I have been coming to Blarney Stone at least once a week for a couple months now for name that tune Tuesdays and Quizzo Thursdays. These nights can get pretty busy, yet the service is usually friendly and quick. Beer is cheap and their food is good for bar food. However, last night, our server had one of the worst attitudes I've ever witnessed. I was pretty sure I didn't feel like drinking last night, and I didn't. When I picked my friend up, he said he wasn't either. We had spent Saturday night and Sunday morning/afternoon in East Lansing (he is an MSU alum) celebrating St. Patrick's Day. We both indulged quite a bit and really just weren't feeling it. He had to pick his friend up from the airport around 1 AM last night anyways, so we were both kind of designated drivers. We arrived and our team's table was full. We started to pull up chairs and our waitress suggested we move the table so there was more space. I sensed kind of an attitude, but didn't think much of it. They need to be able to move around. We each ordered a water, and I got a chicken Caesar salad. The waitress responded with something to the effect of, "That's all you're getting? Water?" ... "The game is free, but it's not free to be here." We were both shocked and taken aback to say the least. My friend said he thinks the same waitress has beef with him because last week or the week before, he ordered a $2 PBR and tipped her 50 cents, but I digress. I've been to a lot of bars all over the place and I've never heard a server say something like that. Maybe she was having a bad night and we just caught her at a bad time and set her off, but I don't think that was the appropriate response. It's not like it was a full house and we were taking up two seats that could have been occupied by paying/tipping customers. The other 8 people at our table were all drinking and some were eating. The salad was good, not as great as the Caesar at Duggan's, but still good. I was still hungry after I finished it, but I'm always hungry. Anyways, I downed my first water and she brought me another one. He finished his too, but another one never came. He said he was afraid to ask for another one. People shouldn't be scared in a business. They should feel safe and welcome. Other than this one experience, Blarney is pretty cool. $2.50 20 oz Labatt Blue or Labatt Blue Light drafts, and if the Red Wings score, you can get a 20 oz draft for $2 or a 12 oz (I think) frosted mug for $1. I believe the same goes for when the Tigers score. Tuesday nights are 1/2 off pizza and 6 PBR 16 oz cans for $12. They have nightly events and specials. I hope this was just a one night thing. I'm thinking about ordering just water if she's our waitress on Thursday to test her. Or maybe not, it might just push her buttons. I probably won't.
(3)
Jennie E.
Huge fan, their Irish Broasted Potatoes might be one of the greatest bar foods I have ever consumed- and I love me a good potato/cheese/bacon combo. A class-fest it is not, but if you are looking for a local watering hole with delicious bar food or to get a bit souped up on some beer this is a fabulous place to do so. The staff is super attentive and very good at remembering the regulars. Trivia Thursdays is a heck of a good time, but you have to reserve a table in advance because sh*t gets real at about 8:45 p.m. every Thursday. Seriously though, its not the typical d-bag fest you find in the area and definitely have always had a great time there.
(4)
Jenna S.
Since I hate clubs and all things club-rat, this was the place for me in Berkley. There's no actual Blarney Stone here, so don't get your hopes up. This bar guarantees two things: Cheap ass beer Looming cloud of cigarette smoke Those are my two favorite bar-related things, so this place was a pretty good choice. I'm not from Michigan so I'm not familiar with all of the local hangout spots, but this seems like as good a place as any. The place wasn't packed so we were able to choose our seating (we started in a booth and moved to a table no problem. The service was friendly and the booze was flowin, so I have no complaints. It seems like a great place to meet friends after work or on the weekend, especially if you live in the area.
(4)
Paul B.
My local watering hole. Sort of a dive bar but in a good way. Can walk to it from my house so i go often. Food is surprisingly good and better than you'd expect. Good burgers and sandwiches. Also, has great beer specials. Newer tv's make sports viewing acceptable and the juke box is always playing. Also has wifi! The only reason it gets 4 stars is because the bathrooms are old and gross and the furniture is old and uncomfortable. These need serious upgrades!!!
(4)
juston m.
the blarney was our hang out after nursing clinicals this semester. we kept going back because the beer is cheap 2.50 pints of molson canadian! and the food is acceptable. really the food isn't going to blow you off your dirty seat. after trying many things there, i have to say stick with the nacho. its huge, covered in veggies and meat and fills that need after 3 pints. everything else seemed just OK. most the people seem to be ordering sliders which i've noticed are the new cool bar food. after one peek of their sliders i declined. nothing about them says telway to me. no steamed bun, no grilled onions, not nearly greasy enough. the waitresses are really, really ditzy. they often forget things. just remind them and they'll be back on task. the place also seems to run with only 2 waitresses on friday nights and there is at least 16-20 tables. it is a good alternative in the royal oak area though for a place to sit, drink beer and bullshit with friends. this is really the only reason to go to a bar. love, juston
(3)
Renee B.
I was so disappointed the last time I was in Blarney Stone. I've been going to this establishment for years & have always promoted them. I like their food. A group of us were in there to grab a burger. We saw they had a new build a burger menu. We had questions about some of the items. Our waitress seemed to be aggravated that we had questions. The waitress didn't have answers and had to keep going in the back to find out, but still didn't have the answer. Finally when we received our food & my order was wrong. This waitress gave me the dirtiest look, then snatched up my plate to get the right order. I feel that this waitress needs to be retrained in customer service and learn her menu. She's not going to be making much money with an attitude like hers. Blarney Stones needs to get a heads up and make sure their staff is trained properly.
(2)
TJ F.
Good Beer Selection (that is to say, a selection of good beers, NOT a huge raft of so so , who cares beers) Good Burgers (beef, bison, veggie) done to order, Large, thick and tasty. Broasted Potatoes - so good they will distract you from your burger. Bikers (fun to watch and fun to watch how other people are interact with them) crap parking but you cant have everything right. Free popcorn - but its not the best popcorn you ever ate. Its OK but, hey its free so you cant complain. I am not a popcorn person - whatever that means. Go there and bring your friends.
(4)
kelly w.
Unlike the one in Ireland... You don't want to kiss this Blarney Stone... It's a dive bar. Would you want to kiss a dive bar? I didn't think so, but it doesn't mean it's not a bloody good time. As Steve D. said, "the Blarney Stone is okay if you like going to a local pub, but I wouldn't recommend it if you enjoy going on the dance floor to shake all that you got." Except, I would change the "okay" to "perfect" if you are looking for a local pub. What can I say, it's definitely a dive bar-- so don't have dance club expectations. Steve was also right about the booths being small, but for some reason, I like it. It keeps the conversation close and you don't have to yell to hear anyone at your table. ALWAYS.. and I mean ALWAYS ask if Lisa is working and get her to be your server. Believe me, you'll be sorry if you don't. I've had a bad experience with another waitress, but Lisa is spot-on and will even remember your name usually by your second third visit. One night we inquired about the wings and she had the cook make one of each for us to test-- now that's customer service. Here are some other important facts about the Blarney: -They have $3 Magic Hats (#9) pints.. all night. every night. mmmm. -When the Wings (uh, this is Hockeytown for all you out-of-towners) are playing and they score.. $1 pints of Coors Light and... I forgot what the other one was, but for a $1 can you really argue? -don't sit in the booth closest to the dart board unless you have a death wish-- I've never seen anyone get "dart-ed" but you can imagine what it'd be like.. -seriously, ask for Lisa: she won't forget to bring your Keno ticket back to the table before the draw (note "other" waitress will), She is friendly (note "other" waitress is "half there" most of the time), She is a good waitress (note "other" waitress= not so good). All in all, the Blarney Stone is my jam, but it's definitely a place to go with people you know rather than attempt a hook, line and sinker.
(4)
Sara P.
I go to Blarney Stone with my golf league every week during the summer. It's a nice neighborhood pub: nothing to write home about, but above average bar food and good drink specials. The service is generally good although there is one waitress who is dreadful (I haven't seen her lately, so hopefully she's moved on). Thursday night trivia is a good time and the bar recently added a ton of new HDTVs. As for food, the broasted potatoes, wings, and sliders are all solid. Bottom line: this isn't a place you'd go to impress a first date, but it's a great place to kick back with a drink and watch a game.
(3)
Theresa U.
I have known this place for over a year now. Used to be a regular. My friend wanted to go here for dinner last night so we went. Ordered the blooming onion. Was awesome. crispy batter and slightly spicy dip. yum! we devoured the whole thing. it think it was $4.99. Then had the tomato basil soup $3 and side salad $4. I think they are starting to make their own croutons. Not quite there yet, they need to work on the crisping part. A for effort. These are my favorites here. 1. Blarney sticks. OMG. soooo good. especially if your a garlic fan 2. Broasted potatoes 3. French onion soup. So far, it's the best I've had. 4. Loaded potato skins 5. Spinach and Artichoke dip I give them 3 stars instead of 4 cause the service is slow (always has been, just had to get used to it) and they are in the process of renovating. I liked the hole it was before. I mean, it's still a hole, but they took the stage out, carpet ripped out, I think they repainted the walls white. I liked it dark shamrock green. oh yeah. karaoke night is great. get to see the local drunks do their thing.
(3)
Angela H.
Blarney's is a great meeting place due to the friendly atmosphere, easily accessible parking, and pub-feel it holds. If you're looking for a bar where a large or small group can meet Blarney's is the place. Beer is cheap - even on weekends! Food is good and priced right.
(4)
Ken P.
the beer is cold and fresh, the wine good also, the fish dinner with broasted potatoes are awsome . the servers are cute and friendly , free popcorn , and karaoke is fun
(4)
Steve D.
The Blarney Stone is okay if you like going to a local pub, but I wouldn't recommend it if you enjoy going on the dance floor to shake all that you got. The night I went into there was full of softball teams so it was really hard to find a place to eat and have a few beers. The one thing I noticed right away is that I could barely fit in the booth because of how small it really was, so that was a kind a turn off for me. The service is really slow here, so expect to wait a while if you are the type of person who hates waiting around a long time for the bill, which happened to me the only time I've been in here. I wouldn't recommend the Blarney Stone unless you were a regular or someone who lives in the Berkley and Huntington Woods areas.
(2)
Jess P.
Love this place! Irish dive bar feel with great drink specials and amazing food. Try the potato skins or made-from-scratch pizzas and bread! The french dip is very good as well. The staff is pleasant and most of the people that go to Blarney are friendly regulars. Karaoke on Sundays is really fun too!
(5)
Kelly B.
I like the BSP. It's a good dive bar, there are no frills, but the beer and food are cheap, and there is FREE POPCORN in the corner of the seating area. YUM. It is sometimes hard to get a seat in here because there are so many regulars and frequently sports teams in there together. If your looking for somewhere that there are lots of people watching lots of sports and drinking lots of beer, you've hit the mark. Did I mention the popcorn?? :)
(4)
Guy P.
The Blarney Stone is so casual that I felt I was home after a day of work. There were sports tv everywhere you sat. The food was very good. The service by Courtney was top of the line. She was pleasant and amiable. When I went there, there were special food prices every night and some beers. Lots of different tap beers too. The night I went it was cheep prices for their pizza. I looked it up on Yelp and looked at their menu and I was shocked to not see the fish and chips on the menu. So I called up and they said they do have it. I ordered the fish and chips and I love the fish and chips, done so tender and so crispy. The tarter had a hint of sour cream. Hmmm...never had it like that. The size of the fish was so big. Two pieces the size of my both fists combines. Washed it down with a black and tan made to my delight. Don't know what the pizza is like, but the fish and chips were tasty, fresh and tender. I'll be back. You will too.
(5)
Claire R.
Great bar, friendly people. I love this place because it is a great hole in the wall bar, good food, good drinks/prices, only downfall is it does smell.
(4)
Ashley H.
My husband and I met up with friends here the other night, which was my first visit in a long time. Wow, I was pleasantly surprised. I don't remember them having so many beers on tap before, and at really good prices! It's a friendly, casual atmosphere perfect for catching up with friends or catching a game. They have free popcorn and a fun jukebox. I have never eaten here but I'm sure I will soon, since we will definitely be coming back. I especially enjoy the large parking lot adjacent to the bar. There's no fighting (or paying) for a spot like in Ferndale or Royal Oak.
(4)
John K.
Dive. It smells, bathrooms are gross, tables/chairs far from clean. The free popcorn is typically gone or burnt a little. Great beer specials but the draft will give you the worst hangover (obviously they never replace/clean keg lines....but then again very few places do.) The wings are HUGE. Waitresses are typically nice (every one of them last time I was there was pregnant....seemed odd.) This is just fine knowing what you're getting into. Fun place to watch a Tigers game. Cops love to cruise the place looking for drunks to bust driving (Heads up!) A hell of a lot better than Sneakers up the road (that hole still open?)
(3)
Valerie G.
So it's not pretty, the food is not amazing, it doesn't smell the best, and the bathrooms are awkward. Fine. I'll even add that parking occasionally sucks. But you know what the Blarney Stone does have? Tolerance. And I like it. In the past year, I've been to the Blarney Stone with a large group of obnoxious folks twice... and they put up with us. We were loud, we made a mess, we fell down a couple of times - but no one asked us to leave. Thanks Blarney Stone. You're a real pal!
(4)
Joe B.
It's a little Irish, a little divey and always fun! The food, as I recall hazily, is good. Drinks are very reasonable and the service is most always great. They have a pool table, KENO, a dart board (plastic tips only), a juke box and a couple video games with an on-site ATM to make your bad judgement more convenient to access. It's a definite MUST for St. Patty's Day, now more than ever with the closing of the Four Greenfield's (salute in memorium). Good times will be had at the Blarney. Cheers!
(3)
D W.
Until last night, I've always had a great time at Blarney Stone. The service, beer selection, and food were all good but the music completely killed the vibe. Going there on a Friday at 10pm we aren't expecting to hear Titanic's "My Heart Will Go On" (TWICE! We thought it was a joke the first time). Immediately after that was a super long R Kelly song, and the soundtrack from frozen. By the time "Let It Go" was playing a 2nd time, we wanted to go. If I wanted to hear "Do You Want To Build A Snowman" I would gave stayed home with my two young kids! We left after an hour.
(2)
Patrick W.
Ordered the Sliders with a side of broasted potatoes with cheese on them. And a friend ordered the Irish potatoes. Both were cold and obviously sat too long. Instead of offering to make us a fresh order they said all they could do was microwave them. Sorry but cheese cooked twice is dry and chewy. I said no thank you. Bill came back full charge. Last time the fish was stringy. Everyone at the table said the food here is slowly getting worse. I'm done with food here. They probably won't even care or read this. But I hope they do. This used to be a decent place to go.
(1)
Carolyn E.
This is my new favorite bar. The prices are fantastic, the food is fatty goodness in generous portions, and the menu is huge! It's divey, but that's the way I like my bars. And the people there are super cool and down-to-earth. The music on the jukebox was jammin', and they have tons of Michigan beers on tap! We ordered wings and potato skins to start. The wings were good, but make sure and order the hot ones. They're not over-the-top amazing, but they certainly fit the bill. The potato skins were amazing, as you'd expect from an Irish bar. Not skimpy on the toppings, fresh and perfectly fried, crispy and soft. I ate the entire plate of them. What should you order? A burger! I ordered the reuben burger, which is topped with corned beef, and HUGE! The most important thing is, it's not just a huge hunk of unseasoned beef. It's well-seasoned and juicy, and seriously amazing for, like, 8 bucks. Yeah, boii. Eat your heart out, Redcoat. ($12 burgers, easily) My hubby also ordered some huge house burger, and he said it was the best burger he's ever eaten. We. Will. Be. Back. Meet us there and shoot some pool!
(5)
Kim L.
A popular hangout with an older crowd. I have friends that go there every Friday night because they are accommodating and always have a table for them. I join them about once a month so I've been there a lot. I find their drinks to be small pours and priced on the high side. The waitresses are slow, the food is average and the decor is sports bar blah. But you can always get a seat, someone is usually pumping money into the jukebox and if you stay late enough, dancing will break out in a small area in front of the bar and no one minds if you join them.
(2)
Thomas F.
I've only had one bad experience and it was pretty frustrating. I ordered top shelf and they gave me well and then refused to acknowledge that it wasn't the right drink. Every other visit has been great. The location means it will be very busy on weekends and the center of the bar usually devolves into a disgusting pit of spilled drinks and food mashed into the carpet but I believe thats just a sign of people that had a good time. A decent place to get a drink but I'd avoid it on friday night.
(2)
Lo W.
Dottie is the most wonderful person in the world. She knows how to run her business! Great food, great prices, amazing drinks (their Bloody Mary's are top notch Nd their beer selection rocks). They have the best fried pickles I have ever had. They have excellent service! This business gives back to their community so much, it's incredibly heart warming. Give them all of your business. You won't be disappointed with anything from The Blarney Stone!
(5)
E A.
I like to consider myself a dive connoisseur. Okay, let's be honest, I like to drink for cheap where I don't care what I look like. I love Blarney for the transparency of this place. They don't pretend to be something they're not, the staff are friendly, and they don't take themselves too seriously. It feels like it's permanently 11 PM in that place for whatever reason. As a previous poster brilliantly put it, it's like getting drunk in your uncle's basement. If you're a local, you'll run into other locals. I have the pleasure of running into my high school teachers here. I also ran into Rich from Hardcore Pawn one time. It's pretty awesome and people who haunt this place are generally friendly. The food is hit or miss, but what do you expect from a dive? My favorite drink is probably the "mocha mocha" to start off my night - it's white and dark chocolate Godiva liqueur with coffee and whipped cream and it is fantastic. Every time I drink it people ask me what it is - don't know why their specialty drinks don't get more love, especially since they all are about 5 - 6 dollars. Anyway, I recommend this place if you want to take your friends somewhere you don't have to drive far or you just don't feel like spending a ton of money. Drink specials are great, come check it out.
(4)
Karen W.
Favorite local dive bar. Don't come here looking for fancy drinks and stunning interior. Do come here for cold beer, good burgers and good people. Blarney has plenty going on throughout the week, pick your vice: quizzo, movie trivia, poker, karaoke, pool and darts. They have daily specials as well. We play poker here every Wednesday and it's always a good time. This is the kind of bar that reminds you of Cheers, lots of regulars and everybody knows each other. That being said, they don't snub newbies and they are always welcoming to new faces. The only downside is that for whatever reason they have a hard time keeping waitstaff and it's like a revolving door of new faces.
(4)
M. K.
I'm not going to lie, this place looks awful, outside and inside. However, if you ignore the ambiance and the poor wait staff the food is absolutely incredible! I live right down the road from the Blarney Stone so it's a quick and easy place for my husband and myself to grab dinner. We know a lot of the wait staff there now but when we first started going there we had terrible service. It took forever for someone to come over to our table and just say hi, but I'm telling you, once you get past that part the food is well worth it! They have trivia nights and karaoke too. I'm not a fan of participating in either but my husband likes the trivia nights and it's a lot of fun when you go with a group of friends. The free popcorn is a perfect starter too. Hopefully one day they'll revamp the hell outta the place to draw more people in. I love it there, so even if they don't, I'll be there for a great meal, good drinks and a nice chill night out with some great people!
(4)
Gary B.
It does not look like much from the outside, but I am quite impressed. Decent draft beer selection, in a traditional neighborhood style bar and grill. Very homey feeling. The staff is polite and fast. Good to real good bar/burger/fried food. This is what a home bar should feel like. One of the other reviewers noted the carpet is older, and it is, and some of the tables and chairs are worn, but the table and chairs and floors are clean.
(4)
Kristin C.
Good dive bar on Woodward in Berkley. Fun quizzo night on Thursdays! Friendly wait staff. Enjoyable music! Good bar good. Excellent waffle fries! Lots of food and drink specials on different nights: 1/2 off burgers on Mondays. 1/2 off pizza on Tuesdays. Overall, I enjoy the Blarney Stone! Berkley FTW!
(4)
Brian P.
Living close to this place, I am a little biased in my review. However, as dive bars go, this place ranks up on the list for me. It feels comfortable, friendly, and perfect for having a no frills day or night of drinks and bar food. Beers: Always a good selection of craft beers from local Michigan to across the country. They typically come in oversized pint glasses ~20 oz and are well priced. This is a pleasant surprise considering some dive bars still carry the generics and consider Sam Adams their fancy beer. Food: They do a great job with burgers and have a few specialties to keep me coming back. I love the broasted potatoes. Also, they have free popcorn. Atmosphere: Local crowd with many regulars. Even so, you don't feel like an outsider walking in. There are many places to sit and you can either belly up with the regulars or find a table along the walls. Things to do: Pool table, darts, club keno. On week days, there is always a good crowd for video trivia, poker night, and other events they host.
(4)
Derek F.
Oh the blarney stone what can you say, it's weird inside the carpet stinks and it's kind of a dump, your waitress will mess up your order but I can't stop going back, seems like there's always something that gets me going back, sometimes the food sometimes the beer sometimes the people, but I like the place. I'll be back for sure I just don't know why.
(4)
Artist J.
The food could be better. The liquor couldn't. Bill is an amazing cook, they should let him develop his own menu. Say hi to Christina and Amber... Cute in a college way. Great fish and chips. Best Cole slaw.
(5)
Patrick P.
Burgers are very good, broasted potatoes great. They have added rotating craft beer taps with good selection. Prices are always reasonable and often you can catch a great daily special. Yes, decor and furniture is worn but they deliver great value you can consume. If you want beautiful furnishings and fancier food, head to any of numerous higher priced joints along Woodward. If you want a good time with good food and good friends, drop in anytime.
(4)
Donaven S.
Just ran into this bar alone to watch football from business trip, and never in my life made more friends at a bar. Earthy happy crowd, beautifully friendly staff, fantastic food, and good selection of drink. Great dive bar + fantastic restaurant + Many HD TV sports bar = Blarney stone pub. Made by lonely business trip a huge lift. Thanks~
(5)
Ashley R.
Sweet sweet Blarney Stone... Let me count the ways how I love you! Came by here today for the first time after passing by numerous times, and always wondering what kind of activity goes on in this hole in the wall. Well, I had to go get my car detailed across the street at jax, so I figured I would kill some time and grab a beer and check out some World Cup. Let me tell ya, Blarney Stone did not disappoint. You could defiantly tell this place has seen it's fair share of parties. I'm sure the walls could tell a story of many a drunken tales. The bar menu is actually pretty extensive- with typical bar appetizers but also had some Irish fare. Beer selection is reasonable too, I ended up choosing angry orchard that was on tap. What really sold me was the regulars who were in the joint. Met these cool people who told me they have been frequenting the place for years, yet totally made me feel at home. Oh, and a bonus, they have club keno! My fave!
(5)
Albert K.
I play trivia at this bar almost every week and despite the looks, they have a solid kitchen. Their burgers are surprisingly tasty and their broasted potatoes are some of the best I have had. They have a surprisingly diverse menu, good drink specials and a reasonable beer selection. The wait staff is hit or miss, but if you are looking for a cheap drink and a solid pub food, look no further. They won't be in Hour magazine, but I feel that their food is actually better than many of the places that are. In sum, this places food is far better than you would ever suspect, but still gives you that hole-in-wall bar feel.
(3)
Cookie W.
As others have stated, this is a "Great Dive Bar". An eclectic fun mixed age group. We ended up here by chance one Saturday night and had a great time. Karioke and dancing. Have been here before to meet the girls or watch a game. Yes there could be some improvements to the bathroom and the shaky tables and stools, but that's why it's a dive bar. I have never eaten here, but it is evident some come just for the food which does look good. Plenty of parking, and did I mention there is a pool table squished in the middle of the bar seating. Loved our server Evan, who was very attentive that Saturday night.
(4)
Joe V.
Actually went here twice this weekend. Both times it was earlier in the day. Brooklyn was our server both times and did a solid job in spite of the fact that she was covering the entire bar for the Lions game in London. Tried a couple different things here - the grilled chicken sandwich and the Patty Melt (that's not the name they use for it, but that's what it was). Grilled chicken sandwich was a little heavy on the mayo. Although the patty melt is advertised as 1/2 lb, I'm doubting it was actually that big. Overall, it's heart-stoppingly good food. Typical, greasy pub fare. They've got Keno, a pool table, a juke box, and a welcoming, divey atmosphere. Definitely see myself coming back to sample more of the menu so long as my arteries hold up.
(4)
Jeff H.
Some years ago ('06?/'07?) a friend tipped me off that the burgers here were similar in nature to Red Coat's basic burger, and were nearly on par with them flavorwise. Also that they were much cheaper--allegedly you could stop in at lunch and get a 1/4 lb burger, fries (or broasted potatoes), and a mug of beer (or soda) for like $5. So I warily came in to check the place out and lo and behold... my friend was correct! Score! Fast forward to 6 months later when, after coming in here regularly for lunch once or twice monthly, disaster struck. Imagine my disappointment when I came in one day to discover the menu had changed, biggest item of note to suffer: The Burger. The price was more or less still the same but the quality had changed. I may be remembering incorrectly but I believe the key issue was that they went from using fresh and high quality meat to using frozen patties. At any rate, it just wasn't the same and I decided to boycott the place altogether in protest. In 2012 I moved to Berkley and realized that sooner or later I would need to man up and go back to Blarney Stone (there are only so many places to eat and drink within the city limits here). I'm glad I finally went back, turns out the place has become quite the competent craft beer bar. There are probably around 20 taps or so, a few featuring domestic adjunct lagers, but mostly devoted to delicious craft beers with a key focus on Michigan breweries. Best part is that they serve giant-sized shaker pint glasses (20oz?/24oz?) of said beers for only $5. Can't make up your mind what to try? The bartenders are very cool and will typically let you sample tiny pours before you buy, or you can go all out and order a flight of beers, also at a very reasonable price. So for a beer lover such as myself, turns out Blarney Stone is a great place to go grab a drink and also watch a game if that's your kind of thing. I love hockey and Blarney has no shortage of flat screens on-premise to make sure you never miss a moment of the action. Whether at a table, a booth (not recommended, too cramped), or the bar, the sightlines are great from every angle and for important games the sound will be on LOUD. By the way, I recommend sitting at the bar--that is if you can get a spot. It tends to fill up quickly, even on weekday afternoons. There are a plethora of friendly regulars here and if you're into witty bar chatter in a Cheers-like setting, this is a great place to be. I've even sucked it up and started eating the food again. It's still not as good as it was before they changed the menu (in my opinion) but Irish staples such as Fish n Chips are still done quite well. And their broasted potatoes are as tantalizingly delicious as they have ever been. I have even come to peace with their burger. If I don't look at it as a Red Coat substitute but rather a pretty solid "bar burger" for a great price (now $6 for the burger/broasteds/beer combo), it's a perfectly serviceable not-to-mention CHEAP way to soak up some of the delicious high gravity libations they have on tap. I'm still a little butt hurt about the whole menu change thing so I'm gonna round my score of 3.5 down to a solid 3.0, but I would totally give Blarney the half-star if Yelp allowed for it. Final tip: You probably want to avoid this place on St Patrick's Day, unless you're really into the whole batshit crazy Irish Bar on 3/17 thing. In which case, have at it! But don't say I didn't warn you.
(3)
Sala W.
After driving by this place daily for the past 20 years or so I finally went inside! Me and a few of my kickball teammates came here for trivia on a Thursday. We started with a bucket of Miller Lights, not proud, but it was like 6 bottles for 12 bucks or something so we were impulsive. My friend got the nachos which were awesome, I can't be sure but I think they put the fake nacho cheese AND real cheese on it. Deadly combo but so good, we were coming off a hard kickball loss so it was okay. The trivia was fun as well, they did a bunch of bonus rounds where they would buy you a beer if you got the questions right. The best part was the prices! We did a double take when we saw the bills. With all the money they saved on their food and drinks my friends proceeded to spend the remainder of their money on 50 cent pull tab lotto cards.... did I mention we were coming off a hard kickball loss???
(4)
Greg P.
The beer is cheap and the staff is great. Free popcorn is just a bonus. Most nights there is a decent crowd and there is trivia several nights a week too. Major sports games are usually on. Don't forget to bring cash for the jukebox.
(5)
Jason S.
Had the Shepard's pie and got sick. Place needs some major updates. Stools all shaky. Place feels a little dirty.
(1)
Jim N.
For me it's always worth the trip to Berkeley to eat the Blarney Stone's Susie Q style fish and chips.
(5)
Lyndsi W.
I've got some good memories of this place. My best friend had just moved from Flint to Ferndale and this was about 2 blocks down. It was easy to head down for a few beers and then head back to her house which wasn't far in good or bad weather. I've never had the food and I probably wouldn't go out of my way to go here but, in general it's a nice hole in the wall to just kill a few beers with friends if in the neighborhood.
(3)
Gregory P.
Went in there on a Thursday 6pm with my adult daughter and my wife... 6 people at the bar... group of 3 at another table... Sat there 15 minutes trying to get a waitress to serves us... she passed within arms reach 3 times without a glance or acknowledgement. We were in disbelief that no one would help us... 2 other waitresses continued to eat their french fries and watched us trying to get our order taken.. After the 15 minutes passed a single man customer comes in and sits a few boots away from us... same waitress #1 rushes past us to go take his order. At that point we got up and walked out. What a shit hole.
(1)
Amy Y.
This was my second visit to the Blarney Stone. We ordered beer and shots of Fireball. They were out of Fireball and the waitress suggested a similar product. It tasted watered down but my husband and I were unfamiliar with the brand so we weren't sure. We ordered fries and shots of Hot Damn. After doing the shots we are positive they were watering down there shots. Also, it must have taken 30 minutes to get our fries. When they arrived I mentioned to the waitress that it seemed to take forever. She replied "I know, right." and walked away. We won't be going back.
(2)
Laura J.
In the quest for an affordable neighborhood hang out, we tried Blarney Stone tonight. We liked it. We sat at the bar, had a couple of drinks and split a combo fried appitizer. There were several tvs all playing the same baseball game with the sound so that you could actually watch the game. The drinks were reasonably priced. I wish we had tried the burger, a good bar has a good bar burger. I did notice a couple of families with older children sitting in booths away from the bar. Overall it just seemed pretty comfortable. I think in this case, comfortable is good.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Late Night Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Justin P.
I have been coming to Blarney Stone at least once a week for a couple months now for name that tune Tuesdays and Quizzo Thursdays. These nights can get pretty busy, yet the service is usually friendly and quick. Beer is cheap and their food is good for bar food. However, last night, our server had one of the worst attitudes I've ever witnessed. I was pretty sure I didn't feel like drinking last night, and I didn't. When I picked my friend up, he said he wasn't either. We had spent Saturday night and Sunday morning/afternoon in East Lansing (he is an MSU alum) celebrating St. Patrick's Day. We both indulged quite a bit and really just weren't feeling it. He had to pick his friend up from the airport around 1 AM last night anyways, so we were both kind of designated drivers. We arrived and our team's table was full. We started to pull up chairs and our waitress suggested we move the table so there was more space. I sensed kind of an attitude, but didn't think much of it. They need to be able to move around. We each ordered a water, and I got a chicken Caesar salad. The waitress responded with something to the effect of, "That's all you're getting? Water?" ... "The game is free, but it's not free to be here." We were both shocked and taken aback to say the least. My friend said he thinks the same waitress has beef with him because last week or the week before, he ordered a $2 PBR and tipped her 50 cents, but I digress. I've been to a lot of bars all over the place and I've never heard a server say something like that. Maybe she was having a bad night and we just caught her at a bad time and set her off, but I don't think that was the appropriate response. It's not like it was a full house and we were taking up two seats that could have been occupied by paying/tipping customers. The other 8 people at our table were all drinking and some were eating. The salad was good, not as great as the Caesar at Duggan's, but still good. I was still hungry after I finished it, but I'm always hungry. Anyways, I downed my first water and she brought me another one. He finished his too, but another one never came. He said he was afraid to ask for another one. People shouldn't be scared in a business. They should feel safe and welcome. Other than this one experience, Blarney is pretty cool. $2.50 20 oz Labatt Blue or Labatt Blue Light drafts, and if the Red Wings score, you can get a 20 oz draft for $2 or a 12 oz (I think) frosted mug for $1. I believe the same goes for when the Tigers score. Tuesday nights are 1/2 off pizza and 6 PBR 16 oz cans for $12. They have nightly events and specials. I hope this was just a one night thing. I'm thinking about ordering just water if she's our waitress on Thursday to test her. Or maybe not, it might just push her buttons. I probably won't.
(3)Jennie E.
Huge fan, their Irish Broasted Potatoes might be one of the greatest bar foods I have ever consumed- and I love me a good potato/cheese/bacon combo. A class-fest it is not, but if you are looking for a local watering hole with delicious bar food or to get a bit souped up on some beer this is a fabulous place to do so. The staff is super attentive and very good at remembering the regulars. Trivia Thursdays is a heck of a good time, but you have to reserve a table in advance because sh*t gets real at about 8:45 p.m. every Thursday. Seriously though, its not the typical d-bag fest you find in the area and definitely have always had a great time there.
(4)Jenna S.
Since I hate clubs and all things club-rat, this was the place for me in Berkley. There's no actual Blarney Stone here, so don't get your hopes up. This bar guarantees two things: Cheap ass beer Looming cloud of cigarette smoke Those are my two favorite bar-related things, so this place was a pretty good choice. I'm not from Michigan so I'm not familiar with all of the local hangout spots, but this seems like as good a place as any. The place wasn't packed so we were able to choose our seating (we started in a booth and moved to a table no problem. The service was friendly and the booze was flowin, so I have no complaints. It seems like a great place to meet friends after work or on the weekend, especially if you live in the area.
(4)Paul B.
My local watering hole. Sort of a dive bar but in a good way. Can walk to it from my house so i go often. Food is surprisingly good and better than you'd expect. Good burgers and sandwiches. Also, has great beer specials. Newer tv's make sports viewing acceptable and the juke box is always playing. Also has wifi! The only reason it gets 4 stars is because the bathrooms are old and gross and the furniture is old and uncomfortable. These need serious upgrades!!!
(4)juston m.
the blarney was our hang out after nursing clinicals this semester. we kept going back because the beer is cheap 2.50 pints of molson canadian! and the food is acceptable. really the food isn't going to blow you off your dirty seat. after trying many things there, i have to say stick with the nacho. its huge, covered in veggies and meat and fills that need after 3 pints. everything else seemed just OK. most the people seem to be ordering sliders which i've noticed are the new cool bar food. after one peek of their sliders i declined. nothing about them says telway to me. no steamed bun, no grilled onions, not nearly greasy enough. the waitresses are really, really ditzy. they often forget things. just remind them and they'll be back on task. the place also seems to run with only 2 waitresses on friday nights and there is at least 16-20 tables. it is a good alternative in the royal oak area though for a place to sit, drink beer and bullshit with friends. this is really the only reason to go to a bar. love, juston
(3)Renee B.
I was so disappointed the last time I was in Blarney Stone. I've been going to this establishment for years & have always promoted them. I like their food. A group of us were in there to grab a burger. We saw they had a new build a burger menu. We had questions about some of the items. Our waitress seemed to be aggravated that we had questions. The waitress didn't have answers and had to keep going in the back to find out, but still didn't have the answer. Finally when we received our food & my order was wrong. This waitress gave me the dirtiest look, then snatched up my plate to get the right order. I feel that this waitress needs to be retrained in customer service and learn her menu. She's not going to be making much money with an attitude like hers. Blarney Stones needs to get a heads up and make sure their staff is trained properly.
(2)TJ F.
Good Beer Selection (that is to say, a selection of good beers, NOT a huge raft of so so , who cares beers) Good Burgers (beef, bison, veggie) done to order, Large, thick and tasty. Broasted Potatoes - so good they will distract you from your burger. Bikers (fun to watch and fun to watch how other people are interact with them) crap parking but you cant have everything right. Free popcorn - but its not the best popcorn you ever ate. Its OK but, hey its free so you cant complain. I am not a popcorn person - whatever that means. Go there and bring your friends.
(4)kelly w.
Unlike the one in Ireland... You don't want to kiss this Blarney Stone... It's a dive bar. Would you want to kiss a dive bar? I didn't think so, but it doesn't mean it's not a bloody good time. As Steve D. said, "the Blarney Stone is okay if you like going to a local pub, but I wouldn't recommend it if you enjoy going on the dance floor to shake all that you got." Except, I would change the "okay" to "perfect" if you are looking for a local pub. What can I say, it's definitely a dive bar-- so don't have dance club expectations. Steve was also right about the booths being small, but for some reason, I like it. It keeps the conversation close and you don't have to yell to hear anyone at your table. ALWAYS.. and I mean ALWAYS ask if Lisa is working and get her to be your server. Believe me, you'll be sorry if you don't. I've had a bad experience with another waitress, but Lisa is spot-on and will even remember your name usually by your second third visit. One night we inquired about the wings and she had the cook make one of each for us to test-- now that's customer service. Here are some other important facts about the Blarney: -They have $3 Magic Hats (#9) pints.. all night. every night. mmmm. -When the Wings (uh, this is Hockeytown for all you out-of-towners) are playing and they score.. $1 pints of Coors Light and... I forgot what the other one was, but for a $1 can you really argue? -don't sit in the booth closest to the dart board unless you have a death wish-- I've never seen anyone get "dart-ed" but you can imagine what it'd be like.. -seriously, ask for Lisa: she won't forget to bring your Keno ticket back to the table before the draw (note "other" waitress will), She is friendly (note "other" waitress is "half there" most of the time), She is a good waitress (note "other" waitress= not so good). All in all, the Blarney Stone is my jam, but it's definitely a place to go with people you know rather than attempt a hook, line and sinker.
(4)Sara P.
I go to Blarney Stone with my golf league every week during the summer. It's a nice neighborhood pub: nothing to write home about, but above average bar food and good drink specials. The service is generally good although there is one waitress who is dreadful (I haven't seen her lately, so hopefully she's moved on). Thursday night trivia is a good time and the bar recently added a ton of new HDTVs. As for food, the broasted potatoes, wings, and sliders are all solid. Bottom line: this isn't a place you'd go to impress a first date, but it's a great place to kick back with a drink and watch a game.
(3)Theresa U.
I have known this place for over a year now. Used to be a regular. My friend wanted to go here for dinner last night so we went. Ordered the blooming onion. Was awesome. crispy batter and slightly spicy dip. yum! we devoured the whole thing. it think it was $4.99. Then had the tomato basil soup $3 and side salad $4. I think they are starting to make their own croutons. Not quite there yet, they need to work on the crisping part. A for effort. These are my favorites here. 1. Blarney sticks. OMG. soooo good. especially if your a garlic fan 2. Broasted potatoes 3. French onion soup. So far, it's the best I've had. 4. Loaded potato skins 5. Spinach and Artichoke dip I give them 3 stars instead of 4 cause the service is slow (always has been, just had to get used to it) and they are in the process of renovating. I liked the hole it was before. I mean, it's still a hole, but they took the stage out, carpet ripped out, I think they repainted the walls white. I liked it dark shamrock green. oh yeah. karaoke night is great. get to see the local drunks do their thing.
(3)Angela H.
Blarney's is a great meeting place due to the friendly atmosphere, easily accessible parking, and pub-feel it holds. If you're looking for a bar where a large or small group can meet Blarney's is the place. Beer is cheap - even on weekends! Food is good and priced right.
(4)Ken P.
the beer is cold and fresh, the wine good also, the fish dinner with broasted potatoes are awsome . the servers are cute and friendly , free popcorn , and karaoke is fun
(4)Steve D.
The Blarney Stone is okay if you like going to a local pub, but I wouldn't recommend it if you enjoy going on the dance floor to shake all that you got. The night I went into there was full of softball teams so it was really hard to find a place to eat and have a few beers. The one thing I noticed right away is that I could barely fit in the booth because of how small it really was, so that was a kind a turn off for me. The service is really slow here, so expect to wait a while if you are the type of person who hates waiting around a long time for the bill, which happened to me the only time I've been in here. I wouldn't recommend the Blarney Stone unless you were a regular or someone who lives in the Berkley and Huntington Woods areas.
(2)Jess P.
Love this place! Irish dive bar feel with great drink specials and amazing food. Try the potato skins or made-from-scratch pizzas and bread! The french dip is very good as well. The staff is pleasant and most of the people that go to Blarney are friendly regulars. Karaoke on Sundays is really fun too!
(5)Kelly B.
I like the BSP. It's a good dive bar, there are no frills, but the beer and food are cheap, and there is FREE POPCORN in the corner of the seating area. YUM. It is sometimes hard to get a seat in here because there are so many regulars and frequently sports teams in there together. If your looking for somewhere that there are lots of people watching lots of sports and drinking lots of beer, you've hit the mark. Did I mention the popcorn?? :)
(4)Guy P.
The Blarney Stone is so casual that I felt I was home after a day of work. There were sports tv everywhere you sat. The food was very good. The service by Courtney was top of the line. She was pleasant and amiable. When I went there, there were special food prices every night and some beers. Lots of different tap beers too. The night I went it was cheep prices for their pizza. I looked it up on Yelp and looked at their menu and I was shocked to not see the fish and chips on the menu. So I called up and they said they do have it. I ordered the fish and chips and I love the fish and chips, done so tender and so crispy. The tarter had a hint of sour cream. Hmmm...never had it like that. The size of the fish was so big. Two pieces the size of my both fists combines. Washed it down with a black and tan made to my delight. Don't know what the pizza is like, but the fish and chips were tasty, fresh and tender. I'll be back. You will too.
(5)Claire R.
Great bar, friendly people. I love this place because it is a great hole in the wall bar, good food, good drinks/prices, only downfall is it does smell.
(4)Ashley H.
My husband and I met up with friends here the other night, which was my first visit in a long time. Wow, I was pleasantly surprised. I don't remember them having so many beers on tap before, and at really good prices! It's a friendly, casual atmosphere perfect for catching up with friends or catching a game. They have free popcorn and a fun jukebox. I have never eaten here but I'm sure I will soon, since we will definitely be coming back. I especially enjoy the large parking lot adjacent to the bar. There's no fighting (or paying) for a spot like in Ferndale or Royal Oak.
(4)John K.
Dive. It smells, bathrooms are gross, tables/chairs far from clean. The free popcorn is typically gone or burnt a little. Great beer specials but the draft will give you the worst hangover (obviously they never replace/clean keg lines....but then again very few places do.) The wings are HUGE. Waitresses are typically nice (every one of them last time I was there was pregnant....seemed odd.) This is just fine knowing what you're getting into. Fun place to watch a Tigers game. Cops love to cruise the place looking for drunks to bust driving (Heads up!) A hell of a lot better than Sneakers up the road (that hole still open?)
(3)Valerie G.
So it's not pretty, the food is not amazing, it doesn't smell the best, and the bathrooms are awkward. Fine. I'll even add that parking occasionally sucks. But you know what the Blarney Stone does have? Tolerance. And I like it. In the past year, I've been to the Blarney Stone with a large group of obnoxious folks twice... and they put up with us. We were loud, we made a mess, we fell down a couple of times - but no one asked us to leave. Thanks Blarney Stone. You're a real pal!
(4)Joe B.
It's a little Irish, a little divey and always fun! The food, as I recall hazily, is good. Drinks are very reasonable and the service is most always great. They have a pool table, KENO, a dart board (plastic tips only), a juke box and a couple video games with an on-site ATM to make your bad judgement more convenient to access. It's a definite MUST for St. Patty's Day, now more than ever with the closing of the Four Greenfield's (salute in memorium). Good times will be had at the Blarney. Cheers!
(3)D W.
Until last night, I've always had a great time at Blarney Stone. The service, beer selection, and food were all good but the music completely killed the vibe. Going there on a Friday at 10pm we aren't expecting to hear Titanic's "My Heart Will Go On" (TWICE! We thought it was a joke the first time). Immediately after that was a super long R Kelly song, and the soundtrack from frozen. By the time "Let It Go" was playing a 2nd time, we wanted to go. If I wanted to hear "Do You Want To Build A Snowman" I would gave stayed home with my two young kids! We left after an hour.
(2)Patrick W.
Ordered the Sliders with a side of broasted potatoes with cheese on them. And a friend ordered the Irish potatoes. Both were cold and obviously sat too long. Instead of offering to make us a fresh order they said all they could do was microwave them. Sorry but cheese cooked twice is dry and chewy. I said no thank you. Bill came back full charge. Last time the fish was stringy. Everyone at the table said the food here is slowly getting worse. I'm done with food here. They probably won't even care or read this. But I hope they do. This used to be a decent place to go.
(1)Carolyn E.
This is my new favorite bar. The prices are fantastic, the food is fatty goodness in generous portions, and the menu is huge! It's divey, but that's the way I like my bars. And the people there are super cool and down-to-earth. The music on the jukebox was jammin', and they have tons of Michigan beers on tap! We ordered wings and potato skins to start. The wings were good, but make sure and order the hot ones. They're not over-the-top amazing, but they certainly fit the bill. The potato skins were amazing, as you'd expect from an Irish bar. Not skimpy on the toppings, fresh and perfectly fried, crispy and soft. I ate the entire plate of them. What should you order? A burger! I ordered the reuben burger, which is topped with corned beef, and HUGE! The most important thing is, it's not just a huge hunk of unseasoned beef. It's well-seasoned and juicy, and seriously amazing for, like, 8 bucks. Yeah, boii. Eat your heart out, Redcoat. ($12 burgers, easily) My hubby also ordered some huge house burger, and he said it was the best burger he's ever eaten. We. Will. Be. Back. Meet us there and shoot some pool!
(5)Kim L.
A popular hangout with an older crowd. I have friends that go there every Friday night because they are accommodating and always have a table for them. I join them about once a month so I've been there a lot. I find their drinks to be small pours and priced on the high side. The waitresses are slow, the food is average and the decor is sports bar blah. But you can always get a seat, someone is usually pumping money into the jukebox and if you stay late enough, dancing will break out in a small area in front of the bar and no one minds if you join them.
(2)Thomas F.
I've only had one bad experience and it was pretty frustrating. I ordered top shelf and they gave me well and then refused to acknowledge that it wasn't the right drink. Every other visit has been great. The location means it will be very busy on weekends and the center of the bar usually devolves into a disgusting pit of spilled drinks and food mashed into the carpet but I believe thats just a sign of people that had a good time. A decent place to get a drink but I'd avoid it on friday night.
(2)Lo W.
Dottie is the most wonderful person in the world. She knows how to run her business! Great food, great prices, amazing drinks (their Bloody Mary's are top notch Nd their beer selection rocks). They have the best fried pickles I have ever had. They have excellent service! This business gives back to their community so much, it's incredibly heart warming. Give them all of your business. You won't be disappointed with anything from The Blarney Stone!
(5)E A.
I like to consider myself a dive connoisseur. Okay, let's be honest, I like to drink for cheap where I don't care what I look like. I love Blarney for the transparency of this place. They don't pretend to be something they're not, the staff are friendly, and they don't take themselves too seriously. It feels like it's permanently 11 PM in that place for whatever reason. As a previous poster brilliantly put it, it's like getting drunk in your uncle's basement. If you're a local, you'll run into other locals. I have the pleasure of running into my high school teachers here. I also ran into Rich from Hardcore Pawn one time. It's pretty awesome and people who haunt this place are generally friendly. The food is hit or miss, but what do you expect from a dive? My favorite drink is probably the "mocha mocha" to start off my night - it's white and dark chocolate Godiva liqueur with coffee and whipped cream and it is fantastic. Every time I drink it people ask me what it is - don't know why their specialty drinks don't get more love, especially since they all are about 5 - 6 dollars. Anyway, I recommend this place if you want to take your friends somewhere you don't have to drive far or you just don't feel like spending a ton of money. Drink specials are great, come check it out.
(4)Karen W.
Favorite local dive bar. Don't come here looking for fancy drinks and stunning interior. Do come here for cold beer, good burgers and good people. Blarney has plenty going on throughout the week, pick your vice: quizzo, movie trivia, poker, karaoke, pool and darts. They have daily specials as well. We play poker here every Wednesday and it's always a good time. This is the kind of bar that reminds you of Cheers, lots of regulars and everybody knows each other. That being said, they don't snub newbies and they are always welcoming to new faces. The only downside is that for whatever reason they have a hard time keeping waitstaff and it's like a revolving door of new faces.
(4)M. K.
I'm not going to lie, this place looks awful, outside and inside. However, if you ignore the ambiance and the poor wait staff the food is absolutely incredible! I live right down the road from the Blarney Stone so it's a quick and easy place for my husband and myself to grab dinner. We know a lot of the wait staff there now but when we first started going there we had terrible service. It took forever for someone to come over to our table and just say hi, but I'm telling you, once you get past that part the food is well worth it! They have trivia nights and karaoke too. I'm not a fan of participating in either but my husband likes the trivia nights and it's a lot of fun when you go with a group of friends. The free popcorn is a perfect starter too. Hopefully one day they'll revamp the hell outta the place to draw more people in. I love it there, so even if they don't, I'll be there for a great meal, good drinks and a nice chill night out with some great people!
(4)Gary B.
It does not look like much from the outside, but I am quite impressed. Decent draft beer selection, in a traditional neighborhood style bar and grill. Very homey feeling. The staff is polite and fast. Good to real good bar/burger/fried food. This is what a home bar should feel like. One of the other reviewers noted the carpet is older, and it is, and some of the tables and chairs are worn, but the table and chairs and floors are clean.
(4)Kristin C.
Good dive bar on Woodward in Berkley. Fun quizzo night on Thursdays! Friendly wait staff. Enjoyable music! Good bar good. Excellent waffle fries! Lots of food and drink specials on different nights: 1/2 off burgers on Mondays. 1/2 off pizza on Tuesdays. Overall, I enjoy the Blarney Stone! Berkley FTW!
(4)Brian P.
Living close to this place, I am a little biased in my review. However, as dive bars go, this place ranks up on the list for me. It feels comfortable, friendly, and perfect for having a no frills day or night of drinks and bar food. Beers: Always a good selection of craft beers from local Michigan to across the country. They typically come in oversized pint glasses ~20 oz and are well priced. This is a pleasant surprise considering some dive bars still carry the generics and consider Sam Adams their fancy beer. Food: They do a great job with burgers and have a few specialties to keep me coming back. I love the broasted potatoes. Also, they have free popcorn. Atmosphere: Local crowd with many regulars. Even so, you don't feel like an outsider walking in. There are many places to sit and you can either belly up with the regulars or find a table along the walls. Things to do: Pool table, darts, club keno. On week days, there is always a good crowd for video trivia, poker night, and other events they host.
(4)Derek F.
Oh the blarney stone what can you say, it's weird inside the carpet stinks and it's kind of a dump, your waitress will mess up your order but I can't stop going back, seems like there's always something that gets me going back, sometimes the food sometimes the beer sometimes the people, but I like the place. I'll be back for sure I just don't know why.
(4)Artist J.
The food could be better. The liquor couldn't. Bill is an amazing cook, they should let him develop his own menu. Say hi to Christina and Amber... Cute in a college way. Great fish and chips. Best Cole slaw.
(5)Patrick P.
Burgers are very good, broasted potatoes great. They have added rotating craft beer taps with good selection. Prices are always reasonable and often you can catch a great daily special. Yes, decor and furniture is worn but they deliver great value you can consume. If you want beautiful furnishings and fancier food, head to any of numerous higher priced joints along Woodward. If you want a good time with good food and good friends, drop in anytime.
(4)Donaven S.
Just ran into this bar alone to watch football from business trip, and never in my life made more friends at a bar. Earthy happy crowd, beautifully friendly staff, fantastic food, and good selection of drink. Great dive bar + fantastic restaurant + Many HD TV sports bar = Blarney stone pub. Made by lonely business trip a huge lift. Thanks~
(5)Ashley R.
Sweet sweet Blarney Stone... Let me count the ways how I love you! Came by here today for the first time after passing by numerous times, and always wondering what kind of activity goes on in this hole in the wall. Well, I had to go get my car detailed across the street at jax, so I figured I would kill some time and grab a beer and check out some World Cup. Let me tell ya, Blarney Stone did not disappoint. You could defiantly tell this place has seen it's fair share of parties. I'm sure the walls could tell a story of many a drunken tales. The bar menu is actually pretty extensive- with typical bar appetizers but also had some Irish fare. Beer selection is reasonable too, I ended up choosing angry orchard that was on tap. What really sold me was the regulars who were in the joint. Met these cool people who told me they have been frequenting the place for years, yet totally made me feel at home. Oh, and a bonus, they have club keno! My fave!
(5)Albert K.
I play trivia at this bar almost every week and despite the looks, they have a solid kitchen. Their burgers are surprisingly tasty and their broasted potatoes are some of the best I have had. They have a surprisingly diverse menu, good drink specials and a reasonable beer selection. The wait staff is hit or miss, but if you are looking for a cheap drink and a solid pub food, look no further. They won't be in Hour magazine, but I feel that their food is actually better than many of the places that are. In sum, this places food is far better than you would ever suspect, but still gives you that hole-in-wall bar feel.
(3)Cookie W.
As others have stated, this is a "Great Dive Bar". An eclectic fun mixed age group. We ended up here by chance one Saturday night and had a great time. Karioke and dancing. Have been here before to meet the girls or watch a game. Yes there could be some improvements to the bathroom and the shaky tables and stools, but that's why it's a dive bar. I have never eaten here, but it is evident some come just for the food which does look good. Plenty of parking, and did I mention there is a pool table squished in the middle of the bar seating. Loved our server Evan, who was very attentive that Saturday night.
(4)Joe V.
Actually went here twice this weekend. Both times it was earlier in the day. Brooklyn was our server both times and did a solid job in spite of the fact that she was covering the entire bar for the Lions game in London. Tried a couple different things here - the grilled chicken sandwich and the Patty Melt (that's not the name they use for it, but that's what it was). Grilled chicken sandwich was a little heavy on the mayo. Although the patty melt is advertised as 1/2 lb, I'm doubting it was actually that big. Overall, it's heart-stoppingly good food. Typical, greasy pub fare. They've got Keno, a pool table, a juke box, and a welcoming, divey atmosphere. Definitely see myself coming back to sample more of the menu so long as my arteries hold up.
(4)Jeff H.
Some years ago ('06?/'07?) a friend tipped me off that the burgers here were similar in nature to Red Coat's basic burger, and were nearly on par with them flavorwise. Also that they were much cheaper--allegedly you could stop in at lunch and get a 1/4 lb burger, fries (or broasted potatoes), and a mug of beer (or soda) for like $5. So I warily came in to check the place out and lo and behold... my friend was correct! Score! Fast forward to 6 months later when, after coming in here regularly for lunch once or twice monthly, disaster struck. Imagine my disappointment when I came in one day to discover the menu had changed, biggest item of note to suffer: The Burger. The price was more or less still the same but the quality had changed. I may be remembering incorrectly but I believe the key issue was that they went from using fresh and high quality meat to using frozen patties. At any rate, it just wasn't the same and I decided to boycott the place altogether in protest. In 2012 I moved to Berkley and realized that sooner or later I would need to man up and go back to Blarney Stone (there are only so many places to eat and drink within the city limits here). I'm glad I finally went back, turns out the place has become quite the competent craft beer bar. There are probably around 20 taps or so, a few featuring domestic adjunct lagers, but mostly devoted to delicious craft beers with a key focus on Michigan breweries. Best part is that they serve giant-sized shaker pint glasses (20oz?/24oz?) of said beers for only $5. Can't make up your mind what to try? The bartenders are very cool and will typically let you sample tiny pours before you buy, or you can go all out and order a flight of beers, also at a very reasonable price. So for a beer lover such as myself, turns out Blarney Stone is a great place to go grab a drink and also watch a game if that's your kind of thing. I love hockey and Blarney has no shortage of flat screens on-premise to make sure you never miss a moment of the action. Whether at a table, a booth (not recommended, too cramped), or the bar, the sightlines are great from every angle and for important games the sound will be on LOUD. By the way, I recommend sitting at the bar--that is if you can get a spot. It tends to fill up quickly, even on weekday afternoons. There are a plethora of friendly regulars here and if you're into witty bar chatter in a Cheers-like setting, this is a great place to be. I've even sucked it up and started eating the food again. It's still not as good as it was before they changed the menu (in my opinion) but Irish staples such as Fish n Chips are still done quite well. And their broasted potatoes are as tantalizingly delicious as they have ever been. I have even come to peace with their burger. If I don't look at it as a Red Coat substitute but rather a pretty solid "bar burger" for a great price (now $6 for the burger/broasteds/beer combo), it's a perfectly serviceable not-to-mention CHEAP way to soak up some of the delicious high gravity libations they have on tap. I'm still a little butt hurt about the whole menu change thing so I'm gonna round my score of 3.5 down to a solid 3.0, but I would totally give Blarney the half-star if Yelp allowed for it. Final tip: You probably want to avoid this place on St Patrick's Day, unless you're really into the whole batshit crazy Irish Bar on 3/17 thing. In which case, have at it! But don't say I didn't warn you.
(3)Sala W.
After driving by this place daily for the past 20 years or so I finally went inside! Me and a few of my kickball teammates came here for trivia on a Thursday. We started with a bucket of Miller Lights, not proud, but it was like 6 bottles for 12 bucks or something so we were impulsive. My friend got the nachos which were awesome, I can't be sure but I think they put the fake nacho cheese AND real cheese on it. Deadly combo but so good, we were coming off a hard kickball loss so it was okay. The trivia was fun as well, they did a bunch of bonus rounds where they would buy you a beer if you got the questions right. The best part was the prices! We did a double take when we saw the bills. With all the money they saved on their food and drinks my friends proceeded to spend the remainder of their money on 50 cent pull tab lotto cards.... did I mention we were coming off a hard kickball loss???
(4)Greg P.
The beer is cheap and the staff is great. Free popcorn is just a bonus. Most nights there is a decent crowd and there is trivia several nights a week too. Major sports games are usually on. Don't forget to bring cash for the jukebox.
(5)Jason S.
Had the Shepard's pie and got sick. Place needs some major updates. Stools all shaky. Place feels a little dirty.
(1)Jim N.
For me it's always worth the trip to Berkeley to eat the Blarney Stone's Susie Q style fish and chips.
(5)Lyndsi W.
I've got some good memories of this place. My best friend had just moved from Flint to Ferndale and this was about 2 blocks down. It was easy to head down for a few beers and then head back to her house which wasn't far in good or bad weather. I've never had the food and I probably wouldn't go out of my way to go here but, in general it's a nice hole in the wall to just kill a few beers with friends if in the neighborhood.
(3)Gregory P.
Went in there on a Thursday 6pm with my adult daughter and my wife... 6 people at the bar... group of 3 at another table... Sat there 15 minutes trying to get a waitress to serves us... she passed within arms reach 3 times without a glance or acknowledgement. We were in disbelief that no one would help us... 2 other waitresses continued to eat their french fries and watched us trying to get our order taken.. After the 15 minutes passed a single man customer comes in and sits a few boots away from us... same waitress #1 rushes past us to go take his order. At that point we got up and walked out. What a shit hole.
(1)Amy Y.
This was my second visit to the Blarney Stone. We ordered beer and shots of Fireball. They were out of Fireball and the waitress suggested a similar product. It tasted watered down but my husband and I were unfamiliar with the brand so we weren't sure. We ordered fries and shots of Hot Damn. After doing the shots we are positive they were watering down there shots. Also, it must have taken 30 minutes to get our fries. When they arrived I mentioned to the waitress that it seemed to take forever. She replied "I know, right." and walked away. We won't be going back.
(2)Laura J.
In the quest for an affordable neighborhood hang out, we tried Blarney Stone tonight. We liked it. We sat at the bar, had a couple of drinks and split a combo fried appitizer. There were several tvs all playing the same baseball game with the sound so that you could actually watch the game. The drinks were reasonably priced. I wish we had tried the burger, a good bar has a good bar burger. I did notice a couple of families with older children sitting in booths away from the bar. Overall it just seemed pretty comfortable. I think in this case, comfortable is good.
(4)