McSwiggan's: A Classic Hoboken Pub

The first time I visited , I was working for another Hudson County newspaper, and was tasked with interviewing a local drink-slinger for our weekend guide. I met bartender Paddy at McSwiggan’s that day (he would later go on to open the great bar , a few blocks away), and I remember having the best time just chatting and enjoying a beer in the garden. At one point I looked at my watch and realizing how long I had been out of the office – whoops! I was truly on my way to becoming the great and responsible journalist I am today.

Anyway, since then I had been back at McSwiggan’s a few other times, though I must say it does lack a certain charm without Paddy around. Which is not to say that the rest of the bar staff aren’t great, because they are. McSwiggan’s is one of the few places in town where I’ve never run into a pretentious bartender.

This time, I decided to have fun and order whatever I wanted, firstly, because my sister was in town, and secondly, because after that day I was planning on taking a few days off of drinking (the holidays were rough, you know). So we went for a couple of heavy Guinnesses, which at Happy Hour were about $4, I believe, a better deal than we would’ve gotten if we stuck around Manhattan. Other draft options were the standard Budweiser, Yuengling, Blue Moon variety, with some Irish specials like Harp and Smithwicks thrown in. They offer beer towers, too, at $18 for something boring like Bud Light. I love beer towers, they are the greatest invention of man, but sometimes you want a beer more satisfying than Bud Light. Also, should I really be setting this example for my younger sister?

As I said, the bartender was great. Quick and friendly, with no hint of attitude. The other patrons were the usual after-work crew of guys in ties and gals with their hair tied up. A few stragglers came alone for a glass of scotch or a bottle of beer. I still haven’t mastered the art of “drinking alone,” which is probably a good thing, but I admire people who can just roll up to their neighborhood bar, know the entire staff and kick a few back with friendly conversation before they head back home.

I like the décor of McSwiggan’s, too, because with the stone floors, brick walls and exposed wood beams overhead, I can pretend that I’m drinking in an old Irish castle or something. The large windows that open up to the garden area during warm weather are seriously the best, too. Everyone should know by now . And ! Oh man, I just want the winter to end already.

But I’d be remiss if I painted McSwiggan’s as only a chill sunny day afternoon bar, and not mention the crazy party it can become on the weekends. To be straight, it’s not my cup of tea, but then again girls in sequin “going out” shirts and guys sloshing their cheap beer around trying to get the phone number of anything with a pulse generally isn’t. I’m kidding, McSwiggan’s isn’t that bad is it? It probably is. I wouldn’t know. For a nightlife columnist, I am generally in bed by 10 p.m. (and I’m fired).

In the end, I’ll leave McSwiggan's with eight out of ten frosty mugs, because despite the weekend debauchery (where can you really escape it in Hoboken?), it’s a solid neighborhood bar with a friendly staff, standard drink options and patrons at Happy Hour that are a little older than the Steven’s set.