McGuire’s Irish Pub Pensacola

McGuire’s Irish Pub is a large Irish saloon, steakhouse and brewery housed in Pensacola’s original 1927 firehouse on East Gregory Street, at the eastern edge of downtown. The pub describes its look as a turn-of-the-century New York Irish saloon, and its best-known feature is impossible to miss: signed dollar bills covering the walls and ceilings, left by guests over several decades.

McGuire and Molly Martin opened the first McGuire’s in 1977 as a small neighborhood pub in a shopping center. In 1982 it moved into the old firehouse, which had also spent time as the Old Firehouse Drive-In. The business has since grown into a sprawling series of themed rooms seating around 615 people, according to the pub. A Destin location followed in 1996, and a Panama City Beach location opened more recently. The pub has collected honors including a 1998 Steak House of the Year award from the National Beef Council and multiple Florida Trend Golden Spoon awards.

Beer brewed on site

McGuire’s brews its own beer on site in an oak and copper brewhouse that opened in 1988, which the pub calls the oldest brewery of its kind in Florida. The lineup includes McGuire’s Light Ale, Irish Red Ale, IPA, Porter and Irish Stout, plus rotating seasonals and a house root beer. The Irish Red was the first beer brewed and remains the most popular.

The menu covers Irish pub standards, burgers, seafood and steaks, and the pub also runs a butcher shop and wine cellar. First-timers will hear about the tradition of kissing the mounted moose head, and many sign a dollar for the wall. Live performers play most nights, generally from 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. until midnight, and there is music during Sunday brunch. The pub also lends its name to the annual McGuire’s Irish Pub Run, a community race held again in 2026.

Weekend evenings and holidays can be busy, so large groups should consider calling ahead. Beyond the dining rooms, McGuire’s offers gift cards, online ordering and private event space, and its brewery beers are poured at both the Pensacola and Destin locations. Visitors who enjoy the Pensacola pub can compare it with the sister locations along the coast.

The pub lists hours of 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, with the kitchen open late. It closes on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Check hours before you go. It is a short drive or a longer walk from Palafox Street.