McKinney’s is the newest addition to the old Salvation Army Building in the Haymarket.  Along with the new remodel for the Brazilian steakhouse Rodizio, right next door is the addition of the Irish Pub and Grill.  McKinney’s is traditional Irish fare at its best.  Originally intended to only be a bar, the popular demand for Irish food in the Haymarket was quickly realized and added.

The idea for McKinney’s is the brainchild of Nathan Stewart and Joel Schossow who have been in the food service industry for more than 15 years now.  Seeing the obvious growth in downtown Lincoln they jumped at the opportunity to open the only Irish joint west of 9th St.  McKinney’s is doing Irish 100%.  The menu consists of all the classics: Shepherd’s Pie, Corned Beef, and Irish Stew; not to mention their own spin on the Bloody Mary called the Bloody Mammy and their enormous selection of Irish Beers.  Tim, the bar manager is specifically excited about his new specialty drinks including the Barm Brack, a mixture of Greenore Irish Whisky, Cruzan, egg yolk, heavy cream, and pinch of salt garnished with shaved nutmeg.

The crew is super friendly with an upbeat attitude and Tim says they are communicating very well.  “It’s been fun to build a new menu from the ground up,” Tim adds.  “Not to mention coming up with new Guinness combo drinks and Irish whiskey shot concoctions.”  McKinney’s is putting Guinness in everything.  If they were an animal they would be the Guinness mascot, the Toucan.  There is a Guinness onion dip, a Guinness Float for dessert, and even Guinness in the Irish Stew.

When I stopped in, the garage door in front of the building was wide open letting the wonderful spring air in as we found a seat on their very comfortable padded backed stools.  Everything about the atmosphere is clean and inviting including the bathrooms.  The flags have been flown and Irish sports memorabilia and history line the walls intermingled with the patriotic Irish brews.  I started with a cold mug of Boddingtons (I know it’s English but it was on special) and the deviled eggs.  Spiced with horseradish and bacon they were a great light start to the evening.  For dinner I went right for the Corned Beef to test the newbies on their staple Irish dish. My friend went for the Veggie Melt, one of the various vegetarian options also on the menu. The Melt came with these great spiral fries I’d never seen before and the buttermilk butter had a touch of cinnamon, giving everything a nice sweet touch.

The beer list is extensive including Nebraska Brewing’s Farrel’s Irish Red, Kilkenny, and Murphy’s Irish Red all on tap.  The last two can only be found in Lincoln at McKinney’s.  35 Irish Whiskeys round out the drink list, including the super hard to find Jameson’s Rarest Vintage Reserve.

McKinney’s is a great addition to the Haymarket.  Great atmosphere and staff, and a menu unlike any downtown.

Happy Hour is M-F 3-6 pm

Sunday’s are Quarter Flip Specials – $1 off if you get your choice of heads or tails right.

For more info visit McKinney’s on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mckinneyspublincoln.


by Terry Uland, President

Downtown Lincoln Association

402-434-6900

www.downtownlincoln.org


Founded in 1967, the Downtown Lincoln Association provides services and champions initiatives for maintaining and enhancing our vibrant downtown. Our vision is to create an energetic downtown environment where we live, learn, work, invest and play. DLA has evolved into a multi-faceted organization supporting a wide range of programs and activities including maintenance, economic development and advocacy.

For a complete listing of downtown businesses, events and residences visit downtownlincoln.org. ‘Like’ us on Facebook at facebook.com/downtownlincoln.