The Shanachie Irish Pub & Restaurant

It closed. I suppose no one else thought it was 4 stars :(

I just got word that Shanachie is closing 3÷31÷12.

Our party of six showed up in pieces, so I can understand the waitress did not see our two friends show up,. With that said, our friends waited at least 10 minutes before the waitress arrived to take their drink order.
The food was less than satisfactory. The complimentary soda bread was dry and unappetizing. It may be my fault for ordering a stir fry at an Irish pub, but it was not worth the money spent. I asked if I could add shrimp to my stir fry for an extra charge. I didn’t realize that I would end up spending $ 5 for four pieces of medium sized shrimp. What a waste. The rest of our party seemed to enjoy their Irish fare and the apple tart was delicious.
The worst part of our dining experience happened after the dining. We put the entire bill on a credit card and tipped the waitress in cash. When we checked our credit statement the next day, it appeared that the waitress put the tip on the card and kept the cash as well. This is, um, illegal. We called the restaurant three times, and contemplated threatening to call the police. The manager finally returned our call and said that «this happens a lot.» Thanks for the reassurance. We are still waiting to see if the tip charge is redacted.
We will probably not return.

My wife and I went to Shanachie on Sunday for dinner to try something new.
My first impression walking in was how attractive it was inside, whoever designed it did a solid job. My second impression was good god this place is dead. I mean it’s a nice bar, football’s on and there are 3 people at the bar. Somethings not right here.
Regardless of the concern with how dead the place was we decided to stay and have dinner.
For my meal I ordered the Tullamore Chicken … because I love Tullamore Dew and it just sounded damn good. It was a good call, the Tullamore sauce was excellent. The chicken was perfectly cooked and great in the sauce, unfortunately the chicken breast was on the small side. Most frustrating the dish came with a side of Champ (basically Mashed Potatoes with Green Onions). I really like Champ and hadn’t had it in a while. For some reason Shanachie decided to give me a child’s portion. But charge me the adult portion price.
It’s one of my biggest pet peeves at a restaurant. If part of the dish is ridiculously inexpensive to make and very filling give enough to make sure the patron is full. Add a big scoop, maybe 50 cents worth, of mashed potatoes and I leave full. A little bigger chicken breast and I really like my meal. It’s the difference between me coming back for dinner again or not coming back again. I just don’t get it.
I might give Shanachie another shot as a bar, but I doubt they’ll see me in the dining room again anytime soon.

I must have shown up on a night when the cook was drunk and the Guinness tap/​lines needed cleaning. In town for business staying in Fort Washington, I went here simply because 1) it’s an Irish pub 2) it was close 3) I love Irish pubs 4) decent reviews. Quite frankly, the food I got was horrid. The bacon wrapped scallops had most definitely been cooked prior and put into the oven to heat to serve. The bacon was totally dried out and baked around the scallop. The scallops themselves had a brown sear on top from the heat of the oven. If it wasn’t for the horseradish sauce (which was very mild), these would have had absolutely no taste at all. I mean really, how to you make something with BACON, one of GOD’S GREATEST GIFTS TO HUMANKIND, and make it tasteless? I also had the Shepherd’s Pie. This was equally bad, maybe worse. Do you remember the mashed potatoes your mom sometimes made you that came from a box? Those flakes that she boiled in water with milk and butter, and then she used too little of those, and they came out dry and lumpy? Ok, maybe only my mom did that. She couldn’t cook ramen noodles, much less potatoes. It’s amazing I survived childhood. But these potatoes were like that. Dry, lumpy, and totally void of any flavor. When I forked my way through those down to the meat, gravy, carrots, and peas, it was shocking to me (ok, maybe not shocking) that they were equally devoid of flavor. I swear the chef doesn’t know what a ‘seasoning’ is, much less salt and pepper. I drowned mine in salt and pepper and it didn’t help. I had maybe six bites before I called it quits. And now, for the worst part. I can forgive bad food. Not everyone knows how to make good food. I’ve traveled all over the US for the last 6yrs for work and have eaten at more restaurants in that time than many people will eat at in a lifetime. Some were great, some made me vomit. Every place can have an off night. But one thing I cannot forgive, ESPECIALLY from an Irish pub, is bad Guinness. There was most definitely a tang to the it that meant something bad in the mix, dirty lines, tap, etc. I should have known right away when he poured it half up and there was barely any head on it while he let it settle. The only good part of the whole experience was the healthy shot of Jameson. The bar itself has a decent Irish style feel, but that’s where it ends. They might play Irish music sometimes, but on this night, the food and beer was enough to send me back to my hotel to chill at the bar there and eat wings, which were only marginally better then the food at this place.

Horrible food, has no seasoning. But good beer and atmosphere. The crowd is more mature than the other bars around here.

Well they can pour a mean beer. Will have to get back to you on the food.

1^st time here. Seems to be a nice addition to the Ambler scene. The bar was very busy for 5:30 on a Sat. night. The restaurant filled up pretty good as the hour passed. I would definitely go back again the next time in the area.
Cobb salad was good — all the required items. The bacon was warm and delicious, but there was hardly any lettuce/greens…maybe just an oversight, but would have been better with the proper proportion of greens.
Wine was priced very reasonably by the glass. $ 6.50 for a glass of cabernet sov. Gotta love that.
The Sheppard’s pie was good, but not great. The bottom (beef, peas & carrots) was very tasty, but the top (mashed potatoes) was dry and coarse.
The fish & chips was pretty good too. The fries would have been better with if they were more crispy and had a little more seasoning.
Our server Janice, was exceptionally pleasant and attentive.

There is lot to love about the Shanachie … the personable proprieters Ed and Gerry… the live irish session on Tuesdays… the special guests like Robbie O’Connell and Mick Moloney that occasionally play there. But for me, its a good pint of guiness, a crock of their potato leek soup and a their smoked salmon plate. Accompanying both of the dishes is the house made brown bread, and the wonderful rich butter from Ireland. Closest thing to being in Dublin without getting groped by the TSA.

I stopped in with a friend Saturday night prior to heading to a party in Ambler. Good food, good atmosphere — good experience!
Bar area was crowded with football fans watching the playoff games, but they have a nice area for catching games with friends — can accomodate large groups. Despite this, we were seated immediately around 7pm-​ish. My friend and I both had the pulled chicken sandwish — it was delicious! The bread and butter they bring out = also really tasty. We had decided to pass on dessert but our waiter brought out a dessert «on the house» since he had dropped our first order of bread. He brought out a wonderful looking slice of the red velvet cake and it was VERY good.
Nice atmosphere, friendly service, good food — will definitely return.

Charming, cozy and tasty! I’ve neglected this great food spot for to long. Irish food is fantastic! We had the Shepard’s Pie and hot soup.

Food was good, service was ok took a little to get our drinks, just 2 of us

I’m mad for Irish trad – and this is a good place for it. The owner often performs live music here. The tables are spread out and I’ve even seen dancing here and various forms of audience participation. When a live band isn’t playing, expect charming traditional music played over a crisp sound system.
This is the best pub in the Philadelphia area. You’ll find local American beer as well as Irish favorites. The cuisine is truly Irish American — labeled ‘New Celtic,’ it is a refreshing update to traditional Irish food. This is a surprisingly fantastic find for seafood lovers. The kitchen is also always happy to customize.
I ate here one evening late with my husband. We were the last to be seated and they were closing within the hour. It was the most pleasant, intimate, romantic dinner we’ve ever had. Great atmosphere.
The only problem is you’ll leave with a yearning to head (back) to Ireland.

Wow.
From the hands-​on owner, to the exciting and daring dishes, this place just says «Welcome Home, …Enjoy!»
If you want your tried and true basic dishes, this is the place.
If you want to explore a new twist on an old dish, This is REALLY the place.

Great bar and staff but the food has unfortunately gone downhill since the original chef left. Still okay for bar food but not beyond that. Here’s hoping that it returns to it’s former glory.

This pub is exactly what Ambler needed. It’s a great spot to grab a quick drink before or after catching an indie film across the street at the Ambler Theatre. But, it’s also perfect for enjoying a few pints any night of the week. They have a good selection of Irish and American beers on tap, including the obligatory Guinness, as well as bottled Magner’s Irish Cider.
On weekends you’ll feel like you’re on the Emerald Isle with the traditional Irish music and people singing along. The owner is extremely friendly and makes you feel like you’re family, and the bartenders are the same way.
Being a vegetarian, there is not a lot for me to eat on their menu, but if you like meat and potatoes and traditional Irish fare, you’ll be very happy.
Don’t visit Ambler or the Ambler Theatre without stopping in the Shanachie for a drink. Slainte!

Cool spot in now-​hip (relatively speaking) Ambler. Gets crowded on weekends, but as noted its a mostly older crowd so it doesn’t seem quite as obnoxious. The «everybody join in» music is pretty cool… a companion just happened to have a guitar in his trunk, so he brought in the bar and sat in with the regulars. Plentiful drink selection, friendly bartenders too (Mikey is the man!).
Haven’t tried the food yet but I think that will be on the list for the next time. Being right across the street from the Ambler Theater is all kinds of awesome, too.

Hey, Ambler… you’re officially a destination. See a flick at the Ambler Theater and then head right across the street to the Shanachie for the best flautas and Dos Equis this side of Juarez. Okay, they’re not a Mexican place… it’s obviously Irish and the food and brew won’t disappoint. The draught beer is fresh and the food choices are plentiful and robust.
The crowd is a bit older and since I now fit into that demographic (shee-​ite), the place suits me just fine. The live Irish music starts later in the evening, so if you want to converse in normal tones, go early (ie – before the movie). For a local, relaxed night out, this works just fine thank you.

Have you ever met an Irish gal who hates Irish music?! That would be me.
This place has live Irish music. And normal folk seem to enjoy it.
They also have a really great draft selection (and based on this, I am giving them 4 stars). They serve food and from what I have seen, it looks good. (although, I am not one for Irish food either).
It is a great place to meet friends for a beer before or after a movie at the Ambler Theater.

The Shanachie Irish pub and restaurant is across the street from the Ambler Theatre. They’re open 7 days a week, serve lunch and dinner, and when I’ve been, at least, provide live musical entertainment.
Last I had dinner here, Fawn, the bartender, was superb. Both her and our server (Asher) are always welcoming. Friends and I usually sit at the bar, taking shots of Old Grand Dad (or whatever is handy), along with standbys like duck farts and snake bites. Of course, you can’t drink on an empty stomach; my favorite dish there is the huge Ulster Fry ($ 10.95; the Irish Breakfast; Eireannach Bricfeasta), consisting of two eggs, black and white pudding, roasted tomatoes (delicious!), bangers, rashers and beans.
The Shanachie takes me to my happy place, and is worth checking out!