Donnelly's Public House

This is a tough one.  3 ofr 4 stars?  What I dislike most about Donnelly's is the crowds on weekends and evenings.  The bar area is always loud and almost always a bit raucous.  Too many of those tweeners boasting loudly to their friends trying to pick up the few girls who dare to venture at the bar.

Definitely heads above the bar scene at the Winfield, however (sorry Hope).  That's a meat market on weekends and I'm glad I'm too old for that.

The decor is unprentious and quite dark.  The patio out front is great in the summer though the seating is limited.  There's hardly any traffic on Liftbridge (they' face Liftbridge Lane, not Water St. ) so it's quiet as compared to many outdoor seatings.

I do note that too few of these reviews mention the food.  That's a shame.  Simple dishes like their home made potato chips or the potato pancakes are great.  I always love their Reuben with sweet potato fries.  

Their beer selection is indeed good and a nod to them featuring local brews.  I just wish three heads would stop with the silly lagers and concentrate on ales.  They make some nice ales.

But the food - the food is better at Mulconry's down the street.  So ultimately, 3 stars, beer or no beer.

Waited about 20 of the promised 30 minutes for a table...not much room to wait.  Loved the beer selection.  Innis & Guinn cask stout 20 ounce pints for $3...you had me at hello.  Lighting at our table was too dim to read menu, but maybe i'm just old, yes that's it.

Guinness pulled pork had a really interesting flavor, not your run of the mill crockpot pork...served on nice bun with bib lettuce and dill slices to provide nice little crunch, perfect, and came with perfectly done hot battered fries.   My youngest got wings, nice and crispy.  One of my older girls had the cuban sandwich and loved it.  Was big enough to bring half home.  Other daughter really liked her portabello sandwich.  It's rare when all my girls love their food, and even more rare when this phenomenon coincides with a fantastic cask beer special.  This place is on the repeat list.

Went for dinner last night. HUGE portions and an amazing wait staff. When we got their, we were told a 45 minute wait. They seated us in 15 minutes - and the place was packed. I got the 'Steak Bomber'... OMG, no way I could finish that. But it was awesome. Great crowd with friendly folks sitting at the bar. Def worth a visit. After several drinks and dinner for two, the tab was less than $60 - can't beat that for a nice night out!