Mulconry's Irish Pub

Glad to see that Hope updated her review to say that she liked the food.  

The decor is unprentious since they fixed it up several years back.  Early American Golf Course grill I'd call it. A lot of varnished wood 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.  The fireplace in the dining room is a nice touch in the wintertime.

If you sit against the wall that has the bar on the other side, it's quieter in the restaurant during busy times.  The bar can just get a bit noisy particularly when they're showing Irish/English football on the TVs in the bar.

The black and tan onion rings are always a good appetizer.  They go so well with a Guinness that you have to try them.  There's something about the sweetness of a good Guinness draft that is hard to beat when put with sweet fried foods like the onion rings.

I almost always get a Reuben or a Fish Fry.  Both have never disappointed me.  My wife loves to try their Boxty's.  Not my cup of tea but she loves the stuffed Irish pancakes.  It just reminds me of the times when the Irish had to eat those darn things because there were too many potatoes around.  The bangers and mash are more my cup of tea (see, I've worked tea into this review twice) and they don't disappoint here.  Juicy and tasty.

In my opinion, much better than Donnelly's down the street and a world above Blue Cactus at the other end of the street.  A great place to enjoy the summer after a walk on the canal.  Fairport has a lot going for it.

My two star rating is a reflection on the the food, I'd rate the bar a 4.  Good beers, good crowd.  I do like this place.

The menu feels somewhat authentic until the food arrives.  I had the shepherd pie and I did really like it.  My GF had the bangers and mash.  OK, I'm not English, and maybe this dish is similar to what we'd call franks and beans but that's not my assumption.  

After saying something to the bar tender (we ate at the bar), he got super defensive and swore that he had the bangers flown in from Ireland.  I was actually going to ask to see the wrapper but I decided not to push it.  

I swear to you, the "sausages" tasted VERY similar, if not exactly like Zweigles hot dogs, which I LOVE.  If I think I'm ordering authentic English sausages, don't give me hot dogs, then try to tell me they're something they're not.  The beans on the plate tasted exactly like campbell's baked beans.  

Maybe I'm wrong and Zweigles and Campbells beans are exactly like the dish they eat on the other side of the pond.  Instead of getting super defensive, maybe he should've just offered to take it back for something else instead of arguing with me.

Like I said, I like coming her for beers and spirits, but I won't be eating here.  

Parking can also be iffy for this bar depending on the time of week.

I've got to update my review because I've been here far too many times to let my last one stand. Mulconrys is a great pub. On my first few visits I wasn't enamored by the food, particularly the boxtys. However, I've been to Mulconrys multiple since and have been quite impressed by the food.

The Guinness here is fantastic. It's fresh and it's poured WELL. People call me crazy, but the rate at which that Guinness hits the side of that 20oz pint glass and the nitrogen bubbles rush down and then up...well, it matters. At this pub, the Guinness is often poured by Irish ex pats and they know just how to finish off the head with a "pride of the rim" (that beautiful mound of froth that, because of static energy, clings precariously to the rim without overflowing immediately).

The shepherds pie is a beauty here. Yes, it's covered with cheddar - which isn't very much traditional - but it's a wonderful hearty serving and tastes delicious. The fish and chips are also great. Slippery slimy white fish covered in crispy beer batter. It's a loving rendition. The full Irish breakfast is a must-try. I don't think another place in Rochester serves a full Irish ALL THE TIME. It's complete wih black puddings and real Irish bangers...sigh. Speaking of bangers, the sausage rolls is another dish that tugs on my heart strings. Salty, juicy Irish pork bangers covered in buttery puffed pastry and baked until golden brown. A favorite snack of mine as a child, this is the only place in Rochester that I know with this on the menu. I hope to God it's never taken away!

If note, the service at Mulconrys can be very very good if you get the right person. One of the bartenders in particular - Joe - is an absolute delight. He's chatty and funny without being intrusive and keeps us entertained and cheery. Always in a good mood, he remembers his customers faces and their likes and dislikes. You can't ask for more than this!

Finally, this pub shows English Premier League Football. I can head there on the weekends and my team will actually be on the television and the employees will actually know what I'm talking about when I bash Man City, Man United and Tottenham.

This pub has all the makings of greatness. Bear in mind, I'm usually only there on weekend days. I've been there at night before when it's packed and the food isn't so great and the whole experience doesn't come together the way it does during the day. But if you're out in Fairport along the canal one day, head here for a Guinness. It's bound to make your leisurely day even better!