Swift Hibernian Lounge: A NoHo Irish Pub Built for Beer, Whiskey and Conversation
Swift Hibernian Lounge has been on East 4th Street, between Bowery and Lafayette, since 1995. Named for the satirist Jonathan Swift, it was built to favor conversation — there are deliberately no TVs — and the room backs that up with dark wood, exposed brick, reclaimed church pews and candlelight. It’s earned its reputation on a cornucopia of beer styles from here and abroad, one of the finest Irish whiskey selections in the city, and an often-applauded pint of Guinness.
It’s the kind of unpretentious, low-key pub that whole offices quietly adopt as their after-work spot — and while it’s widely recommended for happy hour, the draw is really the depth of what’s behind the bar.
The Bar & the Pour
Beer and whiskey carry this place:
- Rotating draft list — local and international styles, with the occasional rare sour or hard-to-find pilsner that beer nerds make the trip for
- Irish whiskey — one of NYC’s deepest collections, with bottles regulars say they’ve never seen elsewhere
- A proper Guinness — repeatedly called one of the better pours in the city
- Happy hour — Swift is widely recommended as an after-work spot, but doesn’t publish set times or deals; ask the bar for current specials
The Drinks
Beyond the taps, there’s a serious back bar of Irish whiskey, scotch and bourbon, and bartenders will make you a proper classic cocktail on request — a praised Sazerac, or the St. James Gate Flip, a Guinness-and-rum riff that drinks like a White Russian. Gluten-free drinkers will find Omission on hand.
The Food
Traditional Irish-leaning bar fare done well: sausage rolls, shepherd’s pie, addictive sliders, Irish brown bread, and a standout lamb sandwich, plus pizzas and bar bites. It’s “good bar bites” territory — the kind of food that keeps you for another round rather than the main event.
The Room
Cozy and churchy, with candlelight, dark wood and reclaimed pews across several distinct seating areas, plus hooks for coats and bags and plenty of room in the back. It’s at its best in cold weather, and genuinely romantic by candlelight. Tuesday nights bring a live trad session — the Seisún, with fiddlers, kicking off around 8pm. It fills up on Fridays and weekends.
Who Swift Is For
| Occasion | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Whiskey deep-dive | One of the city’s best Irish whiskey lists behind the bar |
| Guinness & trad music | A top pour, and a live Seisún session on Tuesday nights |
| After-work pints | A no-TV, conversation-first pub that offices adopt as their own |
| Cozy winter date | Candlelight, church pews, and warm rooms in the back |
More NYC Happy Hours
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NYC’s Burlesque Supper Club on the Bowery
Temple Bar · NoHo
A Restored NoHo Cocktail Institution on Lafayette
12 Matcha · NoHo
NoHo’s Cult Ceremonial-Matcha Flagship on Bond Street
Swift Hibernian Lounge FAQ
Does Swift have a happy hour?
Swift is widely recommended as an after-work happy-hour spot, but it doesn’t publish fixed times or deals — ask the bar for current specials. The real draw is the beer and whiskey.
Where is Swift Hibernian Lounge?
34 East 4th Street in NoHo, between Bowery and Lafayette — a short walk from the 6 at Bleecker Street and the B/D/F/M at Broadway–Lafayette.
Is there live Irish music?
Yes — a live trad session (the Seisún) runs Tuesday nights, with fiddlers starting around 8pm.
What are the hours?
Open daily, 11:30am–4am, with the kitchen serving traditional Irish bar fare.
Details last verified June 2026. Swift doesn’t publish fixed happy-hour times — confirm current specials with the bar before visiting.