Coakley’s Irish Restaurant & PUB
305 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070
774-5556

What do you get when you wrap 10 people around a bar table designed for five, load it with incredible food and have a server wielding drinks as fast as a juggler?

One kick-ass good time, if you’re at Coakley’s Irish Restaurant & Pub.

That’s right! Coakley’s is a rare recipient of MODE’s top-shelf, five-M rating for a Friday Happy Hour. This award isn’t bestowed lightly, and many small factors nudged our crew from four to five M’s. Congratulations Coakley’s, you deserve it.

First, a less robust party of 10, headed for Happy Hour, might have considered our corner of Coakley’s in the back room somewhat cramped, but the MODE review crew never peeped, and frankly, we decided it made for a much better time. The music was upbeat, and at a comfortable level. Every table was busy (a signature indication of Coakley’s popularity). As we filed in, some sat and some stood, but we all drank, and by the amount of laughter, everyone had a fantastic time. Coakley’s Happy Hour, though starts at 4:00 p.m.,
a little early for us, but ends at 6:00 p.m., just right for us.

Once the first round of drinks arrived, we ordered practically every appetizer on the menu. Our selection included a Chicken Cheese Steak Sub ($4.25), Chicken Sticks $4.99), Chicken Quesadillas ($6.99), all different manner of Chicken Wings (which by the way are the worst in Harrisburg, but order them anyway, because the homemade blue-cheese dressing is to die for, and clearly makes them delicious), Shrimp Jammers (available only on Fridays), and last but not least, true lettuce-everywhere Mexican Tacos ($1.00ea).

The food arrived remarkably fast, conveyed by our crack server Sally Grim, and was excellent in every aspect. Kudos to Assistant Chef Dave Baker. We took a particular liking to the Leaping Lizard Sauce that came with the Shrimp Jammers. Shortly after our food arrived, the General Manager, Bob Ciochetto, stopped out to check on the satisfaction of the party that "ordered everything." We couldn’t believe that the portions were always so generous, but Bob assured us that every patron received Coakley’s heaping portions and exemplary service.

This is arguably gospel.

All drink prices drop 50¢ during Coakley’s happy hour. Floating around the MODE table were several rounds of Honey Brown lager, Troegs ESB, Coakley’s newest addition Caffrey’s Irish Ale, a few Captain & Cokes, one Grey Goose and an assortment of mixed drinks. Our pints ($1.75 to $3.25) and mugs ($1.00 - $2.75) were served chilled, and the regular mixed drinks ($2.50) arrived just right, not too strong or weak.

Besides all the chowing and drinking, Coakley’s has 12 TVs, the coveted NTN Interactive Triva, and a sprawling floor plan that can put you in one of several rooms covering almost a city block.

CONCLUSION: Coakley’s has been around for a looooooooooong time, and it’s obvious that the owners take pride in maintaining a top-shelf establishment. From the presentation of the food, to the polish on the copper-topped bar tables, to the cleanliness of the bathrooms, and the chipper attitudes of the staff, Coakley’s is five-stars (or ’s) all the way.

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