Loved this Irish pub down the street from our hotel. There was live music on Friday night outside and the patio was packed! We were exhausted from the drive up and just wanted good food. The owner sat our large party very quickly and we were warned the kitchen was backed up but happy to wait. Our server was kind and apologetic about the wait, but we knew what to expect. When our food came out I was so happy - delicious Irish pub food. You can tell it's not pulled from a freezer and freshly prepared. Shoot us Californians find ourselves back in Albany, we will definitely return. read more

McGeary's is a very lived in pub that can get pretty loud. (I had finished my meal before the band started, which would have really cranked up the noise level.) The server asked me several questions about my gin martini to make certain the bartender got it right (just a dry martini with a twist). It ended up being very, very wrong. The best part were the fries that accompanied my Turkey Rachel. Otherwise, the sandwich was thin and greasy and lackluster. read more

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3 stars, average overall in my opinion, but go for it. came in for lunch during a zillion degree day, no one else inside but one other table. quick service, no issues there thankfully, but i am a bit salty of getting a side of fries and not knowing it was an extra change. yes, its on the menu, but asked if i wanted them when they were, i felt a little jilted (maybe say, add on a side of fries??idk) food wise, it was fine, burger was cooked actually sort of at the requested temperature, which isnt an automatic when i go out, so plus on that. it was very expensive when it was all said and done for what it was, 22 bucks tax/tip (basic cheeseburger, no drinks) which for that is way too much in my opinion. beer selection is extensive if thats your thing too. parking is downtown, good luck with that, but when we went it wasnt an issue, night time madness, well good luck again. this is totally a nostalgic revival type of place at my age and i never went in the days of yore (kept to uptown bars) so keep that in mind when reviewing my review. read more

I was lucky enough to patronize this establishment twice in my first trip to Albany. After having enjoyed the nightlife there, seeing and meeting the owner Tess, who is an absolute gem mind you, I wanted to go back and have some food there. First, let me start by saying they both experiences were met with top notch service. I could not have asked for better. The young lady who is juggling nursing school and still delivering A1 service, I thank you! Also, a solid bartender and waiter was had as well. The Rueben. Omg. That Rueben was some of the best eating I did on this trip. It was cooked to perfection!!!!!! The inside and outside seating was great. The establishment clean. Drinks great and flowing. Overall, an amazing experience. read more

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We came here and I was really impressed. This place looked very interesting. I am glad to say I had a frozen margarita and it was so good. Surprisingly shockingly good and I would definitely come back. The staff is friendly and the service was good. The place gives an old school Cheers type of vibe. read more

Came on a Tuesday evening before a nearby concert. Wasn't too tricky to find free street parking after 6. They have a nice outdoor patio and we got seated right away. Our waitress was pleasant and efficient and the owner/manager stopped by our table to check on us. I had the margarita special and my husband had a dirty martini; both were strong and tasty. We shared the truffle fries, I had medium wings and he had Cobb salad with blue cheese dressing. All food was yummy and came out quick. Would absolutely return if in the area again. read more

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Proper aged Albany dive bar with scent of cigarettes on the spacious patio and two dozen draft pours of all the classics. Quick service at the long bar and pub grub looked solid. Unique local, Irish, and Bills decor plus a cool working ancient wooden fridge contraption by front of bar. read more

Randomly came across McGeary's on a Friday night when I hear live music coming from outside. It was such a vibe -- the band was great and the DJ played all the classics! I wish it was extended until past 10 pm but still enjoyed myself nonetheless. I think they might do this every Friday night. read more

McGeary's - Pubs Near Me - Albany, New York

It's really gross in there (not visibly) and could use a deep cleaning. The bar is sticky and during the summer there were flies, gnats and fruit flies everywhere when I went for drinks at the bar. I was grossed out and didn't drink my double shot, instead gave it to the person I was with. I would have ordered food but I know if the bar was that gross, the kitchen has to be disgusting. It's a beloved staple downtown however and people love it here. The place gets packed often so they're definitely doing something right. Stop down for yourself and form your own opinion.... Not my cup of tea in 2026, but might be yours! read more

We stopped in with a big group, and they were EXCELLENT at juggling about 4 large parties that night. The management present was super friendly and kept checking in, our server was fast and friendly. The food was good, and the atmosphere was lively! read more

The friendliest staff provides consistently good service. I got a grilled chicken sandwich with shoestring fries instead of chips for a small upcharge. I love shoestring fries! The grilled chicken sandwich was delicious. Perfectly cooked chicken breast with bacon and crispy bacon on a brioche roll. Delicious! My lunch mates got a tuna melt and a Ceaser salad with grilled chicken. They ate it up!! read more

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Oh my deary McGeary, I'm so sorry but your atmosphere projected expectations you couldn't meet. Pro: Nice bar atmosphere the weekend of St. Patty's. Con: My table was uneven. Ended up spilling someone's water. Pro: Friendly staff. She came right away to clean up that water. Con: A lot of delays. Only two of us got our drinks right away, all the sodas had to wait. The water pitcher refills also took awhile. Four dinners came out well before the others, but apologies were given. Pro: Nice beer selection. Con: Out of way too many of them. Pro: Tasty food. Enjoyed the cordons. Very nice burger cooked not too deep. Con: Meager mushrooms, one lettuce leaf? One fry was stale, the rest were okay but way not seasoned. The kicker? With this being a smaller venue, I could overhear someone with an issue talking about it with the staff at front desk. She did not sound pleased. Out of service to her and the number of ups and downs on our night, I'm unfortunately going to have to round this one down. read more

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It's really a 3.5 for me. I like that McGeary's is within walking distance to my apartment and many entertainment venues, and is open late. This really feels like a bar for regulars, don't expect attentive service if you aren't one, especially at the bar. Their menu has a bunch of bar food staples, with the addition of a handful of meat-free options, which I very much appreciate. I know they're just frozen ones, but I do think they serve one of my fave mozz sticks and melba around; they always come out perfectly fried with a great cheese pull. I also really like their cauliflower bites and onion rings. No frills here, just good drinks and food to go along with them -- exactly what you want from a bar. Also, their patio is nice on summer nights. read more

Enjoyed this place. Pretty quiet around 4 on a Tuesday. Apparently Happy Hour was going on as the servicable wine was $7 a glass. Tuna sandwich was delicious. Along with the upgraded sweet potato fries. I had the crab cakes salad. The crab while not abundant was noticeable. Loved the very crusty coating. Only downside is the mixed greens rather than romaine in the salad Bartender was friendly. Would return. read more

McGeary's - Tuna as - Pubs Near Me - Albany, New York

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No outside service this evening. Inside was dark, need a flashlight to see the menu. I ordered the "Tweety" Chicken sandwich. It was chicken, cheese and bacon. Very dry. Fries were "ok" Service, Three different girls waited on us. Checking on us too often due to poor communication. When it came time for the check, had to go find one of them. Men's room scared me. Sat outside with our drinks before the show at the Palace. Other people eating takeout food from other restaurants. Reluctant 3 stars. read more

if there was a 10/5 i would put that. service, speed, time, blah blah blah was excellent. indoor and outdoor seating was awesome, tho picked indoor since it was cooler inside. tabletops have cool patterns on most of them. staff wasn't uptight like some restaurants. this is the thing that makes it that good. the prices were also very accurate/reasonable, whatever you want to say, and the menu had a lot of variety. add more kanye west, yo school spirit is probably the best song on the college dropout album please never become a corporate restaurant read more

I love Irish pubs. I decided to stop by McGearys for food and drinks after a show at the empire. It's a really cool place, great atmosphere, I ordered wings and they were good, I loved their sauce. One of the bartenders, I believe he is Latino, was very nice, my main bartender was the tall guy (in the background of the picture). He wasn't very welcoming, had a nasty attitude, and at some point he stopped asking me if I needed anything else or more NON alcoholic Heineken beers that I was drinking, I had to finish my food without even water lol. I tried to get his attention and he was just nasty, not sure what his problem was, it wasn't busy at all, I felt so unwelcome that I texted my group of friends to meet me at another bar for food instead and i waited for the one nice bartender to walk pass by to get my check. I'll probably won't come back if the rude bartender is working at the bar, it's sad because it's a really cool pub. read more

McGeary's - a plate of food on a bar - Pubs Near Me - Albany, New York

Our server was the least attentive woman I have ever met, She messed 14 things up within our dining experience. (samantha)!!! If you are just going there for a drink (Go Bills) + great bar staff all around. read more

Awesome spot! Spent the last two days here.. cool vibe and the food is very good! Thanks for an enjoyable weekend!

First things first....Hat off to the chef.... Also great vibes every time Great location and environment All flavors of wings are mouth watering read more

The burger was mouth watering! Juicy, perfectly cooked and the bun was sooooo good. Fries were delicious, Gabby was amazing. Makes me want to come back over and over. Great experience, great staff, great food and great music. read more

McGeary's - Burger with ghost pepper cheese - Pubs Near Me - Albany, New York

If you are staying in one of the hotels in downtown Albany, McGeary's needs to be on your List. Danielle, Gabby, Shane, and the test of the crew treat you like a local from your first visit. There is a good mix of locals and visitors, but many of us are repeat customers. McGeary's hosts local events, but they take care of their customers at the same time. The menu is good and very broad for a pub with an Irish name. The beer list is also strong. Let's just admit that we all lowered our expectations for service and menu over the last few years. McGeary's still exceeds my pre-pandemic expectations for an Irish pub. That's saying something ... read more

McGeary's - Bar View - Pubs Near Me - Albany, New York

Cute little pub, just wish I could say something of the food. We never got the chance to try it. We were there in plenty of time before a show down the block. Hostess told us, and another couple, to "Go grab a drink at the bar. When you come back, I'll have a table for both of you." We did just that, but two other couples apparently got those tables. Wait is now 10-15 minutes. Ok, no worries. I understand having a rush and a full dining room. Hostess then spirals, claiming the kitchen is now slammed and behind on tickets. Declares she can no longer guarantee food for those coming in. Ten minutes later, we can now have a table, but there is now no food orders being taken. What's the point? Left very disappointed. At least the Sam Adam's from the bar was good and cheap. read more

INCREDIBLE The food, the service, the staff! We came to Albany for the weekend to celebrate my daughters 16th birthday and Anthony, our shuttle driver said McGeary's was the place to be. We had the BEST burgers we have ever eaten!! The shamrockarita tasted great! The staff took pics with my daughter and gave us info on all the things downtown. Thanks for making my girl feel so special! read more

McGeary's - Pubs Near Me - Albany, New York

We came here in a whim after work! My group of 10 and I sat outdoors in order to enjoy the beautiful weather and the summer plantings! We had such a great time and the service was fantastic. I had their fries with Malt Vinegar and it was great! The fries were perfect! I also had a Riesling. I will definitely be back. read more

McGeary's - Crane Lake Riesling - Pubs Near Me - Albany, New York

Popped in before a concert - friendly and attentive staff - I had 4 different people helping me at some point. Had an order of wings which were cooked right and great flavor on the medium buffalo. I'm a blue cheese snob and this one was a winner. Place was busy and noisy due to the crowd with the show down the street but staff was hustling. Was hot and muggy outside but the AC cooled it down nicely. read more

Worse bar food and service ever. Received dirty looks from the first waitress who served one of four drinks, then walked away to gossip about my family to Host/Hostess. Food was straight out the Costco box. What was suppose to be fresh salsa for chips, had a refrigerator / rancid taste and second waitress proudly stated "it was made 2 days ago." I must also share that we saw a mouse run from under one table to the next. As a family we genuinely love Irish pubs but this one we will NEVER visit again! Sorry no pictures to share, the experience was not worth the phone storage space. read more

We wanted a pub vibe and to avoid any Halloween shenanigans. The place wasn't crowded or loud, so perfect for our needs. Surprisingly no light beer on tap but there's an outside seating area. read more

Great place to have cold drinks and meet new friends! They offer a cash discount which is awesome. read more

McGeary's - Pubs Near Me - Albany, New York

Albany is a ghost town on Sunday's. If it wasnt for McGeary's, im not sure what I would have done for food, as it seemed that there was only one other restaurant open, that I wasnt interested in. So, thank you, McGeary's for being open. A lot of items on the menu, but I saw something different, and that was the Chicken Cordon Bleu Balls (yep, cue the jokes). I figured I would give these a shot. I also ordered some chili, that came with tortilla chips. The chili was meaty, not as thick as I would like, and not as hot as it should be, temperature wise. But, it still had a good taste. The blue balls were pretty good, filled with cheese and ham. These were cooked perfectly. They come with some mustard for dipping. The mustard they use really didnt fit these. I definitely would use a dijon mustard. OVerall, it was a good experience. Didnt see any sheppard's pie on the menu, though. Oh well. read more

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It was a busy night in Albany with shows at a few different venues. We were seated right away & were asked what time our show was. We were not in a hurry so they didn't rush us at all. We had a burger & chicken sandwich with fries. Both meals were delicious & the Guinness was poured to perfection. Would like to have seen some corned beef or GuinnessStew on the menu but due to all the shows in town the menu was limited. The wait staff was great & attentive. We will be back. Slainte read more

McGeary's - Medium cheeseburger with grilled onions on a brioche bun. - Pubs Near Me - Albany, New York

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Once a year we hit this favorite spot and it's never a let down! Great food - awesome service- fun atmosphere! T is one of the best bartenders! It's always welcoming and since they upgraded the menu there are so many more food selections you won't go home hungry! Tess helped me with beverage selections! Let's just say she knows what she is doing!!! read more

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McGeary's has been an Albany staple for many long years. It is the go-to hangout after work or for a night out on the town. The atmosphere is great and so is the service. I ordered the artichoke dip and black and blue burger with fries. The food is very good. Nothing super fancy on the menu, but they do a great job with what they have. If you are a vegan, they offer beyond burger options for your sandwich. McGearys also has a very good selection of beer and drinks on their menu. read more

Staying at the Hyatt Place near by this bar while on a road trip with my friends - we came and got apps and drinks. The apps are 10/10 and so were the drinks! Prices are great as well - we got mozzarella sticks, chicken tenders, fries, and wings. They were all delicious. The service was also wonderful! The waitress was super friendly and attentive. She even recommended other bars for us to check out after we ate. We also sat outside and got super lucky because they had a band playing. They played classics and jazz, and many people were dancing. Overall I would absolutely recommend this place! I hope to be back one day. read more

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A great spot for either a few drinks or a meal. Fantastic burgers and fried pickles! Hostess was hilarious and very friendly. A must even if just stopping by! read more

I really do like McGeary's. I generally wind up hanging out here when I have tickets to see a show at the Palace. So, the menu is usually limited on show nights and the place gets packed. Last week was no exception. There was a large, thankfully obvious sign reading "no cards cash only". Not sure if they do that on show nights to speed up the turnover process or if they just don't take credit cards anymore. Our table of 4 arrived on the earlier side so we were seated in the front room. Our server was all personality and fun, so that made up for the really slow kitchen. Food was tasty - we shared a veggie platter with ranch dip and the 4 of us kept it simple: 2 veggie burgers and 2 regular burgers. I jumped on that sweet potato fry train as soon as I saw that option... and they complemented my veggie burger fabulously. I splurged and enjoyed 2 Guinness while we were there. Both perfect pours. The only thing that turned me off was that the front door was open and quite a lot of cigarette smoke wafted in. But, it's a bar. I'm going to have to try and make a visit on a regular non-Palace show night to check out the other stuff on the menu. read more

Maybe on a slow night? Staff were wonderful but the food was surely less than. My son's mozzarella sticks were more like hollow tubes of sadness stuck to an explosion of cheese. Hot wings had good flavor but were flabby. I should have requested extra crispy. Hubby's burger was Cooked properly but fries were cold and my chili was sweet? I don't understand sweet chili. read more

Great Irish pub. Our waiter was Shane (or Sean) and he was very personable. Although it was our first time there, he made us feel like regulars. read more

McGeary's Pub is the place to be if you love local establishments and to be with the locals and enjoy yourself. Every time we travel up to Albany to speak with our State legislators we end up at McGeary's. The wait staff is great and the service is excellent. We catch up with our friends and colleagues at the pub. The food is great and the atmosphere is perfect for conversations. The owner, Tess, is outstanding and makes you feel like you are home. If you're in Albany and want an enjoyable evening McGeary's is a must. read more

This is a Buffalo Bills backers bar. I am a huge Bills fan and I am so glad that McGeary's is host to all of my fellow backers. For this reason alone it gets 3 stars. If you are a true Bills fan the atmosphere here is top notch. The place itself is dark and dingy. The bar is fairly large and they have two seating areas. One is near the bar itself and there is a separate room in the back. Parking can be difficult. They have a small lot which is shared with a church. You will most likely need to use street parking. I have found the staff to be very hard working. They circulate the room quickly and make sure you have everything you need. The beer selection is typical commercial drek although they do have Sloop Juice Bomb. They have Labatt Blue specials (a Western, NY favorite) on game day. They may have some good things on the menu. Unfortunately everything I have eaten there didn't really impress. They make an effort to offer Western, NY/Buffalo staples. They have a garbage plate which I refuse to eat because it is a total departure from the real thing. The buffalo wings are not good. They are big and the wing sauce was decent. Unfortunately they are dry and overcooked. They have to be previously frozen. I have also tried the mozzarella sticks and poutine. The beef gravy was decent but the fries and mozzarella sticks were really sad. The shout song should not be played for the food but McGeary's is still a great time for the game. Go Bills! read more

McGeary's - Buffalo Wings - Pubs Near Me - Albany, New York