O'Dwyers Irish Sports Pub

11/04/2008 Posted by l8nighter

Not sure about all of the others on here or the comments about "canned" music. I would rather have a DJ playing hits than some lousy band shredding a good song. The DJ at O'Dwyers (Brian Pate) has really added life to this place. They only use him on Friday nights but the party is always off the hook. Friday is the only night I go to this place, and I don't go to a tavern looking for 5 star service like some of the others on here. I go for a drink and good music and I get both at this place.

Pros: Great music and nice looking ladies (for the most part)

Cons: small dancing area- not a real dancefloor

09/09/2008 Posted by CaptainTaco

Not sure what the last review was referring to when they mentioned great live music... The new owners have stopped bringing in bands and have settled on DJ's and open mic nights. So....if you want to hear canned music or some talentless hack that's dying to play for free, this is the place to go. If you want to hear a decent live band, you probably have to go downtown, which is sad because O'Dwyers used to be one of the few places in Wake Forest that had decent live music. Beyond that, I've got to agree with the other negative reviews. Marginal food, marginal beer selection, nothing too special about this place. Not a dump, but definitely not worth going to when there are at least 3-4 significantly better bars within 3 miles of this place. BTW, I can't speak for others, but I'm not a disgruntled former employee, just a disgruntled former patron. I've taken my business elsewhere...I suggest others do the same.

Pros: None

Cons: No more bands, below average food

08/22/2008 Posted by AABound

Having suffered through the nuances of the previous owner, I was excited to hear about the change in ownership! Almost immediately the kitchen staff was replaced and the quality of the food reflects it. Looking for a quick snack? YOU GOTTA GET THE WINGS!!! Something a little lighter maybe? Go for the Club salad, Its delicious and HUGE - be prepared to take half of it home. Something you don't find at the local Chain's or the mom & pop watering holes... The entertainment has improved with more quality live bands and DJ's as well as a new Karaoke DJ on Wednesdays. The new owners also upgraded the ventilation system so no more "wall of smoke" when you walk through the door. In addition, they also expanded the No Smoking section in the dining area so you and your family can enjoy your meal with out it tasting like an ashtray... I only recognize a few of the employees that were around before the new owners so it seems that the wait and bar staff have been overhauled as well. Long waits for food and/or drinks are a thing of the past. (I can't help be think that some of the negative reviews here are by former employees) All-in-all, the place has undergone huge improvements! If your looking for a great place to hang out, meet some friends, grab a quick bite, have a couple cocktails, OD's is the place to go.

Pros: Friendly, courteous staff, great food, prices are extremely reasonable,

Cons: Would like to see more microbrews/specialty beers

07/12/2008 Posted by NCTarheelFan

I personally think that the new owners have made a difference. Putting ventilation in the bar was a great improvement!!!!! Adding Brian Pate as the DJ on Friday nights another great move! Putting exxit doors off of the resturant side also a good idea! The service at Carolina Ale House really isn't better...... some people just prefer the chain type of bar and I do not.....only on occassion. Give them a try.

Pros: Better ventilation in the bar area which was a turn off to many under the previous ownership

07/10/2008 Posted by WFBeerLover

Beer selection is marginal. Food is hideous. I'm from upstate NY and I'd be embarrassed to eat this mess, much less serve it. Cheese on Spiedies?? Worst Rueben I've ever had and every chicken dish I've ever ordered there has been bone dry. Wait staff is inconsistent--sometimes pleasant, sometimes nasty, usually inattentive. Last owners were grumpy. New owners are rude and incompetent. They're no longer offering live music because they want to be "a total sports bar", but the last time I was in there on a Saturday night, they had Finding Nemo playing on the three largest TVs in the dining area. The truth is that these guys don't know how to run a bar around here and they're cutting every cost they can in a pathetic attempt to salvage this place because they can't decide if they want to be a watering hole or Disney World. If they kept it simple, hired some decent cooks, revamped the menu, and stopped treating customers like an inconvenience, they'd be golden, but for some reason, they just don't get it. If you want great food and a FANTASTIC selection of beers, go to Old Chicago. If you don't mind mediocre food, you can get a respectable selection of brews at Carolina Ale House. Oh'Mulligans offers a decent selection of beers and great food with a pleasant atmosphere. Honestly, the bar at Applebees has more cred than O'Dwyers. Avoid at all costs. I don't know anyone who's been there who has anything decent to say about it. It's only a matter of time before they close their doors for the last time.

Pros: none

Cons: Inauthentic NY cuisine, bad food, worse service, incompetent management

07/10/2008 Posted by wtfwakeforest

Under new management - and STILL horrible. Didn't think it could get worse, but it did. Previous owner was rude and seemed a bit slow and dumb....but new owners are rude with an attitude too boot, like you owe them something. You want a good, friendly bar and great place to watch sports - go to Carolina Ale House which is 2 minutes away....do yourself a favor, drive the extra 2 miles.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

06/27/2008 Posted by Diva3505

Okay use to love this place and was a very frequent customer ( weekly if not bi-weekly). The last time I was in there there were kids in the place. I heard they want the place to be more family friendly but be for real why buy a bar if you want a family friendly place- you should have bought a restuarant. Tthe new owners don't have any personality they act like they are doing you a favor. The last guy was quirkly but at least he knew your name. I like Oh Mulligans' much better- its smaller but at least the appreciate your business.

Pros: the bartenders are nice

Cons: they changed the wings which was the best menu item they had???

05/08/2008 Posted by mission29

My girlfriend and I just went out to O'Dwyer's after learning that the old owner had recently sold the bar. I noticed a great improvement in service and we had a real fun time. Nice to have a local place to go again to get a beer and some good wings.

05/02/2008 Posted by anon0987

It's called (familiar to most) Tir Na Nog--218 S. Blount, downtown Raleigh. Because.....O'Dwyer's is one of the hugest disappointments since I've lived here (5 years). I went when they first opened and although the food was not much to write home about, especially considering they call themselves an "Irish Pub", but they were friendly, and the food came fairly quick. On THAT day, I would have given it maybe 2&1/2 stars. Fast forward to Feb. 2007, I brough my parents who have never been to NC, my Dad likes beer, Mom's part Irish, and it's close to my home. BOY was that a disaster!! Apparently you have to pay upfront for anyone to smile and be curtious, it took 5 minutes (this is 3pm) just to get our drink orders in, 10 minutes later we order food, 40 mintes later it comes, we took a couple bites and asked for doggy bags. It wasn't the worst, but my 8 fingered Uncle could've drummed up a better nosh!! The food was better when we reheated the next day adding some of our own finishing touches. The kicker----My father is obviously not a youing man, has trouble hearing, and needs glasses. When we were getting ready to leave, standing, he went to grab his beer (his third) to take the last drink, and a waitress (not ours) walked by and took it out of his hand and said "OK, I'll take that". My Dad said "I'm not done", she said, "Sorry, think 'ya are". My Dad being a proud and sweet gentleman didn't say a word, but he swiped his tip off the table and I didn't blame him one damn bit. Sorry so long but I just had to vent about this horrible place. Please let us know when it changes hands!

Pros: close to my home

Cons: most everything!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

04/11/2008 Posted by lovinwakeforest

I frequent O'Dwyers on a regular and up until around November of last year, I had to agree with all the reviews written, The male bartender was RUDE at best and the owner is a little grumpy. However, they must of finally wised up and fired all of their rude staff members and figured out how to train servers correctly. I have been told that they completely changed their management team and the new managers seem to really have their stuff together. The food is consistently good and the service is very friendly and efficient. If there ever is a problem, you can talk to any one of the three managers and they will always more than fix the problem. They still have live bands on Saturdays and DJ on Fridays, also they have hospitality nights on Sunday and Monday and ladies night on Tuesdays. They really have turned things around! I am so impressed with the new changes and will continue to spend all my money at O'Dwyers.

Pros: New management team totally rocks!

Cons: Same owner, don't know if that is good or bad...