Cocktail Bar
Unclaimed profileJohn D. McGurk's Irish Pub and Garden
St. Louis, MO · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
John D. McGurk's Irish Pub and Garden delivers a beverage program that leans into its Irish identity with Teeling and Jameson whiskey cocktails, a Guinness-spiked cold brew concoction, and a beer list that spans St. Louis to Dublin. House-made whipped cream and cold brew signal craft. Wine reaches across six regions. National Geographic and Esquire have recognized the pub's authenticity.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Irish Coffee built on Teeling whiskey and house-made whipped cream, or the Jameson and Gosling's ginger beer highball. For something more inventive, the Cold Brew Cocktail layers vodka, Kahlua, and Guinness. Rum punch and a Woodford Reserve lemonade round out the menu.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Irish whiskey devotees will appreciate the Teeling and Jameson offerings. Cocktail enthusiasts drawn to creative combinations like mango chili rum or banana cream rum and cold brew will find plenty to explore. Beer drinkers can sample authentic Irish pours and local St. Louis brews.
- When should I go?
- Evenings are enlivened by nightly live Irish music, making it a fitting time to enjoy a whiskey cocktail or a pint. The large outdoor garden with three bars suits warmer weather and group gatherings.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The pub's Irish authenticity is reinforced by a claim to stock all available Irish beer and spirits, a nightly lineup of musicians from Ireland, and a 15,000-square-foot garden with three bars. Recognition from National Geographic and Esquire underscores its standing.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
Creative cocktails span Irish whiskey, rum, vodka, and bourbon, with house-made cold brew and whipped cream. Options range from a Teeling Irish Coffee to a Jameson ginger beer highball and a Guinness-spiked cold brew cocktail.
Menu strengths
- — House-made elements like cold brew and whipped cream indicate craft attention.
- — Menu balances classic Irish whiskey drinks with innovative combinations.
Standout selections
- — Irish Coffee: Teeling Irish Whiskey, coffee, brown sugar, house-made whipped cream.
- — Cold Brew Cocktail: Encrypted Vodka, vanilla vodka, Kahlua, house-made cold brew, Guinness.
Wine
Wine selections cover California, Sicily, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, and Oregon, offering regional variety. Specific bottles and pricing are not documented.
Standout selections
- — Matchbook Cabernet, featured in a wine-based cocktail.
Beer
Beer list includes domestic and imported options with ABV details, from a 7% St. Louis brew to a 4.2% Dublin beer. Origins span Hawaii, Los Angeles, Mexico, and Pottsville. Guinness is prominent.
Menu strengths
- — Authentic Irish beers align with the pub's theme.
Standout selections
- — Guinness, featured in cocktails and food dishes.
Spirits
Spirits program emphasizes Irish whiskey with Teeling and Jameson, plus rum, vodka, and bourbon. The venue claims to carry all available Irish beer and spirits, reinforcing authenticity.
Menu strengths
- — Claim of all available Irish spirits supports authenticity.
Standout selections
- — Teeling Irish Whiskey, used in the Irish Coffee.
- — Jameson Irish Whiskey, in the ginger highball.
How it sits with the food
Guinness appears in both cocktails and food dishes, suggesting a cohesive pairing approach. The Irish Coffee's coffee and whiskey profile could complement hearty pub fare. No specific food pairings are documented.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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