Guinness (lots of)? Check. Shamrock imagery? Check. Lots of drunk people? Check. Yup, O’Neills Ealing is most definitely an Irish theme pub. Still, it doesn’t take itself too seriously and they have a very good Irish beer selection...

The Venue
Make no mistake, O’Neills Ealing is big. Very big. Sprawling, even. The huge, bright blue building is not the kind of place you can miss, positioned on a corner and extending back across two streets – this is as in-your-face as it’s possible to get. Luckily, it’s a lot more subdued within as it's decked out in the typical style of the O’Neills chain: lots of dark, heavy woods and blackboards showcasing the latest money-off deals. And, although they do make it clear that this is an Irish pub complete with a couple of shamrock pictures and lots of Guinness advertising, it’s actually nowhere near as tacky as it could be. In fact, it has a rather laid back interior with plenty of floor space and tables and chairs (all wooden, of course). The main focus of the space is the large bar, as well it should be. That is unless a game is on, of course, when all eyes are instead glued to the big screens.

The Atmosphere
As one of the more garish bars in the area, O’Neills certainly attracts attention, and that soon translates into crowds of thirsty punters looking for a pint of the dark stuff. It can get a little rowdy at the weekend as the mainly young crowd of party-seekers in their early twenties set about the serious business of getting tanked up. However, the atmosphere isn’t intimidating, and if you’re not joining the locals in getting in the party mood, the pub is big enough that you can sit apart from the main throng if you wish. It’s also not all about the weekend party, either. They host regular live music events and showcase big games on the screens, and the atmosphere can be very different depending on when you go. Just bear this in mind if planning a visit.

The Food
Fish and chips, burgers, pie, stew: the food at O’Neills is simple and cheap, with dishes costing anywhere from £5-£12. It may not be the best pub food in the capital but it fills a hole. And they have made some effort with an Irish section on the menu. Just don’t expect too much from it.

The Drink
The drink selection is probably the most Irish thing about O’Neills, although it limits them somewhat. As far as draught goes, they have Irish tipples like Guinness, Smithwick's Red Ale, Caffrey's and Magners. Other Irish drinks on offer include Irish (and Scottish – gasp!) whiskey, Irish soft drinks exclusive to O'Neill's and tea sourced from Bewley's in Ireland. Otherwise, some cheap wine, high street spirits and the same-old, same-old lagers make up the rather unimaginative choice.

The Last Word
O’Neills Ealing is fine if you’re a local and fancy a no-frills night out. But that’s about as far as it goes.

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