Shillelagh Tavern

I sometimes go here to support local events.
I personally get a weird vibe from this place and it always kills my buzz.

My beer tasted soapy/​salty.
Anyway, you can bring food in which is awesome. There’s almost always live entertainment here.
It’s not a party vibe, but a cool bar to just kick back and have a drink with a friend.

Good live music space, good drinks. I don’t play music but it would be a good place to play. I do listen to music and the bar and sound system were good.

I love the shill! Disregard the other nonsense from years ago. 7pm and later most nights are live bands. Great drinks, never watered down great bartenders and people. Always a good vibe at the shill come on out and get smacked in darts lol.

I really dig this bar! Amazing local bands, friendly people, and cheap drinks make for a good night. They have a few craft beers like the Lagunitas IPA on tap, so that’s always a plus. It’s very relaxed: none of that uptight standing around like you get in Manhattan.
Then later in the night, Mastodon and System of a Down came on the speakers and that’s when I knew I had to give an A+ review =)

great place, awesome vibe
cheap drinks, and events on different weekdays.
the open mic on tuesdays is a ton of fun, whether you’re in it or not

Lots of TVs, and lots of old men. I’m OK with that.

After a night of drinking w/​my co-​worker, i felt like having another beer before headed home. I stop this place because I never been inside plus it was close to my house. The place is pretty below average but the bartender was friendly and there were ton of kids hanging out shooting pool and drink. After 1 drink, i left this place. Proably won’t be back anytime soon.

I went to Shillelagh Tavern because Why Leave Astoria boasted of jazz music on a Friday evening from 8 – 12. While I was skeptical of jazz music at an Irish pub, I decided to give it a try.
However, when I got there at 10, there was no jazz music. I double-​checked the WLA calendar, and it was the right night. I am not sure where the discrepancy arose, but, rather, there was heavy metal blasting and a crowd that by no means resembled jazz listeners. Instead, it was severely drunk middle-​aged men and trashy women stumbling around. The tavern itself was very average and uninteresting for a divey Irish pub.

I’ll start with the fact that they allow smoking inside. I repeat — they allow smoking! Three weeks ago that would have made me happy, but having just quit, I had to merely look on in envy.
Other than that, there’s not really any reason to go here. Pros: They have a lot of TVs, and it appears that they pay for all the sports packages (including NHL), so you can catch your favorite out-​of-​town team (no HD though), the beer on tap is cheap and doesn’t have that funky taste that some dive bars have. Cons: it’s spartan and dumpy and has the depressing dive bar feel rather than the exciting dive bar feel.
In short, this place is kind of for regulars. They didn’t make us feel unwelcome, but you’re not going to have much fun there unless you always go there.

On Tuesdays, this place is the best place to pick up 16yr old girls… oh wait. that sounds wrong… oh yea! IT IS!
If you wish to relive your high school days and drink with high schoolers who are easily excited, have no aspirations or goals and got a thing for «boys in the band»… «Terrible Tuesdays» are for you! extra banana sticker for you if you have a car or drugs! =D
Tuesdays event aside, this place is HUGE and has a great location; so, why is this place so awful? Well, if you like drinking alone, you may as well stay at home… It’s cheaper and you wont have to drink from a plastic cup.

I was alone, one of two at the bar on a Thursday night. The bartender could have been a bit more hospitable. The other guy stumbled out, and a while later the bartender’s friends came in so they sat around and swore at the other end of the bar. They were ‘out of rocks glasses’ so my scotch came in a wine glass. At least the Guinness came in a Guinness glass. The place was plain, generic, and the TV’s are way up there so you have to crane your neck to see what’s in front of you.

Super friendly bartenders. Capable of adding to your convo without feeling like they are intruding. That’s a serious skill. Last time I went the bartender made buffalo wings and gave them out free. They were delicious. His own recipe we were told.
$ 2 high lifes. Occasional bands/​comedians Looks like it’s just a narrow bar but opens up to a great large space in the back. Pool table too! Someone tell shillelagh tavern to give me a high five.

Ya can’t go wrong really with Shillelagh. Some good beers on tap, $ 2 High Lifes, always got the right games on. It never seems to get unbearably crowded either. Kelly is one of the nicest bartenders you’ll find and takes good care of ya. It’s definitely my girlfriend and I’s place to go when we just wanna get some beers in a comfortable and friendly place. Ya feel welcomed here, and that’s why ya keep coming back.

I walked in briefly and walked right now, so I can’t boast the prices. However, I walked in and walked out because there were only middle-​aged men inside AND heavy metal music playing. The back room, which would definitely be good for a larger party, was totally empty. The owner was on the phone and didn’t acknowledge our presence despite there being fewer than 10 people there.
I know WLA events are sometimes held here, so I’d probably come back only for an organized event.

i only recently discovered the shillelagh, but i’m glad i did. while i’ve only been here for a couple of why leave astoria?! events, i plan on returning much more often in the near future.
this feels more like a pub in ireland than any irish pub i’ve been to in new york. not too keen on design, everything is pretty barebones — except for the tv’s. lots of screens, with virtually any game on you could hope for.
the bar is narrow, but long, and the bartenders are the friendliest i’ve encountered in nyc. regular, down-​to-​earth guys who are happy to chat you up or leave you alone with your drink depending on what kinda mood you’re in. drinks are cheap, and buy-​backs are aplenty, so it’s easy to get drunk here without spending a lot of money.
back area is a bit more airy, but still isn’t anything special. a couple of tables and a small area for live bands/​karaōke against the back wall. for one of the WLA events, they grilled up free burgers and dogs outside, and apparently one of the owners serves up his «world famous» wings every so often. other than that, no food, although there are a number of take-​out establishments very nearby.
all in all, a friendly bar with great prices and unassuming ambiance. while some may consider 4 stars to be a bit generous for such a plain review, i guess you just have to go to shillelagh and see for yourself!

I’ll be honest, I live a few blocks away and didn’t know this place existed until last night. The four stars are out of graciousness for hosting the Why Leave Astoria event last night.
The event: Wednesday, 7pm-​12am, $ 2 beers (in cheap plastic cups), free hot dogs and burgers, and free karaōke. Guinness is $ 3, but it was worth it. I hear that it will repeat every Wednesday, but last night was the first.
Without the event, it’s your usual Irish bar, with a few flat screen televisions tuned in to different sports events. There are also a couple of arcade machines, if you like that. I saw some rambunctious ladies enjoying fake bowling. It must be fun.

They’re on the upswing! The last few times I’ve been in, the staff and clientele have been a gas. Though prices are inconsistent (in a good way), you can always count on the Shillelaugh for a night cap. No longer the sister bar to Glen Oaks, I would now consider them Dillingers adopted, slightly dumber cousin.