Mahar’s Public Bar

A wonderful place to meet and make friends! Excellent brews, friendly atmosphere, modestly priced pub food as well.
Our party enjoyed a variety of cask conditioned and other IPAs, as well as the Shepherd’s Pie and Pulled Pork plates. There were no leftovers.

Did you ever have a place that you loved so much you wanted to tell everyone about it, but then didn’t want to tell anyone, because you enjoyed it as a quiet, well-​kept secret? Mahar’s Castleton is that place for me. And, as much as I’d love to keep my clandestine watering hole, Jim and Laurie are such great people and deserve a few new faces.
Mahar’s has the same great beer selection and camaraderie of actually talking to the random person next to you at the bar without trying to get his or her number, but the more remote location (you actually have the cross the Hudson) makes for an even more laid-​back atmosphere. No jukebox, no DJ, but occasionally a 12″ TV for football games… meaning you’ll actually talk to other people here.
A few months ago, I learned to play cribbage from a regular there. Even though it’s a game made for drunk sailors, I ended up spending more time learning the game than drinking and only ended up having a few drinks over the course of three hours, but that was just fine. In fact, my only admonishment from the barkeep the next time I came in was not telling her that I’d learned cribbage since I could have played.
Another secret, I should share is the food. Even though the menu mentions that Mahar’s is primarily a bar, their food goes far beyond the pickled eggs and potato chips of most places. The shepherd’s pie and bangers and mash are both wonderful and very reasonably priced (under $ 7). In fact, I’ve developed a moderately regular Sunday tradition of getting a late afternoon brunch and 10 oz. beer at Mahar’s. The only downside of their great food is that it’s ruined other English-​style pubs for me, since few can replicate the warmth and intimacy of Mahar’s (not to mention such reasonably-​priced Shepherd’s Pie.
Stop by and get a pint, you’ll be glad you did!

Its a Pub, not a bar. Serves beer, ale’s, porters, stouts, for those with international taste buds. NOT FOR BUD DRINKERS, but they have it. Not a rowdy establishment, and the Owners are pretty fantastic too… Shepard’s pie made with hamburger but still delicious.

we went there to the other day for a 85^th birthday party, we were the only people there, 5 of us, and the owner was quite arrogrant, first off he told us not to move the chairs that were around a table he would do that, the ladies room had no lights, all the owner was concerned about was this chairs being moved i am not talking alot its just inches, he went crazy, no way would we give this moron any business again, he has no manors or customers

Just when I thought Mahars couldn’t get any better, it opens a location close to where I live.
We went on a Friday night after dinner at a local restaurant. My husband didn’t believe me that there’s a Mahars in Castleton, but when we pulled up and saw the familiar Mahars sign outside, he got really excited.
The bar doesn’t have as much beer as its companion in Albany, but it still has a wide selection of some classics and beer snob worthy pints. The bar also has little built in wood stoves that are absolutely darling. It’s got your typical basement bar feel — wood paneling, beer towels, beer signs, beer mirrors, beer lights, etc.
This version of Mahars has much more ample seating and space. There were maybe 20 – 25 people in there and we had plenty of breathing room. The front of the bar has cozy chairs and the back has some tables and the classic wide stools that I love about the original Mahars (good for us ample-booty’d folks).
The bartender was pleasant and friendly and got us our beers quickly. We started a tab and headed to the back.
We met Mrs. Mahar (whos first name escapes me, Lori, maybe?) who told us about the history of bringing Mahars to Castleton on Hudson, about how they plan to have picture windows overlooking the Hudson soon, and how they own the building next door and plan to open a craft/​import beer shop. We felt like regulars on our first night.
We will be going back often. With friends. And I can’t wait to view the hudson while sipping on some of my favorite beers.