We've been in here a few times now. The beer selection is pretty good, the service is prompt, and the atmosphere authentic, albeit loud. The food, however, leaves much to be desired.
The menu at Sean Bolan's simply does not differ much from MaGerks and Looneys. I'm surprised there's no corned beef and cabbage entree, or boxties. Everything we've tried has been really good, just not terribly authentic.
Sean Bolan, do use some vinegar or 409 to clean the sticky stair rails and tables. Â (Even once a day!) This is a tavern, although families are fine upstairs in the afternoon. Â It is very noisy, with all the wood. Â The bar is a happy hang-out, at 1pm on a Saturday. Â The food was okay. Â The mussels were very tasty, but lukewarm and served without a spoon. Â I used a shell for the broth, with no waitress in sight. Â My husband's fried fish was watery (formerly frozen) inside, although it looked pretty. Â Salads were very good, with local-tasting tomatoes. Â I would try more food items in the future, but I do like to talk with my companions, so I would come off-hours.
Review Source:It's a pretty cool place, and has an authentic Irish feel. I had corned beef and cabbage eggrolls and the fish and chips, both were excellent. Seemed to be a nice regular crowd in there, which got a little loud, but...it is a bar.
The waitress didn't even know what kind of top shelf scotches they carry, I agree with the other reviewer that training your staff on your bar selection is paramount.
Prices hover on too expensive, but don't quite cross the line.
All in all, a good place.
As far as Irish pubs are concerned this is the only one in Bel Air. Craft beer selection rotates, and is the best in Harford county. The pub grub is good, and offers Irish/American fair as well as local Maryland grub. I would give it five stars if they had some live Irish music! Other than that, the bar, food, atmosphere, and service is great. Only bar in Bel Air I would recommend.
Review Source:Great atmosphere. True Irish pub kind of feel. Great selection of beers. Food has always been delicious. Service usually quick and friendly.
Only thing is when they have music, although the music is great, they stuff them back in a tiny corner of the upstairs that makes them hard to hear in a lot of areas. But other than that, love it!!!
Decent food, attentive and professional staff, nice craft beer selection on tap and in bottle.
But this place loses points in one area: Â $6 for a pint of Guinness is outrageous. Â It's a 4% light beer (even though it's dark, it's still light)! Â Even the craft beer that has more flavor and even more alcohol is cheaper.
Definitely a good stop though.
I always have a good time at Bolans. It's best to go on a weekday night as the bar is crowded on the weekends. Great selection of beer and micro-brews. The bartender we had knew his beer and made some great suggestions. Had the corned beef and cabbage rolls appetizer and it was really good. We also had one of their soft pretzels with honey mustard which was delicious as well. Plus they have Resurrection on tap!
Review Source:First time there despite living only 5 minutes away. We skipped through the bar area and headed upstairs to the more restaurant area. It has a nice, casual pub feel to it. Staff was prompt and welcoming and we were quickly seated. Wife and I tried the Shepherd's pie, crab dip and the beer battered fish and chips. The portions were very ample (we took half of it home). Everything was delicious. An acoustic guitarist/singer arrived around 11pm and, for us parents that don't get frequent escapes, the music was just the right tone and volume to complement the atmosphere.
Review Source:This is my favorite bar in Bel Air, to the point where I usually won't consider going anywhere else. Â They have solid standby beers from Guiness and rotate many delicious brews through the taps that are always a blast to try.
I've had some kind of red-pepper soup there that was delicious, I've had a steak there that was great, the reuben was good, hell, even their soft pretzel is good. Â
Great drinks, great food, this is the total package for going out with some friends to hang out.
This is one of my favorite restaurant in Harford County. I have been here about 4 times for food and have had a good experience every time. The Rubin is great, the shepherds by is excellent, and the stuffed cabbage dish is incredible. I was never a big fan on Irish food, but this made me think twice.
Review Source:I've always been happy with my visit to Sean Bolans. I think it's because I always get a shivering nervousness whenever I am in Bel Air and have to deal with all that is (and is most certainly not) Bel Air. But that's another story all together.
Sean Bolans has always felt like a respite, like I'm literally shaking off the cold when I come inside. If I can get a seat at the bar I'm a happy camper.
Their food has always been consistent and their taps are pretty good for the area.
I can agree on how they don't quite live up to the expectation that I wish they would. They don't have the fake-ass Irish feel. They do Irish right. But they could use more education on their beers and this is where the line is drawn between restaurant workers and proper bar tenders. An Irish bar needs a proper bar tender first and foremost.
But I thank you for having a traditional cider on tap and not that over sweetened American candy either.
I've been to Sean Bolan's a number of times and have pretty much been disappointed every time as I simply feel like they have never lived up to my expectations. With the beer selection they carry, you would think that they would educate their employee's about beer, the difference of styles and the importance of keeping their stock maintained properly. On more than one occasion I've seen incorrect information on their beer board (one time they attempted to state that Brewer's Art Ozzy was 9% Alcohol) as well as draft beer that had definitely gone bad (more than likely due to lack of proper tap and line maintenance).
Food has always been quite well received by me and I really enjoy their Red Bell Pepper, Crab and Gouda soup (though they tend to not heat it enough and if you get a big bowl it will be cold before you get half way through). Expect most all of the traditional Irish style foods as well, the Shepards Pie of which is one of my favorites.
They have a lot of great live bands on the weekends if you are into local music in a more intimate atmosphere than your usual club.
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