What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Mc Gowans of Phibsboro
Review
About
Four generation of McGowans have made their mark on this Phibsboro landmark pub, turning it into one of Dublin's most popular and fun-filled party pubs & restaurants with its brilliant party atmosphere, great food, plenty of special offers and fabulous new nightclub upstairs. Mc Gowans is the pub with the buzz, we are the Party Pub!!
Features
CUISINES
Irish, Bar, Pub, Gastropub
Meal types
Dinner, After-hours, Drinks
PRICE
££ - £££
FEATURES
Full Bar
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Television
Is this restaurant wheelchair accessible?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 5:00 PM
Sunday
15:00 - 2:30
Monday
17:00 - 0:30
Tuesday
17:00 - 0:30
Wednesday
17:00 - 2:30
Thursday
17:00 - 2:30
Friday
17:00 - 2:30
Saturday
15:00 - 2:30
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3.5
93 reviews
Excellent
45
Very good
14
Average
4
Poor
6
Terrible
24
TeeBow
Germany240 contributions
Mar 2022 • none
Reserved a table for the rugby match (Ireland Scotland, 6 Nations). They sat us up very well. We had excellent service, the food was great (one of the best cheeseburgers I have ever had) and the bar selection is quite good. Highly recommend, good alternative to the roar of Temple Bar.
Written 22 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Irene B
Dublin64 contributions
Jul 2019 • none
There are lots of promotions and event nights here.
Good security at the door & lots of floor staff to ensure you do not get thirsty.
Written 26 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mc G
Hi Irene,
Thanks for your review, great to hear it!
Hopefully we will see you here again soon :)
Written 27 August 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Moogav
Dublin51 contributions
Jun 2019 • business
Went here for a work do. Found it really difficult to get a table and it was fairly expensive for what you got.
I appreciate its a late bar so you pay a little more but the surroundings and ambience dont merit it.
Outside of being open late i dont see why you would choose here.
Written 2 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
victoria k
1 contribution
Dec 2024 • couples
Avoid at all costs. The food us woeful. Service us not only terrible but client. The chicken was raw. When we told the wait staff that the chicken wasn't fully cooked they rolled their eyes and hadn't empathy. A second waitress cane over and apologised as she could see the chicken was uncooked. The service was horrific.
Written 13 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Spike J
Lancaster46 contributions
Apr 2022 • none
I sat and watched the match in here on a Saturday afternoon and had a great time, I thought the staff were attentive, polite and fun. Esp, the manager. My family joined after the match and we were allowed to choose any 'reserved' table provided we would be quick (not a problem) and we had a really nice meal, quick polite service and really really good food reasonably priced. I can see why they are busy with bookings but thought they were wonderful to accommodate us.
Written 17 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bernard
1 contribution
Aug 2020 • friends
I definitely wouldn’t recommend McGowans. Very little staff were wearing face masks/shields and loud music meant they got very close to take orders. The food was fine but incredibly slow and we had to pay 30 minutes before getting it (1hr 40mins from sit down to the food arriving). Most importantly, we were told to “calm down” and not be so “snarky” by our server when asking who to order drinks from as we weren’t to leave our seats and no servers were walking around.
Written 3 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jean G
Bathgate52 contributions
Jul 2023 • family
We had rented an Airbnb to celebrate a couple of family birthdays which was across the road from Mcgowans. We were lucky, it was so handy that we ended up in there 3 out of the 4 nights and ate there a couple of times. Food was lovely, freshly cooked and well presented. Staff were so friendly and welcoming - would thoroughly recommend. Big portions and we would recommend the fish & chips, the pasta and the chicken wings.
Written 3 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jackie
Dublin6 contributions
Jan 2025 • family
Superb venue for a 21st birthday. We arranged it as a surprise party and Ellen and the team were amazing at helping us plan food, bar etc, and advising on numbers and timing. The room upstairs is super for a private party. The platters were terrific, and Josh was a mighty bar man. Music from downstairs, and then the DJ topped off the night! Thanks folks!
Written 20 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aisling G
Dublin1 contribution
Sept 2020 • friends
Visited here with 4 friends and won’t be back again. For whatever reason we got singled out and were given our bill after 60 mins in the place. When challenged about the 105 minute rule, we were told the server had loads of tables to get to so needed the bill paid. We had drank ONE drink in the place along with our food. A different bargirl came over afterwards and asked for a drinks order, we ordered some more drinks, then 2 mins later a different girl came over and said she needed the table back for another booking so we couldn’t have the drinks! We booked our table at half 8, the last booking available in the place, a group of girls sat behind us were there were we arrived, had no food and still were being served drink when we left. We were talking to some lads in the smoking area who had been there for 3 & a half hours, when questioned about this we got told she “didn’t make the rules” We were also asked to put on our masks when entering the premises although while we were sat at the table at least 20-30 people entered with no masks whatsoever. It seems it’s one rule for one, and not for others. I’m 37 yrs of age, maybe if I was 21 in a low cut top things would be different! At a time like this when many publicans are begging for their premises to be reopened, I feel they should have some kind of respect for their paying customers.
Written 30 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
215Tojo
Dublin21 contributions
Feb 2023 • friends
Went for Superbowl, which we have done for years. They closed that bar early, never told anyone! Whats the point in offering viewing of an event of ur gonna close the bar early? Ill be looking elsewhere next year!!!
Written 12 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Natasha H
1 contribution
Feb 2020 • none
Food is delicious 😋and always happy to adapt to food intolerances. Staff very friendly and attentive, big shout out to Shanice 🙌 she looked after us on our first night. Lovely quiet pub until after 10pm but then if your looking for a lively night stay put! 😀
Written 7 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda B
Dublin1 contribution
Aug 2020 • friends
Absolutely disgusting and shocking service, my party had a booking at 8.30, ordered food and drinks no problem..asked to pay the bill 30 mins before we were due to leave and told..no more drinks even though there were people who were there before us still getting served. Managed to order more drinks but told the table was needed for a booking at 10.15 even though the last reservation is 8.30??? Tried to explain to girl on the door but we were dismissed abruptly. Its who you know not what you know when it comes to this place. Also we were asked for masks at the door bit plenty or parties came in after us with no masks. Never again
Written 29 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beaxo
Birmingham25 contributions
Mar 2023 • friends
We booked a table for 4 friends for the 8 o’clock quiz, we showed up at 8 and the lady told us it was almost over, the lady told me on the phone that it started at 8, but apparently it randomly started at 7 for no reason.. we decided to stay for a drink whilst we decided where to go next however as we sat down one of the members of staff, a man with glasses, kicked us out incredibly rudely saying that my husband was drunk, when actually my husband is entirely sober and has been for years. My friend who I was with is pregnant and none of us had been drinking but they refused to serve us and practically pushed us out saying that we’re too drunk. The pub was COMPLETELY empty with a terrible atmosphere, but they still decided to kick a totally normal, sober group out for no reason. It was shocking and entirely unjust. I will be telling all of my friends to never go to this pub.
Written 12 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan G
1 contribution
Jun 2021 • couples
Had a booking here for dinner and drinks. Arrived half hour early, where our server brought us to our seating outside beside the main road!! Asked twice could we get a table inside to be told they were fully booked. Lots of customers came afterwards and not one placed outside.. waited half an hour to place an order for food.. would have spent longer here but staff weren't very helpful.. would not recommend..
Written 17 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Serena O
16 contributions
Feb 2025 • friends
Went here like we usually do from another pub we work in. We weren’t working this night so we might’ve looked different so asked for the manager and we’re told he wasn’t there.
Weren’t allowed in because the bouncer “didn’t know us” . I’ve been going here since I went to the Mill… he 100# knows us and we have never caused an issue!
While waiting for a cab we witnessed LOCKED youngones getting in. That’s grand McGowans I hope your business goes from strength to strength ☝️👏 I will never darken your door again and neither will any of my friends!
Written 22 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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