The Skeptical Chymist

I really wanted to like The Skeptical Chymist — it’s described as an Irish pub with the look of an old apothecary shop. What I walked into was a mishmash of kitchy pub and Seattle Seahawks sports bar. There were only two other tables occupied so we thought we’d get quick service, but I suppose they don’t advertise quick service so it was ridiculous to expect it. What we did get was: 1 child size portion of corned beef & cabbage at full portion price, one plate with food that was specifically requested not to be there, and my plate had a special surprise of something I’m highly allergic to buried under my sweet potato fries — at no extra charge to me, of course. The food was not good, but not the worst thing I’d ever had — until it came to the bread and butter pudding. It was elastic, plastic and unnaturally chewy. The only way to get bread pudding to change from bread and custard to elastic and dish sponge is by brutally torturing it in a microwave. Please don’t take people you like to eat here.

Get the BEEF WELLINGTON!!! sooo good and cooked just right.
Staff is friendly and good selection of brews. Love the atmosphere.

The Skeptical Chymist is the place to be! Great environment and the staff is amazing, especially the server DV! He’s super awesome with a beard of a legend. This place is legit! GO HAWKS!

Good food (I had the tomato basil flatbread, but we had a pretty good variety around the table) and good drink selection. The interior is rustic wood and doesn’t look like part of a strip mall at all, which is great too.
The wait staff seemed a little unsure of how to handle the two toddlers we had with us, but they figured it out quickly. They have live music frequently and since it was a slow night, the guy with the guitar played some Christmas songs for the kids and they had a blast.
The chymist might be skeptical but you don’t have to be. It’s a pretty neat joint. Drop by if you want some beers and dinner.

If you’re a Seahawks fan, this is the place to be in Arizona! My old roommates found it when they first moved here & I never understood the hype til they took me! We’re from Seattle so it’s nice to be in a place that reminds us of home with all the fellow 12s! On game days, this place is CRACKIN’! If you don’t show up early, be prepared to stand to watch the game but it’s worth it! The owner & staff is overly friendly, the food is delicious & the drinks are bomb. I like their 5 $ mimosas on Sundays! If you order, make sure to order the fish tacos or chicken tenders. They’re to die for! Their corned beef is good too if you’re in the mood. This place is amazing!

I visited The Skeptical Chymist for the first time on Halloween night. The evening featured live music and even a costume contest with great prizes.
The Skeptical Chymist is basically walking distance from where I live, so I was excited to give it a try. I also can’t help but be drawn to the name (it’s a cool name).
Overall, I was pretty impressed with The Skeptical Chymist. It’s everything you would expect of an Irish pub-​themed bar experience.
TONS of indoor seated, plenty of outdoor seating, and truly unique styling add up to a fun experience and engaging ambiance.
I didn’t order food, but the drink menu was surprisingly impressive, including a long list of craft beers handwritten to a chalkboard wall and even a decent number of quality scotches and bourbons (my favorite go-​tos).
***During my visit, I was helped by a truly outstanding server named Derek. Derek had dressed up as Venom, which was really cool, too. He was talkative and engaging and fun. I couldn’t have been more pleased with the service he provided. I’d go back on that alone.
Typically, Irish pub-​themed bars are not my favorite. This one, however, is a notable exception. I’m biased because it’s so close by, naturally, but I’d recommend it to anyone. If you haven’t been, check it out. You won’t be disappointed.
***THANK YOU, Derek, for providing such great service and for making me feel at home in a new place. I appreciated that very much.

Bartenders were rude! Didnt even acknowledge my boyfriend and until we were leaving. I wouldn’t even selected one star but i cant move forward on posting this review

The Irish nachos are delicious! Perfect choice for a bar breakfast before a Seahawks game with 100’s of Seahawks fans.

This is a fun Irish bar with good food. Seahawks and Husky fans rejoice! This may be the only Seattle based bar in town. Yummy French fries with awesome aioli. Bathrooms are clean and nice. Only went during happy hour so not sure what it’s like at night!

Hidden Gem I think — Really cool décor for pub/​restaurant. Some Irish food and beverages (amongst others). Food has been pretty good each time I’ve eaten here — it’s the overall atmosphere being unique that moves this to a 4 for me. Service is good. Cool bar. It’s a Seattle supporting establishment — so Seahawks should enjoy. They have daily specials on food — so check that.

Enjoyable afternoon atmosphere, and even tough it was about 110 outside, we were able to sit on the patio near the bar and smoke. If the group of people I met while there are any indication, the clientele is quite friendly and approachable. I’d like to go back in the evening and see what sort of selection they have of single ladies!
By the way, the service was good. My friend ordered some food and what I ate of it was good, typical bar food. I’ll definitely go back on a ladies night!

This is the best Irish pub in the valley, great food, great drinks and Trevor the owner is amazing.
Also this is a Seattle Seahawks bar and this is the only place to be on gameday!!!

Great Irish Pub with delicious food and lots of great beer on tap. Great staff, excellent atmosphere, and the best Seahawks bar you’ll ever go to!

Great beers on tap. Anything from nitros to ipas. Good Irish pub fare. I had the morning midden and it hit the spot. This is the place to go watch the Hawks whenever they are playing.
Good Happy Hour specials every day of the week. GO HAWKS.

In 1661, Robert Boyle wrote a book called, «The Sceptical Chymist: or Chymico-​Physical Doubts & Paradoxes» and it’s considered the basis of modern chemistry.
The basic idea is that matter is comprised of atoms, and every phenomenon is the result of the collisions of particles in motion. It’s told through the conversation of 5 friends sitting around discussing the world.
Why do I bring this up and why should you care?
Well, it sort of explains the confusing mess that is The Skeptical Chymist, where they got their name, and why I’m so conflicted about this place.
First, the good:
1. Excellent food — I’ve been there three times and each time, the dishes were excellent. From the Beef Wellington (really? they have that? yeah, they do) to the Reuben, from pulled pork nachos to beer, everything is perfectly cooked and to order. No complaints there whatsoever and it’s what will keep me coming back.
2. Atmosphere — It’s a welcoming and friendly place, with worn wooden furniture and appropriate lighting, with enough room between tables that you don’t feel claustrophobic.
3. Beer selection — Since I’m more of a vodka guy, this doesn’t mean much to me, but to my friends, it was quite impressive. Quick note — Did you know you can spend $ 24 on a bottle of beer? I didn’t.
The Bad:
1. Slow service — I realize there’s an art to getting everything to the table, simultaneously and at the right temperature, but come ON. I really expect the kitchen and the wait staff to be on point during lunch. Maybe they were short staffed every time I went, but it’s always slow.
2. Keep my drink filled — It’s a basic concept, and if I have to ask more than once, there’s something wrong. We’re in Arizona, where it’s a million degrees out — I need fluids.
3. If you advertise «Gluten Free», your food damn well better be gluten free. I get it, it’s cool and trendy to say you have a gluten free menu and as long as you’re dealing with bored and pretentious people who are leaping on the latest fad, there’s no harm. That said, for the people who actually HAVE Celiac Disease or a severe gluten intolerance, you need to tell the waiter. TSK has a few options for people who are celiac, and the rest that say «Gluten Free» should come with the disclaimer, «Wait, you’re serious? Oh, LOL, nevermind.»
4. Small portions — This really depends on what you get. The corned beef plate was three or four little pieces of corned beef, and if I’d been the one who ordered it, I would have sent it back. The Beef Wellington, on the other hand, should fill even the emptiest of stomachs.
So, to wrap this up, if you’re looking for a place to bring four of your friends and discuss chemistry, it’s a great choice, because you’ll have plenty of time to talk while you wait for your food, plenty of good beer to keep you entertained, and plenty of gluten to send your celiac friends into a coma.

This place is a fantastic Irish pub. The staff is friendly, the food and drinks are great. I have always had good experiences here. If you like soccer or any sports they are always on. Unless they have live music
If you don’t have a good time at the Chymist, you don’t know how to have a good time. Do you self a favour and just stay home.
Thanks for doing such a fine job.

Very little Irish or British about this bar with the exception of the fact that they have Harp and Guinness on tap and they show Premier League matches at times. The selection is very limited in respect to Irish /​UK beer. The music is typical American spots bar.
Other than that it’s just another bar. Avoid the cheese plate.

This Irish Pub is pretty hidden away, and I’m not sure I’d recommend searching it out.
They have a small, decent patio that’s dog friendly, but unfortunately, to get there, you have to walk that dog around to the back of the building, passing through their disgusting trash area. The view of the patio? The noisy on-​ramp to the 101 freeway. It’s also pretty dirty … my wife ended up with bugs in her beer and her water.
So the patio isn’t great, but service is good, the Happy Hour specials (½ off appetizers, $ 2 off drafts) are excellent, the beer is tasty, and the food is all fine.
It’s a Seahawks Bar, so I bet during football season it’s tons of fun. I bet also St. Patrick’s Day is a blast. Outside of those times, I would only recommend coming here if you want a quick drink and appetizer during Happy Hour.

Food is as expected at a bar. They are definitely trying to swing more gastropub style, and off of that they don’t really make my list in the food category. So many great gastropubs in the metro phx area that… yeah…you have to come to play ball.
Now, I love how they are a seahawks bar, the great rotating selection of beers on tap or stocking their fridge and the live music.
Basically. Would I come here to watch a game or enjoy music.YES. Would i come here JUST for dinner… no.

I’ve been here several times and always enjoy this place. It’s tucked away in the back of a strip shopping center but is worth the effort to find for a bite to eat and a beer.
The menu is basically bar food with an Irish twist. I like their burgers and flatbreads.
What really sets this place apart is it’s amazing selection of craft beers. They always have 10 – 12 selections on draught and another 10 – 12 in bottles. These beers are well diversified by brewery and style.
This last visit I had an outstanding Boulder Shake Chocolate Porter. They also offer tasting flights so you can try lots of different beers while you are there.
I’m a 49ers fan so I wish they’d tone down the Seahawks theme but I guess that’s my problem!