Anna Liffey’s

New Haven, Conn.

Ale is perfectly Irish, and Anna Liffey’s, said to be New Haven’s oldest Irish pub, is so good at serving ale, it earned the Perfect Pint Award from the head brewmaster at St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin. It also serves food like Guinness beef stew and shepherd’s pie, and beer like Smithwicks and Magners Cider, and live football (soccer) and rugby on TV from Ireland that barkeep Johnny Broker said ‘‘can fill the place in the mornings.’’ Fellow bartender Gary Cullinane said Anna Liffey’s is ‘‘a basement bar in the mold of Boston’s ‘Cheers.’’’ Add to the mix regular live Irish music, a litany of awards including Best Darts Bar, and soccer jerseys hanging from the ceiling, and the only thing missing would be the St. Patrick’s Day Parade — if it were missing. ‘‘Ends right outside the door,’’ said Patrick Mansfield, owner and Old Sod native. ‘‘Talk about luck of the Irish.’’ - PAUL E. KANDARIAN