McPhails
Laurence Street , Drogheda, Ireland
Overall: 4.3
Food: NR
Drink: 3.5
Atmosphere: 4.5
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I tried tearing my eyes from the biggest earlobes I had ever seen, but they kept going back of their own accord. Stretching almost halfway to his shoulder and with a large hole in them, they seemed more suited to a tribe in the Amazon hinterland than a pub in Ireland. Trying to avoid staring, I looked around the bar in what I hoped was a nonchalant way.
The front bar of McPhails where we were on this Saturday afternoon is a classic of its type and dates from the early 1900s. It’s a long, narrow room of which the bar occupies a large area. Faded, worn wood is everywhere and behind the bar rows of large deep drawers line the wall.
When you look around McPhails it’s not hard to picture the original customers…older men smoking heavily as they had their few pints. Today however it attracts a wide range of younger customers. McPhails would never come close to being described as a sports bar in its usual sense. But they do show matches and horse racing on TV, and Saturday afternoon is always busy as a result.
Because they have not been able to alter the main bar, the owners have expanded backwards and immediately behind then old bar there is a new room. This is not by any means a classic of design. It’s a large a functional square with a bar along one side and a small stage at one end. There are bands every Thursday to Monday and the selection is commendably wide and mixed. You can see tribute/cover bands or originals, traditional, metal, or pop. Be sure to check what’s playing before you go.
There is a large beer garden at the back of the premises which obviously enough isn’t opened during winter but is very popular in the summer.
What is effectively a covered alleyway runs the side of the building and gives access to all areas. The toilets are across this alleyway and are neither the largest nor the cleanest. They are in serious need of both renovation and basic items of hygiene such as soap and hot water.
McPhails stock the usual brands such as Guinness and Heineken on tap and you can also find long-neck beers and pint bottles of Bulmers. The usual alcopops and shots are also available. The Guinness is good but the lagers on tap are not of the best quality.
On weekends McPhails is packed. Arrive any time after 9pm and you will find it almost impossible to get into the front bar. Since there will probably be a band playing in the back bar, you may find yourself having to pay a cover charge for that area.
If you want a relaxing lounge atmosphere then McPhails, with its basic wooden furniture and narrow confines, is not the place for you. And it’s definitely not the place to go if you’re hungry. But if you want a drink in an old, bustling, and crowded atmosphere it could be for you. Similarly if you like live music it should be on your list when in Drogheda. In either case you should at least give it a try. And if you see anyone with enlarged earlobes say Hi from RatePubs!
February 2006
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good craic generally,good music often.only issue would be staff,most of them are up themselves,of the opinion that cos they work in most popular pub in town that they should be deferred to!isn't it the other way around,laws of hospitality and all that! - John, Ireland
Anonymous, Jul 21, 2010 |
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Great music!!! - ben, france
Anonymous, Sep 6, 2007 |
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Cant see how it got 1 for food, they done sell food. Great Pub, but name above door is not McPhails....thats whats its known as locally. - Myles, Ireland
Irish Pubs Directory, Aug 2, 2007 |
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i was livin in mornington for nearly 2yrs an durin that time i was a regular in mc phails!!its a buzzin place. the bar staff is really cool an u meet loadza interestin ppl+d live bands r great mst of the time as well...definetly a must go wen ur around...an irish pub, who german ppl imagin it... - mel, germany
tir.na.nog, Jun 27, 2007 |
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Great pub, great craic! Ah, the ear lobes belong to Alan, stop stating at him, he is a nice guy - A Regular, Ireland
Anonymous, Jan 20, 2007 |
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Hi, I am french and I was working as an au pair in drogheda and for me Mcphails is the best pub in Ireland because the staff is so cool and there are lots of rugbyplayers, i like this atmosphere.
Elodie, France - Elodie, France Elodie, Oct 1, 2006 |
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Theres many different faces of Mc phails all are great for the locals in the front bar to the blow ins in the back bar. On a summer day with a cold drink in your hand sitting in the beer garden you might think its a little piece of Heaven that we call Mc phails - Bren, Ireland
Irish Pubs Directory, Apr 20, 2006 |
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great pub , as a rugby player with boyne this is da local, best bands, best staff, best craic, good lad andy, ya know what ur doin - happy gilmore, drogheda
Anonymous, Dec 23, 2005 |
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as a regular for 15 years the assholes are taking over... - dela.h , v
Anonymous, Jul 20, 2005 |
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Great pub for bands and has great atmostphere. Also nice beer garden out the back. Just a pity about the toilets which need a upgrading.
- D, Ireland Ireland Pub Guide, Jun 14, 2005 |
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