The Three Stags Irish Pub and Restaurant — Restaurant in Redlands

I was recommended this place back when it opened and I've been here a few times because I like the Irish feel of it, with great decor and great drinks and unique food. The food is pretty good, the chicken sandwich was delicious, a bit pricey but decent taste. Bartenders are great here and half the time you'll get good service and a good drink.

Okay... But logistics and hospitality need work for a nicer downtown Redlands spot.

Gave myself a couple days before writing this part of the review.

Saturday 3/15 We walked in and ordered our drinks before 9pm. Bartender was kind and attentive. 5 of us were kinda standing to the side by two tables at the front window that said reserved, waiting on another friend to meet us, then we were told to move because they were moving the tables out, so we move over to the side, still waiting on the drinks we ordered. Then they came up and said move again, but options were minimal and we were still waiting on drinks, so we crammed together. No biggie we are all in great moods being that it's a festive evening and we hadn't seen each other in a while. We got our drinks and decided to head towards the back where there might be more room. Found a spot by a server post at the bottom of the stairs. One employee comes by and greets us and excuses himself while he was rolling silverware. No problem. Then this rude guy with beautiful long curly hair man bun snaps at us and says we can't be there "blocking" the stairs and we have to move, so we move over to the side of the stairs. Then a couple minutes pass by and he comes back and says we have to move from where we are because it needs to be clear, so we move again, still trying to smile and have a good time. Then we stand in-between the two bathrooms in the waayy back. The same guy comes over and tells us to move AGAIN, we can't "block" the employee only door, but still in a condescending rude manner. Before this point two of our friends walk outside and one of them left. Luckily two people saw how many times we had moved, got up right by the back unused jockybox type fridge thing and offered us their spot. Finally I can start enjoying my drink and the company I'm with. I say to my friend "don't serve us drinks if we have nowhere to drink them, we are constantly being moved (at this time 5 times) and no one is going to help us find a spot. Frustrating" We then move dirty plates that were just sitting there and start conversing. The rude guy comes back and asks us how many are in our party and we originally expected 7 (not yet knowing a few were fed up with the service and left), he then finally offered we go upstairs, us thinking oh maybe he's actually trying to be cool since he was not hospitable at all before. We go upstairs and it's like an unlively beautiful library. This is a private room for parties, which may be nice for birthday events meetings or a hiding spot, but definitely not a feel for a social lively time, and not quite for the St Patrick feel of a night. Then the rude guy comes back up, not to ask us how we are doing or get us another drink, but to let us know the empty place he sent us to will be closed by 9:30pm so we were on a timer. This time we chose to move ourselves and luckily the dirty spot we left was still there and we continued our night and blew off the bad vibes from attitude guy, which didn't come back to bother us. Honestly would've walked out if I hadn't already bought all of our Jameson and Guinness drinks.

I don't know maybe we got there too early to have fun, at an Irish bar, in downtown Redlands, on a Saturday night, St Patrick's day weekend, and they just weren't ready for business.

We made the best of our night there with great company, but we won't be suggesting this place for...

This is my second visit. The first time was shortly after they opened and I wanted to give The Three Stags a second chance before writing a review (mostly because I don't like leaving bad reviews).

First the good. We visited The Three Stags on a Tuesday night, around 6:00 PM.

The location is good and the decor is what I would expect in a US-version of an Irish pub. Redlands is a great location for an Irish pub and I was so hopeful this would become my new "go to" restaurant/pub. (that reminds me, I need to go visit the Royal Falconer soon).

There were a few nooks, but not what I would expect. Most Irish pubs are full of nooks and crannies where you can find some privacy, but not here. In all fairness, there might have been an upstairs area which I did not visit; maybe there was something there.

Music, if there was any was unmemorable.

There were only a few people inside, but the parking lot was jammed packed. Parking is a real headache here.

Service was disturbingly slow. I always give a restaurant/bar/pub credit if they are really busy. But there was less than 10 people in the restaurant and it still took 15 minutes before we were greeted.

My friend ordered fish and chips and I had the Irish Stout Stew. My friend said that the fish tasted like it was frozen, breaded fish. Basically, a restaurant version of the fish-stick. The potatoes in my stew were mushy and tasted like it had been simmering on the stove for a long time. Flavor was OK, but not something I would order again.

We ordered Jamison's which was, well, Jamison's. But the server did not offer or bring us water with our meal.

The Three Stags had, and still has, potential, but they will need to make some major changes in service and in the kitchen before I...

I don't generally think of quality when considering pubs. They're moreover a place you go gather with friends over cheap drinks in a warm and inviting atmosphere rather than any desire for an upscale, innovative, and all around delicious dining experience. However the Three Stags is one of the few places I've had the pleasure of visiting that seamlessly offers both. There's Guinness and other standard beers on tap as you would expect, but there's also a selection of really thoughtfully crafted mixed drinks. I'd highly recommend the Blackthorn personally. And then their food is incredibly creative and across the board delicious. We got the Spice Bag as an appetizer which came in a brown paper bag reminiscent of the sort of takeout you'd get after a long night out drinking and it only adds to the charm. But the creativity doesn't stop at the bag -- I especially want to mention the curry dipping sauce for the fried chicken and fries/chips. I've never had anything like it nor would I expect the two flavor profiles to blend so well together. We also got the fried chicken sandwich and - I've tried a lot of the sort in my time - this has to be one of the best I've ever had. Certainly the best fried chicken sandwich in Redlands, that's for sure. The entire menu seems to be filled with the same creativity and passion, and I'm very excited to return to explore more of it. If you're looking for a high quality and memorable dining experience in a casual and friendly pub environment, absolutely do not pass up the...