Week 11 of the NFL season’s Monday Night line up features the Tennessee Titans verse Houston Texans. This matchup looked good at the beginning of the season, but the fall of the Titans makes this a real snoozer matchup. Regardless, watching an NFL game is a great way to break in the workweek. This week’s stop on the bar tour is Mahoney’s, 1602 E Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids.

Mahoney’s is a tiny bar located in a residential area a few blocks off First Avenue. If you haven’t checked it out, put it on your list. They have an extensive beer menu of both draft and bottled beer. Unique beers and seasonals are always moving in and out of this place, so even the most astute beer connoisseur should find something they like.

This place is probably the smallest bar reviewed to date, but the staff was kind enough to rearrange a few tables to fit the tour crowd. Four of the five HDTVs are on the wall behind the bar. Two of the TVs are 42”s, which is just fine, given the size of the place.

Mahoneys had a Monday Night football raffle for beer company merchandise. Show up before kickoff to get your
raffle ticket. Prizes were drawn at half.
I landed a Guinness 250 pint glass. So I’m pretty happy.

The food situation at Mahoneys is interesting; they don’t have a kitchen, but they have partnered up with the adjacent bar (Paddy O’Rourkes) to bring in take out. Standard fare of pizza, sandwiches and various appetizers are on the menu, but the steak sandwich was a great surprise.

Overall, this is a very cool bar with a lot of personality and a pretty decent place to catch the game. This place could be hit or miss since it’s so small, but it also may be a secret oasis. Roll the dice and check it out.
— DEREK

                                                                             Photo by Jim Slosiarek

Angie Nissen, 28, Cedar Rapids
Manager @ Mahoney’s

You just got back from Las Vegas. More business or pleasure?
The owner of Mahoney’s and I attended the Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas. It was awesome! We’re always trying to stay ahead of the curve, see what’s out there, and this conference gave us some incredible ideas.

It’s obvious you have a lot of love for this place. How would you describe Mahoney’s to someone who’s never been?
Any place can serve you a drink. Mahoney’s is a fun, happy bar with great personality. Due to its smaller size, the staff is able to open up and build a rapport with customers. You can’t get that at the bigger places. Mahoney’s attracts an eclectic group of patrons and our staff responds. They really bring the party to life! We all add our own personality and style. Customers appreciate that.

I imagine St. Patrick’s Day takes everything to another level.
We ARE St. Patrick’s Day! Mahoney’s is in the heart of the Irish District, so of course St. Patrick’s Day is the biggest day of the year for us and we go all out. We open at 9 a.m., rearrange the bar set up to maximize space and kick off specials that run all day. There’s a barbecue pit in the back, beer tubs in the front, the staff gets to dress up, we’ve got our leprechaun…

What? Seriously! A leprechaun?
Every year this patron volunteers to dress up in full leprechaun attire, sit in a little cubby hole and throw out beads and other trinkets to the crowd all day. It wouldn’t be St. Patrick’s Day without him.

It has to be an exhausting day for the bar.
It’s a crazy day, but we’re prepared and it’s a great kick off to spring and summer. Be ready for an all-out party.

Details: Mahoney’s, 1602 E Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, (319) 364-5754, http://www.mahoneyspubcr.com