Customer service - forget it. We came in to have dinner and have a few drinks for the evening, after an hour we were rushed/forced out of our table. They apologized 3 times because of a large group coming in - not our fault we were there first. TIP: Don't put people at a table, if you don't have plenty of time and know it's reserved for a large group. read more

So, we've gone in with friends for drinks in the past and they were great! We decided to try there for dinner and drinks last weekend and it wasn't good. I thought for sure it would be great since we got drinks that were spot on and the onion rings. To start, the staff was spotty. The bartender would leave and not come back for a while. So to refill our beverages took some time. You might want to order 2 at a time and when you finish the first one, request another drink. You might get it by the time you are done with your second. The onion rings were crunchy and delicious. So a friend ordered the fish and chips. It came with the same batter and there were 3 large fish pieces. He said it was amazingly good and wasn't overly battered. Sometimes when you order fish n' chips it's mostly batter on the fish and very little fish. So next time, I'll order the fish n' chips here! I ordered the stuffed chicken. The chicken was so dry you couldn't even cut it. The "stuffing" was 4 little pieces of overly salted bread layered in between the two mini-overcooked chicken breasts. The mashed potatoes that came with it were delicious, so I was glad there was a large helping of those and the mixed vegetables. My boyfriend ordered the bangers n' mashed. It was laughable when it came to the table. It looked like a pinwheel of 6 little jimmy dean breakfast sausages surrounding a scoop of mashed potatoes and gravy. The sausage looked deep fried and over cooked to the point they were wrinkled. He could have purchased a pack of jimmy dean sausage links at the store for half the price! Very disappointed in the food...even for bar food, but I would definitely be back for drinks and onion rings! Save my money on the rest and hit a drive thru on the way there. read more

TWICE now I've had watered down, stinky-stale draft beer. And while the ambiance is nice at about 8pm, by 10:30 it's loud and overrun by college students. I did enjoy the sweet potato chips with garlic mayo, and the boxtys. And staff is friendly enough. Just... blerg... at least get the draft beer right! read more

My girlfriend recommended we go to Maggie Miley's for lunch because she enjoyed it when she went with friends. We recently moved a couple blocks away so I was willing to give it a shot. First, hire more wait staff for lunch! The wait staff seemed a little overwhelmed. The poor waitress was running around frantically. We were sitting in the booth across from the host area and it was taking a while for people to be seated. I am surprised that these people didn't walk out. I had the Paddy Melt. It comes with Irish Cheddar but you would not have known that from tasting it. I lifted the rye bread up and there was a dab of something that might be described as cheese. I finished the rest of my girlfriend's fries and for some reason her fries were crispier than mine. The tea I had was really delicious though. I will be willing to give this place another shot but I think I will pick a different time to try it out. I will definitely be trying a different dish. read more

Quick service with a great atmosphere. Great Irish menu. A bit disappointed by the Beef sandwich w au jus. The beef was very dry and it was served on what appeared to be a hot dog bun. My friend enjoyed the Rueben but all the fries seemed to have been refried as they were limp and overly greasy. read more

Yesterday was the fourth time I've had lunch or dinner at Maggie's, and it's been a mixed bag every single visit. I don't know if their kitchen staff rotates a lot, or what, but it's been inconstant at best. Still, friends of mine speak highly of the place, so I've given it several tries. I was really starting to think they were letting the bar's quality excuse the food's quality. Yesterday was the first time I had a satisfactory meal there. As a bar, I'd give this a solid 4 or 5 stars. As a restaurant, they lose some points. The first time I went, I got their flagship Irish Beef Stew. The breadbowl was mushy and tasteless, and the stew wasn't seasoned nearly enough. In short, it was quite bland. I tried it again yesterday when a friend got it, and I was much more impressed. The second time, I got their Shepherd's Pie. The meat at the bottom was delicious, but it was completely overpowered by the mashed potatoes. It had far too many potatoes for the amount of other stuff I got. Again, this looked better yesterday. This last time, I got the Bangers & Mash. I'd had this dish before, but this time everything finally clicked. The first time I got it, the sausage was undercooked and mushy. This time, they were perfectly cooked, and the mashed potatoes & gravy were splendid. Really, the gravy was outstanding. A friend got a bowl of their Leek & Potato soup. I think that's what I'll get next time; it was very flavorful and delicious. At any rate, for the meal I got, it was still pretty expensive. That's par for the course for Uptown Normal, though, where most everything but Big Mouth's is a little overpriced and slightly unsatisfying. Still, my friends enjoyed it, and my wife wants to give it another shot in the near future, so I'm sure I'll be back again! read more

I've known of Maggie Miley's for a little while, but as a recent transplant from Peoria it has become a favorite. The food is exceptional and the drink selection is massive. There's plenty to choose from-even for us whiskey drinkers. My favorite part is building itself. As a former house flipper who has worked on my share of older buildings, I can appreciate the exceptional craftsmanship showcased inside Maggie Miley's . Legitimately feels like being in an actual Irish pub. read more

So I won't recap what everyone else has already written about this place in detail. What I will say is the beer (oh, God, the BEER!) is fantastic. The food is authentic and reminds me of 11 glorious days I spent in Ireland some years ago. The potato leek soup, bangers and mash, fish and chips, corned beef, brown bread...it all is highly reminiscent of the food from the pubs I spent my time in as I ate (and drank, and drank, and drank...did I mention I drank a bit in Ireland?) my way across the Gaelic countryside. Even the Guinness tastes better than other places around town. Staff is friendly and price is fair for the fare (see what I did there). Overall, definitely worth stopping in for a meal, either the solid or liquid variety. read more

"Nice environment and great beer selection. Food was rather greasy." I had dinner at Maggie Miley's and ordered their Toastie sandwich. The Toastie was very greasy and overly buttered, and my Irish fries were also greasy, wet and not fully crisp. This overall made the meal unappetizing. read more

When I stay at the Marriott nearby for business trips, you'll often find me here a night or two. During the week they have great drink specials with beer deals on Monday, well special on Tuesday, and whiskey specials on Wednesdays. I've eaten here a few times and the one standout dish was the duck tender salad. I've never had anything like that before and it was really tasty. The bartenders are a bit of a crapshoot in regards to friendliness and attentiveness, but I haven't had any really terrible experiences. Decor is pretty traditional for an irish pub, but definitely nicer than most of the college bars in the area. Being so close to ISU, expect lots of college kids, but you'll also get random local folks and groups of business travelers too. read more

My first visit to Maggie's was shortly after they opened their doors in 2004. I have been back dozens upon dozens of times and have had as many wonderful experiences. Out of all the times I've been there I can remember one negative experience that revolved around one particular bartender whom I proceeded to just avoid every other time I went there, if he was working. The owner Peter is a wonderful man who understands how a business should be run. Maggie Miley's is one of the most consistent, delightful, and satisfying businesses I have ever experienced. The food is reasonably priced, the menu carefully crafted, and perfectly executed. The bar specials are great and widely varied throughout the week. Bottled craft beers, flavored vodka drinks, whiskeys, drafts, long "Ireland" iced teas, you call its, etc etc. On Sundays there is a Bloody Mary special as well as EVERY OTHER DAILY BAR SPECIAL! Sunday nights are the best time to go! Having since moved to Denver, this is truly one of the only places that I miss frequenting and I have not found somewhere in Denver yet to replace the homelike experience and comfort level that Maggie's has impressed upon my being. If you are thinking about going here, just do it. If you are coming for dinner between 6PM and 8PM call ahead as soon as possible to reserve a table to avoid a long wait. read more

To be honest, there are only a few menu items I like. I think most times, the meat is well over cooked. The veggies are some times cold. The potatoes are not very consistent with texture or taste. The fish and chips, the corned beef and cabbage and the stew are safe bets. The portion of stew leaves you hungry for more. The wait staff often seem thin on any night and you might have to yell to get a drink. However, they have a great selection of beer on tap. They have some personable people and the prices on drinks are not outrageous. I would just be careful with what you order. Enjoy a woodchuck hard cider while there. read more

Why do I come back time and again? 1 Guinness, 2 Whiskey, 3 the Food & 4 Darts 1. There is a right way and a multitude of wrong ways to pour a Guinness. They do it right every time. And you should get brave and try a Black and Tan or any of their beautiful Guinness + (insert beer name here) combinations. Irish King is my go-to. Goes down easy, too. 2. Irish Whiskey is the best whiskey. If you go on Wednesdays its on special. Drinking it on the rocks is akin to breaking Irish law. If you're just learning how to appreciate it, a little ginger ale and lime would be a good intro with it. 3a. Beer Battered Onion Rings. Get more of that dipping sauceomness 3b. Potato Soup with Bacon and Cheese. Get the cup. The bowl is more like a vat. 3c. Paddy Melt is the best in town. Greasy with fresh cut fries. Greasy = good for you. 3d. Half order of Shepherd's Pie. Call me a wuss if you want but if I'm drinking Guinness and eating onion rings, this means I don't have to switch into my fat pants. 3e. Bangers and Mash is deep fried sausage and potatoes. Doesn't get more manly. 3f. Fish & Chips are authentic and solid. 3g. Last food list, promise. Irish Stew Boxty. Awe-thentic. Man I miss that country. 4. Two Dart boards in the bar, great for people watching, spots to put your beer and right by the TVs in case you're engrossed in (insert sports game here) Still one of my favorite spots in town to go with friends, or with my hubby for a night out to reminisce about our trip to Ireland. Tips your servers and bartenders well, pouring a Guinness takes patience on their part and your part, and its SOOOO worth it. read more

Maggie's seems to be the "upscale" bar in Normal. It opened during my last year as a student at ISU, so I never really got to enjoy it. I wanted to return during my latest visit, so we did. We didn't eat, and I'm a little disappointed about that. I feel like we probably could've gotten a better meal here at a better price than what we got out on Veteran's at a chain... but that's my own fault. When we got there, it was jammin'. It was Friday night of homecoming weekend, and the crowd was a healthy mix of students and alumni. The drinks are more expensive than going to the Pub II or someplace comparable.... call me an old lady, I liked that my beverages were served to me in a GLASS, and not a plastic cup. I liked that I had a decent selection of beverages to choose from, not just "bud light. miller lite. jager bomb." I enjoyed a Strongbow cider while my other half sipped on whiskey. The prices are still better than being in the 'burbs or definitely the city. When I get down to ISU again (who knows when that will be?) I'll definitely have a meal at Maggie's... and enjoy another (comparatively) inexpensive Strongbow. read more

First time eating Irish food here, and absolutely loved it. Had bangers and mash and the Boxty, they both were delicious. First time having Irish coffee with a shot of liquor. Menu is a newspaper. Food was hearty and rich in flavor & overall delicious. Great service. Server seemed very knowledgeable of the menu. read more

See all

Disclosure: I'm an East Coaster who previously lived in Ireland and loves beer. Coming from out of town I'm always looking for new bars wherever I end up. Luckily for me nearly every self-respecting town in the US has an Irish bar. Even luckier for me Bloomington has quite the gem of one. With a bar crafted from the source, a founding story and quality draft and whiskey list this bar hits the nail pretty square on the head (not that I'm suggesting you use anything on your work bench after enjoying this pub). The food is standard Irish fare; I enjoyed the Shepard's Pie and look forward to the next meal - maybe the boxty. I think Maggie Miley's is rated $$$ which may be fair for a college town but I would pin it @ $$ given ~$12 entrees and good drink deals (for drinks you want to drink). My only issue, and yes I have to have one given my 4 stars, is certain aspects of the ambience. Despite the legit interior, it's a bit too polished for a true feeling Irish bar and the arcade games like big buck hunter kind of detract from what I define as a 100% pub. Nonetheless, this is a college part of town and I understand the need for such things (how else would you determine which of your friends is the most sober?). I'll be heading back and I hope this place is around for many more to come. read more

Scenery is good. Food is average. "Cork Chop" was a dry pork chop with Cajun spice. Fish & Chips: "Fish was good, batter sucked." Don't eat here. read more

I had potato pancakes and corned beef. The potato pancake was interesting. Fine. I wouldn't get it again but it didn't make me sad to eat. The corned beef, however, was the worst corned beef I've ever had. That made me very sad. I love corned beef. This was tough and difficult to eat. Not sure if it was poor quality or poorly cooked, but I was stuck chewing it until it turned into a gum like piece and I gave up. Not sure what the deal was with the cabbage but it mostly tasted like Christmas smells. Too much clove maybe? Such an odd experience to have at a restaurant that's been in business for years. I'd just remove the corned beef from the menu...and also make the potato pancakes into small snack size pancakes instead of big floppy cut up pieces of a giant pancake. read more

We had some time to kill in Normal so we stopped into Maggie Milleys for some lunch. The atmosphere is standard Irish pub, with lots of taps, beer mirrors, wood, etc. It wasn't very busy on a Saturday summer afternoon, I imagine it gets busier when university is in session. We shared sweet potato chips which were tasty and perfectly cooked. My fish and chips was outstanding. The fish had a thick crispy batter and you could smell and taste the Guinness. Huge portion, very nice piece of fish. My wife had a grilled cheese sandwich with spinach and tomato - it had a specific name. That was also very good, tangy Irish cheddar cheese. Fries were fresh and seemed homemade. Service was very attentive and friendly. We will definitely stop in again when coming through Normal. read more

Maggie Miley's - Fish and chips with the grilled cheese in the background. - Irish Pub Near Me - Normal, Illinois

Maggie's walks the walk as an Irish pub in terms of decor, menu, and drinks. My only complaint is the service. The wait staff is consistently slow and acts as though you are inconveniencing them whenever you finish your drink and ask for another. I would recommend going directly to the bar for refills. I don't want to dwell on the service though, because otherwise it is a really great pub. Maggie's is a restaurant by day and they won't seat your group before 7-8PM if you aren't planning to order food (unless it's especially slow). After the dinner crowd is gone though, it's a great pub atmosphere. read more

I still can't recommend this place enough. I've eaten here more than a few times and, Christ, I've drunken here more than anyone should have. The blackened catfish is the best dish for the non-meat eaters. The Burgers are still AMAZING for meat eaters. The potato-leek soup and a Harp or Guinness is an experience between class for the student looking for a solid meal to fill the gap between lit and history. I really can't recommend this place enough for folks in the area. My own family had a negative experience with a slow waiter my first weekend down here (but I've never had a problem since) and that's the only complaint I personally know about. The food has always been expertly prepared, delicious and amazing for me. That isn't even bringing into question the beer selection, which is amazing. I'm a beer snob and their "beer of the month" generally makes me feel small minded, not to mention other beers they have on hand. I suggest a Blackened Catfish with Boddingtons Pub Ale for a good lunch or dinner. Enoy! read more

Good spot just off campus near Illinois State University. Cool Irish pub / restaurant. Good selection of beer and other Irish drinkables. Excellent atmosphere. We order The Mick Burger which was good and large. We also got the fish and chips which was a gargantuan portion. 1 was easily enough to feed 2. I'll be back next time in town. read more

This place continues to be consistently good. The fish and chips are the best around!

Good place for a casual lunch or if you are in the mood for good pub food and a pint. The service from the servers is usually good. They seem to have some trouble figuring out how to get it together at the hostess stand though. If you have a party of two some of the seating choices can be a bit awkward. There are a couple of cozy semi-walled seating areas for a party of two, but there are two of those tables right next to each other so you are also cozied up right next to another couple. I highly recommend a pint of Guinness and the Shepherd's Pie. read more

This place is pretty solid. I've rarely had a bad meal here. The battered sausages are top notch. If you think you are a culinary tuff guy (or gal) , then get the Irish breakfast (served all day) and ask for extra blood sausage. My favorite item is the shepherd's pie. The veggies are not overdone and and the taters are super fluffy . I just wish they served it with a different side than that crappy frozen steamed broccoli/cauliflower mix. Also, not a highlight of their menu, but these guys have the best spinach salad in town, if that's your bag. As long as you steer clear of the stew (taste like Dinty Moore) then you will make out well. Also, mad props to these guys for having Matilda on tap. read more

Fantastic, authentic Iris Pub. Best in Bloomington/Normal! The Irish Ruben, and Potato and leek Soup as favs of my wife and mine! read more

I recently had lunch here with some coworkers and had a terrific experience! The food was excellent and the service was the best! My French dip sandwich and fries were very tasty and the chicken Caesar salad looked excellent. They have a good selection of beers and I can't wait to come back and try some more IPAs. Also, we had Sarah as our server and she was great - very kind, polite and on top of our order! Will definitely be back soon! read more

Listen, I like this place. When I'm back visiting my parents, I usually stop and I enjoy visiting Josh and having a pint. However, this place is about as Irish as I am and I get cranky when pubs call their food Irish when it's none of the sort. I have never seen a GAA or Six Nations match advertised here, which again speaks to its authenticity. Corned beef is not a big Sunday meal in Ireland. Cabbage is typically served with bacon (pork loin). Please stop calling a beef pie "Shepherd's Pie." Beef pies are Cottage Pies. Lamb pies are Shepherd's Pies. For you folks who order Black and Tans and comment on how Irish they are, I suggest you read some modern history of Ireland. read more

One of the best burgers I've had in town. Our server was absolutely fantastic. She was very personable. The restaurant has a super cool atmosphere to it, I like the music playing in the background a lot. My friend got fish and chips - some of the best I've had. I'll definitely be returning. read more

One of the best bars in Bloomington Normal. Friendly staff. Great food. The bartenders know their stuff. A true Irish pub. read more

Maggie Miley's - One of the best bars in Bloomington Normal. Friendly staff. Great food. The bartenders know there stuff. A true Irish pub. - Irish Pub Near Me - Normal, Illinois

1. Go on Whiskey Wednesday's, my favorite drink to order is a Jameson and Ginger Ale 2. Order a cup of the potato-leek soup. Absolutely phenomenal! Cheese and bacon bits are optional add-ons. 3. Split an order of the Guinness-battered onion rings and get yourself another drink. read more

Their fries were very subpar. Now I used to work at portillos and anyone that had been to portillos knows their fries are how fries should be- crispy and delicious. These fries were soggy and gross. The only reason we stayed is because we were starving and everywhere else had a long wait. Also food was pretty ok, maybe even bad. But they had Abita root beer which was good. Would not go again. read more

I was here for the first time and I had a standard grilled chicken sandwich (Cajun). It was actually really good. I personally hate when chicken is super dry and this was not the case. Taste was really good and the fries were excellent. I would stop at this place if I'm ever in town, just for this sandwich! read more

What's a nice bar doing in a place like this? That's how I feel about Maggie's. It is a bit out of place. It may be a bit too mainstream/nice for the ISU area in which it is located. I just don't know what to make of that. Drinks were great, and the food is good. It is a great place to meet with your parents when they come to visit at school. Maybe not so much for a night out with friends. read more

I love Maggie's! Every time we eat here I always get the fish and chips. It is battered using Guinness and absolutely delicious. Their patio is wonderful in the summer but this place sure does get swamped at night and on the weekends. read more

Boxty portion size considerably reduced and no longer capable of sustaining a poor graduate student for three more meals. Still tasty. Would not recommend the Bailey's cheesecake -- save room for ice cream down the street. read more

Amazing customer service, family friendly environment, and the food was amazing. Recommend the Reuben fritters or Scotch eggs

First off I've been in the service industry for 15 years Went in for dinner sat 20 mins wasn't busy one waiter had a table right next to us walked by twice never said anything. Best Bartender in town besides that won't be coming back to this establishment. Never received service got up and walked out no one said anything. read more

I went here only once, but absolutely loved it! I had some appetizers and the boxty. (I did not even know there was such a thing!) Delicious. This would be a good place to go for drinks or dinner with friends. I imagine that bar area might be a good place to meet people -- probably more so if you are a student. read more

Lovely Irish Atmosphere: Nice place to grab a pint - Thursday's $ 3.75 pint special is a good deal to save a penny or two. Now, for the food though... If only the Cork fries came out CRISPY. These tators were limp, sad to say. Lots of seasoned flavor, but decided to stop after the 7th soggy fry. Waitress said they shouldn't be soggy - but says it happens sometimes. Shepherd's pie was good, not great. Wish I ordered the Steak or the Stew I was craving in the first place. In the end, BEER saved the evening and for that I'll t'ank Guinness (& Harp)... read more