I used to LOVE this place. Until a bleached blonde bartender with terrible roots made me not like it. My friend and I came to the bar and ordered 2 shots of patron. My total was 19. I was handing her $25 and while handing her the money one of the shots knocked over. She told me if I wanted another I would have to pay for another. So, I added another dollar to her $6 tip she was getting and got another....no tip. She had the nerve to be petty as if I was drunk or did it intentionally. It was my 1st drink of the night. So I left her bar and went directly across to another bar where the gentleman was nothing but nice and friendly. I should have went to him in the beginning. Some bartenders just don't know WHO they are serving. But should definitely be more aware because they certainly lost o customer. I would just hope this bartender doesn't end up in my care one day. I would give her the same service she gave me.....
Nurse Princess
I recently went back to O'shea for dinner and a good beer. This used to be my main hang out in college, and remember when it was just a small bar that served beer and food out of a closet. The lighting is too dim for starters, my eyes had to adjust. The draft beer is overpriced, $6 for a 20oz harp and the waitress only brought me out a pint at first. However, the grouper sandwich I had was really good.
Review Source:So, here's the thing about O'Shea's; the bars of the O'Shea's family are always very nice looking. They know how to construct a public house tavern with the essential furnishings of lovely wood, brick, and stone. They all look just as you would want them to, and they all carry signature differences from one another so that different people could find their perfect match. They do a good job at the Baxter Avenue location of trading through beer taps and they keep hallmark domestics and imports around so you should never be at a loss for finding a beer for your taste. And now, as the other shoe drops, the service is typically hit and miss and the food is average for pub fare. That normally wouldn't damn the review of a pub, but two doors down at Flanagan's, another pub of the O'Shea's line (though the only one not called an O'Shea's), I have had almost no complaints on service, the quantity of beer selection is nearly unparalleled in Louisville, and the pub fare is classed up a bit with some specialty burgers and such. It's small things on a menu but it truly makes a big difference. To revisit the start of this review, the O'Shea's pubs all carry signature differences from one another, and that is key to their success, but does the difference have to boil down to how extremely superior one is to the other? I've spent a portion of this review talking about another pub and that alone should speak volumes for how O'Shea's could improve itself. It shouldn't be Flanagan's because it obviously welcomes plenty of people who are happy with it for good reason, but I humbly submit that it needs to be better than it is.
Review Source:I really don't want to waste your time with a lengthy review (**note: after finishing this review I realize it's going to be lengthy anyway so just get over it) so let me just hammer out some bullet points about O'Shea's and I will let you decide whether or not you want to give it a try.
* The service can be very, very bad at times. Â Not always, but lately (within the past year and a half) I've had some pretty horrible experiences. Â I keep going back because I remember when it was awesome, but it seems like every time I go I'm disappointed.
* They don't always have what you want to drink. Â You say, "I'll have a vodka tonic." Â Waiter says, "What kind of vodka?" Â You say, "Skyy." Â Waiter: Â "We don't have Skyy." Â You: Â "Okay, Titos." Â Waiter: Â "We don't have Titos." Â And so goes the conversation until a negotiation is made. Â I find this to be exhausting.
* The food is decent. Â It's pub fare.
* The layout is odd. Â That bathroom situation is probably strange to a first-time patron.
* The new deck area is pretty cool.
* The prices can be outrageous. Â For example, on pint night. Â Sometimes the beer is worth the price, sometimes it isn't. Â I like the experience of trying a new beer and getting a free glass with it so I do it anyway, but most of the time when I get the bill, I involuntarily frown.
I would classify this as your typical Irish pub-type place.
From many years of experience, with many visits through those years, I can say it is pretty hit-or-miss on any day for service and quality.
First, the beer...
They always have your typical imports and domestics on tap, and in bottles and cans, along with the usual seasonal staples (summer ales, winter ales, Oktoberfest, etc). Then, they have a nice rotating selection of special (and limited) orders rotating in the same three varieties of containment which tend to show up on Wednesdays for their "Pint Night". When those special beers are in, they will usually have some sort of dinner special using one or more of the selections to cook with (think Oktoberfest-brazed angus burger...)
And speaking of food...
In general, the food is good...it is a "pub" after all. Occasionally, one might be disappointed that what they ordered isn't quite as good as the last time.
The fish and chips are consistently good, but they better be with "Irish Pub" being in the name, as are the pomme frites.
The menu seems to change often, going from bi-fold to tri-foldm, and back, but many of their standard items stay on there.
Service...
Here is where I get a little negative. I've never had consistent, good service. A couple times, it took 20 or more minutes just to get a check so we could leave. Other times, their phone lines were down which, for some reason, meant they couldn't take drink orders, but could take food orders. I've never had a rude or mean server, though...so that's a point back to them.
The crowd...
While during the week (day or night) it's a fairly pleasant place to go, it gets progressively worse starting late Thursday nights, up to Saturday night (after 10-11), but that's not their fault...all the suburbanites descend upon just about any place in the Highlands that serves alcohol and plays music.
This place had such potential!! My husband and I stopped in early afternoon for a bite to eat and some black and tans...or so we thought. The waitress took FOREVER to get to us, and there were only about 3 others there. Then when she finally did get to us, said they didn't carry Bass (at an Irish bar??) to make the black and tans, and she had no idea what local beer they carried, and even looking at the menu to find said local beer - couldn't recommend anything. I am guessing she was new, but still. Yikes.
Review Source:Huge beer selection, friendly staff, spectacular food. I had the Beer Cheese for an appetizer, was my first time ever trying this & I wish I had been introduced to this a long time ago.My wife had the buffalo blue cheese chicken sandwich (good) and I had a burger (good). Just Be aware of the dogfish head beer, it's $10 a beer!!! Was surprised at the price of that beer but I also should have asked the waitress.
I would certainly go back again.
I have both eaten here and gone here later for the bar scene. Â My food was ok, I had chicken fingers and those are hard to screw up, but my friend said her salad was great. Â The owner (manager? I'm not sure) was great and created us a table outside while some rude over the hill hostess never even asked us how many/where we want to sit. Â He continued to check up on us throughout dinner. I enjoy coming here when it's nice out because of the amazing patio and outdoor bar.
I have more experience with this place late at night. Â While I am philosophically opposed to covers, unless there is a band, I have been known to cough up $3 to get in here. Â It's always busy and has lots of little areas to explore that have different atmospheres. Â You can pretty much find whatever you like here from dance party to chill people watching. Â The drinks aren't bad, but aren't great. Â It is normally pretty loud so you have to shout at the bartenders. Â
Overall decent place.
I have been to O'Shea's twice so far and will be frequenting it much more when I move to that area this week.
I recently moved here from Rhode Island and was looking for a nice pub to replace my Irish pubs from back home. Â I have found this with O'Shea's. Â
The food is spectacular (you have to try the reuben wontons). Â They have a huge beer selection, along with a mug club (if you drink all the beers on their list you get a personalized mug to use at the bar). Â The staff is very courteous and fun to hang around. Â The bartenders are very friendly and know the alcohol they server very well. Â Me being new to the area I would ask for certain things to try and one of the bartenders would recommend something else instead and it was always the better choice.
The pub itself is huge. Â There are two patio areas, one of which has it's own bar. Â There are 2 large inside areas with tables and a very large bar. Â The bathroom smells spectacular! Â I actually enjoy using the bathroom there.
You will definitely see me in O'Shea's very often, so if you do stop by and say hi and enjoy some great brews.
Great bar! Both indoor and outdoor seating. Outdoor has Frank Squirrel. Lol. The beer selection is PHENOMENAL!!! YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM! The service is always good to great! The owner is there sometimes. Both owner and staff are very sweet and down to earth. The food is decent to great, depending. The reuben is to die for! Don't expect Irish food. Its a pub. Oh there's a version of a couple of irish themed menu items, but mostly pub grub and lunch. Â AWESOME juke box and they have live music sometimes. Good place to watch games too. Â Very comfortable. What's not to like?
Note* If you want Irish food, there's Molly Malone's and the Irish Rover.
Love the outdoor seating. Food is average but still tasty. Only ever had one bad experience here but I'm over that. Anyway, the Irish aren't perfect (I know, I'm one myself) but they keep your drink filled! Had a great shepherds pie and mutton stew here. The mutton stew is seasonal but worth the wait.
Review Source:I love O Shea's on Baxter because of the beer selection and amazing patio. In every turn of this Restaurant/Pub/Club you will get a different feel. This place even has a side building that you can reserve for events and have a private bar and DJ!
This is a great college bar on the weekends and spot to meet characters throughout the weekdays. Every time I have been to this location the staff has been great and service was awesome.
Come for some pub food and after 11pm stay for the club atmosphere and dancing ladies! This place is a party from open to close.
O'Shea's is considered to be one of Louisville's more mainstream pubs/bars, with a prime location on Bardstown Road and dozens of post-college grads looking to hook up on a Saturday night. Â However, I have always appreciated O'Shea's for the variety in atmosphere it provides, bringing in various populations of all ages. Â Since my early 20s, I have frequented O'Sheas for a wild night out, a casual experience listening to one of the many live bands it brings in, or a happy hour night on the patio with friends. Â It boasts numerous rooms and bars, all of which have a unique atmosphere and vibe. Â It has something for everyone, and that is why I continue to return even though at times I feel past my prime. Â Out-of-town guests and tourists love it because they are guaranteed a good time whether they are the type to dance 'til dawn with strangers or the type to relax and chill out to some live music. However, the absolute best part of O'Sheas exists in its best kept secret....the structure in the back behind the patio, known to the elite only as "The Back Building." Â During the day and early evening hours, it is nothing but an additional bar playing the standard top 40 tunes at a low volume. Â But after 2 am, the 90's jams start kicking and it is a whole different ballgame. Â You will find strangers bonding as they stand on couches while singing at the top of their lungs to "Say it Ain't So." You will find even the most passionate of those opposed to country music (including me!) knocking their boots and yee-hawing to some "Dixieland Delight" at top volume. Â And most importantly, you will find great people and good memories, which will always bring you back.
Review Source:The last time I dined at O'Shea's, it was awful. While I appreciated being able to have our dogs on the patio, my burger, which I ordered medium, came out as a meat brick. Also, the cheese wasn't even melted. To make it worse, the roll was borderline stale. Got two stars instead of one because of the beer. Deliciousness.
Review Source:A good time, with an Irish theme, but not really a pub. Â It's a great place to go with a small group of friends, the food is above average, and the staff is very conversational and friendly. Â A wide variety of drafts and an expanded selection of bottles definately boosts my opinion. Â It straddles the line between club and pub nicely.
Review Source:Great place to relax, eat, drink flights of beer (5 fo $5.95), watch a game on one of their screens, and listen to some good alternative rock. Didn't get to walk past the front rooms as last night was my first time there and we were seated along one of the bench/chair tables. All the staff was very friendly and hostess even sat with us for a minute to discuss their wine and beer options. Will definitely go back, especially if I'm needing a late-night meal.
Review Source:I planned my buddy's bachelor party at O'Shea's and it was a blast. Â There were 20 of us, and we didn't just have our own room, we had our own structure in a building adjacent to the main bar, complete with our own bar, bathroom, music, and TVs. Â It was different and cooler than just being in some room at the back of a restaurant.
I ordered way too much food, but everyone like it. Â The potato skins and pepperjack cheese balls were most popular. Â I like the wings but a lot of people said they were too spicy. Â Their catering menu also allows you to order kegs, which was a more affordable alternative than paying for an open bar.
Ginny, the event coordinator at O'Shea's, delivered on all her promises, including a bartender (hi Jade) who was perfect for the occasion. Â I don't live in Louisville and I don't know what O'Shea's is like on a typical Saturday night, but it's a great place for a private party.
Grabbed a couple of beers here after dinner and watched some baseball.
This place is much larger than it seems. there is the front bar with bar seating, booths, and tables all facing a tiny stage/huge tv. then there are two more rooms up the tiny stairs.
Large beer selection with lots of seasonal stuff. The staff was nice and the beers were cold and tasty.
The music was good and so was the company. Great place to grab a drink.
These were the most expensive beers I saw during my visit to KY, but for seasonal microbrews this DC girl doesn't mind paying.
I really liked this bar. Â We went in the early afternoon for a late lunch and sat out in the beer garden. Â The outside area shaded and comfortable with a water fountain in the middle and black iron furniture to sit on. Â
Service was very good, we had a lovely server who was very attentive and quick. Â I ordered a half BLT and soup of the day, which was Asian Chicken. Â I thought that by ordering a half combo the portions would be tiny and manageable - however out came a LOT of food! Â The soup was a full bowl, the sandwich half was still big enough to be considered a whole sandwich in its own right and then on top of it all a massive helping of potato chips. Â Everything was great too, this is definitely above-par bar food. Â Just come hungry!
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