The harp is a symbol of the Republic of Ireland; it is to Ireland what the bald eagle is to the U.S. Fitting, then, that one of the few truly Irish pubs west of Worcester is named The Harp. Located on Sunderland Road in North Amherst, the Harp resides in the building that housed Mike's Westview from the 1930s—right after Prohibition was repealed—until the early 21st century.
Beer is important at the harp. A myriad of beer ads (and sports paraphernalia) adorn the walls of the old-school pub, which offers a choice of 16 draught beers (some local), including, of course, Guinness. Besides libations, The Harp offers a menu of basic pub food.
But it's not just the eats and drinks that keep patrons coming back to the pub again and again—The Harp has an impressive lineup of music three nights a week. Past Thursday nights have seen rock/funk band The No Nos and Celtic band Tir Na Nog. Every Friday night, The Harp plays host to a traditional Irish seisiun; Saturday is DJ night.
The Harp's also got pool and a sweet outdoor deck for patrons to lounge on when the sun is shining. The Harp is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. and is located at 163 Sunderland Rd., North Amherst, (413) 548- 6900, www.theharp.net.
