McCarthy's is always a fun time because you never know quite what you're going to get - other than a strong pour and reasonable prices on mid- to top- tier liquor. You could find yourself in a Rotary meeting or amongst lots of college frat guys. On my most recent visit, I was entertained because i encountered all the college guys and somehow they thought I was younger than my age! At 41, that was not my shot of bourbon, and luckily the bouncer helped me escape unscathed! read more

I mean, it's a dive, so that's the vibe, lol. We've been several times and it's usually packed full of college kids and loud asf. But, that's a dive bar. Definitely has that Irish bar feel. Drinks are your standard dive drinks, they don't make anything terribly complicated so if you want chocolate martinis, find a different bar lol. Everyone has been nice enough when we went. If you want an Irish dive bar, check it out. read more

This is the best Irish bar in Lexington and I think a lot of people would agree. We came here to Ring in the Irish New Year's. I had a nice cold beer and then we headed out for the rest of the evening. Definitely check this bar out if you were traveling into Lexington. read more

McCarthy's Irish Bar - Best Irish bar in Lex - Pubs Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

McCarthys is a legendary Irish bar in town with multiple rooms/areas to grab a drink. On busy nights it can be shoulder to shoulder so this isn't your spot if you don't want to be in a crowd. It is large inside though so you may be able to find a corner or spot on the back patio to get away. read more

Fun place! Irish bar with a couple of TV's to watch games. There was a mix of all ages and some pretty girls there. It was a cool crowd to talk to. I dug the atmosphere. The bartenders were nice. read more

McCarthy's was my favorite bar in Lexington. I purchased way too many TouchTunes credits so I wanted to stay and get my money worth. Friendly staff, friendly patrons. My thirsty wanted whiskey, my hungry wanted beans But it'd been a month of paydays since I heard that eagle scream So with a stomach full of empty and a pocket full of dreams I left my pride and stepped inside a bar Actually I guess you'd call it a tavern Cigarette smoke to the ceiling, sawdust on the floor Friendly shadows -Kris Kristofferson read more

On a pretty recent trip of the south. I encountered this great bar in Lexington Kentucky McCarthys. Atmosphere was great as drinks, and people were astounding, how ever....... They tell you verbally how much you owe! No itemized drinks on tab, how can I know if I'm being charged the correct amount? If my common sense and observation tells me it's a hefty tab, how can I dispute it? This is shit shady that can ruin anyone's experience. How in this day and age do they get away with this? I love Irish pubs but I recommend that you stir clear from this one, unless you have a pen and note pad and take notes of all items as you go. This is ridiculous! Itemized checks please printed on paper! I'm pretty sure it's the law. read more

The only Irish bar you need to go to in Lexington. 3.5 bars in one, schlaggy pints of Guinness. Cheers mate.

Left my phone there on accident, I called it and they let me know where it was. They also charged it for me 10/10 love this bar and the hospitality read more

My husband and I stumbled in here on my birthday morning to have some drinks. The bartender was great and attentive. He made a fresh pot of coffee and made me a killer Irish coffee. The Bloody Mary was decent. The bar has a cool vibe with dollars stapled to the walls and an Irish feel. read more

McCarthy's Irish Bar - Irish coffee and Bloody Mary FTW - Pubs Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Great service and Guinness. Will definitely be coming back to try a few of the bourbons. read more

McCarthy's Irish Bar - A perfect pour! Thanks Marcus! - Pubs Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Giving it 4 stars because our waitress was NOT friendly but the food was great! Spinach artichoke dip wasn't yummy but I got the pot pie and it was sooooo good! Perfect flavor combo. read more

Literal angels work here! I left my purse and phone there last Friday night. When I picked it up on Sunday they had my phone charged and my bag next to it! Saved the day!!! So grateful for this establishment! read more

We loved hanging out here. The bartender was friendly and quick with our drinks. We sat at the bar and played songs on the jukebox. I had my favorite drinks which are Guinness and a shot of Tullamore Dew. This was a great place to hang out and chill. We will be back on our next visit. read more

McCarthy's Irish Bar - Guinness and a dot of Tullamore Dew - Pubs Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Excellent service, nice patio in the back. The patio has a half-bar in the back which is super convenient, I feel most take for granted how much it helps. The patio is smoking friendly, yet is decorated nicely and has open air. Food is better than most bar food I have had in Lex, but I believe it is not serving food at all times. Worth a stop, good location too. read more

We used to frequent this spot. It's been a while since I've been here, but we've had some really good nights hanging out in this bar! I've always received great service at McCarthy's. Like any other bar it can get crowded, and then service slows down a bit, but I've never had too much trouble getting a drink. And when it's slower, or if you have a spot you're staying in for the night, someone will even come out and take your drink orders and deliver them to you from the bar. It's a fairly large space, with a couple of different indoor areas and a patio, but it still gets pretty packed. Mostly with college students, since UK is close by. I definitely went here more when I was in college, but if I'm out in Lexington this is still one of the likely spots we'll hit up. If you're looking for a fun night out, or just a spot to grab a drink, McCarthy's is a great place to do it! read more

Great pub for grabbing a pint of Guinness/Smithwick/Magner and watching whatever game is on, chatting with locals, and just enjoying the night. No food but they sell chips. Service is great and the decor feels authentic. With a great location and easy access to close parking, good place to either start or finish a night read more

This is a cool spot to pre-game when you go out with your friends for the weekend. They have three-separate bars with different kinds of music in each section. The drinks and vibe are always great over here. The service (depending on which nights) can be fairly decent and fast. read more

the bouncer racially profiled my roommate, he was 21 and had his drivers license in person and passport on his phone and declined him due to the bouncers issues with him. he didn't even say a word. genuinely confused. read more

Great vibes, highly recommend for a casual spot and an authentic Irish brew. Will be back! read more

McCarthy's Irish Bar - Pubs Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

This is a legit Irish bar. The owner has the Gaelic accent, but also a Spanish-speaking cool little bartender dude. Nice decor, shotgun style like much of Lexington is. read more

McCarthy's Irish Bar - Wall art - Pubs Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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Stopped in for a place to hang out one evening while in Lexington. Great crowd, great jukebox, ice cold beer and solid service. Very cool old school Irish pub. read more

One of the best surprises of Lexington! An amazing place with fantastic service and atmosphere. This is a must for anyone in Lexington!

Went here to eat- no food. Smelled like cigarettes and really worn out. Better places to go nearby.

Worst experience ever, I've been here America for three years, he's the worst. I simply asked for a cup of water, I said "can I have water?" The bartender ignored me like twice and then he turned around said "say please " I was like what, he repeated himself again. He said "please". I was not being rude or anything. He made my experience with Mccarthy the worst. I was crying so hard like a bitch Bc he made me feel I'm a bad person when all I did is ask for a cup of water. （September 6th) read more

McCarthy's is definitely the quintessential Irish bar in town. Not O'Neill's or Lynaugh's, although there's nothing wrong with either of those spots. McCarthy's is just better, plus it's three bars in one! I love having Magner's and Guinness on draft. They're always open crazy early for rugby and soccer games. They only have two TVs in the main bar, but that's usually more than enough. They also have a TouchTunes jukebox, which tends to be a little quiet most of the time. Their best kept secret is the massive back patio that spans the length of the building and is divided up into little cabanas. Definitely more of a college vibe on the weekends. read more

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I had such a bad experience here unfortunately. I attempted to order a drink and the bartender laughed in my face and rudely asked me "what kind of place do you think this is?" and told me he had no idea what gave me the idea that they would have the ingredients for that drink. No big deal, I had no way of knowing that. I'm not a super experienced drinker. If he had just said "Sorry, we don't have the ingredients for that." It would have been totally fine but instead he was unnecessarily condescending and just overall had a really arrogant attitude. I felt super uncomfortable and embarrassed to even try to order a different drink. I learned my lesson and will definitely not be going here again. read more

No food but great Irish bar with the essentials Guinness and Smitwicks! Step back in time.

This is the first bar I fell in love with in Lexington. The staff is nice and their back patio is a great place to hang out. Also for a downtown bar, the drinks are very reasonably priced. read more

Bartenders are not friendly. That's just crazy. You work in an industry were you are around people. Only one of them smiled and was nice. The rest had stern faces and stood around like they didn't want to be there. Other than that, it was a good place with decently priced drinks. Just work with the staff to be friendlier. read more

I have been missing out on this place for too long. Irish Whiskey, Scotch, Bourbon, beer.....whatever you need. Anything from Paddy to Redbteast 12. I mean you are at an Irish Bar for sweet swaddling baby Jesus sake act like it!! The beer is there also.....jeez. I have read the other reviews, it does not smell, the light is subdued not cave-like, the atmosphere is very nice to me. My wife and I love hanging out and relaxing here. You can also get real Thai food from Nat's here. The Irish Whiskeys actually pair up very nicely with Thai food. The music is good though I wished they played more Irish Folk music traditional or modern. Many Irish also frequent the bar and work here. I love hearing a conversation that is English but that I can't follow until someone goes "fook man"!!!!! It makes me feel at home. Go here, drink here, relax here. read more

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Place is terrible, let under age girls in and guys with the fakest ID's imaginable but take my ID. Bouncer is small and looks under 21 himself but decides to take a real ID and not give it back. Do not ever go here because of all the underage girls and boys you will probably catch a case. No wonder why this place gets no business. Such a shit hole! read more

Bartenders will turn away customers who are of age if your ID is not the spitting image of you at that exact moment. Absolutely ridiculous to be 23 years old and get turned down at a bar after showing three different forms of ID (license, insurance, and debit card). If you've had a haircut since taking the photo for your license, be cautious of this bar because you probably won't be served. Almost had to call the cops to get the ID back from this absurd bartender on the power trip of his life. read more

Terrible bouncer at the door. He took my friend's real ID and was a complete ass hole. They do not deserve business from anyone. I will never be going back and I recommend this pub to nobody. NOBODY. read more

Cheapest beer in Lexington by far! $2.50 most bottles and draft. Craft bottles are a little more. Buckets are $7! Those prices are all day everyday. The inside bar is a little small but plenty of seating elsewhere. When it gets crowded there is a back bar that opens and there is also a bar outside on their patio!! read more

Interesting pub. You'll find everything from young college kids to the older crowd watching rugby cricket formula one. Just depends on the night.... Good atmosphere with lots of friendly folks. read more

Fun local bar. Fast bartender service and nice outdoor patio.

I have many a good memory of McCarthy's. And there almost too many good memories of McCarthy's I don't know if I can write a really objective, good review here. But, I'll do my best. Drinks are good, strong and cheap. There are always friendly faces. You can always meet someone new. You can smoke like a chimney out back. You can dress up, or dress down. No one cares. No one judges you. It's usually ridiculously crowded on the weekends. But during the week, it's almost more fun because there are fewer people and you'll always end up meeting someone new. A year after moving away, I still think I could go and see a familiar face or two in the crowd. I'll spare you the stories of drunken debauchery, my first body shot, a creepy guy who chased me and my friend down the street, meeting many men who subsequently broke my heart, post break up drinking, birthdays, new years, st. patrick's days, Christmases and thanksgivings. And when I said goodbye to Lexington, McCarthy's is where I had my farewell party. McCarthy's has been there through it all. read more

I LOVE this place. Really, my favorite bar in Lexington. We use to live within stumbling distance so it was perfect! Many locals hang out here and there is less of the college crowd then other bars in the city. I think every Irishman in the city hangs out here. If you want to know about horses, this is the place to pick the brains of the local trainers and jockeys (they are the REALLY short ones). If you are a sucker for the accent, you don't stand a chance in this pub! The drinks are cheap and they flow freely from very the friendly bar staff. The weekends are crazy but the weekdays are more laid back and it's easy to find a place to sit and hang out with friends. It's also easy to get to know the locals and feel like you fit in, provided you don't act like a douche! read more

I love this bar, seriously. During my junior year of college I was a NSF undergrad research fellow at UK and this was where we went to hang out, talk research, and wind down. This place has three indoor bar rooms, and an outdoor bar in the back alley (my favorite spot). The beer flows freely and the drinks are cheap. I usually would drink a Guinness and occasionally hear an Irish accent or two. The jockeys come by here too (easy to spot as they are my height which is hella short). I even snagged a drunken kiss from one of them. It gets really packed, but the bouncers, and bartenders know how to handle it. Yeah, not sure what else to put because the McCarthy's experience cannot be put into words, you have to check it out for yourself. I can't wait to revisit it next week!! read more