There macaroni and cheese is awesome. It was a big portion too, enough for two meals. The waiter was also real cool. He recommended this watermelon and cheese appetizer that was bomb. It's a big place. I recommend going upstairs because there's a massive bar up there. read more

I've visited this place quite a few times for over a year now and have directly observed, as well as experienced, the rather spotty nature of their food and drink services, and their hiring practices, including both staff and musical entertainment. Many of their acoustic acts and bands are rather lame and play too many off-the-wall songs rather than dance floor oriented hits more appropriate for the large upstairs bar at that venue. McGinty's would be better off focusing on pleasing their younger (drinking) customers rather than pandering to the personal tastes of the older Silver Spring folks and music snobs, who usually go elsewhere to hear live music anyway. They definitely need new cooks and/or food handlers, especially when it comes to their Irish cuisine. Though most have been friendly, some of their bartenders and other staff have been rather surly or nonchalant. Their food and drink prices are reasonable, but, I think McGinty's should stop trying to be all things to all people and focus on taking advantage of their location and current niche as the only live music venue in Silver Spring that has bands which perform music from this century. read more

Most delectably unique (& home-made!) menu items I've seen come from an Irish styled pub!! I had the 'Squid Ink Pasta' and wow, besides it being an unusual thing to see on the featured menu, It was absolutely delicious! The options were well priced, and the portions were generous! I had even come back the next time i had been in the area, and again, everything was home-made and prepared to a "T", not to mention the fact they have a pretty nice selection of brews on tap offered at a competitive price to the area. Oh,and don't forget to peruse the dessert menu, you'll thank me later!! This bar offers seemingly ample seating and sports a cozy downstairs bar as well as a more open bar upstairs and a well lit dining area complete with attentive servers and what I'd consider easily a Five-star chef! I will definitely make it a point to come back here again for another exciting adventure for my palette come the next time I'm in the Silver Spring, MD/ D.C. area :) Five Star establishment! read more

Recently had a post corporate team meeting event at McGinty's. We had a group of about thirty people and worked with staff to secure some reserved tables upstairs and ordered some hors d'oeuvres that were laid out very nicely on a table for us (including fish & chips and chicken skewers-all very delicious!). Hopper, the manager, was very helpful and responsive to all our needs and questions when planning the event, and the staff overall was wonderful to work with. Our server, Dusty, was very present and always had an upbeat, positive attitude. The drinks were tasty and well made, and the space was cozy and fun (better than a lot of Irish pubs I've been to around the area). Would definitely recommend this as a happy hour spot and a location to consider for larger group events like ours! read more

I was invited here for a party and the drinks were great! There's a good pour on all of my drinks. The food was typical bar food with an Irish flair. Makes sense? I was pretty happy with my visit here. It's a bar not a 5 star restaurant so I don't understand why some of the reviews expect it to be such read more

Much as I loved the warm embrace and basement milieu that is the magnificent Quarry House ( You are the Quarry (House)) last night, I was with a Steeler fan and he needed to find football bad - so we came here. Another place I had not been too. Another place that from the outside you think, Jesus Christ, not another bloody corporate Irish bar in a freaking mall. But you know what - although some corporations are inherently evil, some are forces for good, and any corporation whose mission is to deliver beer to the masses in an efficient and acceptable way gets my two thumbs up of approval. Walk in the door- host and hostess standing there to welcome us. " we're just here to watch TV" "Oh - you need to go upstairs - more TVs up there" " but what about that big wide screen TV right there in front of the bar with the empty seats in front of it - can't we sit there?" " you better off upstairs - more TVs - go upstairs now I tell you - go upstairs now!!" So, obediently, like the drones in Millgram's 37, we follow our instructions from the figure of authority and reluctantly go upstairs. What we find up there is a massive room with some depressed guy playing a guitar and singing the saddest fucking songs you ever heard. I mean Jesus Christ. The only good Irish music is the happy music - that's the music we play at funerals and wakes - you do not play the hecking sad music until about 2am when everyone is wasted and crying anyway. So we gird our loins and go back down for the confrontation with the hostess: " you can't make us go up there -there is some depressed hecker up there with a guitar - it's bloody dangerous" Finally a smile from Miss Bloody Gretchen Wilomena Kraus ( Buehler, anyone, anyone?) and we sit at the bar. Then three beautiful wonderful things happen: 1. I am served a pint of Guinness that is as good as any I have ever had anywhere, and I realise that's what good corporations do - deliver a quality consistent product. I have spent so much of my life taking notes on what bars you get good Guinness in and what bars it is shite - it is so refreshing to know that nowadays quality is almost - almost - uniformly good everywhere - at least uniformly good in the corporate Oirish McNasty bars. 2. The Smiths come on. YES. There are fewer greater pleasures in this world than struggling through the cold night to get to a bar, finally finding the place you want to be in, letting that first sip of beer hit the back of the throat and then magically your favourite music in the entire universe comes on. Further proof that God loves me and wants me to be happy and has actually constructed this whole universe around me. 3. I look around and realize what a cool, diverse, collected clientele this bar has. Respect to Silver Spring. Many funky, original, beautiful people there. A good bar, a good beer, good music and a good friend. Jesus I was so happy. read more

I sat up at the bar with a friend for dinner. The bartender was friendly and attentive. He even gave us recommendations for things to do in the area (both of us had just moved to Silver Spring). He made good recommendations from their draft beers. The food was so-so. Would probably go back here for drinks. There were two servers that kept bickering and arguing. It made us uncomfortable and annoyed. It was clear these two don't get along and both kept pushing the other in very plain site and ear shot of customers. Super unprofessional. read more

McGinty's is ... boring. The food is meh. The atmosphere is meh. And somehow even the drinks seem to be ... meh. Most weekends they have live entertainment upstairs, and the bands don't suck. But McGinty's can't get butts in the seats if they paid people to show up. So you'll find yourself watching a pretty decent band with some wrecked-faced middle aged drunks shaking it on the dancefloor ... all 3 of them. Then you'll look at the other 5 people in the room, trying to decide if you should all be embarrassed of the people dancing, or embarrassed with yourselves, for being one of the few people who paid cover to be there. So why 3 stars instead of 2? Well, when it's 11pm early in the week (cough, last night) and you just want some beer, McGinty's is close by and open til 1am. Sure the crowd is questionable and no one there ever seems to "belong", but by golly, it's open! And that's good enough for me. read more

A great bar. Here on st. Paddy's day and it was great. The special Irish ale was wonderful. The corn beef was homemade. Juicy and lean. Just perfect with a parsley cream sauce that was to die for. The pastas are homemade. We were made at home by Phillip , John, and Linda at the bar. read more

I always came here because they had Strongbow on tap--a rarity outside of the U.K. At happy hour recently, however, I was disappointed to discover that they don't sell Strongbow anymore, draught or bottled! Magner's is now on tap, and although I enjoyed it bottled, I feel like it has a funky aftertaste while on tap. I'll still come here, but kind of disappointing. read more

I made the mistake of coming to this bar with a couple of friends on a Saturday night to watch a hockey game. When I left the main seating area on the 2nd floor to go to the bathroom one of the waitresses insisted that I pay the $5 cover charge to get back into the room! When I complained to the manager about this he yelled at me for causing trouble, and said that if I try to "sneak in" without paying a cover charge again I would not be welcome back there. I could not believe I was treated like this as a paying customer! I will not be patronizing this establishment again! read more

Who ends up in an Irish bar on Cinco de Mayo? I had a good reason, though. I was invited to a post-48 HFP celebration there, and actually had a good time. The fish and chips were definitely on point, and I was surprised to find that it had a diverse clientele. The service was a little too relaxed for some of my colleagues' tastes, but everyone seemed to enjoy their meals. read more

Thought this place was just okay. Came here for dinner the other night, no wait for a table of 6 so that part was good. However the food and service were weak, I ordered the Shepard's Pie and and it was really oily and lacked flavor; I would never order again. Other people had burgers and club sandwiches which they seemed to enjoy. Our server barely paid any attention to us, had to get silverware and most of our beers from the bartender, then she messed our check up like 2 times. Although it was not a great review I would probably go back only because I do like Irish pubs, but maybe it will be just for beer. read more

After leaving a place for having no service, my husband and I went to Mcgintys. We had been here several times prior. They never fail us! We were greeted by the friendly hostess. You have the choice of sitting outside, downstairs or the upper level. There is a bar on both floors which is perfect if you want to hang out with friends during the weekend. Today, I didn't go with my usual salmon ceased salad, beer battered mussels or calamari. (Which are all great) I was dying of hunger and we were hoping for quick service. The waitress quickly came and took our orders for drinks and a appetizer. I had never seen the fried green tomatoes before and decided to give it a try. Omg! Amazing! They came with some sort of topping that I believe contained spicy mayo and cheese. On top of that, pork belly. #drool. The waitress said they were seasonal. Hopefully, they DO NOT take it off the menu. I went with the Mcgintys burger with a side of fries. They had malt vinegar at the table which I put all over my fries and It instantly reminded me of ocean city and their Boardwalk fries. Our waitress never let our drinks be empty. Great and speedy service. read more

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I've lived here for some time now and I have never been here. Finally came here last Friday and I was disappointed. My fish and chips were watery and flavorless. The batter they fried it in was gross. And the music was so low I couldn't hear it. And the crowd that frequents here are lame and obnoxious. Won't be back. F for you. read more

in numbers for me its A minus which is very good in my book . let me give you my thoughts ...You know how "Irish" pubs in the US are almost never really Irish, and usually offer bland food that's someone's idea of what might be available in a pub in Ireland? Well, I've met the owner and he's actually Irish which makes the place a bit more authentic . And the food is yummy, and varied, and reasonably priced. This is a great place, with good atmosphere, in a convenient spot in downtown Silver Spring. i will surely go there again! read more

Some of the best convos I've had over the past year has been in this establishment. It's a low-key Irish pub that has an outdoor seating area ideal for later night chats. While it has all the basics necessary to make it a working pub (brews, etc.), I was pleasantly surprised (and rather shocked, honestly) to see an Amarula Martini on the menu. Amarula is a South African liquor that reminds me of Bailey's but has the scent of vanilla and others that I can't place. It's superb, and I never thought I'd find it here in the States (only other place I've seen it is in Zambia). If you're at McGinty's, fight off the stigma of ordering a girly-sounding martini and give this a go - you won't be sorry! read more

hello. i ordered an eggs benedict with smoked salmon.. not baked salmon. when i re-confirmed my order with the waiter -- telling him i got it with SMOKED salmon and that this looked like baked salmon (which it clearly was) he told me.. no, that is smoked salmon. ............................................. thanks. read more

Irish soda bread is good and the lamb stew is very good, add a pint of your favorite brew and it works for me. The place is a little pricey and the atmosphere is lacking, but the food is generally very good. read more

Just got back from a late dinner at this place and was pleasantly surprised. It is located in that weird little area that is downtown Silver Spring right across from Borders and has a nice outdoor seating area. I had a glass of wine, carrot curry soup and a Caesar salad. My boyfriend had the veggie burger. Both of us were very happy with our meals which were served promptly and presently very nicely, especially for pub food. I would eat here again. read more

I work in Silver Spring, and thought I'd give McGinty's a try this afternoon. I ordered the Steak Salad for carryout. Initially, I was very impressed. I received prompt, courteous service when I called to place the order. When I entered the restaurant, I was warmly greeted by 3 smiling staff members, and my food was ready and waiting for me right at the appointed time. The restaurant interior was pleasant and cozy. Unfortunately, the salad failed to measure up to the interpersonal skills of the staff. When I returned to my office and opened the salad I found a large pile of arugula topped with 4 thin slices of grapefruit, 4 strips of very undercooked beef, and 2 thin oily scrapes of cheese that looked as if they had not been properly refrigerated. I'm glad I'd asked for the citrus dressing on the side as, when I tried it, I found it was extremely bitter and really not good at all. I wound up just throwing that away. Finally, the beef on the salad was completely lacking in seasoning. Not what I expected from a $15 salad. I'm a big fan of constructive criticism, so here's a few things that would have made this salad better for me: - More vegetables - tomatoes, cucumbers, some red onions, a bit of cabbage - something to make this salad more than just an overpriced pile of arugula. - Well-seasoned, properly cooked meat. (I wound up microwaving mine for over a minute to take it from raw to the medium I'd requested). Some salt and pepper would go a long way here, nothing fancy, but something to bring out the flavor of the meat. - Change out the dressing, its really not working well. Sadly I don't think I'll be back, which is disappointing since there were a few items on the menu that I thought I'd like to try before this experience. read more

So, I told my mother about last week's meal there and I'm now on my way to get her a carryout featuring the Fisherman's Stew. BTW, I have to deliver my girlfriends favorite Fish-and-Chips during this journey, as well. I also called in my order for the corned beef and cabbage dinner. I hope to enjoy a potent cocktail while I wait for our orders, but by the time I get there I'm sure the take-out food will be ready to go. Damn! My favorite seat is on the first floor in front of a 50" TV screen that is always on a great sports channel. This place is across from the movie theatre in Downtown Silver Spring and it is the best place to prepare yourself for the movie you're going to watch...that is to say; buy your movie tickets, get your drink on at McGinty's Public House, and then go to the movie theatre right across the street! I'm just telling you how to date in Silver Spring, MD! read more

One whole Star for being the only game in town some nights, and for acting like it. Silver Spring doesn't have much in terms of reliable pubs with decent quality drinks and food. The place is pretty spacious, especially upstairs, and there are darts sometimes. The food doesn't suck. But there are two things that will keep me away, and probably put me in an Ethiopian bar (try Lucy's) from here on out. Prices and service. Pray that nothing goes wrong with your stay on their end. This place doesn't have a shred of customer service in that sense, even on a slow night. They always promise to bring a manager, but a manager never arrives. They'll make you wait before telling you he(or she, or it) won't come. One time, we called for a manager, just to be notified that we were to leave immediately! I've never been kicked out when I was trying to ask for help in a restaurant. Is that Irish hospitality!? Also, the drinks are not cheap. About a dollar more than the 4-5$ rail/draft area average. Pretty easy to run up a tab, and no signature "deal" options. Eat somewhere else first. I've experienced dozens of examples of the service in this place over the years that exudes a sort of defiant unfriendliness. 'You came to the only game in town, now eat it. We are still in business, so go to hell'. That's how I would summarized the general vibe in that place many times. I've lived in Silver Spring my whole life, and I'm finished with McGinty's. Please go somewhere else, too, so a more friendly bar can one day occupy that spot on the strip. **Update 7/11/2016: Don't think my review is credible, or that I am just a crazy person venting? Take a look at Andy M.'s or Heidi B.'s reviews below, describing exactly what I am talking about. I hadn't even read those. . . . . . . read more

Food is decent, fresh...atmosphere okay...for some reason people bring their children here at 11:00 PM, so if you were out to have a few beers and relax, probably just forget that and go somewhere else, unless you enjoy going to a bar and hearing screaming babies. read more

it's a shame this place doesn't have AT LEAST 4 stars. I read some of the poor reviews....one girl ordered a steak salad to go. idk who orders hot meat on lettuce to go (esp from an Irish pub?) And another is a woman claiming since she's black the manager refused to comp her on an order of "uncooked" calamari. anyway, group of 6 of us all had what we would call amazing meals. I had the corned beef and cabbage and also tried the shepherds pie. both were FANTASTIC. the corned beef were chunks of super tender and flavorful corned beef. the cabbage was really tasty as well and added a nice sweet component to go w the salty meat. Caesar salads had great croutons, good dressing and a flat disc of Parmesan cheese which was cool. all around, the food was great, the atmosphere was great and the staff was good. read my other reviews and u will see I'm a tough poster. GO HERE read more

My husband thought the turkey burger was the best turkey burger he's had. They have outdoor seating.

I have been here a few times and always hope for better....better food....better service. It never happens. I have come to see bands here and the room is not good for sound. A very lively room that is horrible for sound! I came in recently after a show at the Fillmore and asked a waitperson if the kitchen was still open, she said yes, I asked for a couple of menus. She ignored my friend and I sitting there the rest of the night and never brought our menus. We had to go to the bar for drinks, she never once asked us if we needed anything...our answer WOULD have been A NEW WAITRESS! It was horrible. It is always horrible and the food is a joke. Nothing every other pub hasn't done and they all do it better! I would stay away from this one. The Public House # 7 in Seven Corners has much better food and atmosphere. Go there! read more

Very good food and excellent atmosphere. Been here several times and the food is always reliable. The basic fish & chips is crispy and tasty, although a little on the pricey side at around $15. The salads are great too with fresh ingredients and not too much dressing. Beer here is great with good selections. This restaurant has a few "sections" with two upstairs--it gives the impression that the owners are still trying to figure out what to do with these two sections, one being a more sit-down white table cloth area and the other being a roadhouse type bar and stage area. There is also a small (actually only about 5 tables) section outside with very limited and popular seating during good weather. Overall worth the trip for the food and drink despite the crazy layout of seating. read more

Very pleasantly surprised by how good an experience I had at McGinty's. Visually it looks like a traditional American version of an Irish Pub. The service was fantastic (the server checked the status of our ketchup upon delivering our food, so smart) and the food was really really good. My wife had a great cheeseburger and I had the corned beef. The corned beef was great. Best in the entire area. If you're in Silver Spring, and want a Guinness and corned beef, run don't walk. read more

This is a long over do review. I would have given this place 4 out 5 stars two years ago but something change and it's been down hill ever sinces. The quality of the food dropped and the staff not as friendly as they once where. I saw mice often. But what I think broke the back of me ever going back happen last night 1-17-2014. I took a buddy of mine out for his 21 birthday and to celebrate his return from Air Force boot camp. The waitress refused to serve my friend because of his ID. Mind you it was a valid Maryland driver license but he hadn't updated it to the horizontal version. So the refused service some who is in the army forces and who was 21 because they didn't like the type of ID card he had. So we went to another bar around the block had a good time and no problems with the id. read more

Amazing food and service! I was pleased to arrive on a Saturday evening and not have to wait for a table. The food was scrumptious: succulent eggplant lasagna, and ahi tuna on a bed of roasted butternut squash. Generous portions and fair prices. Quaint decor, as we were seated next to the fireplace. Very attentive waiter. Nice beer selections. Overall, a fantastic dining experience. Free covered parking is available on weekends and on weekday evenings. Also close to Metro I most definitely will be going back soon! read more

TERRIBLE, NOT FAMILY FRIENDLY - MANAGER THREATENED TO CALL POLICE AFTER GIVING 50% TIP! DO NOT GO THERE! We went there to have dinner and see a band playing. We had a small child with us in a stroller. We were greeted by the staff downstairs near the entrance who said they were happy to take us w/ the baby upstairs via an elevator. Fantastic! That was just so much easier than taking the stairs. All good so far. As soon as we got upstairs, everything started turning sour. A minute or so after getting upstairs we were told "the manager" said because we have the child, we have to be in a side dining room. Were they afraid a one year old would try to order himself a beer? That was very disappointing, but we moved to the side dining room. At least we could eat dinner there and hear the music somewhat. They have these plastic battery operated fake candles on the table. The little boy picked one up and immediately someone ran over and said "the manager" said he can't play with it. It wasn't concern for the child - the fake candles don't get hot, I think they run on a watch battery. Fine we placed them out of his reach. They provided us a high chair, so we placed our order. The food came quick and was good - no problems there. Our bill was ~$50 and I gave the waiter a $25 tip. I felt bad about them having to clean up our table. The little boy had dropped some silverware and french fries on the floor. I used to work as a bus boy at a restaurant, so I know how it is & tend to be very generous. After paying we sat at the table for a while. The waiter seemed to be getting very anxious. We told him we just wanted to sit and talk and listen to the music as best we could from our table. No that wasn't going to be ok, we had to leave. I don't understand why it was such a big deal to just hang out there - esp after giving them such a generous tip. The "manager" came over and said we had to "take the child and leave". We had the stroller and several bags of kids stuff (diapers, etc) that we began packing up. We weren't leaving fast enough for them. The manager came back and said if we didn't leave now he was going to call the police! WTF??? Yes that is what happened. After some heated words we got back downstairs thru the elevator and left. It was clear it was a major problem to be at this place with the child. For a place with high chairs and booster seats this is the absolute worst treatment of customers with a child I have ever heard of. Thanks for nothing McGinty's. read more

Great casual Irish pub to throw back a few brews if you're in the Silver Spring area. It definitely helps this place is one of the few (if not the only) nightly hangouts in the downtown area. One of the few bars worthy enough for me and my UMD buddies. read more

They have decent happy hour specials and the chicken tenders and fries were pretty damn amazing. Beer was cheap and the atmosphere was lively but not too noisy. read more

Boyfriend and I met up the pastor and his wife here for lunch on a Friday afternoon. I've never been to a pub to EAT before. We sat outside so I can't say much for the interior. I did see on the way to the ladie's room that there was a huge bar and an area to play darts. The Potato and Leek soup was on point. I think I would have probably enjoyed it more if we were seated inside, away from the blazing heat. The Turkey Croissant I ordered was just way too big. I could barely finish half of it. It was LOADED with turkey. My little mouth had a hard time taking bites out of it. I got to steal a taste of the boyfriend's Shepherd's Pie and it was delicious! I would definitely order this if we come back. read more

From the outside, McGinties seems like just another glowing part of the DTSS strip, but something magical happens when you walk through those red doors. You're greeted by a cool and comfortable pub atmosphere. It's almost like you've stepped into a portal to Ireland itself. You can either be seated by the hosts standing there ready to greet you, or head upstairs and grab yourself a spot at the bar or in the formal dining room. I prefer the booths, as they are comfortable and offer enough privacy that you aren't bothered by that typical bar chat that can overwhelm so many other facilities. The menu offers a perfect amount of delicious and interesting choices. They have specials that change often, somehow always complimenting the seasons and maintaining that desired Irish flair at the same time. Most importantly, the drink menu never disappoints. From local beer to fruity cocktails, they always deliver. I've never had a drink here that I didn't like. As for the service, I cannot say enough about how wonderful and hardworking the staff is at this place. The servers are all equally friendly, charming, attentive. Conversations are never awkward and orders are never wrong. This place is a breath of fresh air in a city where so many restaurants fail. Even the bathrooms are clean-- and I and talking all working, not nasty toilets even on Saint Patrick's Day when it is crazy there clean. I absolutely love coming here! read more

I ordered the fish 'n chips and let them know I had a shellfish allergy. Waitress came back and said the fryers were not safe due to some specials they were cooking. So I order a burger and side salad (since anything fried was not safe). As we're wrapping up our dinner I noticed my throats closing up, but nothing a quick trip to CVS for Benedryl couldn't solve. Just really disappointed they couldn't keep my food away from the shellfish, places like Cheesecake Factory are very good about things like that. disappointing an Irish pub isn't safe for me for fish n' chips or anything else. Also my wife had sweet potato fries and said they were completely soggy. This was an around 8pm dinner. read more

The best thing about this bar is the rotating beer selection that features lots of great local brews as well as their friendly bartenders. Otherwise it feels pretty corporate and oddly placed in the middle of a brightly lit shopping district. The music isn't great but it isn't terrible either. This place has something for everyone but lacks that je n'ais se quoi. Still, I'm glad it's there. As long as they keep pouring delicious NEIPAs. read more

Arrived late in Silver Springs downtown and had only the option of McDonalds or McGinty's. I chose McGinty's during the NBA finals and it was a great environment and very lively. I had the beef stew, it was hearty but also very greasy. read more

todays update: Met a friend for lunch and he picked McGinty's. He got the Reuben and loved it! Said it was the best Reuben he had in 15 years. I had the Salmon BLT and enjoyed it. The slight saltiness of the salmon was complimented by the bacon. Yummy! And I would get it again. read more