Hibernian Irish Pub & Restaurant

Hibernian Irish Pub & RestaurantHibernian Irish Pub & Restaurant
Hibernian Irish Pub & RestaurantHibernian Irish Pub & Restaurant
Bar, Eatery

1144 Kildaire Farm Rd
Cary, North Carolina, 27511-4583
United States

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.82
Reviews:
8
Ratings:
11
pDev:
8.9%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Oxymoron:
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Reviewed by Oxymoron from Colorado

4.08/5  rDev +6.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 5
Hibernian is a second location in the Raleigh area. Specializing in Irish food and atmosphere, this is one of the coolest restaurants in the triangle. Location is easy to find (that is relative to the crazy streets of NC). Inside the building is fairly dark. There is a bar in the surrounded by seating with fireplaces, books and other Irish decor. There is an outside patio as well as a very small stage for weekend nights.

One cool thing to note is the bartenders and some of the staff. They are from Ireland. Talking to our waiter, apparently they bring people over the pond for about a year or more. Just cool with the accents.

The beer selection is good but not fantastic. Of course having the staples of Irish, Bass, Harp Guiness, etc. Some local flavors like CBC and Edenton to boot. Every time I go I always get a black and tan. Done very well and very taste.

The food is very good. They have a good variety of Irish food. Personally, I really enjoy their boxtee’s, or the corn beef and cabbage. Really isn’t anything that is bad. A bit pricey overall but a nice restaurant.

The other location is located on Glenwood in Raleigh, but this location has a better atmosphere. My suggestion, don’t go on St. Patrick’s Day but any other time is golden.
Mar 22, 2006
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.86 by Macsimus from North Carolina

Mar 02, 2015
 
Rated: 3.7 by EvilTweety from North Carolina

Feb 09, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by KirkFrancis from North Carolina

Nov 02, 2014
Photo of GJ40
Reviewed by GJ40 from North Carolina

3.8/5  rDev -0.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 4
I really like the Hibernian but I can't say does much for craft beer.

It's a nice Irish pub with a varied and authentic feeling atmosphere that I really enjoy. Unfortunately, the beer selection is restricted to the Irish pub usuals (Guinness, Bass, Stella, Smithwicks, etc.) and some BMC. Still, I always enjoy a Guinness an Irish pub setting.

The food is pretty good as well. My wife enjoys the Rueben and I like the Hooligan which starts as a Rueben but has an Irish banger on it.

If you're a soccer fan, they also carry Setanta and show some great games. I was over last weekend to see Arsenal v Chelsea in the FA Cup Semifinal.

Before craft beer came onto the scene, Irish pubs were a great source of quality beer in a relaxing atmosphere. It's easy to dismiss them now that something better has come along but I still think they deserve some respect. I really enjoy Hibernian but don't go expecting more than it is.
Apr 21, 2009
Photo of PatrickJR
Reviewed by PatrickJR from North Carolina

3.06/5  rDev -19.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3 | service: 2.5 | selection: 3.5
A few days after visiting the Hibernian in Raleigh, we visited this location in Cary for another live music show. A bit of a step up from it's Raleigh counterpart.

Although not quite as moody and distinct as the other location, this bar is still dim with lots of old looking decor. Lots of walls and dividers and corners make for very private sitting areas, though unfortunately the venue was not well set up for it's patrons to see the stage.

All the beers I had were fresh, though the bartenders were pouring them without expelling much of the carbonation. I was having to use my knife to vigorously stir the beer before drinking. Sadly I also had a drink served in a very warm glass.

The service here was attrocious. As we were seated, we told the hostess that we wanted a spot here we could see the performance. She sighed as she led us around to a few tables, and was very vague about how the show was going to be set up. Our waitress was sporatically attentive. My wife's food took forever to come to the table, and often times she was walking by without checking on us. I was left with an empty glass for several minutes on a few occasions.

Decent enough selection. Standard European imports on draught (Guinness, Harp, Carlsberg, Smithwick's) plus a few surprises like Highland, Rogue Dead Guy, and Belhaven IPA.

I didn't try any of the food but my wife ordered some mozarella sticks said they were pretty good.

Prices were decent, $5 for a 20oz "pint" for draught beers.

Like the Raleigh location, it isn't the best place to travel to specifically for beer, but overall it was a decent bar/restaurant that I would visit again.
Mar 30, 2009
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Reviewed by beer2day from North Carolina

3.7/5  rDev -3.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
Located on the main north-south drag through Cary. Parking can be a bit of an issue here, especially during the day. Parking is available in the office building immediately to the north in the evenings.

Very dark on the inside. Lots of different rooms separate the restaurant into nooks and crannies. Good outdoor seating section.

Draft selection is typical for an Irish-themed pub. Smithwick's, Harp, and Guinness all on tap. No Murphy's or Beamish however. About 10 drafts total.

Food selection is good. Nice Shepard's Pie and Irish Fry (breakfast). They do a buffet brunch on Sunday with a nice representation and reasonably priced (even for the kids). Draft specials abound on Sunday as well.

Only a couple of tv's in the place, which is to be expected for an Irish pub. Just don't go here expecting to watch a game (unless it's the World Cup - they set up a huge projection screen for that last time and did a booming business in the mornings!).
Mar 30, 2009
Photo of SaCkErZ9
Reviewed by SaCkErZ9 from South Carolina

3.95/5  rDev +3.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
I really love this place. I used to live down the street in Morrisville and loved visiting this place. I think I remember them having live music in the parking lot for St Patricks Day, but that could have been another occasion.

Cool atmosphere. Very woody and intimate. Tons of books and bookshelves. The only problem is that it is usually too dark in the joint to do any reading. If you can find some light, it is flanked by shadows on all sides, making reading a difficult chore rather than a pleasant time-passer.

Service was good. Waitress was cute and very attentive. This time, which was the first time I have had food, I chose the Shepherds Pie. I quite enjoyed it. Selection was typical of Irish type bars in the US: Guinness, Harp, Bass. They had some other beers like Highland Gaelic, Kona Pipeline Porter, and Sierra Nevada PA. One of my favorite drinks, when done properly, is a Black Kilt; Guinness and Highland Gaelic.

Shepherds Pie was $12 and the beers are all $5 for imperial pints. Not bad, I guess.
Feb 14, 2009
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Reviewed by smerkinb from North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +17.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
When you step into the Hibernian, it takes a few minutes to orient yourself. It's like a different world. You see a high dark wood bar, with dividers separating the bar into intimate seating ares. Dark wood paneling, low exposed beams, and dark honey colored walls make the place immediately warm and inviting. As you step towards the bar you notice a room opening off to your right and you have to stop and stare for a few minutes to take it all in. The smaller room has a higher ceiling (probably 18-20 feet high) and the walls are covered with floor to ceiling bookshelves. Old books mingle with knick knacks. There is a deer head on one wall, while a big tv plays sports on the center wall. Small tables fill the small seating area. As you continue past the bar you notice the small tables separated by dark wood dividers to make conversations more intimate. You begin to notice small antique paraphenalia sprinkled along the top of the wall and old black and white pictures in the booths. (This is not the same as you would find in Cracker Barrel or Applebees--it's quite understated). As you pass through a doorway you see the bar continues in a U shape--this half is more open. Small boothes with tall tables and barstools, corner boothes and low lighting make the area comfortable and inviting. The separated areas make it easy to carry on conversations with your group without being overwhelmed by everyone else. Or head to the open area of the bar and be a git more rowdy. There are a few carefully placed tvs with headline news (except for the one in the "library" which always seems to have sports). The is a small open area where musicians set up and entertain on weekends and select weekdays. Outside there are two patio areas with tall cafe-like small tables and long low tables with benches--easily seating 6+ people under the awning. The medium height fence covered in vines makes it easy to ingore the cars pulling into the lot. Soft Irish themed music adds to the overall ambience.

The food here is pretty good, but a smidge pricey in my opinion. the entrees are all between $10ish and $20ish. The fish and chips--which is great was $13. Appetizers are good but come in closer to $10. The desserts are superb and big enough to share. The menu prices aren't bad, but cut into my beer allotment. As for the beer--I count 10-12 taps with some local beers. Ok selection of draft and bottles--probably less than 25 altogether. There is a good selection of wine-both bottles and by the glass. Huge selection of liquor.

The service was great each time I have been there. Waitresses and bartenders are attention and fun without being overbearing and fake. The manager has stopped to ask how everything is going and chat for a minute.

I love to hang out in this place. It's a great experience and definitely wonderful atmosphere to chat with friends. I wish they had a little better beer selection, but there is enough to make for a great night.
Jul 24, 2008
Photo of wagenvolks
Reviewed by wagenvolks from Texas

3.88/5  rDev +1.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
I stop by this Hibernian every so often to catch a NFL network football game or to hang out with friends. It always feels less crowded/more authentic than the Hibernian in downtown Raleigh. The atmosphere is that of an authentic Irish pub: dark, hazy, boisterous, and with plenty of UK brews. Nothing special, but they do have some Dogfish Head, Highland, Sam Smith's, Rogue, and of course all the main, mass-produced English and Irish ales.

The food is good, albeit a bit expensive, and the service is actually decent here. Waitresses and bartenders are friendly and (usually) attentive. Definately a good place to hang out with friends, but don't go there looking to find a specialty beer on tap.
Dec 26, 2007
Photo of nriech
Reviewed by nriech from Virginia

4.18/5  rDev +9.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Great atmosphere! Lots of dark wood and large booths in the regular eating area. Lots of stuff hanging up on the walls for that pub vibe. Bar area has lots of room but not so much to keep from being a little neighborhood bar. A few tvs around the place but not everywhere so as to ruin the vibe.

Good selection on tap, standard Irish beers, macros and ciders. Bottles included DFH 90 min, Rogue Dead Guy and Magic Hat #9.

Food is decent. Appetizer was the sampler for me including some great steak tips, standard cheese sticks, good wings, and some very good fried potato ball things, 2 of which had some crab meat in them. I had the curry with chicken which had some spice but wasnt as flavorful as I would have liked. My wife had the shephards pie which was awesome. Made with very tasty lamb and veggies, nice crispy piped potatoes. Would order that again in a second.

Service was pretty good. Lots of attention and never an emtpy glass, of beer or water. Definately a good choice if in the area.
May 07, 2007
Hibernian Irish Pub & Restaurant in Cary, NC
Place rating: 3.82 out of 5 with 11 ratings