The Playwright

The PlaywrightThe Playwright
The PlaywrightThe Playwright
Bar, Eatery

1232 Whitney Ave
Hamden, Connecticut, 06517-2802
United States

(203) 287-2401 | map
playwrightirishpub.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.75
Reviews:
1
Ratings:
4
pDev:
13.6%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews.
Ratings by dbmcrorie:
Photo of dbmcrorie
Reviewed by dbmcrorie from Connecticut

4.13/5  rDev +10.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
Best pint of Guinness in area.

In my personal opinion, best pint of Guinness in the US (that I've had so far). I know many will scoff at that statement, so I apologize if I offend anyone and their local favorite Irish pub.

But I lived in England for a summer, stayed in Ireland for a while, and predominately drank Guinness - knowing it would never be the same once I came back to the States. Sure enough, it never has been. I've been to many bars, pubs, and tried nearly every form of Guinness possible. But it has never been quite the same as in the UK.

Until I came to The Playwright on Whitney.

The atmosphere is amazing. I feel like I was back at a traditional pub in Ireland when I entered. It was not over the top, but was very rustic and cozy. Our waitress had a convincing Irish accent that my girlfriend and I secretly debated whether or not was real.

They had a very small selection of beers on tap and an equally limited selection of food. Many of them were staple pub grub and Irish cuisine (bangers and mash, shepherd's pie, irish stew, fish and chips, etc.). However, I think the small selection has helped them master each item on the menu. The food was exceptionally good!

I had the beer battered fish and chips which was brilliantly cooked and very tasty (also reminiscent in style of how they prepare it in England vs. here in New England. Yes, there is a difference). They serve very large portions that I couldn't finish and had to take home.

The overall cost wasn't outrageously expensive, but was a bit more than I expected (though it was large portions, it was just fish and fries).

But what stood out to me most - as mentioned above - was the beautiful pint of Guinness. Still briefly cascading when brought, the head was bulging slightly above the glass, served in an imperial pint glass (20 oz. as opposed to the rip-off 16 oz. glasses bars/pubs are starting to serve nowadays), and the true flavors came through. I could actually smell the bouquet, and taste the complexity that Guinness has.

Guinness usually tastes like a bland stout with little aroma or depth at practically every bar and pub around these parts. But it was simply magical at the Playwright.

Good food, great atmosphere and service, a bit pricey in the end, but totally worth it for the best pint of Guinness on this side of "the pond".

Cheers!
May 25, 2009
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.38 by JLK7299 from North Carolina

Dec 20, 2016
 
Rated: 3.25 by RMoeNay from Connecticut

Nov 18, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by CTJman from Connecticut

Oct 26, 2013
The Playwright in Hamden, CT
Place rating: 3.75 out of 5 with 4 ratings