Dining Out

Just In Time for St. Patty's Day

A new Irish pub opens on Thayer Street

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Hercules Mulligan’s is now open at 272 Thayer Street, the upper level space that has been occupied over the years by bars and restaurants such as Max’s Upstairs and most recently Marley’s. The pub is named for a real life Irish immigrant who was a friend of Alexander Hamilton and spied for the Americans during the Revolutionary War. He ran a clothing shop in New York that was frequented by British officers, and at the behest of George Washington, he collected and passed on intelligence to the Continental Army.

The pub that now bears his name offers a menu including classic Irish fare like bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie and Irish breakfast, but also more eclectic selections like BBQ Turkey Tips, Pistachio Crusted Salmon and Point Judith Calamari. Their Hercules Wings are available with sauces like the traditional buffalo, but also more unique options like Wasabi Teriyaki and Jameson Honey BBQ. They even offer an uncharacteristically spicy (at least for an Irish pub) challenge: eat an order of their hottest wings, made with the legendary Ghost Chili, and win a gift card.

The most intriguing items, however, are on the dessert menu, where you can try a Guinness Brownie Sundae or Jameson Whiskey Baked Apples.

Owner Charlie Greene originally hails from the central Irish town of Athlone, and the pub is a longtime dream of his; he simply wanted to open the kind of place where he would like to hang out and have a pint. The space was in need of a renovation, having most recently been a decidedly un-pub-like Caribbean restaurant, and Greene did much of the work himself. There are distinct touches throughout, like the seating along the wall, which consists of former church pews made from century-old oak, or the framed plaque bearing a message in Gaelic that reads, "Please pay your tab, because my rent would kill a horse." (Greene explains he said that to his wife as he was opening the pub, and she later had it translated for him.)

Hercules Mulligans has just the kind of laid back vibe you want expect from an Irish pub, including, the self-proclaimed "best pint of Guinness in town." Greene explains that the quality has to do with the distance between the keg and the tap – the shorter the better. Try one on St. Patrick's Day, when you can be sure Hercules Mulligan's will be celebrating.

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