McCreary's Irish Pub & Eatery — Restaurant in Columbia

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the best Irish pub in town, and I must say, it exceeded all my expectations. Not only did they offer a wide selection of traditional Irish dishes, but they also had some unique offerings that set them apart from other pubs.

One of the highlights of my visit was their variety of cocktails. I couldn’t choose just one and asked is they could make a custom cocktail flight. It was a fantastic way to sample a variety of their signature drinks. Each cocktail was expertly crafted and bursting with flavor. The bartender was knowledgeable and friendly & took the time to tell me what each drink was, thus making the experience even more enjoyable.

Now, let's talk about their chocolate cake. It was hands down the best I've ever had. The cake was moist and rich, and the chocolate texture was heavenly. It was the perfect ending to a delicious meal.

Speaking of meals, their loaded potatoes and fish & chips were outstanding. It was a hearty and satisfying dish that left me wanting more. The fish & chips were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, just as they should be. The portion size was generous, and the accompanying tartar sauce was the perfect complement.

To top it all off, the pub had an awesome rooftop patio. It was spacious, well-decorated, and had a great atmosphere. It was the perfect place to enjoy a meal and a few drinks with friends or family. The staff was attentive and made sure we had everything we needed.

Overall, I highly recommend this Irish pub for its fantastic custom cocktail flights, mouthwatering chocolate cake, delicious loaded potatoes and fish & chips, and its awesome patio. Whether you're looking for a casual meal or a night out with friends, this...

We were both so excited to see this place move to Columbia especially since they had fish & chips. Hubby’s had it at 2-3 times other places and it was awful. We are use to fresh cod that is lightly battered. We came at lunch and we were seated right away. Loved the atmosphere and decor of the pub. Our waiter was prompt and friendly. I didn’t get to fully look over the menu but did see two items that sounded good. However I miss this dish so much I ordered it as well as hubby. The order was promptly delivered and very hot. Loved the newspaper in which it was presented. Took a bite of the fish to taste just on its own but quickly realized it was all breading. Both of the fish looked identical in size and shape, if you know you know. So I took another bite this time with tartar sauce. It looked nothing like what I’m use to and definitely didn’t taste like it. I asked the waiter if it was coleslaw or tartar sauce. You see it had shredded carrots in it and was sweet and just looked different. It said it had carrots, mayo, and sweet relish plus other things I don’t remember and was made fresh daily. I’m use to dill and that twang that relish brings. I kept trying to eat the two together but I couldn’t hang with the sauce. I started pulling the fish apart but found there wasn’t much fish. The breading for me was just to much. Hubby said it was the best he’s had here so I’m glad he likes it. I liked the steak size fries though. I will be back though. The menu said there was corned beef and cabbage and then there’s a burger with bleu cheese. Hubby will have the cottage pie. The prices were...

So disappointed on so many levels. This was a first visit, recently opened establishment.

Supposed to be an Irish styled restaurant/bar

First and foremost - Applebee's is more Irish

The over 21 section upstairs was lit up brighter than the sun - every light on in the place and the 80s music blaring over the speakers really set the Irish mood. (Yes that is sarcasm) The one menu item that had more Irish flare than the rest (corn beef was involved) they had no corn beef, so unavailable. Guess a mushroom & swiss burger is the next closest (unfortunately this statement is not sarcasm).

With over 2 hours before close, 8pm when we left (hrs posted 10pm online / 9pm on the door) the downstairs was fully mopped (very slick floor) chairs up and and dining closed.

I think the kitchen must've closed at 7 because our food took 45 min. Appetizers 20 min

My impression: Owners do not know anything about restaurants or they have put this place into the hands of a manager that knows nothing about restaurants. Nor do any of them know nuances of a bar / dining experience / atmosphere.

I am being generous with the ratings as it is new and they may still be getting their "sea legs" about them. Hopefully on the next (maybe last) visit in a few months we shall see...