The Shaskeen Pub and Restaurant

Charming Irish pub located in the heart of downtown Manchester! Stellar draft selection including Mangers Irish cider, which I can never find on draft on at other bars. Elevated pub fare, including several vegetarian options, which is hard to come by in New Hampshire. My personal favorites are the grilled cheese and tomato bisque, stuffed mushrooms or the chicken (vegan tenders) caesar. Diverse music scene with live music going on the backroom every-time I've visited! Seeing nationally touring acts such as 'Amigo the Devil', 'Scissorfight' and 'Rah Digga' in such an intimate venue have been amazing! The service is always friendly and consistently efficient even on busy nights! I love when the bartenders add pictures on the top of our Guinness or Black Velvet using the Ripples drink printer machine, it makes each beer feel special and unique.

Food was excellent. Buffalo wings were extremely good but disappeared before I could get a photo.. Irish Nachos, bangers and mash, and the chip butty was great. Especially that curry sauce. All relatively inexpensive too. It's Also a concert venue. Next time I'm in Manchester I know where to eat

I went here 2 years ago to eat and watch the band. The service was excellent and the food was plentiful and delicious too. I needed a glass of water at the bar as I wasn't feeling well when I got there and I had immediate service and the place was crowded too! Shaskeen is a definite place to go. It gets crowded easily but thats normal on a Friday night lol. I know i made this review late I was just checking on what was going on at the Shaskeen this weekend! You all do a super job there! 👏

Wife and I stopped by for a quick beer and ended up staying a lot longer as Mackenzie (sorry if u misspelt it😅) was such a cool person to talk to! The buffalo egg rolls were the best thing to grace my taste buds! Looking forward to spending our weekends here!

This place is great, a true pub feel, perfect Guinness pours, the bar staff is friendly, and fun to chat with, the space is beautiful, tons of moments cover the walls with photos recording a history that could definitely fill volumes! The back room is often host to national music acts on weekends, there are small shows midweek. A new winter menu was just unveiled, the chicken pot pie was grand! One of my favorites in downtown Manchester!!

Live shows, tasty chicken wings, and good cocktails. What more could you ask for? My server/bartender was also super friendly. I really need to go check it out again when they’re having a live band!

There is no doubt that this place is a pub. The feel, the wooden bar, the low taps. It's what I'm looking for. Has a divey feel, but does have it's refinements. I'd love to see a large whiskey selection with the size of the back bar, but there may be things that I don't know as to why they do not have a larger selection. I do have to say, I'm not a fan of bars that have measured shit pourers. It just leaves the unintentional message that you can't trust your staff to be honest and pour correctly. Or not skilled enough to use a jigger. It was only a few bottles, but personally not an appealing look. Carolyn, my bartender was fantastic. Kind and prompt. On a previous visit, I had the wings. They were plump and the sauce was good. My one gripe is that they were not crispy at all (I ordered fried and they also offer grilled. I definitely want to go back for a comedy night and to try some other of their food offerings.

I can't believe the prices for the amount of food you get at this place! We had looked everywhere for a restaurant in Manchester and the price is alone made us want to try it out. It was amazing! The club sandwich was by far the biggest sandwich I've ever attempted to consume. Fries perfect, fried green beans perfect wings so crispy but not overcooked. Go to this place!!!!

This weekend, my wife and I were in Manchester for a wedding. Since we had spare time on Saturday afternoon, we looked for a place nearby for drinks and a bite to eat. The Shaskeen was exactly what we wanted. This little Irish bar in the heart of town was friendly, with cold drinks, and an excellent appetizer. The Guinness on tap was perfect and the Loaded Fries were fantastic! Our bartender was super friendly and made it a fun time out!

I attended a private event nearby and afterward met up at The Shaskeen with some family who live in the area. This is a very laid back Irish pub. Bar stools without backs at the bar. Bare wooden benches along the walls. Sturdy wooden tables. No frills. Lots of beers and a full bar. My SO was already at the bar with family when I arrived and we grabbed a table. A waitress stopped by to take an order and I (an another member of the party) got a burger as I had a long drive home and hadn't eaten yet that day. The burger is good. A large patty, well cooked with fresh lettuce and soft bun. It comes with fries on the side. Malt vinegar, salt, pepper, mustard, ketchup and napkins were placed on the table after we ordered My SO had already eaten before I arrived and said the fries accompanying his meal were different. I suggested they just cook whatever is in the freezer. :D He and some Uncles had ordered the Rueben. One of them was 'sent back' while the other two ate them but said they "weren't good." The bartender told them all the food is prepared 'as it is in Ireland'. When asked, my SO said it was 'boring'. Not the 'nice meat/sauce/sauerkraut combination you expect when biting into a Reuben'. The meat is cubed, not sliced or shredded which made the sandwich 'fall apart' and it was 'fatty'. Take that as you will. Parking is on street, some of which is pay at the kiosk and place the paid receipt on your dash, while other spots are 'free'. So be aware of where you are parked. Restrooms are in the back of the building and were clean. I enjoyed our visit here. Good beverages. Good food. Live Irish music during the end of the visit. Really, what's not to like? I'd stop in again.

We came to The Shaskeen twice over the course of 3 days. I was in Manchester for work and my office was nearby. I had my fiancé and parents in tow (they came with me for an extended work trip). We first stopped in for lunch and the food was delicious bar food. The sidewinder fries are awesome! I had the grilled cheese with the soup of the day, which was tomato bisque, and it was amazing. The second time we came in, it was just my fiancé and me looking for a quick happy hour drink on my birthday. The bartender was a super friendly blonde girl, I wish I'd gotten her names. Great times at Shaskeen!

I came in here after the Manchester Marathon. They were running a limited event menu. The bartenders were very friendly and welcoming. I ordered the loaded sidewinders and some chicken fingers. The portions were large and the food was great.

Such a great pub! They have my favorite beer on tap, Kilkenny! The wings with the Sweet Thai Chili sauce and scotch egg were awesome! I visited at lunch, but I hope next time I'm in town I'll be able to check out their entertainment! Bartender was very nice and she was attentive! Strong holiday theme with the great Irish flair. Definitely recommend!

I went to go see capadonna and got cut off because some other girl threw up in the bathroom. So basically if you hear someone throw up leave immediately or they'll blame it on you and cut you off. Stupid af.

Very nice atmosphere wil live Irish music. I had the Caesar salad with chicken and it was excellent. My husband had the burger and said it was very good. The best part was that the waiter told us that he wished that all our dreams may come true. Nicest parting comment from a server ever. Great service and great memories were made with friends today. Thank you.

We came here late night for some drinks and the vibe was super fun. They have a large bar and lots of tables and a back room too. Nothing too fancy but atmosphere was fun and looks like a spot a lot of people hang out at for some late night drinks.

On July 2, hubs and I were strolling Elm St. hopping from one place to the next and Shaskeen caught our eyes. We were just coming in for a drink but ended up getting a highly suggested appetizer as well! Decor: Fun red Irish bar. Big barrels, benches, and wooden tables. It is a bit small in here but they did have outdoor seating as well. For being a divey-like place the bathrooms were pretty clean and speaking of the bathrooms, there is chalk paint and chalk provided to write notes! Like how cool is that? Wipe it down every few days/weeks and no worries about graffiti and having to repaint! Drinks: I got a vodka soda and it was perfectly balanced and refreshing on this hot day. Can't remember hubs but he was happy. Food: we opted for the fried cauliflower and OMG, general Gao meets veg and it is heaven! Sweet and Spicy, battered perfectly and just the right size for an app. Service: Olivia was the best! She was the only server at this time of night, it wasn't busy yet but she did a bang-up job making sure we were taken care of. See ya next year Shaskeen!

Best pint of Guinness on this side of the pond! Always a great atmosphere with good music and friendly people! Don't walk by, stop in for a pint!

If you're a fried chicken sandwich guy/gal THIS IS YOUR SPOT. Get a fried chicken sando with a little mayo on the side and call your mom 10/10

Great pub. Period. Loved the muted colors inside, personal staff, and, of course, the best Guinness pour around. Had a great turkey club in the large, open backroom...couple pours of Jameson--and had a great time with a big bunch of us. Just loved it.

Ran into this place at lunch today. Excellent food and staff. Great fresh bacon cheese burger and buffalo chicken sandwich.

Decent spot to grab a Guinness. It's a regular pub, nothing spectacular. Seemed to be pretty packed when I was there. A lot of local people which made for a good time. Regular bar food & drinks.

Really great atmosphere, super kind staff. Do NOT come on a Monday night though. The Trivia guy is so loud and obnoxious you can't even hear yourself think. I manager a restaurant and I completely understand the appeal to trivia and it brings in a great crowd. However, I had a headache after 5 minutes and he was completely unbearable to listen to. I feel bad for the staff who have to work Monday nights!! Otherwise I highly recommend.

Olivia our server was great. The cauliflower and wings she suggested were on point. This is a must see stop

Sitting outside on Elm Street is pretty noisy but it was a beautiful day so we thought, "Why not?" We enjoyed our cocktails. The shamrock milkshake sounds heavy but it was strangely refreshing and deliciously minty. Much better than a real shamrock shake. The street corn fries were the star of the day and they were so filling for two, that that could have been our meal. The bangers and mash were decent, no frills. The mashed potatoes had a hint of vinegar and a nice texture. The kids thought they tasted strange. They are definitely a grown up mashed potato with some great flavors. I was too full to enjoy the beef stew but it smelled great. Everything was moving along nicely and The Shaheen was on par for a 5 review until they shorted us a "to go" Caesar salad that we were taking home for our daughter. Those boozy shamrock shakes go straight to your brain, I guess, and we didn't realize until we were home. Overall, I would recommend The Shaskeen. Shout out to our great waitress who was on top of the drinks and utensils.

This bar is great! Excellent service and a nice atmosphere! Took great care of our big party that they weren't expecting! Highly recommend!

Outstanding spices and salts!!! A few of my favorites are the ginger salt and maple salmon spices for my fish. The staff is super friendly and excited about their products. Join the club and get money back to purchase more products.

Busy Saturday night, and it wasn't even 6pm. Wonderful warm atmosphere with live music playing, it felt like we'd been transported to Ireland in a millisecond. Plentiful beer selection, and a good menu. I chose the beef stew, and it was wonderful. Full of beef, rich in flavor and a hearty meal for a cold night. Service was top notch, and by the looks of the other meals being served, there are lots of good eats here.

Great pub! Well made cocktails (the Craig is hands down the best, good hot toddy too), nice Guinness pour. Had the beef stew and the meat pie, both very good. To be honest, the stew could have been more salted, but that's literally the only criticism. Excellent service and atmosphere!

Yup let's let guests come in and stand around for 5 or 10 minutes and avoid glancing at them. Not a care in the world for them eating or drinking here. None of the staff were busy at all, just couldn't care.

Walked in to get a few beers & some food. Sat down & appx 15 later I finally had a waitress stop by and get my drink order. (Not crowded at all) Slowly drank my beer waiting for waitress to take my food order. Beer finished and she walks by 10 or so times with no intention of asking if I need a refill or want to order food. I get up & walk to bar to pay for my 1 beer in about 40 minutes of being in there. I tell her I'll go somewhere I can get service & she just kinda laughs. Good riddance

Wow. Stopped in to have a quick lunch with my son and the server came out to stop me from putting money in the meter because it was a holiday. Went in, small menu, but eclectic. We ordered crispy Brussels, loaded fries, beyond burger and soup with grilled cheese. I'm Tough critic. This place is doing it right. The server was great, helpful, attentive and friendly and whoever I'd cooking in the kitchen is amazing. Thank you.

Best concert venue around southern NH, especially for hip hop heads. Super small and very personable. The place has great sound quality. Very affordable beers and concert tickets. Can not wait for future shows here! Definitely order the nachos. Easily feeds 3-5 people.

One of my go-to pubs in Manchester! Stopped in for a quick appetizer and a beer! I shared the Loaded Nachos ($9) Tortilla chips heaping with seasoned beef, diced tomato, jalapenos, onions, shredded lettuce and cheddar cheese. Includes Sour Cream and Salsa. The plate was heaping with deliciousness and all for a mere 9 bucks almost seems it should be illegal. I washed it down with a Smithwick's, while my friend had some lemon aid thing with whisky in it. I'll damned for the life of me I can't remember the name, but it kicked ass. They know how to make drinks just as they know how to pour a Guinness! Great place with a great Irish pub feel to it. Staff is awesome too!

Kaitlyn made a delicious red wine sangria in the snow storm for me warmed me up just right not too sweet perfect blend of flav the wings are crispy, delicious and fall off the bone fries hand cut delicious yum yum.

This place is consistently just the best type of experience in downtown Manchester. Staff is always friendly and professional. Food is good. Great entertainment for every taste!! Great location. Love it here.

If you love live music and good beer, The Shaskeen can not be beat! No matter what genre of music, you'll find it there. The staff is always on point and the Guinness is poured to perfection to pair with my favorite beef stew and mashed potatoes!!!!

Really cool Irish pub atmosphere. I got the stew, good flavor but beware very spicy, which I was not expecting. Has a kick. My wife got the grilled ham and cheese sandwich. They grill the ham and cheese before they put it in the bread. My wife really liked that. The homemade chips that came with the sandwich where excellent. Probably some of the best I've eaten. Will come back to try other menu items.

A bunch of friends and I came thru on a Friday night and obviously it was packed to the brim. They have two bars, one in the front and one in the back you have to pay a $5 cover for. We were just hopping around so we stayed in the front, and for how busy it was the service is very good. It's not a huge bar and it might be short a person or two but they did quite well. Solid spot.

I'm currently here and genuinely having the best food I have had from somewhere. The interior decoration is pretty good too. The beer battered Buffalo wings are pretty good. I enjoyed everything I have eaten so far has been amazing. Also the fries and onion rings are great too and I don't have them usually when I go out.

Foods amazing! My husbands burger was perfect and I got the Thai chicken tenders....literally amazing. Mixed drinks mediocre. Beers obviously good! I'll still come back.

Before going out for prime time on a Friday night, my friends and I stopped for dinner at this Irish pub on Elm Street. Upon entering, we sat ourselves on the wooden benches around a nice table near the window. The walls are painted red orange and the place is dimly lit with Irish music in the background. There is the main bar up in front of the place and another smaller bar in the back room, where a cover band was setting up. This place very much resembles The Skellig, their other slightly larger pub located in Waltham, MA, which I enjoyed many times. Our server came over and took our drink orders (pints of Guinness and Murphy's Ale). Next the appetizers, I ordered the Cheese Nachos with Chili (baked nachos with cheese, salsa, and topped with chili which tasted like Hormel chili out of a can) served with guacamole and sour cream. My friend ordered a bowl of Lobster Bisque served with brown bread and oyster crackers, which tasted more like tomato soup. The other friend had the Steak Salad, which tender cuts of steak, fresh greens, tomato wedges, baby carrots, and a side of peanut dressing, which was decent. For dinner, I had the Bangers & Mash, which were 4 juicy Irish sausages served on top of homemade mashed potatoes and served with a small cup of baked beans and a small cup brown gravy. The mashed potatoes were excellent, tasting the chunks of potatoes in the mash. My friend enjoyed his Steak dinner served with mashed potatoes, fresh green beans, and brown bread. My other friend enjoyed his Roast Turkey dinner with stuffing and topped with brown gravy, mashed potatoes, fresh green beans and brown bread. The fresh green beans were crunchy and cooked just right. The brown bread was a bit dry tasting. Having a lot of food, we skipped dessert. The service on this visit scattered because there was only one server trying to serve five tables and we had to keep reminding the server what we ordered, such as the Guinness and some items in our food order. This place is worth another visit when we come back to watch some live bands.

The Shaskeen is the sister pub to The Burren in Davis Square Somerville, MA (and also The Skellig in Waltham, MA) and will instantly remind you of it once you set foot inside. Same layout. The focus is live music. There is no TV in the place. Session music many nights in the front room. Live music in the back on a stage that folds up into the wall. Bands on weekends. My experiences there are with the Tuesday Night Open Mic hosted by Tom Bianchi. It's a good night slowly building a following. Great local folk musicians, and a good mix of everything else. A fun time. Overall, the menu is pub standards, with occasional specials that shake things up. Good Irish pub beer selection. The staff is awesome. Manchester needs a place like Shaskeen. You wont be disappointed.

This place is freakin awesome. The food, beers and and is a great place to meet new people. They have a weekly comedy night and live bands all the time. You have to try the scotch eggs.

Saturday night. Had tickets for Juston McKinney at 7.45pm. Went there for a burger and a couple of beers with my friend at 6.45pm and placed our order right away. At 7 our cute server told us there's a problem in the kitchen and they haven't even started yet. I said it's ok and that we can wait for another 15 minutes. 7.15 - still no burger, still not started yet. She said they were backed up. Looking around the pub was almost empty. We finished our beer and went to the Mexican place next door which was delicious. Guys, I don't know what your problem was that night but this was a very lame performance. The second star you've earned for the girl that brought us the beer and because everybody deserves a 2nd chance.

The sister bar to the Burren in Sommerville (of which I know quite well), I managed to make it here the other night. It's a nice place - neat setup with a bar in the front and one in back as well. Neat seating arrangements - I personally like the little two-person cubby. Guinness is awesome here. Thumbs up from me!

Great food and great atmosphere! Lunch was good, food was reasonable, and service was great. Excited to go back on Monday nights for trivia with friends!

The Shaskeen is AMAZING! Great drinks, great prices, great service..let alone the incredible atmosphere!

Good evening, I was on my way to meet my brother when I was in formed that he had Been restricted from your establishment. I have been to your restaurant multiple times and I cannot see why a fun loving energetic person who brings smiles to you establishment would be kicked out for no reason. I was informed by my brothers fiancé that he was told to leave for unforeseen circumstances and was not told why, when he was at a family gathering. Could you please provide and explanation for this matter. As well as e plain why your doorman (bouncer) removed my brother without explanation. Thank you. R. Brandt

Love this place....Skeen we love you!! Only suggestion better and a tad bit louder music on weekend nights, like current hits or hip hop. The owner is super nice, waitstaff is great, and bouncers super friendly!!! One of our favorite date night choices!!!

Love it here! We've been a handful of times and we always have a great time. Their events are probably some of the best in Manchester.

Such a fun place to be at! So happy my husband and I stopped in here, the food is great, drinks are great and so is the staff! I wish I caught our waitresses name because she was fantastic! Wish we had one in Colorado. We will definitely come back on our next visit to Manchester!

I have been here 3 times for lunch within the last 3 months. The food has always been great! I really think they make an outstanding reuben which I ordered 2 of the 3 times and both times it was equally satisfying. I could only give 3 stars because twice lunch took an abnormally long amount of tkme. Both times there were less than 6 people in the entire place. One time it took 35 mins and the other 40 mins. There was nothing complicated ordered just sandwiches with no substitutions or changes. The waitresses were always apologetic and felt horrible about the wait time. The service on that time shines but both times I say there thinking what couid take so long to make a Reuben and burger?! My take away is that I do like this place but only for dinner or a couple of pints after hours.

Always a great time! Fantastic entertainment, great food, and friendly service. Wednesday night is comedy night with an impressive line up of comedians, and lots of great bands throughout the week in the spacious yet intimate space behind the dining room. Great Irish pub menu, and food is consistently satisfying.

Amazing service, eclectic decor, spot on pub grub all laced with some picking and grinning. Come early stay late, try some beers or whiskeys new to you and relax. Generous portions and pours.

The Shaskeen is hands down my favorite place to decompress from work! There is something there to please everyone! You can display your musical talent or trivia skills on Mondays, accoustic acts on Tuesdays, comedy on Wednesdays, rap on Sundays and live music acts of all varieties everyday in between! The bartenders know what you want before you order it, the food is delicious and they are the only bar around that truely knows how to poor a proper Guinness!

Great Irish music in the background, excellent apps and beer selection. Friendly bartender (Neil). Will definitely be back