Matt Yaple
“There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t met yet.”
-William Butler Yeats
Surely, Yeats could have been talking about a typical Irish pub on a typical Irish day. But if the famed Irish poet were still composing verse—and composing it in our capital city—it’s highly likely he would be sharing similar sentiments about downtown Harrisburg’s one-and-only place to enjoy a wee taste of the Emerald Isle, McGrath’s Irish Pub.
McGrath’s, a long-time local staple located on Locust Street, isn’t just a pub.
“We consider it the hub,” said manager/bartender Matt Yaple, this month’s “Bartender’s Choice” subject. “All the politicians come here, and all the bartenders when they’re done with work—it’s where you come to hang out, and that’s one of things I love about it.”
Yaple has been loving his job at McGrath’s for nearly a decade, as he’ll be celebrating his 10-year anniversary this month. Which, of course, seems appropriate, what with March’s annual festivities making Guinness (and yes, for some, green beer) lovers out of all of us.
Yaple, one of a team of five to 10 bartenders (not counting the so-called “utility bartenders” who help to fill in at all three of owner Adam Sturges’ establishments—The Sturges Speakeasy and Mad Moose Tavern being the other two) said that McGrath’s seasonal and themed drinks are created as a group, and, on this visit, we got to sample a pair of expertly crafted cocktails.
For starters, there was the Espresso Martini, “a recipe that has been here longer than I have,” mused Yaple, and apparently one of McGrath’s most popular cocktails.
“Very simple, basic recipe: crème de cacao, vanilla vodka, espresso and some espresso liqueur, just a simple ratio,” he said. “We do a little cream drizzle on top and, I don’t know what it is, but everyone says ours is one of the best.”
That was followed by March’s “drink of the month,” a flavorful and colorful Irish Cosmo.
“It’s realistically just a Cosmopolitan, but instead of vodka, you’re subbing out with Jameson Orange,” Yaple said. “It’s a real traditional cocktail just with whiskey instead of vodka.”
Another drink Yaple recommends for St. Patrick’s Day is a Peanut Butter Car Bomb, made with Screwball Peanut Butter Whiskey and Baileys Chocolate.
Wait, did someone mention St. Patrick’s Day? As always, McGrath’s will be open early, around 7 or 8 a.m., on both the day of Harrisburg’s holiday parade (March 15) and on the day itself (March 17), serving an Irish breakfast all day long.
“We’ll probably be full capacity from open till close,” Yaple said. “It’s just gonna be chaos all day. That’s our Super Bowl.”
Hungry for some traditional Irish fare to go along with those Irish Cosmos and pints of Guinness? Yaple recommends their very popular shepherd’s pie and McGrath’s unique take on fish and chips, made with fresh, beer-battered salmon in place of the typical haddock or cod.
YAPLE’S CHOICES
Words of advice to home mixologists
Keep it simple. Learn to appreciate the base alcohol before messing with too many flavors.
Favorite spirit straight
Jameson Irish Whiskey
Recommendations for two or three spirits to try
Illegal Caribbean Cask Finish Mezcal; Redbreast 12-Year Irish Whiskey
Most commonly ordered drinks at your bar
People love our espresso martinis. They are definitely one of our top sellers.
Your day job
I work full-time at McGrath’s. However, I am known around town for producing some pretty popular artisan beef jerky.
Days/hours you normally work at McGrath’s
I’m here Monday to Friday every week, but you can catch me behind the main bar Tuesday nights.
DRINK FOR MARCH
Irish Cosmo
2 ounces Jameson
½ ounce Triple sec
½ ounce lime juice
Splash cranberry juice
McGrath’s Irish Pub is located at 202 Locust St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their Facebook page. Photos by Will Masters.
If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!
