Is McP's a good spot to bring kids?

Yes—it's genuinely family-friendly during the day and early evening. The casual vibe and outdoor seating make it easy to settle in with children, though it does pick up as a late-night hangout later in the evening, so earlier visits tend to feel more relaxed for families.

What should we order?

Go straight for the Irish dishes, especially the Shepherd's Pie—multiple reviews highlight it as the standout. The regular bar food is solid but less memorable, so lean into what McP's does best.

Yes, McP's has outdoor seating, which is a big draw in Coronado. It's a great option if you want to enjoy the weather or bring your dog along.

McP's is pet-friendly, so you can bring your dog—outdoor seating is your best bet for comfortable dining with them.

Do we need a reservation or can we just walk in?

The spot operates as both a neighborhood pub and a gathering place for groups, so it handles walk-ins regularly. For larger groups, especially during peak dinner hours or late-night crowds, a reservation will get you seated faster.

What's the atmosphere really like?

McP's has serious character—it's got a loyal local base and a documented history (the founder was a Navy SEAL Corpsman), so you'll feel the pride of place. The interior gets genuinely good reviews, and it's the kind of joint where the staff actually cares about making you feel welcome.

Is there parking nearby?

You're on Orange Ave in Coronado, which has street parking and nearby lots. It's generally easier to find parking here than in downtown areas, though weekend evenings can fill up faster.

McP's Irish Pub — San Diego

“McP's Irish Pub is where Navy SEALs and island families both end up on a Tuesday night, drawn by the same shepherd's pie that's outlasted base closures and bridge traffic.”

What separates McP's from every other pub claiming Irish heritage is its actual lineage — founded by a Navy SEAL Corpsman, this spot earned its Coronado bones before it poured its first Guinness. You're not getting theme-park Ireland here; you're getting the kind of bar where active-duty guys in civvies sit three stools down from retirees who remember when Orange Avenue had fewer tourists, all of them ordering the same shepherd's pie that shows up in reviews like clockwork.

The Irish dishes — shepherd's pie, fish and chips — consistently outperform the standard bar fare, which tells you what the kitchen cares about. That shepherd's pie comes properly seasoned, not the bland hotel-banquet version, and they'll split it for two with enough on each plate to justify the modest upcharge. The rest of the menu exists to fill gaps, not win awards, but when you're this close to the ferry landing and open late, nobody's asking for molecular gastronomy.

The draw is atmosphere over execution — dark wood, memorabilia that means something to the locals who left it there, the kind of corner-booth privacy that works whether you're celebrating a promotion or debriefing a bad day. Service leans friendly without the forced cheerfulness that plagues tourist traps; staff treat regulars and first-timers with the same no-nonsense warmth.

Parking on Orange Avenue is its own contact sport, especially summer weekends — the municipal lot behind Village Theater is your best bet. Come for an early dinner before the late-night crowd rolls in, or embrace the chaos after 9pm when the patio fills with people who've earned their beer. Either way, you're walking into a place that's been here long enough to stop trying to be anything other than what it is.