Malaga, Spain. The smallest Irish pub in the world or so the owner claims in Malaga,Spain Stock Photo - Alamy.

Irish immigrants flocked to Chicago in the 1800s, making up a fifth of the city's population by 1850. It's no surprise then that whiskey bars and pubs in Chicago are relatively commonplace—you'll find them in almost every neighborhood, serving Irish beers like Guinness and Smithwick's and dishes like fish and chips.

They are called 'Irish pubs' because that's what they are. Ireland is a completely separate country from the United Kingdom (the UK comprises England, Wales, Scotland and the six. counties of Northern Ireland, all forming one union). The remainder, the greatest part of the island, comprises the Republic of Ireland.

Patrick's of Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. This is the oldest Irish pub in America. At this location since 1863, it has, amazingly, been owned and operated by the same family since 1847! Patrick's was known first as Patrick Healy's, then Nolan's and at the start of the 20th century as Rowley's.