"Don't take our word for it, see what everyone else is saying...."
The Washington Post - There are some Irish pubs in the Washington area that would do well to copy Castlebay's Irish-without-beating-you-over-the-head-with-a-pint-of-Guinness motif. It sports kelly green walls, a Guinness clock and a huge oil painting of James Joyce, but there are other embellishments ? like paintings of country scenes and sports equipment ? that you don't find at McIrish bars.
The authenticity is probably because owner Vince Quinlan, who once ran a pub in Dublin, wanted to re-create the atmosphere in Annapolis. (Irish music fans will recognize Quinlan from his many performances around Washington, on his own or with the group Celtic Folk.) Looks aside, the selection of beer here is outstanding; it includes Guinness, Caffrey's, Boddingtons, Beamish, Newcastle, Tetley's, Bass, and Harp, plus an array of single-malt scotches arranged behind the bar.
Those brass kettles and vats in the back of the room aren't just for show. After various legal problems, Castlebay now brews Three Nuns Ale, a malty brew that Irish beer drinkers will definitely enjoy.
We were astonished by the bar staff's smooth pouring and the texture of beer. Complimented on their delivery, they boasted about the bar's state-of-the-art "nitrogen/CO2 delivery system" that makes each imperial pint perfect. All I know is that whether a Beamish or Boddington's, the beer was creamy and delicious. Add some tasty Irish fare and plate glass windows with a Main Street view, and you've got a heck of an Irish bar.
Fritz Hahn, (12/30)
Latitudes & Attitudes Special Boat Show Issue - This locale was founded in 1998 by Vincent Quinlan, who used to be in the popular "Celtic Folk" band that would perform and sing in many pubs and restaurants in the Boston, New York and D.C. areas. He's also an Irish raised Dubliner who strives to make Castlebay a place where all will "feel welcome, have lots of fun," and of course, "enjoy great food and drink." To this end, I think he has succeeded greatly.
The atmosphere is just what you would expect of an Irish pub, from the rich, plentiful mahogany paneling and wooden floors, to the subtle white and moss green paint scheme which lends it a cozy ambience. Vincent himself stained and epoxied the tables with Poly Var. (I'd wish a boat on him, but the we wouldn't have this great pub to frequent!).
One of this pub's strongest points is reasonably priced seafood and their corned beef sandwiches (and yes, they have burgers too). You're in for a good time, especially if their Chef, Alfonse, is in the kitchen. My Dad, and he's a critic, vouches that they have the best fish 'n chips on the East Coast. And as for drink, they have a fully stocked bar with a wide selection on draught, including the ever popular Irish Guinness and British Boddington's. Castlebay, however, takes this a step further by presenting their own microbrewery, featuring their "Three Nuns" - a good, smooth ale.
If you want to sit back and clap your hands, or get out onto the dance floor, this is also a good locale. At least once a week bands will come by. Trust me, you don't want to miss out on an opportunity to hear at least one band perform.
This place does cater to the cruising population, right in the middle of Annapolis. If you have a pennant of your boat and give one to Vince, he'll not only hang it up above the bar for free, but he'll give you a free pint! Now, tell me that isn't kewl.
This place is hard to miss. It's right up Main Street, Annapolis. Coming up from the City Docks, take the left after Green Street and you've got yourself a parking garage. If you're coming by boat, just tie'er up and walk up Main Street. Castlebay will be on your left. 37.7741 N/076.491099 W!
Herbert Davies, Jnr. (Sep/Oct 2000 )
Dining With Gilles - What's up Magazine - guide to the Annapolis area - If your Irish eyes are smiling, then your lips must be wrapped around the Coronet of Limerick Ham at Castlebay Irish Pub-that, or the Irish Smoked Salmon or the Crab and Artichoke Dip. We enjoyed them all on a recent trip to this Main Street establishment.
Our waiter, Sean (straight from Ireland, by the way, with a lilt to prove it), recited the daily specials and recommended several selections of authentic beer. He described his favorite as "liquid sunshine" and it truly was. Castlebay also produces its own beer, called Three Nuns. Owner Vincent Quinlan, also a true Irishman, concentrates on just one label because he believes in doing one thing and doing it well.
That attitude is seen through the restaurant. Castlebay's Honduran mahogany walls are adorned with Irish memorabilia selected with the same care that Quinlan has brought to his menu. From crab cakes to Mullingar corned beef and cabbage, he has successfully reproduced a bit of Dublin in the heart of Annapolis.
The food was outstanding. As previously stated, we started with three exceptional appetizers: the Coronets, stuffed with egg salad; the crab and artichoke dip, equally portioned with both ingredients and without fillers, and the delicious Irish Oak Smoked Salmon (and I thought the French made the best oak!)
For the main course, my lassies and I ordered the Mullingar corned beef and cabbage and the fish and chips. The beef was sliced thicker than most, which gave a much better flavor. (Traditionally in the States, thin slices are used, which tend to taste watery and flavorless due to the boiling.) This beef had a sweet, distinctive taste and was of a higher quality. Though I don't usually care for vinegar on my cabbage, Castlebay uses a nice malt vinegar which makes it more flavorful. All in all, this simple dish was the best I'd ever had it prepared-and we didn't have to wait for St. Patrick's Day to have our fix.
The fish and chips were also authentic, with huge slices of potato and fresh, fluffy fish. And a taste of the shepherd's pie convinced us that Chef, Alfonse Queen has successfully duplicated all our family favorites.
Then to the most important Irish tradition, dessert! We tried a warm bread pudding that was to die for, plus the Irish Mist cheesecake (watch that one-there's quite a bit of Mist in there).
When we visited Castlebay, the place was filled with locals and visitors alike, all sharing the friendly pub atmosphere. Credit Quinlan, who's done a fine job bringing a bit of the auld sod to Maryland.
Gilles Syglowski is a chef, culinary instructor, food services consultant and restauranteur. He is a graduate of the Lycee d'Eseignement Professionel Hotelier in Metz, France. (October 2000)
Annapolis.com Review
Settle in for some bangers and mash or fish and chips Dublin style ? with a tall pint of Harp or Guinness ? at this warm and traditional, yet elegant, Irish pub. Bagpipe and fiddle music plays in the background, custom-designed, stained-glass partitions offer some privacy and stained-glass sconces cast a glow over white linen set against moss-green walls. The upper Main Street pub features reasonably priced Irish entrees ? some for less than $9 -- such as a hearty Irish stew and the fish and chips served with potato wedges, homemade coleslaw and a bottle of malt vinegar. The lunch and dinner menus also include American cuisine, sandwiches, burgers and salads, and a full bar offers a selection of beer, including the popular house brew ?Three Nuns Ale.? Open daily until midnight.
AOL's City Guide
A combination of mahogany and stained glass adorns this polished Irish pub. Stained glass lamps hang from the ceiling, illuminating the interior, and stained glass panels with sea scenes decorate the partition between bar and dining area.
The menu includes several sandwiches and burgers, traditional Irish dishes like shepherd's pie -- a combination of ground beef, carrots and peas -- topped with mashed potatoes, fish and chips, and fancier meals like filet mignon, pan-seared and wrapped with a seasoned puff pastry strip, then topped with bearnaise sauce. Both wine and beer are served, including one house brew.
James Joyce and other famous Irish authors peer down upon patrons from large oil paintings in the dining area, but the bar is hung with old, framed black-and-white photos of boxers and football teams, for a chummy yet quaint, antiqued atmosphere. The pub offers live Irish music most weekends, on Fridays and Saturdays, starting around 9PM. -- Tracy Vogel
DiscoverOurTown.com Castlebay Irish Pub 193A Main Street, Annapolis, MD 21401, 410-626-0165, Rated as one of the top five places to dine in Annapolis, this Irish pub features an Eighteenth Century feel and a friendly atmosphere. The menu includes both traditional Irish favourites, and regional specialties. "Tree Nuns Ale" brewed on site.