The drinks are great, most of the time the service is great. I had a bad experience about a year ago where my friend found a large shard of glass in her drink but the girls upstairs are wonderful and the blarney bread is delicious! (Honestly, most things I've eaten here have been delicious.)
Review Source:This is a really odd place....we were passing through Harrisburg, and decided to get a drink and something to eat. Â We decided to come here, and we were practically the only people in the place. Â Mind you, this was at 6 PM on St Patrick's Day.
The bartenders looked like high school girls who had no experience. Â They were constantly checking their phones, and it was difficult to get one of them to notice us. Â I ordered a Guinness draft, and it was flat and sour. Â Thankfully, I wasn't charged for it. Â I ordered a White Russian instead, and got a drink made with sour milk. Â It was utterly disgusting.
The decor is nice, but there's something off about this place. Â Specifically, why there were no locals there on St Patricks Day! Â They knew something we didn't...that the drinks are unpalatable! Â I wish we had gone to another place for the brief time we were in Harrisburg.
My friend had an interview in Harrisburg and I tagged along to keep him company. Â I actually discovered McGrath's Pub on Yelp when I was looking for cool, beer oriented restaurants to try that were not going to be super expensive. Â McGrath's was a good find!
We were there during the lunch hour and I was surprised to see the pub was nearly deserted save for one other table. Â It's good a really cool stained glass/dark wood Irish pub look to it. Â Which is good, bc this is an Irish pub. Â You could tell this was an Irish pub and nary a shamrock was anywhere. Â That's a good thing.
They have really good drink specials and a good selection of beers on tap. Â Troegs is my favorite brewery and they had three of their beers on tap, so I was a happy girl. Â The food is GOOD.
Their pub burger was ridiculously messy. Â I think the bartender saw me try to lick coleslaw off my own chin, but I think that's ok since he works in a bar and has probably seen everything. Â It was one of the best burgers I have had in a long time. Â It wasn't healthy and after the chin licking incident I left the bar feeling bloated and uncivilized, but I also left happy.
The thing about burgers is most restaurants focus on crazy, gourmet toppings and sauces. Â The key to a good burger is in the meat and theirs was one of the tastiest burgers I've had in awhile. Â It has coleslaw on it. Â Try eating one nad not making a mess.
My friend had some sandwich of some sort he said was good, but I wasnt paying attention bc my hamburger was exploding all over the table and I was busy.
I would definetly come back here again if I were in town. I'm not sure what the crowd is like after dark, but I think this is a pretty good watering hole.
My favorite bar in Harrisburg. Â Their happy hour is excellent. Â 4:30-7pm. Â Half off drafts, and some mixed drink specials. Â Also, discounts on their appetizers. Â
The sandwiches are also very good. Â I cannot comment on the full dinners, but judging by the rest of the food/service, I would assume they are good.
Food was pretty good. French fries were rather cold. Bartender balked at me sitting at a table even though there were very few people in the place. Â After sitting at the bar, which I find uncomfortable to eat at, I ordered my food. Just then other people came in and sat at the very table I first occupied. I don't know why the bartender objected to me sitting there but not the other folks. Mind you, the place was empty.
Review Source:Thanks to all the positive reviews on Yelp, we stopped here for lunch during a long drive home from Canada. Â Located just a few blocks from the Capitol building, this place was crazy-busy when we arrived. Had to wait a while until we could get the bartender's attention. But from there, things went uphill. My wife and I shared a great meatloaf entree with Guinness-Rosemary gravy, in a portion size as big as your head. The bar has a huge selection of local beers; the bartender was very knowledgable. We told him what we liked and he recommended a few good local beers. Â We had fun eavesdropping on the locals sitting next to us at the bar. They were a hoot! Â Note that the upstairs is a smoking room but it was closed for a private party; thankfully we could not smell any smoke from the downstairs bar. The street parking is very limited, but there is a fenced private lot directly across the street from McGrath's.
Review Source:This is my go to place. Â The staff is wonderful, the beer selection is awesome, and the food top notch! Â Props to the owners who really care about their customers. Â The food specials stand out, one of my favorites is the Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner Burger which is what it says. Â Turkey Burger with Almond Stuffing, Cranberry Dressing, Mash Potatoes and Gravy. Â Easiest to eat with knife and fork.
Review Source:I never thought I would say this but this is a smoking bar/pub and I would come here again in a heartbeat! Â Normally I would avoid a smoking establishment like the plague but these folks are so good I've made and exception.
I was in town on business and walked in here based on the solid 4 star Yelp reviews. Â I arrived at the tail end of happy Hour on a Tuesday and the place was jammed. Â I was lucky and only waited 10 minutes to snag a seat at the bar. Â The smoke was discernible but I knew that coming in so I was prepared.
Regarding beer; these guys have about twenty taps and ton of bottles. Â All together the selection is very good. I'd had a very tough day so I needed something with a kick. Â Stone Double Bastards did the trick.
As I sipped my draft I noted that two thirds of the folks at the bar were eating and they looked very happy. Â The guy to my left was tackling a platter with a 1 lb. flame grilled rib-eye with all the trimmings. Â This thing was huge and he said it was delicious. Â It's the most expensive item on the menu at $30. Â Most everything else is much easier on the wallet.
The gentleman to my right was enjoying a meatloaf sandwich on toasted sourdough ($8). Â He also said it was excellent.
I choose the Simple Steak.  It's a 6 oz. Flat iron and you pick either grilled or blackened and I choose the latter.  It comes with the vegetable of the day and goes for $14.  This steak was way beyond average pub food.  It was cooked correctly and the blackening was perfect.  The vegetables were sautéed Brussels sprouts with red peppers and mushrooms and they were outstanding. Â
So I could do without the smoke but otherwise my visit was excellent. Â I also award these folks 4 stars.
Four words: Thanksgiving Feast Turkey Burger
Never heard of such a thing? Neither did I until I saw it as one of the current specials at McGrath's Pub. What is it? Well, it's everything I love about Thanksgiving wrapped up into one huge sandwich: grilled turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing and cranberry sauce, all piled on a Ciabatta roll. I couldn't believe I was reading the menu correctly and had to try it.
After the bartender put the plate down, I first tried eating it with my hands like a burger, which turned out to be an impossible task. So I resorted to knife and forking it to completion. It was an absolute delicious mess, complimented with a pickle and potatoes sliced like potato chips but with the consistency of French fries. French chips? I don't know, but the whole meal was tasty and filling. Actually, I'm having a repeat craving just thinking about it again.
Add in a half-price Happy Hour (4-6 pm) on all 20+ taps and I was patting myself on the back for deciding to stop here. Although it took awhile to get a seat at the busy bar, the entire visit was certainly worth the wait.
SOOOOO fun!
I was looking for a bar in Harrisburg to watch the Notre Dame game last Saturday night against Michigan State, and thanks to Yelp reviews ended up at McGrath's. Â I walked in and ALL the tv's had the game on, the sound was playing, fans all over, and every time we scored they played the Fight Song! Â I had SUCH a good time.
The food was great too :) Â I had a turkey burger and my friend had the bacon cheeseburger. Â They were nice and juicy, served with chips, which were more like round french fries, but nice and thin, yet still chewy....
Can't wait for my seminar next month so I can come back here for the next game!
Super cool bar. Friendly, knowledgeable bar staff. Good selection of beers, full bar, cider for those who prefer cider. Haven't eaten here but seen a few dishes...seemed like typical bar food but everyone looked happy while eating.
Dedicated nonsmoking section on the 1st floor, smoking upstairs. Surprisingly, the nonsmoking section really doesn't smell. Yeah! Irish stuff & pics all over the walls. TVs in a few places. Jukebox. Crowd seemed to be mixed with people of all ages hanging out.
I'm still in love with this place.
I basically now come alone and awkwardly sit alone and laugh at what I'm reading on my iPad. They always are nice, always refill my drinks, and in general, I just like being here. It is comfortable inside and I can always find a single seat at the bar (though if you weren't looking for a single seat, most times you might have more trouble.)
The potato soup is amazing - I really enjoy it - and I will probably keep coming back and rotating through more food - their menu is pretty good and I'm always happy with the food quality. And I have been here more than twice - but for some reason Yelp tells me I'm no where near things when I'm sitting in them a lot.
Went here the other night with a colleague and had an awesome time.
The bartender was really nice and we chatted about all the different beers they had on tap and gave me her honest opinion of them. Â She was really friendly and genuinely nice.
They also have an amazing liquor selection including but not limited to high end single malt scotches, Johnny Walker Blue, Tito's Handmade vodka, and other fine spirits.
The music was great that night with an 80's montage going on and I think everyone in the place including myself was singing along. Â Impromptu karaoke is always fun.
We only drank there so my review is based on drink selection and bar service only.
Note: Smoking is allowed in the establishment.
I would have loved to give McGrath's a four star rating, but I had a terrible experience before that is just preventing me from doing so. We had a terrible waitress that was doing an awful job. We came for a late-ish dinner (8pm), and were sitting at our table having beverages afterward. I assume she just wanted to leave, so she gave us attitude and sat at the table right next to us, head in hands, looking incredibly bored. She was rude, so we left ten percent instead of 15. She had the nerve to question our tip. She said, "You know your bill is 80 dollars." She ALSO overcharged our friends, they actually got a refund. Unacceptable.
However, can't base an entire overview off of one out of twenty experiences. So this place still gets a 3/5. It's the only place we will come if we are coming out into the late night scene. Very relaxed, reasonably strong drinks for the price, two bars and a lounge area.
The food is always good. It's not amazing, it's bar food, but it's definitely better than the average bar. Their Celtic wings are delicious! Also they make fish and chips with salmon! Sounds off, but was quite surprisingly different and yummy. Their specials are usually where they hit their home runs. Pulled venison BBQ sandwich, AMAZING. German style pork and kraut, delectable. If they have a special that even slightly piques your interest, it's usually worth it.
If you're coming downtown and want a pub, skip Ceolta's and Molly's. McGrath's all the way.
Ah, love this place. I look at the menu each time but gravitate only to the following: Irish Nachos (potato skins w/banana peppers) and the fried salmon appetizer. Yep, you read that right. They use salmon v.s cod for the fish and chips and it's actually great. Awesome mixed drinks from Adam, the best bartender in town, and a friendly staff. Go early if you have a group. It gets packed.
Review Source:Good beer selection, and the food I had was good. Â We all left happy, and that's all that's important, right?
I was in Harrisburg for a few days for work and stopped in with a few others when we were wandering around 2nd street in search of food. Â This place seemed like the kind of place we were looking for. Â I got a Troegs Hopback on tap, which tasted fresh, so thumbs up there. Â For food I got the shepherds pie, which I was very satisfied with. Â It wasn't the best I've had, but for being in an unfamiliar city and just finding the place walking around, it hit the spot.
It had a reserved atmosphere, mostly a business crowd, a few groups of 2 or 3 chatting. Â But it was 8 PM on a Wednesday night in Harrisburg, so compared to the alternatives I guess it was lively. Â
It was definitely the kind of place I'd go to again next time I'm in town.
This is my favorite place to hang out in the Burg when I just want to chill with a brewski. Â Don't be lured away by the other so called Irish Pubs, this place is the one you want. Â The bartenders and servers are so friendly and always know what's on their ever changing taps. I love the Turkey Rachel it's delicious, but if you're a vegetarian you don't have to many options (the good old portabello staple and apps are about it). Â However, I think the food is good and again, my favorite place to just hang comfortably.
Review Source:I love this bar...it's my kind of place  and all the yuengling I can drink! After a long flight from the west coast this was my first stop and I am definitely in love.
Greeted by nice security guy at the door from Alaska! (You people are all over the place) and a sweet server who took care of us, don't know her name but she was cool!
Anyway if you're hungry and searching for grub... you have to order the Blarney Bread- Mozzarella, Parmesan & cheddar cheeses mixed with Irish Mist liqueur & smeared on our cuban rolls & broiled until golden brown. Â If I could I'll eat this every day if I don't die from it. Also add a side of bangers and mash, and wash it down with a cold glass of yeung ling.
As always, the staff at McGrath's never disappoints. Â Whether it be the upstairs pub area or the downstairs crew, I am always pleased with the service. Â
Great beer selection, draft and bottle, and a nice rack of Scotch and Irish Whiskey.
Food is also excellent. Â The specials are truly that.
We visited based on others' reviews and were not disappointed. Â Our server, Adam, was great, suggesting excellent beers. Â The pub food was excellent-burgers and the fries topped with pulled pork and cheese-and plentiful. Â We were there in the late afternoon so the place was pretty empty but still a great choice for a laid-back beer and burger. Â Thanks to the reviewers for steering us to a super place!
Review Source:I chose this pub to take my wife for dinner since it is within walking distance to the Whitaker Center where we were going to see Alice in Wonderland in 3D on the second night after the premier. The atmosphere is pleasant and conforms to the tradition Irish pub theme exept they have a nice stained glass which relates to Harrisburg behind the bar.
I was very pleased with the venison stew and blackened salmon salad that I ordered and I really like the fact they have the original Gazebo room greek dressing which is very tasty. They have a decent tap selection too which is a definite plus - I tried India by Weyerbacher which is a one-off IPA they did as part of the Nato series following the phonetic alphabet. The bartender said it was an APA but it was definitely an IPA but close enough. The one unique thing about their taps is they have Troeg's Ginger beer soda which my wife ordered. The flavor is full of fresh ginger and it is pretty refreshing.
My wife and I enjoyed the service and we listened to some songs on the jukebox which had a good selection of music while we ate. I enjoyed spending time there and will not hesitate to return for dinner - it is very conveniently located. Worth a try if you like good beer and you are in Harrisburg!
The best place to get a properly made, and served in a copper mug, Moscow Mule. Whenever I need to clear out any congestion I have or even pneumonia, I come in here and order a few of these. However the food isn't top notch, but lets be honest. This is an Irish pub, you're supposed to be here for the drinking.:) Come for the Drinks, Go elsewhere for the food.
Review Source:I stopped by McGrath's a week or two ago to meet friends for drinks at about 6:00 before we saw a show downtown. Â All the seats in the front bar area were filled and no contiguous bar stools were free. Â As a result, we walked to the back of the restaurant to the table section (only two tables were taken, the rest of the section was empty). Â
I informed the waitress we were just here for drinks (we were not rowdy or drinking beforehand). Â The waitress responded curtly, well... I try to keep this back area for people that are ordering food. Â I asked if upstairs was open... No... well, I said there's no where else to sit. Â She said its fine & sat us very rudely. Â I really should have just left, there's plenty of other places to go drinking on 2nd st! Â
We ordered a few drinks and left about 1.5 hr later (Not cheap drinks either - microbeers, mixed & martini). Â Maybe its just me, but waitress didn't seem too friendly during this time, friends shared this sentiment. Â Only one other party of two had arrived since we sat down, so the back area pretty much remained empty.
I've always had good service here (except when its super-busy which is understandable). Â Unfortunately, next time I'll probably think twice before I stop in McGrath's again.
The good: Â The Moscow mule. Â Best Drink in the house, hands down.
The bad: Â Upstairs. Â Upstairs is a very strange atmosphere. Â There's an OK bar room, but it goes quickly downhill from there. Â A balcony seats about 3 people, and feels as safe for maybe 1. Â If your lucky you get the seat next to the open door the bartenders throw empty bottles near. Â Or maybe you're lucky enough to walk up a few more stairs into the awkward living room sitting area. Â I feel as though I've broken into someones place to have a beer. Â The bathroom, however, is nice and homely. Â If you want to pee in any public restroom in Harrisburg that is an exact replica to your grandma's bathroom, then go pee upstairs. Â Also there is an awkward arcade room.
the Verdict: Â Keep sippin the endless beer supply downstairs. Â Pee upstairs. Â And drink a Moscow mule to and from on the stairs.
McGrath's is one of my favorite pubs in downtown Harrisburg, it's has a homey Irish decor about it, with 2 bars, a small outdoor balcony, and a lounge area.
The downstairs is usually packed on weekends but you can often find a somewhat more laid back atmosphere in the upstairs bar and lounge. I've never tried the food here but I love how they have such a huge selection of bottled and draft beer. If you check out their website, they update the beers they have on draft (and plan to have) regularly, and they do carry some rare beers you probably have never seen before.
Service has always been good for me and as mentioned by other yelpers they do make strong drinks for a fair price. Definitely recommended.
The bottom line is this...
If you want a laid back atmosphere, McGraths is for you. If you want to be in a place where everyone is attempting to socialize to meet their future wife/husband, this is not the place for you. If you want a place that makes potent drinks for a fair price, this place is for you. The bottom line is that McGraths makes the strongest drinks for the lowest price. Their long islands do not use long island mix, its the real deal. For that I give it 4 stars!
This place is great. A laid back drinking oasis in a sea of booty clubs.
McGrath's has an older, but still kind of rowdy crowd. One can tell upon entering that it's full of professional drinkers, hockey players, or both. I sensed a family vibe between the patrons and the staff.
The most awesome part about this bar is the huge selection of craft beer. I hadn't seen this anywhere in Harrisburg yet, and was very excited.
I would pick McGrath's to hang out at if I happened to be in town again.
We checked this out this last time we were in town based on the few reviews. Not bad, service was very good for a Friday night but we were in early so not sure what it would be like later. I had the corned beef sandwich and it was pretty tasty. We ordered a crab dip appitizer and it was also quite good. Not a very big place but does have a friendly vibe.
Review Source:Harrisburg isn't at all like Philly, so if you're anything like me, I don't suggest assuming it is. In the midst of a night-life town swarming with whorish hoochies, my friends wanted me to meet them at the bar where they first met.
This is a little Irish themed bar with great beers on tap and a really friendly crowd. While I was there it was probably a little bit too crowded for me, but in general it was a pleasant experience.
I came here as part of a "girls night out" a few weeks ago. Â We got a few drinks and just hung out in the back. Â The service was pretty good, and their drinks were CHEAP. Â I was really surprised at the total of my bill...$4.00 for a mixed drink. Â That's all they charged me...and it was a good one, too. Â I was too drunk to pay attention to the decor...but I enjoyed myself here. Â I'd definitely come back.
Review Source:
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