Gilhouly’s

Good drinking and pool-​playing hangout, populated with the colorful spectrum of Volker neighborhood residents. Prices are low enough and selection is deep enough that you can settle in for a long haul if that’s what you need. There’s only popcorn to soak up what you’re drinking, although I wouldn’t be surprised to find that the easy-​going staff don’t mind if you brought in something to snack on. Fancy it ain’t, but sometimes worn and comfy is just what you need.

Dive bar and treasured local spot. Come for the pool tables and jukebox. Also some of the cheapest brews on tap in KCMO, with a surprisingly decent selection for a dive.

Not a bad place and it is in a great location. Good staff, though it seems to turn more than it should great Juke Box and free popcorn lots of good energy but the drinks seem rather pricey for happy hour.

While I’m not much of a dive bar fan, Gilhouly’s is just a fantastic example of a dive done right. This small corner bar in Volker is a bit dingy and rough around the edges, but damn if it isn’t comfortable and hospitable.
Every time I’ve visited this bar, the crowd is incredibly mixed and friendly. The staff is friendly. Everything about this place is friendly. I’d say there must be something in the water, but nobody comes here to drink water.
There’s not much else to say. Basic drinks at a fair price, and in a neighborhood that fosters patrons from all walks of life. I whole heartedly approve.

Well, it’s definitely unique! The manager threatened me because I told him he was rude (he was). He literally stood so near my face & body that I was honestly afraid enough to call the cops. Keep in mind that I am female 5’1 and I don’t think I am very intimidating. I am not sure what kind of man needs to threaten a woman of my size. The (female) bartender also seems terrified of him. In retrospect I think he might have been a hormonal steroid rage? Or maybe it was meth? Who knows? Anyway, don’t ever criticize their service because he may come after you with fists!

First off, what’s with all the dive bars on 39^th… seems like that’s the only type offered on that glorious street. Oh well.
So it’s a dive bar. It gets an A-​OK rating for its dive-​bar-​ness. Not much to expect. The bartenders were nice. They had a few interesting taps (or at least more than Miller, Bud, Coors, etc.). Prices are good to fine. Not totally skeezy. Enjoyed the patron guided juke box.
If I have to pick dive bars on 39^th street, Gilhouly’s is my 2^nd choice on account of their windows (#1 Fric & Frac, #last DB Cooper’s…need windows to not feel like a sad drunk).

As far as dives go, this is my least favorite. Only good thing is that the have 2 pool tables. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it is fun at times and has the small divey feel to it, but there are much more desirable places to visit with friends over an over priced beer or cocktail.

I’ve been to Gilhouly’s a few times after dining on 39^th, and each time it’s been with my «hipster» friend because she likes to play pool. Each time we’ve been in, I noticed we were the only females besides the bartender. I also stuck out like a sore thumb because I am neither a middle aged man or a hipster.
The place is a dive bar and I do like it. The interior is cool. Brick walls and artwork. and big windows. A few tables throughout and pool tables in the back with someone always playing pool. The restroom is probably smaller than a closet and it’s a triangular shape. The bartenders have always been friendly, they have good specials, and a decent beer selection. They do not serve food besides the free popcorn, BUT you can bring in pizza from d’Bronx.

This is the neighborhood bar for West 39^th Street neighborhooders. Friendly, not fancy. More hang out than destination spot. A tad surly but not menacing. Pool tables, cheap-​ish drinks.

After taking a break from this place for over a year due to the d-​bag nazi bouncer guy who barked at people to «get out» 30 minutes before close, I decided to visit again. Well, honestly, I heard about some tap additions! Tallgrass! Yummy! Our favorite bartender was there, as well as a new one. Mean Guy wasn’t there; I hope this means he has moved on, as he deters any inclination I have of choosing Gilhouly’s for a cool, casual Saturday night. I love this place without him. The crowd is fascinating and consists of older townies and med/​grad school students. They have a pool table, a juke box, and a couple of tiny flat screens. Beer selection is decent. Actually, my favorite here is a Stella bottle poured into a chilled pint glass. I do not know how Gilhouly’s does it, but this is a magical beer here. Also, lots of great memories with friends.

My favorite bar. A real neighborhood dive-​bar, with the same people in there most nights. The bartenders make an effort to know you, and the drinks are well priced. The owners are cool and are usually there (Italian owners of an Irish bar — awesome)
Also, this place has the best pool tables and cues in town, and there is always someone good to play against. Just learn the rules regarding the chalkboard so as not to be annoying to the regulars.
The jukebox is full of good tunes, the artwork is usually pretty good, and the popcorn is top-​notch. I’m here every week, and will be as long as I live in KC!

Gilhouy’s is a good time. Small bar, but the pours are cheap and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. Two pool tables in the back, a big bar, some booths, table and high tops.
No food (other than popcorn), but it is a bar. When I was there, several groups brought in food from local restaurants.
As someone mentioned earlier, it did feel like Paddy’s Pub from It’s Always Sunny, and also there was an appearance from the Italian owners (although they weren’t wearing sweatsuits: sigh:).
All in all a good time. I’ll be there again, as that’s a part of the city I’ve managed to neglect, that looks to have a lot to offer.

So after reading Dev V’s review, I went to Gilhouly’s on a search for overweight Italians in warm up suits. To my dismay, I didn’t find any. What I did find was kind of a cool bar, with decent artwork on the brick walls, and a room full of regulars. I bellied on up to the bar and ordered a drink, while my bfff filled up a basket of complimentary popcorn. The bartenders were young, attractive, fun ladies. We only stayed for a drink, as we were en route to Aladdin for some killer hummus.
We will definitely hit this place up again. The drink special was good, and I enjoyed the laid back atmosphere.

There are a handful of bars on 39^th and this is one of them. I’m captain obvious, king of all obvious observations!
But really, this is a dive bar. I just happen to love dive bars and there really is nothing wrong with this place. It kind of reminds me of Paddy’s Pub from Always Sunny in Philadelphia. There are some overweight Italians in warm up suits that own the place and they are usually around. I’m not just saying that, these guys look like they are straight out of the stereotype dressing room with the full on Italian 80’s tough guy look.
The drinks are reasonably priced, bartenders are friendly, and they have free popcorn.
If you’re feeling like a few drinks after eating at one of the many 39^th Street restaurants, this would be my pick of the bunch.

I’ve been to Gilhouly’s once. Not because I had an unpleasant experience but because I’ve recently learned of this place and haven’t had the opportunity to return just yet. This is my disclaimer because this first visit was fairly brief so take this review with a grain of salt.
From the outside, it is definitely not a place I would enter on my own accord. It’s in a red-​bricked building with an entrance near the corner of a street. I’m expecting a biker bar type of place. Inside, the bar is dark and small. What comes next I did not expect. Our bartender is a younger, cute, blonde chick. Ha! I got punked! It wasn’t the older 40-​something angry bar maid I was expecting. Not at all. The other sweet thing is her pours were real stiff and the prices were awesome! I ordered a double vodka soda and I think my drink was maybe $ 4?
There’s a lot of amazing, LOCAL artwork posted all along the walls of this smaller bar. It’s always nice to support local businesses who support their local clientele. There weren’t too many people in the bar but I got to meet a lot of those who were there. It might have been the company I was with, because my friend used to live in that area, but it was nice to feel welcomed in a place that’s not my usual scene.
Gilhouly’s I will see you soon. I’ll probably be coming with my friend but I will still be there nonetheless.

Good pool players come here, and not for the pool tables.
Overall this place has a ton of potential the problem being that if you aren’t an established high tipping regular you more than likely won’t get great service. I have been in a few times to play pool and while the tables aren’t in bad shape they could be improved.
The service is not good, I know that isn’t a popular opinion on this place but when you walk up to a bar with money in hand and the bartender continues on with their conversation at length you get a little discouraged.
Parking is a joke too, this neighborhood is so busy it is often hard to find parking in the blocks surrounding the business. I’ll stick to place that are happy to have my business.

Ok, I frequent here regularly and it’s not a surprise to see only 3 reviews. This isn’t a hot spot that you search to find if you’re visiting from out of town… it’s a neighborhood bar, meaning it has its group of regulars and that’s what keeps it going. There is no food served, only alcohol, however you can have food delivered or bring it in and eat there. They even have a binder of local restaurants and menus so it’s definitely not something they look down on. They have 2 tv’s playing whatever game is on, a jukebox, 2 pool tables and daily specials. It’s not fancy, it’s a dive, just a place to chill and unwind. Closed on Sundays and of course Friday and Saturday nites are always the busiest. Cheers!

Review:
Gilhouly’s is a neighborhood bar located on the southeast corner of 39^th & Bell. It’s a perfect place to spend an afternoon with a pint and some paperwork, and it’s my favorite place in town to take the friends I don’t see very often. Regulars have been known to call it «The G-​Spot,» but it is not to be confused with the actual G-​Spot (a bar once located on Southwest Blvd) or the mythical G-​Spot (a magical place supposedly found somewhere along the coast of Pleasure Island).
The atmosphere at Gilhouly’s caters to everything from brushing up on business to catching up with close friends. The free popcorn makes for a nice edible amenity, and the bartenders are usually kind enough to put in food orders for you at your choice of area restaurants. The cheap drinks leave you with plenty of pocket change for use on the jukebox and pool tables, and the cooperative attitudes of everyone there makes for an undoubtedly pleasant experience.
I recommend introducing yourself to the staff, as their efforts are key to your satisfaction. Take care of folks who take care of you, and you’ll want to wander back here again and again. Thanks for the good times, Gilhouly’s!
Rant:
I myself am the kind of person who can appreciate the reuse of an old glass for a new drink, and it is of my opinion that people who are too pretentious to recognize the benefits an individualized effort to minimize waste while maximizing wastedness should stay home and get drunk by themselves. It is terribly unfair to accuse hard-​working service industry professionals of being lazy or distracted when your own priorities are trite and superficial. There are plenty of considerate and diplomatic ways to address concerns with those responsible for providing patrons with quality products and services, and the staff at Gilhouly’s deserves to be treated with such respect. Thanks!

With name like Gilhouly’s, you might think the place is run by an Irish family. Nope. It’s Italian-​owned. With it’s plain brick exterior and bar neon décor, you might think the pace is staffed by ancient, toothless barmaids. Nope. Thankfully (for straight guys anyway), the G-​spot has a rep for putting babes behind the bar.
Sure, it’s dive-​y. There’s no dance floor, no velvet rope, no high-​priced, fru-​fru cocktails. But it’s dive-​y in a nice, «everybody knows your name» neighborhood sort of way that gets better with time. The crowd is friendly. You’ll find tattooed hipsters, service-​industry peeps and artsy white kids from around the way who went to KU, left Lawrence, but still want a slacker vibe. You will also find pool tables, free popcorn, and nary a choc-​o-​tini in sight.