Murphy's Irish Pub

Bhji absolutely made our experience at this pub. We will definitely be back just because of him. First off the pub is just sooo cool. There is sooo much to look at. He introduced me to a new way to drink my dirty Shirley & he made my 3 daughters the real Shirley temple drinks the way she had them. Which I never knew & I grew up drinking them in WI! He let us go in the bottom part of the pub and showed us the water line from hurricane Ike in 2008 which was just mind blowing to see how high the water was. 10000/10 recommend this place and have a conversation with Bhji!

We had a fabulous time with the fill in bartender on St. Paddy's Day. She got pretty busy but handled it like a boss!!!

This place was just what we were looking for. To me it was a little hole in the wall spot. Great atmosphere, bartender was very friendly and service was great. I was skeptical about the food but my hubby told me these were the best places to get food. I ordered the wings, order of 8 for a great low price. These wings were so much better than most major wing restaurants!! If your walking the strand come a few blocks up and visit this little tucked away hole in the wall bar, you will not be disappointed!!!

Love Murphys! I Have to stop and have a sandwich and a drink when in Galveston.

Went in this pub alone on holiday, and was greeted like an old friend, the staff are so friendly and nothing is too much trouble even when they are busy. I will definitely be returning to this pub when I next holiday in Galveston.

Great local bar with lots of beer on tap.

Really great place to get drinks, listen to music, dance, play arcade games, and play pool. The bartenders are really nice and attentive. I love the vibe there. I love that you can play your own songs on the digital jukebox thing. It was also surprisingly clean.

Love coming here. It's still a smokers' type bar, but I love the people and drinks. Cool laid back bar.

So many reminders of a cold day in Boston drinking in a local Irish bar. Service was initially good and you can't go wrong with Guinness and Jameson's. You don't actually get a check, just a total. Wasn't a fan of that when my credit card seemed to get "misplaced"...

Great little spot on "The Strand" Great Irish Pub with authentic decor and it even has that cool musty smell like you are in Ireland. Bartender is a great conversationalist. Two rooms full of typical cubbies, high tops and booths to congregate with friends. Pool table and ol skeet ball. A real gem.

Nice vibe and bartender Janice is the absolute best. Because this review needs to be 85 words or more, let me say Janice...Janice....

Ms. Rachel was the star of the evening. We ordered the pepperoni pizza and French dip sandwich. I think it saved my life after walking all day. Rachel never left my glass empty, and got everything out faster than I thought possible. The music, the company, the stories, and everything combined made for a truly magical little moment here.

December 4, 2021 Came in from Dickens on the Strand. Same male bartender we had a few months back, which we love. Gawd, it's soo smokey in there that it's just not pleasant to be there if you're a non smoker (in my opinion) but my friends wanted to go in. We played shuffleboard. Free. We had pizza, carnivore/pepperoni and a white. I had the white, which they're known for but, tonight it was basic. Friends liked theirs though.

Been a while since the last time I went/came out to this bar. Let me just say beer on tap was warm staff is horrible. Register sucked and didn't work. Took 12 minutes standing at the bar without anyone else around to order a warm beer. What a disappointment. Had some great memories from this bar. Too bad. Hope it closes and comes under new management.

Service from Bartender Biugee was great! If you're looking for a good pint of Guinness, you can get that here. Pizza, wings and Rueben sandwiches on the menu... but not shepherds pie or bangers and mash. Most patrons were pretty drunk by 6pm.

We were really looking forward to visiting Murphys, being of Irish heritage. I admittedly should have turned around as soon as we walked in the door. The smell of cigarette smoke was overwhelming, but my husband was looking guard to our visit. It's dark and dingy, but the biggest drawback for us was the patrons smoking at the bar. Couldn't handle the smoke and left after one beer. We'll check before we go into another establishment for rules on smoking.

This used to be my favorite bar before they opened the one I go to now. Lovely people, good drinks. I always try to stop by around Saint Patrick's day and keep that tradition. Sadly my favorite bartenders all left and I don't know the new ones.

Murphy's used to be a reliable and comfortable place for my informal business meetings, with a good reputation for service and quality as a nice neighborhood bar. They have become an overpriced tourist trap, gouging all customers with nine dollar shots. - nine dollars, for bourbon.. I was one of their most loyal customers. They have gone full mercenary. I am sadly astonished at the loss of this good place for me and my company. Bugee the bartender remains the best thing about the place, but their inveterate tourist profiteering has robbed them of their status as any sort of a local or neighborhood bar. Sad for Galveston..

Walking Galveston in January (rain & fog) we saw the advert for Irish coffee....couldn't resist. Yes, we noticed the smoky fragrance but We.Dont.Care! The server (Rachel) brewed fresh coffee and loaded the cups to the top....absolutely wonderful. We had two each...then we split a plate of hot Italian sandwich with chips. Awesome. I love the casual afternoon crowd ( a Scott's cruise-ship engineer was having fun at the end of the bar ( offered to sing for everyone) we had a great time. We will probably stop by before stepping on board of our cruise tomorrow!!!!

After driving through flooded streets to get to the 2018 Galveston Island Wild Texas Shrimp Festival, we discovered something really, really weird when we arrived on The Strand. There were only a handful of people milling around, all the stores and restaurants seemed closed, and it certainly did not appear that any festival was occurring. The whole scene was so surreal! Here we were on The Strand at noon on a Saturday expecting to fill our bellies full of gumbo at Galveston's annual shrimpfest, yet no one is here, nothing is going on, and most obvious - a total lack of shrimp and beer! Turns out, the entire event was canceled due to the streets being flooded by the earlier torrential rain. It's times like these that make me realize that the rest of the world doesn't drive around in a Jeep Wrangler like I do. Nevertheless, we were all still hungry and thirsty, so we waded through the floodwaters surrounding The Strand until we splashed into this incredible Irish Pub. Murphy's was the ONLY place with their doors open shortly after noon on this particular Saturday, and as such, it was here that we drowned our disappointments away with stiff drinks and cold draft brew. And the service? Amy our bartender was nothing short of AWESOME! Nothing but pleasant five star service through and through. Who knew a canceled shrimpfest could turn into a great experience after all?!

I walked in from the Strand to an empty bar and ordered drinks and food. It was a nice, air conditioned, quiet spot. After taking a seat at the bar, I immediate understood why there were no customers there. The bartender immediately told us the food would be "made with spite" when asking about the pizza's. We stayed, ordered pizza and drinks. The service only got worse. Apparently the bartender has to make your food. This has to be the worst attitude and service I've ever had at a business. Steer clear. The cherry on top was her teenage son sitting at the table top right behind the bar listening to everything and then taking a nap.

If your cool with the bartender smoking cigarettes behind the bar, or cross contamination from using the same glassware for a customer. This place is for you. Pizza was okay, drinks were okay. Fruit flies were a big indicator that someone's not cleaning There bar out thoroughly. Wings were okay if you like baked oven wings. Food was decent but probably won't be back,bartender was super rude by burping multiple times behind the bar in front of her guest. Sorry but that's not cute , nor does it make me wanna come back to a bar if this is the standard y'all have. Nice location and open late till 2. We got recommended this place by a local tourist from another bar that was closing early. Probably won't be back due to a women bartender not knowing proper workplace manners, & getting sick from the pizza the next day.

This bar was my favorite back in college. White cheese pizza was the best. But recently we went in there with a friend that is an a celiac, she asked for a martini and the bartender was a complete Jack ass bc she didn't order a beer at an Irish pub. We are with another couple as well, She was there to support a friends bday. He proceeded to talk shit about her because she ordered a martini, the bartender was the worst experience. We will never step foot in there again. Because he has better things to do then serve someone that is a paying patron. He even told her he has better things to do then make a martini and that she was at an it's pub and should drink beer.

Came in at 11 am, bartender was great and they weren't busy at all. The only thing was the smoke was so thick still from the night before we drank our beer and left. Maybe some air filters would help!

So upsetting to be a local and feel the way I do EVERTIME I walk in here, Especially tonight!!!!!!!!! I love the pizza here but they do NOT answer the phone. I felt very unwelcomed. I hope for change in the future..

Was in town visiting Galveston and was looking for a bar to watch some football. Found Murphy's, can I just say wow! Great food and drink prices! Great service and atmosphere! My girlfriend and I had two drinks and two shots, two sandwiches with chips and cheesy garlic bread. The total before tip was $34!! If you are looking for a great place for cheap drinks and good food. I highly recommend Murphy's! We will definitely be back!

I honestly can't understand the low score here, except that I know so many people only leave reviews when they're upset. Early evening bartender, can't remember his name (light skinned, black guy), but we've been there while he was bartending a few times, and for us, he really makes this place. Plus their pizzas are to die for & the crazy part is, I'm confident they are just frozen type pizzas with toppings added. Maybe I'm wrong, but either way, they are so good - actually our favorite pizzas on the island! Seriously!

Good food. The white pizza was quite tasty, and so were the sandwiches. Very nice draft selection, with a little bit for everyone. It is a pub, so there is smoking allowed, but plenty of seating outside if that is an issue for you. Staff is friendly and laid back. It is a nice place for a low key and chill moment on the strand.

I don't know who the hell Murphy is, but I sho' nuff like his pub. ...Probably more than the other pubs on the Island. There's a full bar, pool, foosball, TVS airing sports, a jukebox, pizza and other items on the menu, a laid-back door guy, lots of seating, and the place is big; I didn't even notice the other half of the bar until heading out the door. Not to mention, it's a locals' hangout so you'll find a mixed, not-too-rowdy crowd. I appreciate that they had a few local beers on tap; don't order wine because all you'll get is Barefoot - my mistake. And unlike what others may have experienced, we actually had a really cool bartender who took care of us. Monday is Trivia night. On a creepy note, my old roomie worked here years ago when it was Conolly's, and he informed me of some haunted tales. Eep!

Dom a badass. She has given the best service ever. She is my favorite bartender. Anytime we ask for something she's right there all the time.

Not very Irish and STINKS of cigarettes. That's it. No more to say. Cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, cigarettes, can't get past the cigarettes. Well, there's the waitress who is not going to work "fucking" super bowl and called her coworker an "asshole." So if you smoke & like to hear a loud mouth waitress cuss, this place is for you.

If I could get the chance to give it 0 stars I would because the bartender was horrible. We walked to a table and it was a Monday night around 11pm so it was slow. The bartender was walking in and out the bar and she was on her phone. She later told us she didn't do table service even though she only had one couple at the bar and we were like 10ft away from the bar. We were trying to order pizza and she kept giving us smart *** answers while rolling her eyes. We really wanted to try the pizza for the first time but we ended up canceling our order because we lost out appetite after feeling so unwelcomed and mistreated. It's the worst service we've ever had. She shouldn't be serving and attending guests.

My friends and I were bar hopping around the strand when we decided to stop here. (It was our second stop). We were trying to decide what we wanted to drink before we went to play pool. The bartender with blue/green hair was very pushy and judgmental from the moment we walked in. She rushed to us, after we ordered drinks, and told us she refused to serve us because our drink was weird.. it was deep eddys lime on the rocks... how is that weird? Anyways she kicked us out. We were appalled at how she treated us. Go to old cellar instead to be treated right.

I get so excited every time I get to eat in Galveston, especially at Murphy's Pub. Today's experience was not the same as usual. It took 20+ minutes for me to order a drink and the same amount of time to order food at the bar. I was quite complexed when people whom arrived after me order their drinks and food after I arrived. I attempted not to take it personally but it was difficult too. Especially during these times. John treated me with such utter disrespect. I will not return. I hope your experience it better than mine.

Ugh. This place stinks. The old bartender is rude. And their draft beer isn't cold...I'm pretty disappointed. A local told us that this was a cool spot,.... I disagree.

My wife and I walked in and at fist put off by the smell of cigarettes smoke, but the Irish pub setting was right on. It was mid day, Saturday and one two other people in the pub, no music at first and things weren't lookin good, it all changed when the bartender came over. He immediately was welcoming and the service was great. The drinks were as they should be and they had plenty Irish whiskey. Only two down side, the smell of cigarette smoke and no Irish music. A short time after getting our drinks the juke box started playing. Country music? Rock? Ok for most bars but, for an Irish pub. At least play some Irish/American rock. I'm not asking for grandpa in a leprechaun suit, just give me some Tossers

Cannot come to the island and not visit Murphy's. We love the food and the managers.

It was amazing pizza I honestly doubted on my way here lol but OMGGGGGG it was thick and perfect it tastes so fresh and the GARLIC BREAD BOMBBB.COM!

These guys got the best bar pizza I've ever had. I'd rather have there pizza then Pizza Hut or dominoes. Drinks are good as well but the pizza is where it's at.

Walked in, no acknowledgement or eye contact from the lady bartender. I wanted to leave right then and there but was hungry and wanted their white pizza(which is delicious btw) Rude bartender and so is the cook with a horrible attitude problem that made our pizza. It's as if we were such an inconvenience to them that they had to get up from the bar stool that they're sitting on, playing with their phones and smoking their cigarettes. I used to love this place now it sucks.

As the only Irish Pub I knew to go to on the Island, we went on St. Patrick's Day and we were really disappointed. The bar was full, but not totally busy. We sat at a table, decided that maybe there wasn't a waitress, so we tried to go to the bar, where we were ignored. We went to the other bar to see if we could at least get a beer, and we were ignored. It's YOUR big day, and failed miserably.

I love this place it's one of my regular haunts. The best pizza I've had in Galveston too. I'm never disappointed.

I really liked this place. Came here for darts and cider and fell hard for the beautiful wood decor, true pub feel! I will be back! Amy was so kind to open the lower bar for us to play darts at 2pm. Great place!

I wouldn't quite consider myself a connoisseur of pubs. I've been to many in my day and I am very much a fan of them. Thus, I offer my humble opinion. LOOK: Without having an actual Irish pub to compare it to, I can only say that Murphy's is a decent pub. From the finished wooden bar to the Singer sowing table legs, Murphy's give you a feeling of an authentic Irish pub. (3 stars) SERVICE: There are drawbacks, however. There weren't any traditional menus that we could find and the pub is self serve. If you enjoy having a waitress wait on you, you'll be disappointed. You order your food at the bar and the bar keep will bring it out to you. But the service was quick. (3 stars) FOOD: The food was ok. We ordered the wings and there wasn't really anything special about them. To Murphy's credit, they don't brag about their wings as much as they do about their "White Pizza" with garlic butter, spinach, and feta, along with their specialty sandwiches. Then again, if they had a menu. . .(2 stars) BEER: Most important is the beer. When I go to an Irish pub I like to go for authenticity. I had the Guiness draft and it was decent. Good temperature and a decent head. If you don't want Guiness at an Irish pub (and why the hell wouldn't you) they do offer a LOT of other beer on tap which was cool. (3 stars) It boils down to this: I've been to better but for Galveston the word "Decent" is used best to describe Murphy's.

Ordered an Old Fashion and the lady bartender said "I'm not going to make a *ucking old fashion." Ummm ok.

I was so excited to go to Murphey's with my husband! I had been talking about their pizza all day. We walked in around 6:30pm and the bar was about 1/3 filled. We walked up to the bar and the bartender didn't say "hello" or make eye contact. He disappeared in the back for 5 minutes. He came back out and still did not make eye contact. The person next to us was clanking two empty beer bottles together trying to signal to the bartender he needed a drink. Still nothing. We ended up leaving after 20 minutes of no service. Highly disappointed because we were ready to eat and drink all night.

My girlfriend and I were on the hunt for wings, beer and rum. We decided to give Murphy's a shot, even with the 3/5 stars on yelp. We arrived 7:00pm on a Sunday, and the place only had a few patrons. This is important because I've read many reviews with poor service, and we had outstanding service. Bhuji, our bartender, made the experience what it was for us, he's the reason for 5/5. He helped my girlfriend find a beer she (and I) thoroughly enjoyed; and she isn't a beer person. He gave my girlfriend a few samples of some beers he concocted together and they were all fantastic. The one we both went with was a Killians with a Stout beer he mixed together and it was fantastic. Cheesy bread was great, not too cheesy, excellent. Then he custom made two different style wings for us (only hot was available on the menu) and the wings were phenomenal. I'm not saying Murphy's will be your kind of place or that you can expect the quality of service and experience my girlfriend and I had, but we give this 5/5 hands down because of the service we received. Fantastic night for us.

I showed up on a quiet Thursday afternoon. Bartender Sheila presiding over the bar. I get the impression that Sheila doesn't really enjoy her job or the random patrons that drop by on her watch. I've been here several times before and always enjoyed it and the friendly bar service. Today was not one of those days. Bummer, cause I really needed a nice break from reality.

I've been here a few times, trying to be fair and open minded. I just can't get behind this place. They really don't want ethnic males coming here. I was ignored, ignored and then ignored some more. I think I finally got the hint "don't come here, we dont want you here, even if we are slow". I wish people did not support this type of behavior, but unless its happening to you, who cares, right? Well, my date did. I felt really bad after bringing here there, but it was in walking distance. Since it was her first time, she figured it was just bad service...but i could see the difference. Oh well. One person cant change the world

My friend and I were trying to get pizza at the end of the night and their barstool was out in the middle of the bar area and my friend's foot caught on it and she tripped. They then refused to serve us even though all we wanted was pizza - no alcohol - which I told him multiple times. She had maybe 3 drinks all night and I told him all we want is pizza. We live here in Galveston and come here often for pizza at the end of the night. We sadly will not return, although I have to say they have great pizza, but sad, rude, and poor customer service. How can they not serve us pizza? The barstool was sticking out (we could nearly sue as she had a sore foot due to it) and we were not drunk at all. Trust me - I've been there way worse ;)

I normally love this bar for the atmosphere and the food (Reuben sandwich is amazing!) however this time we had a very rude bartender. This male in his 30s with a beard was very unpleasant with seemingly only my fiance and I from the minute we arrived. Hoping that the next time we come we have a better experience.

Great COVID procedures, always a friendly staff to all! Great choice of liquors, beer and food! Jukebox is friendly to all types of music as well. Would definitely check it out if you're in town late at night for a drink and late night food!

Vacationing in Galveston and needed a place to enjoy some drinks for my husband birthday. .. we lucked out. The bartender was very friendly, offered great drinks, and the bar tab was fair. This place also offers food till 2am. At the end of the night the bartender called us a cab. That was very nice .. Thanks for making my husband birthday a good one.

What can I say..... I was visiting Galveston from St. Louis, Mo and wandered into this gem. What a great place! Friendly people and the bar staff were the best! Ryan, Kat and Hugh were positively the nicest most welcoming humans! AND the pizza was ahhhhmazing! Thank you guys for making my trip memorable!

I have to agree. The most rude bartender Ever. Never came to take our food order We decided to finish our overpriced beer and go elsewhere. This is the second time Ive tried this place. I can promise you you wont be happy if you venture into Murphys Pub.

Walked in, and walked right back out! Nasty smoke filled place with people smoking all over the place it reeks even a block away.... People eating and smoking cigs, nasty dirty as well. Unless you are a heavy smoker don't even waste your time

First visited Murphy's on a St. Arnold's Pub Crawl in Galveston and loved it. Though it was the last stop on our tour and so I've waited to write a review until I wait back without the beer goggles. The hubs and I have been there multiple times on a Sunday afternoon after hitting the beach in Galveston. The drinks are well-priced and the white pizza is delicious. On Sundays and Mondays it's only $7.50 for a medium which can easily feed two to three people. The only reason this place gets knocked down a peg is that you can smoke in there. We've been in there many times when no one was smoking (it's usually relatively quiet in there on Sundays...) but when someone is smoking you leave reekin'.... If you're in town, though, stop in for a pint. I would imagine on a Saturday night it'd be a good time - pool table and juke box included!