Mahaffey's Pub

Beauregard

Maryland

1.55/5  rDev -63.7%
vibe: 1 | quality: 2 | service: 1 | selection: 2 | food: 1 | $$

Manager was rude on my last visit. She didn't seem to know too much about beer, and was more interested in sharing shots with people. The cask was served way too warm (at least 80 degrees... this is not cellar temperature), and yet they didn't want to take it back. Beer selection has lagged behind other bars in the area. Food has also been incredibly inconsistent, and downright terrible at times. The beer market has changed, for the better, and Mahaffeys hasn't kept up in my opinion. I'd recommend you head to some of the newer places in the area for a class beer experience.

03-16-2006 22:16:30 | More by Beauregard

gillagorilla

Maryland

3.85/5  rDev -9.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.25 | $

This is the definition of a hole in the wall. It is very easy to miss and unless you know where it is, you wouldn't likely pass by it at all. The place is a straight up rectangle that follows the bar and then steps up with a few tables and then the bathrooms.

The food here is quite nice, but I have only had the sliders. They offer beef, chicken, lamb and bison.

The service is decent but it can get quite busy, which means it can take a while before you get your food since they only have the one grill man. Also, there is only the one bartender.

They have a nice rotating draft, which has some good beers on it, but the best part is the happy hour special of three 10 oz. pours for $5. However, the best beers on the menu are never available as part of the "three for". There is also a nice, small selection of bottles to be had.

05-17-2013 23:26:25 | More by gillagorilla

MaltistLupulist

Maryland

3.88/5  rDev -9.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $

Baltimore corner taverns are a hell of a culture shock from my vantage point on Rippling Brook cul-de-sac in "Leave it to Beaver" Land, and Mahaffey's is certainly no exception. It does differ, however, from your typical Canton or Highlandtown watering hole in that the beer selection is among the best in the city outside of Max', with which no establishment can seriously compete. The rotating draft offerings are about evenly spread out between local/MD, regional/East Coast (PA's Trictobacher, NY's ST and Ommegang, New England's Smuttynose and Allagash, &c.), and domestic craft breweries from beyond (usually of the more widely distributed CO and CA persuasion), with a smattering of international offerings (an Irish stout seems to be a permanent fixture with perhaps a Belgian, German, or English beer making an appearance from time to time). As far as local offerings, you can predictably expect to find some Flying Dog or Heavy Seas beers, but it's also nice to see some of the more obscure stuff from area brewpubs and tiny batch brewers like White Marsh, Brewer's Alley, Stillwater, and Evolution. The bottle selection is extensive and includes a respectable Belgian contingent. The three ten oz. beers for $4 happy hour deal (everyday until 7p) is an unbelievable bargain, but, if you're a lightweight like I am, be careful--I tend to think of these as one round, but, in reality, it's nearly two full pints. They make an effort at providing proper glassware, but it is a feeble one.

Beer selection aside, the vibe here isn't really my scene and is repellent enough to keep me from visiting too often: a long and narrow design (typical of most of these corner pubs, really) coupled with crowded conditions and poor ventilation make for an uncomfortable and claustrophobic drinking environment; a crowd as rambunctious as it is incestuous--as an infrequent patron from outside the neighborhood I don't exactly feel unwelcome here, but I do feel a bit like an extra on "Cheers"; the hyper-Bawlmerese demeanor of the staff, especially some of the barmaids, who are otherwise quite competent and beer savvy--I know, I know, this is Baltimore and it is to be expected, but the whole "hon" thing can get to be a bit tiresome; and, lastly, but perhaps most frustratingly, the deep fryer that is in constant use is situated mere feet from where most of the patrons seated at the bar or at the semi-counter against the wall are drinking--this won't bother most people, but to an aroma fiend like myself it is a major inhibitor and doesn't make tasting one's beer any easier, either. Since I've witnessed how things are done at Selin's Grove, this is a difficult situation to accept.

Of course, one person's grievance is another's praise, and plenty will love Mahaffey's for the same reasons I was less than thrilled with it. If I lived nearby, I'm sure I'd be more open to overlooking its flaws and perhaps even eventually come around to regarding it as a neighborhood asset, but, as someone who finds himself in town only occasionally, there's little here to lure me away from the world-renowned beer emporium at Broadway and Lancaster. As far as finding craft beer in Baltimore corner taverns goes, however, you can do far, far worse.

04-03-2010 17:25:04 | More by MaltistLupulist

qchic

Maryland

3.95/5  rDev -7.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $

A neat beer bar with around a dozen taps of ever-rotating craft beers. Some rarer stuff has been seen here, in fact I just had SN triple there, which I didn't even know existed. I often rave about Mahaffey's having the best deal in town w/ their 3 for 4 deal during happy hour everyday which sometimes justifies trying things I might not at regular bar prices. Hopefully you get the 3 glass mugs and not plastic cups when they run out! Food specials during the week are also some of the best around, so for value (don't worry it's tasty, too), this is a must try. The downside is that it's not a big place and crowds quickly, sometimes not leaving even standing room. Can be a little loud, too. Service is usually fine, though has been a little manic at times in the past. Recommended.

09-12-2009 18:48:33 | More by qchic

danadeny

Colorado

4.06/5  rDev -4.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

This is a typical Baltimore locals bar (neighborhood bar). Whats nice is that all the generic, party time, young drunk kids, just turned 21, fake Irish, bars are a couple blocks away in Canton square. So the crowd and atmosphere at mahaffey's are more laidback and friendly. To me it's an honest come as you are bar. The beer quality is good, service was spot on, selection of styles were varied from fruity Belgians, barrel aged stouts, and crazy hoped IPA's. But they did not for get us malt heads and threw in some classic German beers that are unbeatable for their simplicity. So far my favorite spot in Canton. This bar doesn't try to be hip, cool, loud, and trendy to compete for business with canton square; the beers do the talking for it.

05-16-2009 19:53:02 | More by danadeny

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev -4.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3 | $$

I have to agree with Dithyramb, Mahaffey's is my favorite place north of The Cat's Eye in Fell's Point! It's a cute little corner bar with a great crowd (they have a mug club) and friendly servers. And with one exception (I think), it's pretty much all there is for good beers in Canton. They have 12 taps, a hand pump, and 100 bottles... mostly good stuff. The menu is somewhat limited, but it's quick as they cook right behind the bar (how cool is that!?!?!), which is a fair trade-off. The 10 seat bar is quite nice with a new "old-fashioned" back bar; and there are 21 seats divided between the dining and cocktail area. If you'd like to actually sit and eat, they offer more than just bar food at what seem to be reasonable prices (I've only ever had fries and shrimp at the bar myself). Worth a trip!

12-01-2006 01:57:02 | More by NeroFiddled

mltobin

Connecticut

4.08/5  rDev -4.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5 | $

Located east of the popular main harbor area in Baltimore on a quiet street, you have the neighborhood bar, Mahaffey`s.
A long narrow bar, with a few tables in the back for groups.
The tap selection is 16 or so, and had Wolavers white, Avery Maharaja, St Bernardus 12, Dogfish Immort, Great Divide Titan IPA, Brooklyn Intensified Coffee Stout and others flowing when I was there. They seem to have a lot of regulars from all walks of life and a friendly staff that keeps them coming back. Affordable craft beers away from the main drag, my kind of place !

05-25-2009 00:13:41 | More by mltobin

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -3.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5 | $$

I enjoyed a stop at Mahaffey's w/ friends from the LBC on the recent pub crawl to Baltimore. The atmosphere is very inviting and I was talking beer w/ some locals almost immediately.

The quality of beer and food was good as well as the selection of menu choices. There is a very good selection of beers - local drafts as well as Mid-Atlantic and West coast Choices. I enjoyed sharing a Unibroue Edition 2005 w/ johnmichaelsen, Phatz, and mac300.
The food and service are both above average and I would recommend Mahaffey's to anyone with some time to kill in Baltimore.

10-02-2007 17:28:35 | More by Slatetank

4.14/5  rDev -3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

Stopped in for a couple beers and an in-person trade.

Atmosphere was very comfortable, as others have described. Very much a neighborhood bar, a little worn around the edges, but very friendly and fun.

Quality of the beer I had was quite good. Enjoyed a couple Nugget Nectars on tap. Served at the right temperature and in appropriate glassware.

Service was quick and friendly. Seemed knowledgeable regarding the beer options.

Selection was not stellar, but I had no problem finding stuff I wanted to drink. 10 or so taps, and quite a few bottles I didn't explore.

I had already eaten, so I didn't try the food. I was, however, sitting right in front of the grill, and the food smelled great, looked great, and was served in plentiful portions.

Value was reasonable, both beer and the prices I saw on the food menu. I missed out, but the happy hour prices make it even more reasonable.

If you are in the area, I would absolutely encourage you to stop in. One of Baltimore's better beer destinations in the Inner Harbor area. A very different feel from Max's or DuClaws, but one worth trying out.

04-14-2008 17:14:22 | More by

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4.14/5  rDev -3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $

Kind of an ideal neighborhood bar. The guys werer middle aged plus, the music a little too rock for them or anywhere. Around for 5 years, and Babe Ruth's reincarnation at the bar. COmpetitive 3 pints for $5. About a dozen taps, mostly craft with a decent assortment. ABelgium, a stout, a Rogue. I was amused. Fresh beer, perfect pours. Nothing to blow me away, but a large friendly bar, home away from home in a rvived port area.The beer tap list changes often, though nothing to fly in or even drive downtown special for.

06-27-2008 21:05:24 | More by northyorksammy