I went to Sissy McGinty's to meet up with some friends. Â Walking down the street I noticed that McGinty's was probably the only non-hooka bar in the area. Â Hooka Hooka Hooka Hooka Halal Halal Hooka, Sissy McGinty's is how it went. Â My friend David told me that even though McGinty's was a bit out of place considering the local flavor, it was a genuine Irish pub. Â The bartender was quick to confirm that with her thick Irish accent. Â I was pleasantly surprised.
Once inside I quickly found out that it was karaoke night. Â This might be a negative for some, but I love karaoke so I thought it was awesome. Â Unlike most karaoke, you didn't really have to wait long before having a turn at the mic. Â Big bonus points there. Â Sure everyone is drinking and out of tune, but who cares... it's all in good fun.
So there are the good points of McGinty's, but there were some not so great things as well. Â First of all they don't have anything in the way of food. Â No wings, no burgers, no fries, no cheap microwavable pizza. Â Ok no problem, I think. Â I was noshing on some popcorn and chips they had in a bowl. Â When the bartender told me that they didn't have food I asked her about snacks. Â She said they don't have snacks at all. Â I thought about asking her about the bowl of popcorn i was just eating (she dumped out the hard kernels that were left at the bottom) , but let it slide. Â At the end of the night when I settled the tab, she had charged me for two rounds when it was only suppose to be one (my friend got the second round.) Â Again I just let it slide knowing that the extra three beers won't break me and that I wouldn't be patroning the bar again.
All in all if you're in the market for a Irish bar in Astoria, you might have to go to McGinty's, just make sure you eat before going and keep an eye on your tab.
Friendly staff and an optimum setting for a group of five or six. Like Aaron R. said, it's cheap and dirty in a good way. The drawback to this otherwise likable dive bar is the music. I don't expect overtly Irish pubs to be cranking bag pipes and sorrowful ballads about guys killed by the drink (or the war, take your pick), but I had to bail after a beer because the idiot pop/R&B was destroying the mood. The place had a lot of collegiate types, so if you are old and ornery and hate the young, take note. I'd go back if the bartender let me plug in my i-pod.
Review Source:Went here for the first time last night to say goodbye to a friend and I must say, I loved this place. Â An Irish bar that stands out in the rest of the block is exactly how it felt - but more that the place itself was welcoming and friendly. Â The bartenders are awesome and there is room in the back for parties. Â I also like the gay-friendly atmosphere and the fact that the drinks were the right price and the right taste. Â Many of my friends practically live here, so I will most definitely be going back soon.
Review Source:What can I say about Sissy McGinty's that probably hasn't been said a half dozen times already? Â Well, screw it, I'll say it again. Â I love this bar. Â Let me repeat that. Â I. Â LOVE. Â This. Â Bar. Â I fell in love with it before I even moved to Astoria, and then once finding out it was around the block from my apartment, well, it's now become my usual. Â The crowd is always friendly, no matter what night of the week. Â This bar is for everyone and welcomes everyone no matter what. Â You will feel at home within minutes of walking into this place. Â Charlotte, Shohn, Mary, all of the staff are amazingly friendly, and will make you feel like family. Â Drinks are cheap, and unlike some other bars in the area, they know how to treat the customers (buybacks, etc.). Â Thursday night is Karaoke night, always a good time!
Review Source:Went here because a couple other bars were way too crowded on a Saturday night. All I have got to say is that I'm glad we stopped here!!! The bartender right of the bat was soooo nice, she talked with us the whole night and even gave us a couple free drinks. They had a good deal on drinks: six mixed beers in a bucket for $18, and cheap shots! They also had some dude playing music in the back with his computer which was pretty chill because we got to request (and have mostly played) or favorites. It was very empty for a Saturday night but that was fine because everyone who was there was having a good time. Cheap drinks, good conversation, and a super relaxed atmosphere, it was perfect!
Review Source:This place is interesting. Â I went with my boyfriend and it was kind of dead inside when we arrived but as we were on the hunt for a cheap bar in the area we stayed due to the reasonable prices. Â The bar kind of cleared out but the bartender kept the place fun. Â I can't remember his name but he's from Ireland. Â How did he keep it fun? Â Well, he kept telling us great stories while the bar was dead but he made sure even when new customers were in to keep talking with us and checking on us. Â We just met the bartender but he already felt like a friend. Â When we paid we realize he even comped a few of our drinks. Â Even if we didn't have the free drinks, this place still would have come out ahead in the ratings.
Review Source:This place is my mistress. My dirty, drunken Irish mistress.
Oh my! She's cleaned herself up a bit recently. She's shined her shoes (painted the walls) put on some rouge (got some new beers) combed her hair (decorated a bit) and bought some new jewelry (got a Wii and flat screen TVs).
Ah my precious mistress. She's a bit more high class these days. But she can still get dirty when I need her too.
Oh yeah, and the Saturday night bartender has got great tits. ;)
We've been coming to McGinty's for... gosh... four years. Â It's our local neighborhood bar and we've watched it transition from Irish pseudo-dive to fabulous gay-friendly destination (due in large part to our friends being a bunch of raging homos and spending every weekend there). I emphasize that it is NOT a gay bar alone, but a very open and accepting establishment. Â They have Wii, they have karaoke, they have bottles of Draak, they have super awesome friendly bartenders. Â They have a room in the back for parties.
I almost don't want to tell you to go, because then it will be more crowded for us. Â WE LOVE YOU, MCGINTY'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sissy McGinty's has done some aesthetic upgrades over the last six months that have finally raised the ambiance to match the attitude they've always had- warm, welcoming, and unpretentious. Â
The management has clearly realized what side their bread is buttered on (I think they like it on top) and is putting a fresh focus on the needs of their diverse crowd of regulars by offering a solid selection of reasonably priced beers and cocktails, good music, and fabulous service. Â You could come here on a weeknight for a lazy chat with a few friends or show up at 11pm on a Saturday ready to blow the roof off the place and the playful, friendly vibe is always the same. Â I give all of the credit to their amazing bartenders Mary, Nora and Charlotte. Â
And the real reason McGinty's is head and shoulders above other neighborhood bars - the ladies' room is always clean!
3.75 stars.
Nice enough place, drinks were fairly priced, nice people, and flat screen televisions at every table. Â It is a decent spot to stop for a drink in between sessions at the alcohol free hookah bars that line steinway.
I see that in the categories section  this place is listed as an irish pub and a gay bar, which is a tad confusing for someone who has never been there...but upon arrival, it made sense (I guess).  Its a pub and there were some gay men, but, at least on the night I went, it was just a warm and friendly neighborhood bar, and everyone felt welcomed - gay, straight or otherwise.
There aren't too many bars in the area that aren't Hookah bars. Â I really despise Hookah bars because they are usually filled with either teenagers or creepy old men. Â My roommate and I have been living in the area for quite some time and we were always scepticle about Sissy McGintys beacause of it's "off the path" location, it definatly doesn't belong. Â We finally decided to try it because we were too cold to go anywhere else. Â It was a great time!
The bartenders are super friendly. Â They asked us for our names and remembered them for the whole night. Â The drinks are reasonably priced. Â There is a small pool table and even a Wii. Â There are some local drunks sitting at the bar, but what neighborhood pub doesn't have that? Â
Bottom line- fun casual Irish Pub.
I was supposed to go to a different bar to celebrate my birthday, but it was overcrowded so a friend recommended this place on the fly. Â We LOVED it. Â The pitchers were very well priced, the crowd was nice mixed friendly crowd, and the place was charming. Â
One of my social orgs is doing a mixer here in March, and I will def. be there because of what I experienced at my birthday.
We wandered in here in search of unpretentious atmosphere and we were happy with this find. The balls in the pool table got stuck, but the bartender was awesome and helped us unstick them. Sadly, they didn't have darts for the dart board on the wall, but the foosball table was pretty legit. Highly recommended for cheap pitchers of beer and quiet enough to hold a conversation. On tap: Bass, Bud, Harp, Smithwicks, Guinness.
Review Source:
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