Ryan's Pub

Sometimes when I re-read one of my negative reviews, I think to myself, "wait a second... am I planning on ever coming back here?"  

Despite the fact that Ryan's is not my favorite bar by any stretch of the imagination, forces inevitably conspire in the universe that bring me back here. Unlike other dive bars I like, where a knife fight or an ass-kicking is just one glance of the stink-eye away, something's just off here.

Maybe it's an East Brunswick versus Spotswood thing that dates back to high school rivalries. Preps versus ginkers versus soccer jocks. Whatever it is, I always sense some tension in this bar on crowded weekend nights. (Yes, I'm aware Ryan's is not technically in Spotswood, but trust me, Spotswood is in the house here, and no one under 75 actually lives in Monroe Township.) Or maybe there's just something about me that people don't like and I can just sense it. It certainly wouldn't be the first time.

Of course, I'm a big guy, and rarely do I find myself the first choice of aggression in an establishment like this. Perhaps I'm secretly disappointed by that. Maybe deep down I just want to summon my inner Patrick Swayze and act out scenes from Roadhouse.

The food is not very good here in my opinion. I love great Irish pubs, as they typically have great Irish fare. This one neither has great Irish fare, nor does it feel particularly Irish. A few strategically placed shamrocks does not an Irish Pub make.

Service is mostly friendly, though. There was actually a decent band last night. And two beers and a Diet Coke cost $7. So there's that.

Food is awesome!!!  Never had anything I didn't like.  Drinks are fairly priced.  Bathrooms are clean.  The crowd gets a little douchey on Friday nights, but for the most part, people are pretty nice.  Bartenders are friendly, too!

This is without a doubt a neighborhood bar.  They serve food and booze.  You can buy beer to take home, too.  I personally do not fit in with the crowd in this bar, but at the same time, I have nothing bad to say about this place.