Solid solid neighborhood bar. Came for the NBA finals and the kept moving chairs out for people to sit in. Insisted on Irish step dancing which was a little awkward but true to the character of the place. read more

Love this place, funk night is the best! Keep coming here for the best Thursday nights!

Great place with great people. Owner is a great guy and the food is way better than you would expect. Starry Plough could do well as an independent restaurant. Seriously, try one of their burgers. Absolutely life changing. Love this place. read more

I would like to complain about the booking person. I have been trying to book my band at the Starry Plough Pub for months. I think the band is a good fit for this venue; however, the booking person "Michele Kappel-Stone" doesn't even reply to my emails. This is so disappointing! read more

Absolutely love this place! I stumbled upon the Starry Plough because I was craving a burger. Holy shit did they deliver. They have the best burgers in Berkeley bare none. If you want live music, a great brew, and a damn good burger this is your place. Cheers! read more

Really cool pub. I ordered a Reuben sandwich. The corned beef was really fatty and inedible. When the wait staff asked how everything was I mentioned how fatty the corned beef was no reply and walked away. Disappointing to say the least. On a better note open mike night was fun and the french fries were good. read more

We stopped by this place on a Sunday afternoon a few months ago because we were in the area and starving. The staff was not very eager to help us and it took a few minutes to get a couple of beers and find a different person to take our food order. We ordered a couple of burgers and sat down to wait. We regretted placing that order less than a minute after sitting down. There was a young man on stage setting up to play. As soon as he began sound checking it was clear that this was his first live gig and the 10-12 people there to see him were obviously his family. When he actually began playing everything got much worse. The food seemed to take forever but that could have been because the torturous sound coming from the stage. Or food finally came and we ate the mediocre fare quickly so we could end our pain by leaving this establishment. Would not go back after this experience. read more

The food looks really good, but only one star because the kitchen closes three hours before the establishment does. Too bad.....

I've gone here for the live music, you have your good bands, and your not so good bands. Whatever, that's all right with me. Not enough seating for the live music portion though. The pizza I had there last time however, was sooooo freakin' yummy!! Mushrooms, sausage, cheesy cheese, really, it was sooooo good!! And I tasted a bit of wine on it too. Fantasmic pizza, good venue for live music, not sure about the alcohol.... read more

Plus: delicious garlic fries and burgers. Big minus: the $8 buffalo wings gets you 4 wings. That's right. After tax and tip, you're looking at THREE DOLLARS PER CHICKEN WING. I thought this was a bar for the working class ;p read more

I was not impressed with most of the food. The root beer was very tasty and the burger was nicely prepared with hand cut fries. Pizza was just ok. We ordered calamari and it was so rubbery that I took it up to the counter and told the cook it wasn't eddible. When I told him about it his reply was "we must of cooked it to long". He took the basket back but didn't offer to take it off my bill or replace it with something else. Later he hands me a half a basket of more calamari and said he had some left over from a order to try this one it might be better. We ordered dessert and the Bread pudding was awful..I ate the vanilla ice cream. The cream brulee was 3 tiny cups. About a tablespoon each. One was ok. amount tiny. Go for the music and ale what a bar is known for. read more

Live music/performance just about every night and there's just enough beers on tap to make the night enjoyable. I actually came on a night when there was a decent country band, though the crowd wasn't very lively. Personally, I'd only come by if there was a band I wanted see because the this is what they do best; live music, beer and greasy food. read more

I have heard Alma Desnuda play here a few times (my friend's fiance is in the band) and it was a great venue. The place was packed with people and the vibe was fun and lively-a lot of people drinking beer, dancing and having a good time! My friends and I ordered a pizza and it was off the chain! I don't know if it was the beer talking but it was some damn good pizza! I always have a great time when I visit the Starry Plough. read more

Not sure what to say about this place. Wanted to like it..really did. However, was overwhlemed by the very unpleasant smell of strong body odor. Will not be going back. read more

Amazing hidden gem! Great food, live music and darts! I got the best salad and mac and cheese i have ever had in my whole life! Not to mention the beer is awesome. Loved the feel of this pub! would definitely make this a weekly meal spot! read more

Missing the literary scene from my hometown so co-workers recommended Berkeley poetry scene as best in bay. Googled and found Starry Plough, where the Berkeley Poetry Slam has competitions every Wednesday. Went by a few weeks ago and the place was packed. Great poems and talent (was awestruck by the headliner of the night, Jaz Sufi, check her out), really chill band (three blind mice, check them out), and seriously addictive cheesy pulled pork garlic fries (save some for me). Starry Plough apparently hosts a lot of fun events throughout the week, but don't miss the poetry on Wednesday nights. Get there early if you want a table. read more

The Starry Plough is unmistakably Berkeley. If you yanked the place up by it's foundations and plopped it into any other city, it wouldn't work in it's current form. It can only work in Berkeley...and it works well in Berkeley. The soothing sound of Rhythm + Blues greeted my ears as I walked into the most well-preserved stronghold of old-guard Berkeley culture I've yet to encounter. An aging bar with a feel of history sits up against the South Wall, while a sizable stage sits off to the side of the entrance facing Shattuck Ave. Adding to the Berkley theme, a sizable collection of aging political flyers announcing protests, rallies, and varying political statements graces the area around the door. A fair amount of seating sits in front of the stage, gracefully blending into an eating area near the kitchen in the back. Several windows near the entrance enhance a pleasant daytime vibe. The incoming sunlight creates a natural glow around the end of the bar, then slowly fades to an appropriate cafe-like subtleness in the dining area. The Starry Plough's layout is truly interesting. It incorporates the elements of a bar, a performance area, a kitchen, and a restaurant into one space...and does so without any one section stepping on the toes of another. It's very old-school....and very Berkeley. I sipped an ale and looked around the Starry Plough, glancing about at several young couples as I chatted politics with a collection of middle aged men. At the same time, I could easily image being transported forty years prior to another time, where the events advertised by the antique posters on the wall were taking place. I could envision the place filled with long hair, tie-die shirts, and peace-sign medallions. It was easy to look up on the stage and envision idealistic voices from the last generation attempting to rile the masses to support the passion of their choosing. In this day and age, countless memoirs of local culture have perished at the hands of the hip and trendy, and few remain. Finding the Starry Plough was a refreshing experience. While old-school Berkeley may not be a significant piece of history, it's history nonetheless. And somehow, after quaffing a few pints at the Starry Plough, I feel just a bit more in touch with what it was... read more

irish pub. They have open mic on Tuesday, you basically go and sign up at 7:30 and chill have a few drinks til it's your turn or you can always come back. Some amazing talents they attract and it's a great place to meet and get connected. Each night has something different. read more

Like this place for the events it holds. Totally recommend coming for poetry slam at least once. Recently tried monday night irish dancing too! FUN! Get there at 7pm sharp for the lesson. read more

I'd heard so much about this place from my friends. I decided to have my birthday party there last night. It was a Sunday so Shay Black and other musicians were there. Folks would pop up all around the room and sing a song. My friends and I were some of the first people there. The place got packed! One of my friends told a musician it was my birthday and the whole pub sang to me. It was awesome. The bartenders are very friendly and attentive. They have two good ciders on tap and my friends seemed happy with the beer selection. My hubby was happy with the root beer they have on tap too. I'll definitely be going back. Maybe on a Monday to learn some Irish dancing. read more

Cozy classic bar great burgers great music you haven't been to berkeley till you go to the starry plough read more

This used to be a regular watering hole of mine in the late '80s to early '00s. Whilst the music is often top-notch, and the covers cheap, the beer tastes like the lines haven't been cleaned since Jesus was a corporal. read more

Love the owners. Great vibe and music. kinda random, but in a great way.

I love the Plough. I mainly go on Tuesday nights which is their open mic night. The talent is actually fairly decent with folksy stuff prevailing, and there is no cover like there is for the Poetry Slam on Wednesdays. The bar is a bit small, so do be aware that it can get pretty crowded on Tues and Wed. The crowd is varied, the people I go with are all early to late 20's, but there are also quite a few older regulars as well. It can be a bit crunchy, but not in a bad way and the bar just smells slightly musty not hippie stinky. The main bartender (Shaheen?) is a riot, he always has fun stories to tell and is fun to talk and laugh with once things wind down after midnight. The drinks are good and average priced, and he knows how to pour -best tasting Guinness in Berkeley is here! The rest of the staff is great too, and everyone is super friendly. I always end up chatting to random people and having a great time. Also, the food is cheap but good! One warning though is that this is a beer and wine only place. Even though it is called an Irish Pub, there is no whiskey or irish cream here. read more

Everything about this place makes it my favorite hometown pub. Fantastic Open Mic on Tuesday nights, the employees are always warm and welcoming, food is always spot-on, and has two dart boards that are not usually too crowded. Love it! read more

If you're looking for a good time in the East Bay on Wednesday, check this place out. I went a couple of weeks ago and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Wednesday night is Poetry Slam Night, and local/national poets sign up to send you into both a verbal and mental tizzy. There is usually a featured poet/guest or two. The night I went, Kid Beyond (the ultimate beatboxer) was a featured guest he was way cool (although some of his numbers were a bit on the long side). The event is judged by the lottery picked members of the audience who hold up numeric scores after he poet goes, and the best part is that each of the 5 audience judges get a free beer for their services. The host of the event was witty and entertaining, the talent on stage was impressive, and the crowd was down to earth and respectful of the poets. The house jazz band, 3 Blind Mice, was surprisingly REALLY good and weaved in and out of the poets quite well. The show starts at 8:30pm, there's 2 rounds of poetry, and it goes till about 12:30pm. I had a great time and would definitely go back. http://www.starryploughpub.com/poetryslam.html http://www.daniland.com/slam/ read more

They have completely revamped their menu and even though they have raised prices it is so worth it to get a burger here. I dont really come here for the music because the sound guy is terrible, but the burgers are where its at. read more

Came here for Slam Poetry Wednesday - decent beers on tap, ample seating, awesome poetry. Couldn't ask for more!

If you are looking for a place to take a very odd profile picture, this is the place for you!

It's true that the Starry Plough is mostly a folk-oriented venue and is nominally an Irish pub, but they're pretty loose in their booking policies and will gladly take rock bands that lean toward the cabaret/acoustic/folk/art side of things--hence my memorable times here seeing Ramona the Pest, Mark Growden, Charming Hostess, etc. Their open mic night is also one of the better ones I've been to and attracts some respectable talent while keeping the mood friendly and congenial. Of course they've got good beers and even serve a pretty decent pizza along with their other varieties of pub food. read more

Love this place! Great atmosphere, tasty food & beer, and awesome live music! No complaints here!

Very cute little place, although it is not the place to go if you plan to have a lot of conversation. The music is very loud, but a very enjoyable experience! The Guiness tasted a little off, but the food was delicious and the portions were generous!! Love the authentic pub vibe the place gives off. Definitely recommend grabbing a friend or two and checking this place out!! read more

I probably give this place a 3.75, but I rounded up because I like neighborhood bars that feature live music. It's sort of rag-tag, only serves beer and wine, but it does have an older crowd that enjoys themselves. My boyfriend's band played music here a few times and the sound quality is pretty bad, but people enjoyed all the shows. I hope the starry plough never dies~~ read more

They must have a new sound system because it all sounded great (I saw Mushroom there last week). Really great beer selection at decent prices ($15--$16 pitchers). The pizza I had was pretty tasty (and priced at $7--two meals there). The folks there were cool, the bartender and cook were genuinely friendly...a good time was had! read more

If you can make it to this place before the bands start (usually around 9), it's a solid 3 or 4 star bar with an all right beer list and some nice greasy bar fare. After 9, you will have to contend with some terrible performance that often goes late into the night (and, to add insult to injury, pay a steep cover charge for the privilege). This place is located in an area with practically no other bars, and so it's perfectly positioned to be a neighborhood center. It's too bad that it's a crappy venue instead. read more

Always tasty beer for the soul, live music more nights than not. Free wi-fi, and dark corners to write your next novel or manifesto.

Love this place. Cool vibes. Went with my friend Kelsie for the food on a Sunday and the servers were awesome. What we didn't know is that it was youth singing day. The kids did a kick ass job. I wish I would have paid attention fully but it was hard because the Seahawks were playing the Broncos and Peyton Manning scored a touchdown and a two point conversion with 58 seconds left. I love the kids but they gotta understand that peyton manning is a balla. read more

I'd heard about this place for years. It has a long history. It sounds like it used to be an interesting place. Unfortunately, I can't say much good about it now. read more

I used to live just down the street and always walked by and would tell myself I should check this place out. Well now I don't live down the street and one Sunday night I came in enticed by the sounds of live music. I didn't even know they served food. I ordered the poutine....I am in love read more

Tuesday night open mic is a good day to check out. Things starts going around 9:30, good people, service, and beer!