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Shamrock Bar & Grill
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Late Night, Lunch
- Music:
- Live, Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
49 reviews for Shamrock Bar & Grill
Review Highlights
"Friendly bartenders who are actually Irish."
(in 16 reviews)
"Live music some nights, laid-back crowd."
(in 4 reviews)
"The smoking patio has plenty of seating."
(in 3 reviews)
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49 reviews in English
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Review from Kelly T.
Newport Beach, CA
2/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
It's really more of a higher-4-star place, but I'm rounding up to balance out the people whining about the dancing. There are dozens of places within walking distance where the bro-types can go dance and good riddance. The Shamrock is a haven with good food and good beer. I've had the corned beef hash before and it's on the higher end of pub fare.
As far as gluten-free options go, I haven't asked about food (I doubt they'll know what I'm talking about judging from when I asked about the cider), but they do have a decent gf cider on tap. So cheers :)
My only real negative with The Shamrock is the juke-box. There's got to be a way to disable lady gaga and the like. It very much ruins the atmosphere when the music gets hijacked for hours on end. -
Review from Kt M.
Huntington Beach, CA
10/4/2011
I really don't understand this place.
They have extremely un-polite door guys. Ok, so I look underage, it's not an excuse to act like an asshole and roll your eyes at me when looking at my ID- every. Single. Freaking. Time. The door guy is the first point-of-contact to the establishment, you would think the owners would train them to be somewhat polite, say hi, and check your ID without any attitude, but maybe that's too much to ask for. Somehow, the other bars on the peninsula (minus Cabo Cantina- extremely rude door guys as well) have polite door guys. They say hi, say they recognize you from previous visits, and even say -God forbid!- THANK YOU after they hand you back your ID, and "Have a good night" when you leave. If you want your customers to feel WELCOME, hire polite door guys who don't roll their eyes at every single person who looks underage and is mute when we walk out. I came here on Saturday with a group, and EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US (even the guys who look older, and are 30+) got the eye roll/raised eyebrow combo. What the hell is your door guy's problem???
People come here to drink. Drinking warms you up, so why the hell would you turn on the damn HEAT in here? My group was sweating buckets just sitting at the bar, and it wasn't even at full capacity!! It was so hot, we all left to go elsewhere with an A/C. People were actually starting to cram up by the entry to the kitchen because it was so hot, and that was the only 'cool' place in the bar, besides having to go outside. Simply the stupidest thing a bar can do: turn up the heat while everyone is drinking. If they are going to do that, they should open up a bar out in their patio because it is ridiculously hot inside.
There is also a "NO DANCING" sign. If there is "NO DANCING", don't hire a live band, (or even play music) and then have your employees tap patrons on the shoulder (who are literally just clapping or waving their hands), telling them not to. I witness this all the time! Do they really expect buzzed and drunk patrons to notice this miniscule 'no dancing' sign, nevertheless pay attention to it? Maybe it's time to get some insurance for your patrons to dance, cheap asses.
Shamrock's. Come here for St. Patty's and carbombs (maybe the only good thing), asshole door guys and temperature similar to Death Valley. Really, they want you to feel anything but welcome here. -
Review from Robert F.
2/8/2012
3.5....rounding down for no dancing. But I actually think the rule is pretty classic, especially since they play music that induces it and grumpy staff to enforce it. It is always great to sneak a Duffy up to the back dock for a pint and piss break. They have some Irish bartenders, but that is the only thing authentically Irish in my opinion. It's more of a dive with a good looking yonger crowd a well poured Irish pint(Guinness, magners, etc). You do get a little bit of douchery(I have had to throat choke at least one of them here for getting my face), but otherwise good times.
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Review from eric g.
Newport Beach, CA
2/4/2012
I love that people give this place bad reviews because you can't dance... It's not there fault it is the city of Newport beach. They require a permit in or to dance and they won't give them out.
If you are looking for a good Irish pub this is it. They pour a great Guinness and if there is a big match on they will always have it showing. Been coming here for years and will continue to. -
Review from RJ C.
Newport Beach, CA
1/30/2012
And you thought you couldn't find a bar for real people in Newport Beach? This is a great place to get a drink if your going out gear doesn't consist of board shorts and flip flops (the peninsula) or one of those tacky and ridiculously expensive neon-stripe button down shirts you get at the high end menswear stores around here (Landmark/Quiet Woman/Port).
Yeah, the music is way too loud most nights and they take themselves way too seriously, but what can you do? The drinks are cheap and strong, the people are as good as you'll find, and when you get in you won't be forced to squeeze in a 2 sqft area between a pair of creepy teenagers molesting each other and the creepier old guy watching them.
A go-to bar. Recommended. -
Review from Dre D.
Irvine, CA
1/24/2012
Not my favorite place in the world, but every once in a while we'll end up at Shamrock by default of friends who live nearby. The place is cool during the day where you can sit down and have a conversation. The chicken-head crowd at night I can do without. Having natural rythm, of course I don't like the NO DANCE rule.
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Review from Chuck W.
Diamond Bar, CA
1/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Bartender not that friendly maybe cause I'm guy. the brews were ice cold ;)
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Review from Booker G.
Orem, UT
11/16/2011
I was in town on Friday and saw the owner get pissed at a bride for dancing, he walked over and told her to stop dancing--that there was no dancing in his bar and if she wanted to dance she had to leave. Sad! There was nobody in the bar. She walked over and apologized and left upset.
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Review from Tammi T.
9/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Nice little bar with a homely feel, the lady who served us was really nice. I maybe had sheperds pie twice in my life and the last time was so long ago that I actually didn't remember that sheperd's pie doesn't have a crust. So imagine my surprise. But crust aside the pie was just ok, it wasn't exceptional. Having said that I would come back because of the laid back atmosphere.
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Review from Brian L.
Newport Beach, CA
2/19/2011
Ever wanted to go to an Irish pub with actual Irish people working there? If so, hit up the Shamrock on PCH. It has all of the necessary things do be a sweet little Irish dive pub, and even boasts Irish bartenders imported from The Emerald Ise.
The weird little back patio thing is cool too, and you can see the bay from it! -
Review from John M.
Los Angeles, CA
4/7/2011
I arrived on a Tuesday night at 11:30pm and stayed until closing. The vibe here is very casual and friendly - just be sure you read the posted sign and don't engage in anything that could be construed as dancing.
The bartender, a nice Irish gentleman, shared tips on where to go should we ever chance to visit the motherland. Since I was the designated driver he didn't charge me for the few cokes that I drank while hanging around. Can't speak for the food since I never had a chance to sample any of the offerings.
Due to the hour and the location I was the only one there that was not currently working for, or had previously worked at the Joe's Crab Shack (located next door). All in all, a great place to go when you want to relax with friends and not break the bank. -
Review from Isabel T.
Irvine, CA
The bartenders are ornery but I kind of like it. It adds to the authenticity. You're not going to find a little surfer behind the bar. I like this place because it's so chill and down to earth trapped in the middle of upscale Newport Beach. The magners cider is the best. Try it over ice!
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Review from ted w.
Long Beach, CA
12/26/2010
Hello All:
I love this place but it was closed for several days before xmas due to
the health department issues.
Last time I was there two weeks ago I saw a roach crawl on ceiling....
I hope its all cleaned up now -
Review from Steve M.
3/28/2010
Do you want an Authentic Irish Pub that serves great regonal food in Orange County?
Do you want no-nonsense bartenders, all from Ireland, and one from Britain?
Do you want to mingle with a cast of regulars that make you feel welcome and give up their stool for your wife all while a one man Irish band plays in the background?
Then come to Shamrock Bar and Grill.
It's not a scene, it's a pub. -
Review from Katie V.
Las Vegas, NV
6/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Didn't try any of the food here but the drinks were good and Jo was an amazing bartender. I liked the atmosphere and the service was great.
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Review from Christopher W.
Costa Mesa, CA
10/9/2010
Nice batch of cute girls. Some trashy.. some not.
Typical Newport frat guy crowd.
Good pours by the bar staff. Really good live band.
For gods sake man... open some windows and let some fresh air in. It's a sauna front to back. Everyone was sweating buckets! Even some cheap fans to circulate the air would at least make it bearable. -
Review from Mel D.
3/28/2011
Our organization just had a pub crawl a few weekends ago and the staff at Shamrocks were so accommodating and really great to us. We had 40 people, they were quick to serve us and the manager was so friendly and great! I've been here a few times in the past but I will definitely be going back again soon!!
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Review from KC O.
Sunset Beach, CA
8/2/2009 1 Check-in Here
This place WAS awesome. Used to bring cabfulls of revelers here and spent a grip of money over the years. This has all changed.
We all get the NO DANCING rule. Although I'm no dancer, the policy enforcement is laughable. A couple of the girls we were with last night literally did a little shimmy for ten seconds and all HELL broke loose. I thought a fight was breaking out. This freak, Augusto sprints over and and lays down the law. You'd think these chicks urinated on the floor.
So we all start to talk and decide to polish off our whiskey and move on. A buddy says, "Remember when this place used to be full of hotties?" He was right. It was 10PM on a Friday night and the only chicks in there were the ones we brought.
To the owner of Shamrock. I understand you don't have the insurance to cover a catastrophic dance injury. Realize that if someone slips drinking your booze, you may have a problem too. Just because lawyers are a-holes doesn't mean you have to be. Some rules don't need to be enforced with an iron fist. FYI...girls like to drink and dance (especially at an Irish pub). Drunk, dancing, happy girls attract men who spend tons of money in bars. This is why your bar is a beaten old nag. I doubt you'll ever see this, but I think it may be too late anyway.
Shamrock was an excellent place. For a good time, go up to the Harp or the Alley. If you've already made the mistake of going to the Shamrock, you can just walk next door to Billy's. -
Review from Brianna T.
San Diego, CA
1/4/2011
Never have been a huge fan of bangers and mash.....until now. B&M with B&T is the only way to fly at this pubster. Unless you are on an all-protein diet and go stright to the Harp, and that makes a lot of sense too, I must say.
BUT heat + spilled beer = sticky mycoplasma infection in the rug that smells like sweaty feet wrapped in stale bacon. So one star for not paying attention to the lack of aircirc, one star for failing to zerorez the carpet once a decade. -
Review from Vince F.
Fountain Valley, CA
12/18/2009 1 Check-in Here
Went here to watch a football (soccer) match and at first I felt a little intimidated - I usually don't go to bars and I don't drink that much - just wanted a place that had the Setanta channel.
I was happily surprised when I saw that there were an abundance of TVs and lineups of upcoming football matches on the wall. The tables were arranged for some good sports watching and the servers/bartenders/other patrons were really nice. Someone's birthday was going on at the same time and the waitress brought us each a slice of some bomb chocolate cake.
I didn't have much of their food, but what I did have was pretty good - regular bar type food. But I was happy because they had Blue Moon on tap. Pretty good because I hate places that don't have either that or some sort of Hefeweizen since those are the only types I like. I'll definitely be back here for some EPL replays, Champions League matches and good beer.
A note: they only accept credit cards if it's more than $15 so bring some cash if you just feel like dropping in. -
Review from Kat N.
Los Angeles, CA
5/21/2007
I heart The Rock. I'm not a hardcore regular (alas, La Cave and The Little Knight are much closer to mi casa), but it's always good times whenever I go. The bartenders are sweethearts and one of them makes the best sapphire tonic.
At first glance, Frank may look like another grizzled longtimer (kinda toofless) but he's actually the owner and he's nice in that gruff Irish way. Except for the one time he glared at me when he thought I was trying to beat up on my friend Erik (who's 6'5") but really I was just drunk and wanted someone to punch (who wouldn't punch me back).
Stiff drinks? Check. Stella on tap? Check (v. important). Zero pretense? Check. Golden Tee? Aw yeah baby, check! Oh and cute boys galore. -
Review from Maria T.
Santa Monica, CA
12/1/2008
Ah, Shammies. :) You are near and dear to my heart!
Pros:
Never a line.
Always good lookin' peeps in a fun, mixed crowd.
Cheap drinks.
Lots of parking in the back.
Friendly bartenders who are actually Irish. (Tony--you're a doll!)
Great place to bring friends--lots of space.
Live band is fun.
Excellent way to spend a last call.
Cons:
I've literally seen the grumpy looking owner DRAG an adorable looking OC MILF outside because she started dancing. These people don't joke around!
You can't miss Shammies. Many a night my friends and I somehow end up here and it's always fun. Don't like Newport? No worries, this place is the laid back beachy dive bar that will make you feel right at home! -
Review from Hung P.
Irvine, CA
12/4/2009
I love this place! It is a BEER BAR! If you want some fruity drink to hide the alcohol, there is a Yard House up the street.
I have been a regular here and they are great at what they are -- an Irish PUB where you can have a good beer and talk to your friends. It's not a meat market [go to the Shark Club if you must], it's not a place to order Liquid Cocaine or Zombie or whatever the fruity drink of the day is.
Come here with your friends [or you can make a friends with some of the regulars there], order a nice Guiness [I like Hoegaarden], and catch up on good times.
There is indeed a "No Dancing" rule at the bar. I think it is because their license from the city does not allow dancing. If they are caught allowing dancing, they face hefty fines.
As for the bartenders, I am not sure what some of the reviewers are doing/ordering at the bar, but they have been nothing but nice to normal pub patrons. I guess they don't really like amateur drinkers who order Irish car bombs like they are some stud beer-chugging machines.
Bottom line: it is an Irish PUB (as in Public House) in the European sense. From my experience, this isn't a place for one to go to show off the latest moves while sipping a Midori sour. It is a PUB! -
Review from Edmund L.
Orange County, CA
7/22/2008
Before I met the Rock, I thought the OC had no personality. This place is seriously one of the best watering holes I've ever been to. The bartenders are no-nonsense lads, great service, pour a variety of Irish beers and cocktails. No mojitos, don't ask. Their Irish Nachos are huge and come with fake cheese - so delicious! Clean bathrooms too if you care. Atmosphere best described as "run down beach shack." Live music some nights, laid-back crowd. Huge parking lot right off the street.
Do yourself a favor, come by, check it out. -
Review from clay s.
Huntington Beach, CA
9/3/2008 15 Check-ins Here
I'm from Northern Ireland. So i think i know Irish pubs well.
the Sham delivers the best pint of Guiness in the area.
{that doesn't say much, sorry America, but this one is at least decent)
This is a great pub. Still too many neon lights to be truely Irish.
But the Duggans are quality people and this is a great place to eat or drink.
get the Irish Bacon Burger and a pint of Magners!!
cs. -
Review from Dori H.
Costa Mesa, CA
5/10/2011
You want Irish, go here.
Good happy hour, decent pub food and casual, no frills enviro.
I stop by here on occassion, when I crave an ice cold beer and shot of Jameson. -
Review from Chris R.
Costa Mesa, CA
4/16/2007
Great place for a weeknight beer and chainsmoking. The smoking patio has plenty of seating. Soccer games from FSC playing regularly.
Very nice staff, just be sure you take care of them, the food is bar food don't expect the fillet just settle for the fish n chips.
Weekends you'll find a mixed crowd of bizzilionares and bro's. However as with anywhere if you are with the right group that won't bring you down or keep you from singing Neil Diamond.
If you are a seasoned drinker however I would only recommend on weekdays, as you can hear yourself speak. The only negative thing I have to say about this joint is cops on PCH, get a cab don't be brave. Oh and the parking sucks as does the driveway to get into the parking lot.
Seems to have a good regular crowd there, having been a dozen or so times in the past few months its growing on me.Listed in: The Places I Go Out
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Review from Eric W.
Lake Forest, CA
1/21/2008
This is a great place to catch a beer or two and just enjoy yourself. Every once in a while I still meet up with friends here because they serve some good beers, the bartenders have heavy hands, and they have a big smoking patio area in the back (for some of my friends, not for me). The back is where the tiny parking lot is too (driveway on the right).
What a friendly place. Sometimes if it isn't too busy or too crazy the owner will chat you up and tell you stories with his Irish accent. And I challenge you to find another bar where the patrons are so ready to start up a conversation with you out of the blue...especially as the night progresses and the music makes people sing.
We were there once and this guy struck up a conversation with our little group and told us about being part of the Laura Scudder's family. You know the potato chips. We got the whole story on how she started making chips and progressed to modern nationwide distribution. He even had a copy of a documentary that he let us borrow. How cool (or weird) is that?
Once upon a time this was a food joint for locals and the folks that worked in and around the marina. Glad that the space kept its casual tone and friendly atmosphere. -
Review from Chase R.
Newport Beach, CA
3/22/2011
live music with guiness always on tap and irish employees.
need to get their damn DANCING PERMIT. try to dance, they'll kick you to the curb.
good destination to have on the pub crawl list. -
Review from Stacey T.
Updated - 12/13/2010 6 Check-ins Here
Love this place!!
1 Previous Review:
-
11/26/2010
Love this place!!
I always run into friends here and the owner and bartenders are really nice!
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Review from Lizzy J.
Newport Beach, CA
9/8/2009
One of my favorite bars! I made my own kid's meal there. The Kid's meal with a Guinness. Order the chips with curry and have it with Guinness it's sooo yummy together~
I love when they have live music but what sucks is there's no dancing allowed. They're really serious about this too. A bouncer will come up to you and make you stop! So it works out great for those of you who are not great dancers! Great date place hahaha! -
Review from Sydney M.
Washington, DC
6/16/2010
One of my favorite bars in Newport. Usually pretty mellow, there's always fun music (but no dancing - a friend of mine was actually bitten by the bouncer for dancing one time...), friendly people, great location. It's divey but you don't need a tetanus shot when you leave.
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Review from Christina S.
Costa Mesa, CA
3/29/2009
My friends and I came here to meet up with other friends. It was my first time here and it will be the last. ONE WORD. Rude, unfriendly bartender. Stick with beer if you come here. He can sure pull that handle and pour you a black and tan but he makes a horrible vodka soda. YEAH.. How does one do that? He can! Forget asking him anything either. I mean it was funny that someone could be so rude so I laughed about it. But honestly sir with the ginger hair... Find a personality other than being a douche. SO yeah this place sucks ass.
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Review from Jackie D.
12/2/2008
Went here last Sat for the first time, beer is pricey but it's Newport, want cheaper beer go to Malarkey's. Had the Irish Nacho's, the corn beef is great!! Laid back joint, plenty of parking, will go back and have a reuben along side the Irish Nachos:)
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Review from Lorraine C.
Costa Mesa, CA
11/10/2010
The Tipperary owners of the Shamrock Bar & Grill are real and the Irish/European staff are real. No cookie cutter 'plastic patties' here! Tony has been a long time bartender at the Shamrock who picks up your chat from the last time you were there! I like the history of this old bar on PCH on the Newport Beach harbor. I like knowing that owners Frank and Christine have been there for 19 years while rearing up their family and that they cared about your family as well. The Irish breakfast is great. The weekend crowd is fun though I'm more of a fan for the quiet Tuesday and having fun with the jukebox with a longtime friend. Happy memories at the Shamrock! You rock!
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Review from Arnold W.
1/10/2009 2 photos
I'm all about authenticity! None of that "fine" Mexican dining, "panda" Chinese food... this place is legit! Even the waitress/bartender lady has a Irish accent. Calls us "lads" hahaha! Came here for lunch, thanks again to my trusty phone and app "iWant" found this place. We shared the Irish Nachos, it's great! Since they use what everyone calls "fake" cheese, it's not as greasy. I actually prefer the "fake" cheese. It comes with corned beef. I'm a fan of corned beef, so this is perfect! Quite the different. The patty melt was pretty good! My friends' burgers were juicy, they come with fresh and hot steak fries...very good! The patty melt isn't as good as Pop's Cafe of Santa Ana, but it sure is good enough. We had the beer too. It was $22 a person. It's a bit pricey, especially for lunch. I'm sure this place will be rockin' on a weekend night. Nice food...nice place...a bit expensive!
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Review from Dan H.
5/9/2009
I quit going here years ago, save for a quick stop on our St. Paddys Day crawl. As in some of the other reviews, the bartenders are extreamly unfriendly, the owners a jerk, even to some friends that are semi-regulars. I enjoy an authentic Irish breakfast on occasion where I can soak up a genuine Irish Pub expierence with a live soccer or rugby game, but this is the last place I would go. Harp Inn up the hill is "bar far" the better bet.
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Review from Rory M.
Huntington Beach, CA
12/8/2009
I like this place! Went there on a Monday night at seven o'clock with my friend and there were probably 5 other people there.. most likely regulars. Sat at the bar and a football game was on so pitchers were only 10 bucks. Good music on the jukebox, the bartender was a chill guy.. pretty funny too, and the regulars were cool. Nice place to chill, have some beers and chat to some new people without the busy-ness of the weekend. Bartender said on fridays and saturdays with live music the place gets pretty crowded and 11 o'clock is a good time to roll around because by about that time all the girls are drunk.
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Review from jill g.
Costa Mesa, CA
4/26/2009
My friends band (Noize Machine) plays here all the time and I've given this place so many chances. The owner is a freak... the Newport crowd is.....hm.... best word would be DOUCHE BAGS! Don't bother.
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Review from Kate C.
Newport Beach, CA
12/29/2007
Very friendly bartenders. I had a very good cobb salad to accompany my vodka tonic. Very good music and a seemingly laid back crowd. I will come back.
