McGeary's has been a staple of downtown since the early 80s. It basically is the last swing on the North Pearl circuit, and certainly less pretentious and a bit more grown up. Across from the Palace Theatre and at the border of a section of Arbor Hill, it literally seems nestled (there's a fancier looking restaurant around the corner that I'm intriguied about as well). Anywho, with the exception of the flatscreen TVs, this place has a real sheen of an Irish-American pub. Everything is wood, mirrors abound, a place where you can really kick up your feet and sling back a few cheap rounds of Coors Light/Killian's or if you want to be nice get a Smithwick's. It's kind of a no-nonsense place, and I'm always down for finding places to go around when I'm back in town. This is a great last stop (or first stop rather) when going about, it's more low key and more of a drinking bar with some chatter than the raucous suburban-clubby atmosphere of the rest of Pearl. Not to say that Jillian's is hilarious fun once I dunno every 3 years, but at McGeary's you know what you're getting (a menu that's all under 10 bucks is a great start) and what you're getting is beer guzzling. And lots of loud laughter. It's like Ryan's Wake in Troy but a bit older, a bit more Albany and more settled in. read more

My boyfriend and I went to McGeary's last night for the first time. Walking up to the door step, I was sort of anticipating the smell of stale beer when we entered as the place looked very much like a pub. Boy, was I surprised!!!! It smelled wonderful! It was like walking into somebody's home while mom is cooking in the kitchen! We were greeted right away by a very friendly waitress who seated us at a very charming table in the back. The atmosphere was very nice! We ordered burgers and WOW!!! They were just great!!!! I had the "Big Ass Burger" which was cooked to perfection and seasoned deliciously. Hands down, the best burger in Albany!!!! read more

Visiting Albany, staying in hotel a block away. Excellent, friendly place. Big burgers, good salad, nice prices.

Love this place for drinks with my coworkers after work, Tess is the best and the staff is very friendly.

They have great drink specials, delicious food and a really fun and friendly staff. After the Lark Tavern debacle I'm glad Tess made herself at home at McG's. It's the closest to what Lark Tavern used to be and why I love it so. They have a good tap selection ranging from good to meh (one of the only places with Utica Club on tap, which my dad loves because it brings him back to his younger days... haha). Try the sweet potato tots, burgers or neighborhood favorites... yum! read more

Best service I've had in Albany NY hands down. Everybody was wasted, drinking milldog left and right. Outrageous fun, great bar, you won't be soarry! #milldogs read more

There black bean burger is sooooo good! The spiked cider is great. Good service, I will be back.

In Albany for a night and yelp reviews and proximity to hotel made this the go to place. Thought it looked like a dive and had I not read the reviews I would have by-passed. Turned out to be a pretty decent place. Good wings and burgers. Kids liked it as well. Simple, easy, reasonable. Would definitely go back if in town again. read more

the food was okay. I had the clam chowder and it needed salt. what did not need salt were the chicken fists. They were a little overdone which made them very tough and way too crunchy. Quite a quirky crowd during happy hour for the band. So I'm not quite sure what the actual clientele usually is here. Odd mix I think of college students and old women trying to dress young, and some random guys in Hawaiian shirts. Doesn't seem like an after work place read more

One of my favorite bars - local or otherwise. Great food, incredible staff, and always something new to try. Cut my teeth, here; and a must-go destination when I moved away. read more

Tess, Alex, Zara(h), Sarah, and Megan were better than ever? We miss you Karen! The best bar in Albany by far! This is where the real people live and eat. Thanks for tearing us like family read more

they have sam adams cherry wheat .beer on tap and this amazing appetizer called "Celtic nachos" its super thin sliced potatoes, fried ...then smothered with chedder cheese, tomatoes, onions, hot peppers... soooo good !! really good location, friendly staff .. it has a "cheers" type feeling .. i dig it :) read more

If you ever want to have an experience of being on Cheers please come here. Great food. I love the turkey dinner. It's also a plus that the owner is alway so warm and welcoming read more

Great place. Great local musicians. Great environment. Friendly staff and decent prices.

People tend to label this place a dive bar, which I think is a little unfair. Yes, it's fairly old, but the food is definitely a tick or three above standard freezer-to-fryer stuff. Good beer selection, and the wings were great. Crispy with tasty sauces. Service has always been reasonably fast, even when the place is busy. The place has zero dedicated parking, and street space near it can be very difficult to find on friday/saturday evenings when a show is on at the Palace. Plus, they have a Addams Family pinball machine, which is awesome. read more

Mediocre pub food with a decent beer selection and terrible parking. Note: on nights when there are shows at the Palace, there is a VERY limited menu. read more

Nice varied beer selection. Definitely has a local crowd (I'm from out of town), but there's nothing wrong with that. Had the jerk chicken sandwich with sweet potatoes fries. Was pretty good for a bar but nothing to rave about. read more

Just found out that McGeary's is a Bills Backers Bar. Went today to watch the game and it was like walking right out of Albany and into Coles on Elmwood Ave (Buffalo). Packed with bills fans; felt just like being home. Great service and great wings. So long as the Bills keep winning ( they didn't today) we will be back every Sunday possible. read more

I guess you can't expect much on a Tuesday in Smalbany and McGeary's lived up to that expectation. They have been around long enough they should have it down- maybe they are worn out. We started with the hot wings and they were passable but not great. Moved on to the Jerked chicken salad and sandwich which was literally inedible. The best I can figure is they had dried out precooked chicken which they dredged in dry salty seasoning mix and served. It was truly disgusting. The waitress (who was great) took it back and we had a second go which was marginally better. Either the kitchen was untrained or just didn't give a snit. Anyways the beer and company was good and it was a lovely summer night. read more

In town on business and dropped in for a Guinness. Service was very friendly and fast. Ended up staying much longer as the regulars were as friendly as the staff. Wings were very good and looking around saw plenty of well prepared food. read more

Extremely disappointing. Old time favorite downtown Albany bar but just not the same. Tasteless pastrami sandwich ordered off specials menu with maybe the worst French fries ever. Sad that the food has gone so far downhill. Still a great atmosphere with good beer selection. read more

Ordered a black and bleu burger which was half decent until I bit into a half inch long metal screw.

This place is the great. Not alway perfect but what place is great all the time. Nice staff, nice food, nice beer selection, what more can you ask for. I stop by every time I am in town and always feel welcome. My kind of place!!! read more

This is a great bar with friendly, attentive staff. The owner/manager is very personable and keeps the atmosphere positive. Food is delicious. Some favorites are the Mac and cheese bites and the sweet Thai chili wings. read more

Just had a late lunch at this old school pub. It was everything I hoped and more. Warm friendly "genuine" service and an awesome burger. Hope my next visit is as good as my first. read more

A good place to feel welcomed like a "local" and good pub food. Surprisingly good salad entrees and vegetarian friendly. One of my favorite lunch or dinner hang outs and good - Tess - the owner, goes out of her way to make you feel special! From a "per diem" traveler and vegetarian - check it out! read more

We were going to Sienna game, and wanted to eat downtown. Even though we showed up 25 minutes before they opened, they let us come in and sit down (and out of the cold). We were happy to wait till they were officially open, however the waitress went ahead and gave us drinks and menus and took our order. We had the Irish Nachos (think that was the name) and seriously some of the best bar food I have ever had. All the food we got was great and the serivce was awesome. read more

I went to McGeary's on Thursday, April 19th before the B.B. King concert and I must say Tess still has it!! She is extremely professional and friendly and even with the restaurant as busy as it was we barely had to wait. Her staff are also very professional but yet down to earth and don't make you feel like you are a bother. The food was delicious and not a single person in our party of 5 had a complaint. Can't wait to go again and enjoy another meal and the great atmosphere!!! read more

Went there on a Friday before a show. Place was packed. We got wings and steak fries. Awesome. Will definitely go there again

Really nice little pub right across the street from the Palace theatre. Great food, better service. Highly recommend!