Irish villagers and Seattle college students share a basic survival instinct: the urge to fight the ennui of endless shitty weather. Like his Irish brethren, the average male student seeks refuge from the interminable gray drizzle in women, bouts of boozing and organized sports hooliganism. The success of Seattle's hit Irish pub Finn MacCool's should therefore come as no surprise. With its solid combination of rich draft beers, big-screen TVs, homey atmosphere and tasty grub, the University District watering hole offers a relaxing and authentic Irish bar experience just blocks from the University of Washington campus.

The Scene While some West Coast Irish pubs labor under the weight of their theme, MacCool's simplicity and low-key decor capture the true spirit of the Irish public house. The beer flows as freely as the conversation, and the food is as rich as the Guinness. The kitchen serves up a hearty menu featuring breakfast staples, outstanding sandwiches and Celtic classics like shepherd's pie. Soccer and football dominate the televisions, with rugby thrown in because gratuitous violence can be enjoyed with or without understanding the rules. Undergrads, T.A.'s and locals mingle freely at the dimly lit wooden bar with more familiarity than formality.

Girls at the Bar "I like this place because the girls are so real," says Ty, a third-year business major. "You can meet one here without trying to shout too much or embarrass yourself dancing, which works a lot better for me." MacCool's proximity to UW's Greek community allows it to draw the same sorority girls as the other University Way clubs, while its laid-back atmosphere makes those girls considerably more approachable. Bar manager Amber Davis describes the female crowd as "eclectic"; the younger coeds commingle with an older, grad-student/faculty crowd, allowing for educational, The Graduate-style hookups with wise older women.

When to Go You don't have to be an econ major to be worried about finances as a college student. But the supportive, co-dependent enabler of poor college partiers, MacCool's features dirt-cheap nightly drink specials. Try the Tuesday night $2 Jack Daniel's, Wednesday's $2 well drinks, or get geared up for Thursday karaoke with $1 High Life and $3 Jäger shots. Better yet, swing by Sunday night and get half off everything on your bar tab.

Dress Code Davis chuckles when asked about a dress code. "No shirt, no shoes, no service," she replies with a shrug. "I guess that's as close as we get." Seattle is a pathologically easygoing city, and the college scene reflects that. Everything flies here for guys, from button-downs and khakis to track shorts and sandals.

At the Bar Hearty draft beers are a natural feature at Finn MacCool's, which offers some of the only authentic, minute-and-a-half Guinness pours to be had in Seattle as well as local favorites such as Mac & Jack's Amber Ale. House specialties include Irish mainstays like the infamous car bomb and the hot toddy; however, lighter originals like the pre-funk (a refreshing medley of Patrón tequila, fresh strawberries and pineapple juice) and the deceptively sweet but incredibly potent pink lemonade (blended fruit vodkas, lemons, sour, Sprite and raspberry liqueur) keep the coeds coming back.

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