At home in Mrs. Murphy's

The pub is in Medford Square, but when you walk inside, you would think you're in Ireland. The classic wood bar and cabinets, wooden chairs that could have been in your grandmother's house, old photos on the walls, and pendant light fixtures that are reminiscent of a time when stained glass was commonplace. And, of course, Guinness on tap.

Mrs. Murphy's on Salem Street was founded in 2025. The menu features some things you'd expect at an Irish pub. There are poutine fries, Irish breakfast (served all day) white and black pudding and rashers, fish & chips (with mushy peas, no less), and the classic reuben.

Those are balanced with fare that is more American, such as the grilled chicken sandwich, a double smash burger with American cheese, maple-glazed fried brussel sprouts tossed in whiskey, and a bistro salad.

When Gotta Know Medford stopped in on Thursday around noon, things were just getting going. Behind the bar, and also waiting tables, was Nick Bodine. Every town, he said, should have a Mrs. Murphy's, a neighborhood pub you can walk to.

A Somerville resident who was sitting at the bar waiting for a friend said he appreciates that Murphy's doesn't have 12 TVs.

The photos on the walls, Bodine said, were submitted by customers and feature scenes of Ireland and pictures of relatives who lived there.

There's also a wall labeled "Women of Ireland," that includes photos of both historical and modern-day figures, such as Sinead O'Connor and former President Mary Robinson. There was a sign that listed the women in the photos, Bodine said, but it disappeared around the time of St. Patrick's Day.

The pub hosts a variety of musical acts, such as fiddle-and-guitar duo Caeltish, jazz, funk, blues and Americana with Michael Giordano, and Shady Armadillo serving up country anthems and rock sing-alongs.

Mrs. Murphy's is located at 25 Salem St. in Medford and is open Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.