In the  season of St. Patty’s day, the most inspiring Irish tavern I have ever visited, and believe me that is more than a few, is in a location that most people would never associate with such of a gem of a bar, Sherburne Pass, Vermont.  McGRATH'S IRISH PUB is a prominent feature of the INN AT LONG TRAIL, both of which are owned and operated by the McGrath family since 1977. The Pub and Inn are located almost directly across the road from Pico Peak.  Also, the Appalachian Trail, known as the Long Trail, passes within steps of the Inn.


My friends and I, many from the Jersey Shore in the Atlantic City area, have been visiting the Pico Peak area since the early seventies.  Pico had been owned by a number of families that had invested in the ski area and then built homes alongside the slope.  We spent great weekends in the area and McGRATH'S PUB has long been on my radar.  However, it has taken years of acquired experiences and wisdom to realize how special the INN AND McGRATH'S are.  It is the ultimate Irish Pub experience with an added benefit -- only a flight of Adirondack timber steps to climb to safe, warm and comfortable beds.  No need to drive the mountainous and dark, icy roads when you visit this tavern.

McGRATH'S has some notable distinctions.  Among them, the Pub is proud of the fact that they have one of the largest selections of Irish Whiskey in Vermont.  To compliment the whiskey, McGRATH'S was the first to serve Guinness in Vermont and to this day, they serve more Guinness than any other bar in the state.  Neither of these facts comes as a surprise when you visit the Pub, because everything about this establishment is special.  From the great bartender, Owen to the back of the house where Patrick, a superb chef, performs his creative magic, everyone and everything you encounter is memorable and enjoyable.



This is no ordinary commonplace wooden bar, but rather a very wide center cut timber with the bark still attached.  In fact, the entire room is built with local timber.  The support beams are trees with bark.  To suggest that McGRATH'S has an “Adirondack” feel would be an understatement equivalent to stating that the Irish like their beer! 

The most impressive aspect of this bar and dining room is that they were literally built around massive boulders.  There is a huge steel grey rock at the far end of the bar.  The rock is actually at the base of a cliff that soars skyward from the back wall of the Inn and Pub.  There is also another rock that serves as a table.  The bar floor is actually built around the rock.  The sensation is one of being outside on the mountain while you are enjoying a Pub that could be in Ireland.
Whether we come from New Jersey, New York, Boston or beyond, McGRATH'S PUB welcomes you as if you have been there every day of your life.  A perfect place to congregate in this spot to revel in our Irish heritage, to remember those that came before us, and to experience the joy of being in a place that bestows fulfilling peace.  Any trip to Vermont should include a visit to this beautiful place.