Mahar's Public Bar

A wonderful place to meet and make friends! Excellent brews, friendly atmosphere, modestly priced pub food as well.
Our party enjoyed a variety of cask conditioned and other IPAs, as well as the Shepherd's Pie and Pulled Pork plates. There were no leftovers.

Did you ever have a place that you loved so much you wanted to tell everyone about it, but then didn't want to tell anyone, because you enjoyed it as a quiet, well-kept secret?  Mahar's Castleton is that place for me.  And, as much as I'd love to keep my clandestine watering hole, Jim and Laurie are such great people and deserve a few new faces.  

Mahar's has the same great beer selection and camaraderie of actually talking to the random person next to you at the bar without trying to get his or her number, but the more remote location (you actually have the cross the Hudson) makes for an even more laid-back atmosphere.  No jukebox, no DJ, but occasionally a 12" TV for football games... meaning you'll actually talk to other people here.

A few months ago, I learned to play cribbage from a regular there.  Even though it's a game made for drunk sailors, I ended up spending more time learning the game than drinking and only ended up having a few drinks over the course of three hours, but that was just fine.  In fact, my only admonishment from the barkeep the next time I came in was not telling her that I'd learned cribbage since I could have played.  

Another secret, I should share is the food.  Even though the menu mentions that Mahar's is primarily a bar, their food goes far beyond the pickled eggs and potato chips of most places.  The shepherd's pie and bangers and mash are both wonderful and very reasonably priced (under $7).  In fact, I've developed a moderately regular Sunday tradition of getting a late afternoon brunch and 10 oz. beer at Mahar's.    The only downside of their great food is that it's ruined other English-style pubs for me, since few can replicate the warmth and intimacy of Mahar's (not to mention such reasonably-priced Shepherd's Pie.  

Stop by and get a pint, you'll be glad you did!

Its a Pub, not a bar. Serves beer, ale's, porters, stouts, for those with international taste buds. NOT FOR BUD DRINKERS, but they have it. Not a rowdy establishment, and the Owners are pretty fantastic too...Shepard's pie made with hamburger but still delicious.