Bar: John D. McGurk’s Irish Pub
Location: 1200 Russell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63104
Score: 8.5/10
If you’re from the St. Louis area then you’ve likely been to McGurks. And if you haven’t, it needs to be added to your agenda ASAP. Located in Soulard, McGurks is the perfect bar for any occasion. The one thing that stands out about McGurks is the size of it. Walking in you instantly see three different bars to order from. But it doesn’t stop there. There’s a massive outdoor patio area with as you could probably guess, more bars. And no worries as the weather starts to get cold as it’s all covered allowing it to be open year round. McGurks is the definition of an Irish bar. Brick walls, wooden bars and tables make up the interior. Irish decor, St. Louis memorabilia, and beer signs and posters line the wall giving this bar a true Dublin feel.
No matter what the occasion is, McGurks is a perfect spot for drinking. It’s a great bar to hit before or after a Blues or Cardinals game. But this isn’t just a bar that relies on sports fans. They are able to draw a crowd that always creates a lively atmosphere. Whether it’s a birthday, downtown event, or just a random night out, people want to go to McGurks. A lot of very fun memories have been made at this bar. St. Louis sports players even love McGurks. I’ve met Célio, Jake Neighbours, and have even done a shot with Jordan Kyrou. Just recently we were in a wedding, and the whole party made a stop here before the rehearsal and it was the perfect pregame for it. McGurks isn’t just a bar you go to for drinks, it’s a bar you visit to create memories. Whether it’s a special celebration or you and the friends just want a fun nice out, McGurks is the spot for you.
Decor: Brick walls, wood bars and seating, and bar signage help this bar feel like you are in Dublin ready to crush Guinness.
Prices: Cheap drinks help attribute to a lot of fun. Can walk out with a great buzz without feeling like I was robbed.
Service: Very good service. On busier nights expect to wait a little, but it’s by no means a long wait. Your bartenders can only do so much when serving so many people.
Atmosphere: Great atmosphere for all occasions. Game-days, special events or random nights out, you will have a blast here. Can get crowded and is a little more rowdy, so not the place you likely want to go to try and have a nice conversation about life. But if you’re looking for that social atmosphere this is the bar for you.
Cleanliness: Clean. Zero worries here.
Bonus Points: No bonus points.