McCarthy’s

For a while I just walked past McCarthy’s, especially with Trinity and McGillicuddy’s right across the street (among many other options). A slow Thursday night is what brought my friends and I to this Irish pub. It’s one of those long bars, not great for a big group (inside), though it filled the typical Irish Bar theme. There was a spiral staircase that leads me to believe there might be another room for gathering and drinking.
However, once I went outside, I admired the large ‘beer garden’ with a game of bag toss going. Quite possibly the best discovery of all was seeing the Billiards Table chilling out on the patio, protected by an overhead tent. Great idea! This alone will cause me to come back for a return trip! The area outside is great for large groups (on a nice evening).
Ultimately, it’s really close to McGillicuddy’s (both in theme, layout — with the outdoor patio, and the fact that it’s right across the street) but there are aspects worth stopping by for. Also, worth pointing out, next door is a church, it looks like it’s connected. Seems like a very odd location to set up a place of worship, haha.

In the location previously occupied by Fat Abbey Biercafe (and The Lodge before Fat Abbey) McCarthy’s interior is very similar to Fat Abbey’s sans the Delirium Tremens inspired murals on the interior walls (McCarthy’s currently has Guinness and Schlitz prints).
When I visited McCarthy’s it was rather dead being very close to the bar’s opening and the bartender told me their selection of alcohol and beer would increase as the weeks go on. Guinness on-​tap and more bottles of Powers then the Water St. scene will ever consume without being featured in a stellar shot special add a touch more Irish street-​cred.