O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Restaurant from “The Truth About Cats & Dogs”

Last month, while spending the weekend in Santa Monica, the Grim Cheaper and I randomly grabbed dinner at Finn McCool’s Irish Pub on Main Street.  Immediately upon sitting down, I asked the bartender if anything had ever been lensed on the premises – as I am apt to do whenever I find myself dining somewhere for the first time.  (Shocker, I know.  )  And while he was not sure about Finn McCool’s filming history, he did inform me that a scene from the 1996 romantic comedy The Truth About Cats & Dogs had taken place at a different Emerald Isle-themed watering hole located just a few doors down – O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Restaurant.  Because Los Angeles is a place where change seems to be an epidemic, I was absolutely shocked – and pleased – that an establishment that appeared in a movie shot almost two decades ago was still in existence.  So I dragged the GC right on out there the following night.

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O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Restaurant was originally founded in 1995, the same year that The Truth About Cats & Dogs was filmed.  Amazingly enough, though, despite its longevity, I could find little to no information about the place’s history online.

What I can say, though, is that the watering hole serves up some fabulous food.  I opted for O’Brien’s Veggie Patty, with added toppings of cheddar cheese and sautéed mushrooms, and am happy to report that it was absolutely divine.  The GC ordered the Slider Burgers and was also very happy with his choice.  I was most excited about O’Brien’s champagne offerings, though, which were fantastic!

I loved the place’s low-lit, wood-paneled ambiance, as well.

Check out the antique books displayed on the shelf above the opening to the restaurant’s main room in the photograph below.  Love it!

O’Brien’s Irish Pub was featured only once in The Truth About Cats & Dogs, in the scene in which Noelle (Uma Thurman) poses as radio host/animal expert Dr. Abby Barnes (Janeane Garofalo), who is in turn posing as Noelle’s fictional friend Donna, while the two are out on a date with Brian (Ben Chaplin).

It is while at O’Brien’s that Abby spills salsa all over the front of her shirt causing her to say, “Of course!  Of course I would do that!”  Amen, Abby!  That is SO something I would do, as well.

The Truth About Cats & Dogs was filmed in O’Brien’s bar area, which is located towards the back of the restaurant.

The exterior patio area also appeared briefly in the flick.

In a rare twist, the restaurant’s real life name and location were used in the filming.  Not only did Brian tell Noelle to meet him at the bar “on the corner of Main and Pier” – O’Brien’s actual location – for their date, but a sign reading “O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Restaurant” was visible on the door in the background of the scene.  So incredibly cool!

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Until next time, Happy Stalking! 

Stalk It: O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, from The Truth About Cats & Dogs, is located at 2941 Main Street in Santa Monica.  You can visit the eatery’s official website here.