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McGonigel's Mucky Duck
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McGonigel's Mucky Duck

See all things to do
See all things to do
McGonigel's Mucky Duck
4.5
#3 of 226 Nightlife in Houston
Bars & ClubsTheater & Performances
11:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Monday
11:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Friday
11:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 2:00 AM
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What people are saying
“Best live music venue in Houston!”
Jan 2020
If you have never been, you need to get there as soon as possible! It is intimate and there is never a bad band. I have been over 100 times in the last ten years, often to artist I already know, but sometimes just because I’m in the mood for some live music. Rusty always shows his guests a great time! The food is another amazing part of the night. There is nothing bad on the menu, but I especially love to get the shepard’s pie! The drinks and beer are reasonably priced as well.
MontanaLaura
By MontanaLaura
“Great Dinner and Music Venue”
Oct 2019
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit at Mucky Duck. Local family and friends introduced us to the place. We had dinner and listened to Pat Byrne and his group. Great Irish music. One might expect good music or good food but not both. Mucky Ducks has the whole package! We had a “better than bar food” meal. Great music. Intimate and artistic atmosphere. Nice sound. All in all a great evening out for a reasonable amount. Unique event spot with a personal feel. Week be back!
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Neighborhood: Greenway/ Upper Kirby
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
120 reviews
Excellent
87
Very good
28
Average
1
Poor
2
Terrible
2
maretx01
Houston, TX96 contributions
Best live music venue in Houston!
Jan 2020 • Friends
If you have never been, you need to get there as soon as possible! It is intimate and there is never a bad band. I have been over 100 times in the last ten years, often to artist I already know, but sometimes just because I’m in the mood for some live music. Rusty always shows his guests a great time! The food is another amazing part of the night. There is nothing bad on the menu, but I especially love to get the shepard’s pie! The drinks and beer are reasonably priced as well.
Written March 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HoustonJay
Houston, TX3 contributions
If you like small music places with good food, this is for you
Nov 2015 • Couples
This is a great place to spend an evening and listen to music. Small, casual, good staff, combination of UK pub / sandwich shop menu, long craft beer menu and a surprisingly good wine menu. This is the perfect place to invite another couple and share an evening.
Written November 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tess McG
Houston Jay- Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts about the Duck with TripAdvisor readers. We hope you will continue to invite your friends to shows at the Duck and that every visit will be even better than the last one! Again, many thanks! Rusty, Teresa, Shane and all the ducklings
Written November 22, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
gyfto
Houston, TX83 contributions
Great Venue
Oct 2017 • Couples
I typically hit the Duck four times a year. They have a great "app" for your phone that is worth downloading as they often preview well in advance who will be playing. Tickets are easy to purchase on the app. I would recommend reserving a table and eating dinner before the show. They have a wonderful beer and wine selection and the food is mainly "comfort bar food" but of really good quality. The service is always outstanding. This is a throwback to the days when you really have an intimate experience with the performer. Sets usually last around 90 minutes and it is a wonderful setting just to relax and listen to great music. I've been to over 30 shows and never once was I disappointed with the experience. Parking is easy and they have your name on a list and all you do is show up and say your name as you enter the door. Table is reserved for you....one of the best live music venues in Houston.
Written December 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tess McG
Dear Gyfto, Well, you just made our day! Thank you for sharing your many kind words about your Duck experiences with Trip Advisor readers. We hope to always live up to your expectations of us. Again, many thanks. Rusty, Teresa, Shane and all the ducklings
Written December 15, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rdf1951
11 contributions
Okay music but found it to be a very stiff envoronment
Apr 2015 • Friends
Went there with family to enjoy them and local talent, not big name entertainers, but found we could not have conversation and enjoy the music, must be silent. I found this strange for a place that calls itself a pub. Not a place to go with friends for a fun night.
Written April 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nancydHouston
Houston, TX134 contributions
We have tried and tried to like this place, but 15 years in it is still impossible
Sep 2012 • Couples
We try and try to like this place, it gets great acts and many folks we love to see. BUT we still come away with the opinion that we have wasted our money and what a shame it is that this place does not get it. The room is smallish, great for a show. The stage is close, again, great for a show. That is where the good things end. Service is excruciatingly slow and quite obtuse. The food, when it finally does arrive, is acceptable, nothing special, average at best. The booths at the back are designed for talking, not watching/listening to a show, thus disrupting the whole show for everyone. The two 6 tops next to us tonight were so loud and rude it was impossible to enjoy the music. Management DOES NOT CARE. First, we asked the big mouthed blonde to take it down a notch. Then, we asked again. And again. Then, we asked Rusty, the guy in charge. NOTHING was said or done. We spent $155 tonight all told, with tickets, drinks and dinner for two of us. Wasted money, in that we came to see the White Ghost Shivers and could barely hear them for the entire show thanks to the loud mouth groups in the booths at the rear of the room. Guess it will be another 15 years before we are stupid enough to give it another chance. Mucky Duck is just that-Mucky. These ducks are flying away.
Written September 1, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tess McG
To Ms. Nancy D- While we were sorry to hear that you were disappointed with your experience at the Duck we want to thank you for sharing your experience with us-we will use your comments as an opportunity to improve our business. Our goal every morning when we begin our day is to strive for excellence. We do not always succeed but we never stop in the pursuit. However, we must take exception to your comment that our staff is obtuse and your comment from your second review that our staff is "not very bright." The young woman who took take care of you the other evening was a proud service member of the United States Navy before she joined our staff. We are honored to have her with us. We have the brightest, most loyal and dedicated workers in this industry-we make no apologies for our staff. They are fine young people and we are lucky to have every single one of them.
Written September 5, 2012
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Cathyannp
Houston, TX7 contributions
Great music and awesome food!
Jun 2017 • Friends
I love Mucky Duck! The food is delish, great service too, It's a good place for date night or out with friends. The outside patio is also a great place to mingle and enjoy a Blackberry Bramble or one of their many other choices of adult beverages. :)
Written June 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heather V
Houston, TX14 contributions
Live music in intimate setting
Nov 2015 • Friends
I have been going to "The Duck" for 20 years, and it is the best live music venue (on a small scale) in Houston! Very intimate, Irish pub with great food! (their Beef Guiness is second to none!) If you're looking for something on a Wednesday night, check out their Irish Sessions (bring an instrument and join in if you play) to which they have now paired with a game night! (they have a large selection of board games to play). and, of course, a wonderul selection of beers/ales on tap!

In town for St Patrick's Day? DON'T MISS IT AT THE DUCK! consistantly voted the best St Paddy's day celebration in Houston!
Written November 17, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tess McG
Heather- How great it was to read all the wonderful words you shared with TripAdvisor readers about your Duck experiences. We are delighted to know that you have been with us from almost the beginning! Here's to many more years of authentic Irish music, food and fun. Again, many thanks! Rusty, Teresa, Shane and all the ducklings
Written November 22, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
elissa2015
Raleigh, NC13 contributions
Live Music and Atmosphere
Oct 2015 • Couples
Great venue to see quality music in an intimate setting. We found this little gem by chance and couldn't believe our luck.

Written October 31, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tess McG
Elissa, We were so happy to hear that you enjoyed your time with us at the Duck. We hope that you will visit again soon. Many thanks to you for sharing your kind words about the Duck with the TripAdvisor readers. Rusty, Teresa, Shane and all the ducklings
Written November 10, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Walter P
Middlebury, Connecticut, USA25 contributions
Small and Friendly Concert Venue
Jan 2015 • Couples
The Mucky Duck is a great place to hear live music. Parking is plentiful, the greeting is a warm one, there are no bad seats, table service is excellent, and the beer list outstanding. We did not have dinner so I cannot comment on the food. The website states that dinner reservations are given preferential seating but no tables are far from the stage or obstructed. Our concert was The Mastersons, a young husband and wife Texas duo who performed some beautiful numbers but tended to sound too similar from song to song and were a bit overmodulated on the sound system. Even so, it was a fun evening at the Mucky Duck! It is a great place to see and hear your favorites up close. We will not hesitate to go back our next time in Houston.
Written January 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tess McG
Walter, Thank you for taking the time to share your comments about your visit to the Duck withTrip Advisor readers. We are glad to hear that you had a chance to see the Mastersons in concert. They often travel with Steve Earle so you may see them in your part of the country one day soon. We do hope that if you make your way to Houston again you will be sure to stop by and say hello so that we may thank you in person for sharing your kind words with the public. Many thanks, Rusty, Teresa, Shane and all the ducklings
Written February 1, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Deanoball
Friendswood, TX107 contributions
Absolutely The Best!!
Apr 2013 • Couples
I won't claim to have been at every music venue in Houston, but I have been to enough to know Mucky Duck is the real deal. We always have a great time. Tips...buy your tickets early. When you buy tickets, let them know you will be dining before the show. This ensures that you get premium seats. They only have beer and wine. Know that going in. The 'wine flight' gives you a taste of four different wines (2 red and 2 white). I don't really care for Irish cuisine for the most part, but you can NOT go wrong ordering the salmon with spinach. I am going back to see Uncle Lucius on June 22nd. Satiated...
Written May 25, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tess McG
Dear Dean B- Thank you for sharing your kind words about the Duck-it is so gratifying to hear from guests when they have enjoyed the offerings of our venue. We hope that you will continue to enjoy many happy times at the Duck. Many thanks, Rusty, Teresa, Shane and all the ducklings
Written June 3, 2013
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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McGonigel's Mucky Duck - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about McGonigel's Mucky Duck
McGonigel's Mucky Duck is open:
  • Mon - Sat 11:00 AM - 2:00 AM

McGonigel's Mucky Duck Information

Excellent Reviews

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Very Good Reviews

28

McGonigel's Mucky Duck Photos

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