OT- Michigan's best Irish Pub
MLive put up ANOTHER "Vote on Michigan's best ____" today. The category is Irish pubs.
I haven't been to many of the ones listed here. In Ann Arbor Conor O'Neil's is pretty much the only option, classifying the Blue Lep as an Irish Pub is like calling a Ford Taurus a sportscar. If Guinness or an equivalent Irish Beer (Smithwicks, Murphy's, etc) isn't on tap, and/or if you make a big deal out of dyeing beer green on St. Patrick's Day, pass.
Anyways have at it, I am looking for your recommendations places to drink Guinness around the state (and maybe have some fish and chips, Ulster Fry or shepherd's pie) Recommendations for good English/Scottish pubs welcome also.
I don't have a problem with the Blue Lep at all, it's a decent bar for what it is, though I prefer GTC if I'm over there. It's just not an Irish pub.
Yes. Blue Lep is nothing to complain about. I went to an "Irish Pub" in Maui that serves "Authentic Irish food" called Moose McGillicuddy's. Yeah... they didn't even have Guinness. So... yeah...
It's also always been odd to me that this bar has never held a line on St. Patty's day a la Ashleys and Connors even though its in the middle of the South U. bar scene
Came here hoping to find this. Just a real solid pub, in a real nice downtown. Never a bad experience. Good to see the Chelsea love here.
It could even be part of the reason I married a woman from Chelsea...
Also always loved Connor's for trivia when we wanted something a step up from what they offered at the Arena.
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I've been meaning to visit Short's although I am usually never that far north, but maybe this summer I can swing over there from Traverse. Love their variety of beer.
Founder's tap room is great.
I guess I was hoping to get recommendations for pubs vs. actual breweries.
(1) Kilkenny's in TC http://www.kilkennyspub.com
(2) Dick-O-Dow's in Birmingham http://www.dickodowspub.com/
**personally like Kilkenny's way better; and they usually have Shorts
Sadly, the best Irish pubs in Detroit closed their doors 20 years ago. The Tipperary Inn in Detroit on the Southfield service drive, The Dublin Inn on Schaeffer in Dearborn, and one in Allen Park - the name of which I forget. Authentic Irishmen who owned the place (Tommy O'Halleran, Mike Duffy), traditional music played by Larry Larson, Marty Burke and others. I grew up in those places. My parents would bring me in and the owner would slide me a Guinness, put me in the corner, and tell me to listen and don't talk. Great memories.
had the cops drink basically for free. Probably the safest place in Detroit. . .
I think they called that back room "The 9th Precinct."
What was the name of the band Tommy played in? For the life of me, I can't remember. We had their albums.
EDIT: Murphy's Men. This thread has me hankering for a Guinness and some live Irish music. I just called the Gaelic League. Terry Murphy is playing there tonight at 8pm.
Sad it's gone. The original Diamond Jim Brady's on 7 Mile was great also.
I was at Dick O'Dows in Birmingham last weekend. The bar itself is cool. They built most of the fixtures in Ireland and had them shipped here. Aestetically it's a great place, but the food and service were mediocre. I don't know if they have any Irish musicians who come in and play.
I haven't been to Gus O'Connors in Rochester.
The AOH (Ancient Order of Hibernians) is still open. I think that's a throw back to the good ole days, but I haven't been there in forever.
The Gaelic League is a great place to go on the day of the Irish Parade (the Sunday before St. Patrick's Day). They have live music.
years ago. I got a mouthful of plastic wrapping on my third bite. Sorta wrecked the (already pretty strained) Irish experience for me..
Nothing like 7am at Tipperary on St. Paddy's Day. Off duty cops working the foor.
intrigues me. Go on....
Mom was a strict disciplinarian. My friends affectionately called her "Sarge." But all the rules went out the window inside the pub. Her and my step dad took me for my first Guinness at 15.
Not Dunleavy's. This was before then.
On a side note, Brian Dunleavy was my 8th grade basketball coach.
The atmosphere at the Michigan Gaelic League on Parade Sunday (always the Sunday before St. Patrick's) is fantastic, especially during the parade itself in the afternoon. Great live music, more of a family atmosphere with all the kids down for the parade, but still plenty of the black liquid nourishment. As the evening goes on though, get the hell outta there. And I don't go anywhere near there on St. Patrick's Day itself.
Oh boy, I headed up that Southfield service drive one-eyed more than I care to think about. Back when I was more practiced at it and the police and mad moms weren't so observant. Great Irish music and no jukebox. Live music as often as not. The neighborhood was for shit but I'm sorry it closed up.
in Detroit. Great burgers
I've never had their food though. Usually just pitchers before Wings' games haha.
What a fun place to tip a few and have a sing along. I can't spell it though..
The Grandfather to FSD.
Most of the "Irish" pubs around the state are prefab and as authentically Irish as Bud with green food dye in it.
or Nemo's when there is no baseball crowd to contend with (it's great with baseball too, just not very pub-feeling). I've never been to the Gaellic League (embarrassed).
Went to Foran's for lunch a few times when I worked downtown many years ago. If I recall, they used to feature a special lunch for two for $100: a bottle of Dom Perignon and a PB&J sandwich.
The quirky part of me always wanted to order it.
2 Big Chiefs (an improved Big Mac) and a bottle of Dom for $125 or so.....
I had one of those once. A buddy of mine raved about the Big Chief, so I ordered it. It was OK, but I didn't see what the fuss was about. A sloppy bar burger is a sloppy bar burger.
Besides, if I'm in that neck of the Wood(ward), I'll be across the street at the Redcoat Tavern. That's good stuff.
McFadden's in Grand Rapids.
major /s
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That place is a den of horrors.
It wasn't around when I was in undergrad or Law School (99-06), and will forever be "Touchdowns" to me. (It is in the space of the old Touchdowns, right?)
And upvote for you for the Touchdowns reference as well
Cowley's in Farmington is good. Live music all the time. I live on the other side of town, so I only get over there ocassionally.
Tipsy McStaggers in Warren. It's a hidden gem.
Are you sure McTavish's is here? Maybe a new name?
I would probably put Conor O'Neill's right up there, but there are some good ones in the Detroit area - I guess it comes down to how far you want to go. Stout in Brighton is a cool place, as is Three Blind Mice in Mount Clemens. Claddagh in Livonia is pretty decent too. If you want to go into Detroit, I might go with Gaelic League, but there are several OK options up and down Michigan Avenue near downtown.
called Dooley's in Ann Arbor on Maynard. Dooley's sounds Irish, but an ancient, underage alcohol induced fog is hampering my memories.
The name may have changed, but the bar in it's place is keeping the underage alcohol induced fog alive and well (or so I hear, because I have no interest in ever going to S'keeps..).
Just going on word of mouth but from what I've heard Dooley's was in the same location as current Scorekeepers, and also a hell of a lot better bar