People searching for an Irish pub in Nashville often think first of Broadway, but the two strongest options in this guide sit outside the strip of neon lights and country-music bars. McNamara’s is in Donelson, east of downtown; The Lost Paddy is on Spence Lane in South Nashville, beside a hotel and toward the airport. They are not a walkable pub crawl: they are separate evening choices depending on where you are staying and what kind of atmosphere you want.
McNamara’s is structured as a family pub restaurant with two stages and scheduled music. Its current menu lists lunch fish and chips at $13, shepherd’s pie at $20, a full Irish breakfast at $19, and draft beer in 20-ounce glasses. The website posts weekday afternoon happy hour and says it is closed Sunday and Monday. Comments often praise the home-style food, welcoming atmosphere, and performances; on weekends with live music, the room can fill up and become loud.
The Lost Paddy opened in May 2019 and builds its offer around brunch, pub food, sports, and entertainment. Its pages list rugby and football broadcasts, trivia, karaoke, live music, and takeout or delivery. Comments about this location mention the pub atmosphere and game gatherings; during events the room can be lively and less suited to a quiet conversation. Its official pages do not show dining-room and bar hours consistently, so check before leaving.
Nashville transit requires checking each leg: WeGo operates service along Lebanon Pike and connects Donelson Station to the corridor, but that does not guarantee a stop at every door. We do not claim a direct bus connection to Spence Lane; enter the address in the trip planner and confirm a late-night return. At McNamara’s, also check kitchen hours and last orders. If you only want a Guinness without dinner, call or review the menu to see what is available that evening.
The profiles of McNamara’s and The Lost Paddy detail each location’s services and schedule. Both offer Irish pub alternatives to downtown bars, but they are far apart and keep different closing days and hours.
Check current details and choose according to your budget, time and way of travelling.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
McNamara's Irish Pub & Restaurant
2740 Old Lebanon Road, Nashville, TN 37214
McNamara’s is a family pub restaurant with two stages and scheduled music. Its current menu lists lunch fish and chips at $13, shepherd’s pie at $20, a full Irish breakfast at $19, and draft beer in 20-ounce glasses. The website posts weekday afternoon happy hour and says it is closed Sunday and Mon
Family-owned pub restaurant with two music stages, Irish cooking, happy hour, a children’s menu and a wide whiskey and beer selection.
The Lost Paddy is outside the Broadway circuit, on Spence Lane beside the Hillside Crossing Hotel, south of downtown and toward the airport. That distance matters: it is easier for visitors staying or moving through that part of town than for a spontaneous walk from Lower Broadway’s bars. The websit
Pub restaurant opened in May 2019 beside Hillside Crossing, with Irish-inspired food, brunch, sports, trivia, karaoke, live music and takeout or delivery.
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
-
Official website of McNamara's Irish Pub & Restaurant ↗
Primary source
McNamara’s Irish Pub, sitio oficial · Accessed October 21, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website of McNamara's Irish Pub & Restaurant ↗
Primary source
McNamara’s Irish Pub, sitio oficial · Accessed October 21, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website of McNamara's Irish Pub & Restaurant ↗
Primary source
McNamara’s Irish Pub, sitio oficial · Accessed October 21, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website of McNamara's Irish Pub & Restaurant ↗
Primary source
McNamara’s Irish Pub, sitio oficial · Accessed October 21, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website of The Lost Paddy Irish Pub & Restaurant ↗
Primary source
The Lost Paddy, sitio oficial · Accessed October 21, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website of The Lost Paddy Irish Pub & Restaurant ↗
Primary source
The Lost Paddy, sitio oficial · Accessed October 21, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website of The Lost Paddy Irish Pub & Restaurant ↗
Primary source
The Lost Paddy, sitio oficial · Accessed October 21, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website ↗
Primary source
McNamara’s Irish Pub, sitio oficial · Accessed October 21, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website ↗
Primary source
WeGo Public Transit · Accessed October 21, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website ↗
Primary source
WeGo Public Transit · Accessed October 21, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website ↗
Primary source
Nashville.gov · Accessed October 21, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Logotipo oficial: mcnamaras-logo.webp ↗
Primary source
Sitio oficial del pub · Accessed October 21, 2026
Logotipo publicado por el negocio y guardado localmente en logoscia-/us/irish-pubs-20261021.
-
Logotipo oficial: lost-paddy-logo.webp ↗
Primary source
Sitio oficial del pub · Accessed October 21, 2026
Logotipo publicado por el negocio y guardado localmente en logoscia-/us/irish-pubs-20261021.
-
Fotografía: lost-paddy-interior.webp ↗
Primary source
Sitio oficial del pub · Accessed October 21, 2026
Imagen publicada por el negocio; convertida a WebP y guardada localmente en fotoscia-/us/irish-pubs-20261021.
-
Ficha y reseñas de Google Maps: McNamara's Irish Pub & Restaurant ↗
Secondary source
Google Maps · Accessed October 21, 2026
Google Maps de 2740 Old Lebanon Road; snapshot revisado el 21/10/2026: 4.7/5 y 4,822 reseñas, cifra dinámica. El dato está asociado solo a esta sede.
-
Reseñas recientes de clientes: McNamara's Irish Pub & Restaurant ↗
Secondary source
The Local Round, datos de Google · Accessed October 21, 2026
Snapshot consultado el 21/10/2026 para la sede de Old Lebanon Road; comentarios públicos señalan platos irlandeses, música y carácter familiar.
-
Ficha y reseñas de Google Maps: The Lost Paddy Irish Pub & Restaurant ↗
Secondary source
Google Maps · Accessed October 21, 2026
Ficha de Google Maps de 715 Spence Lane; snapshot consultado el 21/10/2026: 4.5/5 en 1,617 reseñas. El recuento varía.
-
Reseñas recientes de clientes: The Lost Paddy Irish Pub & Restaurant ↗
Secondary source
RestaurantGuru, reseñas de Google · Accessed October 21, 2026
Reseñas recientes de 715 Spence Lane mencionan ambiente de pub, cocina irlandesa, deportes y comida.