The Killarney: Ludlow's Authentic Irish Pub, 15 Minutes from The Governor's Inn
Looking for the best pub near Okemo Mountain? The Killarney in Ludlow, VT serves award-winning wings, shepherd's pie, fish and chips, and 15 beers on draft -- with weekly trivia, open mic, and live Irish music.
The Killarney: Ludlow's Authentic Irish Pub, 15 Minutes from The Governor's Inn
Some nights on vacation call for a quiet dinner and an early bedtime. Others call for a pint of Guinness, a plate of fish and chips, and a room full of people singing along to an Irish session. If you are staying at The Governor's Inn and the second scenario sounds right, you need to know about The Killarney.
Tucked at 44 Pond Street in Ludlow -- a 15-minute walk or 2-minute drive from the inn -- The Killarney has been the Okemo Valley's unofficial Irish living room since 2005. It is family-owned and operated, unapologetically Irish, and the kind of place where the tagline on the website says it all: "Come for the food, stay for the fun."
The Food: Pub Fare Done Right
Do not let the word "pub" fool you. The kitchen at The Killarney takes its food seriously, and the menu runs deeper than typical bar snacks.
Start with the Killarney Rolls -- two house-made corned beef and cabbage egg rolls served with wasabi mustard and duck sauce. They are the kind of appetizer that sounds strange on paper and disappears from the plate in seconds. The chicken wings come in six sauces, including an award-winning competition sauce that has earned a reputation well beyond Ludlow.
For the main event, the pub favorites are where The Killarney shines. The shepherd's pie is ground beef sauteed with carrots, peas, leeks, and rosemary, topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked until golden. The fish and chips feature haddock dipped in Killarney's own beer batter and fried crisp, served with house-made coleslaw and tartar sauce. The corned beef and cabbage is slow-cooked and finished with a Jameson whole-grain mustard, and the bangers and mash pairs traditional Irish sausages with champ and colcannon potatoes under a red wine onion gravy.
The Killarney also sources locally whenever possible -- Cabot cheeses, Green Mountain Smokehouse products, and fresh produce from Vermont growers in season. It is pub food with a Vermont conscience.
The Verbacon: A Burger Worth the Walk
If you ask the staff at The Governor's Inn what to order, they will point you to the Verbacon. This is a burger loaded with everything Vermont: sharp cheddar, maple-smoked bacon, and maple syrup. It is sweet, savory, and unapologetically indulgent -- the kind of thing you eat once and then think about for the rest of your trip.
15 Beers on Draft, Plus the Best Whiskey Selection in the Area
The bar is the other half of the equation. The Killarney features 15 beers on draft and over 30 in bottles, ranging from local Vermont craft brews to imported Irish stalwarts. If beer is not your thing, the full bar boasts the best Scotch and Irish whiskey selection in the Okemo Valley. They even offer a Scotch and Whiskey Seminar Experience for guests who want a guided tasting.
Five HDTVs with surround sound make it a reliable spot to catch the game, and the Killarney Mug Club rewards regulars with their own branded mug behind the bar.
Weekly Events: Something Happening Every Visit
The Killarney keeps the calendar full, and that is a big part of why locals keep coming back:
- Monday -- Open Mic Night at 8:30 PM. Musicians, comedians, and brave souls take the stage. No cover, all welcome.
- Tuesday -- Trivia at 7 PM with Rick Davis. Bring a team, order a round, and test your knowledge.
- Thursday -- Irish Session with Gypsy Reel at 6:30 PM. Live traditional Irish music that turns the pub into a session you might find in Galway.
If you are visiting during the Vermont State Fair (August 18-22 in Rutland) or the Best of Vermont Summer Festival (August 22-23 at Okemo Field), The Killarney is the perfect cap to a day at the fairgrounds or festival -- walk in, grab a pint, and let the evening sort itself out.
The Details
- Address: 44 Pond Street, Ludlow, VT 05149
- Phone: 802-228-7797
- Bar hours: Monday through Friday 4 PM to 11 PM; Saturday and Sunday 12 PM to 11 PM
- Kitchen hours: Monday through Friday 4 PM to 9 PM; Saturday 12 PM to 9 PM; Sunday 12 PM to 8 PM
- Order online: SpotOn pickup
- Website: killarneyludlow.com
Why It Pairs With The Governor's Inn
The Killarney fills a niche that no other Ludlow restaurant does -- a genuine Irish pub with live music, trivia, and a whiskey list worth studying. It is the kind of place you stumble into on a Monday night for one drink and leave at closing time with new friends. And at 15 minutes on foot from The Governor's Inn, you do not need to worry about driving home.
Book your stay at The Governor's Inn and discover Ludlow's favorite Irish pub.
