TEXT BY JADRIAN KLINGER, PHOTO BY PAUL EMBERGER

It’s no surprise that Coakley’s Irish Restaurant & Pub stands as one of the most recognizable destinations on the West Shore and throughout the greater Harrisburg area. Everyone knows Coakley’s. It’s an integral part of this area’s history, and New Cumberland just wouldn’t seem right without it. Well known for it’s rich tradition, varied atmospheres, great food, long list of beverages and one of the best game rooms around, Coakley’s represents a place of memories past and good times to come. 

“So many people have a great memory involving Coakley’s,” says new owner, Tim Hogg. “For many, it’s the place where they first met their spouse, where they celebrated a special occasion, where they saw the big game or where they had that great meal with the entire family. I have a lot of great memories here too, and I’m proud to continue the Coakley’s tradition.”   

In addition to the storied history, the varied atmospheres really set it apart from the average Irish restaurant and pub. Coakley’s boasts eight different rooms. The Four Seasons Room with large windows, plants and a gas fireplace sits away from the bar, while the Green Room with high tables and flat panel TVs serves as an extension of the bar. The Patio Room provides a sense of dinning outdoors without being exposed to the elements, and the Shamrock Room brings out the Irish in Coakley’s Irish Restaurant & Pub. The Board Room accommodates large parties and banquets. The Game Room entertains the kids and adults alike with five arcade games, two pool tables, two electronic dartboards, a Mega Touch gaming machine and enough elbowroom to have fun. The Main Dinning Room sets the perfect mood for family and friends, and the Bar Room allows customers easy access to the wide selection of beverages, the three gumball machines filled with pistachio nuts and the many high-def TVs tuned to the big game.

Seventeen taps and 79 different bottles round out the beer selection. Coakley’s couldn’t really call themselves an Irish pub without Guinness, Harp and Smithwicks constantly flowing from three of the taps. In addition to the standard American brands, they have a great selection of American microbrews, imports and seasonals that would satisfy the tastes of any beer nerd or hophead out there. The final two taps are reserved for a rotating variety of Harrisburg’s very own award-winning microbrewery brand, Troeg’s. According to the Bar Manager, Jim Cressler, the word is that the elusive Troeg’s Nugget Nectar may be making an appearance sometime soon.

The only menu equally as impressive as the beer menu is the food menu. Famous for their house specialty: slow-roasted prime rib served with a dash of horseradish and a side of au jus, Coakley’s is probably the only restaurant around that can say that customers have been know to come in just for their homemade blue cheese dressing. A creamy compliment to salads but perfect alongside a plate of wings, the blue cheese is the best around. Their menu also features patron favorites like cheesy crab pretzels, sliders and crab cakes. Another palate pleaser is the Crab and Filet Tower, which consists of two filets of beef placed on a bed of sautéed spinach, topped with a crab cake and then crowned with a shrimp and Alfredo sauce. Head Chef, Chris Weitkamp, also creates daily lunch and dinner specials such as espresso rubbed flat iron steak, black pepper crusted tuna salad and a classic Reuben sandwich. 

There truly is something for everyone at Coakley’s, which is why their history and tradition is so great. What better place to celebrate and create some great memories with good friends than at the best Irish restaurant and pub around. HBG