Johnnie Fox's proudly asserts itself as the highest pub in Ireland. Perched a top the Dublin Mountains, this pub looks like a cosy cottage. Once inside though, it's more like a museum that serves alcohol. You're guaranteed to get a good Guinness while you take in a little culture and history. The amount of memorabilia that's packed inside is amazing. There's some great historical photographs of Eamon de Valera and other famous Irish politicians too. There's even Famine artifacts, such a big copper pot that served over 800 people every day. Johnnie Fox's is much more than a pub and worth the 25 minute drive from the city centre for the view alone. The things you'll see and do here will keep you entertained all night. read more

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Although not a big fan of the quaintishly Irish take on a trad pub that is Johnnie Foxes, I can never fault the quality of the food from this fine establishment. For a mountain bar, their seafood is as good and better than most you'll find in Howth or Dun Laoghaire. Last time I was here I got the crab claws and sea bass. Just properly yum and they looked fantastic too. Only reason is doesn't get the famous 5 is that decor, it leaves me a little cold is all. read more

Johnnie Fox's Pub - Crab claws - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

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I chatted it up with a man in the pub, he looked a little rusty to me... but was a gentleman, listening to me go on and on for hours. There were trinkets everywhere, mighty collection they've got going here. Drinks were good. Didn't have the food but I definitely eyed some dishes on other people's plates. Perhaps I was awkwardly staring at them. Then there was something about red lipstick, a pervert, and cradle-robber involved. But again, it's all hazy. read more

Johnnie Fox's Pub - outside johnnie's fox - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

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After a walk through the Knocksink Woods near Enniskerry we felt lucky and dropped into Johnnie Fox's Pub. Of course that was a hopeless idea on a bank holiday's afternoon. When we walked in there were groups of people trapped at the bar in the entrance area, getting drunk while waiting for tables to become available. Only to have a second look we went a bit further and bumped into a waiter with a question mark as a face. I told him we were looking for a table for two. He said, "Of course! Follow me." And quick like snap without any reservation we got seated in a cozy corner on the busiest day of the year. Don't try that if you are more than 2 people though! To celebrate our luck and the fact that this month my company was paying for one dinner up to 100 Euros we ordered one lobster each, some wine and Guinness. The wine was a Chardonnay (Vin de Pays d'Oc, no year) and nothing special. The lobster was excellent. It was already cut into halves which made it easy to eat. Those of you who once sat before an unopened lobster know what I'm talking about. Fort Knox is nothing in comparison. Johnnie Fox's lobster was enriched with shrimp and the side dishes were great. So was the Guinness of course. What I like about eating lobster is that you don't over eat on it because there is quite some labour involved to get to the best bits of meat. The pub even had the right utensils to crack everything open and poke into the smallest corners of the shell to get the juiciest meat. The pure muscle meat tasted sweet and was very tender. When I lived in the States on the east coast I once had a lobster brought fresh from the sea and grilled on my porch. Perhaps that one was even a touch better. But chapeau to Johnnie Fox's indeed. That was a great meal for a tourist trap. At the end the damage was 98 Euros including tip and we were not one cent poorer. That was just a great May Day Bank Holiday. PS: Why is it not 5 stars? I don't like the tourist profile that they are keeping up (highest pub etc.) and I think you should never cram so many people into one location. I am always checking for the nearest fire door when I am there. Less quantity, more quality would do the trick. And of course: the last and most important star goes to my company who payed for lobster and drinks. read more

Johnnie Fox's Pub - Lobster, tools and Guinness - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

We went here while on a trip to Ireland for the shallowest of reasons. We have a dog called Johnny Fox and wanted to visit the pub of almost the same name. Seeing flyers in our hotel did not bode well for a non-tourist trap vibe. However after we pulled in one cold winter lunchtime we experienced a great slice of Irish hospitality high in the Wicklow Mountains. As has been mentioned in other reviews there is great reading on all of the walls. The beer was fantastic while we sampled the soup for lunch. Carrot and Butterbean was good but the Smoked Seafood chowder was really mind blowing. Throw in some fresh soda bread and butter and you have a great tasty lunch. Great vibe, great food and drink and great service. Thoroughly recommended. read more

Johnnie Fox's Pub - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

The minute you mention Johnnie Foxes, someone in the room will turn around and tell you that it's the highest pub in Ireland. Why this is such an impressive claim to fame, I don't know - it's hardly sitting half way up Everest. It's one of those Irish pubs that has every rake, teapot, dishcloth or photo from its past attached to its walls and ceiling to create an interesting mishmash, if not a living pub-gallery but God help us if there is ever an earthquake in Enniskerry. It's unabashedly touristy but definitely populated by Enniskerry locals too. To me, it doesn't matter if the intention of the trad sessions is to package some begorrah-bejaysus Oirishness, they're good craic and the musicians are quality. The menu contains hearty Irish dishes and seafood. If you're booking a table, ask for one that faces the stage so you have a good view of the musicians. The craic is mighty, the atmosphere is lively, the surroundings are unique - well worth a visit. read more

Johnnie Fox's Pub - Company website - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

A brilliant place; a place every tourist should have been! The atmosphere is very welcoming and it's many rooms give a cosy feeling. As this is 'the most famous pub in Ireland', being the highest and all, one can always expect tourists here and the whole program which is setup for them. A place one should have been! read more

Johnnie Fox's Pub - The walls are decorated with pictures from times long gone.... Nostalgia.... - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

Definitely worth the drive. It takes about 40min from city center and once outside the city traffic you wind through scenic valleys and hills. The pub itself is fantastic, very old and traditional. The food is excellent - Tried seafood chowder, cheese platter, seafood pie and chocolate toffee for dessert. The ambiance is great. Music and dancing starts in the evening. There are shuttle buses available in evening. read more

Johnnie Fox's Pub - Inside the pub - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

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OK so I finally made it to Johnny Foxes it only took 15 years! And yes I knew it was a tacky tourist trap but I really wanted to come. So after a lovely walk up to the hell fire club we decided a big pub lunch will defiantly put on any pounds we may have shed on our hike. The place was PACKED! there was a constant stream of tour buses and tourists. The place is quite big and exactly what I expected. We had to wait 40 mins for a table so we sat outside in the sun with a creamy pint of Guinness. We were first put in a room where a band was playing and it was so loud we couldn't hear each other so we asked to move to a quiter table which they did straight away. The food was yummy and very resonable I expected it to be a total rip off but it wasn't. The portion sizes were big and the selection was good too. I may not be back for another few years but I will be back at some stage! read more

Johnnie Fox's Pub - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

Went for the hooley show and enjoyed it! The best part of the show is the folkloric dancers. We didnt see anything else like it the whole rest of our trip in ireland. Lamb dinner that accompanied the show was delicious and very filling. Huge portions. Note that no drinks come included with the dinner show menu, although bread, main course, and dessert are included. We took the dublin metro and then a taxi to the show - it took hours and was expensive. Upon leaving the show we learnes that Johnnie Fox offers a bus service from the center of Dublin if you are coming for the Hooley show. The bus is 5 Euro per person and is hands down the easiest way to get to and from the show!! When you call to make your reservation for dinner, ask about the bus. They don't advertise it well or tell you about it when you make your reservation, but trust me, it's there and it is your best option as Jonnie Fox is located a good bit outside of Dublin. read more

Johnnie Fox's Pub - Lamb dinner - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

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Great pub, interesting venue in the mountains. To go to the Johnnie Fox´s Pub there are several options, by car, by shuttle bus (the pub itself offers this service, what in my opinion is very good to avoid problems with alcohol driving back home) or in my case cycling. It is only 15 km from the city center in the middle of the Dublin Mountains, on the way to Wicklow. The food is good, Irish dishes served in good portions with a reasonable price. It was a surprise for me to have the option of seafood there, a bit far away from the sea, but I have to say, that it was a good platter with many seafood types. Inside and outside the pub you can find a lot of things, a museum like. It is possible to sit outside in a mix of traditional backyard and beer garden, and enjoy the peace of the valley. Good service, even dressed as a weirdo with all the cycling staff, the service there remain friendly and professional. I recommend you to try it if you haven't been to the Johnnie Fox´s yet. read more

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The views enroute to Johnnie Fox are absolutely stunning! The pub itself reminds me of a museum. We booked dinner for four, and we were sat infront of the band; good seats, but not good for conversing with friends. We ordered the Aran seafood platter and shared as a starter, I ordered the fishpie for my main course and we shared the ice cream desert. The fishpie was wholesome, exactly what I wanted. The service at dinner was great, they are quite strict on dinner windows and were asked to make space. The bar staff on Saturday night weren't nice/friendly which was disappointing overall. Tip - head to Johnny Fox early in the day and go opposite for a round of pitch and putt. read more

Johnnie Fox's Pub - Aran seafood platter - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

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Great experience and really well done food! The lamb shank and the grilled goat cheese is where its at! Pasta from the seafood Tagliatelle was very overdone. This was the only criticism! Service was excellent! Will be back again...hopefully soon! read more

What a fun and eclectic pub! So lively and so many things to look at! The food was delicious, soup and beef pies were so yummy!

On our second day in Dublin, one of the locals recommended that we head up to the old "pub on top of the hill". For our only "Irish meal", we did just that: we popped in for a table of 5 without a reservation and got lucky: we ordered a drink and only had to wait about 10 minutes for a table. Please make sure to either make a reservation or go early like we did if you attempt the same! Our server was really kind and attentive. After checking on our drink needs and explaining the specials, we brought some classic Irish bread and butter. Brown bread was stellar. Attentive service by Lauren. Sat next to a couple on an awkward first date but their weird conversation fed a few laughs. We had ribs, seafood salad, the duck, and the seafood chowder. All appraised and well liked- we brought and entire thing of brown bread home for the next morning! It was definitely the best brown bread we had on our entire trip! read more

This is an amazing pub full of old Irish charm , From old farm tools to an old phone box , The first thing you notice when you walk in is the Friendly welcome and in every corner you can hear the sound of Irish banter and music , The Hooley nights are not to be missed , The food here is of a very high standard ( especially the fish dishes ) and you won't be disappointed with their Irish Stew . It's a bit of a drive to get there , But sooo worth it !! read more

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We had been touring the area all morning when we stopped in for lunch. It was cold, but the sun was out, beautiful day. My son and I had potato and leek soup and my husband and daughter had seafood chowder soup. Both soups hot and very good. Service was great. We were in and out and back on our way to see more sights. I enjoyed this place, very casual, friendly and comfort food. read more

Oh my gosh best Irish pub and food ever. Everything we have ordered has been the best version of it. The views are great, it's away from the main crowds, fun atmosphere.. if we get to come back to Ireland this is worth the drive from anywhere. A real mistake if you don't come try it out! read more

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I'm staying in a hostel nearby and asked about a good place I could grab some food and a drink, she suggested Johnnie Fox's. The staff was very friendly and the decor is definitely not boring! I couldn't decide between a beef dish or lamb but my waitress suggested lamb shank that is braised for over 12 hours-it was incredible!! So tender and juicy, the best lamb I've had! I also started with the buffalo ricotta which was also fantastic! I had the best meal and finished it with a glass of whiskey neat at the bar. If you're around this area, this is a must to go and eat. read more

Johnnie Fox's Pub - Buffalo ricotta with beetroot and other delicious flavors - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

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Eventually got around to visiting the pub in the mountains. We were coming back from Glendalough a decided to take a detour for some food. Yes we got stuck behind a tour bus on the windy road. Yes the parking was a bit crazy, if only we had seen the car park before we had passed it. Was it crazy busy inside? Nope. They have a room/hall for the bus groups leaving small tables for families and the likes. Now when I say small tables, ours was the trunk of a fairly large tree. The tours room seemed to have some music/show going on, while others were left in peace. Johnny Fox's is a Tourist Trap you might think. But aside from the show there was nothing really touristy about it. Yes there are chamber pots and jugs hanging from the ceiling and t-shirts for sale, but sure that is the same in 90% of the pubs in Dublin. And the prices definitely weren't as bad as we had thought they would be. I had the lamb shank and it was divine, others had the fish and had no complaints. If you are looking for somewhere different for dinner some evening you won't go to far wrong going here. read more

Just what it says on the tin. Old fashioned cosy pub nestled into the mountains, perfect for a good feed after a hike (or feck it, even a drive up there). The views are lovely, the decor is gorgeous, and the food was really great. It's probably not the cheapest, but it is what you would expect in an establishment frequented by so many tourists. It's easy to discount it as just a tourist trap for that very reason, but actually after said hike on Saturday and arrival to a nice roaring fire and some piping hot comfort food, maybe they're onto someting. read more

Johnnie Fox's Pub - Lovely - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

Johnnie Fox's pub is high in the Wicklow mountains, just outside of Dublin. They have live Irish music and dancing. I believe on Fridays and Saturdays they have an Irish dancing show which was quite good. The entire entertainment experience between dinner, the music and irish dancing show and the music afterwards were quite good although a little on the more expensive side compared to some other options for Irish music and dancing within Dublin. The band was exceptional however and the Irish dancing was top class as well. Food options were also very good. We had the Mussels which were amazing. There is a shuttle which takes you from various locations in the city center to Johnnie Foxes and then will take you back into town at last call. We had a few issues with the transportation. Be careful when looking at the Johnnie Fox's website and the shuttle bus website. Some locations appeared on the timetable (and we waited there for the shuttle) however they are no longer being serviced (the shuttle never came). Hopefully they fixed the discrepancy between the websites. We ended up taking a taxi and Johnnie Fox's pub was nice enough to reimburse us for this increased cost. This was very nice of them. The location was the Davenport hotel just in case this has not been updated. I will not put too much blame on Johnnie Foxes for this issue as the transportation is handled by an outside company. Johnnie Foxes did also handle the issue very well. One benefit many people see is the remote location in the Wicklow mountains over Dublin. This does provide a good atmosphere for sure, but at the end of the night, I think there is also something to be said for being able to walk back to your hotel or house from somewhere in town rather than the trip back from Johnnie Foxes. I think I would recommend getting a taxi (about 20-25 EUR to the city center) rather than taking the shuttle. I felt like the shuttle waited forever to gather all the people back into the bus and then it took quite awhile to come back. Not necessarily the fault of Johnnie Foxes pub as I understand it can be difficult to herd all the drunk people back onto public transport. read more

I had not been here in years and I had forgotten how good it was. The food is good with a large choice and big portions. You should see the size of the doggy bag I came away with which they are happy to provide. Good spot. read more

Seriously, why this place doesn't have 5 stars rating yet?! I adore this place and during ten visitations never had even a slightest complaint. You'll always find a table. At busy busy times I had to wait maybe 10-15 mins. at the "bar" table, but that was no problem, because we ordered drinks. I'd highly recommend this place for tourists during Hooley Nights. Usually it's €50 per person, which includes separate menu with less choice. Pub is GOOD FOR DRIVERS! They sell mid-strength Guinness (~2.8%). read more

Glorious pub! Just on the edge of the Wicklow and Dublin mountains is this very entertaining spot: when the sun's out, a great terrace with live music and inside a lot of craic as well. This is a pub that I want to drop by every time I'm more or less in the area! read more

A bit of craic up in the Wicklow mountains. Real old world stuff. Grub was usual bar food. Make sure you bring a designated driver if your going to have a pint. Place was full of Americans. I felt like I was in the us. read more

Enjoyed the food and atmosphere here... very quaint restaurant... service was great too and it was busy. I tried the mussels for the appetizer and it was delicious. I ordered the lamb shank for my main dish and it was falling off the bone delicious! Definitely a must try when in Dublin! read more

Johnnie Fox's Pub - Lamb shank - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

Great place to stop after a day in Dublin Mountains. The decor will keep you occupied while waiting on food or drink. Busy place but staff very attentive and kind. Lovely food and reasonably priced, music and craic so a great place for locals and tourists! read more

Great tourist place. From Dublin you get a ride up beautiful scenic mountains to Johnnie Fox's - the view is AMAZING and the exterior of the pub shows real character. The food was fantastic! For my group we had choices between soup and prawns, then duck or salmon, and then whiskey cake or cobbler. I had the prawns - which were mini prawns with thousand island dressing on them - they were delicious. I then had the salmon with hollandaise sauce - again it was finger licking good. Finally it was time for dessert and I chose the whiskey cake - I swear I cried because it was so delicious. Moist, and flavorful - it was perfect. And it didn't just end with the food! Throughout the meal Irish music was playing and drinks were flowing and after dessert they put on a beautiful Irish dance show - it was just an altogether great time. Only negatives for me - which are more of personal pet peeves - is that it being a heavily emphasized tourist attraction, it was EXTREMELY crowded. I was very clausterphobic at times and even left some of the show to escape some of boisterous crowd. Over I'm a fan of this pub and would definitely reccommend it to anyone visiting Dublin. read more

If you are in search of a pub that is cuter than your granny's homemade teacosey collection then your search ends at Johnny Foxs pub. With a menu that is brimming with Irish charm (unfortunately even more Irish prices though -€€€€) and live music every night, it's easy to see how people get sucked into this tourist trap! But despite the high brow pricing, they do get a thumbs up from me on practically all other aspects; the food was yum (very hearty, with an ample supply of brown bread!), great live music (nice Irish ballads, nothing OTT for a Tuesday night), and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. read more

The highest pub in Ireland supposedly and a very pretty and quaint pub at that! Its a bit of a drive up the hill from Rathfarnham but worth it. Outside of the pub are an old car, a big old green phone box, an old mangle while inside the pub has a large collection of Irish knicknacks and knickers hanging off the fireplaces, just as if old Ma Fox had just hung up her smalls. The food is expensive though but i had a lovely lamb stew with boiled potates, celery and carrots. It could have been a bigger portion though as i was still a bit hungry afterwards. The fish pie my friend has was quite large with mussels, salmon, cod and cockles and served with mash and fresh vegetables. However my friend said that the actual fish was a bit dry as if it was not cooked in the sauce it was served in. Overall a nice visit although on our visit it was very busy and a bit annoying to see reserved signs on all the tables but i think that was to stop people just walking in and sitting down. Once we spoke to the boss about a table we were quickly seated at a nice table near an open fire. read more

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This place is great and although it is really famous and on a lot of tourist lists of places to visit, lots of locals come here, especially in the summer to sit out on the tables and relax in the Dublin Mountains amongst the lovely flowers and cool antiques dotted outside the pub. Inside it is so cosy and old style cottage like with lots of curiosities from Irish times past. I went here for a Valentine's Day set lunch meal and the food was amazing, and so was the whole menu design itself, with smoked oysters and lobster being what most sticks out in my mind. There is live music here most nights for free and they have traditional hooley night here that is suppose to be really good and well worth the money. read more

Today my boyfriend said 'get ready I pick you up in 5 and we go for a drive'. So I jumped in my jeans and stole his comfy hoodie. Let's go ! After driving to the Dublin mountains, with the soft top of his car down, wind blowing through our hair, my boyfriend said 'how about we go to Johnnie Fox's? t's the highest pub in Ireland' he said. 1* For the direction: Google map knows exactly where it is. It must really be famous! 1* For the decoration outside: The pub is a museum. I kind of imagine it looked like this in 1798 when it first opened. There is an old car in front, an old telephone box, a wishing well (I threw a coin and made a wish), a few agricultural machines, and a big pot that helped cook the daily ration of food during the famine period (history is something but remains brings you to the reality of things. Shocking really). Outside you can also find benches, tables and barrels, a very interesting mix and match of furniture that make the entrance friendly. 1* For the decoration inside: The place has the same feel inside. A bar area as you come in and further a collection of tables and chairs, all different from one to the other. The walls are covered in pictures, extracts of newspapers, porcelain pots and cups, street signs, proverbs, memories of all kinds reminding us of all what happened over the past 217 years. 1* For the staff: We sat and asked for the menu. The staff was amicable and fast in serving us and bringing the bill. A smile goes a long way, both ways. 1* For the food: I had a fish & chips and my boyfriend got himself a burger. The portions were quite big and the food really filling and tasty. Really tasty ! The batter of my fish wasn't too thick nor greasy, the chips weren't too skinny nor hollow, the burger was well done, and the onions cooked on point. For desert, we ordered 3 scoops of vanilla pod icecream. We shared and that was delicious ! 1* For the overall experience: 2 teas 1 burger 1 fish & chips 1 icecream (3 scoops) Total: 40 euros The portions were huge. The place is special and really enjoyable to walk around. The staff is nice. There is not a single hiccup. The price is generous, that's true. But we got out having learned something about the Irish history. I would like to go back sometime definitely :) If you've got a ride and some time to drive around, I recommend this place. Take your phone/camera for you'll want to take pictures ;) read more

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Cold Guinness and delicious food. What can get better than that? There's so much to take in when you go to Johhnie Fox's Pub. It is extremely old and so much to look at. The food was amazing. I loved the seafood and I loved the lamb. Everything was prepared great and I would love to come back if I was ever in the area again. read more

If you wake up on a rainy Sunday craving some delicious soda bread dipped in a warm wholesome chowder, I would definitely recommend J. Fox's. On a sunny day the garden is the place to be with a cold beer and a beautiful view. On a gloomy Irish day, the cosy, rustic interior will make the rain worth it. The staff could stand to be a bit friendlier but overall its a huge YES in my books. read more

Johnnie Fox's Pub - Chowderrrrrrr - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

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The pub itself is really quaint and exactly what you'd expect a pub to be like. It wasn't the cleanest place to eat with spiderwebs in corners of the building. But the atmosphere was nice. They had a man playing music while we ate our dinner and it made it quite nice. The food was good, albeit a bit on the pricey side. My wife and I both ordered some seafood dishes and the seafood was quite fresh and the food was plentiful. I'd call the food pretty average for most of the places we ate around the country, though. The service at the restaurant was good. Our waitress was very kind and we were treated quite well by everyone there. Given that there aren't a lot of options as the area is pretty rural and spread out, it's not a bad place to eat but next time I'd probably make different plans. read more

Its amazing how full this place gets during the summer even on weekdays! its usually not full of locals or anything but every single corner and stool and cobwebby nook is taken over by a tourist who decended from a tour bus outside the door. I have never eaten in here, its always too packed but i have brought people here for drinks, its always a great spot to bring a non irish person to give them a flavour of what ireland used to be like when their great grannies uncle left ireland in search of a better life. There is always a bit of irish music being played and all the non irish people join in for the ones that they know and everyone claps along and taps there feet irish style and johnnie foxes makes a fortune out of the whole thing. Not a place for locals in my opinion but a great place to bring your distant relative from outer mongolia! read more

"The highest pub in Dublin" Take that how you will. A tourist trap for sure, but a good one. Strong drinks, good craic and good food. I had some salmon pie thing and it was delicious. Being in a dress, they pulled me on stage to dance with the band. I had a blast. Get drunk, you'll enjoy yourself madly. The food is traditional Irish (as far as tourists are concerned), and you can enjoy the band and souvenirs. A must-do for anyone coming to Dublin for their first time. Great for pictures, getting a taste of the local music and food.. and a taste of Ireland is for damn sure. read more

My brother said, that if there was a place to go when we were visiting Dublin, we had to go to Johnny Fox's. 1. It's a long bus ride out of town 2. If it's a dead night, you are trapped there until the bus leaves at close. 3. The service was fine 4. The food was mediocre. This is definitely a place where the crowd and the entertainment makes the night. I have heard wonderful things... but I am not sure I would go again. read more

This was one of our tour groups excursions. Went for the dinner and the hooley show and enjoyed it! Great show. They get the audience involved which makes it fun. Started off with a glass of whiskey, dinner, dessert and a Irish coffee to end the evening. Not sure if this is part of the normal menu or it is special for tour groups. Worth going to. read more