Cuisine: Pub Grub
Bar Type: Irish Pub / Sports Bar
As a man who has been to Ireland no less then two times, I can tell you that this is not what an Irish pub actually looks like. I mean it doesn’t not look like an Irish pub. But very few pubs in Ireland are in shopping malls near some sort of Italian joint I never have and never will go to. And a Target. But I suppose if conditions were different and Dublin, and it wasn’t old as hell and built when there were no industrial dirt-moving machines, maybe their pubs would look more like this rambling mall-adjacent monstrosity in the equally rambling NJ suburb of Clifton.
I feel like we first came to The Shannon Rose many years ago to watch some football. This is a hybrid sports bar to some extent. Indoor and outdoor spaces with access to televisions. A large bar space in the front with room to house spectators. Though in our many times there, I don’t recall groups of people standing around watching the Jets lose for the 40th season in a row. The space is a little funky and the high tables may not be the best use of space, but I think perhaps there’s live music in the place on some nights. And maybe this is their arena. But, honestly, I’m no feng shui master, so don’t ask me.
Meanwhile, the rest of the decor resembles an Irish tchotchke shop. But a tasteful one. I mean, it’s good enough that it fooled our children. They actually thought we were in somewhere “old.” Only as old as the Chevy’s a couple hundred yards away. Kids are dumb. And easily fooled. This is clearly not vintage, this place, but the lighting is decent, the booths cozy enough and the wood dark and rich where it needs to be. But we go here for the food, not the atmosphere. If you, like me, have a Jr. in your life whose palate limits them to burgers, fries and Bavarian pretzels, this joint is a savior. Because they have those! In fact, they have a whole smattering of bar, pub and Irish fare. I’m told their wings are decent. The burgers are good. I’ve had the fish and chips, the French dip and Ms. Hipster has had the corned beef Reuben. Absolutely nothing here will blow you away. That shouldn’t be the expectation at a fake Irish pub in a mall. But the fries are fried, the meat is cooked to order and the servers are always super-friendly. Also, there’s a remarkably decent beer menu for a place like this. You’d expect the Bud and maybe even one of those Bud-related “craft” beers. But they actually have some more local beers on tap, some decent microbrews and I think they may actually clean the taps!
Anyhow, I feel like this place gets pretty packed on Friday and Saturday nights. There are happy hour deals, and people just love a large place with outdoor seating that serves meat and booze. I mean, why not? I suggest coming for an early dinner, late lunch or maybe even a Sunday brunch thing. While everyone else is as some flouncy egg restaurant, you could be here hoovering a $21 shepherd’s pie and getting your IPA on. Sláinte!
98 Kingsland Rd. – Clifton
973/284-0200
theshannonrose.com