St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner. The place to get into the Irish spirit is McCarthy & Bailey’s Irish Pub. Located on 423 Pearl St. in Sioux City, Iowa, this newly renovated downtown building is like walking into an actual Irish pub in the middle ages. Some of the main pieces in the bar are from Ireland, including a century-old mahogany bar, stained glass and a 1930’s era pulpit.

The theme of the pub takes after a church theme like the first actual Irish pubs, in the Middle Ages. The pub holds 150-200 people but feels very intimate and dark inside. If you want some privacy along the side of the pub are small booths known as “snug’s” in Irish circles.

Depending on what time of the day it is the crowd is different. Earlier evenings there are more families and older patrons, while the younger crowd comes out later in the evening.

The bar has dozens of beers on tap and is always ice cold.  A state-of-the-art “frozen” tapping system ensures the coldest beer in town. They also have thirty-five brands of bottled beer.

During my visit the pub was very busy, but still maintained quick service. I didn’t have to wait very long for my drink or food order. The appetizers and main course were spread out nicely.

The menu had a lot to choose from including Irish specialties and American food. For appetizers the Leprechaun’s balls, Irish nachos and Guinness battered bacon are a must try. Sheppard’s pie, fish-n-chips and bangers and mash are featured favorites for the main course.

I recommend the Irish Nachos and Sheppard’s Pie. Both were very tasty and had big proportions. Nowhere else in Sioux City offers anything like it.

Instead of dessert, I topped it all off with “Leprechaun Pee” a greenish blue shot that I’m still not quite sure what was actually in it. When I asked, the server smiled and said, “It depends on what the Leprechaun had to drink the night before.” She then walked off not revealing anything else.

I definitely recommend trying McCarthy & Bailey’s Irish Pub at least once. It’s a fun experience not only on St. Patrick’s Day, but any day of the week. For more information about menu items, hours they are open and upcoming events visit www.mccarthyandbaileys.com.