Mackesey's Irish Pub — Restaurant in Madison

Ok I have literally never left a review in my life but yikes. This place was a super big bummer to what started out as a good night. I walked up to the bar to ask for a drink (just for me, my friend did not because she was my ride home) to which John the bartender asked to see both of our IDs which is totally valid, I have a baby face. I am 23 years old. I handed him my official Wisconsin state ID (I don't have a drivers license) and he told me that he believed mine was fake. I go out to bars and clubs all over the world and have never had a problem with my OFFICIAL ID so I was a little thrown off, to which he said "the red ink" on it didn't look real. I got a little frustrated, and even pulled up a picture of my passport which felt like overkill and continued to repeat that I was 23 years old. He condescendingly told me that it's "not a good look" to argue with a bartender which was complete rubbish because I work in retail and I know what a rude customer looks like. He then repeated to me "you're a kid" while gesturing to my looks and also said "repeating that you're 23 is not doing anything" quite a few times so my friend tried to help me out at that point since he okayed her ID (the irony is that she's actually younger than me). Eventually he came to his senses and served me my drink. When my friend and I were leaving, right as we exited the door he called out "have a good highschool graduation!" which really was uncalled for and unprofessional, let alone humiliating because everyone in the bar laughed. Beware of going here if you have a baby face or an ID that doesn't happen to be a drivers license, this was such a bummer. I've never in my life had a problem with my official ID, and then mocked publically when I left. I'm sure John the bartender is a lovely person but man that was disappointing, and I hope no one else gets...

I don't understand how this has 4.3 out of 5. Maybe I'm not a regular and there's some "in-crowd" thing. Anyway, to the point. The place itself looks nice. Pulls off the Irish pub feel quite nicely. While by no means in Mader's league in authenticity or size, it still does what it can based on the space. The music is actually alright, lively and fun to listen to, even if the first ten minutes seemed to be the live band fighting with whoever had control of the speakers throughout the bar. Food: Horrible. The shepherd's pie was burnt to a crisp and was somehow scaldingly hot, bone dry, and devoid of anything one could call flavor. I do not cook well. I burn food regularly. I can make shepherd's pie and I can make it better than this place can. The amount+taste:cost ratio was bad as well, considering you get a little soup bowl for $13 to have your pie burnt to ash. Service: Maybe the waitress was busy? Or it was a bad day? The place didn't look busy, but perhaps there was an upper floor I missed. Anyway, it was mediocre. I don't require much attention from waitstaff. Heck, show up to take my order, drop it off, and refill my drink every once and a while and that's automatically 15%, no questions asked. However, when you get water wrong, then we have a problem. I don't think I've ever thought "Man, I bet the water in the bathroom tastes better and is colder" before. 2 stars. Music was fine, but I think you have to be in any condition but sober to give this place...

I've never had a problem at the Irish Pub and remember the owner from Lakeview Deli (always been very pleasant)....Her husband on the other hand was BEYOND rude! A woman I was sitting with ordered food (meaning she spent money at this establishment!) and as she was eating the owner's husband came out to "straighten up the patio" (make us feel completely uncomfortable and unwelcome) to the extent of moving chairs at the table WHERE SHE WAS EATING. Now, I've worked in hospitality and the service industry so was understandable awestruck at the level of disrespect this man was showing all of us. After I asked if he was okay and needed my chair he replied “ no, she should go ahead and finish eating”….AS IF SHE NEEDED HIS PERMISSION. He then proceeded to stand over her (and behind me) with his arms crossed, scowling in disapproval while she attempted to eat. At this point my table mate had enough, stood up, picked up everything on the table and moved to another and told his RUDE behind to take whatever chair he needed! It was BEYOND bizarre….would only make sense to me if he was drunk.

Long story short, watch out for the owner’s husband ladies, he seems to have it out for women. Could he be feeling a bit emasculated because his wife owns the place? Not our problem and we should not be treated poorly (when spending money at the place) because of his feelings of inadequacy.

I WILL NOT BE GOING BACK THERE AS LONG AS...