O'Donnell's is a bit of a hidden gem which I unfortunately overlooked for many years because of it's location. It sits inside one of the only strip malls in Lakewood that seems to rotate new businesses every few years (funny enough, the Jackson Hewitt located a few doors down used to be the salon we would get our hair cut at growing up). As long as I can remember, O'Donnell's has always been there.
My boyfriend just recently relocated to Lakewood with me, and we are constantly on the lookout for new places to watch games and hang out with friends. We've been a few times throughout the fall and have had both great and not-so-great experiences, so I'm writing this review for anyone who has been curious like us. I'll start with everything we like about this place:
This place is never too crowded and has great beers and great prices. We were so surprised by the list of craft beer bottles and cans they had, and they list anything new they have on a Giant Chalkboard that looks like it is updated often. They also have great nightly deals too, on Tuesdays almost everything they have is $2 and we have even gone on weekends and seen a nightly drink deal - something a lot of Lakewood bars don't necessarily have to do because of the large crowds they attract. They've got a couple of big screen TVs behind the bar that you can see from almost anywhere you sit, and there are plenty of tables and chairs for the size of the bar itself. Another perk is that, while the bar does not have a kitchen of it's own, it is next door to a Subway and a Chinese takeout restaurant and they will let you eat your food in the bar. I've actually witnessed the Chinese restaurant deliver takeout to some of O'Donnell's patrons before. While some might say that it's a little hokey, I appreciate small things like this that make it a true "neighborhood bar."
Now, the not-so-great. I always try to sincerely look at the business itself, rather than the patrons, but the regulars at this bar are what keep us from returning too often. It appears that the staff seems to recognize and favor those who are at the bar frequently, meaning that we always seem to be leaving to go somewhere else to spend our money before the night is over. Each time we've gone in, the tables and chairs are empty because those who have made O'Donnell's "their spot" seem to only sit at the bar. This makes it difficult to find an opening to purchase drinks. On one particular visit, my boyfriend saw an opening at the bar because a girl had gone outside to smoke, so he went and stood behind her chair to order and bring the drinks back to our table. When she returned, she was not happy that he was standing in her spot and made a point to box him out from the bar and gossiped with the bartender about serving us. It was almost to the point where it seems they simply refused him service. He had to sit back down and send me up to grab our drinks, where I was served right away. Normally we would never return after an experience like that, but the time before we had a great time talking to people at different tables and celebrating an Indians win, so we didn't completely write them off. It seems that your night truly depends on what regulars are around that evening. We were also frustrated when we brought a large group of friends there on a snowy evening just the other night, as their TouchTunes machine doesn't work. We would have been content to sit and chat all night as we played our music (we were the only ones in the bar), but the bartender told us it hasn't worked and doesn't look like it will be working any time soon. My final point is not necessarily negative, but just a forewarning - if you go here to watch a sports game, plan on having a calm, undisturbed evening. We watched the beginning of a few World Series games here only to end up somewhere else because it does not attract a lot of sports fans. To some people this is an incredible perk, and I can understand why...no crowds, no lines, open bathrooms, etc. However, we love to enjoy the camaraderie that comes with watching your favorite team with other sports fans, even if it means it is a little louder and more crowded. If you're like us, I suggest looking at a place like Merry Arts or Game On.
All-in-all, the rest of these yelpers will tell you that this is a typical neighborhood bar. Your expectations do not need to be very high, but there still is some they could do to work on their hospitality to newcomers. Regardless, I'm sure this is not the last time you will see us there. read more
