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Hours
Sun
12:00 PM - 11:59 PM
Mon
12:00 PM - 11:59 PM
Tue
12:00 PM - 11:59 PM
Wed
12:00 PM - 11:59 PM
Thu
12:00 PM - 11:59 PM
Fri
12:00 PM - 11:59 PM
Sat
12:00 PM - 11:59 PM
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
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CUISINES
Irish, Bar, Seafood, European, Pub
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Late Night, Drinks
features
Is this restaurant good for brunch?
Details
CUISINES
Irish, Bar, Seafood, European, Pub
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Late Night, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music, Playgrounds
Contribute
4.0
572 reviews
Excellent
347
Very good
114
Average
42
Poor
27
Terrible
42
Jennifer D
7 contributions
Aug 2020 • family
Staying nearby, we hot a booking at The Singing Pub on the third day (it was booked out up to that point). Seated quickly, we were given menus and ordered our starters and mains. The two starters arrived, to be shared by the five of us. Although there was cutlery on the table, no small plates were provided. We would've asked for them but staff whizzed by our table without stopping. The starters, while flavourful, weren't great value - 7.50 for 6 small wings and 7.50 for 3 breaded brie bites. Four of the five entrees were nice. The fifth entree, Chipotle Chicken on Focaccia was bland, no spice or flavour. No one came back to the table to refill drink orders or offer condiments. We flagged down a waitress to ask for more drinks. Desserts were delicious despite waiting 17 minutes before we finally nabbed a passing waitress to request dessert menus. A handwritten chalkboard was summarily plonked onto our table. Another painful wait before we motioned over staff to order the desserts. After desserts, you guessed it, awkward waiting for the bill. My teenage daughter went in search if staff to ask for the bill. The pub was steadily busy but the staff made very little effort to constantly check on the tables. A bit more attention to the customers would go a long way.
Written August 17, 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.
marymoonbeam
County Donegal102 contributions
Jul 2020 • family
We visited the Singing Pub as a party of five. We found the menu extensive and struggled to narrow down our final choices!! When we got our meals they were massive. I would definitely recommend the scampi and the fresh cod , the chips are homemade and chunky. Desserts went down well too as did Irish coffees. We found our meal to be great value for money considering the quality of the food and service. Staff are amazing, friendly, welcoming and attentive. Can't recommend highly enough will definitely be back!!
Written July 29, 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.
Rira1981
Lackagh21 contributions
Aug 2021 • family
We decided to go to this pub for food on a recommendation. While I could see the pub layout and outdoor facilities could lend itself to a great atmosphere. Very handy play ground to keep kids happy while we waited for food. But the service was really lacking. All staff seemed to be very young and inexperienced and basically running around like headless chickens. It took ages queing to get the attention of staff to even find out where to que and it turns out it was a free for all for the tables outside. When we did order it came without cutlery. By the time we tracked down the cutlery the food had gone cold. I ordered the prawns but they were over cooked and swimming in garlic butter. It also came without bread. I should add that it wasn't overly busy as we had arrived at about half seven.
So all in some experienced management needed to make this place live up to its reputation.
Written August 28, 2021
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.
Magsdoc1978
It's called under staffed... 🤷♀️ Sorry bout that!
Written August 29, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Laura B
Dublin19 contributions
Aug 2021 • friends
We read reviews of the Singing Pub and HAD to make it a stop on our roadtrip in our hired camper van.
To say we were disappointed is an understatement.
Perhaps we got it on a bad day, but the place was a shambles! The staff were all over the place, running around like headless chickens even though the place was not too busy. No one seemed to have a role, so they were all trying to fire fight. No sign of any management or leadership. All staff were very young and inexperienced.
We ordered starters and mains. Our starters came out cold and not as described on the menu. We waited over an hour for our mains. Sides came out cold.
There were musicians on the night we stayed. We were delighted to hear this, but the delight did not last. They two lads playing were good musicians, but their banter was lacking! They used foul language and had vulgar humour, making us quite uncomfortable, and we are no prudes! It was not appropriate for a pub full of kids. Later in the evening, they musicians got quite angry with customers talking and taking videos and ‘distracting them from their performance’. After this incident we left as the atmosphere was volatile and awkward.
The night we were there, the clientele were quite rough. There was a large group in from one of the campsites in Downings and they were loud, rude, obnoxiously drunk and overbearing. They had young children, running wild around the place.
We couldn’t see any Covid measures in place. Most people did not wear masks. Staff wore them at times. We were not asked for digital passports/period of
Vaccination when we dined indoors. Tables were sticky/dirty so assume not cleaned between customers.
We stayed at the campsite behind the pub. A very handy option to have. Site was nice and even, with electricity points for campers and water. Toilets and showers were not clean. Our caravan neighbours enjoyed their loud dance music all night, we were not so delighted with it!
Written August 9, 2021
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.
Magsdoc1978
Sorry for your bad experience. Reading your review we feel you are a bit stressed out and advice the you should perhaps stay at home for now!
Written August 13, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Katherine K
Derry2 contributions
Aug 2020 • family
We arrived here for lunch with family and we asked to be seated outside as it was a nice day. That was no problem the table needed cleared so the lady in charge said she would have someone clear the table for us and we would have to come into the bar to order our food.
No problem.
We went into the bar ordered and paid for our drinks took them outside then had to go back in get our own menus order our food pay for it in advance then get our own cutlery and go back outside and wait for our food.
When the food came everything was OK at first, myself and my sister both ordered the prawn cocktail starter with Guinness bread, my sisters was fine but mines was swimming in water which I'm assuming came from the prawns not being drained properly.
No one came to check on us to I had to take my food and go inside to the bar where I told the waitress the problem she just looked at it and looked at me and said 'oh do you want another one' to which I'd replied no as I had been put off from eating
Written August 16, 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.
Brysie
Belfast14 contributions
Aug 2020 • family
We had a couple of nice pints of Guinness but the food was terrible. We ordered pizza and chips for kids and chicken goujons, squid rings, and seafood chowder. All the food (apart from chowder) was frozen food, equivalent of Iceland (UK). The chips, goujons and squid were very greasy. We had to send one plate of goujons back as the side salad contains stones and mud!!! Unbelievable! We will never be back. Avoid.
Written August 29, 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.
Karen
Carrickfergus16 contributions
Sep 2020 • couples
Visited a couple of times in the last week. Guinness perfect, G and T served properly, not over iced in a gold fish bowl!
Food would love to give 5 stars as some of our food was really really outstanding. Catch of the day sea bass was PERFECT served with al dente plain veg and lovely mash and a sauce. Crab claws in garlic and herb butter gorgeous. Sizzling fillet and scallop dish was beautifully done. So yes I would go back again and again. We deliberately went at non peak times and found CV19 guidelines appropriately adhered to. Was able to bring my dog too! Lovely authentic Irish pub. Onion rings were nice but a bit greasy and please please consider black pepper mills on the table and real cream for Irish coffees. Staff, Grace, Eoin, Paddy and others whose names we didn't catch were just what you expect in the fabulous Donegal, really lovely, attentive and flexible! Place and loos clean as a whistle. Loved loved it. Oh yes, caesar salad exceptional. 😋
Written September 3, 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.
saffronvwb
Belfast90 contributions
Jul 2020 • family
A favourite spot that I visit regularly with friends and family. Park for kids is excellent. Food is pricey but good.
My only criticism of here is that they are not attentive enough once food is served. Same thing has happened a number of times I have been in over the past month.
Once food is served it’s as if that’s you done! No check back for drinks or to check if all is ok.
I really thing a few minor additions amongst the staff team via training etc could mark this place out as a gem in Donegal!
Even with Covid challenges and demand this could be easily achieved.
Service is everything!
Written July 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.
Cait S
Edinburgh18 contributions
Jun 2022 • family
We’ve been coming here for twenty years, but unsure if we’ll go again, at least not for a while. The service had been left to two young waiting staff, who have had very little customer service training. They were abrupt and surly. The place is possibly short staffed, it probably needs another two people. The staff still found time to text on their phones, despite customers standing at the bar.
I stood at the bar for quite a while waiting to pay, then a man who’s just wondered up immediately got served before me, which was disappointing, as they’d seen me standing there.
We decided to get surf and turf as a treat, even though it’s pricey. Steak was good but one bit of crab, scallop, prawn all drenched in boiling cheese sauce. Completely overpriced.
Such a shame because in the past it’s been a great little pub.
Written June 28, 2022
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.
Sinead McG
9 contributions
Jul 2020 • family
Last night we enjoyed an amazing meal in The Singing pub. Food was top class. I had a brie started as a mains with home made chips. Family and friends had steak on a sizzling plate, chowder, scampi and a Mickey Joe's burger. The food was perfection and washed down with great Guinness. The staff could not do enough for us and very polite. My two children with special needs were made to feel totally at home and they enjoyed the kids play park outside.
I would highly recommend this place to everyone. You will not be disappointed
Written July 18, 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.
SweetDoll
Ireland31 contributions
Jul 2020 • family
What a great place to have a lunch.
I was delighted to hear that we can get a table so we drove to The Singing Pub which was quiet busy. I loved the look of it inside and out.We were given a table quickly and then, we waited and waited and waited for our order to be taken.
The food came out from the kitchen so quickly that we still had no sign of water and other beverages on the table.
The food itself was so fresh, perfectly seasoned and well balanced.
The battered fish was to die for.
Chips were not from the frozen bag, but cut fresh which was a huge plus. Guinness was very good.
Great food. Highly recommended.
The prices were decent and absolutely worth every penny.
Cannot wait to come back just speed up a service a bit, please!
Written July 29, 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.
Familyman1961
Banbridge58 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
Visited outlet with my family was made to feel welcome and served quickly effeciently and politley by young female person.
Drinks and food where served on time as we enjoyed 2 drinks during our first of three visits to this outlet.
Toilets although where small but clean and well maintained.
parking was handy and we opted to sit outside on our second visit.
Great bar , super food best by far in Downings.
Written August 22, 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.
K2010x
Stranorlar12 contributions
Nov 2022 • family
Finally got to visit the signing pub, which is not that is on our “list” we were suppose to go ourselves but decided to bring the children and make a day out of it after a nice walk on the beach. The children were hungry and excited. Walked in the door and greeted by a bar maid he wasn’t overly friendly and told us to sit where we wanted. Sat down and shortly later another waitress/barmaid arrived to take our order. Again quite unfriendly and didn’t really seem like they wanted us there. Ordered our food and it arrived the children finished it up quickly enough, the children portions weren’t very generous considering the price I’d have thought it would be better, one of the kids was still starving and we gave him some of our food and he went up and bought a packet of bacon fry’s which were €2. I work in this industry and I’ve never seen a packet of them that expensive. The children’s food was good quality to be fair, just not very big portions. I ordered the seafood platter which was €26 it was basically a bowl of small prawns in sauce, 3-4 battered kind prawns, and some fish, and some mussels. I was very unimpressed. I must say, the food that we did get was good quality and tasted good. It’s just a pity about the other few things. The place itself was warm and clean, with a lovely turf fire that you could smell through out the place which had a lovely country feel to it, unfortunately my 11 year old son came out of the gent toilets and said it was “absolutely disgusting” and smelled really bad. We’ve all over Donegal for dinner, it’s something that we do regularly but I don’t think we would return here.
Written November 5, 2022
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.
Tessa W
Johannesburg46 contributions
Sep 2021 • friends
The pub is lovely looking and I can see why it has the reputation it does, it’s a lovely spot for drinks. However the food is straight out of a shopping mall deep freeze. I could not recommend the food at all- we each had a different meal: the kids pizza, the calamari rings, seafood platter and all the fries were fried from the deep freeze. The cod was good but completely soaked in oil. The menu could certainly do with a revamp and maybe some none beige and none deep fried options.
Written September 29, 2021
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.
Stephen S
1 contribution
Mar 2022 • couples
I’ve been visiting the Singing Pub for years and I’m afraid this may be my last.
The quality of food and presentation on my last visit was like something from a fast food takeaway.
We arrived with great optimism but left badly disappointed. From the outset our experience was poor to say the least. The lady that greeted us was either having a bad day or really dislikes her job because she was everything but friendly.
We were shown a seat and left there! Eventually we had to ask a member of staff for some menus before being ignored until we made our way to the bar and asked for our order to be taken.
The arrival of the food was rather quick in fairness but that was about all that impressed us! The brie was still cold and hard in the middle and the burger was oozing, so much so that I had to squeeze the life out of it before eating or I would have taken my partners eye out!
The fries were like something from McDonalds, long skinny and tasteless.
Having finished our mains we sat for a further 15 minutes with no sign of a desert menu. Eventually we upped, paid our bill and left.
At this point I may add that there were no more that 7-8 tables occupied during our visit and the staff were in no way rushed off their feet.
For a place with such a good reputation it seems as if they’ve taken their customers for granted and have provided little to no training in customer service to staff!
Afterwards, I really regretted not going to the local chipper instead.
Bog standard service with a not so bog standard price!
Written April 5, 2022
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.
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