The Old Shillelagh. Detroit, Michigan

349 Monroe Street

Guinness Tag: $8.00 | Overall Rating: 8.90

Today's Dedicated Pint: Dylan Workley

The Old Shillelagh in downtown Detroit

This magnificent, three-story Pub lays in the heart of downtown Detroit and offers one of the best Reubens throughout the Midwest. In fact, almost all of their ingredients are locally sourced within the immediate area. The building is beautiful on both the outside and the inside. As you approach the building, you'll notice it's neat architecture and painted murals as well as shamrocks that have been stamped into the pavement out front. I'm not sure which I like better, the curb appeal or the interior's cozy charm. There's an old school awning that rests over the front door and a tiny foyer upon entry to keep out the cold weather.

The Pub poured its first Guinness in 1975 and it's been family owned ever since. One neat thing about The Shillelagh that you don't find in many other cities is that the place offers a shuttle to the local sports stadiums/venues during gamedays. That's certainly one way to get people to hang out at your place before, during, and after the game! There are plenty of TVs for gamedays, especially among the first floor's walls.

The first floor is where you'll find a steel tip dart board (Winmau Blade 6), the long bar-top, and a very cozy backroom for larger gatherings. There's a great patio on the main floor as well as a couple of tidy toiletries. As you head upstairs, you'll be introduced to a couple of bars on the second floor that overlook a music stage along with a beautiful mural of downtown Detroit as a backdrop. There are tables to rest your drink alongside the windows that have great views of the city below. There's not a whole lot of signage or decor on the second floor as it seems to be more of an "overflow" and "rental" space for busy nights. The third floor offers a really neat rooftop style hang out with great views and a great vibe.

The craftsmanship is remarkable and the exposed brick everywhere you look makes the place cozy. You can tell that the owner (currently a third generation), cares about the history and charm as many of the qualities about the Old Shillelagh are worn with patina. The ceiling tiles are what really catches everyone's eyes as soon as they walk in. The barstools and countertops have a perfect touch of 'used and abused." The wall decor and signage throughout the place is authentic and there's enough to go around to keep your eyes gazing for a while.

The Guinness here is unfortunately served in a 16oz glass and the pour is average at best. They offer every type of beer you could want on tap, leaving you with options both local and from across the pond. The whiskey selection will leave most people satisfied and the pricing here isn't too much of a wallet buster. I don't typically order food when I visit Irish Pubs unless I'm either very hungry or the place is specifically known for something in particular, especially if it's a Reuben. In this case, as I said earlier, the Reuben is immaculate. It's thinly sliced, it's hot and juicy, the bread has a perfect touch of crispiness to it, and it really melts in your mouth. There's something about ribbon-cut fries that make everything better, too.

The hospitality is pleasant, and they won't "serve you and forget you" like many places do. Depending on when you arrive, you'll see a mixed bag of demographics frequenting the place, ranging from sports fans to the proper elderly folk. The music will range from authentic Irish tunes to 'God knows what' during the nightfall. As I typically say, the best time to stumble into and Irish Pub is when the sun is still shining, and if I do come back for another visit to the Shillelagh it'll definitely be during the daytime. I wish I got the chance to experience more of the Pub, which I guess means that the place is clearly worthy of the nod.

Thanks for the grub, The Old Shillelagh. You're currently #2 on our "Best Reuben Tracker" list on our website's homepage! Slainte.