Classic Irish pub façade outside, Murphy’s is stark and plain inside, a dense selection of snugs strewn across two rooms, forming a layout that can be difficult to navigate as the pub fills up with locals and tourists looking for the change of pace only Murphy’s provides. Wood paneling extends halfway up the wall, giving way to the types of images you’d expect to find on an Irish pub wall, ranging from beer sign to historical photo.
The bar itself serves both halves of the space, with long stool seating areas along each side. Around the entire outside of the interior space, small snugs are dotted with short stools that are straight up death on those with back problems but perfect for hunching over a stout with one eye on the darts match undoubtedly on one of the mounted televisions. In fact, on this reviewer’s every visit, televised darts has been a staple, no matter the time of year.
Also true with every visit, the bar seating has been dominated by locals who presumably brave the tourist throngs daily to snag prime seating at their neighborhood pub, location be damned. The kinds of conversations overheard, engaged with and sometimes wished to be forgotten are worth the non-trivial price of the beverage bill.