LI McGrath's Opens In Farmingdale, Bringing Irish-American Fare And Music

FARMINGDALE, NY — LI McGrath's has opened in Farmingdale, bringing the spirit of Ireland to town.

The pub, at 217 Main St., Farmingdale, has a sister pub, McGrath's, in Galway, Ireland, which co-owner Rich Chlystun said is a distinguishing "standout feature."

Chlystun owns the pub with co-owners Sean Walsh and Ross Finn. One of the owners is always at the restaurant to personalize the experience, Chlystun said.

Walsh said the Farmingdale location borrows its logo, atmosphere, brickwork and paint job from its Ireland counterpart.

"It’s a live music venue with live music on the regular," Chlystun told Patch. "We’ve got some of the best Guinness around."

What makes a good pint of Guinness?

"It’s all about the pour. Temperature and the pour," Chlystun explained.

The menu boasts a mix of Irish and American fare.

Starters include Irish favorites like potato leek soup; lamb lollipops; and Irish whiskey glazed bacon. Main course items include a smashburger; corned beef sandwich with fries; steak sandwich; and other handhelds, as well as a corned beef kettle dinner; and molasses BBQ meatloaf.

The two most popular items so far, however, are the Guinness Irish Stew and Galway Fish and Chips, Walsh said.

"We’re hoping people know us as the place to go to sit in a warm, comfortable atmosphere, with a good mix of Irish traditional music and American music," Chlystun said.

Chlystun said Farmingdale has "one of the best main streets around" and said the village was the right fit for LI McGrath's.

"We know that Farmingdale is a great community," Chlystun said. "A great neighborly community. We want to be great neighbors and members of the community."

LI McGrath's is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. The pub replaced a previous Irish restaurant, The Republic.