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| - 2.5 stars (rounded up to three) for the drink selection, hours and patio. Points off for lacking authenticity and bland food.
Decent bar, that attempts to bring some much needed diversity to the downtown scene, but ultimately falls a little short. I appreciate the attempt at bring an authentic Irish experience- unlike Seamus, it actually looks like a Irish pub, will dark oak wood, cozy booths, but unlike Seamus, it doesn't quite feel authentic yet. Perhaps after it has a few years to wear in and replace the fresh paint smell with a stale beer smell and the bar stools and booths have gotten and little more worn in. Also, i find the atmosphere a tad sparse and spread out for an authentic pub experience- no real intimacy or jostling for position at the bar, even when it is supposedly 'busy'. On the other hand, I will give Turf gets high marks for one of the few pubs downtown to actually have a patio, which is a big plus when the weather is good.
It's not a bad place to grab a 'real' (i,.e 2- oz) pint of an Irish beer. However, where thy really shine is their broad selection of Irish whiskeys. Rumor has it that the have the second largest selection in AZ (one less that their big brother Seamus) .
Unfortunately, the food isn't up to par with their bar. Yes, the waffle fries are decent way to soak up some of the booze you consume, but the real menu flats flat. While they have a decent menu, including some attempts at irish classics like boxty, bangers and mash, corned beef and cabbage, and fish and chips (which can be quite tasty), the quality and tastiness just aren't there. This may have worked for Seamus, when it was the only pub in the downtown core, but it doesn't cut it at turf, whose in the vicinity of several great restaurants and bars (including two in the same building and one right around the corner), which are are head and shoulders above Turf...
My advice? A good place to meet a friend for a pint before diner, or to stop by after dinner on Friday's and Saturdays for the live music, but only rat here if you are desperately hungry.
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