McDonagh’s Pub in Keyport, NJ

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Telephone:	+1 732-264-0999
Website:	www.mcdonaghs.com
Address:	2 W Front St, Keyport, NJ, 07735
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:	150 ftBroad Street at Front Street 1.2 miNJ 35 at Cliffwood Avenue 1.6 miHazlet
Categories:	Bars Irish American (Traditional)

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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations	Yes
Delivery	No
Take-out	Yes
Accepts Credit Cards	Yes
Accepts Apple Pay	No
Good For	Lunch
Parking	Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking	Yes
Wheelchair Accessible	Yes
Good for Kids	Yes
Good for Groups	Yes
Attire	Casual
Ambience	Casual
Noise Level	Average

Good For Dancing	No
Alcohol	Full Bar
Happy Hour	Yes
Best Nights	Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check	No
Smoking	Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating	Yes
Wi-Fi	Free
Has TV	Yes
Dogs Allowed	Yes
Waiter Service	Yes
Caters	Yes
Has Pool Table	No

Today

Today	11:30 am – 2:00 am Open now
Local time (Keyport)	23:06 Thursday, 22 May 2025

Business hours

Monday	11:30 am – 2:00 am
Tuesday	11:30 am – 2:00 am
Wednesday	11:30 am – 2:00 am
Thursday	11:30 am – 2:00 am
Friday	11:30 am – 2:00 am
Saturday	11:30 am – 2:00 am
Sunday	10:00 am – 2:00 am

Description

Specialties

McDonagh’s Pub is located in the heart of historic Downtown Keyport nestled in a turn of the century brick building right by the bay. McDonagh’s Pub is the perfect blend of old-world Irish charm with modern, hip cuisine.

When you’re looking for the perfect pour, look no further that McDonagh’s Pub. All of our bartenders are perfect pour certified from Guinness Brewery, we even have Guinness on nitro tap for a smoother, creamier draft. While Guinness is one of our most popular pints, we also feature local breweries and more than 50 unique beers in stock.

While many come to us for the perfect pour, they have also discovered that our menu offers more variety and quality than other bars in the area. McDonagh’s Pub has become well known for our corned beef sandwich and fish and chips. We also offer a variety of Irish fare, bistro-style salads, homemade awesome soups, wraps, thin-crust pizza, and juicy hamburgers. Be sure to check our website for daily specials.

McDonagh’s Pub offers karaōke and acoustic serenading on Wednesdays and a variety of live music on the weekends including Irish Folk and Rock ‘n Roll. We also will be showing the big games on our big screens so you don’t have to miss your favorite team’s game.

Head out to McDonagh’s Pub and enjoy a perfectly poured pint with your friends.

History

Established in 2005.

For the past 10 years, McDonagh’s Pub has been pouring the perfect pint for those in the Keyport area. Amongst the locals, McDonagh’s Pub is one of the best bars in Pearl of the Bayshore. With a vast selection of beers, cocktails, and food, McDonagh’s Pub has a little something for everyone. Head out to McDonagh’s Pub and enjoy a perfectly poured pint with your friends.

Meet the Business Owner

Chris S.

Business Owner

As one of the owners of McDonagh’s Pub, Chris loves being the place to go when people are looking for a perfectly poured pint to share with their friends. Chris and Kenny equally own the place together and they are both in love Keyport and its residents. They have been to able take McDonagh’s and blend its old-warm charm with modern amenities. Chris and Kenny invite you and your friends out for a perfectly poured pint at McDonagh’s Pub.

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20 reviews of McDonagh’s Pub

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Brian M.

Place rating: 4
Hazlet, NJ

Went back again for a good friends birthday on Saturday. Had a few magners at the bar. Awesome time. Then sat down for dinner. Sam was the waitress she was great. Got the fish and chips I must say was very nice. Then stayed for a bunch more beers outside. All I can say is thank God for über.

Alexis K.

Place rating: 5
Old Bridge Township, NJ

Walked in with my man on a random Monday night to ½ price burgers, which were so good and bar bingo.
Three drinks later I haven’t gotten a Bingo but I’ve decided this place is a winner!

Rushmina M.

Place rating: 4
Holmdel, NJ

Been here a few times now. Great pub food. Great selection of beers. And great kids meals! We will go back.

Ric T.

Place rating: 3
Eatontown, NJ

First time in Keyport in 10 years seems like the town is picking up some. Stopped in here on a Saturday evening… place was pretty well packed at the bar so we sat down at a table… nice crowd, mixed age group… noise level very loud … At least six TVs. The staff seemed very friendly. It’s really nice to see a hopping place in Keyport again.
We ordered a pulled pork sandwich w/sweet potato fries. The sandwich was very tasty but it was hard to find the pulled pork. We both suggest that they put more pork and less fried onions on the sandwich. Having experienced many pulled pork sandwiches they were pretty stingy on the meat.
The beer was from a local brewery which was excellent
Since sweet potato fries are $ 2 more, there could have been more of them.
This, of course, is my one & only 1^st impression. When in Keyport again I will check it out… hopefully they will do better…

Peter B.

Place rating: 5
Matawan, NJ

Bartenders are great, service is great, great burgers and fries and good Guinness, and they treat you like family
,

Lynn C.

Place rating: 1
Keyport, NJ

What a rip off place! I went there for lunch this week with a friend and ordered one of the ”$ 5 specials’ which was a grilled cheese and tomato sandwich. First of all, they didn’t have anything but white bread. I also didn’t want potato chips but had noticed it was rather pricey to substitute french fries or a small salad. When I asked about substituting just a vegetable the waiter never said anything about that also being an extra charge. Well, I got a small bowl of carrots which cost $ 4.50!!! The food wasn’t even that good and was way overpriced. I live in Keyport but I won’t set foot in this place again.

Linda C.

Place rating: 5
Staten Island, NY

Been there many times and was never disappointed. They make sangria that is fitted for the season which is delicious! Highly recommend trying this place out! Great outdoor seating also!

Ron R.

Place rating: 5
Keansburg, NJ

Just Like being in Ireland. Great drinks and great service. They have a $ 5.00 Lunch special that is fantastic.

Paul F.

Place rating: 5
Matawan, NJ

I went with my wife Saturday night, and we had a blast! Great service, great atmosphere and great food! We will certainly be regulars!

Kathy G.

Place rating: 4
Woodbridge Township, NJ

We’ve walked by this place often going to the Keyport Fishery. This time we stopped in. I had the codfish tacos and the potato soup and both were really good. Simple food but done right. He had the steak and cheddar cheese sandwich … Also outstanding. Next time we come this way it’s going to be a tough decision because we both LOVE the Fishery but this is a definite do-over. Great décor. Inside looks like a line of Irish shops. Service was well paced, not too slow or rushed. Recommended!!!

Hendrik M.

Place rating: 5
Cliffwood, NJ

Great food, really nice Bartenders, all around awesome sevice. Ive eaten here a number of times and had nothing but great experiences every time.

Arielle H.

Place rating: 1
Marlboro Township, NJ

Really, really bad food.
My Mom and I came here because our favorite place, Keyport Fishery, was closed on Mondays. I’m not sure if it’s just Mondays, but, honestly, the food here was really bad.
My Mom had the Reuben Sandwich and I had a burger.
First off, our waitress was horrible. No people skills whatsoever; she came to the table to take our drink orders, and then disappeared for a while. Our drinks came out and she put them on the table and left to attend to some other (high-paying? High-tiping?) customers at the bar. Which was really bad, because we were both extremely hungry. After waiting on everyone else BUT US, our waitress came back to our table to tell us that our food would be ready in a few minutes. We waited and waited for our food.
When she felt like coming over to us, our waitress came out of the kitchen with our food. OK. My Mom’s Reuben did not taste like a Reuben. Usually Reubens are cut very thin. The cook clearly did not know what he was doing because my Mom’s bottom piece of her sandwich was burnt black on the corner, rendering it unedible. Normally, at that point, just get a new piece of bread. Shame on whoever was cooking that day. With a side of «Old Bay» kettle-cooked chips that had literally no «Old Bay» seasoning on them and tasted like they sat in the deep-fryer for too long. At least my burger wasn’t burnt. But it was cold, even though I said to cook it to medium-well. It was just covered in cheese, with no fried onions on top, which the menu said was included. Literally the best thing on my plate were the fries, and I think that’s saying something.
What we both didn’t understand was why they’re charging anywhere from $ 8+ a sandwich, and it’s not quality food to begin with. So, at the end, the waitress got a hold of the young manager of McDonagh’s, who apologized to us, and to his credit, took some money off of our bill.
But I would definitely never eat here again.

Ollie N.

Place rating: 2
South Amboy, NJ

I came here last Friday and it was a pretty ‘meh’ experience. I do think they recently re-did the interior, and it looks nice. The food was okay.
Our waitress was MIA for most of the night. We couldn’t track her down for re-fills until we almost finished our main course. It really wasn’t busy either as there were a fair amount of empty tables around us. We could see a few staff members standing in the back near the bathrooms, but they weren’t doing the rounds to see if anyone needed anything.
Also, it was an open mic night, so you couldn’t hear your own thoughts let alone anyone at your table. We came just before 8pm, which felt way too early for a live performance in a small bar. It was honestly unpleasant as a diner.
If there had been nicer service, I would be more inclined to make a return trip.

Walter B.

Place rating: 1
Lincroft, NJ

Not enough wait staff, hostess stand had 3 people just «hanging» help out the staff! Food took way too long, arrived cold, half of us gave up on the meal as the quality was sub par. If going for drinks guess ok, but that would be it. Local bar is as high as I would rank.

Jaclyn T.

Place rating: 4
Marlboro Township, NJ

Went here for the first time last night and had a blast! Delicious food with very reasonable prices. On Monday nights they have bingo!

Kayla N.

Place rating: 2
Matawan, NJ

LAME!!! They didn’t even try when we ordered drinks. We ordered a simple harvest sangria that was ON their featured menu. The waitress said it wasn’t available. So I orders the spice martini from the menu. That ALSO wasn’t available! The waitress wasn’t even sympathetic. I did not enjoy my experience at all.

Danny K.

Place rating: 3
Aurora, CO

Good food but very pricey lunch specials are 5 dollars but 9 dollars for wings? Come on there are better wings for cheaper like court jesters

Monica M.

Place rating: 5
Keyport, NJ

Came to McDonagh’s for breakfast today. I had no idea they served Sunday Brunch. I’ve been here for dinner and drinks but never so early. The food was great! Who knew that the local pub also did breakfast.
We got The Big Dog Omelette and The Sunrise Omelette. Both came with delicious home fries. Definitely coming back especially since they are local and the winter is coming.

Janelle L.

Place rating: 4
Old Bridge, NJ

Irish Pub on the main road in Keyport. Great outdoor seating with cornhole sometimes put out in the lot to play. I’ve eaten here a few times and never had complaints about the sandwiches. Love the fried pickles!!! Greeeeaaassssyyyyyy but delish!!!
Nice selection of beers and cocktails. Was just here this month (October) and they have a few fall drinks however the one my friends wanted to try was not able to be made because they had the wrong liquor for it. They did order the fall martini and absolutely loved it! She said it was one of the best martinis she ever had (I didn’t try it just going based on what she said… Haha).

Donna P.