sodas, iced tea and ginger ale. The name St. James Gate pays homage to the place where the original Guinness Brewery resides in Dublin, so you know they are slinging some smooth and creamy draught pints of that “black liquidation with the froth on the top.” If stouts aren’t your style, they carry other Guinness brands like Harp Lager and Smithwicks Irish Ale, along with Magners Irish Cider. Local breweries and domestics are also well represented.
After a warm day at the beach, treat yourself to their world-famous house cocktail the Frozen Irish Coffee, which as their menu accurately proclaims, “keeps you coming back for more.” It’s been described in online testimonials as a “must have.” One patron called it a “piece of art.”
Another popular seller is their Espresso Martini, made with locally distilled Cannon Espresso Vodka, fresh espresso and Kahlua, adorned with a cocoa rim.
Or try the Irish Mule, their twist on this popular drink concoction, using Jameson Caskmates Irish whiskey, ginger beer and fresh lime. Their Irish Old Fashioned blends Jameson with Benedictine, Angostura and orange bitters.
They offer an assortment of red and white wines, as well as sparkling wines and house Rosè.
Celebrate with them during their happy hour held from noon-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
For great Irish comfort food, handcrafted cocktails and a fun time in an authentic pub atmosphere, stop by St. James Gate during your stay in town. Slainte!
