Mahar's Public Bar

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  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.

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  Posted on 04.03.13 Mike G.

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  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!

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  Posted on 02.02.13 Greg Y.

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  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.

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  Posted on 04.16.12 Jennifer W.

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  I've lived just a few doors from Mahar's for awhile now, but today was the first time I stopped in. Now I am wishing I had gone in sooner. I didn't know what I was missing.
  
  My husband and I stopped in around 6pm on a Thursday night, so it wasn't a busy time. It was actually very comfortable. The business is decorated in interestingly cool ways. The bar has really cool stained glass towers across the bar. (I call them towers. I'm not sure what they are called.) There are no bar stools, affording itself to a much more social situation with people on their feet instead of their butts, but plenty of seating in other parts of the bar for those who prefer to sit.
  
  The atmosphere was very comfortable and inviting. It has that small town, everybody knows your name kind of vibe to it. Even though we had never been there before, we felt as if we belonged as soon as we walked in.  
  
  I enjoyed reading the menu. Mahar's has "House Rules" that appear to be designed to keep it from becoming the crazy, rowdy, drunk fight bar. Also on the menu was a disclaimer that they are a specialty beer bar and not a restaurant. (I am easily amused by the little details.)
  
  My husband got a bbq sandwich with potato chips and potato salad for $4.50. The meal was actually a decent size and definitely a bargain. Being a chef, he is not easily pleased with things and often has "critique" about things, but while eating this sandwich, all he could do was make noises to indicate he was thoroughly enjoying it.
  
  The beer selection is huge, and there are fun prizes people can win for trying a certain number of beers. (Another reason I wish we would have checked this place out sooner.) To give an example of their beer selection, one of the prizes is for trying 200 different beers.
  
  While I personally cannot drink beer or eat sandwiches, I enjoyed hanging out there with my husband while he did. I actually didn't want to leave. I can see myself just hanging out there for the fun of it.
  
  We got to visit with the owner for a few, and he was the coolest barkeep ever!
  
  We left very pleased and will definitely go back.

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  Posted on 07.21.11 Karin D.

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  Mahars in Castleton was a shock.  I went in for the 4.50 pork sandwich and found a beer lover's pub.  Old world feel and casual comfort.  It reminded me of the pubs in Wales.  A somewhat nice yet surly publican (Mr. Mahar) and a fantastic list of beers served at the correct temperatures.  The menu was less than basic but reflected a traditional beer halls fare.  As the menu states its not a restaurant its a beer hall with some food offerings.    I had an astounding Imperial IPA and wish I had more funds to have tried some more.  I was told that there is a bigger wilder version of Mahars in Albany but seeing how this is only a few blocks down the street, I'm in heaven.
  
  I was an instant fan.

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  Posted on 07.21.11 Chef Shawn D.

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  Just when I thought Mahars couldn't get any better, it opens a location close to where I live.
  
  We went on a Friday night after dinner at a local restaurant. My husband didn't believe me that there's a Mahars in Castleton, but when we pulled up and saw the familiar Mahars sign outside, he got really excited.
  
  The bar doesn't have as much beer as its companion in Albany, but it still has a wide selection of some classics and beer snob worthy pints. The bar also has little built in wood stoves that are absolutely darling. It's got your typical basement bar feel - wood paneling, beer towels, beer signs, beer mirrors, beer lights, etc.
  
  This version of Mahars has much more ample seating and space. There were maybe 20-25 people in there and we had plenty of breathing room. The front of the bar has cozy chairs and the back has some tables and the classic wide stools that I love about the original Mahars (good for us ample-booty'd folks).
  
  The bartender was pleasant and friendly and got us our beers quickly. We started a tab and headed to the back.
  
  We met Mrs. Mahar (whos first name escapes me, Lori, maybe?) who told us about the history of bringing Mahars to Castleton on Hudson, about how they plan to have picture windows overlooking the Hudson soon, and how they own the building next door and plan to open a craft/import beer shop. We felt like regulars on our first night.
  
  We will be going back often. With friends. And I can't wait to view the hudson while sipping on some of my favorite beers.

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  Posted on 09.29.10 Katie V.

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