There are no good fish and chips left in England. It's a fact. (hate me now).
I am hard to please when it comes to fish and chips - that's a fact too.
Last one: Hailey's Pub Fish and Chips with Tartar sauce made me swoon. Seriously. Darn. Good.
Add live music and good drinks - perfection.
Who knew?
Will definitely come back next time I am in Jersey.
I'll start out this review by saying that I have always been a fan of Irish Pubs. Â I came here today with a friend. Â The place was pretty empty when we came in (around 1:30) so we were able to sit at the bar.
A staple that I have when coming to a pub, always start off with a Harp. Â My friend had a red cider.
For appetizers we had jalapeno poppers and fried pickles. Â Both had a nice little kick, I think the pickles because of the dipping sauce.
For lunch, I had a Reuben sandwich on toasted rye with spicy mustard. Â The rye was actually dipped in whiskey (just a touch). Â My friend had the Shepard's Pie which he said was very good.
The place was empty enough that one of the owners named Kevin came up, said hello and offered us a sample of a Scottish ginger ale called Crabbie. Â The bartender named Jackie, explained about the ale and different ways that you can make drinks with it.
I can definitely see myself coming here in the fall for football games and will have to bring the wife the next time.
My husband and I attended a "Beer Senate" event held at Haiely's Harp & Pub and had an amazing time. Â The beer selections were great as well as the food pairings. Â I am sure a lot of thought went into this event because everything was just perfect and the price was right too! Â The food was delicious, the service was tops and the atmosphere was fun and welcoming. Â We were very pleased; it was a great evening! Â There is a "Beer Senate" every month and we can't wait for the next one!
Review Source:I finally wet back to Hailey's and must say that I had fabulous service, finally. Â My waiter, Nat, was very attentive and kind. It was really stuffy, so he opened the front door for us to let a breeze in (This is not Hailey's fault--it's April and the weather keeps changing). Â The service was really a complete turn-around, from kill-me awful, to I'm thinking of adopting Nat great.
But damn that Old Fashioned. Â Terrible. Â I will say that they tried really hard to make me a good one. Â They were out of rye, even Canadian Club, so that sucked. Â The first attempt was like a whiskey and club soda--which sounds fine if that's what you want to drink. Â The second tasted a watered down whiskey. Â I tried to order something different at that point, but the bartender really wanted to keep trying. Â That was very sweet, but time consuming. Â The final attempt was drinkable, but I'll never order one here again. Â I love a Stoli martini, too--and they make a decent one. Â I know there are several recipes on-line for an Old Fashioned--but this is all it is (like a Manhattan with bitters instead of vermouth):
Put a sugar cube, or half tsp of sugar at the bottom of the glass
3-4 dashes of bitters
teaspoon of water/club soda
(This makes a simple syrup)
small twist of lemon or orange peel
2 oz rye (bourbon, whiskey)
ice
garnish with cherry, orange slice
Rotating beer menu depending on the seasons. Think they have 11 beers on tap.
Fell in love when I saw they had the Goose Island's Big John. Won my heart over quicker than my girlfriend did.
Great LARGE portions on their food. I always come by this place after I stop by Optique Unique. Love their Reuben sandwich. Definitely recommend you guys to check this place out!
Great local pub! Good food, great service and close to home. What more can I ask for? I ordered the special spicy burger topped with pork roll, a fried egg and the fixins. Although the burger wasn't spicy at all, the pork roll had me at hello. Now that's Jersey for you! It was the perfect size in a perfect bun and came with really delicious fries. I was bummed to see the shepherd's pasta off the menu, but our waiter was very accommodating and said they'd probably be able to make it for me anyway. As appreciative as I was, the burger sounded too delish to pass up! Service is always friendly and attentive here and calls for a great dining experience every time.
Review Source:I went to Hailey's because it came highly recommended. Â What a mistake. Â It was me and 5 friends, out to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Â We called ahead to ask if they would have entertainment, as we would be arriving around noon for lunch. Â We were told there would be entertainment all day. NOT!
We were seated immediately. Â However, we waited forever for a server to take our order. Â When he did arrive, he did not write our order down. Â Needless to say, when he arrived with our food and drinks, he did not remember who ordered what.
The first to arrive at our table was the Irish Soda Bread. Â While it was quite tasty, it was so small that we each got one very small piece (with one person not having any). Â The charge for the soda bread was $4.99. Â While I realize that making soda bread is labor intensive - it could have been a little bigger for that price.
Two people ordered salads, three of us the potato leek soup and the other person ordered French Onions Soup. Â The French aOnion Soup was extremely salty, the salads were very fresh and the potato leek soup was one of the best I've had.
All 6 of us ordered Corned Beef and Cabbage. Â We waited and we waited and we waited. Â We were just about to go look for our waiter when the entrees arrived at our table - Cold. Â We found our waited (who seemed to disappear all the time) and told him that the food was cold. Â He took them back to the kitchen and they were sent back to the table barely warm. Â The Corned Beef had no flavor and the potatoes and carrots, sparse as they were, also had no flavor.
We barely ate the food. Â I had to chase down the owner to get a check. Â We waited for that and then waited again for our waiter to return to pick it up.
The service was horrible. Â Our waiter never returned to our table to check on us.
The only redeeming qualities were the soda bread and the potato leek soup.
I will not return.
Visiting from California and was very impressed with this Pub. Good food (loved the French Dip!) and service was friendly and good (not sure why other people think otherwise). Went back later that night and found the atmosphere to be fun, cheery and lots of fun. They need a better higher end wine selection but maybe I'm being a California snob, lol! Â Everyone was having a good time! Good place for a little town hang out. I would totally come back. Thanks for making my visit fun!!
Review Source:Went here last Friday after looking for a new non-chain place to get dinner at. The main part of the place was packed to the gills so me, and my companions sat in a back room. Menu had standard pub choices along with some traditional Irish items, like soda bread (which was very tasty) Â Entree portions are LARGE! Be prepared to bring food home with you. I had the grilled chicken panini with spinach and mozzarella, which was delicious - they make the bread themselves, and my friend had the fish and chips platter which he enjoyed. My boyfriend had a regular burger, which he was not thrilled with, claiming the meat was to bland. He's willing to come back and try something different though.
I'd definitely come back to watch a game and try some other offerings.
Today  was my second visit and it was terrific.  I brought friends who know all the ins and outs of Irish pubs as their daughters were step dancers who performed all over NJ.  We had a ball!  Waitstaff was so attentive, offering a sample of ale when we were confused as to what to order.  Drinks on the table we had a variety of appetizers including chicken fingers (nice tenderloins of chicken) and Irish nachos!  Delicious.  Entrees were equally delicious and the Soda bread is terrific!  In fact I ordered a veggie burger on a bed of greens so that I could indulge in the bread!  Special appreciation for the vegetarian items.  It is good to have a choice... Maybe a vegetarian soup can be added?
Kudos to the staff who were ultra attentive to us...
If you are looking for a welcoming, friendly atmosphere with an offbeat menu, good food and a great selection of brews, you can't do any better than Haileys Harp & Pub!
One star, based on service alone. Â Ordered a soup as an appy, though wasn't bad, waited 20 minutes for a beer, when the waiter finally showed up to see if it had arrived.. (You'd think he'd know?)
At this point, being tired and frustrated, I asked for the check only. Â 15 minutes later I was given the check to find I was charged for the beer I didn't receive.
So I waited another 15 minutes to complain when a different server delivered the beer I no longer wanted.
When I asked "What happened? Â What was the problem." and I had explained the situation, the new server just said, "I don't know", looked puzzled and walked away.
I understand that with a pub, you should gauge your expectations, but they had such great yelp reviews... Â From when I sat down, to when I finally got my 2nd beer, I was there almost an hour and a half. Â Pouring beer is what they should do best!!!!
If Boston has Cheers, Metuchen has Hailey's. Â When I am home one of my first stops is to have a perfect pour. Â The staff has been schooled on making the rounds, ensuring all feel welcomed. When you first walk in through the door or if you have been sitting for some time, they are always making you feel as if you matter. I have become a semi regular as I wait for my bride and daughter to get their nails done. I sit and watch them pour my Green Flash Extra Pale Ale (I'm a BIG IPA/EPA fan) accompanied by Hailey's Eggplant Tower. My daughter always makes sure I have the Corned Beef and Cabbage Spring Rolls waiting for her. Â The menu is a traditional Irish Pub's Menu. Â Ask for the daily specials, Chef Johnny O Â and Moe have pleasantly surprised me. Go for the beer, eat the food, and stay for the entertainment.
Remember to always drink responsibly.
Crazy Cubano Out
A genuine comfortable pub atmosphere. Â Tasty sandwiches (we had the corned beef and the cheesesteak) and crispiest fries I've had in a long while. Â Friendly prompt courteous service. Â If I lived closer to this place it would be the kind of "home away from home" that welcomes strangers.
Review Source:I hosted my girlfriend's bridal shower here and was so pleased! The food was out of this world amazing...the Chicken Murphy was the best I ever had! Since the party I've been here countless times after. If you aren't coming for lunch or dinner the bar is great too! Live music most nights, good selection and the bartenders are wonderful.
Review Source:My son and I go to Hailey's at least once a Month. Â The staff is always friendly and they don't make you feel you need to rush through your meal like some restaurants do. We really enjoy the food, never had a bad meal yet. Â They have an appetizer called Mc-Moes Fried bacon- not a dieters choice - but is really tasty and worth the cheat day :) Â
They have a nice selection of Tap beers(of course including your Irish selection of Guiness, Harp and Smithwick) Â I also like the selection of craft beers that they have on tap also.
Definitely worth the trip.
My Husband and I wanted to try a new restaurant and I found this place on <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2FRestaurant.com&s=0aab4cbd731f3d3b0d1453050d3abc56a8c80bd214e25469c7555b750dca8a51" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://Restaurant.com</a>. Â So we figured we would give it a whirl. Â The place is small but nice only 2 booths so we had to sit in chair & table. Â I love Booths so I was Bummed. lol.
My husband ordered Pulled Pork Spring Rolls which had buffalo sauce in it. Â It was really good and it came with a side of sour cream. Â Delicious. Â Big serving size. Â I had French Onion Soup which was great. Â A little salty but I love Salt so it was right up my alley. Â
I had the Lamb Chops for dinner with a mushroom gravy, Veggies & Baked Potato. Â I thought the Lamb was Okay nothing to RAVE about thought. Â Everything else including the sauce was delicious. Â My husband had the chicken panini with French Fries. Â It was really great & my husband loved it. Â
Overall great meal and We will be coming back. Â The service was slow but we weren't in any rush so It didn't bother us.
The food def had an identity crisis. I couldn't tell if they were Irish or Italian when I looked at the menu. No chicken pot pie? Why?
I sat at the bar so I got bar good a steak sandwich. The steak came out luke warm and I ordered alone. I didn't get sick so that is def a plus.
The bar selection for Irish beer was good Smithwick, harp, guinness, etc.
Bartender was nice def knows her regular customers. The staff overall was on point.
I went on a thursday night.. After about 8pm live Irish music.. Not a bad band..
I've been here a few times and usually order the lamb chop and french onion soup. Â YUM! Â The french onion soup is always on point and the mushroom sauce for the lamb really makes the dish. Â
Everybody from the host, to the bartender, to waiter has always been friendly. The live music is also great addition. Â
I'm a fan!
I've been to Hailey's at least 15 times over the past year that I've lived in Metuchen.
The food ranges from very good to excellent (the steak sandwich). I've only had the Irish fare, sandwiches, and apps. The beer selection is very good -- and the servers are very knowledgeable about them (if they don't know, they always offer to ask someone for you). Overall, the service is very good. The kitchen can be a little slow, but nothing to complain about. As the only place in town to get a beer, it does get crowded. I do tend to hurry up and leave when I see the bands setting up. They're pretty loud/hard to hear over for a small space.
The only complaint I have is the lighting. The section with the 2-seater tables is really bright.
I've been here several times. Â The service is excellent, the beer selection is good, and the food is great (especially for Irish fare.) Â It's a nice local Irish Pub. Â I usually order the Shepherd's Pie, and I share it. Â It's pretty big and filling. Â The Corned Beef Roll appetizer is awesome.
Review Source:This is my second review for Hailey's. Â The first, written quite a while ago, inexplicably disappeared from Yelp, along with the thank you response I got from the owner. Â It wasn't even archived - just went pffffft! and is floating out somewhere in cyberspace. Â A true mystery.
I don't live nearby and don't spend a lot of time in New Jersey any more, but I enjoyed Hailey's so much the first time I went that a return visit was in order. Â Last visit was a weeknight; this one was with my daughter last night, Saturday. Â What a difference! Â First, there was live music, and they were playing exactly the sort of music I like. Â And it wasn't particularly loud. Â But the sound level in Hailey's was deafening. Â Turns out it wasn't the music, because after a very long set, when the guys took a well-deserved break, it didn't get any quieter!! Â The bar was packed, and overflowed into a back room that's used, I guess, for private parties. Â Nobody seemed to lower their voice when the music stopped. Â
But that's my only complaint. Â The food, on the other hand, was delicious. Â We shared an Irish Boxty and a Moe Boy Sandwich. Â I've been to Irish Pubs from here to the British Isles (and even one in Mexico), but never tried a Boxty. Â This one had Corned Beef, Sauerkraut and Swiss, wrapped in that yummy Irish pancake - a Reuben in an Irish flapjack. Â It was delicious, and came with a dinner salad and fresh veggies. Â The Moe Boy was spicy chicken on a crisp and delicious baguette, and came with fries that really good, but could have benefited from a lighter hand with the salt shaker.
Our waitress was very good, and never once expressed annoyance over having to repeat herself five times every time she asked us something, since I couldn't hear a word she was saying over the din.
Two things would improve Haileys: Â installing some sound-proofing, and then moving it to Vegas, so I could go more often!
I've read some reviews on here that complain about the noise, but I'm a regular at Hailey's and I have to say that isn't a common experience for me. Hailey's isn't louder than any other bar, with the exception of live music nights - but I see live music as an exciting plus, not a noisy negative.
You can't beat these prices for such a great selection and quality of food. I'd especially recommend the soda bread with Jameson orange marmalade; it's quite literally the best thing I've ever tasted.
My only complaint with Hailey's is that sometimes the service is sometimes pretty slow. When the place gets busy the staff don't increase their pace to keep up. But this isn't enough to keep me away.
Went there last night. Â Great appetizers and outstanding service from both our server and the floor manager but the mains were really mediocre at best. Â The salmon on my sandwich was way too fishy and no one else really enjoyed theirs either.
We will definitely go back again because being treated right is as important to me as the food and they do it right here, but maybe order less complex(?) items.
First visit on a Saturday night, there was live music scheduled for 9pm. Arrived at 8:15, crowded, but room available for dining. Tap beer selection was excellent for an Irish pub. I think 16 taps including Irish faves plus some quality other choices (Victory, Saranac, etc.). $5-6.50 depending on size.
Ordered Nachos, plentiful and cooked just right. Wife had Penne with Vodka sauce with shrimp's nervous considering Irish Pub) and she loved it. I had Gaelic steak, delicious combo of steak, toast, mushrooms and onions, and plenty of it! But the mashed Potatoes with gravy were EXCELLENT!!
Service was right on time, items spaced correctly, dishes cleared before next course, beers filled when needed, nice. Used <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2FRestaurant.com&s=0aab4cbd731f3d3b0d1453050d3abc56a8c80bd214e25469c7555b750dca8a51" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://Restaurant.com</a> coupon, no problem whatsoever.
Overall, the place was vibrant, loud and fun, and on top of that, food was excellent. Had a nice time, Will definitely return.
My best friend and I recently went there for dinner, because I had a <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Frestaurants.com&s=8b83bf0ff8b716aae84527dc95577a310f201b166dcca25c8ca3824b15703869" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://restaurants.com</a> gift certificate. The atmosphere, was similar to a local neighborhood bar, but more welcoming.
They have an extensive food and beer menu. Their martini's were good, and creative. The menu included options to fit almost anyone's needs, including vegetarian and gluten-free. Portions were very large, and prices were well prices. I have lunch for the next two days.
We had no problems using our gift certificate, and they let us stay at our table as long as we wanted to have some drinks after dinner and watch karaoke.
The service was great, too. Our waitress always made sure had a full glass and continued to check on us throughout the night.
It's definitely a place I would go back to, or bring a work client.
Went to Hailey's pub on a whim and glad I did.
Stayed for appetizers which turned out wonderful (try the corn beef and cabbage rolls - AWESOME).
Plenty of beers on tap and a nice wide variety. Try the house beer, quite good for what it is.
Also, during football games, they give out tickets with each drink for a raffle held at the end of the game.
Service was awesome, and the bartenders quite knowledgeable and friendly.
All in all, a wonderful place. Will be back at again to try the main menu.
It is strange drinking Irish beer in downtown Metuchen. Â I can honestly say this was the first time I ever had a beer (at a bar) on Main Street in my former hometown.
According to our server (a fellow Metuchen High grad, 7 years after me) Hailey's has been open for around 4 months now. Â It sits on the site of a Thai restaurant that had been around for a few years. Â It just seems so out of place in Metuchen. Â I'm not saying this place is bad. Â It is fine, but seems kind of fake. Â I like my Irish pubs to have some history. Â That's just me.
Didn't eat here. Â Just came to meet a friend and have a few beers. Â They did have their own beer called Hailey's Ale which I'm sure is produced for them somewhere else. Â I'm still not sure I'm ready to wrap my mind around an Irish pub in Metuchen. Â I definitely couldn't wrap my mind around a brewery here also. Â The beer was a nice deep amber color with hints of coffee and chocolate. Â Had a few of those and then moved over to a pint of Guinness which was poured perfectly. Â Believe it or not, there are Irish bars out there that don't know the proper way to pour one of these. Â Nice to know this place seems to have it down.
So, there you have it. Â The Irish have invaded downtown Metuchen. Â I hope this place makes it so that in 20 years time it will actually have some history. Â Until then, it is a bit of novelty right now.
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