By Jeanine Budd and Dede Booth

If you step into Doyle’s Cafe at 8:30 p.m. on a week night, you’ll see an Irish bar full of history and character.

Located on Washington Street in Jamaica Plain, Doyle’s is conveniently associated with the Samuel Adam’s Brewery, located on Germania Street. In fact, Doyle’s offers a selection of 21 brands of draft beer.

The restaurant can be nearly vacant on a weeknight, bringing with it a laid-back atmosphere, where food is just as abundant as the beer.

The menu at Doyle’s is nothing surprising. It covers your usual pub grub: burgers, fries, wings, etc. Prices range from $6 to $15, which is exactly what should be expected of such a selection.

A sure shot on the menu is the classic American meal: a plate of fries and a cheeseburger. The fries are excellent: perfectly crisp, golden, hand-cut and the burger even better; I’d call it the best I’ve ever had. The meat is moist, accompanied by a sweet, fresh bun. All-in-all, it is an enjoyable meal.

The menu also includes a wide array of salads, along with a selection of soups, and of course, New England Clam Chowder. The burger menu even offers a vegetarian option, which is slightly surprising. But as the website boasts, Doyle’s is also home to the “best corned beef and cabbage in Boston.” And the dessert menu is complete with strawberry shortcake, bread pudding and grapenut custard.

The bar had an ambiance to it, but by 10 p.m., it had picked up with traffic. Modern pop music filled the room, which was a little out of sorts with the decor.

The inside is spacious and surprisingly well lit for a bar. The music wasn’t blaring too loudly, so it was never difficult to hear yourself think, or h ave a chat with friends. More importantly, it wasn’t difficult to get the bartender’s attention.

Despite the pop music, Doyle’s also has an authentic Irish feel, giving a certain vibe and feel to this Irish bar that few establishments can achieve. Doyle’s is one of the few places in this city that seems to have accomplished that.

It’s low key, and down-to-earth with a laid back atmosphere. The people were friendly and the service brought no complaints.

It offers good food and good drink at a reasonable price, but there’s still more to this Jamaica Plain establishment.

The catch when visiting Doyle’s is that you’re sitting amongst over 100 years of history. If you survey the walls of Doyle’s, you can notice a collage of wartime posters that date back to 1882.

During prohibition, the bar continued to exist as a speakeasy, defying the nation’s laws until 1933, when it was reopened legally by then Boston Mayor James Michael Curley.

On the website for Doyle’s Cafe, visitors are urged to visit the John Fitzgerald room, which was dedicated in memory of John F. Kennedy by Senator Edward Kennedy on St. Patrick’s Day in 1988.

Whether you’re a history buff, looking to simply enjoy a selection of beer, or some American and Irish cuisine, Doyle’s offers a unique atmosphere amongst the bustle of the city.

And it’s location isn’t too far from Northeastern. It’s easily accessible from the Green Street station on the Orange Line.