This was my go to pub for a long time, but the kitchen has been very inconsistent for a while now. I still go if I'm in the city, but maybe once every few months. Some days my food is so good, I kick myself for not coming more often, and other times it's as if they just scraped something together. My biggest complaint isn't with the staff, they're all great, but the couple who owns the pub. If they're in, they usually are sitting at a table with friends. They don't interact with customers at all, won't even say hello. It's borderline uncomfortable because the wait staff will attend to them at the bereft of customers waiting for service. That should never be. These days, if I'm in town and want to stop for a Guinness and a Jamison, I will, but I no longer recommend it for lunch or dinner. read more

We have been so fortunate this fall that during this horrible pandemic the weather has been beautiful and very conducive to eating outdoors. We stopped here for lunch one day and sat outside very safely. The service was very quick and excellent. We felt very comfortable and relaxed sitting outside enjoying the weather. I finally decided on a Cobb salad. The menu is a little bit extensive maybe because I liked so many things on it so it took me a while to choose but being on the diet I went for the salad. Even the salads all looked good but I decided on the Cobb. It was very good and it wasn't a giant family size so I was able to eat it and enjoy it and not feel guilty about throwing out food. It was just enough. Mike had a turkey wrap that was made from real turkey, not the deli stuff and he loved it. It was a very nice place and there were other things on the menu that I would like to try so we will definitely be back. read more

See all

Pretty quiet on a Friday evening at 5 PM. Definitely can stop by here randomly by yourself for a drink and lunch/dinner, as most were here alone and it wasn't a big deal. Friendly bartender, clean establishment, and a modern looking pub. Our server took too long to come back to our table for orders. It wasn't busy either. But otherwise, she was friendly and helpful. My brother and I split the Irish Mac. It was excellent. However, really light on the sweet potato fries in terms of quantity. This didn't bother me, but we were both surprised given the fact that most places don't skimp on this type of stuff. Burger itself was tall and perfect to split between two. Delicious. What docks this place two stars was the beer list. For an Irish pub I was disappointed. Nearly all the beers were bottled so you couldn't sample any. And the bottled selections weren't great either. Not many local beers which was a bummer for me. The one's on tap were very mediocre and not worth trying since they were known names (Guinness, Sam Adams, etc). Beer recommendations: Heavy Seas Tropicannon. Delicious mix of various fruits. And I'm not into fruity beer either, so that's saying a lot. Stay away from Founders All Day IPA - it's basically an American Corona. Yuck. Live band at 6:30; full house from then on. Plan to come here for 6 PM if you want to avoid the crowd. read more

McBride's Pub - Irish Mac. Delicious. - Irish Pub Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

I liked the look and feel of this cozy pub, but only visited briefly for a cocktail before dinner at another restaurant. Our cocktails were nice, the bartender was attentive enough, and the menu appeared to have some really tasty options. I will have to stop in and eat here another time because the food sounded just a bit too hearty and heavy for a 90 degree day. read more

See all

What a great place ! They serve food there but we were there for a pub crawl and food was not even a thought yet. It's a small unassuming little place but is big on spirit. It's a very warm homey place. Everyone who works there was smiling and welcoming. Our beers were cold and reasonably Priced. The bar is a decent sized and can accommodate quite a few people. Being New Year's Eve they were passing out hats and champagne. This is a great place to go to if you want a comforting atmosphere to relax. I'm looking forward to going again and trying out some Irish pub fare since it looked good. read more

Don't be deterred by the 3 stars - don't know them well enough to merit more...yet! I was ecstatic to see McBride's go up in Wayland Square; it's a wonderful addition to the neighborhood and will undoubtedly do well there. The bar is very cozy and well equipped with friendly and attentive bartenders. I only ducked in for a drink and did not get to sample the fare, but judging by what those around me ordered it looks pretty good. It looks as though they have outdoor seating in both the front and back when the weather permits, which is really nice. I hope they do well there and that I get to come back again soon! read more

McBride's Pub - Irish Pub Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Another cookie-cutter "Irish Pub" -- oh look, they serve Guinness! Do these places come in a build-your-own-pub kit that assures one generic "Irish" bar will be exactly like the next one? Guess so. This one has the expected lousy, overpriced food [see other reviews], a paltry selection of beers, and nothing special to recommend. So, over we must go to Chomp, Captain Seaweed's the Wild Colonial or Nick-a-Nee's for something authentic and fun. read more

Excellent place to go. Especially on st.Patty days. Friendly staff. Delicious food.. great music!!

McBride's is the greatest bar that doubles as a trivia night (on Wednesdays) and concert hall (Tuesdays). The drinks are amazing and the food is even better. Highly recommend the spinach artichoke dip!!! Love the staff and atmosphere from sunrise to sunset. read more

My frist visit to McBride's was very enjoyable. There were three of us for lunch. The pub was not crowded and the atmosphere quiet, but my brother tells me the noise level goes up at night when the pub is much busier. It is a clean, well organized pub with good food and a menu offering some traditional Irish as well as American dishes. I ate a blue cheese burger that I ordered medium rare but arrived medium well. The server immediately offered to bring it back and bring me another but the flavor was so good on the one cooked more than I wanted that I chose to keep it! My brother had the turkey burger which he says he usually orders and always enjoys and likewise my sister in-law had the crispy chicken sandwich that is her standby. For those who judge restaurants by their bathrooms, I wish my apartment was as clean! read more

See all

ok.....................! yeah I ate here. Ok.......alright... chips yummy. Service? Ok....trivia, fun$

I've never had a bad time at McBride's. This place is so consistent with its quality and service. The drinks are strong and the food is delicious. I've tried a number of different dishes and each one is great - can't go wrong no matter what you get. Pumpkin espresso martini in the fall was to die for. The potato pizza is unbelievable - they've cut down there menu due to COVID but hopefully that pie makes a return. read more

My husband and I went to McBride's tonight and had a great experience. We've been here many times, but I really felt it was time to write a review. The food is always delicious and the wait staff is always attentive and friendly. It is a fun environment, with great musicians on Saturday nights. I highly recommend this restaurant for locals, or if you're coming into town for a visit. read more

We were shopping right next door at West Elm on a Sunday and stumbled onto McBrides. What a pleasant surprise!! Perfect pub type atmosphere. Clean and pleasant in acquaint little upper crust village square in Providence. Food was excellent quality pub food. Excellent selection of beers and I had a pear cider (don't normally drink beer) and it was excellent. I would definitely recommend popping in and trying McBrides. You will enjoy! read more

I get the corned beef Reuben with sweet potato fries every week. Best thing around. Every time I get it I can't believe how good it is. Do yourselves a favor and give it a try! read more

I love this place, they have decent prices and their food has never disappointed . My favorite so far has bee the crispy chicken sandwich. I can't speak on their there drinks as I usually get the food to go for my break at work. Every time I come in I'm greeting with a smile...so if your looking for good pub food McBrides is the way to go! read more

We walked into this place with 11 people and were greeted with such politeness. We were looking for a place to unwind after a long stressful weekend visiting a sick family member. We were made to feel at home right away by the bartender Kevin. When we went to our table, we were immediately greeted by our server Tina who was an absolute delight. Tina was very attentive and made us feel like we were her best customers. Tina and Kevin did a fantastic job of making sure our beverages were always full. I can't say enough about the great service we received. The food was amazing, we had several appetizers and entrees, all delicious. I don't write a ton of reviews, but Tina and Kevin earned our praise and are deserving of a great review. Bottom line, stop in for great service and food. Loved it. Thank you! read more

I visited McBride's on a Saturday evening with my two children (7 and 9). The place was fairly empty for a Saturday night at around 7pm in Wayland Square. The menu is pricey which is to be expected given the other restaurants in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, the quality of the food and service are nowhere near comparable to other Wayland Square restaurants. Let's start with drinks. I ordered an Old Fashioned. It was eleven bucks, watered down and came in an oversized shot glass. After finishing the drink (which didn't take long given the size of the glass), I was never asked by our server if I'd like anything else--not even a water refill. The food was very mediocre. I ate a turkey wrap which was fine. My daughter had nachos that were underwhelming (nothing special). My son ordered a burger (I asked for medium) - it was served raw and bloody. I very rarely send things back, but had to in this case. When the burger returned, it wasn't rare but it was still fairly undercooked. The fries were bland. So, lackluster service, underwhelming food and very high prices for what you get earn this place 2 stars on my first visit. I hope things improve, but it will be an uphill climb. read more

You want to know what's not cool, an "Irish" pub that you can't get a drink in. Stopped in the other night after dinner in PVD for a pint. Waited a bit at a table by the bar, and a waitress came over to hand us menus. I mentioned that we had just stopped in for drinks, and she leaves, takes the menus with her, and never comes back. No one else does either. Gussied up decor and canned Irish music aside, if you can't get a pint of Guiness, it isn't any kind of pub I want to spend time in. Swing and a miss. read more

The place lacks heart. And service. And food quality. I want to love it so much more - there is a huge need for a fun and casual option in Wayland Square to combat the stifling shi shi vibe of most other establishments. But it never feels like home there: no sense of regulars, I've never eaten anything there that didn't make me feel like it was prepackaged and deep fried, and the beer menu is uninspired. I've been at least 10 times since it opened for various birthdays, meetings, etc. It's never been terrible. But it's consistently been mediocre. Patio is great for people watching. Space is reasonable for large events. Some creative menu options like the Shepherd's Pie nachos. Totally "fine" if you're looking for pub grub. Look elsewhere for a good meal. read more

I am a fan of McBride's small, pubby feel. However, to sum it up, nice bar to have a beer but lacking in the food area and they rely heavy on their outdoor seating. So let me say, their food is not terrible, Irish staples and the shepherd's pie filling on the nachos is pretty awesome. And hey you can't beat being served by someone with an Irish accent. So why 3 stars? I hate to bring down a restaurant because of where it is but McBride's this is Wayland. Have to step up your game around here where you have Haruki, Salted Slate, Lim's and even Wayland Diner. I know you are better than a chain, but the food on the menu is what it feels like. I see a few smatterings of ingenuity on the menu, keep that up McBride's! A good pub to emulate is Ivy Tavern, where a focus on sandwiches and a few special dishes is great. McBride's not a bad place to get a brew, a summer place to enjoy the weather, and the food is pretty good but for the area, I just want it to be a little more. read more

This pub doesn't feel like an Irish pub because everything is brand new. It reminds me of what an Irish pub would be in Disney or Epcot Center. While the staff is very nice, the lights are way too bright and the "Irish" Pandora music can get repetitive and annoying. I had a turkey Reuben sandwich that was very tasty along with a kettle one martini which was only so-so. One nice thing I noticed is that they "sell" the chairs and bar stools to support a charitable cause. (For a specific donation you get your name engraved on a metal plaque that they affix to the back of the seat.) I would go back if someone really wanted to go there, but the bright, pre-fabricated atmosphere really turns me off. read more

This review is based strictly on the bar, as a friend and I visited for an early weekend drink. I stuck with Guinness, but they had a large selection of beer, and the bartender was friendly The atmosphere is nice, you feel as though you've stepped into an upscale Irish pub, yet still casual. I must say the wordwork inside the building is gorgeous. While chatting with the bartender I discovered that they have a last call every night when you can toast a loved one. I look forward to coming back and experiencing that as well as what looks to be a superb patio for when the weather breaks! read more

This place is great! Bartender Patrick is awesome. :) Rum swizzle is the bomb. Prices a little expensive, but it is Wayland Square... Still have yet to experience the "traditional Irish music", I wonder if it will be good as it was in Doolin. read more

Great place for a Guinness, but alas just not a big fan of the food. I like the look and feel of McBrides. It has a pretty cool atmosphere, and the story of how the place was formed is pretty interesting too. I wish I dug the food more, but it just wasn't the best Irish pub fare that I've tried. The service is pretty good, but sometimes it takes a while to be served. I would gladly come back for a drink, especially since it's right in my 'hood. The patio is a cool place to relax on Summer evenings, and well, maybe eventually I'll find a food item that I really enjoy. You never know. read more

I've been to McBrides several times now and in my opinion its the perfect place to meet up for drinks with friends and co-workers. The notable absence of hipsters is a welcome surprise as is the decent selection of beers. They have some nice bottled stuff available as well as some decent beers on tap in the event you aren't up for the token Irish bar Guinness. I've always had burgers there and been happy with them although the service can be hit or miss and the last two times i was there the bartender seemed afraid to approach me. I'm not scary or mean but i am thirsty so come on over son. The spotty service and strange hours are landing me at three stars. If I see the consistency in service, I'd happily move it up. Case in point, the last time we were there it was on a Thursday at closing time, which apparently is about 10:45. We didn't realize that and when we asked if we had time for another round they gave us one, then turned the house lights on and rushed us out. It would have been less awkward for me to hear "Sorry guys, we've got to close up" then to chug a beer while the waitstaff glares at us from across the room with all the lights on. read more

This place is such a shame. I've just never been in an Irish pub that was so boring. The food sucks, but Irish pub food is usually crap anyway, so expectations are low. It's quite expensive, though. Weird, sterile atmosphere, indifferent service. The crowd is odd as well, I think because there are no neighborhood regulars so everyone is just kind of random. Music sucks. Beer and liquor selection is whatever. And why is it so bright in here? It's supposed to be a pub, you guys. read more

We went back for a early-evening Sunday dinner with friends. Our server was lovely and the seating outdoors was great, but I was less than impressed with the food and am embarrassed to have brought two out-of-towners here to eat - with what Providence has to offer!?! The one word that knocked them down a star? Cold. Yes, cold food. We ordered two apps (muscle special and calamari) to share around the table. The door was still swinging shut from our waitress exiting after bringing our apps that two new servers appeared with our entrees. I had not even unrolled by napkin to place on my lap. They were confused when we asked why our food was being served WITH our apps - and I suppose were nice enough to take it back to the kitchen... Baked fish, Shepard's Pie, veggie burger and blue burger. I watched in horror as my friend cracked through the crust of her cold mashed potatoes that accompanied her past-prime fish... She was gracious, covered both in pepper and salt and smiled as she washed it down with her beer. The Shepard's Pie seemed to keep - but our burgers and fries... I understand keeping the burgers under the heat lamp. That makes sense. But fries? Had one of my +$1 sweat potato fry and couldn't touch another. I feel like they've been open long enough that these hiccups should be worked out... So disappointed. read more

I was expecting more from this Irish pub at Wayland Square. I didn't get anything to eat, so I can't fully comment, but overall, thought the environment wasn't what I hoped for and the clientele was not my cup of tea. I really can't say anything about the service, but my experience was fairly meh. I'd certainly go back to sit on the patio and try some grub. read more

What a gem! Met some friends here for dinner and drinks, love the seat yourself factor. I also loved the outdoor patio, wished it was warmer as I would have taken advantage of it. Decent beer selection, they had some of my favorites, that kept me happy. For dinner I, of course, had to get the Reuben with corned beef. Can we say amazing?! The corned beef was so tender and chopped up bit size, making this monster easy to eat. Jam packed with corned beef! Fries were decent. My husband was very happy with the Sheperds Pie he ordered, it looked delicious. I too, loved the toast at 10 for lost loved ones. Adds a special touch to the place and makes you feel like you are part of the family. I will certainlly be back! read more

Lovely, creamy pint, glory be to God. And good pub grub at prices a wee high but consistent with the neighborhood. This was a first visit. Won't be the last. read more

Have been to MacBride's many times since they opened. The food and drink were always good and the ambience fun. Went the other evening for dinner and it was awful. The food was almost inedible. Broccoli tasted like it had been boiled with dirty shoes, fish was over cooked and flavorless. Mashed potatoes were good, but I kept chewing paper which I didn't understand until the waitress explained that they put a paper "doily" on the plate before placing the food on top of it. I can see putting a paper doily between a plate and a very hot second plate, but I have never heard of putting paper underneath actual food. Gross. We were told that they were having problems with distribution. Sorry, that's a Covid fall-back line I'm not buying. We had no problem waiting for our food to arrive, given how short staffed everyone is. The food in its uncooked state was fine until it was prepared. Then, it was not. When I mentioned our experience to a friend who has been to MacBride's many times, she said she had the same experience recently when she went for lunch. To the staff's credit, they comped us the meals we hardly ate. I would have preferred to have a decent meal on our rare meals out these days. read more

For the most part I only have good things to say about McBride's. I've been there a handful of times and whether I order their burgers or pizzas they always turn out pretty tasty. Nothing exceptional, mind you, but always good and there's something to be said for consistency. Bonus points also given for the different ciders they offer. I have a hard enough finding places that have cider at all on their menu and this lovely pub has no less than three. Besides the food and drink though, service is always welcoming and friendly and the place is clean. So why only 3 stars? I'm a little underwhelmed by its lack of identity, its lack of character. I'm sure that this will come in time (it has only been open less than a year after all) but until then I'll keep thinking of this place as the Irish pub verson of the girl next door. read more

I have been back many times and this place just doesn't do it for me. Here is why: The food is over priced and not good. It is always way too bright in here. It is always too quiet. The piped in Irish muzak is cheesy. I just feel it completely lacks personality. It is a great location and with some changes could be an awesome spot. read more

I am giving this place three stars for now, and when I get a chance to eat there I will update it again. We stopped here on our way to dinner for drinks. The outside was packed. The inside was desolate. The outside seating is limited but looked very cozy. The entire place is well kept and well decorated. Although I am not sure the irish music is really needed. I really cannot say a lot right now, other than the place looked like it should be packed, and it was not. Maybe it was an odd night, maybe we were missing something. But the place looked nice enough that you would think it would be packed all the time, or at least a bit busier. When we are in the area again and are in the mood for somr pub grub, we will be giving this a try. read more

Well I've been here about 100 times most of which have been for beers at the bar. However about 20% of the time it has included food.... and tonight I took the lady here for the first time... and well she LOVED the Reuben... she called it orgasmic... Also Kevin was an amazing waiter! We had a great time, and will most certainly be back! read more

Just went here for drinks and to sit on their patio. Decent beer selection, and an intersting mixed drink menu - including a wide variety of whiskey/coffee combos. Though I didn't eat any of it, their menu had a few traditional irish dishes, but was mostly a sampling of typical american foods (burgers, pizza, etc.). I'd go back for another drink, but probably not for food. Update 6.4.2012 - I tried to go back for food last night (a Monday night), but unfortunately I got there after their kitchen closed. So be warned, their kitchen closes at 10 PM. read more

- cosy local joint, wonderfully casual, just sidle up into whatever stool or table you see open. A relief to have a mid-priced pub amongst the fussier restaurants on wayland square. - favorite dishes: Irish inspired variants on nachos, spring rolls, lamb sliders, etc. not just gimmicky, but honestly interesting and tasty - massive fish and chips portion - flavorful burgers made with their own patties and fresh mix of beef and seasonings - keep an eye on the specials, they tend to be tasty and worth trying - things are enlivened with weekly live music nights - if they're not busy, like midday, they're cool with ppl hunkering and working on laptops - separate male and female restrooms, spacious, clean, no changing station, but there's a small side table - street parking in front and parking lot behind it, with back entrance - 3 tvs showing same channel read more

The bartender asked me if I wanted a Manhattan on the rocks or straight up. I answered that I'll have a normal Manhattan. He then made a face at me that suggested I answer the question. I answered that a Manhattan is not served on the rocks. He huffed away and I'm pretty sure he served me straight whiskey in a martini glass. read more

Stopped in here for lunch last week with my squeeze. It was relatively empty, and service was very good. We started with two appetizers: chicken wings were barely so-so, while the garlic butter calamari was quite good. I had the Ballyjamesduff (all-day Irish breakfast), and my squeeze had the Tipperary Chicken. I liked my lunch, but the chicken was the superior dish. It was delicious. Prices were a little higher than what I'd expect for a lunch. Parking was on the street, so it could be tough if the locale gets busy. read more