McCoole's at the Historic Red Lion Inn

American restaurant · Quakertown

McCoole's at the Historic Red Lion Inn

American restaurant · Quakertown

4 S Main St, Quakertown, PA 18951

Highlights

Old-timey tavern with pub fare & drinks housed in a former inn linked to a 1799 tax revolt.

4 S Main St, Quakertown, PA 18951 Get directions

mccoolesredlioninn.com

@mccoolesredlioninn

$30–50

@eater

"The baked mac and cheese at McCoole’s at the Historic Red Lion Inn can be enjoyed as a side item or as part of the Texas Short Rib entree. This toasty cheese concoction can also be ordered a la carte to accompany other favorite entrees at this popular Bucks County restaurant, such as the prime rib or honey garlic pork chop." - Kristen Kwiatkowski

The Best Mac and Cheese in Bucks County

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@eater

"For prime rib seekers who want this flavorful cut of beef on the menu everyday, McCoole’s at the Historic Red Lion Inn in Quakertown has the answer. Grab a queen cut prime rib entree with a side of horseradish any day of the week or opt for a black angus filet mignon with ramp butter if this cut is more to your liking — both steaks are served with scalloped potatoes and the featured vegetable of the day." - Kristen Kwiatkowski

Bucks County’s Best Steakhouses

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@eater

"Soak up some history at McCoole’s, a Quakertown establishment that has been cultivating community since the 1740s. Once a meeting point for rebellion organizers of the Revolutionary War period, McCoole’s offers a peaceful ambiance with a gourmet menu, live music, and theatre. Tickets are required for some of the larger acts, but the low-key acoustic and piano performances need only your presence." - Sam Herring

Top Restaurants and Bars to Catch Live Music in Bux-Mont

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@eater

"Established in 1750, McCoole’s at the Historic Red Lion Inn is an ideal spot for history lovers to dine. This South Main Street bar and restaurant is also the place to go when seeking out food and drink specials for happy hour in Quakertown. Visit the inn for happy hour specials at the bar and on the patio from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 12 to 8 p.m. on Sundays during football season. Drink specials such as $3 Stella Artois and Miller Lite beers, $6 house wine by the glass, and $2 off specialty cocktails tempt the happy hour crowds as do food offerings including $7 fried pickles, $10 nachos, and $8 beef melts (2)." - Kristen Kwiatkowski

The Best Happy Hours in Bucks County

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@eater

"The cocktail creation skills at McCoole’s at the Historic Red Lion Inn in Quakertown are strong. Case in point: the caramel apple martini. Sip this fall fruit concoction featuring apple vodka, apple cider, and sour apple liquor mixed together then served in a caramel rimmed glass and topped off with a splash of bubbly prosecco." - Kristen Kwiatkowski

The Ultimate Fall Cocktails in Bucks County

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Miss Val

Google

We stopped in here on a Saturday afternoon for lunch. I found it on Google maps while traveling from Bethlehem to Philly. We sat at the bar. It was later in the afternoon so there weren’t too many people in there. The bar was nice. The bartender greeted us immediately and took our drink and food orders. We had a chicken wrap and a burger. Both were good. The drinks were good as well. I had their cider and it was crisp and dry - not loaded with sweeteners thankfully. The bartender was friendly and attentive. The atmosphere was easygoing and relaxed. The building is historic and there was info in the menu about it. Pretty interesting. We enjoyed it and would come here again if ever in the area.

Rawad Elias

Google

Beautiful warm and charming ambiance, excellent service, tasty food, and generous portions. Clam Chowder was huge and could’ve been a meal on its own. I wish the broth was a bit thicker, but the flavour is good. Crab cakes main plate was very tasty. The cakes were100% crab meat with ZERO filler. The mashed potatoes were very good, and the sauce was a nice touch to the crab cakes. Tried the Winter Old Fashioned and it was a generous pour, and packed a nice punch. I just wished it was slightly sweeter. Everyone at the table enjoyed their food and would recommend McCoole’s to anyone in the area.

Laine Alan

Google

Hey mister, ma'am, looking for a good time, good fun, in a historic atmosphere? Look no further than McCoole's. You may have driven by it, but not stopped in and that was, and is a mistake. McCooles serves up well conceived, contemporary fare and inspired cocktails, and does it well. The interior is an ode to history with its deep woods, and low lighting, harkening back to when Main and Broad Street, were the crossroads of Quakertown. The bar is all charm, as well as the indoor seating, which is quaint and intimate. Outdoor seating is available, weather permitting, where one can watch the coming and going of Borough traffic. It's nice, especially if the weather is good, but on occasion can be loud. Service was friendly, and efficient, with a light touch, to ensure you're attended to but not disturbed, allowing you to partake in the ambience and the company you might be keeping. There are a couple of menu's to choose from, and both offer value, I felt it was money well spent, and not needlessly overpriced. Wish I would have considered dining here more often, but after todays visit, I am sure I will. You should too.

Just Witty

Google

McCoole's at the Historic Red Lion Inn stands out as an old-timey tavern steeped in history, offering a colonial gastropub experience with upscale dining. Housed in a former inn tied to the 1799 tax revolt, it retains its historic charm while delivering a modern take on hospitality. I was invited by friends who frequent the tavern and assured me it shines even more during warmer weather, with live music, outdoor seating, and various forms of entertainment. Their recommendation was well-founded. Walking in, I was greeted by a friendly and professional front-of-house staff. The interior struck a perfect balance—stone walls and dark wood created a warm, intimate setting that felt timeless rather than aged. The atmosphere, paired with the welcoming staff, was nothing short of inviting. We arrived for a 6 PM reservation and were seated promptly at a round table in the main dining room, conveniently positioned near a flickering fireplace that added to the cozy ambiance. The menu offered a wide selection of dishes, making the choice anything but easy. After some deliberation, I went with a crock of French onion soup and the evening’s special: beef stroganoff. My wife chose chicken wings as an appetizer and crab cakes for her entrée. Each dish exceeded expectations. The French onion soup was rich and satisfying, while the beef stroganoff proved to be the kind of hearty comfort food that fits perfectly on a chilly evening. My wife’s crab cakes were a standout, cooked to perfection and full of flavor. McCoole's effortlessly blends its historical roots with exceptional food and service. The warm interior and inviting atmosphere make it an ideal spot for both casual dinners and more intimate occasions. Based on this experience, I look forward to returning, perhaps in better weather, to enjoy their outdoor seating and live entertainment.

Fufu D

Google

Antique cozy atmosphere. Our waiter was really nice. Unfortunately they were out of prime rib for French dip sandwich so I ordered the burger which seemed pretty mediocre -typical bar burger. Definitely prefab - not hand formed patty. Wasn’t bad and I wasn’t disappointed but I expected better.

Jaime Orr

Google

Beautiful historic place. Love the atmosphere. Has a Great Gatsby feel. The food was ok. We had brunch: crab&shrimp melt and the French dip. It was good quality seafood, however, there was no seasoning. Very bland. It was better after I added tarter sauce to spruce it up. The French dip beef was tender but grisly. The pomegranate margarita was pretty tasty. Very tart.

Steve Prekup

Google

We had a very nice mid-week dinner here. The service was friendly, and the food, wonderful. The historic building and decor were the real standouts, though. It's a very cool historic building with Revolutionary War era decor. And ghosts! 👻 (No, unfortunately I didn't actually see any....)

Clementine Mottola

Google

Wednesday March 13th 2024 First & last visit. Our waitress abandoned us (two person party) for several other large parties. Service was really slow. She brought out our meal & never checked on us. It was a $50 filet we asked for it to be medium rare & it was burnt. The vegetables were all MUSHY & way overcooked. By the time she came back, we had completed the meal (I would have sent it back if service was acceptable & she checked on us). After a horrible meal, she only took $10 off the check. Gee. Thanks. Crab dip appetizer was delicious but $20+ & extremely tiny. Gluten free options were limited but marked on the menu. We sat next to the fire, which was really nice & relaxing. Overall we enjoyed the atmosphere & lots of character in the building. However, it doesn't matter when service and food aren't good.