I have been here twice now and both my experiences were similar, so figured a Yelp review is in order.
Service/Price
It's ok. I found the mixed drinks to be a little weak and the pours of whiskey neat to be a little light. Prices are decent - good pint of beer is around $5, well booze is $5 or $6, decent spirits will run you $7 to $10.
Typical experience on my visit the other night - while drinking my beer I asked the cure female bartender to see the whiskey list, she replies "Sure" then goes about her business. Several minutes later she comes over and asked if I made a choice - "um, well I never got the list." "oops, sorry, just a moment." Several more minutes pass and the same question from her to which I reply "still haven't seen the list". This was all done with smiles and we laughed about it, but ... well you see what I mean.
Then when she left and the guy took over, he completely ignored us. I think he could tell we were wrapping up and thus there was no business here. I just wanted a refill on my water and he ignored my polite motions to get his attention - he walked by at least 6 times and served the person next to me while never looking at me. I finally spoke up loudly and got his attention - he refilled my water and said not a single word. Usually when there is a shift change and I get a glass of water, I'll tip the bartender a buck, cause they have to make a living too. Not this time.
Not really complaining about the service, just showing why I think that it is not top notch.
Bar Stock - Beer
Pretty good. They have 8 to 10 on tap (didn't really count them). But they have a good range of selections, pretty much for everyone's taste. I got the Smithwicks - one of my favorites. This is clearly the reason to come here.
Bar Stock - Spirits
Again I will use the descriptor "ok". They have a decent though not extensive selection - the core holdings you find in most bars and a couple higher end selections. But the list is nothing to write home to father about. In the whiskey department they have 3 Irish, and handful of scotch, and a handful of American (mostly bourbon). The list has them all listed together with no differentiation between them. Also, the first two bourbons I asked for, they were out. Similar selection of other spirits - decent but light on the higher quality gins, vodka, etc.
Clientele
The crowd both times was an interesting mix of older (drunk) locals at the bar, young (drunk) partiers towards the back, couples canoodeling in the corner, and a few lonely hearts spread around. I have had a few interesting conversations there, in the interesting way of having a debate with someone much younger and drunker can only go. It was entertaining at least.
Décor
I would describe this as a poor imitation of an Irish pub crossed with a sports bar. Lots of wood - bar, floor, tables, walls. It's basically a standard large "Neighborhood" bar/pub. Plenty of TV's to watch the current sporting event, and TV's are usually turned to sports. My only complaint in this regards is that the TV's mounted above the bar are too high to watch comfortably while sitting at the bar. Since the bar is not that deep and the TV's are pretty high, the viewing angle is pretty steep - leading t a sore neck
Also, it seems that the younger set thinks that "dive bars" are cool and therefore calls most any local place that is older and not high end a "dive" bar. This is not a dive bar. Believe me, I have been a many a dive bar, and you can look up the common definitions of a dive bar - this is not one. It is way too well lit, has way too many TVs, etc, etc.
Cleanliness
The place is kept reasonably clean and the bathrooms were not too bad. But I will say that both visits were earlier in the evening - 7:00 to 9:30 range. I would wager that by the time midnight rolls around, the back patio and the bathrooms will start to get fairly rank and you may catch an occasional whiff of the love smell of urine or puke.
Parking
Best to walk because:
1. Parking can be a bitch in this area
2. You are drinking
So, three stars it is. I enjoyed it there and will likely be back on occasion, but there are (IMHO) better places to go. read more